Category Archives: Fletcher Prince News
Follow Friday: Twitter Contacts for Capital Business
Work in public relations? Updating your media relations list? Interested in Washington, DC business news? Here are contacts from the Washington Post’s Capital Business.
I cover local retail, hospitality and banking for WAPO CAP BIZ
I cover government and defense contracting for The Washington Post’s Capital Business.
I am a reporter at The Washington Post, writing about how people build businesses.
Business reporter at The Washington Post, native Texan, Knight Bagehot fellow, Columbia MBA Class 2012
I’m a business reporter for The Washington Post covering policy that affects corporate America.
Reporter for The Washington Post’s Capital Business section. Email me: abha.bhattarai[at]washingtonpost.com
Cover local business and technology for The Washington Post and Capital Business. Also write The Download, a weekly column. Reach me at overlys@washpost.com.
Commercial real estate reporter for the Washington Post and Capital Business. Petworth dad.
Daily headlines, links and news from Capital Business, The Washington Post’s local business publication. We’re also on Facebook: http://wapo.st/fbcapbiz
Follow Friday: Twitter List of WAMU-FM Contacts
Here are WAMU-FM Twitter contacts for your media list from my public Twitter list.
D.C. Reporter, WAMU 88.5 FM
Maryland reporter for WAMU-FM in Washington DC. A follow is not an endorsement…but you prob already knew that
Reporter – NBC4 Washington DC; Analyst – WAMU-FM 88.5 Kojo Nnamdi Politics Hour; Columnist – Current Newspapers
The Diane Rehm Show from NPR and WAMU 88.5 – American University Radio
WAMU 88.5 – American University Radio. Home of @drshow, @kojoshow, @wamumetro, @wamu885news, and @wamubluegrass.
The Kojo Nnamdi Show from WAMU 88.5 – American University Radio
Local news from WAMU 88.5 – American University Radio in Washington, D.C.
Press Release Pointers
The publicist’s bread and butter used to be the press release. We wrote them, we mailed them, we faxed them, and for a while, we emailed them. Then we pitched the ink out of them. Now with shrinking news rooms, online media, and 24-7 news cycles, so much of how public relations professionals approach press releases has changed.
I’m going to be honest with you: I don’t write a lot of press releases these days. I can probably count on two hands all the ones I’ve written in the past six years. But I have a pro bono client who needs a whole lot of press releases so I had to bone up.
What I am finding is that press releases are still relevant and have an important place in most organizations’ public relations plans. What are some of the best ways to use a press release? Perhaps we should talk about how NOT to use them. Most publicists I have talked to concur that sending press releases without preamble to massive contact lists of reporters, then following up with pitch calls, is no longer the way to go. Reporters say they are inundated with email. Those messages just get lost. So, how can you leverage your next press release?
How To Use a Press Release to Get Results
- Publicists are sending highly targeted, time-sensitive media alerts and press releases to their carefully cultivated media contacts, but on a very selective basis. Then they are placing them online, with social sharing features.
- Remember to carefully research editorial calendars and reporter beats before approaching a reporter (with or without a press release) about a potential story.
- Send press releases to a reporter who in the course of conversation, requests more information, or specifically asks for a press release. In a sense, you are bringing the press release later into the dialogue, instead of beginning with it.
- There are always a few reporters who still swear by, and say they want to receive press releases, by email.
- Upload press releases to the website’s online news room, and repurpose them as blog posts and email newsletter articles.
- Press releases aren’t just for reporters! Send press releases to partner organizations, trade associations, chambers of commerce, legislative assistants, and think tanks (depending on topic, of course).
- Use press releases as background information when booking guests on podcasts, radio shows, and broadcast news programs.
- Be sure to include your organization’s social media links (Facebook Page, Twitter account, YouTube Channel, etc.) in the press release.
Press Release Resources
- Read 4 tips for writing effective press release headlines.
- Learn the science behind timing the distribution of your press release.
- Send the press release by news wire. You can now send press releases directly from your WordPress blog via PR Newswire for $89 per release.
- Check out PR Newswire’s Nonprofit Tool Kit, which includes press release templates and samples.
- Read this post by Jonathan Rick on how to make your press release more appealing to journalists.
- Learn some new tricks for adding visual appeal to your press releases to make them more shareable.
- On a tight budget? Try Free Press Release.com
Ideas for Press Release Topics
All content should be timely, relevant, interesting, useful, and informative. Think about the benefits of the information to the user, and frame the information in that context. Remember, photos and video help tell the story, and garner three times more reads than releases without visual media. Here are just a few ideas for your next press release.
- Any topic related to the news of the day that adds another angle to the story.
- A new and innovative product or service line.
- Compelling results of research: studies, surveys and polls.
- Helpful, timely (and seasonal, when appropriate) tips.
- Educational events and seminars.
