A news release, otherwise known as a press release, is an excellent way to communicate your business news to the media. Good news releases are sometimes used by journalists and newspapers as they are, with minor edits made. So it’s important to think like a journalist when writing a release. A news release can convey a wide range of topics including events, personnel promotions, awards, new products, significant accomplishments, an excellent quarter, etc.

The best advice I can give anyone trying to write a news release is: Stop thinking like a sales person and start thinking like a reporter. Here are a few tips on what should go into a news release:

There are three major publications printed and sent out to all Chamber members annually. The distribution of the Membership Directory is one of these projects. All publications are done in-house with the services provided by businesses that are Chamber members.

The Visitor Center staff is essential in the process of getting publications out to the membership. Each staff member has a part and they work together to complete the task.

It all starts when our printer delivers copies of membership directory ordered by Visitor Center staff member and Cal Poly student Brett Ward. Brett stacks and separates the boxes into two categories, one for delivery and the other for storage or back stock.

Written by Whitney Diaz, the Chamber's Internet and publications director

Jan. 12, 2010 --- 

Now members can see the Chamber through a different lens every month with the addition of a new section on www.slo-business.com called Staff Report. Members will get a chance to read about the Chamber’s inner workings from a staff perspective. Every month a new staff member will discuss special projects, behind-the-scenes looks at Chamber events or anything else Chamber-related.

As the Internet and publications director here at the Chamber, my responsibilities include managing and updating the content, design/layout and navigation of each Chamber Web site. (There are three main sites: www.slochamber.org, www.slo-business.com, and www.visitslo.com.)

Members may have noticed some changes to the Chamber’s Web sites in the past months and weeks. Those changes have been my special projects.

One such change is the overall navigation design on www.slochamber.org. The navigation bar was a little difficult to read as the text was small and italicized. Now, that site’s navigation bar is much easier to read and navigate. Check it out.