I’ve been a magazine editor for over ten years now. And during that time, the volume of information I receive from people vying to make themselves or their products known to me is nothing short of enormous. Every day I receive media releases telling me about the latest and greatest products, services, research findings and the like, so what does a media release need to contain in order to secure some real estate in the pages of my publications? Let me tell you…
Tip 1. Offer a freebie
When I first started my career with the red pen (yes, we used pens a lot more, back then!), businesses understood that you had to spend a little to make a little. And as such, product samples or free trials were never few or far between. Fast forward to 2014 and a free sample now stands out like a newbie in a group ex class! For this reason, any press packages that arrive on my doorstep that contain a physical sample or free trial offer are typically placed at the top of my ‘must consider’ list of inclusions.
After all, it’s much easier (and more convincing) to spruke something to the masses when you know first-hand what you are promoting.
Tip 2. Include useful statistics or facts
If a press release contains snappy stats, useful facts, interesting info or simple tips that I can easily pass on to my readers, then the chances of it being published are high.
Tip 3. Cut to the chase
Keep your media releases sharp and to the point. Avoid superfluous waffle because most of the time editors and journalists are busy folk with overflowing inboxes. This means, if a media release doesn’t get quickly to the point, there’s a good chance I’ll move onto the next press release before I find it.
Tip 4. Craft a thoughtful title
I’ll be really honest here; I can be really busy at times. So if a press release has a witty, clever or catchy heading I’ll most likely choose to replicate it verbatim when I republish it, giving you even more exposure as the clever and creative business you are.
Every fitness business can benefit from sending out media releases.
If you think there’s nothing ‘newsworthy’ going on at your club, then think again. Most local papers love a feel-good story that inspires others. And guess what? Your club or studio is full of them! And imagine how motivated your members will be to achieve results, if they think there’s a chance they might appear in the local rag? And, of course, your business will look fantastic as the facilitator of so much positive change in the local community.
With a great media release, everybody wins!
Good luck!