In the past few years I've noticed the overall quality of press releases has dropped. Instead of offering compelling information with a solid news hook (or two), a huge number of press releases today read as if they're written by cheerleaders – everything is exciting! Each company/person/product is the best! They overuse exclamation points to drive their not-so-impressive message home!

Sometimes the best way to use a press release is simply to get the contact info of the media relations person so you can contact them directly. While I sometimes pull details from a press release (primarily to help flesh out a query) I don't rely on them for source material, and certainly not for quotes. All of my articles require one-on-one interviews.

And yes, Devon is right, we can write press releases… I don't much any more, but I have.

Fun post Lori

When I speak to one who actually answers the phone, understands the value of talking to a writer ("no," I say repeatedly, "it's not advertising."), who realizes that a picture literally the size of a thumbnail will not duplicate in a full-page magazine spread, or has heard of the 54-year-old travel guide I write for, I send many kisses and hosanas of thanks.

I appreciate this post because I recently pitched a couple of story ideas to an editor based off some info a PR person passed my way, and I didn't hear back. I lost confidence that I was doing it right. It's good to know that I wasn't necessarily doing it wrong, it just didn't hit the target that time. So, back in the saddle!

So much of this job seems to be trial and error. I see a lot of blogs out there that tout various ideas and expertise, which is helpful and informative and needed. But it really is nice to know I don't totally suck when I mess up or when I don't know everything right away. Realizing that other writers have made (and maybe still make) mistakes at this business, and they survive and thrive despite the errors, is refreshing! Thanks, Lori, and everyone who has shared both successes and defeats. It helps more than you know.

Then I think it's his cactus – let him get prickled by it!

I find I have to stop my reflex delete action so as not to miss the ones that do inspire in one form or another.

I mentioned yesterday, my unlikely sources include inanimate objects. What can I say, I'm weird. 🙂 For example, I look at the cactus on my desk and think prickly, which leads me to think about prickly situations, clients, etc. and how I solved those problems.

As someone who writes press releases, part of my mission in writing them is to generate interest in getting more stories and coverage.

If I look at a press release and it doesn't create any inspirations, I know they need a new press release writer! 😉