How To Write A Press Release - Prepare and Publish

How To Write A Press Release That Works

What's The Purpose?

A press (or media) release is published with the intent to provide newsworthy information to the media about recent events or upcoming events. The idea is to make your press release interesting and catchy so that media services will run your story.

The release is provided in written format primarily to ensure no mistakes are made in presentation of the information.

What's In A Press Release?

The first thing to consider is the length of your Online Free Press Release - one page is best. Any additional or background information can be attached separately.

Where possible - use your company or organisations letterhead with contact information. Any major points should be made up front, not buried in the guts of the document. Use underlines, italics or bold text to make it as easy as possible for the journalist to extract the most important points.

A press release should clearly make the following statements where relevant:

Who

What

When

Where

Why

How

How Much

How Many

How to Obtain

Ask the following question - What makes your story "newsworthy"?

Consider - is it topical/timely; politically/economically significant; first/last time ever in the world/Country/City; innovative product breakthrough; human interest; controversial; funny; sad; tragic; heart-warming; unusual; witty; award-winning; celebrity; etc...

Provide a title - Write "Press Release" (or "Media Release") at the top of the page. Then put the date (the date of release), and a title for the story. Quotes are good. Give the person's name and title, and/or the name and date of the publication quoted.

Following the main body text that is intended for publication, print a horizontal line. Any content below this line is for informational purposes only, and is not for publication. Most important here, give the name/title and telephone/mobile/fax numbers or e-mail contacts for a key person who can be approached for further information, and importantly - who can talk intelligently about your story.

You can also add a note here specifying whether there are any attachments - background information, brochures, flyers, or photographs.

Carefully edit - check the spelling of any proper names, and double check all numbers (specify currency if there is any chance of ambiguity). Ensure consistency. Be specific with dates, times and numbers - Avoid using any vague terms or phrases.

There is no need for a covering letter. The press release itself is by definition a request for free publicity. Any relevant information should be in the press release.

Including Photographs

If you choose to include photographs is best to use your own. Don't expect a publication to provide a photographer or chase you up if you advise "photographs available on request".

Research publications you send your release to. This will help you to better understand the images they use and the format they need. Label all images clearly.

Consider the quality of the image for reproduction. Most importantly - is it relevant and interesting? Does it tell a story? Avoid using photos with dark colours on dark backgrounds. If a photographer has been used ensure you include a credit.

Where To Send It

Read your targeted publications, watch and listen to the appropriate programmes, and identify any relevant editors, journalists, producers etc. Compile your own media database or list that's appropriate to your work or product, and keep it up to date.

Phone and ask the important questions - If in doubt, send your press release to "The Editor", or "The Producer" (but it's better to obtain the relevant person's name).

In any given publication or media outlet, there are likely to be several journalists who should receive your press release - send it to all of them.

You can send your press release by fax or e-mail - send a hard copy with any photographs or other enclosures.

As a courtesy, send a copy to any person or organisation mentioned or quoted in the press release. The journalist may want to follow up with them directly, so they ought to know what has been said about them.

When To Send It

Check deadlines, especially for monthly or weekly publications and programmes. If in doubt, ask.

Consider when the public needs to know - when can they purchase or view your product? On the other side of the coin, don't send a press release too far in advance of the event, as it may get lost in the in-tray.

If you want to follow up on your media release to ensure it was received, leave it for a few days at least. It's acceptable to check, especially to see if more information is required or to make sure it's been received by the right person. Don't try to re-sell the newsworthiness though. You don't want to appear pushy. Your Free Press Release Service should have already achieved everything necessary to sell your story.

Fraser is a Freelance Journalist, Author and CEO of Pro-Content Australia - providing professional online & offline content writing services worldwide.

Pro-Content provides specialist services in Web Content Creation, Website Reviews, Blog Management, Website Design, Blog Content, Article Writing, Advertising Text, Copywriting, Editing, Marketing, Internet & Social-Media Communication and more.

For more information Visit Our Official Website:

https://www.pressreleasepower.com/

Source Press Release Power

New York

(800) 591-8408

contact@pressreleasepower.com