E-mail Tips

E-mail Tips

E-mail is Great, but...

Journalism surveys consistently show writers, reporters and editors welcome news releases via e-mail, if for no reason other than the time it can save them.

But, they also demand the releases be short, to the point and, above all, relevant to their editorial needs and interests.

That is why CorporateNEWS offers unprecedented flexibility, depth and precision in your selection of the media to receive your news.

The CorporateNEWS media selection sequence allows you to do something no one else does: Choose and save any mix of media and markets -- to get the right one.

Because it is possible, CorporateNEWS strongly encourages clients to distribute news releases thoughtfully. Select appropriate media, then use the unique Internet capability of active links and instant return e-mail to offer editors quick access to more information -- directly from you or at a Web site.

Short, Clear and Helpful

Editors remember and appreciate intelligent, considerate contact. Think of the sort of e-mail memos you prefer, and be guided.

Make it short, but also complete and easy to understand. For general media releases, 200 words should be the maximum, and for most editors, shorter than that is even better.

Keeping the release concise and tightly focused helps it be interesting -- you naturally emphasize your strongest points.

Think of it more as a quick update or reminder memo.

Get right to the point.

Write in simple, straightforward sentences.

Don't try to cram in too much information.

CorporateNEWS automatically provides your return e-mail address and Web links to more information with each release.

If an editor asks to be removed from your mail list, take it as an opportunity to call and talk. You may end up keeping them and have a better relationship for it. If not, go ahead and pull them from your list. Situations and attitudes change. Try again later.

Relevant to the Editor's Needs

Your news is important to you, of course, but not to every media outlet in the country. Be selective, judicious and conservative in choosing the media to receive and deal with your news release. It will pay off with greater success and better media relations.

Consider tailoring your releases for appeal to different media types.
If dispatching to geographic media, find a local or regional angle for their audiences, if you can.
Remember, most magazines are highly focused in their overall coverage -- select accordingly.
TV and Radio have tight time constraints and are almost exclusively local in their interests. They also like pictures or audio.
If the news is strictly national, stick with the national media and the few localities also directly involved (your headquarters, for instance.)
Don't assume editors will want to know "just to be better informed," even though they can't use the story. They won't want to know. They will be annoyed.