This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Making the News: Why You Should Be Promoting Yourself

Warning! -- this is a somewhat long post with some very useful information



            On yesterday's post I extended a challenge to each of you to do something that will not only help the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge become something bigger and better, but also help you in whatever it is that you do in your own life.   If you have not read my previous post I hope you will go back to see what I have to say.

             Some may have run away from my Saturday post with an "I'm scared" or an "I can't do that" attitude.   Others may be pooh-poohing the idea as something that won't work or is nonviable.  The ones I'll be addressing in this post are those who believe in themselves and what they can do.   I'm talking to those of you who seek success and want the best for themselves.

              There are essentially three kinds of people in life.  There are those who watch other people achieve their dreams and marvel at their successes or deride those accomplishments.   Then there are those who dream dreams and wonder, "This is a great idea--somebody should do this."   And finally, there are those who latch on to an idea and run with it, despite any discouragement directed toward their efforts, and they either succeed or they try again until they do.  My new challenge to you is directed to those who are part of this last group.

              There are many ways to promote something.  Those of you who are Tweeting about the Challenge or posting on FaceBook or spreading the word via your blog or some other social media venue are doing a great job and I encourage you to keep this up.  However, today I want to address using news media to get the message to the public and what some of the repercussions are in doing this.  

Is the Blogging from A to Z Challenge news?  

Consider the following:

J.M. who has been confined to a wheelchair since childhood has made friends throughout the world via his ham radio hobby.

Mr. and Mrs. E.J.  have cared for eleven different foster children over the past twenty years.

Mr. and Mrs. H.C. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Myrtle Beach, NC.

The S. family recently returned from a two week vacation to New York City where they visited many famous attractions and saw a Broadway show. 

A wallet lost by W.W. was found by his dog.

Eight students from M. High School will be participating in a Junior Achievement conference to be held in N. in February.

         What do the above have in common?  They are all actual stories I have seen in a local paper.  Were they important?  To the people involved, perhaps.  Were they interesting?  Debatable. 

Now what about these:

Local author joins worldwide blogging challenge.

Student bloggers at M. High School join challenge to Blog through the alphabet.

Popular poetess composes a poem per day during the month of April.

Long lost friends are reunited through blogging challenge.

          Would you be interested in these stories?   Do you think others might like reading about these as much as they would someone's vacation?   If the stories were well presented, they would certainly get someone's attention. 

What is news anyway?


          A newspaper delivers what is termed "hard news" and "soft news".   Hard news is the major stuff that reporters are busy digging up.  These are the events that effect us or other people in potentially big ways.  This is the news that appears on the front pages and oftentimes receives extensive coverage.

          Much of the rest of the paper uses filler material in the form of soft news.   A lot of this soft news comes from press releases that people send in to reporters or news desks.  Newspapers rely on these press releases to give added content to the newspaper.

           If accepted, the story will often go into the paper as it has been received or with minor revisions.  Occasionally, a reporter may find the story to be interesting enough to follow up and get more information.  It may be expanded into a feature which can oftentimes include photographs.  Newspapers welcome press releases.  They are part of what is news.

What do press releases cover?
      
Community news --- The things that people, businesses or organizations in the community are doing.


Upcoming events -- Things that are going to be happening that people will want to be watching for.


Human interest-- Personalized stories about individuals or groups that are inspiring or entertaining.

             Any of these could potentially relate to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  You can put your own personal spin on the story of the Challenge.  In the third person, tell the readers who you are and what you do.  Connect this information about you to the grander scope of this Challenge that involves participants from throughout the world.

What to include in your press release:

 
             Make sure you drop in a few things about what you want to make known about yourself.  If you've recently written a book or have one soon to be released, mention it.  Or if you are involved with a particular cause or charity, include something about that.  This can even be a time to discreetly give a plug to your business or a product.  Just be sure it somehow fits in with the Challenge news so that your press release doesn't sound like a blatant advertising promotion for you and your products. A newspaper would prefer that you buy advertising for that.   Include the address to your blog so readers can come to see what you've been talking about.   Feel free to leave mine as well if you want readers to be directed to the information about the challenge and the list of participants.

             Remember that when writing a press release about yourself you should make it sound like it has been written by someone other than you.  Give the vital information without going into too much detail.  Put a good spin on your own story and connect it with something larger than just you so readers can better identify and feel that they are a part of your story.

         You're a writer--make the story seem interesting and relevant.    However a press release should also be fairly short--maybe 200 to 400 words.  Leave a contact so they can reach you if they want more information.  This is how feature stories start.   A feature writer hears a story and decides if it's worth expanding upon or even adding pictures.

Why would you want to be in the news:

          As I've already said, most of you have something that you are involved with that you want people to know about.  A news story can start that ball rolling.   You will often gain added search engine presence with the story.   If you are trying to build a platform or even a resume, it doesn't hurt to have news stories about you circulating--if they're about something good of course.   And a news story looks good in a scrapbook or even framed on your wall.

