Are you looking for ways to promote your business, product, or service? Well, writing a press release is one of the most effective ways to get noticed by lots of people.
Press releases are short pieces of text that clearly state who you are and what your business does. They also contain information about any special offers or newsworthy events coming up shortly. Press releases can be used online but they’re also read by journalists and bloggers before they decide whether or not to write about something new.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Mastering press release writing can save both time and money by creating effective communication. |
| 2. Learning the do’s and don’ts can lead to more impactful press releases. |
| 3. Crafting attention-grabbing headlines can increase the likelihood of media coverage. |
| 4. Utilizing press release templates can streamline the writing process. |
| 5. Distributing press releases strategically can help you reach your target audience efficiently. |
What Is A Press Release?
A press release is a written document that describes a company or organization and its products or services. Press releases are written to inform the media and the public about newsworthy events. Press releases can be used to announce new products, or services, or to promote an event.
Building an effective press release requires attention to detail and strategic planning. Learn about putting together a press release with 17 valuable tips that can elevate your writing game.
Is Your News Worthy?
Did you know that the word ‘news’ is a shortening of the word ‘new’? What this means is that there are two types of news: old and new.
Old news is something we already know about, or have some awareness of already. For example, let’s say I walk into my favorite coffee shop and see an older man sitting at a table with his laptop open and staring at it intently as he sips his drink.
He’s not looking at anything else around him, so I assume he must be writing an article for work or school (or maybe even both!). If I happened upon this scene again tomorrow, would it still be considered old?
Not! It may seem like just another day in your life, but you never know who might be observing your actions from afar…and when those people do take notice, they’ll probably want to know more about what makes you tick as well.
The new news is something that no one has ever heard before because every single person experiences things differently according to their situation and perspective unless someone tells them otherwise!
That’s where press releases come into play; they tell readers something new about a product or service by displaying relevant information clearly through concise language while also engaging readers with interesting tidbits along the way (think: “The best part isn’t even listed here!”).
Talk About The Benefits Of Your Product Or Service
When writing a press release, it’s important to talk about the benefits of your product or service. For example, if you’re releasing a new cleaning product for pet owners, talk about how this product can help make life easier for pet lovers.
You can also mention how much easier it is than using old methods. This way, readers will understand why they’ll want to use this product instead of something else and they’ll be more likely to buy it.
Creating a press release that captures attention and goes viral takes a blend of creativity and precision. Discover how to craft press releases that go viral to ensure your content reaches a wider audience.
Be Clear And To The Point
The first rule of writing a press release is to be clear and to the point. You want people to read what you’ve written, not just skim over it or skip it altogether. Keep your sentences short and use simple language that everyone can understand.
Use bullet points where applicable so that there are no long paragraphs in your press release; this will make the information easier for readers to digest quickly. Readability has been shown to increase when using shorter sentences, so keep that in mind when writing your next piece!
The second rule is to have a headline that summarizes what’s contained within the document itself (think: title).
It doesn’t have to be an exact copy of whatever title you might find on an article about one of your products or services – but it does need some sort of hook for people who don’t know anything about what you offer yet still want more information from google searches/news sites/etc., what kind?
Use Short Paragraphs With Short Sentences
Use short paragraphs. Shorter paragraphs are easier for readers to digest, and they also help break up the flow of your content. So keep it short and sweet!
Use short sentences. Short sentences can make your press release much more readable than long ones, which can be daunting for readers who are skimming through a document looking for relevant information quickly.
Use Simple Everyday Language
Use simple everyday language. Avoid jargon, acronyms, and buzzwords that might be familiar to your industry but not to the general public.
Use The Active Voice Rather Than Passive Voice
Avoid technical terms or jargon where possible (e.g., “the process was very complex” instead of “the project management methodology was used extensively”). If you do need a technical term, explain it in common language and link to a more complete description elsewhere on your website or in a press kit (see below).
Create A News Hook
Creating a news hook is one of the most important steps in writing a press release. A news hook is a way to get people to read your release, and it can help you get noticed by journalists, marketers, and other professionals.
