You’ve written your press release and it’s ready to go, but now you have to get it in front of the right people.
This can be a daunting task there are so many journalists and editors out there, how do you make sure that yours get read? Well, we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll walk through all the different types of pitches that can help you promote your content more effectively than ever before.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understanding various types of press releases is essential for effective media coverage. |
| 2. Tailoring press releases to specific events or announcements enhances their impact. |
| 3. Crafting compelling headlines and lead paragraphs captures the attention of journalists. |
| 4. Including relevant details and quotes in press releases adds credibility and depth. |
| 5. Distributing press releases strategically through various channels broadens visibility. |
| 6. Monitoring metrics like media coverage and engagement helps assess press release success. |
| 7. Adhering to press release formatting guidelines ensures professionalism. |
| 8. Storytelling techniques can make press releases more engaging and memorable. |
| 9. Adapting writing style based on the type of press release optimizes communication. |
| 10. Regularly reviewing and updating press release strategies improves future outcomes. |
Newsjacking Press Releases
Newsjacking is a form of guerrilla marketing that uses current events to get more exposure for your brand. It can be used in any industry, and it’s especially effective for B2-B businesses.
When you newsjack, you leverage a relevant news story about a product or service you offer so that the media will feature it as part of their coverage. The result is additional press coverage and even better, some of it may be free!
Learning how to build your business through press release writing is a key skill for entrepreneurs. Press releases offer a strategic way to connect with your audience and showcase your brand’s growth.
Newsworthy Press Releases
What makes a press release newsworthy? Well, first of all, it’s new or different. If you’re announcing the opening of your company’s new headquarters in Michigan and you’ve already done dozens of similar announcements for example if you’ve moved locations before it’s not newsworthy.
But if it’s the first time this has happened? Then that would be very newsworthy!
Second, a press release should be about something that is happening now or coming up soon. For example: “We are closing our doors for renovations” isn’t as good as “Our website will be offline from 8:00 AM to noon on July 20th due to maintenance.”
Thirdly, when writing your statement it helps to keep in mind who might find it interesting.
For example: “We sell widgets,” while true and accurate (and therefore technically correct), isn’t going to get anyone excited about reading further into what else it has to say about its products or services; however “The best widget maker ever just landed on Mars!” might pique someone’s interest enough to click through!
Event Press Releases
Event press releases are pretty simple. You want to tell the story of your event, what it was about and why people should care about it. Start by listing all of the details: who the speakers were; where it took place; what sponsors and attendees attended (and how many).
Next, add some quotes from each of those groups a quote from someone important in putting on the event, a quote from one of its speakers, or even a quote from someone who attended because they heard about it elsewhere! The more voices you incorporate into your release, the better chance you have of getting coverage.
For small businesses, crafting effective press releases is essential. Discover the secrets of writing press releases correctly to capture media attention and gain visibility in your industry.
Product Launch Press Releases
Product launch press releases are an efficient way to announce your new product or service. When you’re ready to launch a product, send out a press release with all of the details about its launch including information about when it will be available for purchase and where it can be purchased.
If you want more exposure for your product, follow these tips:
Make sure that all of the important details are included in your press release so that journalists won’t need additional information from you.
Pitch this type of press release just as you would any other kind of media pitch (i.e., via email). You’ll want to send targeted pitches to various journalists at different publications rather than sending one general pitch out into the world hoping someone bites on it immediately.
Milestone Press Releases
Milestone press releases are a great way to get media coverage, publicity, and exposure. Milestones are important in business and life they’re what defines your success as a company or an individual. It makes sense that these accomplishments would also be valuable to the press.
Milestone press releases can include:
- New product launches
- Company expansions (office moves, new hires)
- Product upgrades (new features, improvements on existing products)
Trending Topic Press Releases
Trending topic press releases are a great way to get press coverage and social media traction. They can also help you increase traffic to your website, which will ultimately lead to more sales.
The best time to write a trending topic press release is when you notice a trend in your industry or the world of business that is hot or new and getting lots of attention from the media.
The art of crafting press releases involves understanding what makes a story newsworthy. Explore the science behind creating press releases that journalists can’t resist.
Expert Roundup Press Releases
To make your press release stand out, you can include an expert roundup. This is when you interview or quote a few experts on a topic or industry. To do this, choose three to five people with relevant expertise in your industry and ask them to give their thoughts on the topic at hand.
Note: Make sure all quotes are approved by the interviewees before sending them to journalists.
You can use this approach for many topics, such as:
- A market overview of consumer trends in your city (for example, “The Influencers Who Made Their Mark This Year”)
- An analysis of current news around an issue in your field (for example, “8 Experts Weigh In On The Future Of Education”)
Controversial Or Critical Press Release
A controversial or critical press release calls out a company for some kind of wrongdoing. It’s important to note that you can’t write these types of press releases from the perspective of an average person, because they’ll likely be perceived as biased and unreliable.
Instead, it’s best to write them from the perspective of a watchdog group or investigative journalist who has evidence proving their point.
It’s also worth noting that these kinds of releases need to be sent in conjunction with other types of releases for them to have any impact or reach your target audience (i.e., if you only send out controversial/critical releases, then people will see right through them).
You’ll want to include mentions of all kinds of newsworthy topics for your message to stand out amidst all the noise online and this includes positive news!
