Online Promotion Guide: Active Parenting Now Sample Press Release
Introduction Preparing for Your Workshop Planning Your Workshop Promoting Your Workshop Sample Letter to Parents Promoting Your Program Through Public Relations Sample Public Service Announcement	Sample Press Release Promoting Your Program Through Public Speaking Gaining Additional Publicity for Your Parenting Program Promoting Your Workshop: The Final Details Ordering Program Kits and Parts

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

Tips for success:

• Use only one side of a standard 8.5” x 11” sheet of white paper; the official letterhead of the sponsoring organization is ideal.
• In the top right hand corner include contact information including your name and phone number/e-mail address.
• The words “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” should be typed in the top left-hand corner of the release.
• Write a headline summarizing your message and center it on the page.
• The first, or lead, paragraph summarizes the basic facts—the who, what, when and where—of the program.
• Additional paragraphs fill out the story and gain reader involvement by including biographical information about the leader.
• The last paragraph should include a brief description of the sponsoring organization.
• The word “MORE” should appear centered at the bottom if there is a second page. At the end of the news release center three of these symbols, ###, to indicate to the news editor that this is the last page.
• Mail, e-mail or hand-deliver the news release to the editor who handles parenting or education news at least two weeks before you would like it to appear. Check the deadline for the community events calendar and send a separate copy of the news release to the calendar editor. Do not depend on the news editor to share the information with the calendar editor!
• A few days after mailing or delivering your news release make a follow-up telephone call to be sure that the editor has received it and offer to answer any questions he/she may have.
  

(Release must be on group's stationery)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 16, 2002

Contact: John Doe, xxx-xxx-xxxx, jdoe@xyz.com

(Center the headline)
MITCHELL MIDDLE SCHOOL TO OFFERS ACTIVE PARENTING NOW WORKSHOP

ANYWHERE, STATE—Mitchell Elementary School will offer the new Active Parenting Now workshop for parents of children ages 5-12. The six-session video-discussion program will be held on Thursday evenings, beginning October 10, from 7-9:30 p.m., in the school library. The school is located at 3175 Maple Street, Concord.

(use a quote when applicable)
"We are proud to offer Active Parenting Now to the parents in our community," says Denise Meyers, principal of Mitchell Middle School. “This program combines entertaining video and discussion to help parents learn how to raise children who are cooperative, responsible and able to resist peer pressure. It also guides parents in dealing with sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality and violence.”

The program will be led by Janice Jones, a certified Active Parenting leader. Ms. Jones is a counselor at E.L. Smith Elementary School, Central City, and volunteers at the Clinton County Community Center.

To register, or for more information, contact name at phone or e-mail.

(Identifying paragraph of sender's organization)
Mitchell Elementary School is a United States School of Excellence

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