This document discusses rethinking the traditional press release model. It notes that the traditional news media landscape is shrinking while online audiences are growing. Press releases can now serve as online destinations rather than just sources for journalists. The document provides several case studies of press releases that drove significant online traffic. It offers recommendations for press releases, including adding social media buttons, writing tweetable headlines, including images and links, and measuring online engagement. Finally, it discusses some ideas for the future, such as profiling more researchers and adding commenting functionality.
11. Press releases traditionally
seen as a source.
Serve as “fodder” for
journalists
Tell our stories to
reporters,
who then tell a story to
their audience (or not)
12. Press releases traditionally
seen as a source.
Serve as “fodder” for
journalists
Tell our stories to
reporters,
who then tell a story to
their audience (or not)
Can influence but not
control the outcome
13. Press releases traditionally
seen as a source.
Serve as “fodder” for
journalists
Tell our stories to
reporters,
who then tell a story to
their audience (or not)
Can influence but not
control the outcome
Have a limited shelf life
14. But there's a problem.
The traditional news hole is shrinking.
15. But there's a problem.
The traditional news hole is shrinking.
CNN closes its science unit.
16. But there's a problem.
The traditional news hole is shrinking.
CNN closes its science unit.
Time, Newsweek, and other
mainstream magazines
getting skinnier and skinnier.
17. But there's a problem.
The traditional news hole is shrinking.
CNN closes its science unit.
Time, Newsweek, and other
mainstream magazines
getting skinnier and skinnier.
Newspapers are in trouble.
18. But there's a problem.
The traditional news hole is shrinking.
CNN closes its science unit.
Time, Newsweek, and other
mainstream magazines
getting skinnier and skinnier.
Newspapers are in trouble.
Another trend? Reporters
not including the name of
the institution in their story.
Just the journal name.
20. Press releases can now also
be seen as destinations.
you are here
Still serve as source material for journalists, BUT...
online the press release becomes the story with an
unlimited shelf life.
21. Press releases can now also
be seen as destinations.
you are here
Still serve as source material for journalists, BUT...
online the press release becomes the story with an
unlimited shelf life.
Tell your own story.
27. Case study #1:
Words and images
"Parents' 'um's' and 'uh's' Help Toddlers Learn
New Words, Cognitive Scientists Find"
Study from the UofR Baby Lab shows that
toddlers actually use their parents' stumbles
and hesitations to help them learn language
more efficiently. April 4, 2011
28. Story featured audio of the speech
samples used in the study (words)...
and photos
of the
experiment
underway
(images).
34. Case study #2:
Make it easy to be social
"Color Red Increases
the Speed and
Strength of Reactions"
A study by a Rochester
psychologist shows
that people see the
color red, their physical
reactions become both
faster and more
forceful. June 2, 2011
35. First big story written *after* I'd added the
Facebook and Twitter buttons to releases.
36. First big story written *after* I'd added the
Facebook and Twitter buttons to releases.
38. Changes in traffic patterns
Spring semester 2011
170k total visits
Facebook:
3.5% of total visits
11% of visits from
referrals
Twitter:
.3% of total visits
1.2% of visits from
referrals
39. Changes in traffic patterns
Spring semester 2011 Fall semester 2010
170k total visits 161k total visits
Facebook: Facebook: 2.75%
3.5% of total visits of total visits
11% of visits from 6% of visits from
referrals referrals
Twitter: Twitter: .
.3% of total visits 3% of total visits
1.2% of visits from 1.2% of visits from
referrals referrals
40. Changes in traffic patterns
Spring semester 2011 Fall semester 2010 Spring semester 2010
170k total visits 161k total visits 163k total visits
Facebook: Facebook: 2.75% Facebook: 1.1%
3.5% of total visits of total visits of total visits
11% of visits from 6% of visits from 3.25% of visits from
referrals referrals referrals
Twitter: Twitter: . Twitter: .
.3% of total visits 3% of total visits 23% of total visits,
1.2% of visits from 1.2% of visits from .65% of visits from
referrals referrals referrals
41. Changes in traffic patterns
Spring semester 2011 Fall semester 2010 Spring semester 2010
170k total visits 161k total visits 163k total visits
Facebook: Facebook: 2.75% Facebook: 1.1%
3.5% of total visits of total visits of total visits
11% of visits from 6% of visits from 3.25% of visits from
referrals referrals referrals
Twitter: Twitter: . Twitter: .
