Robot Reporter - Robotics Press Releases Made Easy

[Taylor]

Awesome! Any way that the pull-down list of events could take user-input as well? (for offseason events or exhibitions)

[ReaperGoat]

Originally Posted by Taylor

Awesome! Any way that the pull-down list of events could take user-input as well? (for offseason events or exhibitions)

The current plan is to create a form specifically for off-seasons and exhibitions! Unfortunately, it will be pretty localized at first, until I get information about all the different events occurring! Keep an eye out for this in the next week or so.

[Francis-134]

This is a really fantastic tool that you can use to get the word out about FIRST and your team. During our initial testing, we saw people create a press releaese in about five minutes with only some very basic information and a couple quotes from team members. Any newspaper worth their salt would love to run a story about a local robotics team, but most simply don't know they exist!

While you are using the website, also let us know of any feedback you have. Feel free to post it here or email it to the email address on the website.

[jvriezen]

Just tried it out on the post regional template, works pretty nice... a few comments:

1) "For information on 2530, ... " Referencing the team as just a number would be very confusing to someone unfamiliar with the organization and FRC. We live and breath by the numbers, but the number is almost totally irrelevant to the press and its readers (unless they go to the event !) So maybe an "If you go to the event, look for the robot with the number XXXX" would be useful.

2) Have an option to put in a URL to a match video, and wrap some text around that. I find it helps if the person reading the release can pull up a YT video and instantly see that it has a "visual" potential, as most will think of small robots without getting a visual.

[ReaperGoat]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

Just tried it out on the post regional template, works pretty nice... a few comments:

1) "For information on 2530, ... " Referencing the team as just a number would be very confusing to someone unfamiliar with the organization and FRC. We live and breath by the numbers, but the number is almost totally irrelevant to the press and its readers (unless they go to the event !) So maybe an "If you go to the event, look for the robot with the number XXXX" would be useful.

2) Have an option to put in a URL to a match video, and wrap some text around that. I find it helps if the person reading the release can pull up a YT video and instantly see that it has a "visual" potential, as most will think of small robots without getting a visual.

You make a great point about the team number. I'll change that to the team name at the bottom!

As far as video goes, a press release is often intended to be printed out by the newspaper, TV station, radio station, etc. They'll often like to see attachments, video, and links with the email that you send them! In the future (probably in time for next season, if not the last few off-season events of the year) you'll be able to attach videos and pictures, and send the press release right from the pop-up window. For now, I would recommend putting/attaching them to the email that you paste into!

[jvriezen]

Originally Posted by ReaperGoat

As far as video goes, a press release is often intended to be printed out by the newspaper, TV station, radio station, etc. They'll often like to see attachments, video, and links with the email that you send them! In the future (probably in time for next season, if not the last few off-season events of the year) you'll be able to attach videos and pictures, and send the press release right from the pop-up window. For now, I would recommend putting/attaching them to the email that you paste into!

Depending upon the technology used, the only thing that you can pretty much guarantee will survive as the release is circulated is the actual text body (that you are generating). If some curmudgeon editor insists that his assistant print out all the releases for his review, and he can't type a tiny URL from the text into his PC, he may never see the video. The more channels by which someone can see the media you want them to see, the better off you are.

[ReaperGoat]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

Depending upon the technology used, the only thing that you can pretty much guarantee will survive as the release is circulated is the actual text body (that you are generating). If some curmudgeon editor insists that his assistant print out all the releases for his review, and he can't type a tiny URL from the text into his PC, he may never see the video. The more channels by which someone can see the media you want them to see, the better off you are.

I've been lucky enough to be in touch with a few reporters at my local news paper while developing this project. I'll check with them tomorrow on the preferred format to receive videos! In the mean time the best option would be to put a full link to the video either in the About the Team section, or attaching a video file to the email when you send it.

[ReaperGoat]

Originally Posted by ReaperGoat

I've been lucky enough to be in touch with a few reporters at my local news paper while developing this project. I'll check with them tomorrow on the preferred format to receive videos! In the mean time the best option would be to put a full link to the video either in the About the Team section, or attaching a video file to the email when you send it.

So, I have a reply from the Chief Photographer at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, which is my local major newspaper. They cover all of central Massachusetts, and I also happen to work part-time in their advertising department. Here is his answer:

"A link to YouTube would be the most efficient way to distribute the video. A video file may not get through firewalls and would most likely be too large for email."

So in that case, I would certainly recommend putting the YouTube link in the About the Team section, if you have a video you would like them to see.

As far as including photos, here is what he also had to say:

"Send .JPGs but keep the total combined email size under 10 MB.

Photo specs should be about 2-3 MB per photo, that would allow 3 or so photos per email.[...]

Some publications do not allow attachments, especially smaller ones. In that case place the photos in a file sharing service like Dropbox or Flickr and send a link."