"89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases"

Lesson #19:  A meeting announcement

Many press releases written to promote routine meetings either have too much or too little information. Most of them seem to be written for the group holding the meeting, not for the people who could attend.

Yet meeting announcements are one of the most frequently publicized news events. I wrote the press release below about a fictional meeting that's open to the public and that I would be speaking at. Sometimes, if I'm invited to speak, I offer to write the press release for the group that's hosting me. And when I do, the group is usually grateful that I'm willing to publicize this myself.

Even if your meeting isn't open to the public, you can still write a press release about it and post it online. It will be one more way for people to learn about your group. 

Notice:

• The problem/solution angle in the first paragraph. The emphasis isn't on the group, or even the speaker, but on the people who will attend, their problem, and the solution that the meeting will provide.
   
• The date of the meeting in the headline.
   
• A sub-head that shows the benefits of attending.
   
• The bulleted list of benefits.
   
• The call to action at the end.
   
• The note at the end about the expert's photo and the invitation to contact the expert for an interview, tips or articles.

If you're trying to attract a huge crowd, you can also write an article explaining how people can solve a problem that's tied into the topic of the meeting, then post the article online. I call this a "how-to article." See "How to Write How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines & Trade Journals."  

Here's the release:

CONTACT: Joan Stewart at 262-284-7451 (days) or 414-284-2222 (evenings)
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
jstewart@publicityhound.com 
http://www.PublicityHound.com 

Press Release Writing, Distribution Will be Taught
August 22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

PR Pros meeting will show how to write releases for consumers, not only journalists, to draw website traffic and buyers

PORT WASHINGTON, Wisconsin -- August 1, 2006 -- Public relations people and others who struggle with the problem of how to write and distribute press releases will learn valuable tips when PR Pros meets from 1 to 3 p.m. on August 22, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Publicity expert Joan Stewart, also known as The Publicity Hound, will speak on "How to Write Powerful Press Releases for the Web" and explain how to write them for  consumers, not only for journalists. The meeting will be at the Main Street Library, 1234 Main Street, in the conference room.

Participants will learn:

• The 6 parts of a press release.

• 3 things they must decide before they start writing.

• How to write press releases that encourage people to visit your website.

• The best press release distribution services.

• How to write compelling headlines that pull in readers.

• How to turn boring press releases into compelling releases that get results

The meeting, open to the public, is for anyone who does public relations for a company, nonprofit, government agency, or anyone who wants to learn more about press releases.

The meeting is free for members of PR Pros, and $20 for non-members.  Register at http://www.PublicRelationsProfessionals.com/Aug28meeting or by calling 262-284-7451.

PR Pros is a professional development group for public relations practitioners. Learn more about the group at http://www.PublicRelationsProfessionals.com/about 

                   
                                                 _{-- END --}

Note: Joan Stewart's high-resolution photo is at http://publicityhound.net/graphics/js2x3.jpg

She is available for interviews and can provide a list of tips and other articles on how to write and distribute press releases, or on any other publicity-related topic. Call 262-284-7451 or email JStewart@PublicityHound.com
                        

If you're expanding your hours, let people know through a press release. Be sure to list the benefits to your clients or customers.

Tomorrow: How to turn the press release above into a routine calendar listing


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