Brevity is the Soul of Wit (and Other PR Blog Jots)

A 22-word Press Release Headline?!? Pshaw!
The Bad Pitch Blog
One of the hardest things about any kind of writing is keeping it brief. We all tend to ramble at times, and sometimes the wordiness can run amok. When I was responsible for editing all the outgoing documents for a DC-based PR shop, I found that wordiness particularly enjoyed running amok in the headlines of press releases. Apparently, Google agrees, recently advising Business Wire that press releases with headlines exceeding 22 words will be overlooked by its spiders. Kevin Dugan gives some excellent advice on how to cut it down, and perhaps ensure that your release stands out from the rest. “Cut the Crap: Buzzwords and puffy adjectives get executives all excited. This excitement fuels long-winded headlines that get past legal because they don’t say anything. And these headlines are a red flag to journalists sifting through hundreds of releases a day.”

Facebook Meets Madison Ave (and No One Likes It)
The Buzz Bin
I’m hoping to pull together my own thoughts on the highly controversial Facebook Beacon application, which has some users crying foul over invasions into their privacy. In the meantime, check out Geoff Livingston’s take. While I think generally, that there is absolutely no such thing as privacy on the Internet, and that conducting any sort of activity online (from banking to socializing) is a complete crapshoot for the privacy-conscious, Geoff thinks that Facebook has surrendered itself to Madison Avenue and put ad revenue before the needs of its community—and that the decision will hurt them. “Marketers and companies must understand it’s a fractured media environment and that consumers have Millions of Choices. How long until consumers think that another media form is more interesting than Facebook? Organizations who use social media for WOM campaigns, or hope to generate revenue through this dynamic two-way medium must serve their communities!”

You Don't Own Me
Tech PR Gems
I continue to be amazed by the number of posts wondering who will win “ownership” of social media. No one can really “own” it, can they? I think the jist is that some industries may make the best use of it, and therefore take home the most advantage. Doug Haslam agrees with my thinking, noting that each industry currently jockeying for position will bring different needs and strengths to the table, so no one will really win outright. “Who will own social media? It really depends on the organization, and the goals. If a social media effort is for branding, then perhaps advertising has a hand in it. If they are communicating messages (ahem, "relating to the public"), then perhaps PR is the lead. If lead generation is the main goal, maybe it's marketing. I agree with Shel Holtz; the concept of "ownership" of social media is absurd (I'm so glad I can say that without being called a Communist). It's a combination of all the MarComm/Advertising groups that make social media work, depending on the goals.”

Comments

[Doug Haslam]

Great use of a classic Lesley gore song title. Sarah! Now "You Don't Own Me" is stuck in my head... and thanks, as always, for the link!

[Joan Stewart]

I’m so glad to see you mentioned press releases.
You might be interested in knowing that I’m offering a free email tutorial called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases."

I explain why we should no longer be writing press releases only for the press, but for consumers who can find the releases online, click through to our websites and enter our sales cycle, even if journalists don’t think our release is worthy of attention.

The course includes several terrific press release samples as well as "before" and "after" makeovers.

You can sign up for the free press release writing tutorial at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

It's a very long tutorial but please stick with it. By the time you're done, it will be like earning a master's degree in writing and distributing press releases. And you'll know more about this topic than many PR people.

[Joan Stewart]

I’m so glad to see you mentioned press releases.
You might be interested in knowing that I’m offering a free email tutorial called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases."

I explain why we should no longer be writing press releases only for the press, but for consumers who can find the releases online, click through to our websites and enter our sales cycle, even if journalists don’t think our release is worthy of attention.

The course includes several terrific press release samples as well as "before" and "after" makeovers.

You can sign up for the free press release writing tutorial at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

It's a very long tutorial but please stick with it. By the time you're done, it will be like earning a master's degree in writing and distributing press releases. And you'll know more about this topic than many PR people.

[Joan Stewart]

I’m so glad to see you mentioned press releases.
You might be interested in knowing that I’m offering a free email tutorial called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases."

I explain why we should no longer be writing press releases only for the press, but for consumers who can find the releases online, click through to our websites and enter our sales cycle, even if journalists don’t think our release is worthy of attention.

The course includes several terrific press release samples as well as "before" and "after" makeovers.

You can sign up for the free press release writing tutorial at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

It's a very long tutorial but please stick with it. By the time you're done, it will be like earning a master's degree in writing and distributing press releases. And you'll know more about this topic than many PR people.