AusLeisure

Sharing Your News With Us (and the basics of writing a press release):

Every professional, business, organisation, consultant and supplier in the leisure industry has a story to tell and Australasian Leisure Management (both in print and online) wants to be the media through which you share your news, opinions, case studies, learnings, product information, launches, achievements and stories.

Unlike some media, editorial content in Australasian Leisure Management is not advertorial, which helps our being seen as being both independent and credible.

We rely on contributions from professionals in all sectors of the industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) from all areas of the industry: businesses; manufacturers; suppliers; consultants; government; not for profits; staff in their first jobs through to managing directors; students through to professors.

The simple press release is the cornerstone of any dealings with media so, for those unfamiliar with how to present a story, here are a few tips.

Key Elements of a Press Release
• Use the '5 Ws' - WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY
• Date it.
• Give a brief title.
• Always start with the most important information in the first paragraph.
• Use conversational English and avoid superlatives.
• Use short sentences.
• Try to keep to no more than two pages.
• Include a quote if relevant and if you have a spokesperson.
• Format with adequate spacing so it is easy to read.
• Provide contact details for follow up.
• Issue press releases regularly.
• Keep your internal approval process simple.

What do you communicate?
• Awards and/or recognition you have received or presented
• Your new development/redevelopment
• Your new program
• Your new staff member
• Why your centre, club, facility and/or venue is successful
• Your new products
• Your upcoming event
• Your new agency/distributorship
• What went into your successful event
• The record number of swim carnivals you hosted
• Your safety record
• A membership/attendance milestone
• Your new management system & how you'll communicate with members and/or regular users
• Your new equipment
• Your new ticketing system
• Your new pool inflatable
• How you've helped a member/regular user reach a goal, and
• Anything else that you are proud of and want to share!

If you have images or video provide them, or put them online with a link (Hightail, YouSendIt etc)

Be sure to make your news easy to use - try to avoid difficult to use formatting.

Don't be scared to follow up.

And don't confuse editorial with advertising - they are very different functions and still are received in different ways. As for media that publish paid editorial (advertorial), my opinion is that it lacks credibility and is worthless.

Click here for a fuller guide to writing a press release.

Click here to view a near perfect example of a press release, submitted by the Fitness & Lifestyle Group on behalf of Jetts Thailand.

Features Wanted:

Australasian Leisure Management relies on industry professionals sharing their successes, experiences and case studies as feature articles. If you have experiences, views or statistics to share, please contact 02 8018 6808 or email nigel@ausleisure.com.au

And don't worry about what you send us having to be 'journalistically' perfect. its your experience that we want to make the most of, not your writing skills!

Our team are experienced in sub editing notes, conference papers, reports etc - always sending a draft through to the author(s) prior to publication.

Australasian Leisure Management welcomes:

Editorial contributions to Australasian Leisure Management  are independent and not paid for.

Karen Sweaney, Editor, Australasian Leisure Management