Holiday Gifts - Images and products

Holiday Gifts - Images and products created with my images available here:
https://sites.google.com/site/mindscapeimages/

First Snow on a Larch Bog

New Hampshire Moose Poster

“The Distant Sound of a Different Drum”

Writing Effective News Releases

Writing Effective News Releases
By Wayne D. King

"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." - Chinese Proverb

Whether you are the person writing a news release, or the CEO reviewing that release before it goes out, its important to understand the form and elements of an effective news release.

You'll notice that I use the term New Release - not Press Release. Media in the digital age does not generally consider itself "press". When you measure your output in bits and bytes without any ink, you don't generally see yourself as press, so show some love and respect to the folks that you want to pass along your news.

One notable exception to this is the more hip reference to "Pressers" that you will hear in reference to News Conferences. What can I say? See Ben Franklin about a foolish consistency . . . "Presser" just sounds more sexy than "newser"

Keep in mind that a news release is most effective as a part of a media plan within your business plan.

If you need a News Release in a hurry, or help with development of a Media Plan or Campaign, we can help. Feel free to contact us, but take a look at this brief overview of an effective news release whether you do your releases in-house or you outsource them.


I. Elements of a News Release:

     A. A news release contains five major elements
          Advisory & Contact Information 

          A Headline
          A Dateline
          The Story/News
          End Delineation 

II. Types of News Releases:

     A. News releases can generally be separated into two categories
          Releases that are news-makers. 

          Releases that are news-responses. These releases respond to other news. 

III. Purposes of News Releases: 

    A. These two releases serve two distinctly different purpose.

1. Making News: If your release seeks to make news, you will have to tell the story succinctly but give them a reason to consider it as news. The challenge here is to be succinct and at the same time give them enough information to see the importance of your release to a broader community. Be sure to include in the release information the vital information: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.
2. Responding to News: If you are responding to news, remember that your comments will most likely be used in the context of a larger story on an issue. In order to have your message somehow make its way through the din of competing messages you must say something compelling and keep it interesting – perhaps even controversial, since the media loves a controversy. Don't say something controversial that will damage the reputation of your organization but do look for ways to stimulate dialogue in an interesting fashion. 

IV. Elements of a News Release

1. The Header: This section of your news release serves to identify who the contact person is for the story and what are the best ways to contact them. It also includes the date and information concerning whether the content is for immediate distribution or is to be held until a specific date - known as EMBARGOED.
   
   News Release
   For Immediate Release
   October 10, 2017
   For More Information Contact: John Smith - 635-786-9944 The National Coalition for Peace, Love and Waterbeds
   
   If the information is embargoed the form would look like this: News Release
   Embargoed Until: October 21, 1999
   For More Information Contact: John Smith - 635-786-9944 The National Coalition for Peace, Love and Waterbeds
   
   You will notice that this is called a NEWS RELEASE not a press release. there is a very specific reason for this. Electronic news media are sensitive to being termed "press", it is an outmoded expression. In order to start off on the right foot with your release, make this concession to be as inclusive as possible.
2. The Headline: Your headline is the most important sentence of your news release. Try to keep it short and interesting. Make it timely and newsworthy. Consider whether you are trying to create news or respond to news and generate your headline based on this. See the sample news releases at the end of this primer.
3. The Dateline
   Despite its name the dateline is actually the location from which the release is written. Generally, that is also the location of the story behind the news release as well.
4.  Telling The Story
   Organize your story before you actually sit down to write it. Whether you are making news or responding to news be sure to include the following elements:
   
   Who is the release about - if you are responding to news that has been made by someone else you will be discussing two different entities. Make sure as you write that it is always clear which you are referring to at any point in the release.
   
   What is the principle issue or problem that this release addresses When did these events take place or when will they take place? Where did these events take place or where will they take place?
   
