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<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.8.4 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:17:23 GMT--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Media advisories</title><link>http://releaseme.squarespace.com/media-advisories/</link><description>Media advisories tips</description><lastBuildDate>Mon, 27 Sep 2004 05:23:45 +0000</lastBuildDate><copyright></copyright><language>en-US</language><generator>Squarespace Site Server v5.8.4 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</generator><item><title>Of cats in bags and letting them out</title><dc:creator>Barney Lerten</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Sep 2004 05:12:09 +0000</pubDate><link>http://releaseme.squarespace.com/media-advisories/2004/9/26/of-cats-in-bags-and-letting-them-out.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">10501:68399:55987</guid><description><![CDATA[<P><FONT size=2>Sometimes, you don't want to let the cat completely out of the bag. You just want reporters and photographers and TV crews to come running, for the great "Cat Gets Out of Bag" unveiling.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>No problem. Well, some problems, but none that are insurmountable.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>There's a judgment call in how much to tell folks ahead of time, to get <EM>very</EM> stressed editors to send a <EM>very </EM>busy reporter to your event or place of business to watch the Special Feline Escape the Gunnysack.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>The key is <STRONG>honesty</STRONG>. If you overplay a yawn of a giant check-passing ceremony as the biggest event since the Hindenburg went up in flames, you may <EM>never</EM> get those news organizations to darken your doorstep again, at least until <EM>you</EM> are out of the picture.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>On the other hand, if you have something <EM>very</EM> visual that's going to be happening - say, a 300-pound Bengal tiger that's going to claw its way out of a sack suspended 1,000 feet over a scenic canyon - and you leave <EM>that</EM> little tidbit out of your media heads-up, don't be surprised if they are a wee bit cranky, when next you call.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>So don't tell too little, but don't tell too much in a media advisory. And <EM>do</EM> make sure you know the difference between an advisory and press release - if you call something an "advisory" but make it three pages long, don't "embargo" it (set a release time in <STRONG>bold</STRONG> at the top of the item) and the like, there's a pretty darn good chance the reporters and/or editors will decide, "Why not just run the story NOW and be first? Make a few calls, let the other dweebs show up <EM>after</EM> my story makes print."</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>That will leave YOU sweating (and not just because of the sun) when no one, or perhaps just the Monthly Cat-Lovers Journal, shows up for your event. Reporters aren't required to be the first to tell folks things, but it sure helps. And being the last wins no one any brownie points.</FONT></P>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://releaseme.squarespace.com/media-advisories/rss-comments-entry-55987.xml</wfw:commentRss></item></channel></rss>