Kitchen backsplash: hand-made, site-specific ("architectural") tiles by Tammy Vitale of Tam’s Originals.
On April 21st here I shared informaton on writing press releases. Because many of us in the arts are one-person entrepreneural shops, creating press releases gives us: control over the informational content being presented to the public; self-reliance as opposed to tracking down and paying a professional; a networking avenue (reporters and local newspapers) that we might not think about otherwise.
You have already learned the basics of writing the release. Your next step is identifying your local papers. In my area we have 2 local papers: The Calvert Recorder and The Maryland Independent , a regional: The Bay Weekly, and the local section of a national: Southern Maryland Section, Washington Post. Additionally, we can advertise in the County’s Economic Development on-line calendar. Don’t be afraid to send to the "big guys." Your press release might be just the thing they need to fill several empty columns.
In addition to the local papers, look into local and regional magazines (many do 300 word articles) and take note of calendars – you can get an article as well as a calendar listing in the same paper.
It is best to tailor your release to the audience/particular media outlet. Below is a sample of the ways an original release has been tailored to different audiences/outlets. When sending to a calendar, send exactly the short blurb you want so that it doesn't get edited and leave out the information you want left in. If you are spanning a region, you can tailor the releases to the particular news outlet (i.e., county or region). The truth is I don't always do this because it is a lot of work - and when I don't take the time, it shows in non-released press. It's always good to send along a picture (I seem to get better results when I include a picture), even for services. For services – have someone who will take a picture with you in it - preferably with another person looking very pleased at the service you have given.
Pictures should have on the back or in the body of the email at the top: the quote/caption you want under the photo, identification of any people in the photo (make sure you have their permission), who took the picture (usually not listed but you never know). Sometimes photos will get put in as filler without the press release. This is always good. People like to look at pictures!
Here are copies of the same release done for different venues. Below I have put in [] and caps the format of the release and to whom to send it.
COMMUNITY NEWS RELEASE
[SENT TO THE COMMUNITY SECTION OF THE NEWPAPER]
Contact: Terri Urban 301-292-0000
[TWO CONTACTS ARE BEST]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[OR: FOR RELEASE WEEK OF...., ETC]
Art’s Alive! presents its third Wylde Women and Friends at the Riverwalk Gazebo on Solomons Island, Maryland, on Saturday, August 23, from noon to 6 pm rain or shine. Art includes: paintings and watercolors by Eileen Baca, Catherine Farrell, Joan Humphreys and Rex Miller, mixed media by Robin Gilliam, sculptures by Rose Beitzell, Mary Ida Rolape and Tammy Vitale, bone sighs by Terri Urban and jewelry, art and basketry by Dire Wolf. [WHO IS DOING WHAT, WHEN. LISTING SPECIFIC NAMES IS ALWAYS GOOD]
“Presenting Art at the River walk Gazebo is fun;" says Vitale, “we get to meet a lot of folks because we’re out where we can be seen and people stop by to browse and chat and spend some time with the art. The venue as well as the mix of art creates that. What more could an artist ant?” [WHENEVER POSSIBLE INCLUDE QUOTES FROM AT LEAST ONE PERSON, TWO IS BETTER]
Art’s Alive! is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to creating venues for diverse art in
Southern Maryland
. A preview of some of the art being offered can be seen at www.wyldewomen.com [THE ORGANIZATION'S PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY, HOW TO CONTACT, WHERE TO FIND MORE INFO - THIS PARTICULAR ONE DIDN'T INCLUDE A PHONE NUMBER, BUT THIS IS THE PLACE TO DO THAT.]
END
COMMUNITY NEWS RELEASE
[A CALENDAR STYLE, SHORT VERSION.
IF YOU DON'T SHORTEN IT, THEY MIGHT AND MISS WHAT YOU WANT IN THE RELEASE. DO YOUR OWN SHORT VERSION]
THE CALVERT RECORDER
SOUTHERN MARYLAND WEEKEND
THINGS TO DO
FOR RELEASE ANYTIME BEFORE JUNE 28, 2003
Art’s Alive! presents art at the Riverwalk Gazebo on Solomons Island, Maryland, on June 28 from noon to 6 pm rain or shine. Art includes: watercolors by Joan Humphreys and Eileen Baca, creations by Robin Gilliam, sculptures by Rose Beitzell, Mary Ida Rolape and Tammy Vitale, bone sighs by Terri Urban and oils by Catherine Farrell.
END
As I mentioned on April 21, you can send your draft release to me at: Tam@TamsOriginals.com if you'd like me to review it. I'm also available for consulting if you would like to prepare a full media package for your work/service.
Thought for the day:
"'What are your deep dreams? Write for five minutes.' Many of us don't know, don't recognize, avoid our deep dreams. When we write for five, ten minutes we are forced to put down wishes that float around in our mind and that we might not pay attention to. It is an opportunity to write down, without thinking, wishes at the periphery of our perceptions." Natalie Goldber, Writing Down the Bones
.
