Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

Ok, here's the story...

Short version: I signed up for the $80 standard deal with PRweb and sent in my PR copy with headline, summary and copy (actually have hired someone for the headline part). And I've received a response to the effect, hmm, we don't think it sounds "sexy" or put it more appropriately very newsworthy. btw, I like their approach if not designed for using their editorial service...

Long version:
HEADLINE:
I Swear It's Not Cheating--It's Called Knowledge Notebook...

Summary:
The Ultimate Learning Software that is designed to improve organization and note retrieval, transforming the way students take notes and study for better grades.

Copy:
Knowledge Notebook:
The Ultimate Learning Software

“Designed to improve organization and note retrieval,
transforming the way students take notes and study for better grades!”

Blacksburg, VA – With a marketing team of 5 Virginia Tech students led by creator, Don Chunshen Li, Knowledge Notebook is quickly spreading across campus as the new and improved way to take notes and study. Backed by proven study strategies, Knowledge Notebook helps students organize information and knowledge for enhanced comprehension, leading to academic success.
As a hybrid app, Knowledge Notebook can be used either online or offline – which is extremely useful for students who find themselves goofing off on the web during class. After class is over and when the studying begins, Knowledge Notebook will continue to boost the learning process.
Several features set Knowledge Notebook apart from note-taking software and allow it to be a fabulous tool to enhance students’ learning through knowledge gathering, organization and comprehension:

· Smart Note Taking: This note-taking tool provides three fields for taking a note: subject, tag (key concept) and notes. By using these fields, you can easily link a note to subject matter, and the tag allows you to highlight key information.
· Organize by Subject or Tag: Notes are listed in the order they were entered and can be searched and viewed by respective subject, so notes from different classes are easily distinguishable. More detailed organizing can be achieved by using “tags” which can be assigned by chosen key words or specific material, which promotes pro-active learning.
· Editing and Review: Notes can be easily adjusted to accommodate new information, and tags can be added/deleted to improve organization.

· Flash Card Creation: Knowledge Notebook comes with a study tool that allows you to create flash cards quickly and easily. With this feature, you can easily test how well you remember important concepts and definitions.
· Free Association of Notes: Each note is its own entity, but can be linked (with tags) to other notes. The Concept Mapping feature allows related information to be connected and viewed on one screen, thus eliminating the need to flip between multiple documents.

· Contextual Utilization of wikipedia: By highlighting a particular term in your notes, you are only one click away from expanding your knowledge with Wikipedia as a resource (this feature is available when you are online).

And wait, we haven’t finished yet! And here we have a secret “weapon” for you, to help you prepare for the finals! (Which are coming soon)… With Knowledge NoteBook, you can simply click on a particular subject/course, it would bring up a window that displays all your notes for the subject for the entire semester; and better, you can export all of them into one PDF document, and if you like, you can print it out and study it offline. Now you have the ultimate Flexibility and Completeness!

Don’t let the simple feel and look fool you; Knowledge Notebook has essential value is in its ability to help students not only in the classroom, but also when it comes to reviewing notes, study materials etc maximizing memory and comprehension!
# # #

And it’s FREE!

https://www.knowledgenotebook.com

Press Contacts:
Tim Bueschen Don Chunshen Li
VT Student Proprietor, Virginia Web App, LLC
Blacksburg, VA Roanoke, VA
t) 609.216.1023
e) timb26@vt.edu e) donli@knowledgenotebook.com

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Response from PRweb:

To receive full PRWeb distribution for your news release, our editors recommend you make a few changes.

Please review the following explanation(s) describing why your press release has been scored a 1 or 2:

•Your press release content appears to lack a news announcement. Please include a clear, timely and newsworthy angle in your headline, summary and lead paragraph. Common news angles include timely information about a new product or service, a business expansion or event, an organizational milestone like an anniversary or award or the issuance of a tip sheet or expert opinion on a newsworthy subject.

PRWeb Score
Our goal is to provide superior service and ensure your news releases receives the ultimate online distribution. As a result, PRWeb has created a set of editorial guidelines that take into account the need for creativity as well as our partners's guidelines. To maintain this balance, PRWeb created an editorial score of 1-5 and requires a minimum score of 3 to receive the full benefits of PRWeb's distribution.

To ensure that we can provide you with full distribution throughout our network, your press release needs to be revised to comply with the above recommendations.

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So, it appears that we are inadequate in "creativity" and "guideline", for the latter, I searched the PRweb website to no avail. For for the former, what could we do?

As always many thanks in advance.

Don