I've decided to try something new with my press release writing service, and during a limited test, you may "qualify" to get one at 50% off (regularly $99). Here's the catch: I'm thinking about soon offering a new press release writing package at 25% off of my regular "writing from scratch" package for clients that save me some time. The discount will be 50% for a limited time while I test the concept (probably starting with up to 10 clients, so I can see whether the time saved is actually worth offering a discount for). You'll need to qualify for the discount based on the info below. Here's the usual problem: I get a lot of clients or inquiries from potential clients who really don't have a newsworthy angle. It takes a good bit of time for me to find something worth tying them to. I get a lot of clients who don't want to be bothered to come up with their own quotes, or who simply can't think of something to say, so they ask me to write the quotes for them, which also takes a good bit of time. I also get a lot of clients whose sites don't even have a simple 'about us' page, and who provide very little background, meaning I have to spend a good bit of time again trying to dig through their site just to piece the basics together. At the regular rate, that's fine and included, and my ability to find an angle and craft a newsworthy release is why I charge more to begin with. But once in a while I get a client who already has a really solid news angle, who can offer an amazing quote on the news angle without any trouble, and who provides me with even more background information than I could possibly use. Those clients save me a lot of time, so I want to be able to offer a lower-cost option to those clients that have already done the legwork. Here's How to Get the Discount: To take advantage of one of the 50% off press release writing spots, you'll need to be able to provide me with all of the information below in reasonable detail. If it would still involve the outside research, digging, and quote / angle creation, it won't be eligible for the discount, especially during the test, as this is a sort of "thank you" to those who provide everything needed up front. If you're not eligible, I'll let you know so you can decide whether to move forward at the regular rate, provide further information, or just not have the release written. If you'd like a spot (or multiple spots), you would need to send me all of the information (in as much detail as possible) requested below: 1. Your company / site name, and it's URL. 2. Your media contact info (must include a full name, email address that's preferably on the domain of the site, and a phone number - no exceptions - mailing address and fax info is optional). 3. The hometown you'd like to use in the dateline (can be your actual hometown or the nearest metropolitan area). 4. A backgrounder on your company / site. Copy/paste the content from your About Us type of page if possible (should be at least 4-5 sentences) - don't link me to it... put it right in front of me in the email or PM, and add to it any extra info that might be worthwhile (I'll want the launch date no matter what the news is, if it's a forum the number of members would be good, if you're selling an upgraded software package the number of original sales would be good, etc.). Stats can make a site seem more newsworthy at times, so give me something to work with when possible. 5. The general news angle you're trying to promote, and as many details about it as possible. (Hint: 95% of the time, simply launching a new site is not newsworthy, so it won't get the discount - if that's your news, you need to have something not only unique, but that would appeal to a large audience and incite media interest - if not, you'll need to look for recent related news that it can be tied to, and include that information - for example, I do frequent releases for a t-shirt company, and we did a release on youth culture and fashion with rising trends in public school uniforms). Looking for, and linking me to, some kind of official study or report related to the news angle you're choosing (if it's not entirely internal news) is a good strategy, b/c stats always look good, and they're often full of them. Do things here like mentioning all of the benefits of what you're offering or launching, any notable facts, how it compares to competing products / services / companies, etc. This is where you'll need to put the most thought in, and where you'll need to offer the most information... this isn't just a quick couple of bullet points. 6. Send me two quotes from someone in your company - if it's just you, then from you - if it's a multi-person team, choose the person with the most relevant title to the news angle. The quotes should be about the news angle (either offering additional info on company news that can't be told in the 3rd person and must come from an authority to carry any weight, or a quote on a general news angle in the industry - using the example previously, we did two quotes from one of the company's owners on the issue of school uniforms, as an expert in the area of youth culture - your quotes should always position you personally as an expert). Avoid using "I", "we", etc. in your quotes, don't add flowery promotional language (don't try to use them to promote something, b/c I wont' use them, and distribution sites may ban you b/c it's more of an advertisement), and make sure any quote is something that actually must be in quote form. I may use one, I may use both, or I may pick them apart and combine them.... I just need two or more so I have enough to work with. 7. You'll need to let me know what email address to send any finished draft to, and also the email address (if different) to send the Paypal invoice to. I should basically be able to turn your notes into a quality media-ready press release without having to look at anything (barring a link to a report) other than the notes you send me. While I'll do it anyway to get a "feel" for your site, I shouldn't have to go there to find any information, and the info you provide to me should be more than I can actually use in crafting the release, so I can pick and choose the most relevant info to write a decent release up that would grab media / blogger attention. If you'd like to give it a go, and take advantage of the 50% discount while I test this new lower-cost option for clients that have already done the legwork, you can PM the info to me, or I'd prefer it be emailed to . Thanks. Jenn
I've decided to make this available to 5 clients to start, instead of 10, and then we'll see from there what the permanent rate and such will be for the cheaper option. No one's jumped on this (and this is probably the cheapest you'll ever see my press releases at this point), although several are still ordering the full price option. If you're simply not sure about what a newsworthy angle is, you can read these two articles for some help or ideas. 25 Press Release Ideas Choosing a Newsworthy Angle for a Press Release
Can I lock into the discounted price here, but give me a few days (and maybe a little direction) on how to get a media portion of the site setup, and you can count me in.
I can't "reserve" spots, but no one else has jumped on them for now, so it'll likely still be open then. As for setting up a media section of the site, what kind of direction do you need? Are you just planning to include one page, with a running list of press releases, or do you want a press room / online media kit with media contact info, press release archives, past press mentions, and media resources? If the latter, you can just look at my press room service page at www.jhmattern.com to see what I personally include to use as a sort of guide. Two simple ones I put together could give you an idea if it's for a small web-based company - www.myfatrobot.com (click the press link I believe) and www.sixfigurewriters.com (should be a press room link on the right).
No. All of my press release writing rates are for writing only. Distribution depends on your news, needs, budget, etc., and it's something I advise on from a case by case basis. Without knowing your news, I can't even begin to tell you how to get the best reach for the best value, or what those rates would be.
That's an easy setup generally. Just be sure to leave full media contact info, or it won't actually be useful as a press page. Get in touch about a release when you're ready, and if there's a spot open (should be), I'll work it in.
I am, but it would have to include absolutely everything needed as mentioned in the original post, including a solid news angle. This is just a discount for people who already have everything together, and need someone to throw it together. If you need help coming up with a solid news angle, need industry stats researched to back something up, etc., then it would fall under the standard rate schedule.