How to write a press release? What’s the best way to get the word out about your company, product or service? A press release! But how do you write one that gets attention? Learn the basics here.
What is a press release?
A press release is a short, compelling news story written by a public relations professional and sent to targeted members of the media. The goal of a press release is to pique the interest of a journalist or editor, who will then cover the story in their publication. In order to be effective, a press release must be well-written and contain all of the essential information that journalists need to write their own stories.
In addition, press releases should be newsworthy, meaning they should contain information that is timely and relevant to their audience. By following these guidelines, public relations professionals can ensure that their press releases are successful in generating media coverage.
Why write a press release?
A press release is a short, simple way to get the word out about something happening at your company. But why write one? Because it’s free advertising. And if you do it right, it can be incredibly effective.
Think about it this way: a press release is like a mini-advertisement. It’s a way to get your company’s name and news in front of journalists, bloggers, and potential customers. If you can write a compelling press release that tells a story that people want to read, you’re halfway there.
The key is to focus on the story, not on the sell. A good press release doesn’t sound like an ad; it sounds like news. It’s interesting, informative, and worth reading. So before you sit down to write your next press release, think about what kind of story you want to tell. Think about what will make people stop and take notice. And then go for it.
How to write a press release
Press releases are one of the most effective ways to get your company or product in the news. A well-written press release can result in features in newspapers, magazines, and even on TV. But how do you write a press release that will get published? And once it’s published, how do you measure its success?
Press releases are usually written by public relations (PR) professionals, but there’s no reason you can’t write your own. To start, check out the following steps on how to write a press release:
- Figure out what your story is. A press release is designed to generate media coverage, which in turn will generate exposure and awareness for your company or product. So before you start writing, ask yourself: what is newsworthy about my company or product? Is there a new development that I want to promote? Or perhaps I have an upcoming event that I want people to know about. Once you’ve identified your story, you can start writing.
- Write a headline that will grab attention. The headline is the most important part of your press release – it’s what will catch a journalist’s eye and make them want to read more. So make sure it’s catchy and to the point.
- Start with a strong lead. The first sentence of your press release should be designed to grab attention and give an overview of the story. Think of it as a mini-headline – it should be interesting and to the point.
- Write in inverted pyramid style. This means that the most important information should be at the top of your press release, with the less important information appearing further down. This is because journalists are often short on time, and may only read the first few paragraphs of your press release before deciding whether or not to use it. So make sure the most important information is at the top.
- Use quotes liberally. Quotes can add realism, color and credibility to your press release. If you have a relevant quote from a company spokesperson, be sure to include it.
- Use proper grammar and spell check your press release. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many press releases are full of typos and grammatical errors. Always proofread your press release before sending it out.
- Include contact information. At the end of your press release, be sure to include your contact information, including your name, phone number and email address. This will make it easy for journalists to get in touch with you if they want more information.
- Send your press release to relevant media outlets. Now that your press release is ready to go, it’s time to start promoting it. The best way to do this is to send it to relevant media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, TV stations and websites. You can also post it on your own website or blog, or on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
- Measure your results. Once your press release has been published, it’s important to measure its success. Check to see how many media outlets picked up your story, and track any resulting exposure or awareness for your company or product. You can also use Google Analytics to track website traffic that came as a result of your press release.
By following these tips on how to write a press release, you can generate media coverage for your company or product and increase awareness and exposure. Just remember to keep your story newsworthy, write a catchy headline, use quotes liberally and spell check your press release before sending it out. And don’t forget to include your contact information!
The anatomy of a press release
A press release is essentially a short, newsworthy story that you pitch to media outlets in the hopes of getting coverage. In order to write a successful press release, you need to follow some basic guidelines.
- Keep it short and to the point- media outlets receive dozens, if not hundreds, of pitches every day, so you want to make sure yours can be easily digestible.
- Make sure your story is actually newsworthy- this means it should be timely, relevant, and interesting to your audience.
- Don’t forget the basics- include all the key details like who, what, when, where, and why.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to writing a great press release.
Types of press releases
A press release is a statement issued to the media that is intended to generate news coverage. There are three types of press releases:
- Product announcements provide information about new products or services.
- Event announcements provide information about upcoming events such as trade shows or conferences.
- Company announcements provide information about changes within the company, such as new management or a new product line.
Each type of press release has its own format and purpose. However, all press releases should be clear, concise, and newsworthy.
Sample press releases
To guide you more, here’s a sample press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Doe
Phone: 555-555-1212
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.website.com
XYZ Company announces new product line
XYZ company is proud to announce the launch of its new product line! This exciting new product line includes a variety of innovative and cutting-edge products that are sure to revolutionize the industry. With years of research and development behind it, this new product line is sure to be a hit with consumers everywhere. Be sure to check out our website or contact us for more information.
Tips for getting your press release published
A lot of people think that the best way to get their press release published is to send it to as many media outlets as possible. The logic is that if you bombard the media with your story, then surely somebody will bite. But this approach usually backfires. First of all, most journalists are extremely busy, and they simply don’t have time to read through every single press release that comes across their desk. Second, mass emailing your press release makes it look like you’re not really targeting anybody in particular, which gives the impression that your story isn’t worth their time. So how can you make sure that your press release gets noticed? Here are a few tips:
- Start by making a list of the media outlets that are most likely to be interested in your story. These could be specific publications, websites, or even specific reporters or editors. Then, do your homework and find out how to contact them directly.
- Keep your press release short and to the point. Journalists are busy people, so they won’t appreciate having to wade through a long and rambling press release. Get straight to the point and make sure that all of the essential information is included.
