Press releases are a presentation of facts that are sent to journalists in the hope that they will get published and turned into stories. Whether you are approaching a website, magazine, newspaper or broadcast media, a press release aims to shout about something you have done or achieved, helping to raise the profile of a business, company, organisation or even a person, to consequently boost business and profile.

How you write a press release is determined by the 'who, what, when, where, why and how?', i.e. what's the story about? When's it happening? Who's involved? Where's it taking place? How is it happening? Why is it happening? Read these tips on how to write a press release, if you're stuck.

So when you've painstakingly put together your own press release only to find that nothing gets published, how do you find out where you're going wrong?

The following reasons will show you why you might be struggling and how you can tackle them:

Subject | Press release as an attachment | PDF's - straight to delete | Have you sent everything they need | Image in the correct format | Well-written | Promotional for salesy | Relevant | Nagging to get your article published | Attachments can be security risks | Be patient | Sending press releases rather than advertising | Advertorial |

Your subject line looks like spam

When sending your press releases to journalists, make sure you copy and paste the headline into the email subject line. Ensure the headline is punchy, interesting and eye-catching. Don't put things like 'Read this!!!' or 'LATEST NEWS FROM US' – it will just look like spam and is likely to get deleted.

You included the press release as an attachment

Journalists don't have time to open documents, that's whether they're PDFs or Word Docs. Simply copy and paste the headline of your press release into the subject line and then paste the rest of the press release into the body of your email. Make it as easy as possible for the journalist to extract the information and they're more likely to use your story. By all means, attach the document as well – to cover all bases.

It is also worth noting that some media companies are now refusing to accept press releases as attachments due to security risks that files may have on opening. Some even have automatic blocks on e-mails sent with attachments.

You used a PDF

PDFs are an absolute pain for any journalist. They're difficult to extract information from and are so annoying that I simply delete any press releases I receive in this format. Seems harsh but they take up so much of my time that I've grown to despise them. I can not emphasise this enough – do not use PDFs. Copy and paste your press release into the body of the email and make it really easy for the journalist to use your story.

You haven't sent everything they need

Journalists don't have time to chase after you, so make sure you send everything they need first time. That includes the press release and any accompanying images. Don't assume they'll contact you for additional things they might need – just send everything they do need first time. Don't make them chase!

You sent the wrong type of image

Journalists spend most of their time replying to emails requesting an image. By the time they get what they need, the journalist might have lost interest in your story. Send the right image along with the press release and you'll have a much better chance of seeing your story published. Just make sure you send the right image, which means Jpegs with at least 300dpi and a minimum of 500KB for print and 'web-ready' images for online publications.

Journalists won't have time to open up Photoshop and edit images themselves, so make sure they're right. Finally, always send Jpegs as attachments to emails. If sending large files, use WeTransfer or share a Dropbox link so the recipient can easily download them.

Your press release requires an entire re-write

Some press releases are so poorly written that it's difficult to understand what they're actually about. Nine times out of 10, a journalist won't have time to re-write the story. Make sure your press release is well-written, concise and factual.

Your press release isn't newsworthy

It's an obvious reason, but journalists will only be interested in press releases that carry a genuine story. So make sure your press release has a strong news angle and isn't just something that's trying to sell your products or services.

Journalists will only ditch press releases containing lots of sales messages, so keep it factual and newsworthy. What makes something newsworthy? Well, have you just launched a new product that's different from anything else? Or won a client in an unusual way? Put a 'journalist hat' on and consider the sorts of stories that are more likely to get published.

You clearly don't know the media

Before you issue any press release, investigate the media you're targeting. Do they have any specific sections where your story would fit in? Do they have a certain style of writing? Do they prefer to have a chat over the phone or do they like to be emailed instead? Get to know the media you're targeting and you'll stand a much better chance of achieving coverage.

You're becoming a pain

If someone is constantly nagging a journalist with questions like 'when is my story going to get published?', then they'll be more inclined to move your press release straight to the trash can. Let's face it! None of us like to be hassled. It only leaves a bad taste in our mouths. To keep the journalist sweet, don't chase too much and don't become a pain. Respect them and understand that you can't secure coverage for everything, as it's really up to them.

Be patient

You may send an article and have checked and it has not been published. This does not always mean it will not be, as the journalist/editor/web-master may have put your article in the 'to-do' file!