.3% of total visits 3% of total visits 23% of total visits,
1.2% of visits from 1.2% of visits from .65% of visits from
referrals referrals referrals
42. Case study #3:
Try something different
"Cincinnati Waterfront
Panorama
Daguerreotype"
Art conservators and
computer scientist
work together to
preserve one of the
highest-resolution
daguerreotypes in
existence. October 14, 2010
44. What was cool about
this story?
That you could zoom in and zoom in and find
incredible details in this very high-resolution
photograph taken in 1848.
45. What was cool about
this story?
That you could zoom in and zoom in and find
incredible details in this very high-resolution
photograph taken in 1848.
That in many ways this "old" technology
produced a better image than our most modern
cameras.
46. What was cool about
this story?
That you could zoom in and zoom in and find
incredible details in this very high-resolution
photograph taken in 1848.
That in many ways this "old" technology
produced a better image than our most modern
cameras.
That's how the press officer pitched it, but why
stop there?
47. What the hell ... Zoomify!
The press officer in this case did a pitch, but did
not initially write a press release.
For his pitch, he asked if there was a way to show
the reporter the incredible detail of the images.
Enter Zoomify, a Flash plugin that allows the user
to zoom in and move around on an image.
But why waste this on the reporter?
49. If you pitch, why not publish?
The story was picked up.
(yay! By Krulwich, no less)
50. If you pitch, why not publish?
The story was picked up.
(yay! By Krulwich, no less)
Then Yahoo! News ran it
and linked to our Zoomify
page
51. If you pitch, why not publish?
The story was picked up.
(yay! By Krulwich, no less)
Then Yahoo! News ran it
and linked to our Zoomify
page
14k hits in one day
Time on page 04:46
(site avg ~01:20)
Still sees traffic today
52. Case study #4:
The media still matter
"Light's Most Exotic Trick Yet: So Fast It Goes ...
Backwards?"
Light passing through a fiber laced with a
chemical element went so fast that it exited the
fiber before it entered. May 11, 2006
http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2544
53. Backwards light: An early attempt
at a complete package
Infographic…
Animations…
High-res photos…
54. Backwards light: The results
Hit in the New York Times = SUCCESS!
Story appears online with link back to the
release because of the animation
55. Backwards light: There's more
In May 2006, release receives 101,000 hits
To date, this story has received more than
326,000 hits
"The gift that keeps on giving." Story is still
regularly among the most visited pages on our
News site.
56. What do reporters want?
• 87% want access to high-res images online
• 79% are more likely to pick up a story with an
image
• 32% want embed codes so they can easily
reuse digital content
• 30% are looking for web-quality video
2011 survey of 200 journalists by PR agency PwR
http://releaseit.pwrnewmedia.com/?p=95
57. What do reporters want?
Mainstream media are reacting to changes in media landscape too
Pew Project for
Excellence in Journalism
2011 State of the Media
Report
Only online audience has
increased.
For the first time, more
people said they get
news online (46%) than
from newspapers (41%).
62. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
63. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
Add tweet and Facebook like buttons.
I wish I did it months ago.
64. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
Add tweet and Facebook like buttons.
I wish I did it months ago.
Write headlines like a copy editor.
Is your headline tweetable?
65. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
Add tweet and Facebook like buttons.
I wish I did it months ago.
Write headlines like a copy editor.
Is your headline tweetable?
Art, art, art.
What can we shoot? Can we use stock? Art = options
66. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
67. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
Don't bury the lede.
Get to the cool. The researcher's title, name of the lab, and the
funding agency are what the second paragraph is for.
68. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
Don't bury the lede.
Get to the cool. The researcher's title, name of the lab, and the
funding agency are what the second paragraph is for.
Link, link, link.
Original study, professor's lab, other research
from this professor, other studies on this topic,
Google Earth, Wikipedia, NIH photos...
69. Six things you can do now to
rethink your press releases.
Don't bury the lede.
Get to the cool. The researcher's title, name of the lab, and the
funding agency are what the second paragraph is for.
Link, link, link.
Original study, professor's lab, other research
from this professor, other studies on this topic,
Google Earth, Wikipedia, NIH photos...
Always be measuring.
Add Google Analytics to your news site if you haven't already.
Track tweets and retweets and follow up.
71. Four things I want to do next.
Write less about more.
There are hundreds of tenured faculty doing research
around here. How can we tell those stories?
72. Four things I want to do next.
Write less about more.
There are hundreds of tenured faculty doing research
around here. How can we tell those stories?
Add commenting.
Have tried some experiments with Disqus.
Who would monitor? Can't "turn on comments
and leave the room."
73. Four things I want to do next.
Write less about more.
There are hundreds of tenured faculty doing research
around here. How can we tell those stories?
Add commenting.
Have tried some experiments with Disqus.
