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Former Poet to PR Expert: Why Most Press Releases Fail with Mickie Kennedy
In this episode of Winners Find A Way, Trent Clark sits down with Mickie Kennedy, founder and president of eReleases, to break down why 97% of press releases fail — and what successful businesses do differently. Mickie shares how storytelling, earned media, and strategic PR can help small and mid-sized businesses stand out in today’s noisy digital world. From building compelling headlines to using AI the right way, this conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, authors, and business owners looking to build credibility and visibility through media. The episode also dives into Mickie’s personal journey from poet and creative writer to building a nationally recognized PR company serving thousands of businesses. In This Episode Why most press releases never get picked up The difference between syndication vs earned media How journalists actually choose stories Why storytelling matters more than company announcements How to use AI effectively for press releases The power of surveys and industry data in PR Why great quotes can make or break media coverage How small businesses can compete for national attention Mickie’s journey from poetry to entrepreneurship Key Takeaways Storytelling Wins The best PR campaigns focus on human stories, transformation, and emotion — not just product features. Earned Media Matters Real credibility comes from journalists writing about your business, not just publishing your release on random websites. AI Is a Tool — Not the Strategy AI can help structure and improve writing, but businesses still need strategic angles and compelling narratives. Industry Surveys Create Authority Creating and publishing original survey data is one of the fastest ways to become a thought leader in your industry. Great Quotes Increase Pickups Strong, memorable quotes help journalists build better stories and increase the likelihood your company gets featured. Memorable Quotes “Most press releases fail because they read like ads.” — Mickie Kennedy “Stories sell. Data supports the story.” — Trent Clark “AI should help you write better — not decide what’s newsworthy.” — Mickie Kennedy “A great quote is your Trojan horse into the article.” — Mickie Kennedy About Mickie Kennedy Mickie Kennedy is the founder and president of eReleases, a PR distribution service helping small businesses, startups, and authors gain real media exposure through PR Newswire distribution and strategic press release campaigns. He is also the author of PR Strategy Manifesto and A Beginner’s Guide to Press Release Writing. Outside of business, Mickie is a creative writer and poet whose newest poetry collection, Worth Burning, reflects on life growing up in the South. Resources & Links Connect with Mickie Kennedy 🌐 https://www.ereleases.com/ Free PR Masterclass: https://www.ereleases.com/plan-2/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution Connect with Trent Clark & Leadershipity https://leadershipity.com/ Winners Find A Way Podcast: https://podcast.winnersfindaway.us/podcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentmclark  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipity/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trent.m.clark1 Leadershipity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadershipity Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode of Winners Find A Way, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with an entrepreneur or business owner who wants to grow their visibility and credibility through smarter PR. Winners Find A Way with Trent Clark features conversations with elite performers, entrepreneurs, and leaders sharing the lessons, adversity, and mindset that helped them reach the top 1% in their field.  
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