Media Resources
The Arts & Culture Alliance announces free access to the 20th edition of their electronic Publicity Guide for makers, artists, and nonprofit organizations. The guide contains easily downloadable contact information for print, digital, television, and radio outlets in Asheville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and the Tri-Cities. Makers, artists, and nonprofits are encouraged to use this resource to promote upcoming shows or exhibitions, promote events, and make large-scale announcements. The Knoxville media outlets also include Twitter, Facebook and Instagram handles. For free access to the guide, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at 865-523-7543 or info@knoxalliance.com to receive the electronic file. The Publicity Guide has been closely checked for accuracy.
SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR PRESS RELEASES
The best way to send a press release is to adopt a multifaceted approach: send a pitch email directly to your chosen journalists, as well as mass and targeted distribution. Have post-distribution support like social media marketing and inclusion in your email newsletters. Finally, publish a copy of your press release to your website on a dedicated press page or as a blog post.
The 140 (or 280) Character Release for Twitter
+ Use the #pressrelease hashtag followed by ➜ URL of release on your website
+ Incorporate images
+ Use a mix of tweet types (text-based + link, image + link, and video + link) to tweet about your press release multiple times, but in different ways so that even someone who has seen all three tweets will see something new in each.
+ Twitter shelf life is short, so use Twitter to test positioning before you throw your release on the wire. Try a few different angles and lead-ins and see what gets the most traction.
The 90 Character + Image Release for Facebook
+ A combination of an uploaded photo, 90 characters worth of text, and a link to your website or press release is (currently) the best option to go with.
+ Paste in the link to your press release as your update, and add an additional description for great visibility.
+ You’ll need a good photo on the press release page or a great photo to upload as the thumbnail for the link.
+ Asking your followers what they think about it, how excited about it they are, and other prompts to get more engagement.
+ For journalists already following you, post your press release on your Facebook page for more “shareability” and wider Facebook distribution. This is ultimately both easier and faster for the reader than getting an email.
The Image Release for Pinterest & Instagram
+ If your image represents the content of your press release with a call to action, you’ll get shares and clicks.
+ Your only two options are to get the entire message across with the image and the description or to include an easily memorable link to your official press release.
+ Or, for press releases, take a screenshot of the release itself with directions on how to find the link.
+ The power of an Instagram release is in the description. Use the hashtag #pressrelease and include a catchy, and brief, description along with other keyword hashtags and a link to your release.
Misc tips
+ Always put Links to your Facebook page on your press releases. Including a link will allow journalists who see your release on sites that publish it to connect with you there on Facebook, too.
+ Learn when your audience is most active, and share your content at that time. In addition to tailoring your content to each platform, you’ll have to tailor your delivery time as well.
+ Once you know when your audience is listening, stay consistent with the time you post.
+ Take quotes from the press release one step further: The people within your organization are the ones who know your company best. If you’ve quoted them in the press release, that’s a good first step to capturing earned media opportunities. Ask them to be involved in Q and A sessions, real-time Twitter chats, and Facebook Live events to provide additional value and interaction opportunities for your prospects and customers. If you have connections who would be willing to participate in answering questions on a social media channel, reach out to them and leverage their knowledge or opinions.
Taken from sources:
https://www.prezly.com/academy/art-social-media-press-release
https://www.newswire.com/blog/how-to-issue-your-press-release-using-vine-and-instagram
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/press-release-distribution-tips/