        Connecting yourself to something bigger like Blogging from A to Z makes your presence a little more significant and adds interest to your story.   There is something fun and uplifting about seeing your name in print and knowing that others will be reading it.  If you are blogging, you are probably trying to have your name recognized in some way.  Being in the news is another way of being noticed.

        More awareness of the Challenge will provide incentive to do our best if we know more people may be watching us. Our writing may improve and gain more exposure.   We will expand our potential for making connections with others who don't normally see our blogs.   This will increase our networking opportunities for the future.

        In upcoming posts I will talk more about the press release and how to get it into the right hands.  You can do the research yourself as well.   Google "press releases" and you can find plenty of information on how to format and compose your release.   If you do a search of the newspaper or other media that you'd like to submit to, you can find out about what procedures they require and who to contact.  It's all out there and it doesn't take long to find the most pertinent information.

         Try it--it's a writing exercise that will help hone your skills.  And if you haven't had to send out press releases already, someday you might need to.   That is, of course, unless your press agent does that for you.
Can I see a show of hands of everyone who has a press agent?

                                           ###

Addendum:  sample press release--
          This has already been a very long post, but Alex J. Cavanaugh asked me to include a sample press release which I will add here.  I may include additional samples in the future.   I am not formatting it like it should be--you can find formatting information if you look up "press release format" on Google.



              Local Author Joins Worldwide Blog Event


         Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of the novel CassaStar which is now enjoying a successful release, is going to take a break from writing his next book to participate in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge with hundreds of other bloggers from around the world.



The local author began blogging a year ago at the advice of his publisher Dancing Lemur Press. Since starting his blog, he has accumulated a legion of fans he affectionately refers to as “Alex’s Army”.


The turning point in amassing his army of blog followers was in April of 2010 when he joined in the A to Z Blogging Challenge that was started by fellow blogger Arlee Bird from Los Angeles.


“Last April, I was a new blogger,” says Cavanaugh. “It was the best thing I could've done for my blog. I got to know so many awesome people and those of us who participated became like family. We grew and stretched together. And we had a blast in the process!”


Poetess and blogger Yvonne Lewis from England is also sold on the concept. She will be returning again this April to match last year’s feat of twenty-six poems during the month with each one themed with a letter of the alphabet.


“I am so pleased that there is to be another A to Z,” said Yvonne. “Through last years challenge I gained more fans. It was fun and it brought a lot of people together via our computers. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I will be doing it again this year.”


Due to Alex Cavanaugh’s enthusiasm for the A to Z Challenge and his rapport with so many other bloggers, he was invited this year along with six other bloggers from throughout the United States and England to co-host the event.


“Last year the Challenge was so popular that I knew that 2011 would be more than I could handle by myself,” said Arlee Bird. “I asked some of the best bloggers I knew if they would help me out this year—the response was an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’”


Cavanaugh expects that 2012 will be even bigger, but first they’ll have to make it through this April.  All bloggers are invited to join in and anyone is welcome to read through the progress of the Challenge.  You can visit Alex J. Cavanaugh’s blog and find out more about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge at alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.



         I am not a professional copywriter.  Some of you may have a better grasp of writing these things than I do.  I welcome any corrections or comments concerning the above sample.   I will say that from my experience, something like the above is usually adequate enough copy to be accepted by a newspaper.  Just make sure you include contact information in case they want to take it a step further and do a feature article.
Also it's not a bad idea to include a publicity photo of yourself (sorry Alex).  Just like it's suggested for blogs, newspapers often like to have a picture to go with the story.
 
          I sincerely hope that some of you will consider putting something together today and try to get it submitted somewhere this week.   I will be posting more on this topic in the next few days.  Good luck!
 
 
 
            ###

23 comments:

  1. Sigh. I'll give it a shot. (If it's rejected, expect me to show up here and subject you to a lot of public wailing and hand wringing). ;) You're right, of course; if nothing else, it's a good exercise for all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the mention Lee, but I stand by what I said it was a wonderful experience and it took one person with an idea to make it work.

    Have a good day.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey, your sample sounds pretty darn good!

    Hmmmm......

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Arlee, I'm new here, so you said to post a link to my blog in the comments:

    http://writing.wordit.com


    I wrote a press-release once. Wasn't too difficult. I found it best to study several similar press-releases, and follow the pattern.

    However, I only submitted it to a free online service. I didn't know how to contact print media without paying, so info on that would be extremely welcome. Thanks for the post.

    Marcus

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Lee .. COMPELLING post - I must say!! Excellent post and thoughts .. I shall do just that to our local newspaper and perhaps reschedule my ABCs to Sussex ABCs ..

    Good thoughts - thank goodness I haven't written the others yet - now I can slightly change tack ..

