Expert: Candy Keane - 11/2/2010

Question
Dear Candy,

I am a sculptor, and I have participated in  a couple of local small shows. Now I have the opportunity to participate in two major shows and would like to put my name out there. I contacted my very local neighborhood paper and never got an email back (it might be the way I approached them???) My question would be how can I approach local newspapers and magazines to get a little bit of press for my exposure? Thank you so Much
Warm regards
Alfonso Mopar

Answer
Hi Alfonso,
The best way to contact press is by writing your own press release. You can then e-mail it out to several outlets and also post it online. Help on how to do it properly can be found online: http://www.ehow.com/how_8793_write-proper-press-release.html

Also, local papers need a compelling reason to write the story and will usually try and work it around an angle that doesn't sound like a business ad, when writing about a business. If you are a business, and have never done business with them (i.e. purchased an ad in their publication) what have you done that is unique enough for them to write the story and basically advertise you for free? Make sure that comes through in your press release.

You need to come up with your own amazing story before they ever write it, summarize it, form it into a release and then send it out to spark excitement in whoever reads it. Something along the lines of "Small-time local artist going big-time preparing to wow the crowds at major art show." Not exactly perfect, but hopefully you get the idea!

Thanks & good luck!
-Candy Keane
www.CandyKeane.com