If you have followed all above and really feel your article is newsworthy, then send a polite message. Never get angry or send a 'thanks for not publishing my article' e-mail as it will surely ruin and chances you have for future articles been published.

Sending press releases rather than advertising

Some people will spend hours upon hours writing their own press releases and sending them out over and over again in the hope they will get published AND in the hope it will bring them lots of business from it, rather than simply place an advert with the publication. They do this as they do not want to spend any money on advertising - with anyone.

Do not think that the journalist/editior has 'missed' the obvious mention of a company/business or (if web-based publication) hyperlink to a website.

A press release should have a story and be interesting, rather than a subtle (or not) so way to promote - these are known as advertorials. If the place you are asking to place your release has advertising options you may want to considere these before sending such a piece.

The main of this article from Katy Cowan - A writer, journalist and all-round creative, Katy is Founding Editor of Creative Boom. She launched the site in 2009 to support others, as well as indulge her passion for creativity. She loves to discover and champion emerging art, photography and design. Follow her @CBKatyLou

After the frustration of Saturday’s cancelled session, the weather improved allowing a full qualifying session for the 2016 Classic TT presented by Bennetts on the Isle of Man tonight.

Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson MBE got the session away at 6.25pm, advising competitors that there were a number of damp patches around the course including Doran’s, Laurel Bank, Glen Helen, Sulby, 27th and Governors following the rain earlier in the day.

First away were the newcomers on their untimed speed controlled lap, which was held over from Saturday, including Junior Classic TT competitor Ian Thompson from Northern Ireland on MB Racing Honda, Carl Salvage on the TZ250 Yamaha and Gary Hutton competing in the Senior on a Hutton Racing Honda.

The Classic TT Superbikes and Lightweight competitors had the first opportunity for timed qualifying laps. Notable early starters in the Superbike class included last year’s race winner Michael Dunlop on the Team Classic Suzuki XR69, Steve Mercer, looking for his first Mountain Course podium on the Mistral Racing Kawasaki and Ivan Lintin, recovering from an accident at Scarborough, on the Devitt/RC Express Racing Kawasaki.

Those three were the fastest in the session with Dunlop’s 121.133 (18:41.317) topping the board with his only lap in the Superbike session from Mercer who posted 118.203 (19:09.107) on his second lap with Lintin clocking 117.995 (19:11.136) to complete the top three.

Gary Johnson, a late replacement for the injured Dave Johnson on the Team York Suzuki, posted 117.805 on only his second lap on the bike with the Kawasaki’s of James Hillier (Greenhall Racing) and Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering) completing the top six.

Alan Thomas from Wales was reported off at the Water Works during the Superbike session but was uninjured.

In the Lightweight session, Bruce Anstey was an early retirement at Kirk Michael on his opening lap on the much-anticipated Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Motorcycles 250 Honda. Welshman Ian Lougher (113.363mph/ 19:58.172) on the Laylaw Racing Yamaha on which he won the 2014 F2 Race was the fastest, from Phil Harvey (107.046/ 21:08.851) and Chris Moore (105.244/ 21:30.605).

The Junior (350’s) and Senior (500’s) Classic TT sessions got away on time at 7.10pm. All eyes were on Michael Dunlop, a late replacement for the injured Lee Johnston on the Black Eagle Racing MV, but he was reported as an early retirement.

Twenty-three time TT Race winner John McGuinness riding Roger Winfield’s Paton will be hoping to break his Classic TT duck and posted the evening’s fastest time in the class on his second lap of the night with 107.089 (21:08.362) from 2015 race winner Dean Harrison (106.746/ 21:12.446) riding the Black Eagle MV with Michael Rutter on the Ripley Land Racing Seeley the third fastest in the session with 104.373/ 21:41.376. Conor Cummins enjoyed his first ride on the second Team Winfield Paton with an opening lap of 103.081/ 21:57.688).

Michael Rutter, the 2015 350cc race winner, will again be the man to beat in the newly named Junior Classic TT, topping the Junior board in the opening session on his Ripley Land Racing Honda with 99.501 (22.45.097) from fellow Honda riders Jamie Coward (Ted Woof) and Alan Oversby (Davies Motorsport).

Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available for Friday’s final qualifying session priced at £5. All prior qualifying sessions are free for the main Grandstand. There are also race day tickets available for both Classic TT race days on Saturday 27th and Monday 29th August as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickets go to iomtt.com or phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640011

IN BENNETTS SENIOR CLASSIC TT RACE

Cameron Donald will be riding one of the more esoteric machines at this year’s Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts as he prepares for tonight’s first qualifying session on the Isle of Man.

The Australian will be riding an Egli-Vincent but not the better known 1000cc 50 degree twin powered version but a 500cc single.

Swiss chassis designer Fritz Egli built his first examples around the Vincent 1000cc Black Shadow powerplant. As a racer at the time, he did this to improve handling performance in his bid to win the 1968 Swiss hillclimb championship. The Egli chassis name has since become synonymous with racing success with its iconic large-diameter frame designs.

Designed by Australian Phil Irving, the 499cc OHV air-cooled engine was the first built ‘in house’ by Vincent. It was used in four different road-going models, from the entry-level Meteor to the sporty Comet.

Vincent also produced the ‘Grey Flash’ racer that was not only lighter but also more powerful and strictly for circuit use. Between 1949 and 1952 just 31 examples of the Grey Flash were produced making this one of the rarest Vincent models.

Four times world 500cc champion John Surtees first made headlines aboard the Grey Flash at the age of just 16. An apprentice at the Vincent factory at the time, John gave well-known team Norton rider Geoff Duke a great battle at the Thruxton British championship race. John went on to win many races with his Grey Flash as he emerged a champion of the future.

Luis Gallur, the bike’s owner is a Sydney-based motorcycle collector with a passion for Egli and Vincent who longed for an Egli-Vincent Black Shadow. He succeeded in buying Fritz Egli’s own bike and the original 500cc Vincent race bike but Fritz did not want to sell the original twin-cylinder Egli-Vincent, the bike that started the famous frame and motorcycle business.

Fritz did however agree to build Luis a recreation of the bike, with the production of key components outsourced to Patrick Godet who builds bespoke replicas of the original Egli-Vincents and is the only person authorised by Fritz to do so.

Once the bike was completed Fritz informed Luis that Patrick had begun working on a secret project to fulfil a long-term ambition of building a competitive 500cc classic racer. One of Patrick Godet’s goals was to prove that by building his replica engine to a high specification, the bike could deliver on its potential and achieve a podium on the challenging Mountain Course circuit.

The original 500cc Grey Flash didn’t reach the level of success the Vincent factory had hoped for. It struggled against its competition, unlike the larger-capacity Vincent twins. Many, including Luis, Patrick and Fritz, believe the 500cc engine never reached its full potential.

Luis has two experienced team members working full time on the bike including former Yamaha factory racing engineer Dudley Lister and engine building guru Peter Malloy who are confident that they can find significant power improvement.

Cameron Donald said:

“I have no illusion of how difficult a task it will be to get the bike onto the podium – the TT course is brutal on machinery. Top teams have decades of experience in building bikes capable of withstanding the torture. Add to this, a single-cylinder Vincent has never been among the TT frontrunners.”

He continued:

“It has been some time since I’ve raced a 500cc classic single and I’ve had to readapt my style to suit the low-powered thoroughbred. A regular diet of modern bikes makes it easy to become complacent about having excess power on hand. Aboard a 500cc single the key is to carry your speed through the turns and maintain momentum. You can quickly spoil your lap time with a mistake as simple as running off line in a corner that then requires you to close the throttle. This is what I like most about racing this class of bikes, smooth riding and precise rider inputs is the only way to get results, and that’s easier said than done.”

He concluded:

“We are now really close to the bike’s Isle of Man debut and I can feel a positive momentum building in the team. Luis’ passionate vision of a single-cylinder Vincent succeeding at the Isle of Man is getting closer and I'm relishing the challenge as the rider to take it there.”

Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available for Friday’s final qualifying session priced at £5. All prior qualifying sessions are free for the main Grandstand. There are also race day tickets available for both Classic TT race days on Saturday 27th and Monday 29th August as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickets go to iomtt.com or phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640011

With IAM RoadSmart marking its 60th anniversary this year, the charity is offering 60 of its Advanced Driver or Rider courses for just £60 to the first 60 people who phone in. This offer is available from tomorrow morning, Tuesday 23 August.