   Why did they happen. What was the mission behind the event or, in the event you are responding to news, why did they make the mistake they made? How can a reader or listener act if they wish to so do. Give your reader the opportunity to take an action. engage them in your mission.
   
   Summarize your story in the first paragraph.Your headline and first paragraph should provide a summary of the story that any reader can understand, from an anchor person at a news desk to the reader of a newspaper that prints your release verbatim. Think about how people read letters and newspapers and webpages etc. as you write. Provide a reason to read on quickly.
   
   Use real people to tell your story. Stories that have a personal angle are very appealing to the news media. Try to make your release real by involving real people in the story. Quote respected individuals and members of your staff. A great morale booster for staff members is to include some of them in the story as well. Try to give everyone the opportunity to be quoted in the media if this is feasible.
   
   Write in the Third Person Voice. Unlike an email or a letter that is written in a personal voice, a press release should be presented objectively from a third person point of view. The reason is obvious. Every journalist has a duty to provide his/her/their readers with impartial facts and figures. They must not be seen as endorsing a company's products or services.
   
   For example: Remove "you", "I", "we" and "us" and replace them with "he/she" and "they". Provide references to any statistics, facts and figures raised in the news release. Personal opinions should be expressed in the form of quotes from individuals.
   
   Draw conclusions from facts and statistics - not from opinion.
5. Provide additional background information.
   Here is an ideal opportunity to provide a way for people to take action, provide your Website address and telephone number and encourage people to find out more. End your news release with an appendix that provides brief background information on your organization, newsmakers, as well as who to contact for further information.
6. The End
   It seems like a small point but be sure to let the media know where your news release ends. This allows them to be sure that they have the full story and nothing is missing. There are several accepted ways of doing this, all of them perfectly acceptable.
   ###
   ## END ## END

 IV. What is the Difference Between a Media/News Advisory and a Media Release?
An advisory informs the media of an upcoming event. Often inviting them to participate in some capacity. It is written in much the same manner as a release but is usually very short and succinct and often followed up with a personal contact.

V.   News Makers - News Releases Intended to Create News

News Release
For Immediate Release
October 10, 2005
For More Information Contact: John Smith - 635-786-9944
The National Coalition for Peace, Love and Waterbeds


The Coalition for Peace, Love and Waterbeds Formed
Group Intends to Foster Quality Sleep (sub headers are also effective)

Ojai, California . . .  As a result of the cry from both public and private sources for greater peace and harmony among all earthlings, a new coalition, The Coalition for Peace, Love and Waterbeds today announced its formation.

Commenting on the need for this new organization, coalition President John Smith said, "We believe that by focusing the efforts of our organization on the core principles of peace, justice and a sound night's sleep that we can begin to achieve a level of harmony previously unknown to humans."

Smith continued, "For too long the leaders in this country have neglected the serious effects of sleep deprivation on the national psyche, we intend to do something about this problem."

Smith, who previously served as the Director of the United Nations steering committee on Affordable Housing, said that the new coalition's mission would be to bring about universal harmony through the promotion of a sound night's rest.
The new coalition will be located in the residence of Swami Sanchedenadna, on Harmony Lane in Ojai, until it has established its permanent headquarters. Smith invited interested individuals to call their sleep hotline at 1-800-GET-REST to make a donation or volunteer time.

###


VI.  News Response Release - News Releases that Respond to News

A News release that responds to news is the second general category of news release. A sample is shown below.

News Release
For Immediate Release
October 11, 2005
For More Information, Contact: Ace Hardguy
The Coalition to Eliminate Nonsense: 1-800-465-NO-BS

No Nonsense Says "Give Me A Break" to New Waterbed Coalition

Mill Valley, California . . .
Commenting on the formation of the new Coalition for Peace, Love and Waterbeds in Ojai, Ace Hardguy, President of the Coalition to Eliminate Nonsense said: "Give Me a Break . . . Give Me a Big Break".

