旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � The Computer Bulletin Board � � � � Guide to Public Relations � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Ver 1.8 Samples of News Releases Public Service Announcements Market Research Survey For the record, the BBS, all events and persons are fictitious. However, the address and phone number is mine. If you feel any of these samples would be useful, feel free to adapt them for your needs. APHELION BBS 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 501 XXX XXXX (data) 501 646 9332 (voice) For Immediate Release INTERNET COMES TO FORT SMITH Aphelion Computer Bulletin Board System has now connected with the Internet. The Internet is a worldwide network connecting Universities, Research Centers, Government and Business with electronic mail, news, public message bases, and computer programs. This is the first time the Internet has been publicly available in the Fort Smith area. System Operator of Aphelion BBS, Robert Parson, says "The heart of computing is being able to share information. Now users in Fort Smith can easily share information with the world and gather information from sources they couldn't reach before." Aphelion BBS will provide a free Electronic Mailbox to anyone wishing to receive private messages. A rate of $6.00 an hour will be charged for all other Internet resources. Computer users can dial Aphelion BBS at 501 XXX XXXX with their modem at speeds up to 14,400. For more information call Robert Parson at 501 646 9332 (voice) -30- *** The Internet news release is a simple product announcement. It says the Internet is available, explains why this is news (first time publicly available) and also explains how to access the BBS. It also provides a "warm body" with a quote, and how to contact the "warm body." This is also an example of a "hard news" type of news release. It states the facts with few embellishments. The next news release is a bit more complicated since it starts with a softer lead, or beginning. It has a "feature" feel to it. *** BBS-SAMP pg 1 APHELION BBS 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 501 XXX XXXX (data) 501 646 9332 (voice) For Immediate Release INTERNET SEMINAR SPONSORED BY APHELION BBS Navigation of large computer networks is much like navigating the ocean. It takes time, practice and instruction. The Internet is, if not the largest, one the largest computer oceans. Aphelion Computer Bulletin Board System is sponsoring a seminar designed to help computer users learn to navigate through the Internet. "This seminar will focus on Electronic mail addressing and file transfers," according to System Operator Robert Parson. More seminars dealing with other aspects of the Internet are planned. The Seminar will be held Saturday, October 9 at 1:00p.m. at the Fort Smith Public Library. The cost of the seminar is $5.00, which will pay for materials used by participants. Aphelion BBS recently made the Internet available to computer users with modems. E-Mail boxes are provided at no cost. Other Internet services are available for a $6.00 an hour charge. Modems can connect to Aphelion BBS at speeds up to 14,400. For more information about the Seminar or Aphelion BBS, call Robert Parson at 501 646 9332 (voice). -30- *** The seminar news release is quite similar to the new product announcement in that it says what the seminar is about, where it will be held and why it is being held. The charge for the seminar was included since it was necessary, but it was buried deep in the news release. If you'll notice, both of these news releases have a contact name and number. This is critically important on any news release. If a media outlet can't find someone to talk BBS-SAMP pg 2 to about a story, it will usually end up in the trash. The following news release is a local angle to a national story. *** APHELION BBS 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 501 XXX XXXX (data) 501 646 9332 (voice) For Immediate Release "Kiddie Porn" warning blasted The Justice Department recently warned parents to examine their children's electronic mail for possible signs of contact by child molesters. The System Operator of a Fort Smith Computer Bulletin Board says BBSs are being unfairly singled out as a source of this illegal activity. Robert Parson of Aphelion BBS says "The Justice Department has bruised the entire BBS community because of a few cases." Parson adds that as far as he knows, there has been no activity involving child pornography or other illegal activities in the Fort Smith area. "All the Bulletin Boards that are in operation in Fort Smith are on the up and up. I invite anyone to call any of them and look for themselves." Aphelion BBS can be reached at 501 XXX XXXX by any computer user with a modem at speeds up to 14,400. For more information Robert Parson can be reached voice at 501 646 9332. -30- *** This is based on an actual news story from September 1993. The Justice Department did issue a warning to parents advising them to check their children's electronic mail. This news release accomplishes several things. It blunts the impact of the Justice Department warning, Robert Parson is seen as an expert in the field, and the invitation BBS-SAMP pg 3 to call ANY BBS could expand the user base of the BBS community (although Aphelion BBS will likely be the first one called). You could also include a list of BBS names and numbers with this News Release. The "-30-" at the end of each of these stories indicates that, yes, the story has come to an end. If there were two pages, the first page would have a notation at the bottom of "-more-" Let's try something fairly simple: a Public Service Announcement. *** Who: Greater Fort Smith System Operators' Association What: Seminar When: Saturday, October 9, 1:00pm Where: Fort Smith Public Library Topic: How to