Are you a human interest story?
There is a whole lot of media out their wanting fat juicy stories to fill pages, air time and pixels. You probably don’t realize how interesting you really are.
This little challenge is designed to get you thinking about ways to turn your story into some free publicity and media love.
1. Write a press or media release about yourself and your art.
2. Upload it as a journal on RedBubble and tag it with press release
3. Win cool business cards with your artwork on them (or at least some experience promoting yourself)
“But I don’t know how to write a press release”
$20 says all the artists who do know how to write press releases had to learn at some point. It’s not brain surgery, but it is a fine art. Which means us creative people have a built in advantage. Here’s some info to help you get started:
How to write a media release
How to write a press release that works
How to structure a press release
If you’re really stuck, try asking a few people what makes you stand out? How they would describe you to someone else? What is the most unusual thing they can remember about you?
And what’s all this about winning business cards?
That’s the bit where I say “top job” to one of the best press/media releases uploaded and buy that person some cool business cards. This doesn’t begin to compare with the thrill of seeing your story in print, but they will be handy when you’re rich and famous.
I’ll also be consulting with some PR minded folk to get some more opinions on the entries. So you don’t have to take my word for it. And while only one person wins the business cards I will be keeping an interested eye out for stories really worthy of some media spotlight. Then I’ll lather you with love and support and a good kick until you give it a go for real.
Winner: David Petranker for this little number
David Petranker
I will enter this you will see my press release soon
Sara Lamond
alrighty – I’ve been wondering how to go about this for the local paper, without seeming too much into “me”. This should help as a dry run :)
Lara Luz
hmmmm…... talking/writing about myself has always been a very hard thing to do. I’ll start some research and see you I go!
WendyJC
my past is full of bumps and hiccups, none of which i would put on my worst enemy.
I have contemplated a book and may do just that in the future.
will definately check out your media links and press release information!
thanks Jo
Diesel Laws
Very interesting indeed…how about this for a title – Diesel re-writes T-shirt Design laws
hahaha
Rhys McDonald
For every genuine human interest story will be 75 entries that aren’t.
There are plenty of creative types that could really use a brush up on how to write a media release though
Paul McClintock
I too will be releasing some press.
David Petranker
Click here for media release
MarkezzAckui ...
This is good stuff, thanks for taking the time to share this with us….I will be taking a deeper look into this.
Karin Taylor
here’s my Media Release Jo, thanx for the opportunity :)
Karin Taylor
ps…i’ve sent my “Press Release entry”: in to my local newspaper and town magazine – fingers crossed!! :)
Karin Taylor
Press Release
Diesel Laws
Thanks Jo, just did mine here – thanks to David for showing us his awesome press release! Look here for mine – PRESS RELEASE
Erin Lyall
Feel free to consult me, i had no idea how you were going to structure this when you mentioned it but this sounds great, I’m looking forward to seeing what people come up with.
Erin Lyall
By the way, for anyone reading this, the next step is working out who exactly to send it to. The media you target is incredibly important with getting it published, if it’s not relevant to them they’ll toss it. Any one journalist can receive hundreds of press releases a day so making it relevant is really important. It doesn’t hurt to build up a relationship over time with them either.
Lorna Gerard
Lorna Gerard Press Release