- How to avoid scams and fraud associated with your industry.
- Work with interns, students, or community service.
What tips or press release topics would you add?
Related articles
- How to Write an Excellent Press Release (noobpreneur.com)
- Online Press Releases Dramatically Help Build Brand Awareness (epiphanysolutions.co.uk)
- Media Relations Gone Wrong: How Not to Pitch a Journalist (Video) (adamsherk.com)
- Burning Up in Press Release Hell (ereleases.com)
April Network-and-Lunch Report – talking PR at Jaleo
Every month, Fletcher Prince organizes a networking lunch at a different location in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We do this to connect with other communicators and talk “shop” and basically enjoy ourselves. (But everyone is welcome — you certainly do not have to be a communicator to network with us.)
On April 24, we had our third Network-and-Lunch event, this time, at Jaleo in Bethedsa, Maryland. David and I were joined by Leah Ibraheem and Connie Rhind Robey.
We were struck by the fact that we met through Twitter. I had been following Leah’s blog for some time before I met her for the first time this spring. This was my first meeting with Connie; she noticed my profile when I tweeted about the Smithsonian Craft Festival, and decided to sign up for the lunch (She handled public relations for the Festival this year.)
Although we had a smaller number of people this time, it was a delightful lunch, and we had some terrific conversation about fine craft works, public relations, social media, and working as independent consultants. The hour and half flew by.
The lunch was reasonable and the decor of Jaleo was gorgeous. For $12, we had the choice of sandwich and a half salad. We sampled beet and orange salads, and a type of apple slaw with manchego cheese, along with lamb and Spanish grilled cheese sandwiches.
Be sure to join us on May 15 when we will meet at Thai Pilin in Falls Church. The lunch special is $7.95 (in fact, I had it today!) and is really delicious.
Related articles
- March Network and Lunch Attendees (fletcher-prince.com)
- Event Report: February Network-and-Lunch (fletcher-prince.com)
Owning your success: why it’s important to learn how to accept a compliment
Vice President Biden swears in Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Joining Secretary Clinton is her husband, former President Bill Clinton, their daughter Chelsea Clinton, and Secretary Clinton's mother Dorothy Rodham. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I read an interview with Secretary Clinton and Andrea Mitchell today that made me think about how apparently uncomfortable even the most admirable of women can be with their own success, at times.
I think there are a number of things that women do to undermine themselves, when really, they only wish to appear humble. For many of us, this is part of our cultural upbringing. We were taught to be self-deprecating and humble. When I say this, of course I am speaking in generalizations to make a point and not saying that every woman is guilty of downplaying her success.
During the interview, Secretary Clinton deflected the conversation about being a role model by saying she did not think of herself that way, in spite of the fact, as Andrea Mitchell mentioned, that many people do think of her that way. I think what was authentic was at least she admitted that it was true. But I don’t think she had to add that she didn’t think of herself that way. I’m not saying it didn’t sound genuine. I’m just saying for a person of her standing and caliber, maybe humility isn’t called for each time. Maybe she could just own it, since someone else is saying it.
But I think what was even more telling was this exchange, at the end of the interview:
SECRETARY CLINTON: Always good to see you, Andrea. You are an inspiration, believe me.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Hardly, but thank you for saying that.
Now when one of the most powerful people in the world says you are an inspiration, you do not disagree with them! First of all, disagreeing with any compliment tends to discount the idea of the other person. It’s like hitting the balloon of their compliment with a bb gun. Secondly, Andrea Mitchell has had an illustrious career in journalism spanning four decades, beginning when there weren’t many women journalists. So, she can authentically own the fact that she is an inspiration to many. Both of these women are trail-blazers, and yet, both seem uncomfortable with owning it. And why is that?
Just try to imagine someone saying to President Clinton — you are a role model — and him saying, well, I don’t think of myself that way. It’s harder to imagine a man saying that, isn’t it?
So you might say, well, what’s wrong with a little humility? Nothing really. Only there is still a pretty large salary disparity, across the board, for women and men. I don’t see how we can expect male managers and colleagues to value our work and contributions when we fail to accept credit deserved.
As a woman business owner, I think it’s important to both own my mistakes and my successes. If we’re so good at owning our mistakes, I think we must be equally good at owning our successes, which can be done in a non-obnoxious way.
So how do we accept the professional and personal compliments that come our way? One approach is to accept the compliment with thanks and a smile, and then let it go at that. Don’t qualify it or excuse it or downplay it. This can take practice! If you feel tempted to say something else, just mentally count to five or ten.
Another approach would be to accept it and add a little context, especially if you are trying to stay on message during an interview.
For example, if someone compliments you on something specific (the best kinds of compliments), you might say “Thank you. We worked very hard for 10 months on that project and it’s satisfying to see the results now.”
