Press release - any comments?

I'm sending this to Yank ee, North Shore, two local papers, County Living, Better Homes n Gardens, HGTV and whoever else I can think of. Any comments? Can you help me make it more interesting?
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Name phone email.
For Immediate Release – Town, Ma

The Beach House Inn Celebrates its One Year Anniversary
The Beach House Inn on street in town is celebrating one year of operation after change of ownership.
The Inn changed hands August 28, 2013 when longtime Townies Beach and Hubby took over. They were hosting guests starting the following weekend.

Right away, they began a renovation project that lasted until the end of March 2014. Major renovations included rebuilding the front wraparound mahogany deck and adding a gas fireplace in the common living room. New windows were added to the first floor and the kitchen was remodeled. The couple furnished the existing sun room with bistro tables and set up the antique desk as a buffet completing the change from sitting room to breakfast room. They also added bistro tables to the deck for dining.
Landscaping changes include a koi pond with triple waterfall and filled with mature koi and a pathway from the driveway highlighting the antique anchor on the lawn. Small renovations include new shower heads and toilet seats in every bathroom and new sheets, towels and rugs in every bedroom. The Inn remained open during renovations, offering discounts when construction was intrusive.
More updates are planned for the offseason 2014-2015. The inn will remain open all year.
Hubby said, “We know OurTown has festivals and events all year round and people need a place to stay. The Performance center is a year round theater. We cater to audience members as well as performers. We are open for Thanksgiving visits to family as well as the Christmas in OurTown events.” The couple told us they had many guests last year who simply wanted a quiet place to escape chores and watch the ocean or read a book.

Beachie is a graduate of OurTown High School and during her student years worked at The Seaside Inn and the Clipper Ship Inn. Hubby’s background is in business and management, most recently as a district manager for a furniture retailer. Both have long wished for an inn of their own and the Beach House was the right opportunity at the right time. “We love the look of relaxation that comes over our guests when they take their first look at our ocean view,” they said. Please visit their website for room and reservation information. www.website.com.
Inn
Address

Small renovations include new shower heads and toilet seats in every bathroom and new sheets, towels and rugs in every bedroom.
I think I would say There have been improvements in all the bathrooms as well as new linens and rugs in all the guestrooms.
I do not think the toilet seat reference will generate anything but an EEeewwwwww thought - everyone expects to find one (except perhaps in Europe - I was surprised there) but no one wants to think about it.

gillumhouse said:

Small renovations include new shower heads and toilet seats in every bathroom and new sheets, towels and rugs in every bedroom.
I think I would say There have been improvements in all the bathrooms as well as new linens and rugs in all the guestrooms.
I do not think the toilet seat reference will generate anything but an EEeewwwwww thought - everyone expects to find one (except perhaps in Europe - I was surprised there) but no one wants to think about it..

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Thanks. I like yours better. We don't put the toilet seat upgrade on the website for the reason you suggest. I want to. It was a huge improvement! Some of them were broken! LOL

According to the "press release" people you need to be sharing an event or happening, so if it were me I would change it to celebrating our one year anniversary with such and such special. (wording it however it works for whatever you are giving away)
Being in business is not really something that is press worthy. Especially being in business for one year. 50 years is another story, same family, same great service or something, but even that would be an advertisement more than a press release.

Maybe I just call it what it is, a feature idea.

TheBeachHouse said:

Maybe I just call it what it is, a feature idea..

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Here is an idea: Assemble a basket of local items - perhaps some of the shops in town would like to participate (I ask mine for something small or perhaps something that is NOT selling just to get it out of the shop) 0 and take a photo of it. THEN display it in your dining room. Your Press Release is this:
To Celebrate one year - a guest between August 1, 2014 and August 1, 2015 will win Birthday Basket!!
I used an empty cheese ball container and pulled someone from last year (the 150 birthday of WV) for a free night

gillumhouse said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Maybe I just call it what it is, a feature idea..

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Here is an idea: Assemble a basket of local items - perhaps some of the shops in town would like to participate (I ask mine for something small or perhaps something that is NOT selling just to get it out of the shop) 0 and take a photo of it. THEN display it in your dining room. Your Press Release is this:
To Celebrate one year - a guest between August 1, 2014 and August 1, 2015 will win Birthday Basket!!
I used an empty cheese ball container and pulled someone from last year (the 150 birthday of WV) for a free night
.

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gillumhouse said:

Here is an idea: Assemble a basket of local items - perhaps some of the shops in town would like to participate (I ask mine for something small or perhaps something that is NOT selling just to get it out of the shop) 0 and take a photo of it. THEN display it in your dining room. Your Press Release is this:
To Celebrate one year - a guest between August 1, 2014 and August 1, 2015 will win Birthday Basket!!
I used an empty cheese ball container and pulled someone from last year (the 150 birthday of WV) for a free night

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Cool. I proposed a gift basket to everyone who stayed on the actual anniversary. DH thought it wasn't a great idea.

TheBeachHouse said:

gillumhouse said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Maybe I just call it what it is, a feature idea..

