Press releases have been around for decades and good reason: They work. A press release is one of the most effective ways to get the word out about your business and its products. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 elements of a press release that will help you sell more stuff and keep those customers coming back for more!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Craft attention-grabbing headlines. |
| 2. Start with a compelling introduction. |
| 3. Highlight the unique selling points. |
| 4. Include relevant quotes and testimonials. |
| 5. Incorporate multimedia elements for engagement. |
| 6. Provide clear and concise details about the offering. |
| 7. Add a strong call-to-action for readers. |
| 8. Include contact information for inquiries. |
| 9. Follow proper formatting and style guidelines. |
| 10. Tailor the press release to your target audience’s interests. |
Write A Great Headline
You’ve worked hard on writing your press release, and you’re about to send it off to the media. Before you do, there’s one more thing you need to do: write a great headline.
The headline is the most important part of your press release; it’s what gets people reading and sharing your story. It should be short, but still, convey the most important information in an interesting way that makes people want more.
A great headline can give you an edge over other companies with similar products because it presents your product in an unexpected light and you want everyone who reads this information to associate themselves with being unique and different from everyone else on their block!
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Keep It Short, To The Point
It’s tempting to write a novel about everything you have to offer, but that won’t help you sell your product. Keep the release short with no filler words like “a lot” or “very.” Don’t use jargon or industry-specific language, or any other words that could confuse the reader. And please, don’t use a passive voice!
Your goal is to get people interested enough in your product (and make them think it’s something they want), so don’t overwhelm them with adjectives and adverbs.
Write as if you’re talking directly to someone interested in what you have to offer; keep it simple you can always elaborate later when someone does reach out for more information.
Use Quotes
Quotes can help you tell a better story. If a person is quoted in your press release, they are likely an expert on the subject at hand and have something to say about it. This might be an opinion that adds color or context to the rest of your content.
Quotes also show readers that other people think highly of your company and its products or services and humanizing yourself as a brand is always good for business!
Lastly, quotes can make a press release more interesting than just reading straight facts or statistics (though those are important too). Quotes should be used sparingly so that they don’t become overwhelming; but when used appropriately, quotes will surely get people talking.
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Add A Photo (Or Other Media)
For example, if you are writing a press release about a new product launch, you can include an image of the product in question.
The photo can be used to illustrate the story and provide context for what it is all about. You may also want to include an image that shows your company or business in action. In this case, you could use photos from past events or your factory floor (if applicable).
You may also want to consider adding other types of media like video clips or audio files if they are relevant to your story.
Link Your Social Media Profiles
You’re busy. We get it. Maybe you don’t have time to change your profile picture or update your bio. But if you want people to follow you on social media, then having a “bad” profile picture is going to stop them from following you in the first place.
So what does a good profile picture look like? It should be clear and easy to see (no blurry images), and it should represent who you are as an individual or business.
If someone looks at your image and sees themselves reflected in them in some way, then that person is likely going to engage with it more than they would otherwise. As far as cover photos go: just make sure they’re related directly enough so that anyone interested can click through and find out more about what’s being promoted!
Include Interesting Facts And Statistics
Interesting facts and statistics are a great way to add value to your press release. For example, if you’re writing about how your company has developed an innovative technology, it would make sense to include information about how it works and why that is important.
However, what makes this technique even more effective is when you can back up those claims with a number: “Our new technology reduces energy use by 20%!”
This also applies when discussing human elements if you can quantify something in terms of dollars or time saved, then do so! It will help people understand what kind of impact the product or service you offer has on their lives.
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Think About The “Five Ws”
You should think about the “five Ws” before you send out any press release. The “five Ws” are who, what, when, where, and why.
Who is the author?-Make sure you have an established online presence that shows credibility and authority. That way people can know that this is coming from someone who knows what they’re talking about and not just some random person on Twitter.
What’s the subject?-Is it a new product launch? A new partnership in place with another company? An upcoming event such as a conference or trade show? Letting people know exactly what you’re writing about will help them decide how to respond to your story.
Where is this happening (location)?-If it’s happening at an event location or venue make sure that information is included in your press release so potential attendees know where it’s taking place so they can plan accordingly!
Highlight Awards You Have Won
You will have a much better chance of getting the media’s attention if you can demonstrate that you are an expert in your field. As such, it is important to highlight awards, certifications, and other achievements as part of your press release.
You can do this by writing about them in the body of your release or placing them at the end where they are easily accessible to reporters who would like more information on your background.
The best way to find out what kinds of awards are available for businesses like yours is by doing some research online or talking with other business owners in similar fields.
If possible, look up awards given by trade associations related to yours–these types of organizations often honor professionals whose work has made a significant impact on their industry or community.
If we were writing a press release about our company winning the Best Business Services Company award from a local Chamber of Commerce (a real example!), we might include something like this:
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Make It Easy For People To Contact You For More Details
You will also want to include a contact email address and phone number, along with other information that will make it easy for people to get in touch with you.
A contact email is a must-have for any press release but doesn’t be afraid to add other ways for readers to reach out as well. Include a telephone number (which can go right below your logo), website link, social media handle(s), physical address (if applicable), map link (if applicable), calendar link (if applicable), and video/PDF/press release link (also if applicable).
Don’t Forget About Distribution!
One of the most important things to do when writing a press release is to distribute it. Once you have your finished product, don’t just put it in an email and send it off to your subscribers. Your press release needs to be out there for people to see.
There are several ways you can distribute your press releases:
Include links back to your website or social media profiles in the body of the email (not just at the bottom). This will encourage people who read it in their inboxes or on their phones, who may not have clicked over from one of those links, but who might now be curious enough about what they read that they want more information from you.
Put a link in every email signature and footer on every communication from yours or any organization with which you’re affiliated and make sure those emails get sent frequently enough so people don’t forget about them!
Mastering the art of press release writing can yield impressive results. Dive into the comprehensive insights provided by The Definitive Guide to Press Release Writing and enhance your ability to create press releases that drive sales.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can ensure that your press release is well received by a large audience. By using these elements in your PR, you’ll be able to help people understand what makes your company unique and interesting and hopefully convince them to buy from you!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further enhance your understanding of press release writing and its effectiveness:
10 Essential Elements of a Hard-Hitting Press Release
Learn about the key components that make a press release impactful and compelling, ensuring it captures the attention of your target audience.
How to Write a Press Release
Delve into a comprehensive guide on writing effective press releases, covering everything from formatting to content creation.
Press Release Template
Explore a practical press release template provided by HubSpot that you can use as a framework for crafting your own press releases.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about press releases:
What is the purpose of a press release?
A press release serves as a formal announcement of news or information about an organization, product, service, or event to the media and the public.
What elements should be included in a press release?
A press release should typically include a compelling headline, a concise introduction, relevant details, quotes, contact information, and a boilerplate about the company.
How do I make my press release newsworthy?
To make your press release newsworthy, focus on timely and relevant information, such as product launches, company milestones, industry trends, or significant achievements.
Should I include multimedia elements in my press release?
Yes, incorporating multimedia elements like images, videos, or infographics can enhance the visual appeal of your press release and make it more engaging for the audience.
How do I distribute my press release?
You can distribute your press release through various channels, including newswire services, your company website, social media platforms, and by directly reaching out to journalists and media outlets.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.