Tired of seeing the same old faces, and not nearly enough of them at all of your events? Try writing a press release to send to local media outlets! It’s not nearly as hard as it sounds and you may be surprised at the response you’ll get! Here are a few good tips to get you started.
1. Write it like a news story. The less rewrite you need the more likely it will get printed! Remember the 5 w’s from 5th grade creative writing? Who, what, when, where and why! Tell your audience who is doing what, when and where they are doing it, and why is it the one event they must not miss? Write it in the third person and include quotes from a director or manager, etc. Quote yourself if you have to but make it sound legit! Read performing arts and theatre stories in your local paper to get ideas.
2. Make it sound like fun! Don’t lie, but get your audience anticipating a great show and be prepared to back it up! Tell them why they don’t want to miss it! Make them want to come! Think of what made you buy your last theatre ticket, was it for a friend’s performance? Was it a play you wanted to see? Tell them what they want to hear!
3. Send pictures with it! Most media (except radio) has at least some visual element to it, so send a great picture of your leading actors in a pose from your upcoming play, or a great picture of your theatre! Digital images are great, you can include them in emails!
4. Compile a list of local media and send it! Search for newspapers, radio stations, Tv stations etc in your area online or in the yellow pages. Try to find the right person to send to and send as many as you can! Don’t worry, they won’t be offended, news is their business and you are providing them with a ready made, positive story, with local interest! I rarely send a press release that doesn’t net at least one story ( I don’t send nearly enough!)
Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect the important part is to try!
1. Write it like a news story. The less rewrite you need the more likely it will get printed! Remember the 5 w’s from 5th grade creative writing? Who, what, when, where and why! Tell your audience who is doing what, when and where they are doing it, and why is it the one event they must not miss? Write it in the third person and include quotes from a director or manager, etc. Quote yourself if you have to but make it sound legit! Read performing arts and theatre stories in your local paper to get ideas.
2. Make it sound like fun! Don’t lie, but get your audience anticipating a great show and be prepared to back it up! Tell them why they don’t want to miss it! Make them want to come! Think of what made you buy your last theatre ticket, was it for a friend’s performance? Was it a play you wanted to see? Tell them what they want to hear!
3. Send pictures with it! Most media (except radio) has at least some visual element to it, so send a great picture of your leading actors in a pose from your upcoming play, or a great picture of your theatre! Digital images are great, you can include them in emails!
4. Compile a list of local media and send it! Search for newspapers, radio stations, Tv stations etc in your area online or in the yellow pages. Try to find the right person to send to and send as many as you can! Don’t worry, they won’t be offended, news is their business and you are providing them with a ready made, positive story, with local interest! I rarely send a press release that doesn’t net at least one story ( I don’t send nearly enough!)
Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect the important part is to try!
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