1. Missing the point
MAKE sure your story is as strong as it can be. Take a step back and play devil's advocate. Are you communicating what really matters to your readers?
Have you missed out any crucial information that would make the story more compelling or important? And if you can genuinely answer 'no' - then make sure you haven't buried that vital point too far into the story.
2. Assuming anything
Never think that just because you know something your readers do too. This isn't the same as understanding as John Thompson points out in his excellent piece here, that your readers know more than you. Will they really be aware of the organisation you are referring to or know who your interviewee is? Even something as simple as spelling someone's name should be checked, however obvious you think it is. That leads us to...
Continue reading "Back to basics: Ten mistakes to avoid when writing a news story" »
Publicityhound.com is offering a new service giving you very sensible tips on how to write press releases so they work better for you.
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THE following is an edited version of a talk I gave on Saturday to the United Nations UK Student and Youth Association. I hope it may be helpful. I have also included responses to a couple of points raised by the delegates.
This is not supposed to be a comprehensive guide to how to get your views 'out there' but I hope that it may prove a catalyst for further discussion, as it was for those attending the event at the University of Birmingham.
Continue reading "How to get your views into print: An interactive guide" »