How to write a press release

This goes to polliticians, churches, organizations or anyone who wants to get publicity for an event, occassion or campaign.
CMS has a quick summary of how to write a press release for you.
As a former newspaper editor and current reporter I can agree with this whole heartidly. I think every church needs to be sending out press releases on their events and there needs to be someone who is knowledable about how to do it.
It’s not brain surgery. Anyone can do it, just follow these simple guidelines:

  • Just the Facts, Ma’am
  • Put the Most Important Information First
  • Use Short Sentences and Paragraphs
  • Always Use Active Voice
  • Avoid Jargon and Cliches
  • Proofread, Proofreed, Proufread
    For a complete description of these steps read the post.

    • Guide to freelance

    From Lifehacker:

    Freelance web designer Phil Gyford has compiled a thorough guide to freelancing, covering everything from marketing yourself to dealing with distractions. Although some of the information is tailored to programmers, much of it is worthwhile reading for anyone thinking of taking the freelance leap.

    I’m all about freelancing. I’d like to do more of it – hint, hint. I’d love to be able to do enough that that’s all I did, but we haven’t gotten there yet. Hopefully that day will come some day, I guess I better read the guide to find out how.

    Quote for the day

    From Sojourners:

    The Psalms defy our notions of profane and sacred, proving that everything we feel, witness, do unto others, and have done to us is acceptable subject matter for conversing with the Divine. They invite us to bring every part of ourselves into our houses of worship. If we omit expressions of faith lost, of rage, of disdain, and of the desire for revenge, we leave parts of ourselves at the door.
    – Kari Jo Verhulst

    Marriage advice

    Over the last few weeks I’ve heard more and more advice for marriage, especially leading up to the engagment Saturday and now even more so now.
    I think the best advice so far is, “Always remember, ‘Yes dear.'”
    But this just came from Mike and I think it’s worth sharing as well:

    Dating process:
    6 weeks : I love U, I love U, I love U.
    6 months : Of course I love U.
    6 years : GOD, if I didn’t love U, then why the hell did I propose?

    Back from Work:
    6 weeks : Honey, I’m home.
    6 months : BACK!!
    6 years : What did your mom cook for us today??

    Gifts:
    6 weeks : Honey, I really hope you liked the ring.
    6 months : I bought you a painting; it would fit the motif in the living room.
    6 years : Here’s the money. Buy yourself something.

    Phone Ringing:
    6 weeks : Baby, somebody wants you on the phone.
    6 months : Here, for you.
    6 years : PHONE RINGING.

    Cooking:
    6 weeks : I never knew food could taste so good!
    6 months : What are we having for dinner tonight?
    6 years : AGAIN!!!!

    Apology:
    6 weeks : Honey muffin, don’t you worry, I’ll never hold this against you.
    6 months : Watch out! Don’t do it again.
    6 years : What’s not to understand about what I just said??

    New Dress:
    6 weeks : Oh my God, you look like an angel in that dress.
    6 months : You bought a new dress again???
    6 years : How much did THAT cost me?

    Planning for Vacations:
    6 weeks : How do 2 weeks in Vienna or anywhere you please sound??
    6 months : What’s so bad about going to Istanbul on a charter plane?
    6 years : Travel? What’s so bad about staying home???

    TV:
    6 weeks : Baby, what would you like us to watch tonight?
    6 months : I like this movie.
    6 years : I’m going to watch ESPN, if you’re not in the mood, go to bed, I can stay up by myself.

    Feel free to insert your marriage advice by clicking the comment button below.

    Nigerian airline licence suspended

    After the airline accident of and ADC plane on Sunday in Abuja, the Nigerian goverment has suspended the airlines license.
    From AND:

    Nigeria suspends Airline’s Licence

    By MARTIN KING

    Nigeria (AND) Nigeria suspends the operational licence of the Aviation Development Company (ADC) airline whose plane crashed October 29.
    Nigeria October 30 suspended the operational licence of the Aviation Development Company (ADC) airline whose plane crashed a day earlier killing almost all its passengers. In announcing the suspension in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Prof. Babalola Borishade said: “We cannot continue to do everything we are doing in the provision of infrastructure and the various regulations and some little persons on their own discretion continue to embarrass the country and send misery to the lives of people’s family.
    It is unfortunate.” He said legislative backing was needed to enforce information from the control tower at airports to prevent pilots from disregarding vital information regarding taking off or landing as was the case in the 29 October crash. The ill-fated aircraft was on its way to Sokoto when the crash occurred. Ninety-nine people lost their lives in the crash.
    They include Muhammadu Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, his son, Badamasi Maccido (who is a Nigerian Senator), Sule Yari Gandi(another Nigerian Senator), the, Ahaji Garba Mohammed (Deputy Governor of Sokoto State,north-west Nigeria), among others. President Olusegun Obasanjo was expected to visit the crash site while the area has been cordoned off. Ten years ago, an ADC passenger plane also crashed into Majidun River near Ikorodu in Lagos, killing all the passengers on board.
    A ban was similarly placed on the company after that mishap. Meanwhile, fresh facts indicate that the ADC Airline is the fourth registered user of the Boeing 737-200 jet that crashed October 29 in Abuja. The plane was first flown on 27 September, 1983. Manufactured with serial number 22891-LN: 988, the plane’s first owner was USAir. It flew it from 20 October, 1983. It was registered as N323 AU.
    The plane wore the colours of the airline till 27 February, 1997, by which time its registration code had been changed to N279 AU. That year, ownership changed hands as US Airways acquired the plane. The latest owner used the plane till 1999 and sold it to Metrojet, another US Airline. ADC Airline bought the plane on 2 September, 2003 and registered the plane as BN-BFK. The plane ended its journey in the shrubs of Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city on 29 October, 2006.