Guest Post Pitch Email
A guest post pitch email is a simple email that explains who you are and why you are writing. It also provides a link to your guest post and asks for a response from the publication.
Below is an example of how I would write this type of email:
Dear [NAME],
I am writing to introduce myself as an expert in [INSERT TOPIC]. I recently wrote an article on [INSERT TOPIC] at [WEBSITE]. In it, I provided some useful tips on how to get started with [INSERT TOPIC]. Please find a link below so that you can read more about it.
If you would like me to share my expertise on your site as well, please let me know! I would be happy to provide any additional information or answer any questions that may arise during my research process. You can reach me at [EMAIL ADDRESS] or by phone at [PHONE NUMBER].
Sales Pitch Email
Sales pitch emails are the ultimate in direct marketing. This type of press release is designed to get your readers to take action, be it by downloading a free ebook or signing up for a webinar, or buying your product or service.
They can be quite long and elaborate as they rely on their content to persuade people, but they don’t have to be; you may find that shorter sales pitch emails are easier for you and more effective for your business.
Your goal with this type of announcement is to offer something valuable enough that recipients will be willing to give up their contact information in exchange for it and that’s why we’re going to focus on the format of these releases rather than their tone or length.
Writing a press release anyone can read requires a balance of information and engagement. Learn how to communicate effectively with your audience and the media through well-crafted press releases.
Follow Up Email
Once your press release has been published, you should follow up with the reporter who wrote it. This is where I see a lot of people making mistakes.
You need to be polite and persistent in your follow-up email. You can’t just send one email and expect that reporter to write about your product again even if they did write about it once before. If they wrote something positive last time, they may not be interested in another article on the same topic right away. So don’t try to force them into writing something else!
Pr Pitch Email
The email is the first impression you make on your recipient, so it’s important to craft a compelling subject line. A good example would be “Meet me at SXSW,” which briefly states what the email is about and uses a timely event as an incentive for readers to open it up.
The introduction should explain why you’re reaching out, what you want them to do, and why they should care. If possible, weave in some details from their previous coverage of similar topics this shows that you’ve done your research and also helps personalize their experience reading the pitch.
The call to action (CTA) should indicate what steps they need to take next: whether that’s asking them if they have time for a phone call or requesting an interview via email or in person. Make sure any information needed is available before moving forward; don’t give someone false hope if there’s no chance of getting into an event because tickets are sold out!
The signature should include contact information so readers can reach out with questions or schedule interviews directly after reading your message just make sure it doesn’t take away from anything else already included!
If possible, try including links where necessary so all relevant data can easily be accessed without leaving whatever social platform used originally (e.”
These Types Of Pitches Can Help You Get More Coverage And Make Better Connections With Journalists And Editors
These types of pitches can help you get more coverage and make better connections with journalists and editors.
The “Ask” Press Release: This is the most common type of pitch, used to generate interest in a specific topic or story. For example, if you want to increase sales for your new product line but don’t want to announce it at first, consider asking reporters about their thoughts on how brand loyalty affects consumers’ decisions about buying new products.
The Profile Press Release: A profile press release tells the tale of someone who has done something interesting or noteworthy whether that’s launching a successful business or completing an incredible feat (climbing Mount Everest).
When writing this type of pitch, focus on the person being profiled; include details from their life story as well as any notable achievements or awards they have received.
The Exclusive Press Release: If there is breaking news happening related to your company (for example, if one of your products launched), contact journalists via email immediately with information about this news in hopes that they’ll use it in their articles instead of reporting it elsewhere first!
Unlock the secrets to writing a press release that captures the media’s attention and sparks interest in your story. Discover 15 proven strategies to make your press releases irresistible to journalists.
Conclusion
While there are many different types of press releases you can use, it’s important to make sure that each one has the right tone and style for its purpose.
For example, if you’re trying to pitch an article idea or get coverage for a controversial topic then your messaging should be more conversational and friendly than if you were sending out a sales email or pitching an expert roundup.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further exploring press releases:
HubSpot’s Press Release Template: Access a comprehensive press release template designed to help you effectively structure and create impactful press releases.
Understanding Different Types of Press Releases: Dive into various types of press releases, from product launches to event announcements, and learn how to tailor your approach for different situations.
Mastering the Art of Writing Press Releases: Gain insights into the fundamentals of press release writing, including the purpose, structure, and strategies to make your news stand out.
FAQs
What is the purpose of a press release?
A press release serves as an official announcement to the media and the public about a newsworthy event, development, or story related to a business, product, or individual.
How do I structure a press release?
A standard press release structure includes a compelling headline, dateline, lead paragraph, body content, boilerplate, and contact information. Each element plays a crucial role in conveying the news effectively.
What types of events can be announced through press releases?
Press releases can cover a wide range of events, such as product launches, company milestones, new partnerships, awards, upcoming events, and significant achievements.
How do I distribute a press release?
Press releases can be distributed through various channels, including online press release distribution services, email outreach to journalists and media outlets, and social media platforms, ensuring broad visibility.
What makes a press release newsworthy?
A newsworthy press release should have a timely, relevant, and compelling angle that captures the interest of journalists and their audience. It should answer the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” questions concisely.
How do I measure the success of a press release?
Measuring press release success involves tracking metrics such as media coverage, website traffic, social media engagement, and lead generation. Monitoring these indicators helps assess the reach and impact of your press release.
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.