Bad Press Release
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(Below is a sample press release followed with my feedback concerning its errors. If you would like to distribute a copy of this sample press release to other rescuers, please click here.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pugnacious Pugs, the leading purebred pig rescue group in the area, believes in rescuign as many pugs as the group can handle. To that end our dedication to our dogs extends to each dog’s lifetime even beyond adoption. Our stringent criteria insures that our dogs only reach the best homes possible.

Since 1999, Pugnacious Pugs has fostered 300 dogs and adopted 227 to loving homes. Through our relationship with the Mayberry County Humane Society, we continue to connect our puggies with dedicated pug parents.

Due to the overwhelming vetrinary costs of some of our latest rescues, we will be hosting a yard sale this saturday at the residence of our president Sally Smith, starting at Nine AM. We will also have lists of some of our available pugs for adoption.

If you’re interested, we ask that you refrain from bringing along any other pets as crowds may be hectic.


Now, where do we start?! First, this release has no contact information, not even a link at the end. No title, either. And the writer opened with what appears to be the group’s mission statement. Plus, one of the 5 W’s (where, or the exact location of the president’s house) is missing. Then there are the numerous typos, misspellings grammatical errors peppered throughout. Note the use of “AM” instead of the correct AP “a.m.” This release is also single-spaced meaning there’s no room for the editor to insert comments. Every reporter that I’ve known would probably throw this release into the circular file. Or worse, groan as they laboriously rewrite the release. Not a way to develop a good relationship with your local reporters, is it?