"This is nothing more than an attempt to raise money in the name of universal harmony. The notion that helping people to have a good night's sleep is going to bring about a change in our society is nothing more than what the cow left in the field."

Hardguy, a former veteran of the special forces, Green Berets, said that these kinds of efforts were poorly disguised efforts and that people should protest by sending envelopes with nothing but a blank piece of paper inside. "That will keep them out of mischief," he said. "They will spend their days opening envelopes as empty as their mission."

###

© 2018 Wayne D. King,
Originally released as part of “Creating Electronic Communities, a Primer for Accessing and Using to the Internet” 1997 by Wayne D. King, Dr. Chidi Nwachukwu and Philip K. Bates III

Special Offer
Ripple of Hope - Limited Edition Print
19" x 30" Signed limited Edition of 250 prints
$125

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A Ripple of Hope:
Signed limited edition poster created from an image of the same name inspired by the famed 

courageous speech of Robert F. Kennedy in 1966 in South Africa where he spoke out against the Apartheid system and for hope. 

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. 

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, 

he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring

 those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

Limited Edition Print

Open Edition Poster and Cards

Listen to the speech here.

Adopt an Image and Raise Money for Your Non Profit or Small Business

Alton Washday Expressions

Alton Washday Expressions

Produced by special request in an affordable limited edition of 100 signed and numbered originals for the good folks at the Rumney Village Store - that would be George & Sheila - a beautiful 8" x 20" signed image with a certificate of authenticity. You can purchase this original art for just $95.00 at the Rumney Village Store on Main Street in Rumney, New Hampshire. If it's too far to travel and you'd still like an original signed print, you can order it right here and we'll see to it that the Rumney Village Store gets credited - but you can save the cost of shipping by stopping by RVS and buying it directly and maybe purchasing one of their great deli offerings! or grab a copy of Sacred Trust 😉 . http://bit.ly/AltonEXP

As a way to support local businesses and nonprofits I have created this Adopt-an-Image program. If you or your nonprofit have an interest in adopting your favorite image its easy, just click here: http://bit.ly/AdoptImage 

Finding the Center - Reversing the Hollowing of the Political Center in America

This Week's View from Rattlesnake Ridge

"A serious and substantive discussion about lowering the voting age to 16 instead of 18 is also in order. Ten other countries now permit it. In Scotland the Parliament passed the franchise to vote for 16 and 17 year-olds unanimously after successfully testing the premise during their referendum on independence."

http://indepthnh.org/2018/03/18/finding-the-center-reversing-the-hollowing-of-the-political-center-in-america/

Colors of a Pike NH Home

Wayne King’s New Novel Echos New Hampshire’s Own Ongoing Battle Over Northern Pass

News Release

For Immediate Release

1/23/18

For more information: 603-515-6001

“Sacred Trust” Now Available in Bookstores and on Amazon

Wayne King’s New Novel Echos New Hampshire’s Own Ongoing Battle Over Northern Pass

If the cover of “Sacred Trust”, created by Mike Marland, doesn’t clue you in, it won’t take long to realize that this novel is written as a vicarious homage to New Hampshire’s own ongoing battle over the controversial “Northern Pass” project and other similar projects.

Author, former State Senator and 1994 Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Wayne D. King adroitly weaves a story with a familiar ring . . . the clash of ordinary people confronting money and power in an epic battle to protect the land they love.

“Sacred Trust” is the tale of a rollicking campaign of civil disobedience against a private powerline, pitting nine unlikely environmental patriots, calling themselves “The Trust”, against the “Granite Skyway” transmission line and its powerful, well-connected consortium of investors.

With an obvious deep fondness for both the people and the land, King weaves a fast-paced tale filled with both real and fictional stories from the political world and life in the Granite State.  In a rich tableau that includes sometimes hilarious and sometimes hair-raising stories of Senators driving North in a Southbound Interstate lane after a night of drinking at the Highway Hotel; Doctors sneaking a pregnant Llama into a hospital surgical ward for ACL surgery; A bear and a boy eating from the same blueberry patch atop Mount Cardigan as his father, the Ranger, watches helplessly from the fire tower, and more.

