Press Release Question

[NicoleScraps]

I've talked about this before, but in case you didn't know, I do all the photography for my kids school (except for the individual "mugshots" of each student). I was there this morning taking photos of the honor roll presentation for the 1st nine weeks.
When we were done, the principal asked me if I would write a press release to send into the paper with some of the photos. I have no problems with my photos being used for this purpose. This is a volunteer position, for the school, for the children. It's all good. I knew going into this that some of my photos would be used for press releases, but me being the one to write the release, uh, yeah, I don't have a clue.
Can anyone give me even a tiny bit of help as to what I should write, how long it should be and all of that? Any help at all would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[WooD]

I would write a release to the school saying they could use my images for anything they desire.

Let the school deal with the release to the paper.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

I've talked about this before, but in case you didn't know, I do all the photography for my kids school (except for the individual "mugshots" of each student). I was there this morning taking photos of the honor roll presentation for the 1st nine weeks.
When we were done, the principal asked me if I would write a press release to send into the paper with some of the photos. I have no problems with my photos being used for this purpose. This is a volunteer position, for the school, for the children. It's all good. I knew going into this that some of my photos would be used for press releases, but me being the one to write the release, uh, yeah, I don't have a clue.
Can anyone give me even a tiny bit of help as to what I should write, how long it should be and all of that? Any help at all would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Press releases generally just state the pertinent facts... location, date, time, what the event was, how many people were awarded and for what... if there were any special notes...

"DPS Forums, General Chit Chat subforum, November 5th 2010, 10.50am. NicoleScraps posted a question related to composing a press release with no background of doing so, inviting advice. She received 2 responses as of this press release. Further questions can be directed to Nicolescraps"

As WooD suggested, the school should be doing it, but they're easy enough as usually they don't contain editorial commentary. Pretty much it's just a heads up to the press as to what occurred in case they would liek to follow up for more information.

[SusanH1970]

I agree with Wood and Steve. I started to post with something you could possibly use, but thought the better of it. I've had my son's school use my photos in the local paper for various school activities, but they've taken care of the writing part. I believe the school gave the paper the pertinent information and one of the staff writers at the paper wrote up a short article.

[NicoleScraps]

Thanks so much! Not planning to make a habit of this, but I already agreed to do this one. I am sure I had that deer in the headlights look on my face though when I said okay.

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

I am sure I had that deer in the headlights look on my face though when I said okay.

You should have got a photo of it, maybe you can recreate the look in a self portrait and post it?

[lputman]

If you write a press release for them for this, you can be assured that you will be writing press releases again. Don't do it unless you want to continue doing it.

[Amanda0102]

I used to do publicity, so if it's intimidating, the easiest thing for you to do is a tip sheet.

Put "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" at the top with the date under it, then a quickie headline about the item (ie "SMITHVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS TOP STUDENTS").

Then literally just have "WHO", "WHAT", "WHEN", "WHERE", "WHY" in bold with colons and briefly list the info -

WHO: Smithville Middle School Honor Roll students

WHAT: Awards Ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, November 4, 2010

WHERE: Smithville Middle School Auditorium

WHY: To showcase and celebrate academic achievement

Then do a "For more information, contact" at the bottom and list the name/phone number of the school secretary.

HTH!