Ask Ms. Uduak: “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,” Press Release-What’s the Fuss all About?
Posted on January 23rd, 2010 by Ms Uduak
What’s good NotJustOk readers?! Happy New Year! I pray and wish everything good you all desire becomes a reality for you in 2010. Sorry it took me a little longer to get back into the groove of things, recouping from the celebrations from December into January was no easy task, but I finally made it back. Thank God! 
Okay, so let’s jump right into it. You have probably observed in the past and certainly since the New Year what looks like an article with “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” on it. In fact, you have probably noticed Nigerian (Naija) musicians like Duncan Daniels, Zara, Naeto C or their representatives send you this kind of “article” if you are on their fan page, or distribute it on Facebook, online or websites you frequently visit. For many by now, you know these kinds of ”article(s)” are called “press releases.” Well, what does a press release do and what is its purpose? Whether you are an artist or non-artist, how can you use it to get the media talking about you, your music or event? Ms. Uduak to the rescue, courtesy of Not Just Ok.com, to answer all those questions and more for you!
Wetin Press Release Dey Do Sef?
A press release falls under the bigger umbrella of marketing. There are two important roles press releases serve. The first is to inform the media about your music, event etc. The second is to get the media to write about your event so the public can become aware of your music/event. These days, we can now add a third role press releases serve. Press releases in an age of social media and blogs serve to create public awareness without necessarily having to go to the media, per se.
It is always helpful to know what you want your press release to do when you craft it.
Okay. So, Which One Concern Me With Press Release? Why Should I Care?
Press releases are an effective form of promotion. They are newsworthy pieces written for the press. It doesn’t get better than having the media write about you for free! Talk about saving pounds, dollars, naira in these hard times! In addition, a story written by the media about you or your event is viewed as less biased than if you wrote your own story. It is always better to let someone else sing your praise. Finally, the bulk of stories in the media, especially Western media, that you see are from press releases which are released through newswire services (services that are all about press releases).
Where do I Distribute my Press Releases?
E-mail, Facebook, newswire and web based release services are the medium to distribute your press releases. When I say e-mail, obviously I mean you have a media contact database that you e-mail your releases to.
For newswire services, there are a lot of free services and of course paid ones. Many of the free press release services will allow for your releases to rank high on google so that if someone types up your event or name, your release will show on google’s first or second page. However, you should know that these free services do not necessarily convert to the media writing about you. These services are great if no one really knows who you are or you are just trying to create awareness. Paid services, especially newswire services are more effective at allowing reporters to hear and write about you because newswire services are were reporters go, first and consistently, for ideas on stories to cover.
Could you Please Give Examples of Press Release Services?
Certainly. Examples of free press release sites commonly used by Naija’s Entertainment industry includes: prlog.org, free-press-release.com, prurgent.com, fastpitchnetworking.com, pr-inside.com, pr.com and clickpress.com. Examples of paid newswire services include businesswire.com and prnewswire.com. There are also many emerging paid press release services focused on niche markets, including Ladybrille’s, depending on the target audience you are trying to reach. Services like businesswire.com and prnewswire.com, as you can imagine, are not used as much by emerging artists, individuals or small businesses because they are not as affordable and range from $200-$800 or more depending on the package chosen.
Facebook arguably is also an option and quite effective. While its is not a press release service per se, Naija musicians and organizations post their press releases on Facebook and they typically tag Naija media influencers like Not Just Ok, Ladybrille, TruSpot, Bella Naija, NET, Linda Ikeji, We Run Things, DJ Mighty Mike, Switched on Naija and other media houses on their friend list. If these influencers write about them, then typically others follow, although not always guaranteed.
How Often Should you Use a Press Release?
ONLY if you have a newsworthy event or information to share with the press! First impression counts. Do not abuse this tool or else you will be blacklisted, please believe that. Use only when you have a newsworthy event i.e. album release, album listening party, signing with a new record label, dropping a new single, you have a music event of some sorts relating to your work. Abeg, unless you are on CNN for something positive, do not contact other media organizations to tell them one of them just wrote about you. It is so annoying and a turnoff.
What Should your Press Release Include?
A good press release is strong. It also has:
• active sentences
• no grammar or spelling errors and no text messages kind of writing
• contact information
• a strong headline
• Is short, not more than 500 words
• Is less about the hype, bragging, subjective claims etc. The whole, “this is the first ever and best thing since slice bread” is so overplayed. If it is, make sure it is and don’t say it. Have someone else say that and preferably an industry insider or expert. Remember the “press” in press release. Many times, the media might publish your release “as is” if it is well written and objective.
• Includes quotes, at least one or two. If you can include an expert in the industry, that is always good!
Now you know what the fuss is all about with press releases! Go make it happen and just maybe soon in 2010, “dem go holla (your) name.” Happy New Year Once again!
