If you are interested in having your organization’s news or event noticed at the New York Almanack send a press release to nyalmanack@gmail.com using these guidelines:
1. Provide enough lead time. Send your event notices two weeks in advance. If you are sending a late announcement be sure to indicate the event name and date in the subject of your e-mail.
2. Focus on a single subject. Keep press releases to one subject – a lecture series, a single event, exhibit, conference, etc.
3. Be sure your press release is complete. In at least three paragraphs describe the what, when, where, and why of your event. Always include a paragraph describing your organization that includes a URL to your website, the location, hours, and admission fees. Spell out acronyms.
4. Include an photo illustration. Send images as separate attachment (jpg is best); Events with at least one photo are more likely to be published, even just your logo. Include a caption with the source for your image.
A Tip: Write press releases journalistically. The best press release is one that the media reprints verbatim. Provide an easy-to-use, ready-made story. Write your press release to read as though you were a reporter. Avoid unnecessary hyperbole and never use all caps, italics, bold, or other strange formatting except where grammatically correct. Avoid exclamation points and rhetorical questions. Avoid “you” in favor of “participants” or “visitors”.
Questions? Comments? Drop the editor an e-mail at nyalmanack@gmail.com.