    Enjoy the weekend .. - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  6. There you go Lee! Now that's making it clear.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great idea. You never know you might even find bloggers in your community you haven't talked with online.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

    ReplyDelete
  8. You make it sound so easy, Lee. I'll see what i can do.

    Very passionate post, BTW.

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi! I'm already signed on and I have been lightly promoting it BUT or I should say AND because 'but' just stops the thoughts so AND I realize that I joined up without knowing in a simple one or two sentences what I am supposed to do and why this is a good thing to do. I'm not trying to be picky here - I mean it. I know that I would like more folks to read my blogs and I like a challenge (done a marathon for instance) and I want to know exactly what I am supposed to do. Here's what I imagine I do - I write a blog for six days of each week of April with my blog inspired by the letter of the day and I visit other bloggers doing the same. Is that it?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Charmaine -- Let us know what happens.

    Li -- If you're a writer, a job-hunter, or whatever in life where you are asking someone else to accept you, consider this exercise more practice and a skin-toughener. Remember that the people at the media desks are just people trying to do their jobs in delivering content to the public and you are offering to help them.
    Who knows what good friends and contacts you can make in the process.

    Yvonne-- I always appreciate the support you give.

    Words Crafter -- I'm sure you can come up with something equally good if not better.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hilary -- Let us know what the outcome is. Don't go to too much trouble in changing things --unless you want to of course.

    Alex -- I hope it's clear. Now you or have someone you know call, email, or go in person to a local paper and submit the release or one that you have edited to your satisfaction. If they seem hesistant, find out why and ask how you can get something about it. You might sell some more books in the process.

    Mason -- That's true. There are probably many bloggers in each of our communities that we have no idea exist. You might be able to organize socially--a good way to have an in for more publicity about other things later.

    Gideon -- Start looking at the paper and reading from the standpoint of what has been submitted as a press release. Lot's of people do it and it often is extremely easy.

    Jan -- You have the basic premise correct. Most of the others who have signed up will be doing just as you have described. We want everyone to have fun doing this, but at the same time it does provided an opportunity for those who want to stretch beyond the basic premise to do so. It is your personal challenge and you can take from it as much as you want to in whatever way you want to. I know that there are some bloggers trying to establish a platform, sell a product, or get the word out about something. This post today is for those bloggers who are interested in doing that. You are supposed to do whatever suits you personally to derive from the challenge what it is that you want. The main thing is to have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I believe the opening needs a stronger hook to grab an editor's interest.

    Quotes are good, but use sparingly.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Self promoting is hard work! But in the long run if it gets me to being able to write full time then hell yeah! :)

    The Arrival, Book 1 of the BirthRight Trilogy available now

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic ideas, and a great sample! These tips can be easily applied to getting coverage for books, too. Thanks, Alex and Lee.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hmmm . . . there is a local newspaper, so I'll have to look into this. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great idea and practice for those of us who have something to sell or share. Now I have to go to the last post and get the details. After that, I need to go and check whether I did sign up or if it was a figment of my imagination.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ha, great idea. It's taking it one step further.

    ReplyDelete
  18. QUESTION PLEASE. I'm new to this and I need to know. Am I supposed to find a whole lot of new people to connect with during April? Is that the purpose of this project? I'm just now sure what exactly this is about. I subscribe to about twenty blogs at the present time and try and comment on them as often as I find time but if I'm supposed to do the same with more during April please tell me if that is the goal. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's a good idea, actually. I am (was) a freelance writer for a small local newspaper. This is the perfect kind of story to break up all the "bad things happening to people stories". People love reading positive news.

    Dan

    ReplyDelete
  20. Paula -- I agree about the opening and for a feature story that would be especially true. I was trying to stick to a more generic press release format. And I felt the quotes were long when I was writing them, but I just wanted to write something quickly.

    Nicole -- Self-promo does take work but it's necessary.

    Talli -- That's true. This is an approach for anything that you want to get in the public eye.

    Karen -- Thanks for stopping.

    Golden Eagle -- Try it. It can be done and I'll bet you could do it!

    J.L. -- If you haven't signed up yet, make haste and do so now!

    Lynda -- This will help those who are looking to promote something.

    Betty -- I sent a direct email answer, but in two words: Have Fun!

    Dan -- Thank you for that validation. I was hoping someone in the know would back me up on this.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The following comment appeared in my email, but appeared got filtered out before it made it to my comments. I have copied it to past here:

    Marcus (http://nibl.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Making the News: Why You Should Be Promoting Your...":

    Hi Arlee, I'm new here, so you said to post a link to my blog in the comments:

    http://writing.wordit.com


    I wrote a press-release once. Wasn't too difficult. I found it best to study several similar press-releases, and follow the pattern.

    However, I only submitted it to a free online service. I didn't know how to contact print media without paying, so info on that would be extremely welcome. Thanks for the post.

    Marcus



    Posted by Marcus to Tossing It Out at March 13, 2011 4:51 AM

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee