'We're thrilled to announce our new product launch," said Joe Smith of XYZ Inc. "We are proud of all the hard work our team put in and are excited to watch the success unfold."
How many times have you read a quote like that from a bigwig at a company or the mayor of the city? Chances are, it's a lot. While the readers might not know that many quotes in a story are written by PR professionals, the journalists definitely do and when they read quotes like the above that are dripping with overzealous emotion and fake positive attitude, they're likely to roll their eyes and move on to the next headline in their inbox.
To give your story (and your client) the best chance of landing some news coverage, skipping those overused words and phrases that make journalists cringe is crucial. PR Daily recommends omitting the following words and phrases from your press releases:
1. Pleased/proud/thrilled/excited to announce
2. When asked for his/her input
3. Best-in-class/Best-of-breed
4. Wealth of experience
5. For the first time ever
6. This event boasts an impressive lineup
7. Just in time for
8. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Can you think of anymore overused words of phrases PR pros should avoid? We want to hear from you!
As the head of a franchise PR agency , I'm not a fan of these being used, either. Too cliché.
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