How to send a press release
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modified from an original by user:zanimum; updated for the 500k-en press release, March 2005
The subject of the e-mail should read "PR: Wikipedia publishes 500,000 English-language articles", which is simple and to the point. It is advised, but not required, that you temporarily change your "From:" name to "Wikimedia PR", to look more official than a random name.
Copy the complete text of the article through your mail program or website. If you have an HTML compatible e-mail send Wikimedia_press_releases/500,000_English_articles, if you have plain text e-mail send Wikimedia_press_releases/500,000_English_articles_(int'l)/text. No cover letter is needed. A simple cover letter is acceptable if your local paper wants a fax, for some reason.
Record which press outlets you are contacting in the Press release logbook:
- Newspaper name, City of publication (if known), State/Province/Region (if relevant), Country, email--at--email.com ("through form", if that's the case, or a phone number if by phone (See below).
- ~~~
When you've successfully contacted them, add a timestamp after your name. (~~~~~)
Phone
[edit]Some people are only reachable by phone. Some, believe it or not, don't use email. Others prefer phone to email, and say so in the little blurbs they publish in media-directories. If you find yourself talking to someone by phone, be brief. Give them a 30-second pitch for a story along the lines of the press release. If they're interested, they'll ask you for more.
- When calling a department phone number, note whom you spoke to in the logbook.
Will they take it seriously?
[edit]Yes, most companies hire firms to send their PR out.