When you think about writing a press release, do you cringe? Well, cringe no more! After you have read my article, your press releases will just start to flow from your fingertips. Well, maybe not that easily, however you will have bin taught the basics of how to write a press release.
Let us start by explaining what a press release really is. By definition, a press release is simply, a statement created for distribution to the media. In addition, the purpose of a press release is to give a journalist information that will be useful, accurate and interesting. That makes since, right. Being useful, accurate, and interesting, that easy.
Press releases are actually cookie cutters. Once you have gotten the hang of writing one, all you have to do the next time, is fill in the blanks. Press releases will always conform to an established format, and journalists can receive so many press releases a day. They have a set standard and expectation that must be conformed to so that your press release will even be read, let alone published. If your press release is printed as is, without changing a word, then you have conformed to the journalistic standards of that particular medium. Write on, you are going to do a great job!
Press releases should always be printed on company letterhead. If this is not possible, adding the company logo would then be essential. The companies name, web address, location and phone number should be printed at the top of the page. At the top of the page in caps and bold center, you should spell out “PRESS RELEASE”. The press release contact name should be underneath the writing with all contact numbers printed clearly underneath. If this is for immediate response, say so, on the left margin directly above the title in caps.
The next important component of the press release would be the “Headline” or “Title”. It should also be centered and in bold, and it should capture the journalist’s attention. The press release title should be short but eye catching, grabbing the attention of the journalist, impressing them enough to read it.
Now you are ready for the useful, accurate, and interesting “body” of the press release. The body of the press release will need to begin with the date and city for which the press release is originated. The body itself of the press release should be very basic such as who, what, where, when and why. The first paragraph should be a brief description of what the press release is actually about. The second paragraph explains in more detail; who cares; why should you care; where you can find it; and when it will happen. Also included in the second informative paragraph is usually a quote that can give the release a personal touch. Press releases and news stories will be boring to journalists without a human interest to go along with it. The third paragraph would need to be a summation of the release and further information on the company with the company contact information clearly written out.
The content of a press release, and should be typed in a clear and basic font such as “Times New Roman” for example, and double-spaced. If the press release is longer than one page, the second page should indicate “Page 2” in the upper right hand corner. The journalistic standards have set clear and basic parameters to define the end of the press release: ###. Three # symbols, centered directly underneath the last line of the release will clearly indicate the end of an article.
So, the next time you are tasked with writing a press release for your company, you will know the basic rules as well as useful, accurate and interesting information portrayed within the set journalistic guidelines. You now know how to write a press release, so go for it and have fun.