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Old 02-08-2010
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Default Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
I have held off doing a press release for some time because I wanted to put something 'out there' that was more interesting than just describing my business. I've been volunteering my time lately to promote a book drive to help establish a school library in Swaziland.

Please let me know what you think. I'd like a more compelling title. I haven't submitted this just yet.

Thanks,
Janine

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Janine Gregor
Phone: 559-492-7348
Email: Info@YourVirtualWizard.com

U.S. Virtual Assistant Uses Virtual Skills to Help Establish a Library in Swaziland

(Manatee County, Florida, USA – February 8, 2010) Janine Gregor, owner of Your Virtual Wizard, http://www.YourVirtualWizard.com a virtual assistance company that works with small business owners to promote services and products online has teamed with the Media Specialist at Buffalo Creek Middle School in Palmetto, Florida to collect 1,000 Pre-kindergarten to fourth-grade children’s books to establish a library in Swaziland.

The Swaziland National Library Service (SNLS) initiated a partnership with the African Library Project (ALP) http://www.africanlibraryproject.org in 2008 to develop primary and secondary school libraries throughout Africa. U.S. schools collect gently-used books which are shipped via ALP to designated African primary schools. SNLS provides the teacher-library training and coordinates the book distribution.

Gregor, whose virtual assistance business specializes in public relations, article marketing and blog set-up for small business owners states, “I wanted to do something that would make a positive impact both locally and globally. It is my hope that by establishing this library in Mbesamandla Primary school in Swaziland, an African child might be inspired to continue his/her education beyond the primary years. Having successfully promoted events through online research, email marketing and press releases for my own small business customers, it seemed reasonable that I could achieve the same goals for this event.”

According to the African Library Project resource statistics, “The adult literacy rate [in Swaziland] is 80%, with young men (87%) and young women (90%) having slightly higher literacy rates. Less than 40% of the population makes it to secondary (high) school.” Gregor states, “These statistics are staggering to me. My child’s middle school library offers state-of-the-art learning facilities while the Swaziland children have only minimal reading materials. Every child should experience the joy in reading and sharing a good book.”

Gregor continues, “Most U.S. families have books which their own children have outgrown. Our book donation program reinforces the benefits of recycling while at the same time sets an example to our students as to how we really can help less-fortunate children in other parts of the world. We can do this one book at a time!”

Book donations can be dropped off between now and March 21st in the school lobby or at the Buffalo Creek Middle School Media Center. Call 559-492-7348, email info@yourvirtualwizard.com or visit http://www.YourVirtualWizard.com for more information.

###
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Old 02-08-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
I had to update the release, so here's the newer version.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Janine Gregor
Phone: 559-492-7348
Email: Info@YourVirtualWizard.com

U.S. Virtual Assistant Uses Virtual Skills to Help Establish a Library in Swaziland

(Manatee County, Florida, USA – February 8, 2010) Janine Gregor, owner of Your Virtual Wizard, http://www.YourVirtualWizard.com a virtual assistance company that works with small business owners to promote services and products online has teamed with the Media Specialist at Buffalo Creek Middle School in Palmetto, Florida to collect 1,000 Pre-kindergarten to fourth-grade children’s books to establish a library in Swaziland.

The Swaziland National Library Service (SNLS) initiated a partnership with the African Library Project (ALP) http://www.africanlibraryproject.org in 2008 to develop primary and secondary school libraries throughout Africa. U.S. schools collect gently-used books which are shipped via ALP to designated African primary schools. SNLS provides the teacher-library training and coordinates the book distribution.

Gregor, whose virtual assistance business specializes in public relations, article marketing and blog set-up for small business owners states, “I wanted to do something that would make a positive impact both locally and globally. It is my hope that by establishing this library in Mbesamandla Primary school in Swaziland, an African child might be inspired to continue his/her education beyond the primary years. Having successfully promoted events through online research, email marketing and press releases for my own small business customers, it seemed reasonable that I could achieve the same goals for this event.”

According to the African Library Project resource statistics, “Less than 40% of the population makes it to secondary (high) school.” Gregor states, “These statistics are staggering to me. My child’s middle school library offers state-of-the-art learning facilities while the Swaziland children have only minimal reading materials. Every child should experience the joy in reading and sharing a good book.”

Gregor continues, “Most U.S. families have books which their own children have outgrown. Our book donation program reinforces the benefits of recycling while at the same time sets an example to our students as to how we really can help less-fortunate children in other parts of the world. We can do this one book at a time!”

