My Press Release - Help! - Virtual Assistant Forums

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008

I have been struggling with writing a press release for a few weeks now. I just wrote 3 different drafts in a matter of an hour. This is the one I like so far. What do you think? Opinions? Is this good enough to submit? Too broad, or is it just enough?

Internet and Technology Pave the Way for Emerging Industries

Hopatcong, New Jersey, February X, XXXX– Since its inception, the internet and information technology as a whole, has played a vital role in creating industries typically unheard of only 20 short years ago. Today, there are web designers, web developers, computer programmers and even professional bloggers. As technology grows, new industries will begin emerge. In fact, due to today’s ever-changing technology, there is an industry on the rise right now; it is Virtual Assistance.

Virtual Assistance began in the early 1990’s. You may often hear the term Virtual Assistant or Remote Assistant utilized in the business world today. A Virtual Assistant is someone that provides administrative services out of their own office utilizing their own equipment to businesses that have a lot of work, but no time to do it! The tasks they can handle are oftentimes similar to that of an Administrative Assistant. However, due to Virtual Assistants varied backgrounds, their services can range from word processing to marketing to database creation and development. The possibilities are indeed endless.

D. Victoria Virtual Assistance, an up and coming Virtual Assistance practice located in Hopatcong, New Jersey, provides professional and friendly virtual assistance to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. “Being able to utilize today’s latest technologies in order to help our clients reach their goals, is truly rewarding.” Says Darlene Gonzalez, Owner and Operator of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance. As technology grows, Virtual Assistants will be able to offer many more services then they do today!

For additional information on D. Victoria Virtual Assistance contact Darlene Victoria at [email - phone number] or visit www.dvictoriaonline.com.

ABOUT D. Victoria Virtual Assistance - With over 10 years of administrative office experience, D. Victoria offers a multitude of virtual assistance services including database creation and management, word processing, proofreading, desktop publishing and more.

-END-

Tess · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008

This is a really great start! Maybe just needs a bit of editing polish and you're all set

Here's my own quick scan [red is suggested deletes, orange is suggested additions, blue is notes - hopefully one of our professional editeurs

will pop in here with some tips!] :

Internet and Technology Pave the Way for Emerging Virtual {maybe add this for search engines and those who receive industry news via SS??} Industries

Hopatcong, New Jersey, February X, XXXX– Since its inception, the internet and information technology as a whole, has played a vital role in creating industries typically unheard of only 20 short years ago. Today, there are web designers, web developers, computer programmers and even professional bloggers. As technology grows, new industries will begin to emerge. In fact, due to today’s ever-changing technology, there is an one industry on the rise right now; it is Virtual Assistance.

Virtual Assistance began in the early 1990’s. You may often hear the terms Virtual Assistant or Remote Assistant utilized in the business world today. [I would try to tie these previous two sentences together - needs more flow] A Virtual Assistant is someone that provides administrative services out of their own office utilizing their own equipment to businesses that have a lot of work, but no time to do it! The tasks they can handle are oftentimes similar to that of an Administrative Assistant. However, Due to Virtual Assistants the many varied backgrounds in the virtual assistance industry, their available services can range from word processing to marketing to database creation and development. The possibilities are indeed endless.

D. Victoria Virtual Assistance, an up and coming Virtual Assistance practice located in Hopatcong, New Jersey, provides professional and friendly virtual assistance to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. “Being able to utilize today’s latest technologies in order to help our clients reach their goals, is truly rewarding.” Says Darlene Gonzalez, Owner and Operator of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance. As technology grows, Virtual Assistants will be able to offer many more services then they do today! [I might suggest taking this out, it implies that not all necessary or required tasks can be done *now* b/c of technology]

For additional information on about D. Victoria Virtual Assistance contact Darlene Victoria at [email - phone number] or visit www.dvictoriaonline.com.

ABOUT D. Victoria Virtual Assistance - With over 10 years of administrative office experience, D. Victoria offers a multitude of virtual assistance services including database creation and management, word processing, proofreading, desktop publishing and more.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008

Hi Tess,

Wow, thanks for the suggestions. I haven't had chance to re-read the release since I wrote it, until now. It always amazes me the transgression writing goes through from beginning to end (at least for me). It is amazing how a few words deleted or added changes the entire flow of the piece.

I am taking English Comp. II this semester at college, so hopefully by May my writing skills will improve! I may perhaps, then take Creative Writing during the summer semester. I love to write, but unfortunately I take forever to become inspired.

I will conquer the release later on and indeed utilize the suggestions. Have a good Saturday!

Darlene

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008

In my previous post above I meant progression rather than transgression.

I am trying to nurse my husband (who has the flu) back to health, so my mind is not functioning as well as it could be.

Tess · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008

Gotcha

Sending your DH lots of get-well-soon energy!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008

Updated Press Release (Draft) - Would love your critique. Thanks!

------
Internet and Technology Pave the Way for Emerging Virtual Industries

Hopatcong, New Jersey, February X, XXXX– Since its inception, the internet and technology has played a vital role in creating industries typically unheard of only 20 years ago. Today, there are web designers, web developers, computer animators and even professional bloggers. As technology grows, new industries begin to emerge. In fact, due to today’s ever-changing technology, one industry is on the rise; Virtual Assistance.

Virtual Assistance began in the early 1990’s and has been gaining momentum ever since. A Virtual Assistant is someone that provides support, out of their own office, utilizing their own equipment, to business managers who have a lot of work to do, but absolutely no time to do it! A Virtual Assistant isn’t an employee; he or she is a business owner just like you! They are your virtual business partner, helping your business succeed and grow.

The tasks a Virtual Assistant can handle are sometimes similar to that of an Administrative Assistant. Due to the many varied backgrounds in the virtual assistance industry, available services can range from word processing to marketing to web design and database creation. The possibilities are indeed endless!

