Jose Feliciano, store – owner of Five Star Pets,a pet food store of Miles Town says that during a recession advertisement dollars are hard to come by. A small business owner, Jose feels that every dollars needs to be conserved to offer the best range to the thrifty customer that drops in. Anne, a single mother and a part time sales person says sales at their store had begun to perk up ever since her employer, Jane had begun to advertise in the local news paper.
“It is always better to be seen at the convention, than the flea market”, says Liz, a gift and souvenir stores owner. Incidentally Liz imports novelty and gift items from China. Liz is on the road most of the time and conventions are the places where she feels she is able to drum up more business and get to add new ones to her rolodex and eventually to her shipping list.
Conventions add value
Conventions are better organized and it is much easier to set up the show and it takes much less time to get the word out to potential customers. It brings in a touch of professionalism to the business – especially to the one-man-army-bands. It helps to get to know the different market conditions. The reps are there who bring in their new lines. Networking with the other players is easy.
Do conventions cost more?
Though at the end of the day, booth rentals and advertising costs, flyers, bill boards add up to overheads, there is also the cost of the give-aways to count. The get- to-know-dinners do add value to the relationship though it adds up to the costs. But then they are all evened out by the business one does. Out of towners obviously need to factor in their motel rents and parking charges. Some of the convention centers charge additional fees for power and phone lines but then according to Peter Brown, a small business coach, “every dollar spent here is worth it. You get a place, you get your buyer and he’s got the money. You get to know the right guy who calls the the shots. So it is that much easier and quicker to close the deal. Everything under one roof and that includes your press-bureau too. I always advise my sellers to plan their presence. That way they can keep their own expenses down”.
A press release is an official statement or an account of a news story that is specially prepared and issued to news media. News media includes print media like news papers and periodicals and electronic media like TV and Radio.
In some parts of the world the Press Release is also known as News Release, Social Media Release or a Press Statement. They are mostly used by Public Relations Offices. A press release is either emailed, faxed, sent by courier or delivered by hand.
A press release while informing the reporters of the news, encourages the media person to write an article.
When is a press release useful ?
A press release is useful when an event is developed into an article.
Let us presume a manufacturing company has a new product to offer. An attractive press release would encourage the press to report it. While a new induction into the board of directors is informed to the public through a press release, the individual also may have press release informing of his or her new status. A budding singer has opportunity and she is cutting / burning a disc. She releases a press release informing of her career launch.
A new film is being launched. There is a press release giving the relevant details of the casting and the technical crew and such. A famous couple have a baby. A press release announces it. There is an accident on the high way. The authorities release a press statement. There is an imminent weather catastrophe. The weather bureau or the concerned department releases a press release. Some one important is ailing and is undergoing treatment. The hospital authorities release a press bulletin periodically. The VIP passes away after a prolonged illness. There is a press release. Your car manufacturer has opened a new service point near your home. They release a press release. All these occasions use a press release.
What are the benefits of a press release?
Recognition: While Joe Bill joins ABC as it’s Global Sales Head may not get the attention of the media an opportunity to interview Joe Bill on Prospects of Global Sales during recession would definitely help the media remember his name.
Web Site Popularity: A press release on your site about current trends encourages media to visit your site and quote you. More publicity.
Become Expert: Joe Bill keeps sending them the press release and they remember his name. There is new trend in business and Joe Bill can always share his opinion and in the process leverage his presence to become the expert on the issue.
Cost Effective: It is much easier for you to release the same copy to many. You need not individualize the content of the press release.
Now that we know what a Press Release is let us move to the next step.
What are the components of a press release?
The components of a great press release are:
Headline — Is the heading of the press release. Generally the font, type and the size is different from the rest of the content of the press release. While attracting the attention of the media person it should also ideally summarize the news content.
Dateline — This contains the date of the release and the name of the city where it is being released.
Introduction — This paragraph addresses the five Ws and the H. They are:
* Who? Who are going to be involved or was involved?
* What? What actually is going to happen or happened (what’s the story)?
* When? When is going to happen or did happen?
* Where? Where did it take place or where is it likely to happen?
* Why and
* How?
Body — The body of the press release elaborates with explanation giving vital data if any with relevant back ground and any other information that may be relevant to the content.
Boilerplate — This small paragraph throws light on the back ground information of the issuing company / organization or individual.. In other words it mentions “about” the company.
Close — It is convention in North America to indicate the close of News Release with the symbol “-30-“.
The “###” symbol also indicates the same. In other parts of the world “ends” at the end of the text indicates the the news is complete.
Contact Information: – The complete address of the Public Relations Office or the Media agent or the sender is given here. This would help the media contact for further information. The complete address is includes phone numbers email ids etc.,
Do‘s:
Always make sure that the press release is addressed to an appropriate person. A bland press release may not bring in the expected results when it is not individually addressed to either a person or the publication or the company. *826 words
“Children are a handful sometimes, A heart full all the time…”
During the first few weeks the baby‘s skin is soft and tender and is growing. It is rich with the hormones from it’s parents. This may cause some rashes which disappear after some time. These rashes do not cause any harm to the child. However it is advisable to have the opinion of the the gynecologist that delivered the baby or a pediatrician that is attending the baby.
Any cloth made of natural fiber is best. However cotton tops the list. Soft colors are ideal. Strong colors retain heat. So are best avoided.
Babies grow fast. The dress you choose for the baby should be a size large than her. It is ideal that you choose clothes that are easy to change. The neck opening should be large enough to help remove it over the head without any discomfort to the baby. It is better that the dress does not have any buttons for they can come off and cause unnecessary concern.
Baby’s fingers may get caught in the lace which adorn the dress. So it is best to avoid clothes with lace work. Though a lot of fancy dresses are available in the market they are best left alone. The stitching on the cloth should be soft.
Baby’s dress needs to be changed quite often. So make sure there are plenty of them available. Use a disinfectant while washing the baby’s clothes. Some disinfectants may irritate the baby. Look for those signs. Baby crying soon after dress change could be a reason. Dress that you choose for the baby need not require pressing. As long as the baby is comfortable with the dress you need not unnecessarily worry about it.