In the case of Andrea Mitchell, maybe she was thrown by receiving the compliment, but if she had a do-over opportunity, I think she might say something like, “Thank you, coming from you I consider that a very high compliment, indeed.”
Want to increase your compliment-accepting skills? Try giving more compliments, and watch how other people react. Make sure they focus on one specific thing, and that they are brief, and free of superlatives. Do they make you feel good about what you said when they graciously say thank you? How does it make you feel when they down-play the compliment?
Happy Birthday, Fletcher Prince
Has five years gone by so quickly? It’s hard to believe.
Here is a slideshow of memories from the past five years. Good times.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Join Fletcher Prince on April 2 and shine a light for autism (and get a free link, too!)
Chances are, you know someone who has autism or you have friends who have a relative with autism. Today, more than a million people have autism in the United States and 1 in 70 boys are on the spectrum, including Fletcher Prince’s #1 fan.
Monday, April 2 is World Autism Day and it is an opportunity for your business, agency, or nonprofit to show your support for the large numbers of people who are affected by autism in some way. Make your plans now to commemorate this special day, and we will not only be grateful, but we will link to your website for the entire month of April.*
Three Ways Your Company or Organization Can Show Support for People Living With Autism
Here are three easy ways you can plan now for meaningful participation…
- Encourage your workplace colleagues to wear blue on April 2 to show your support for people living with autism. Take group photos of staff and display them on your Facebook Page.
- Display a lamp with a blue light in your lobby or place of business to show your support, as businesses, schools, and residences around the world will do. The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Niagara Falls, Canton Tower, the NYSE, the Paris Stock Exchange, and many other landmark buildings around the world participate in this awareness effort.
- Share helpful autism resources and links on Twitter and Facebook, such as Mary’s support website for parents, Living Well With Autism (http://www.livingwellwithautism.com) and links to support groups.
Where to Get Your Blue Light Bulbs
Blue light bulbs are on sale from Home Depot for $1.99, and can be ordered online or picked up at the store. A portion of the proceeds from sales of these light bulbs will be donated to Autism Speaks. Why not pick up some for your neighbors and friends? Fletcher Prince will also deliver a blue light bulb to your business in the Washington, DC metro area, if requested by Friday, March 30. Call (571) 269-7559.
An Example of Support
Last year our friends at the Falls Church branch of Virginia Commerce Bank displayed a table lamp in their lobby with a blue light bulb to show their support for people living with autism. As a customer who has a child with autism, this show of support was highly meaningful to me.
Participate and Get a Free Link!
*As we did last year, Fletcher Prince will promote your company on the home page of our website for the month of April if you show us you participated in World Autism Day by displaying a blue light in your workplace. To be eligible for the link, post a photo of your blue light(s) in the workplace setting on the Fletcher Prince Facebook Page on April 2, World Autism Day.
To thank you for your support, we will link to your website, blog, YouTube page, Facebook page, or Twitter account for the month of April.
That’s an unbeatable offer and we hope lots of people take us up on it!
Need PR interns? New employees? Participate in the George Mason Communications Career Fair!
Would you like to hire interns or entry level communications professionals for your team?
The Communication Department of George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) is hosting a Communications Career Fair on Thursday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Public relations agencies, associations, and businesses are invited to attend to meet prospective interns and employees among George Mason’s University students. Tables, signage, and refreshments will be provided by the Communication Department.
The event co-sponsored by GMU Career Office and the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-NCC), and participants are still needed!
The event will take place at Johnson Center (Dewberry Hall), 4400 University Drive, on the George Mason University Campus in Fairfax, Virginia. The Johnson Center is located approximately in the center of campus (GMU map), and is a four-level building that houses the student union (see photo, above).
To reserve a table and obtain parking information, please contact Lisa Cunningham at lcunnin1@gmu.edu or call (703) 993-1090. For additional information, please contact Sergei Samoilenko ssamyole@gmu.edu or call (202) 503-6972.
Taking Metro? To get to George Mason’s Fairfax campus, take the Orange line to the Vienna Metro. The George Mason Shuttle departs throughout the day, including 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The stop at the Vienna Metro is on the north side of the station and that is the far left shelter when one comes out to the semi-circle of bus shelters on the north side.
Danielle Douglas @DaniDougPost
Marjorie Censer @CommonCenser
Renae Merle @renaemerle
Jia Lynn Yang @jialynnyang
Abha Bhattarai @abhabhattarai
Steven Overly @StevenOverly
Jonathan O’Connell @OConnellPostbiz
Capital Business @CapitalBiz
Patrick Madden @Patrick_Madden
Matt Bush @MattBushMD
Margo Kelly WAMU-FM @MargoKelly1
The Diane Rehm Show @drshow
WAMU’s Front Desk @frontdeskamy
WAMU 88.5 @wamu885
The Kojo Nnamdi Show @kojoshow
WAMU 88.5 News @wamu885news 




