Press Releases - OT

Pretend its not YOU that you are talking about.. Say very good things, watch out for repetitive word use ( go for variety! get out the thesaurus) Try to pique interest in some way, mention something specific--an award, a show, opening, event, new season...something mentionable. Provide contact info, keep it to three paragraphs or less, and most print media want it in hard copy for but some also take Word Files. Keep a list of addresses/names for local newspaper (life and times section, arts, or whatever) local tv, etc. Pictures sure help too, 35 mm for print reproduction is best. Invite further participation by your local and state media. Put together packets to have on hand for when you meet someone who is a VIP. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

I don't know why I'm struggling with this so much. Just had to do too much writing lately, I guess. Funny that the simplest thing would end up being the greatest challenge. LOL!

I found a site with a press release generator that I'm going to try:

This release is for my first public art project in glass. Beginning February 1, and throughout the month of February, small works of glass art will be left around the city in all sorts of places: Near the domestic violence and homeless shelters, alleys, under the bridges, near soup kitchens, etc. Items will be tagged, explaining the project and clarifying that the found art belongs to the finder. This is my latest attempt to get art in the hands of the people, which is where it belongs (in my opinion). Too often, art is treated as and perceived as being for the privileged. Ironically, so much of art comes from the experiences all too familiar to the oppressed, the marginalized and the forgotten segments of society. This is just my small way to break down those barriers and help reset the equilibrium. Everyone deserves to have art in their lives.

February 1 is National Freedom Day, which memorializes the signing of the 13th amendment to the constitution in 1865. Its purpose is the promotion of good feelings, harmony and equality among all US citizens. Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr., a former slave who was active in education, finance, politics, and journalism, founded the National Freedom Day Association worked toward establishing this national day to commemorate freedom for all people.

T>>Has anyone here ever written a successful press release? Care to share

What a wonderful idea Tink!!

susan in canada

Very well said and what a great idea, Tink!

I love this idea. I gave 3 beads away when I was in Mexico. One to my host, one to another friend, and one to a very poor woman who treated it like a miracle.

Tina

Tink, you ROCK. This is a *fabulous* idea!

Celine

Thanks, Celine!

I'm working on the tags for the pieces tonight. And on the press releases. And on the forum where folks can post about the project:

Anyone can post on the forum, as I'm putting an area there for discussing the project in general, too. It probably seems odd to some that I would have a forum for this, but many people who are homeless use the computers at the library and I think this would be a great way to engage them. Same thing with families and individuals in shelters. And I'm sure not everyone who finds one of these little treasures will be from a seriously marginalized population. I want to hear from everyone, and hope this idea works. LOL!

T>Tink, you ROCK. This is a *fabulous* idea!

Well, here is what I came up with, slightly altered for use in this forum.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Area Artist Launches Public Project: Glass Art Treasures Free for the Taking

Contact: Black Swamp Glassworks Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx Email: snipped-for-privacy@blackswampglassworks.com URL:

Toledo, OH - January 26, 2004

Beginning February 1, 2004, and throughout the remainder of the month, small works of glass art will be left in various places around the city of Toledo by Black Swamp Glassworks, a private central-city glass studio. These beads, vessels and small sculptures will be signed and tagged with a card explaining the project and clarifying that the found art belongs to the finder. The items will be left near shelters, in libraries, under bridges, in alleys and other spots around town.

"This is my latest attempt to get art into the hands of the people, which is where it belongs", says the artist, known simply as 'Tink'. "Too often, art is treated as and perceived as being only for the privileged. Ironically, so much of what goes into art comes from the experiences of the oppressed, marginalized and forgotten segments of society. This is just my small attempt to chip away at those barriers and help reset the equilibrium. Everyone deserves to have art in their lives."

Why February 1? That is National Freedom Day, which memorializes the signing of the 13th amendment to the constitution in 1865. Its purpose is the promotion of good feelings, harmony and equality among all US citizens. Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr., a former slave who was active in education, finance, politics, and journalism, founded the National Freedom Day Association worked toward establishing this national day to commemorate freedom for all people.

A webpage has been established for discussing this public art project, and for logging your finds:

Tink is a glass artist with a background in social work who lives in Toledo's Old West End. She was the first place winner in the jewelry division of the 2003 Delphi Art Glass Festival competition. Tink teaches glass classes at Gallery B in Toledo and has studied privately with Robert Mickelesen, an artist represented in the current exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art: "Contemporary Directions: Glass from the Maxine and William Block Collection" which runs through February 15, 2004.

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Oh, wow - Tink that is a wonderful thing to do!

I guess you can take the glass artist out of social work, but you can't take social work out of the glass artist. LOL!

Hey, I found a way cool FREE press release submission site. It was practically painless to use, too. If anyone wants info, just email me. Yes, I can get brownie points for referring people. LOL!

T>Oh, wow - Tink that is a wonderful thing to do!

What a fantastic idea, Tink. Written one or two press releases in my time. They need to contain an item of news, which yours certainly will. And if you can include a picture, especially something quirky, perhaps with yourself in it, newspapers will be more likely to run the story. At least in my experience.

Mary (who just came from "The Butterfly Effect)

Wow! That's an extremely professional-sounding release. I hope it accomplishes the things you want to achieve.

Celine

oh yes! ! yess!!!!!!!

Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

Very well written. Do you know about Josh Simpson and his marbles that he has placed in various parts of the world? They are also "finders, keepers" kind of pieces.

Thanks, Louis! I take that as a high compliment coming from you...

Leslie Videcki, I think, posted about Josh's "world" pieces tonight, not long after I had posted the press releases here. I love irony! I went to the site and saw what he was doing and LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T>Very well written.

That is a SUPER neat idea, and potentially awesome for publicity too. I absolutely love it.

My suggestion: don't just send out a press release, but also CALL local newspapers... specifically, scan the paper for columnists who specialize in "local interest" stories (every paper has at least one) and call that person (or, if they're not staff, send a letter to them c/o the paper) to see if they would like to do a story on your project. These local interest journalists have to crank out a piece once a week, minimum, and are often aching for interesting things to write about! Might as well make it you.

-Kalera

T> I don't know why I'm struggling with this so much. Just had to do too

AWESOME job! Reads really well.

-Kalera

T> Well, here is what I came up with, slightly altered for use in this > forum. >