How `Why' Injects Life Into News Releases

We've all heard the expression of "raining cats and dogs."

In the arena of news releases, however, there is an all-too-common experience that I'll dub "yawning cats and dogs." That's an expression for the lifeless, bland collections of words that do a disservice to the word "news."

This came to mind a few weeks ago, when a college friend asked for advice on creating a news release for an upcoming art exhibit featuring his work. At my request, he sent me a release that he used a few years ago.

Reviewing it in a few minutes was enough for me to see that it was like so many other so-called news releases--written without any creativity, imagination or sense of story-telling.

If you are looking to develop as a publicist, or in any way as someone seeking to attract attention from the media and your target audience, I hope you find the response to my friend (below) helpful.

"What you sent is a very common style of release. What, who, when, where. What it lacks is “why”. And that’s the heart of great story-telling.

Why do you paint? Why did you paint the pieces that are on exhibit in July? Why should people care? Why is it different from others in your genre?

Here are some questions I’d ask you, to elicit a story that the media would gravitate to more often:

What your earliest memories of painting? As a 1st grader? When was it, and what parallels between then and now? What’s different?

What other hats have you worn in life—professionally and personally, and how do those roles play a part in your art?

Who are your biggest influences—in life, in your art?

What are the adjectives that you would ascribe to your work? What have others said? Where are you headed with your art? What do you want to spark in those who view your art?

Tell me about a recent piece that you finished and that will be part of your show in July--what was the journey you took with it? What inspired you to do it? How did it change as you created it? How did YOU change as a result of having created it?

The key is to have a story that weaves in the facts of your show, but it does not make the show “the thing.”

You, and your journey and your impact on those around you via your art—that is the real thing. The show is simply a vehicle to tell the broader story."

Looking for more guidance and inspiration?

At Inside Edge PR.com, you can find plenty of samples of news releses that I've written.