Useful Experience for me-- Writing Media Release!!!

This is my third week of doing internship. I would like to share my experience of writing media release. So excited that I have been granted the opportunity to write the media release! That day, as usual, I am reading the newspapers and doing the press clipping. And suddenly, my supervisor, Miss Marcella walk beside me and said, “Can you write a media release for me? I sent the information to your staff email address, just open it and take it as reference and you can see the sample of media release here in order to help you in your writing of media release. Please submit to me your works by today.” When I heard it, I feel super excited! Then I start to write media release.

As I have learned before, I refer to my experience and start to write the media release. I remember that I have learned to write media release when I was taking PR 220. I feel regret that I do not really practice frequent in writing media release at that time. Now, I am so desperate that times can come back. If the time can turn back, I really wish I can spend more time to exercise more. Now, it is not the time for me to regret of anything, but move on to complete my task.

So, I treasure this opportunity, I try my best, write, read through the sentences and think twice, research. Finally, I submit my task on time. Here is the link of media release that I have assisted in drafting:

http://www.curtin.edu.my/campusnews/mediarelease/2013/PR_13-065.htm

I have researched some useful tips of writing the body of the media release which include:

• Learn the format!

The strong headline always attract the attention of the reader and the opening sentence always sum up the most important detail of the message which include answer of five 'W' questions (Who, What, Where, When and Why). 

• Keep it short and on-point

• Set a professional yet engaging tone

Write with active words so that it can make media release sound like it is in motion and happening.

• Don not just think about your clientele- think about your media audience

Is it newsworthy? Is the valuable for media audience? Is it enough to attract them to read our media release?

• Have a release that can be read and accessed on multiple technologies and platforms

Include email and link where it can be viewed on the client's website to make things as easy as possible to find and explore.

• Keep the fluffiness to a minimum and maximise that how you economise each word

People like to read media releases which are shorter, simpler and straight to the point. Hit them in the heart, make a connection so that the media wants to keep reading your media release.

• Recognise that timing can be everything- down to the hour and day

Target the right week and day to publish the media release is important too. For example, If we send media release via email between 2-3pm, most people are just finished their lunch and the morning rush, we can get the best response during that frame.

• Quote

• include you and your company's contact information

Thanks for reading my experience and I hope you got the point. Have a great day! ;)

Best Regards, 

Corina Ling

15108931

Curtin Sarawak