use a Computer Bulletin Board System There is no cost for this seminar. For more information contact Myron Aberchrombie at XXX XXX XXXX. *** First of all, I want to know just who these guys think they are having a FREE seminar when I'm having my FEE-BASED seminar! At the same place even! What gall. Anyway, that's just one form a PSA can take. One of the nice things about that format is it can fit on a postcard, which has a lower postage rate. But some people prefer to write them similar to a news story. Now for something quite a bit more complicated. The following is a statement for a News Conference. *** APHELION BBS 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 501 XXX XXXX (data) 501 646 9332 (voice) For Release 10-9-93 1:00p Statement by Aphelion BBS System Operator, Robert Parson BBS-SAMP pg 4 I am very distressed that the Justice Department raided and shut down Aphelion BBS yesterday as a threat to National Security. I have allowed the People's Front for the Liberation of Refrigerator Magnets to have a forum without fear of recrimination. But as the raid proved, I was apparently wrong. Yes, the PFLRM is working toward separation from the Nation of Cellophane Tape. The People's Front, though, should have the opportunity to have its opinions and views out in the open as any political party does. As the System Operator, I have always encouraged freedom of speech, no matter what form that speech takes. There have been times in which some users have left messages I felt were not just politically incorrect but downright vile. However, that is what the First Amendment protects. I am looking forward to the coming days in court and firmly believe that we will find that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights do have a place in modern society. I will answer any questions you might have. -30- *** Obviously, the Justice Department wouldn't raid a BBS over something like this. But just the same, this is an example of Crisis Management. It is a firm statement made at a News Conference, and an invitation that representatives of the BBS are open to meet with members of the media. Should you be raided, you normally won't have a News Conference. The judge would probably place you under a "gag" order, which prohibits you from talking publicly about the case, or you would be advised by your attorney not to say anything. Let's just hope you never get raided. Here is a News Release designed primarily to keep your BBS and your name in front of an editor. *** BBS-SAMP pg 5 APHELION BBS 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 501 XXX XXXX (data) 501 646 9332 (voice) For Immediate Release The Information Highway that has captured the imagination of Government and Communications Firm Officials is still several years in the future. Right now, though, Fort Smith residents with a computer and a modem can call over a dozen Computer Bulletin Boards and exchange messages, download files and even play games. Several are connected to national message networks. Here is a list of BBS numbers in the Fort Smith area: (a list of several numbers. If you live in a large city, you may not want to list all of them) Although the exact number cannot be determined, there are an estimated 57,000 Computer Bulletin Board Systems in the United States. For more information, call Robert Parson, the System Operator of Aphelion BBS at 646 9332 (voice). *** BBS-SAMP pg 6 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 쿘arket Research Survey� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Hello! I'm ____________ From Paradigm Research. We would like to ask you a few questions here on the phone if you have a few minutes. We are not trying to sell you anything. 1. Are you 12-18 19-24 25-42 43-55 55 or over 2. Do you own a computer? Y N (if N, terminate) 3. Does your computer have a modem? Y N (if N, terminate) 4. Do you use your modem (prompt) often (see 4B) occasionally (see 4B) seldom (if SELDOM, terminate) 4B. How often would you say you use your modem? (prompt) less than once a week once a week twice a week more than twice a week 5. Do you have accounts on any national online services? (if Y then prompt) (if N, go to 6) America Online Compuserve GEnie Delphi Prodigy Other ________________________________________________ 5B What is your average monthly bill? _______________ 6. Do you call any local Computer Bulletin Boards? Y N 6B. (if Y, then query) Which ones? _______________________ ____________________________________________________________ 6B1. Have you subscribed to or donated to any local Computer Bulletin Boards? Y N 6C. (if N, then query) Any reasons why you don't? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 7. What would you say you do most often? (no prompting) play games download files read/write messages other (specify) __________________________________________ 8. What type of computer do you use? (no prompting) IBM or compatible Apple (any) Commodore/Amiga Other _________________________ 9. How fast is your modem? _______________________________ 10. What modem software do you use? _______________________ Thank you for your time. BBS-SAMP pg 7 I would like to know what Public Relations efforts you are conducting. Send copies of your News Releases, brochures and fliers, newspaper clippings, even audio cassettes of radio newscasts and VHS copies of tv news stories to: Robert Parson 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 Survey results can be sent to that address, or to my E- mail addresses: R.PARSON on GEnie r.parson@genie.geis.com on the Internet ROBERT PARSON on Jackalope Junction BBS (Steve Prado Sysop) 1:3822/1 or 1:3822/8 Fidonet These will be part of a continuing research project I am conducting. If you would also like personalized analysis of materials you have sent, please see the file PR-RATES.TXT. BBS-SAMP pg 8