Public Site: Belga Media Support - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Online Press Release multimedia release in your corporate layout

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1 . What is a press release?

2 . What are the essential features of a good press release?

3 . What does Belga Media Support provide in the way of added value?

4 . What guarantees are offered by Belga Media Support?

5 . How do I know when my press release has been sent?

6 . Can I rely upon a clipping service?

7 . Who will read my press release?

8 . Will freelance journalists that do not work on a permanent basis for a particular editorial team be able to read my pressreleases?

9 . Is it also possible to distribute photographs?

10 . When is the best time to send the press release?

11 . How can I submit my text to Belga Media Support?

1 . What is a press release?

A press release or press statement provides information to the press. It is a source of information, containing newsworthy items, a statement or an announcement that is aimed at journalists and the media. A press release is definitely not an advertisement, mailing or publicity message but a concise and clear statement.

2 . What are the essential features of a good press release?

The 5 W’s:’ Who?’, ‘What?’, ‘Where?’, ‘When?’, ‘Why?’ and possibly also ‘How?’. The most important thing is that a short title stating the essential message and the source (yourself, as communicator) is placed above the text. There then follows an introduction containing the 5 W’s. A press release is always written in a particular way: starting with the most important information at the top, with further detail being included in each successive paragraph. Finally, contact details should be included at the bottom of the press release. contact person, status and a telephone number of someone who will be available at the time the document is released.

3 . What does Belga Media Support provide in the way of added value?

Belga guarantees the distribution of press releases to the media. Belga’s editorial team also receives press releases and is inundated with information and has to make an independent selection, based upon news criteria. Belga Direct therefore offers a mode of access that increases take-up by the media. The label ‘Belga Media Support’ is a sure sign of an additional, rich source of information that comes directly from the spokespersons themselves. Belga Media Support is an information resource that is consulted by the media. In addition to Belga-net, Belga Media Support also offers other distribution channels such as specialist and international media. Our distribution system also reaches other media professionals, freelances and your own individual contacts.

4 . What guarantees are offered by Belga Media Support?

That your press release will be guaranteed same-day distribution to the media that you yourself have specified. List of Belga network's media. For international distribution, a timescale of 48 hours should be allowed, in order to take into account any time differences and for any translations to be produced. Any item for distribution is validated by Belga Media Support. We do however reserve the right not to validate a press release. This may occur in the case of press releases that infringe Human Rights and that do not respect the rules of unbiased reporting. The editors of the various media involved themselves decided as to which items will be published, in accordance with their own editorial deadlines. A range of factors are of importance here, including the title, the newsworthiness of the topic, the length of the report, clarity of the content and the time of distribution. It is important that your press release is translated in order to take into account the preferred languages of the media that you wish to access. For this reason we recommend that you provide a press release in Dutch, French and possibly also in English and German, as a minimum. We can also provide a professional translation service.

5 . How do I know when my press release has been sent?

You will receive an e-mail confirming the time of sending and the destinations to which it has been sent. As is the case with other national press agencies, Belga-net does not offer access to the public as a whole. The information is intended to be a primary source of news for the media. If your press release is available via the www.belga.be and www.belgamediasupport.be websites, you may safely assume that it has been distributed. In the notification confirming that distribution has taken place, you will also receive a direct hypertext link to your press release.

6 . Can I rely upon a clipping service?

Of course. In order to measure the effectiveness of your activities via the distribution of press releases, you can make use of our clipping service. Our clipping service collects cuttings from publications, based upon key words that refer to your press release. Based upon the distribution of your press release, we will track the way in which it was reflected in the press. For further information, please contact us.

7 . Who will read my press release?

- Editors and journalists working in a media organisation that receives Belga – including the national press, radio and television – will b able to consult your press release. The use of news categories (Economy, Politics, Finance, Sport, Culture and General) makes Belga-net more accessible on a daily basis. Your press release will therefore be distributed in the corresponding category and will carry the label ‘BELGA MEDIA SUPPORT’. - Via the editors-in-chief and journalists in the specialist media, who receive press releases relevant to their own specialist areas by e-mail. - Your own contacts which have been included in your profile. - In addition, the press releases and any additional press material (photos, graphics,..) are always available in the archive at www.belga.be and www.belgamediasupport.be - Companies and government organisations that consult the Belga’s news output.

8 . Will freelance journalists that do not work on a permanent basis for a particular editorial team be able to read my pressreleases?

Belga Media Support issues postal invitations to freelances, inviting them to register at www.belga.be and www.belgamediasupport.be in order to have press releases of their choice sent free-of-charge to their e-mail address. They fill in their own details, so that they remain up to date. The number of journalists registering at the website is changing on a daily basis.

9 . Is it also possible to distribute photographs?

Yes, text material may be accompanied by photos, logos, text documents, tables, graphics, PDF documents and even PowerPoint presentations. This material will then be made available along with the press release on the www.belga.be and www.belgamediasupport.be websites. When press releases are distributed via Belga-net or e-mail, hypertext links to these documents on the relevant websites will be included.

10 . When is the best time to send the press release?

Belga Media Support can send out your press release on a round-the-clock basis, but the ideal period is between 0830 and 1700 hours. The translation service is available between 0800 and 1600 hours. The clipping service is also open during normal office hours.

11 . How can I submit my text to Belga Media Support?

What are the next steps? After submitting the information requested on the registration page (Subscribe Here), you will receive in your inbox a contract agreement. Please print it and return it to us by fax. After reviewing it, we will activate your account and inform you by e-mail. At that point, you will be able to use Belga Media Support and send your press releases. Any question? Contact our help desk at +32 2 743 34 03