Feature Development
 Receiving your first draft
We will create a feature from scratch based on the materials you send or edit a matte release written by you. We can send your draft via fax or as a PDF file. Let us know your preferred method.
How long will the process take?
It depends on many factors and can vary considerably, from a matter of days to weeks. For an idea of how long each step takes — from story development and research to doing rewrites — download the Editorial Timeline for NewsUSA Features (PDF).
Our editorial advice
NewsUSA's goal is to create a consumer news story about your product or service. It is important that the feature:
- is not overly commercial/promotional;
- conforms to journalism standards;
- informs and entertains readers.
What are newspaper editors looking for?
From our experience, here is a list of what works — as well as what doesn't.
What works:
- A compelling or attention-grabbing lead-in
- Consumer tips
- News consumers can use
- Fun facts
- Recipes
- Interesting tidbits that leave the reader saying, "Hmmm, I did not know that!"
- Snappy headlines
- Sentences that are short and to-the-point
- High-quality, interesting photos
- Topics that appeal to a nationwide readership
What doesn't work:
- Product promotions
- Product photos
- Trademark symbols
- Textual tricks such as underlined words, italics, all capital letters and product names in bold
- Technical or medical jargon
- Long headlines
- Lengthy features (editors have limited space to fill)
- Topics that appeal to a limited readership
For more information about how NewsUSA approaches feature-writing, see:
|
