General Dos and Don'ts of a News Release
- Do check with local news editors to see how they like to have news releases delivered. Fax and e-mail have had a major impact on getting publicity to a news outlet. Follow up the fax or e-mail with a hard copy clearly marked "duplicate," or a telephone call.
- Do clearly indicate why the library's news release is timely and newsworthy.
- Do identify the library fully.
- Do cover all the facts. Assume readers have no background information on the subject of the news release.
- Do refer to women and men in the same way. Use first names, middle initials and last names for the first reference to a person. Subsequent references should use just the last name.
- Do check every news release carefully to ensure that all the information is complete and accurate.
- Do verify spellings of all names.
- Don't use initials, abbreviations, or acronyms to refer to your library or library programs.
- Don't use technical terms or library jargon. News copy should be written at a junior high school reading level.
- Don't editorialize. If the news release must convey subjective ideas, use direct quotes. Quotes add life to a news release copy and allow the library to mention the names of people.
- Don't use superlatives in describing the library, its services or its programs.
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Annette Wetteland
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last modified
Jan 02, 2009 12:31 AM