Who would monitor? Can't "turn on comments
and leave the room."
Rethink our platform.
I smell a Wordpress conversion.
81. Questions?
Presentation available on SlideShare
"Rethinking the Humble Press Release."
Tag: psuweb11
Contact me: Lori Packer
lori.packer@rochester.edu
Twitter: @LoriPA
Editor's Notes
Thank you. I am reall happy and honored to be at this fantastic event you guys have here at Penn State. I went to school just up the road in Lock Haven, so coming to Penn State still feels a little bit like coming to the big city.\n
I’d like to start by telling you a story. A story about ladybugs. I was driving to work one morning... Cut to a couple weeks later, and I saw a short little newsbrief in the NYT Education Life section about one of the first studies done on Twitter in the classroom... Person in Arizona... WHY?\n
I like to keep all my main points nice and obvious like this. It makes the easier to remember. This obvious point came as a little epiphany to me, and it also fit in nicely with something my boss is fond of saying, that it is our job to TURN AUDIENCES INTO COMMUNICATORS as a way to BUILD BUZZ. And BUZZ EQUALS...\n
I like to keep all my main points nice and obvious like this. It makes the easier to remember. This obvious point came as a little epiphany to me, and it also fit in nicely with something my boss is fond of saying, that it is our job to TURN AUDIENCES INTO COMMUNICATORS as a way to BUILD BUZZ. And BUZZ EQUALS...\n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
This is a slide my boss has been using in a lot of his presentations to various campus groups since pretty much the day he started. And it’s basically meant to demonstrate just how important it is to reach those internal audiences with information they can be excited and proud of. Because it can be really hard to crack that general audience way out here. \n
And that brings us to the press release. <Oh, press release.> This is a content type we all have, right? We all have people who work at our institutions whose job it is to write press releases.\n
The traditional purpose of the press release is to serve a media relations function more so than a public relations function. They serve as source material for journalists. Journalists than tell our stories (or note) to their audiences. We as institutions don&#x2019;t have much is any control over the outcome. And then have a limited shelf life. We send them out, they get picked up, or not, done.\n
The traditional purpose of the press release is to serve a media relations function more so than a public relations function. They serve as source material for journalists. Journalists than tell our stories (or note) to their audiences. We as institutions don&#x2019;t have much is any control over the outcome. And then have a limited shelf life. We send them out, they get picked up, or not, done.\n
The traditional purpose of the press release is to serve a media relations function more so than a public relations function. They serve as source material for journalists. Journalists than tell our stories (or note) to their audiences. We as institutions don&#x2019;t have much is any control over the outcome. And then have a limited shelf life. We send them out, they get picked up, or not, done.\n
The traditional purpose of the press release is to serve a media relations function more so than a public relations function. They serve as source material for journalists. Journalists than tell our stories (or note) to their audiences. We as institutions don&#x2019;t have much is any control over the outcome. And then have a limited shelf life. We send them out, they get picked up, or not, done.\n
But there are some problems with approaching press releases in just this limited way. The traditional news hole is shrinking... Another trend, and I say trend with a question mark here ... late edition... So how does this situation lead to a rethinking of the humble press release...\n
But there are some problems with approaching press releases in just this limited way. The traditional news hole is shrinking... Another trend, and I say trend with a question mark here ... late edition... So how does this situation lead to a rethinking of the humble press release...\n
But there are some problems with approaching press releases in just this limited way. The traditional news hole is shrinking... Another trend, and I say trend with a question mark here ... late edition... So how does this situation lead to a rethinking of the humble press release...\n
But there are some problems with approaching press releases in just this limited way. The traditional news hole is shrinking... Another trend, and I say trend with a question mark here ... late edition... So how does this situation lead to a rethinking of the humble press release...\n
Not just news fodder, but destinations in their own right. The two functions are not mutually exclusive. A press release still serves as source material for journalists...\nSO WHAT FOLLOWS IS A SWIFTIAN MODEST PROPOSAL FOR RETHINKING THE UBIQUITOUS PRESS RELEASE...\n
Not just news fodder, but destinations in their own right. The two functions are not mutually exclusive. A press release still serves as source material for journalists...\nSO WHAT FOLLOWS IS A SWIFTIAN MODEST PROPOSAL FOR RETHINKING THE UBIQUITOUS PRESS RELEASE...\n
We need to stop thinking of the press release as a press release in this limited, traditional sense. We need to starting thinking of them as CONTENT. Actually, not even content. We need to think of them as STORIES. I don&#x2019;t even say &#x201C;press release&#x201D; in my office anymore. I say STORY. But even more specifically than stories, we need to think of them as words and images. I say this so often around the office, it&#x2019;s starting to get laughs, which is probably not a good thing. WORDS and IMAGES, I&#x2019;ll shout. Someone has to write something, someone has to shoot something, someone has to edit something. \n
