Marketing and Public Relations
How to Do Your Own News Release
For Lane Community College staff
Want to get your news or success story in the media? Just fill out the form below, e-mail it to the public information officer, and sit back and wait for a call from USA Today. Well, almost. The PIO will edit and distribute your news and can provide additional publicity services and counsel.
Three easy steps:
1. Review the college media policy at http://www.lanecc.edu/cops/newsrel.htm
2. See news release examples at http://www.lanecc.edu/mpr/news/releases.htm
3. Fill out and submit the form below:
Tips:
• Your purpose is to interest reporters, editors or producers in doing a story.
• Write a one-line headline. Grab attention. Identify the topic.
• Be brief and concise. Try not to exceed one page.
• State what’s first, best, most, only, or new.
• State who, what, when, why, where and how, if relevant, in order of importance to your intended audience. Specify which campus, building and room if location is important; and weekday, month, date, and hours if time is important. Current year is assumed and doesn’t need to be stated.
• If you want the public to call, include a name and number in the text.
• Follow the college Writer’s Style Guide at http://www.lanecc.edu/mpr/wr_style.htm
• Double-check grammar, spelling (especially people’s names) and punctuation.
• After the release is sent, you can call media and ask if they’re interested or need more information but never insist on coverage; it's their option.
For more information, contact Joan Aschim, public information officer, (541) 463-5591, aschimj@lanecc.edu.