Among the heroes of the story is Sasha Brandt, an Iroquois woman from Canada. While hiking the Mahoosuc Range of the Appalachian Trail with her companion - a wolf named Cochise - Brandt meets Daniel Roy, a New Hampshire “boy” and now a guide and outdoorsman. After a unique first encounter they continue their trip together, eventually finding themselves camping with an unusual assortment of people including a former Olympic paddler, a conservative deer farmer, a retired spook, sidelined when he became the first US victim of Lyme disease; and an iconoclast and former Army Ranger named Thomas who lives in multiple backwoods abodes in the Great North Woods and rides a moose named Metallak – aptly named for the “Lone Survivor of the Megalloway” tribe, who in the late 1800’s was reputed to ride a moose himself.

The group quickly discovers that – despite their very broad range of ideological beliefs - they are united in their deep concern about the Consortium’s proposal to bisect the most beautiful parts of the state with massive 150 foot towers and clear cut forests for the sole purpose of transporting electricity from Canada to more affluent markets beyond its borders.  Like Oligarchs of the Gilded Age who minimized their costs by creating a legacy of polluted land and water, these modern Oligarchs stand to reap 100% of the benefits while passing off a large portion of their costs through the generations-long visual pollution of the public commons and all the economic shockwaves that result.

Determined to do more than shuffle papers and employ lawyers, the compatriots form a band of brothers and sisters - along with Cochise and Metallak. Armed with only their wits and a lot of heart they embark on a rollicking campaign of civil disobedience that would make Thoreau and Dr. King proud.

Although “Sacred Trust” is a work of fiction, King says that educators will find the novel a great classroom resource as well. Adding a new dimension and lively discussion to classes on the emergence of the renewable energy era, sustainability, and the American tradition of protest and its place in an “Era of Terrorism”.

“in the coming “Age of Electricity” “ King says, “a principal battleground will be over who controls the production and distribution of electric power. Across America today, the battle lines are being drawn. Utility companies, many in an existential battle for survival, are pitted against advocates of a new distributed energy paradigm where small, renewable power sources replace today’s large electricity generation plants.”

“Most Americans” King asserts, “notice that things are changing, but have yet to fully grasp what a sea change in life it will be for every American.”

“Sacred Trust” follows the trail of heroic citizens banding together to stop one especially egregious powerline. The citizens who stand to lose most are dead set against the project . . . but the political winds are against them. It is in this setting The Trust takes on the Consortium.

As the actions of The Trust gain traction and momentum, other citizens join in support including a wave of supporters on social media; “The Gazetteers”, a group of citizen activists writing in the style of the Federalist Papers; and journalists including one business writer who weaves together details of the historic record leading his readers through a virtual primer on the evolution of a post-carbon energy paradigm beginning with the 1972 election of Jimmy Carter and the passage of the National Energy Policy Act into which NH Senator John Durkin inserted an eight word amendment that rocked the world.

"Sacred Trust" is a hilarious and vicarious, high voltage campaign to stop the “Granite Skyway” leading the reader through the hijinks of The Trust, and the series of choices we all are currently confronted in the emerging “Age of Electricity”.

For each of the members of The Trust it is a sacred campaign fought against an impending legacy of steel towers and scarred lands - an existential threat to an entire way of life. The Trust is all that stands between the people and their worst fears . . . and they are willing to pay any price to prevail. 

                                                             

“Sacred Trust”

Paperback: 354 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

ISBN-10: 1981490302

http://bit.ly/STPaper

Price: $14.95*

Sacred Trust Kindle eBook

http://bit.ly/STrust

Price: $2.99*

https://thesacredtrust.blogspot.com/

* Special discounts are available to schools, libraries, and nonprofits. Please contact 603-515-6001

Asquamchumaukee - Place of Mountain Waters - A Ramble Through the Baker River Valley

Here's a great idea for holiday gift giving. . .

