Some examples of how to write a press release*

* WELL, depending on your target media or journalist of course. I started to do PR work eight years ago. I was approached by a company director while working part-time as a sub on an evening newspaper after having my daughters.

For any writer who wants to diversify and gain work from local organisations or businesses, it can be a worthwhile sideline, despite numerous ethical and practical considerations. I cover these at length in my book, The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

But enough about that, let's crack on with some examples.

Here you go:

1. A local release on behalf of a restaurant:

Design on the menu for Darlaston school

Youngsters from a Darlaston primary school are cooking up something special after being asked to design a new ‘mini menu’ for a neighbouring restaurant.

Suki’s Bar and Indian Restaurant, in Walsall Road, has launched a competition amongst year three and four pupils at nearby Salisbury School to come up with a fun and eye-catching design for its new children’s menu.

The restaurant, which is preparing to celebrate its first birthday in May, is planning to become more family-friendly with earlier openings to suit younger diners, and some specially-chosen mini-meals.

The pupils have been asked to completely design how the new menus will look, and have used the project as part of class discussions about healthy food and the importance of a good diet.

Head teacher Mike Wheeler said the competition is a great opportunity to bring the children’s studies to life.

“This provides a real-life example of things they have been learning about,” he said. “The pupils have been talking about good diet and healthy eating, and this is a great way for them to put things they have been learning about into action.

“We are incorporating the competition into a number of areas of the curriculum, including IT and art for the design work, and even some maths when they consider how food is priced,” he said.

Bharat Patel, owner of Suki’s, visited the children at school to talk about his restaurant, and his vision for the mini menu, and then threw open his doors to let the youngsters see the eatery for themselves.

The seven, eight and nine-year-olds were treated to a full tour of the restaurant, including the kitchen, and a quick cookery lesson from one of Suki’s chefs, where they learned what ingredients are used in Suki’s curries and how food is cooked in the Tandoori ovens.

“We are looking forward to seeing some really eye-catching designs, and hope to display them in the restaurant prior to judging,” said Mr Patel.

As well as seeing their work on all of the children’s menus in the restaurant, the winning designer will also be treated to a meal in the restaurant, along with their family, and an art pack, with similar packs for the two runners- up.

2. For use in a company newsletter/on website:

Our Carol's a winner

Passionate director Carol Garrington has been named as the UK’s most exceptional working mother.

The mum-of-two had been named as one of nine finalists in the awards scheme run by online magazine mother@work (www.motheratwork.co.uk).

The winner was announced at a ceremony at London’s City Hall on 15th June, attended by Sarah Brown in her last public appointment before she takes time out before the birth of her third child.

Carol is mum to Morgan aged seven and Dylan, five.

The 34-year-old former magistrates court worker and fire service switchboard operator from Cheslyn Hay was nominated by her sister Katie Love, who also works with us.

Katie’s nomination was sparked by the fact that Carol was born with a number of medical conditions that made doctors warn her she would never walk and never have children.

Carol made the decision to have her left leg amputated below the knee when she was 12 and faced years of on-going treatment.

Katie said: “I never told Carol I was nominating her as she has preferred to just get on with things. She has always put others before herself and has a long history of fundraising and raising awareness on various issues.

“That determination has continued with her work at Passionate Media where we said early on that we wanted to support our local community.

“Carol has also gone out of her way to help other women in business by setting up the Wings network in Staffordshire which gives women a chance to network and do business.”

Carol said: “It was an amazing day. Huge thanks go to Mother at Work.

"All mums should be applauded so it feels strange to be considered 'exceptional' .

“We have deliberately worked in such a way to grow the business steadily, allowing us to balance the demands of our families. We are a very small team but we are all mums - so to be recognised in this way is a wonderful honour.”

Fellow director Linda Jones said: “Anyone who knows Carol cannot fail to be impressed by her attitude and approach to life. The phrase inspirational woman is over used these days but to me Carol is the real thing - a true inspiration.”

mother@work founder Denise Tyler said: “It was Carol's determination and character that won through."

3. Hey: A press release for specialist publications about a new book, now whose could that be?

Writer’s new book offers freelance tips from the top

Journalist Linda Jones is sharing her top tips for freelance writers in a new book.

Linda has enjoyed a 17-year career in journalism, after training with the Wolverhampton Express & Star and these days is director of the agency Passionate Media.

Her new book is called The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World. (Published October 30 by The Greatest in the World.)

She has worked as a news editor on UK regional papers, an editor of an English language title in Russia and now contributes to publications including The Guardian and The Independent as well as being a regular feature writer for Press Gazette.

“The title is light-hearted as it’s part of a much wider series, but I can definitely say the tips have worked for me…that’s why they’re the best in the world,” says Linda, of Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire.

“My approach is that you have to recognise you are running a business from day one of your freelance writing career, so you have to get yourself organised with how to ensure you get paid, have a sound knowledge of media law and a grasp of how to market yourself effectively.”

Linda went freelance after her twin daughters were born in 1998. Faced with the work-life balance dilemma, she set up an office in her back bedroom and forged a career supplying freelance copy to both regional and national publications.

She set up Passionate Media to allow her the flexibility of continuing to work around her children. The company now has four more members of staff and they also work in commercial copywriting and public relations - both subjects are covered in The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

Linda says the best thing about freelancing is the variety of the work undertaken and the worst is bad payers.

The book, part of a series of ‘Greatest in the World’ titles that includes tips on cookery, pets, golf, DIY and more, is on general release from September 30 and is already on recommended reading lists for journalism students.

Its foreword is by education journalist Jan Murray, editorial director of the popular online journalism resource Journobiz.com.

A supporting blog at www.freelancewritingtips.com is also packed with ‘no-nonsense’ advice on the business of freelance journalism.

SAMPLE TIPS:

Can I afford to go freelance?

The simple answer is yes as long as you are confident of enough work to pay the bills.

Tot up your monthly outgoings on mortgage, bills, food and other essentials. If you have the contacts, experience and drive, not to mention work lined up to match or exceed this total - then go for it. But still proceed with caution. Even the most successful freelancers may have a rocky start.

If you think you are going to rake in the cash weeks into a freelance career, then think again. We got by because entertaining two little girls doesn’t cost much, “feeding the ducks is free,” I’d say as we set off for the park, and it also happens to be a great inspiration for flogging some features.

Writing for the internet:

Keep it simple, stupid

Why use 50 words, when you can use 10? Why use five syllables when you can use two? Keep it simple! Don’t make the mistake that just because your writing is on the Internet that you need to get down with ‘da yoof’’ - clear concise copy is what counts - not how much irreverence per line.

So how do you judge the success of how a press release has been written?
Well whether it gets used, that's how.
Tailored versions of these releases worked okay - with national broadcast coverage for Carol, as well as national papers and a women's weekly magazine, among others.

The one about my book has resulted in various coverage, including Hold The Front Page, Writelink, Writers' News, The New Writer, BBC radio and so on.
I've taken contact details off but do make sure they are on there, and up to date.