Five Press Release Blunders

CATEGORY: Blog Posts

DATE: Oct 1, 2019
AUTHOR: Tamsin Parker

TOP TIPS

Stay ahead of the game

Our ‘Top Tips’ series helps you grow your business through the media. In this post you’ll learn how to avoid common press release blunders.

There are certain faux pas that will infuriate a journalist and I should know, with my other hat on, I’m still one of them. If you’re new to PR and building a relationship with a reporter, use our simple tips to make sure you get off on the right foot.

TIP ONE

Keep it simple

Don’t use 1000 words when 300 words will do. Journalists haven’t got time to wade through waffle.

TIP TWO

Get To The Point

Don’t hide the story in the third paragraph down. A short, attention grabbing first paragraph explaining what your story is will get a reporter’s attention. If they have to search for the story – you’ve lost your opportunity to sell it.

TIP THREE

Avoid Jargon

Whatever your sector, technical language that only someone in your field will understand isn’t going to win any fans. If you use abbreviations, make sure you put what the letters stands for first.

TIP FOUR

Available Interviewees

If you’re pitching to a TV or radio reporter, don’t quote someone on your press release who isn’t available for interview. If you quote Jane Jones and Jane’s going away for three weeks, a reporter’s not going to wait until she’s back from her cruise around the Greek isles. Opportunity lost.

TIP FIVE

Remember The Basics

Spellcheck. It might sound obvious but over the years I’ve received so many press releases littered with typos, it makes you realise that not everyone checks through the text before they hit send. The more mistakes, the more it makes your organisation look unprofessional. Check all your dates too. If you’re inviting the press to a media launch on Monday May 16th but Monday’s the 15th, cue confusion, and less people attending as a result.

Watch out for our top interview tips coming soon and remember If you need any help with writing your press releases – just drop LEGS PR a line, we’d be glad to help.

LEGS PR – A Step Ahead in Communication.
AUTHOR: Tamsin Parker
Tamsin is our Managing Director and the founder of LEGS PR. She is a communications and engagement expert with more than 20 years of journalistic and PR experience in both the public and private sectors. She has worked in newspapers, commercial radio, and regional television where she covered news and sport. Tamsin still freelances as a broadcast journalist as is a lecturer in journalism and sports journalism at Staffordshire University.

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