To take up the offer you will need to visit IAM RoadSmart’s Facebook or Twitter sites to obtain the redemption code, and phone 0300 303 1134 to book. The code will be posted at 9.30am on 23 August.

IAM RoadSmart’s Advanced Driver and Rider courses usually retail for £149. The course teams you up with your local IAM RoadSmart group and offers a regular series of sessions to help you gain a greater enjoyment of driving and riding, and help you be a safer driver and rider.

More than half-a-million people have taken IAM RoadSmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists) Advanced Driver and Rider courses since the organisation was established in 1956.

IAM RoadSmart’s facebook page

Twitter page

The superb sound and sight of the two strokes will grace the Mountain Course once more on Saturday August 26th with the newly introduced Sure Lightweight Race one of the feature events at this year’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts.

The move to introduce the race to the schedule has seen a huge level of interest and no less than 55 entries have been received with the majority mounted on either the iconic TZ250 Yamaha or RS250 Honda.

Fittingly Bruce Anstey, the man who won the last Lightweight TT race around the Mountain Course in 2002, heads the entry. The Kiwi lapped at 118.03mph that day, just outside John McGuinness’ 1999 lap record of 118.29mph, and the 11-time TT race winner was one of the first entries received for this year’s race.  The 47-year old will ride a Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda. Clive Padgett’s expertise combined with Anstey’s supreme talent makes the combination the pre-race favourites for the four-lap race.

The grid is full of quality riders, none more so than the winners of the last two F2 races, Ian Lougher and Ryan Kneen, so an Anstey win isn’t a foregone conclusion. Lougher will again ride for the Laylaw Racing team on a new TZ250 Yamaha while Kneen will also be Yamaha-mounted riding for CBG Contractors. The Manxman lapped in excess of 113mph twelve months ago to edge out James Cowton and will be keen to add another win to his CV.

Cowton will again line up this year although his machine is yet to be confirmed while former British champion Dan Cooper is another potential race winner. The Stroud rider, who recently took his maiden International road race victory at the Ulster Grand Prix, will ride a TZ Yamaha for Turner Racing.

Kneen’s elder brother Dan has his first taste of two-stroke action around the 37 and ¾-mile course, riding John Chapman’s immaculate RS250 Honda with Irishman Michael Sweeney joining Lougher at Laylaw Racing. Class veterans Davy Morgan (Strangford Holiday Park Honda), Paul Owen (Team #98 Honda) and Phil Harvey (CSC Racing Honda) should also be towards the front of the field.

Charles Rhys Hardisty, third in last year’s F2 race, returns on the REPS Motorcycles/KayMac Yamaha as does fourth placed Chris Moore on a similar machine entered by the JL Exhausts Racing/AMCS team with Olie Linsdell another rider expected to lap above 110mph on the Peter Berwick/Flitwick Motorcycles Yamaha.

Last year’s Manx GP winner Gary Vines brings his immaculate Online Lubricants Yamaha to the grid with TT regular Dan Stewart (Wilcock Consulting Yamaha), reigning TT Privateers Champion Dan Hegarty (Atherstone Accident and Repair Centre Yamaha) and Rob Hodson (Declans Racing Yamaha) three more riders making their two-stroke debuts around the Mountain Course.

Regular TT and Southern 100 competitor Anthony Redmond adds variety to the line-up on the DMW Racing entered Aprilia with further names to keep an eye on including Frenchman Timothee Monot (TMR Honda), Neal Champion (250 Frasers Motorcycles Yamaha), Dave Hewson (Obsession Engineering Yamaha) and Tom Snow (FCL Racing Yamaha).

Neil Kernohan, recent winner of the 250cc race at the Ulster Grand Prix rides the same Logan Racing Honda whilst former British Championship runner Carl Salvage makes his Mountain Course debut on the Keppel Outhwaite Racing Yamaha.

Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available for Friday’s final qualifying session priced at £5.  All prior qualifying sessions are free for the main Grandstand.  There are also race day tickets available for both Classic TT race days on Saturday 27th and Monday 29th August as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickets go to iomtt.com or phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640011.

Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available for Friday’s final qualifying session priced at £5.  All prior qualifying sessions are free for the main Grandstand.  There are also race day tickets available for both Classic TT race days on Saturday 27th and Monday 29th August as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickets go to iomtt.com or phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640 011