BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Many have asked how to tell BRAIN editors about their news.
It's not so hard. Try this:
Email a news tip or press release to BRAIN.
That link creates an email addressed to our editor-in-chief and managing editor.
You could email us a note, a formal press release, event information for our calendar, or product information for our New Product section.
You can use the same link it you want to send us a guest editorial or query us about a freelance idea.
This is not automated. We assess press releases based on newsworthiness and value to our readership. For the most part they fall into four categories:
- Some become the basis for by-lined articles on our web site and/or in print. An editor is likely to contact you for more information.
- We put others into the "Announcements" area on our website. Those receive minimal or no editing. Please proofread your submission: We do not make corrections or changes after they are posted. We do not post them on embargo dates (See embargos below). We do not copy text or images out of a PDF — send us a document, or a text file, or put the release into the body of an email. We do not follow links to third-party websites to retrieve press releases. Send them directly to us.
- Some result in postings in our Events section.
- Irrelevant press releases and promotional releases like "Distributor X announces free shipping this month" get dumped. We suggest buying an advertisement on BRAIN to announce such things.
How do you get your press release into that coveted first category? Sell us on it. Tell us what your news is in a clear and simple subject line, for a start.
While we're not fussy, please include the following information for all submissions:
- News release: who, what, where, when, why and how.
- New Product submission: separate jpg or other image files, without text overlays. Basic product information including MSRP and distribution information in a text or Word file or in the body of the email.
- An event for our calendar:
- Title of event
- a description of the event
- dates and hours
- specific location (name and address of the venue)
- contact information — for someone who would like to attend or exhibit at your event, such as email or phone
- URL
- contact information — for a BRAIN editor who has questions about your submission.
We're not trying to be difficult, but if you send us a press release with an embargo date — and we have not already agreed to honor that embargo — logically we have every right to post it immediately. Or we might just trash it and stay out of trouble. Embargos must be agreed to BEFORE you send us the information if you expect us to hold it. Please explain to us why an embargo would benefit BRAIN's readers. We are not in the business of posting news on days and times that are optimal for your campaign. Again, if it's that important, talk to our advertising department, they would be happy to work out an advertising schedule with you. And it's possible we may agree to review your information under embargo and still decide not to post it. We keep our promises but we still have the final say, and we have to devote our limited staff time to the most important projects and news.
More!
There is contact information, including email and direct phone numbers, for our staff at bicycleretailer.com/staff-directory.
Advertising information, including downloadable media kits, is at bicycleretailer.com/advertising-bicycle-retailer-industry-news.
Subscription information for our print and/or electronic edition is at bicycleretailer.com/subscribe.
You can also use the form below. The advantage to the form is it can be anonymous, in case you have something hush-hush you want to share.
And as always, feel free to reach out directly to editor Steve Frothingham at sfrothingham@outsideinc.com or 720-251-6899.
-Steve