- Make sure that your press release is newsworthy. This may seem like an obvious point, but it’s important to remember that the media is only interested in stories that will be of interest to their readership or viewers. If your press release doesn’t contain anything new or interesting, then it’s unlikely to get published.
- Write in a professional and compelling style. Remember that a press release is essentially a piece of marketing material, so it needs to be well written and persuasive. Avoid using jargon or overly technical language, and focus on making your argument clearly and articulately.
- Follow up after you’ve sent your press release. Once you’ve sent out your press release, follow up with a phone call or email to make sure that it was received and ask if there’s any additional information that would be helpful. This simple step can make a big difference in getting your press release published.
How to measure the success of your press release
Press releases are a funny thing. Too often, they’re filled with jargon and buzzwords, sent to too many people who don’t care, and ultimately ignored. But when done well, a press release can be a powerful tool for getting the word out about your business. So how can you measure the success of your press release? Here are three metrics to keep in mind:
- Media placements: This is the most obvious metric, and it simply measures how many media outlets picked up your press release. Keep track of where your release was published, and see if you can identify any patterns in terms of the types of outlets that are most likely to cover your story.
- Website traffic: A successful press release should result in an uptick in website traffic. Use Google Analytics or another tool to measure how many people visited your site before and after your release was distributed.
- Social media engagement: Press releases that generate social media buzz are more likely to be successful. Keep track of how many likes, shares, and comments your release receives on social media, and look for any spike in activity after it’s been distributed.
By monitoring these three metrics, you’ll get a better sense of whether your press release is having the desired effect. And if it’s not, you can always tweak it and try again.
The future of press releases
The future of press releases is shorter. And to an ever-increasing extent, they’re not written by professional writers at all. They’re written by the people who are passionate about the outcome, whether it’s the CEO or the head of product or even just a disruptive customer. That’s because passionate people are the ones who get noticed.
The job of a press release isn’t to convey information so much as it is to get attention. And if you want to get attention today, you need to be interesting and brief. So don’t worry so much about following all the old rules. Just write something that’s human, that’s empathetic and that reflects what you and your company are all about.
The future of press releases is authenticity over polish. It’s heart over head. It’s person over the corporation. So go out and be daring and original and brave with your words. The world is waiting. And if you want to get attention today, you need to be interesting and brief. So don’t worry so much about following all the old rules. Just write something that’s human, that’s empathetic and that reflects what you and your company are all about.
The future of press releases is authenticity over polish. It’s heart over head. It’s person over the corporation. So go out and be daring and original and brave with your words. The world is waiting.
Conclusion
Press releases are a valuable tool for getting your message out to the public. They can help you build relationships with reporters and editors, and get your company or product mentioned in publications. To write an effective press release, you need to understand the anatomy of a press release and know how to format it correctly. You also need to have a clear goal in mind and craft a newsworthy message. Finally, you need to make sure that your press release is well-written and error-free. If you follow these tips, you will be able to create successful press releases that will help promote your business or product.
FAQs
What is a press release?
A press release is a document that announces something new, such as an event, product or service. Press releases are often distributed to journalists and bloggers to help them write articles about the new announcement.
Why should I write a press release?
Press releases are a great way to announce something new to the world. They can help you get publicity for your event, product or service and can help you build credibility with your audience.
How do I write a press release?
There are a few basic things you need to include in every press release: the who, what, when, where and why. You should also include a brief summary of the announcement and contact information for more information. For more tips on how to write a press release, see the section below on “The Anatomy of a Press Release.”
What are different types of press releases?
There are several different types of press releases:
- Event Press Release: Announces an upcoming event
- Product Press Release: Announces a new product or service
- Company News Press Release: Announces major changes or news at your company
- Industry News Press Release: Announces major news in your industry
- Award or Accomplishment Press Release: Announces an award or accomplishment your company or someone at your company has received
How do I get my press release published?
There are a few ways to get your press release published. You can submit it to online news outlets, such as PRWeb or PitchEngine. You can also send it directly to journalists and bloggers who cover your industry. For more tips on how to get your press release published, see the section below on “Getting Your Press Release Published.”
How do I measure the success of my press release?
There are a few ways to measure the success of your press release:
- Number of media placements: This includes online, print and broadcast placements.
- Number of website visitors: You can measure this by looking at your website traffic before and after the release was published.
- Number of social media shares: This includes shares on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks.
- Sales: If you are announcing a new product or service, you can measure sales before and after the press release was published.
- Other: There are many other ways to measure the success of your press release. These are just a few of the most common.
What are some tips for writing a successful press release?
Here are a few tips for writing a successful press release:
- Keep it newsworthy: Make sure your announcement is something that would be of interest to the media and your audience.
- Write it like a news story: Start with the most important information and use journalistic style writing.
- Use quotes: Include quotes from yourself or others in your industry to add credibility to your announcement.
- Use keywords: Include keywords that people might use when searching for information about your topic.
- Include images, videos or infographics: People are more likely to read and share your press release if it includes images, videos or infographics.
- Make it short and sweet: Keep your press release to one page if possible.
- Proofread: Make sure to proofread your press release before sending it out. Errors can make you look unprofessional.
How long should a press release be?
A press release should be one page, or about 400-500 words, if possible. If you absolutely must go over one page, keep it to two pages max.
Where can I find more information about how to write a press release?
For more information on how to write a press release, check out the resources below.
How often should I send out a press release?
You don’t need to send out a press release every time something happens at your company. You should only send out a press release when you have something newsworthy to announce. If you send out too many press releases, you will start to look like a spammer and journalists will be less likely to pay attention to your announcements.