Click to expand...

Here is an idea: Assemble a basket of local items - perhaps some of the shops in town would like to participate (I ask mine for something small or perhaps something that is NOT selling just to get it out of the shop) 0 and take a photo of it. THEN display it in your dining room. Your Press Release is this:
To Celebrate one year - a guest between August 1, 2014 and August 1, 2015 will win Birthday Basket!!
I used an empty cheese ball container and pulled someone from last year (the 150 birthday of WV) for a free night
.

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gillumhouse said:

Here is an idea: Assemble a basket of local items - perhaps some of the shops in town would like to participate (I ask mine for something small or perhaps something that is NOT selling just to get it out of the shop) 0 and take a photo of it. THEN display it in your dining room. Your Press Release is this:
To Celebrate one year - a guest between August 1, 2014 and August 1, 2015 will win Birthday Basket!!
I used an empty cheese ball container and pulled someone from last year (the 150 birthday of WV) for a free night

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Cool. I proposed a gift basket to everyone who stayed on the actual anniversary. DH thought it wasn't a great idea.
.

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YOU put the name, address, phone on the entry in the jar with the date of their stay so there can be no ballot box stuffing.

Okay I don't want to rain on the parade, well it is raining here, still but I bet you would get the MOST interest by giving away a 2 night stay. You can then use the email addresses to send out "no sorry you didn't win, but here is a $25 coupon good toward a 2 night stay because we're think you're great!" or something. Just a suggestion, you want to get the most bang for your buck. It MAY work in your favor as you will get it picked up more, and the person who wins may blab about it to everyone, which is also worthwhile.

Joey Bloggs said:

Okay I don't want to rain on the parade, well it is raining here, still but I bet you would get the MOST interest by giving away a 2 night stay. You can then use the email addresses to send out "no sorry you didn't win, but here is a $25 coupon good toward a 2 night stay because we're think you're great!" or something. Just a suggestion, you want to get the most bang for your buck. It MAY work in your favor as you will get it picked up more, and the person who wins may blab about it to everyone, which is also worthwhile. .

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Joey is correct. I hesitate to suggest something I will not do (my drawing was a free night in 2014 - yet to be used). With only 3 rooms freebies are killers for me. With a number of rooms, a 2-night is a good prize - a one-night will screw you out of a weekend reservation - but it keeps you from having to do a flip. (I no longer give freebies as donations.)

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy

gillumhouse said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Okay I don't want to rain on the parade, well it is raining here, still but I bet you would get the MOST interest by giving away a 2 night stay. You can then use the email addresses to send out "no sorry you didn't win, but here is a $25 coupon good toward a 2 night stay because we're think you're great!" or something. Just a suggestion, you want to get the most bang for your buck. It MAY work in your favor as you will get it picked up more, and the person who wins may blab about it to everyone, which is also worthwhile. .

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Joey is correct. I hesitate to suggest something I will not do (my drawing was a free night in 2014 - yet to be used). With only 3 rooms freebies are killers for me. With a number of rooms, a 2-night is a good prize - a one-night will screw you out of a weekend reservation - but it keeps you from having to do a flip. (I no longer give freebies as donations.)
.

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gillumhouse said:

Joey is correct. I hesitate to suggest something I will not do (my drawing was a free night in 2014 - yet to be used). With only 3 rooms freebies are killers for me. With a number of rooms, a 2-night is a good prize - a one-night will screw you out of a weekend reservation - but it keeps you from having to do a flip. (I no longer give freebies as donations.)

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Make it midweek only. It is not a donation, it is a promotion, huge difference (wait you know that, B&B's for Vets)

happykeeper said:

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy.

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happykeeper said:

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy

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Haps when will I meet you? I am always on a different page, and that is why I love you so much. I really do love people who think differently to me.
I don't think any of those things are news-worthy. I think they are all wonderful, but to be in business and make improvements to a property, and living our dream, not so newsworthy.
I am inundated with news, I am a maniac for information, but it has to be something I want to read, and I would say it would be a waste of time to put it all together and send it out without baiting the hook.

Joey Bloggs said:

happykeeper said:

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy.

Click to expand...

happykeeper said:

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy

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Haps when will I meet you? I am always on a different page, and that is why I love you so much. I really do love people who think differently to me.
I don't think any of those things are news-worthy. I think they are all wonderful, but to be in business and make improvements to a property, and living our dream, not so newsworthy.

I am inundated with news, I am a maniac for information, but it has to be something I want to read, and I would say it would be a waste of time to put it all together and send it out without baiting the hook.
.

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Magazines like Yankee Better Homes are filled with stories like ours. Especially good renovations of old New England homes. The inn thing just adds another dimension.

Joey Bloggs said:

happykeeper said:

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy.

Click to expand...

happykeeper said:

Well as you might expect, I have questions.
Have you transformed this business? That is newsworthy.
Is this your dream come true? That is newsworthy
Are you the home town gal that... came back and rediscovered her home town or .....put her faith and money in her home town.. that could be newsworthy

Click to expand...

