Press releases should be short and to the point... three to four paragraphs at most.

The first paragraph should contain all of the basic information. For instance a news release on a PDM should state who is talking, the subject of the presentation, the name of your chapter, the location and time of the meeting and how the general public can register to attend.

The second paragraph should contain a sentence or two about the speaker... his/her name, position, company and other pertinent information. Another sentence or two would give a brief summary of the presentation.

The third paragraph will contain a sentence or two describing APICS. Once written, this paragraph can be used in every press release.

The following links will take you to sample press releases in Word format.

Using the Templates, you can fill in the spaces in parentheses with information pertinent to your meeting, (removing the parentheses and italics style), print it out and submit it to the newspaper or newspapers in your area.

The Example links will take you to a completed release as submitted by a fictitious APICS chapter. It is designed to show you what a completed release looks like. It includes a graphic of the fictitious chapter's logo to indicate where you can include your chapter's logo.

Professional Development Meeting Press Release Template

Example of Completed PDM Press Release

Election of Officers Press Release Template

Example of Complete Election of Officers Press Release

Classes Being Offered Press Release Template

Example of Complete Classes Being Offered Press Release

SUBMITTING THE PRESS RELEASE:

Newspapers accept news release submissions by various methods including mail and e-mail. Your publicity chairman can determine the method by which your local newspaper prefers submissions by simply phoning the newspaper and asking. Some newspapers actually include instructions within the newspaper itself.

News releases submitted by standard US mail should be addressed to the Business Editor or the City Editor.

SUBMITTING PHOTOS:

If you have a good, professionally taken photograph of your speaker or your new president, you can submit it along with your press release. Again, check with your local newspapers to see how they want the photo submitted... by mail.. by e-mail... or either. Be sure to find out the format and size they will accept for both mail and electronic submission.

VALUE OF PRESS COVERAGE:

Newspaper coverage of your events opens you up to a whole new audience. Newspaper articles are read by thousands of people as opposed to the hundreds who receive your emails and visit your website. It exposes APICS to an audience that may not even know the organization exists, but is interested in what APICS has to offer.

Speakers and chapter officers and members who find themselves written about in the newspaper find it a boost to the ego and makes them more eagerly disposed to participating in an organization that offers them public recognition.

IT TAKES HARDLY ANY TIME AT ALL:

Once your publicity chairman has done the initial work of contacting your local newspapers as to how press releases should be submitted, the preparation and distribution of monthly and periodic press releases should taken only minutes.