Ms. Uduak Oduok is the President & CEO of Ladybrille Media Group, Inc. She is also an attorney, fashion model and journalist. She has over seventeen years combined experience in the fashion and entertainment industries and will be answering your NOT JUST OK basic Business of Music Questions. Have a question for Ms. Uduak? Send an email to uduak@ladybrille.com with the subject heading “Not Just Ok Music Question.”
Nice article Aunty, I have really bin influenced by your past and present write up. No hyping, you are great.I have a big question,what does it takes to have ones song premiered on notjustok?? Cos l have my singles out and l have bin sharing them via facebook but l wished it premeired on here.Tanx,God bless.
@ovie,i have a question for you,and i think this is my first time which mightbe the last time of doing this, i sent you the latest single by SOUL E which he personally told me to distribute for him and seems you ignore the song,i am not holding you for not posting it ,infact if not for this post that came up,i have decided not to talk about it again cos its your site and you decide what you want and what you dont,but i want to really know your criteria for choosing songs that you post,if it sounds satisfactory enough,then i will agree that the fault is on the artiste himself or me rather,thank you
@ Muyiwa, you could have easily sent me a direct msg on facebook (seeing that we’re friends) or emailed me your complaint/question. That said, I started drafting the “Soul E” post earlier in the day. It will go up for sure (boys get other pressing engagements, my guy).
However, all further requests should be emailed to music@notjustok.com.
Thanks for understanding.
@Ovie- Wow! Well now they know.
@baddest gee- Yes indeed. Savvy Nigerian media companies like Nduka Obaigbena is notorious for using newswire services. How do you think everyone speaks about ThisDay Musical Festival, Arise Magazine etc? Can you guess which ones they use ?
Nigerian media industry as whole are a bit backward when it comes to newswire services. Many are now revamping their websites to be in accordance with the times. So, as you can imagine, many Nigerian reporters do not necessarily use newswire services.
There is a new newswire service that purports to be the first of its kind called newswirenigeria.net. I can’t vouch for the autheticity of the services as I have never used it.
The beauty about the resources provided is that emerging Nigeria artists and even established ones no longer have to say, “I want everyone to know me. How can I get there.” You can use multiple means to get the ultimate result:
1. Means #1- Send your press releases to Nigerian media influencers via e-mail or Facebook if they are on your friend list.
AND
2. Means #2- Submit the same press release to the sites mentioned above. If you are an artist like Darey, TuFace etc. who are looking to break into the USA Market, then newswire services like PRnewswire will allow some of the important relevant eyes in mainstream media to see your release.
Which leaves me with a critical point, your press release must be clever, newsworthy and tight because if it is done well, then if you spend say $400-800 on it, it will be money well spent. Many people spend money but do not get one person calling them because there is no story. All they get is their names on the top of google pages when they search for that event or person. If you are trying to create awareness, then the free releases is a better way to go.
If you will spend money, take the time to do it right so you get a big return on your investment.
Cheers,
Uduak
Another splendid article from Ms. Uduak. Your points always cut through like knife on butter.
That said, of all the good points made, I’d like to lay emphasis on your statement: Abeg, unless you are on CNN for something positive, do not contact other media organizations to tell them one of them just wrote about you. It is so annoying and a turnoff..
Apparently, some artistes believe that pointing out a post on another website doing something similar to us will automatically make notjustOk.com consider their song a little more. On the contrary, we consider it a little (more like alot) less. This is the singular biggest “turn-off”… after the offer of money for a post.
One or 2 artistes have even gone as far as sending in their material(s) but telling us not to put it up until “some other website” posts it… and then they get mad when we decide not to post it, or we delay. #EpicFail.
With all due respect to all other sites in the game, notjustOk.com prides itself in the content we put up. We’re neither influenced by “sweet-talks” nor “he-say-she-say”. It’s 100% down to the decision of the team, and the team alone, and we’d rather let the music do the talking. At times, we even go as far as calling the artistes over the phone to establish personal contacts, if we’re very impressed by their work.
If you must send us links to your song (we actually prefer sending in the mp3’s), PLEASE! BIKO! Be sure it’s from sites like myspace, youtube, facebook, the artiste’s official website, or any website that isn’t in the same market as we are.
#JustSaying.
Real Talk Ovie! and Nice write up Ladybrille!
@Ovie other sits aint fucking with you guys man!! I seen them all but I think its mad corny and childish pointing their write ups on other sites as to y you should put them up
What kind of BS is that? Those artists got to be the most immature artists ever, Point em out ovie and lemmie tear em down!
Ovie if they ever trip you already know its #OnToTheNextOne cos theres more material out there thats #NotJustOk
NOT JUST OK POLICE
(formerly known as OBSERVER)
does nigerian media use this ‘newswires services’ and which ones do they use?
ok nice article for the upcoming ones