We need to stop thinking of the press release as a press release in this limited, traditional sense. We need to starting thinking of them as CONTENT. Actually, not even content. We need to think of them as STORIES. I don&#x2019;t even say &#x201C;press release&#x201D; in my office anymore. I say STORY. But even more specifically than stories, we need to think of them as words and images. I say this so often around the office, it&#x2019;s starting to get laughs, which is probably not a good thing. WORDS and IMAGES, I&#x2019;ll shout. Someone has to write something, someone has to shoot something, someone has to edit something. \n
We need to stop thinking of the press release as a press release in this limited, traditional sense. We need to starting thinking of them as CONTENT. Actually, not even content. We need to think of them as STORIES. I don&#x2019;t even say &#x201C;press release&#x201D; in my office anymore. I say STORY. But even more specifically than stories, we need to think of them as words and images. I say this so often around the office, it&#x2019;s starting to get laughs, which is probably not a good thing. WORDS and IMAGES, I&#x2019;ll shout. Someone has to write something, someone has to shoot something, someone has to edit something. \n
We need to stop thinking of the press release as a press release in this limited, traditional sense. We need to starting thinking of them as CONTENT. Actually, not even content. We need to think of them as STORIES. I don&#x2019;t even say &#x201C;press release&#x201D; in my office anymore. I say STORY. But even more specifically than stories, we need to think of them as words and images. I say this so often around the office, it&#x2019;s starting to get laughs, which is probably not a good thing. WORDS and IMAGES, I&#x2019;ll shout. Someone has to write something, someone has to shoot something, someone has to edit something. \n
Let&#x2019;s look at a few case studies that might help us begin to rethink our releases and lets start with the power of words and images...\n\nHaving heard that brief description, where does your brain go? What do you want or expect next?\n
It&#x2019;s all about context. Georgy Cohen talked about this in a broader sense when talking about merging the real and virtual worlds. What do you want or expect or what would be helpful where you are at right now. Also example from Cynde Fleagles QR code presentation.\n
In the month it was published, this release saw more than 4,000 hits. Half from StumbleUpon, 20% directly. \n
In the month it was published, this release saw more than 4,000 hits. Half from StumbleUpon, 20% directly. \n
In the month it was published, this release saw more than 4,000 hits. Half from StumbleUpon, 20% directly. \n
In the month it was published, this release saw more than 4,000 hits. Half from StumbleUpon, 20% directly. \n
So if we look at an example of how this story did --and if you use Google Analytics on your site you&#x2019;ll recognize this screen -- you&#x2019;ll see it did fairly well by what we typically see on our site. 1,800 hits in one day. Just about half from Stumbleupon, but then 20% direct from enewsletters, homepage. \n
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So the traditional media relations function of the press releases doesn&#x2019;t go away. You can still reach a lot of eyeballs through the New York Times, and some of those eyeballs will belong to those people who care about you. \n
So how can you improve your press releases -- practice some kaizen -- to make them better for the reporters you are still trying to reach, while at the same time turning them into destinations in their own right?\n
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Has anyone here heard of the website Futurity.org? This site was a response by 60 research universities to the changing media landscape, who decided to work together to produce an online magazine of their best science and research news. \n
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If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
If someone tweets or retweets one of your stories, follow them back. There&#x2019;s a good chance they may be one of those kitties who care about you.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
Scott Rosenberg, Founder of Salon.\n
And this is really the big one for me. We have over 3,000 press releases on our website, Dating back to 1996. They generate between 25-25k visits per month. Are we putting them to good strategic use? Mallory Wood and Nick Denardis talked about the 10 things you should know about campus. This hit me. Mission statement. \n
And this is really the big one for me. We have over 3,000 press releases on our website, Dating back to 1996. They generate between 25-25k visits per month. Are we putting them to good strategic use? Mallory Wood and Nick Denardis talked about the 10 things you should know about campus. This hit me. Mission statement. \n
And this is really the big one for me. We have over 3,000 press releases on our website, Dating back to 1996. They generate between 25-25k visits per month. Are we putting them to good strategic use? Mallory Wood and Nick Denardis talked about the 10 things you should know about campus. This hit me. Mission statement. \n
Always have art, always have related links. \n
Really inspiring how they share and make use of good stories across multiple Web publications using Wordpress platform\n
Great headlines, always art, covers a wide array of stories, commenting\n