Haps when will I meet you? I am always on a different page, and that is why I love you so much. I really do love people who think differently to me.
I don't think any of those things are news-worthy. I think they are all wonderful, but to be in business and make improvements to a property, and living our dream, not so newsworthy.

I am inundated with news, I am a maniac for information, but it has to be something I want to read, and I would say it would be a waste of time to put it all together and send it out without baiting the hook.
.

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When you get on a plane and come visit.
Always? I don't think so.
The point of my thought was to sharpen the angle for the story so that it would not be a business making improvements and living the dream, which, as you say, is not so newsworthy.
I don't think my comment is mutually exclusive of yours. Both can come together as one.

well, you might not want to do this ... but we got a few featured spots by holding open houses. refreshments, one room open to look at, they could come in and see the breakfast area and common areas (where the food was) and could go up four flights to the cupola to look out over the harbor.
these were 'event' pieces.
i usually tied them into the art shows at the gallery on site because they were giving out free wine, food and had live music. one time, tied it to the outdoor fundraising concert/supper rock the dock. happenings already going on that would bring people in on my schedule. the first one i was anxious that the guests staying would object but they didn't. especially when i gave them free perks.
just a suggestion maybe for another time.

seashanty said:

well, you might not want to do this ... but we got a few featured spots by holding open houses. refreshments, one room open to look at, they could come in and see the breakfast area and common areas (where the food was) and could go up four flights to the cupola to look out over the harbor.
these were 'event' pieces.
i usually tied them into the art shows at the gallery on site because they were giving out free wine, food and had live music. one time, tied it to the outdoor fundraising concert/supper rock the dock. happenings already going on that would bring people in on my schedule. the first one i was anxious that the guests staying would object but they didn't. especially when i gave them free perks.
just a suggestion maybe for another time..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

well, you might not want to do this ... but we got a few featured spots by holding open houses. refreshments, one room open to look at, they could come in and see the breakfast area and common areas (where the food was) and could go up four flights to the cupola to look out over the harbor.
these were 'event' pieces.
i usually tied them into the art shows at the gallery on site because they were giving out free wine, food and had live music. one time, tied it to the outdoor fundraising concert/supper rock the dock. happenings already going on that would bring people in on my schedule. the first one i was anxious that the guests staying would object but they didn't. especially when i gave them free perks.
just a suggestion maybe for another time.

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Thanks. We may have another open house over Christmas. We did one last year. I am now wondering how I put a Christmas open house together while working full time and moving.... But the past year is such a blur, I can't remember a thing. LOL

TheBeachHouse said:

seashanty said:

well, you might not want to do this ... but we got a few featured spots by holding open houses. refreshments, one room open to look at, they could come in and see the breakfast area and common areas (where the food was) and could go up four flights to the cupola to look out over the harbor.
these were 'event' pieces.
i usually tied them into the art shows at the gallery on site because they were giving out free wine, food and had live music. one time, tied it to the outdoor fundraising concert/supper rock the dock. happenings already going on that would bring people in on my schedule. the first one i was anxious that the guests staying would object but they didn't. especially when i gave them free perks.
just a suggestion maybe for another time..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

well, you might not want to do this ... but we got a few featured spots by holding open houses. refreshments, one room open to look at, they could come in and see the breakfast area and common areas (where the food was) and could go up four flights to the cupola to look out over the harbor.
these were 'event' pieces.
i usually tied them into the art shows at the gallery on site because they were giving out free wine, food and had live music. one time, tied it to the outdoor fundraising concert/supper rock the dock. happenings already going on that would bring people in on my schedule. the first one i was anxious that the guests staying would object but they didn't. especially when i gave them free perks.
just a suggestion maybe for another time.

Click to expand...

Thanks. We may have another open house over Christmas. We did one last year. I am now wondering how I put a Christmas open house together while working full time and moving.... But the past year is such a blur, I can't remember a thing. LOL
.

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AHHH.. found memories of those blurry early days... makes me wistful...

seashanty said:

well, you might not want to do this ... but we got a few featured spots by holding open houses. refreshments, one room open to look at, they could come in and see the breakfast area and common areas (where the food was) and could go up four flights to the cupola to look out over the harbor.
these were 'event' pieces.
i usually tied them into the art shows at the gallery on site because they were giving out free wine, food and had live music. one time, tied it to the outdoor fundraising concert/supper rock the dock. happenings already going on that would bring people in on my schedule. the first one i was anxious that the guests staying would object but they didn't. especially when i gave them free perks.
just a suggestion maybe for another time..

Click to expand...

I did Open House Tours several times charging $1 per head for the Lord's Pantry. Usually made a couple hundred for them. Now I find tips (or change) on the mantle with the sign on top. The sign says - All coins in the gumball machine go to the Lord's Pantry Food Bank. So far there was a check for $25, $2.18 in coin, over $1 (forgot to count it) the other day, and the latest guest left $2. This afternoon the Pantry Director brought her cousin over to meet me (we went tot he same grade school up north) so I was able to give it to her.