Contact us:
1200 Memorial Drive
Box 610
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone
218-281-4533
Fax
218-281-5991
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| What's a Press Release? |
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A press release tells an editor in detail about
a news event that will occur in the near future, or about one that
has just taken place.
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It is more detailed than a simple note advising
us about an event.
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It should be written in the style that you have
noted in most newspaper stories.
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It should give full names of individuals, including
titles (Father, Doctor, etc.) when that is indicated. Include the
names of religious orders (Benedictine, St. Joseph, etc.).
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It should give full names of organizations, and
not simply initials or other abbreviations.
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It should include all relevant dates, times and
addresses of the events.
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It should include the full name, address and telephone
number of the person sending it. Our reporters may have questions
to ask in the course of developing the story, or perhaps in arranging
for photographic coverage.
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Whenever possible, a press release should be typewritten
and double spaced.
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It should be written on one side of a sheet of
paper only.
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It should be sent as soon as possible. Mail delivery
is sometimes slow.
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Our deadline for news is on the Thursday prior
to publication on Thursday. On the last page of each issue, the upcoming
deadline is listed.
Sample News Release
St. Thomas Center Contact: Jean Bean
1211 Lanefair Lane (218) 281-4533
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1 - The St. Thomas Youth Center will sponsor
a carnival to raise money to buy a piano for the St. Andrew School for
Disabled Children at the St. Thomas churchyard, 1211 Lanefair Lane,
Anytown, MN, August 16, 1997, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
St. Andrew's has been trying to budget for a piano
since the school opened five years ago.
"When our youth group heard about the special
kids at St. Andrews who were having sing-a-longs with no piano, they
jumped at the chance to help," said Mary Way, director of the St.
Thomas Youth Group. "In this day and age when we hear so much about
troublesome teen-agers, it's a privilege to work with such an unselfish,
enthusiastic group of kids."
The carnival will feature a dunk tank with teachers
from St. Thomas and St. Andrews as "dunkees," pony rides,
10 food concessions and 25 game booths.
Each year the St. Thomas Youth Center holds a major
fundraiser and selects a recipient for the money raised. Last year the
50-member group raised $2,000 at a talent show which they donated to
the Ronald MacDonald House in Fargo, ND.
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| Supplying Photos |
| OND does not have a full-time staff
photographer, which limits the ability to cover all events photographically.
If your news story warrants photographic overage, please let our editor
know as far in advance as possible. We encourage you to supply us with
pictures, but please consider the following:
- Color photographs do not reproduce well. Sharply focused, well-defined
black and white pictures are preferred.
- Pictures of rows of people do not interest most readers. Instead,
consider taking a picture of just a few people in action, doing something
to
draw attention to the event you hope to publicize.
- Identify each person in the picture with full name and title or
relationship to the event. The caption material should include the
who, what why, where, when and how of the subject and must also include
the name, address and day telephone number of the person submitting
it.
- Photos of events ( first communions, confirmations, etc.) must
be current; not more than 30 days old.
- Submitted photos become the property of OND and will not be returned
unless indicated and a self-addressed, stamped envelope has been included.
Words to remember when shooting a subject are “fill
the frame and keep it simple.” Get close to your subject, have plenty
of light and focus carefully. Have the person or people doing something
unless you just wish to submit a head shot.
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