Asquamchumaukee - A photographic ramble through the Baker River Valley of New Hampshire

Storm Over Tenney Mountain

Asquamchumaukee - Place of Mountain Waters

A photographic ramble through the Baker River Valley of New Hampshire

This book and the images from it are available in a number of different formats including a large landscape hardcover, signed and numbered, limited edition art book; an open edition in hardcover, softcover and eBook formats as well as other related products including calendars, clocks, mugs, cards, posters and prints.

Signed, Numbered Limited Edition, Large Format $165.00

This book requires the artist to sign and number the books, it can ONLY be ordered directly from me at this secure address:

Asquamchumaukee Cover

http://bit.ly/OrderAsquam

Purchase the signed limited edition and receive your choice of two complimentary posters

Open Edition (unsigned) - Large Format $98.76

Available through Amazon.com

Large Landscape Hardcover 13” x 11” 

42 Pages printed on standard paper

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo3

Open Edition Small Hardcover (unsigned) - 8"x10" Format $59.35

Available through Amazon.com

Standard Landscape Hardcover 8” x 10” 

42 Pages printed on standard paper

Hardcover with Dust Jacket: 

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo5

Softcover "Keepsake Version"  8"x10": $39.58

Plus shipping & handling

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo6

eBook from Blurb

42 Pages

$4.99

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo7

Detailed information about Calendars, cards, clocks and other gifts can be found here.

http://bit.ly/Aquam_Gifts

Asquamchumaukee Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asquamchumaukee-Baker-River-Valley/189924584514401?ref=hl

http://bit.ly/Asquam_FB

Dedication: This book is dedicated to the "Ladies of Got Lunch! Rumney" who saw a need and selflessly stepped forward to help and the millions of heroic people who volunteer in their communities, small and large in the quiet of anonymity and the glow of the hope they create through their actions.

ebook

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/491117-asquamchumaukee-place-of-mountain-waters-open-edition

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50% of the net  proceeds from sales of this book will benefit the local "Got Lunch!" programs in the Valley. 

The Need for an Alternative Vision on Tax Reform

The Democrats have missed a golden opportunity in not offering up a competing vision on Tax Reform, even if they cannot do any more than introduce it in a news conference - and by the way its time to reform the rules that allow the majority party to completely ignore proposals from the minority party in the Congress.

I have made it clear that I favor the radical centrist position of eliminating the business tax entirely and shifting all the taxation on income to the progressive income tax.

Most people don't know that currently all those people who have benefitted from the dramatic increase in the stock market pay less in taxes on the sale of stock or their dividends than Americans who earn their income by the "sweat of their brows".

Let me say that again: Work your ass off every day and pay a higher tax rate than the guy (or gal) who doesn't do anything more than move money around.

In other words, passive income is taxed at a lower rate than what is earned by someone with a traditional job. We could eliminate the business tax entirely and bring in MORE tax revenues if we simply asked those who earned passive income to pay taxes at the same rate as other Americans. We could generate substantially more revenues if we also instituted a small tax on stock trades, thus allowing us to lower taxes on middle income Americans in other ways or we could enhance coverage of things that will serve as a public good and reduce cost of living expenses, thus creating the same effect for middle income and working class families.

Can you imagine how the people who are trying to sell the public on the bill currently masquerading as tax reform in the Congress would have to scurry if the Democrats offer a proposal that eliminated the Business Tax, gave all those companies reason to repatriate their money and really lowered taxes for middle income families? Even if the proposal did not shame the majority party into action it would establish a real position that demonstrated genuine concern for working class families and middle income families.

I'm sure to get flack from some folks about this but I'm going to keep saying it until someone listens.

A Childs Walk Thru Lupine