'A great way to get up to speed in a hurry' - Wylie Communications, Inc.

What others say about ‘Anatomy of a News Release’

With the “Anatomy of a News Release …” toolkit or “Anatomy of a News Release” workshop, you’ll soon be writing PR materials that get the word out — just like these PR pros who have practiced Ann’s techniques:

“I truly believe that one tip I learned from Ann has enhanced the interest of the media at least threefold, as we received better media coverage than expected at several events.”

— Carl Walton, U.S. Postal Service

“I had just gotten back into product publicity after about 10 years doing trade association and financial PR. Your course gave me a tremendous boost in understanding current practice.”

— Evan Bane, APR, public relations manager, InPro Corporation

“[Ann] broke down the press release and pitch into their most important components, giving one the ability to streamline content and excite readers faster and more effectively.”

— Jennifer Bond, Bond PR and Brand Strategy

“The best result is that the client has approved my release on the first round (instead of having to go multiple rounds, thus eating up my budget and time).”

— Erin Bosse, Willow Creative

“I learned more in an hour than I learned in my last semester in college (earlier this year) as a public relations major.”

— Avery Budman, BBYO

“I keep my notes on my desk just to refer back to when I’m stumped for an idea or if I need a refresher. This information has been valuable and practical to me on a daily basis.”

— Elisabeth Callihan, public relations and public programs manager, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

“The best use of 60 minutes I’ve encountered since I took this job! The course was very thorough yet very easy to digest (the examples helped a TON). There were so many valuable, common-sense tips that will save me time and make me a better writer.”

— Brandy Ernzen, manager, Ogden Publications

“Ann’s information delivers valuable ideas and insights into current press release writing styles and new methods of delivering pitches and news releases.”

— Vikki Ford, staff writer, Truckee Meadows Community College

“Within days of receiving Ann’s information, I had a press release to issue. An often-difficult publication did run my release. The editors even followed up on an offer of photos included in the email and ran that too.”

— Judy Gretsch, director of communications, Associated Builders & Contractors of Metro Washington

“It is a great seminar to help you evaluate your releases section by section. Instead of writing on auto-pilot, it will help you think more creatively and write in a more clear, professional way.”

— Colleen Grimes, Independent Bank

“Put me one step ahead of everyone else writing press releases and trying to get media coverage.”

— Katie Haney, McMurry, Inc.

“My manager came in to my office and said, ‘Wow, who wrote the release you just sent me? It was great!’ Overall I have seen an improvement in my writing skills daily by referring to my reference guide.”

— Tricia Hummel, City of Naperville

“Want to know how to spice up your news releases? Try this jar of release salsa!”

— Michele Jimenez-Holtz, public affairs specialist, Plumas National Forest

“Ann’s information is succinct and pragmatic; packed with solid, practical and professional tips to put into use immediately.”

— Marta Kaufmann, executive director of marketing and public relations, Bucks County Community College

“I was working on a pitch about bariatric surgery and its relation to diabetes, hoping it would write itself. After I took the teleseminar, I made a blueprint of my plans and most importantly asked why people would care about this information. I did my research and localized my pitch. Within an hour of sending it off to specific media outlets, one of the larger radio stations picked it up and set up an interview with one of our surgeons.”

— Natalie S. Krilich, public relations specialist, Riverside Medical Center

“Good foundation for rookies and refresher for wayward veterans.”

— Steve Krusie, Frontier Natural Products Co-op

“You challenged the ‘formula’ for writing news releases with a sensible alternative. Somehow, in the course of becoming a PR professional, my writing has calcified. Your ideas reminded me that I used to write news releases with great creativity, and can do so again.”

— Michael R. Levin, Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)

“I’ve been in the business for more than 20 years and was hesitant to sign up — what new information could I possibly learn? I was pleasantly surprised. I learned practical ways to refresh my releases while still holding true to my own writing style and the company’s branding message. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a newbie or have been in the business for a while, Ann will teach you something new and valuable!”