D. Victoria Virtual Assistance, an up and coming Virtual Assistance practice located in Hopatcong, New Jersey, provides professional and friendly virtual assistance to non-profit organizations and small businesses. “Being able to utilize today’s latest technologies in order to help our clients reach their goals, is truly rewarding.” Says Darlene Gonzalez, Owner and Operator of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance.

For additional information about D. Victoria Virtual Assistance contact Darlene Victoria at [email - phone number] or visit www.dvictoriaonline.com.

ABOUT D. Victoria Virtual Assistance - With over 10 years of administrative office experience in industries such as non-profit, home improvements and computer software, D. Victoria offers a multitude of virtual assistance services including database creation and management, word processing, desktop publishing and more.

Tess · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008

It's looking great! A few suggestions and grammar edits - (the usual in terms of my editing key

)

Originally Posted by DarleneG.

Updated Press Release (Draft) - Would love your critique. Thanks!

------
Internet and Technology Pave the Way for Emerging Virtual Industries

Hopatcong, New Jersey, February X, XXXX– Since its inception, the internet and technology has played (consider case here - you're referring to TWO things but use 'its' and 'has' rather than 'have' etc.) a vital role in creating industries typically unheard of only 20 years ago. Today, there are web designers, web developers, computer animators and even professional bloggers. As technology grows, new industries begin to emerge. In fact, due to today’s ever-changing technology, one industry is on the rise; Virtual Assistance.

Virtual Assistance began in the early 1990’s and has been gaining momentum ever since. A Virtual Assistant is someone that (who vs. which vs. that - 'who' refers to people - as in this case - 'that' and 'which' introduce essential clauses) provides support, out of their own office, utilizing their own equipment, to business managers who have a lot of work to do, but absolutely no time to do it! A Virtual Assistant isn’t an employee; he or she is a business owner just like you! (You could even elaborate here on the benefits of working with a VA/business owner vs. employee - no tax, no lunch hours, no paid down time, etc.) They are A virtual assistant is your virtual business partner, helping your business succeed and grow.

The tasks a Virtual Assistant can handle are sometimes similar to that of an Administrative Assistant. Due to the many varied backgrounds in the virtual assistance industry, available services can range from word processing to marketing to web design and database creation. The possibilities are indeed endless!

D. Victoria Virtual Assistance, an up and coming Virtual Assistance practice located in Hopatcong, New Jersey, provides professional and friendly virtual assistance to non-profit organizations and small businesses. “Being able to utilize today’s latest technologies in order to help our clients reach their goals, is truly rewarding.” Says Darlene Gonzalez, Owner and Operator of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance.

For additional information about D. Victoria Virtual Assistance contact Darlene Victoria at [email - phone number] or visit www.dvictoriaonline.com.

ABOUT D. Victoria Virtual Assistance - With over 10 years of administrative office experience in industries such as non-profit, home improvements and computer software, D. Victoria offers a multitude of virtual assistance services including database creation and management, word processing, desktop publishing and more.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008

Ok, I think I have it how I like it! I changed the first sentence (as suggested by Tess). I also added some more text to the second paragraph, I was wondering if it reads well:

Virtual Assistance began in the early 1990’s and has been gaining momentum ever since. A Virtual Assistant is someone who provides support, out of their own office, utilizing their own equipment, to business managers who have a lot of work to do, but absolutely no time to do it! A Virtual Assistant isn’t an employee; he or she is a business owner just like you. When you outsource work to a Virtual Assistant, you eliminate the need to pay wages for vacation time, employee taxes and insurance benefits! A Virtual Assistant is your virtual business partner, helping your business succeed and grow.

Thank you again so so much!

Tess · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008

Perfect Darlene, great work! When will you submit your release?

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #10 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008

I don't know! I am nervous about it. On one hand, I want to submit it right away, on the other, I am afraid if it got picked up locally my current boss would read it and start to worry that I may leave (which at first I wouldn't, but of course, down the road I hope I would have to) I guess I can submit it to online PR sites and hold off for a bit on my local newspapers. Decisions, decisions.

Thank you again for your help! I really really appreciate it.

Tess · #11 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008

Another member, Tammi, was just going through the same thing - she wrote this great release and then realized she wasn't ready to send it out because of her current employment status...

Only you know what is right for your own situation - and I understand it can be scary to branch out. This press release represents a big step toward business ownership and independence for you. But legally your boss can't take any action against you for freelancing on the side so don't let anyone else stop you from pursuing what it is you want to be doing.

Whatever you decide to do, you've got a great press release ready to roll, whenever you are

Vicky · #12 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008

If you are worried about your boss, why not speak to him prior to releasing it, let him know what you are doing but assure him that it will not affect your work.

Than go ahead a release it. I do understand your hesitation, so do what you think is right for you.

Regards,
Vicky
www.c-vas.eu

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #13 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008

I just received a response from Free Press Release.com that my press release was not accepted due to the fact that it was not newsworthy!

Would you consider the content I have above (a final version of it anyhow)to he a press release or more of an article?

Tess · #14 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008

Could be they're cracking down on actual PR format and trying to conform to the old standards. The truth is - people have started using releases as virtual advertisements rather than what they are meant for - passing information along to media professionals in the hopes that the media will pick up on the story.

When I pitch my two cents for editing, etc. on here I don't even try to go in that direction, because no one listens

Join us in a little while (11 am EST Tuesday the 26th) in the chatroom for the talk with Diana Ennen - she's sure to have some input! Maybe pose a question to her during the Q and A!

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #15 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008

Ohhh that chat would be perfect...but I will be working at that time! There will be an archive, right???

Thanks again Tess!