Book donations can be dropped off between now and March 21st in the school lobby or at the Buffalo Creek Middle School Media Center. Call 559-492-7348, email info@yourvirtualwizard.com or visit http://www.YourVirtualWizard.com for more information.

###
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Old 02-09-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Janine, I'm wondering how to tell you how awesome that is. Can't believe it's been 8 hours and no one has responded yet. Just really really excellent work on all counts. Honorable volunteer work, worthy cause, cool joint venture with the school, great sync with your business offerings. Brilliant. Send it out.
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Old 02-09-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Thank you, Mary for your comments and encouragement. I've said this before but coming from you; the eloquent writer that you are, that means a lot to me.

Janine
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Old 02-09-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Oh no, I just tell it like it is!
Sure hope others chime in here and back me up. (hint, hint)
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Old 02-09-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
I'll back you up Mary! Janine, I also think this press release is awesome. You were able to promote your business but more importantly, you were able to tell everone about an incredible program that they could learn about and participate in. It is also an inspiration to me--I need to get more involved in my community. Thank you for the push!!
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Old 02-11-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Looks like a great release to me and for an equally great cause. I wish I could help more on the title but I'll leave that up to the copywriting experts like Mary.

Please post back with a link when the release goes out. I'm happy to promote it through my networks.
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Old 02-12-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Thank you all for your support.

Kim, I'll post the link when I receive this. Thank you.

I changed a few things around and redid the title as I noticed I used 'virtual' two times. Plus I wanted to be aware of good use of keywords... you know...all the good things we discuss here on VAF.

It always pays for me to let things sit a bit, digest and then return back with a clearer head.

Janine
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Old 02-12-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Janine:

I too just saw this , and what you are doing is a beautiful wonderful thing. You should be proud of yourself. I too want to use my practice in charitable work because I may work virtually but I still want to honor and serve the community I live in.

Good for you.

Caroline
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Old 02-15-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Hi Everyone,

Here is the link to the online press release regarding the charity event I promoted.

http://www.pr.com/press-release/212814

Thank you.

Janine
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Hi

Wow!!! That is truly an awesome release. I absolutely love the tie-in. The way you wrote the release it totally worked too. You weren't too promotional about your business to take away from the "library aspect," but you got it all in there. Plus your title has some awesome keywords in it. My only recommendation, and you might have this on there for a reason, so you might not want to, but I wonder about the U.S. in the title. Could something else work better there. Those first 4 words in the title count so much!

Thanks!
Diana Ennen
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www.virtualwordpublishing.com
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Diana,

Thank you for the feedback.

I am actually experimenting with the use of U.S. in the title because it is my thought that some potential clients may be interested in keying in 'US Virtual Assistant' and narrow that down search from all of the overseas VAs. I don't know if it will work but I thought I would give that a try. It won't be my only release for this project as the charity event has taken off and we have planned 'African Day' at the school and I'm responsible for providing the entertainment and the cuisine . So there will be more to write about.

But, you are indeed correct. I did give the US part some serious consideration. I have google alerts set up to see if the release gets any attention under the key words U.S. If not, I will return to the use of just 'Virtual Assistant'.

Regards,
Janine
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Old 02-17-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Hi

Congratulations!! That is so awesome that it's taken off like this. This could mean so much for you in getting your name out there. That rocks!

I totally see where you are going with the U.S. That might be a good idea. I totally agree on setting yourself apart from overseas VAS.

I normally do a keyword search too. This is the one I use (below), but there are others. The US came up with not enough data. Not to say it's not good to use at all. I just didn't know if you had used the keyword tool before and thought that might be helpful for you, especially for your future releases.

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com
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Old 05-19-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Well, the African Library project was a huge success so much so that the last press release I sent out garnered attention from the news media again.

I wrote this release which was modified by the communications department at the school district. They in turn sent it out to their own media contacts.

I just received a call that a TV news team is coming out today to film another spot. So I'd better get out of my shorts and put on a little lipstick!

Although I am mentioned in this release, I plan to write one specific to my business and see if I can tie it all in again.

Janine
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Old 05-20-2010
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Default Re: Press Release for a Charity Event I am Promoting
Janine - This is just the coolest thing. HUGE congratulations! Your business should be set for life after all this. So proud of you!
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