— Kathy Lussier, APR, corporate communications consultant, Stein Mart

“This seminar is helping us stay out of the ‘guess what someone sent to me’ jokes that editors tell each other. It was the best $150 ever spent.”

— Marla Maney, brand distribution manager, Imaginasium

“The last time I wrote a press release was in 1994. When I stepped out of PR for a decade, my peers did not go on a hiatus with me. The profession grew. New ideas evolved as the marketplace changed. Your program was a great way to get back up to speed in a hurry. Rather than write to a comfortable, historical template, I now focus on the recipients and find ways to rise above THEIR noise level.”

— William S. McCue, president, Innovative Marketing Inc.

“The short headlines and more effective decks resulted in a call just last week to do a radio interview about area events. Plus, I’ve received more positive feedback from recipients of my press releases.”

— Katherine Miller McElhiney, communications coordinator, Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

“Valuable information to help you get your point across to reporters and get your releases read.”

— Tanya L. Nelson, communications specialist, Howard University

“Today my boss told me that she thinks I’m a ‘wonderful’ writer. (I feel like a million bucks.)”

— Victoria Rochkind, copywriter, Communications, Affinity Health Plan

“Helped me to focus in on what I was really trying to say and how to grab the readers attention. It gives you real-world information that you can really use, instead of textbook ways to write a press release.”

— Shantelle Samame, community engagement coordinator, Hospice of Central Iowa

“My releases are tighter and much more attention grabbing. I’ve received compliments from even the biggest critics. I learned more from Ann’s workshop than from all the books I’ve read. This is down-and-dirty information that tells you all you need to know to write a great release. No fluffy stuff — just the tools you need to get the job done.”

— Kim Schwalje, public relations specialist, National Comprehensive Cancer Network

“Go in with an open mind and be ready to forget everything you learned in ‘PR 101’ during your freshman year at State.”

— David Shoffner, Pavone

“Outstanding coaching — concise, smart reminders of how to remove the distractions for reporters and editors and get them to continue reading releases.”

— Pete Simpkinson, public relations manager, TARGUSinfo

“I’ve used one technique to promote my next radio interview. A publicist called me after getting an email and commented it was a great promotion. … You’ll be able to work faster because you’ll have formulas to think and create with.”

— Elisa Southard, APR

“The information regarding emailed releases was extremely useful. I realized that I was making many of the mistakes that you highlighted. Now … I’m able to craft my pitches for this medium. With the increase of anti-spam sentiment, it’s important to know how to attract media attention from your emailed information and not create new enemies.”

— Jennifer Starkey, public relations coordinator, Academy of General Dentistry

“After incorporating these tips in my most recent pitch, I noticed that reporters asked more questions and paid attention to me when I did my follow-up calls. They were clearly more interested and I felt like I was having conversation with them as opposed to ‘selling’ them something.”

— Caitlin Tridle, PR coordinator, Kaplan Higher Education

“An effective, to-the-point primer on the basics of writing a press release. Even if you have been doing this for years, there will be a take-away. Ann Wylie is engaging, moves the seminar right along, and prompts you to think about the whole press release process in a slightly different way.”

— Tanya K. Urban, Gibbs & Bruns L.L.P.

“Writing good press releases is an art, not a science. Having said that, there is a checklist and there are objective criteria you can apply to see if you’re on track. Anyone who’s been writing release after release and needs some inspiration will benefit from Ann’s simple, well-reasoned suggestions. I’ve been writing press releases for 15 years and I got great new ideas that I was instantly able to incorporate into the next release I was writing.”

— Peter Vertes, publicity manager, Cleveland Botanical Garden

“I came away with many new tips that immediately attained results — the first press release I wrote using your techniques landed a feature story in the Detroit News.”

— Sharon Waldrop, director, Fibromyalgia Association of Michigan

“Whether you’re new in business or an old hand, you can benefit from it.”

— Larry D. White, Alltel

“Presentation was to the point, showcased the highlights and benefits as a PR pro and how we can more effectively reach audiences with more efficient, effective and word savvy techniques that have emerged since getting my degree (20 years ago)!”