Editorial Guidelines
How To Get Your News Into Coast & Alternatives
1. Use email. Send your press releases to us ELECTRONICALLY at altnews@sccoast.net. Either attach a Microsoft Word File with the release OR copy and paste it right into your email message. If you don’t know how to COPY and PASTE, use the HELP menu on your computer! Please DO NOT send us flyers and brochures through the mail, and do not email PDF files of your flyers unless we have requested it. We hope you understand that time constraints make it impossible for us to create stories from your flyers, faxes, programs, letters, hand-written materials, etc.
2. How to write an informative press release: FIRST PARAGRAPH. This is your basic information: WHO is holding/sponsoring the event, a company, an organization, a person; WHAT is it? A concert, street fair, art show, dog show, fundraiser, festival, competition, whatever!; WHEN is it? Time, date, how long it lasts; WHERE will it be held? Include an address (and a city). Not all our readers know the local landmarks and intersections; HOW MUCH it costs per person. Make sure the price you list includes any taxes that apply. We don’t like to publish a number only to find out the out-of-pocket cost is actually higher. SECOND PARAGRAPH. Here’s where you give us the details about your event. Who should attend? What should they expect? What will happen? Why is your event significant/special? If there are performers/artists involved, this is where pertinent information about them belongs. CLOSING PARAGRAPH. Here is where you include how to make reservations and HOW TO PAY: How can people pay for/obtain tickets? At a box office? Advance sales? Telephone sales? Through TicketMaster? You need to include all area codes. With cell phones and more area codes being added, don’t assume everyone knows yours. If you take credit cards/checks/cash be sure to let us know. If there’s a number or website for the public to contact for more information include that here as well.
AT THE END OF YOUR RELEASE, indicate the end with three number signs (###) and AFTER that, tell us how to contact you if we have questions about your release: your name, phone number and email address. NOTE: ANY CONTACT INFORMATION WITHIN THE RELEASE MAY BE PUBLISHED, SO BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION AT THE END, AFTER THE (###) SYMBOLS.
3. Sending us images. Your photos, logos and other images should be attached to your email as .jpg, .tif or .pdf files ONLY. Please DO NOT paste or embed images into your Microsoft Word file. Attach them separately. Do not send more than TWO images per email. Unless we have specifically requested large files from you, please be sure the images are no larger than five inches (650 pixels) in any one direction or 200 dpi. Be sure you identify the people in the images and/or what is taking place - either at the end of your release or in your email. If a photo credit is necessary, include this with you ID for each image. (Typically, we will run 1-2 images with a story; please don’t supply us with more unless we request it.)
4. Deadlines: We publish every other Thursday. Our editorial deadline is END OF BUSINESS, THE THURSDAY PRIOR TO OUR PRESS DATE. In order to be considered for publication in time for your event, please stay aware of our deadlines. In the event of a missed deadline, we may not be able to run your story.
5. Submitting your material: Again, your best chance of having your material published is to send us your material VIA E-MAIL. Out of town news sources or anyone with very large files may send material on CD via FedEx to us at 721 Seaboard Street, Suite 15, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or via Priority Mail to P.O. Drawer 1485, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578. Be sure to take into account our deadline.
6. Some final suggestions.
- Although we like good manners as much as anyone, the word PLEASE does not belong within your press release. It should read like a news story, not a personal note.
- Unless we have requested that you write a commentary or personal experience story, do not write in the first person; try to write in the third person. Do not use I, WE and OUR in your release. Remember it’s a news story. You’ll save us a lot of work if you can do this.
- Don’t forget to run Spell Check before you submit your release. It will help make all of us happier with the end product. Thank you for helping us help you. For additional information, call Alternatives NewsMagazine and Coast Magazine at 843-444-5556.
Thank You!!!!
Policy on Comments and Posts
While MyrtleBeachAlternatives.com is a stalwart supporter of the First Amendment and Freedom of Speech, we reserve the right to edit, delete or ban comments of libelous or illegal nature. This also includes posts and posters that violate our simple rules on posting, which are:
1) You must provide a valid e-mail address with your post. Should we attempt to contact you and find that the e-mail is invalid, or used fraudulently, your post may be censored, removed, and/or the user may be banned from future posts.
2) NO CURSING OR OTHER OBSENE LANGAUGE – Use of OBSENE language will be censored and continued offenses will lead to banishment.
3) Any post deemed fraudlent, misrepresentative, hostile or libelous may be censored or banned.
4) NO SPAM!
5) NO FLAMING OR FLAME WARS (ie, no calling names. You can debate the issues but childish and inane insulting and name calling is not only in bad taste, but forbidden.)
6) In any case not covered by these simple rules, MyrtleBeachAlternatives.com reserves the right to make its own decisions on questionable posts.
*MyrtleBeachAlternatives.com is not responsible or libel for comments made by readers, and will voluntarily cooperate with courts and legal authorities in the prosecution of any libelous or fraudulent statements.