A good news hook will be relevant to the topic of your press release. It should be something that arouses people’s curiosity or makes them curious enough to read further.
Writing a successful press release involves understanding both the do’s and don’ts. Our guide on writing press releases provides insightful tips for making your releases impactful and effective.
Create A Compelling Headline
The headline of your press release is the first thing people will see, so make it count. Don’t overthink it: keep your headlines short and to the point. They should be interesting enough to make people want to read on without being so long that they lose their attention span.
Remember, you’re writing for journalists who have hundreds of emails coming in every day, so make sure your title is relevant and intriguing enough for them to open up and give you a shot at getting some coverage!
Write The First Paragraph To Summarise What You Have To Say In The Press Release
When writing a press release, the first paragraph should be the most interesting to your reader. It is where you should put all of your best information and facts. Think about what will make people want to read on.
Do not start with: ‘Our company is pleased to announce, or anything else that does not tell them why they should care about your story!
Never End A Sentence With An Abbreviation
Never end your sentence with an abbreviation. It’s quite annoying to read and it makes you look lazy. If an abbreviation is necessary for the reader to understand something in the press release, then use the full name of it and then add the abbreviation afterward in parentheses.
For example, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it will begin a new immunization program to help prevent measles outbreaks worldwide this fall.
For commonly used abbreviations like CEO, President, or CEO/President, we recommend writing them out completely instead of using “CEO” or “CEO/President.” This way your press release will be more clear and easy to read while also reducing repetition within your document.
Always Write In The Third Person
When writing your press release, always use the third person. This allows you to use an active voice and make your press release more interesting and engaging.
The third person also gives a sense of distance from the subject matter, allowing you to be more concise in terms of information shared with readers.
Never Lie And Be Honest With Your Facts And Information
Press releases are often used to announce new products and services, but there are several other circumstances in which they can be useful. They’re also a great way to reach out to the media if you want publicity for an upcoming event or charity fundraising drive.
A press release should never be misleading or downright false, as this will come back to haunt you later. It should always be truthful about what’s happening in your industry at that moment in time. As such, you must be completely honest when writing your press release; don’t exaggerate any facts or information just because it makes for better reading!
It’s also wise not to include any negative comments about anyone else unless there is no alternative – even then, tread carefully! Press releases should always be fair and balanced
Curious about the potential of press release writing? Learn from a real-life example in how I quit my day job and made over 100k in 1 year by writing press releases. Discover how one writer turned this skill into a successful venture.
Add Bullet Points To Your Press Release
Even a short press release should be broken up into sections to make it easier to read. Bullet points are a good way to do this, as they provide structure and organization to your content while also giving you more flexibility around how you organize your information.
For example, if you were writing about a new product launch, you could use bullet points to highlight the main benefits of the product.
Or if there was an important event coming up that would affect your business and/or industry in general (e.g., legislation), then using bullet points could help people scan through their email inboxes and quickly see what’s most important without having to read every single word of text in each email!
Bullet Points Can Also Be Used As Headers:
Contact details make it easy for people to get in touch with you.
Your contact details–You should include your email address, phone number, social media links, and address.
A call to action–This is important for the visitor to know what to do next. It can be as simple as “Contact us today!” or something more descriptive like “Join our mailing list and receive 10% off your first order”.
A company logo–If you want people to remember who you are, add a picture of your company logo in the header of the press release so that it stands out from other content on the page.
Add Images, A Company Logo, Or A Headshot Image When Applicable
Images can add a lot of value to your press release. They can be used to illustrate your point, make the press release stand out, and even show off your company’s logo and headshot (if applicable).
It’s important to note that if you’re writing a press release for work or another professional reason, adding images might not be necessary.
However, if you’re trying to use this as a way to market yourself as an individual and establish yourself as someone with who people would like working with, you must include some sort of image for people reading through their email inboxes to see something familiar or interesting enough that they will want more information about what is being offered.
Use Keywords In Your Press Release But Don’t Overdo It With Keyword Stuffing
When writing a press release for your company or organization, it’s important to make sure that you use relevant keywords so Google can find you.
The keywords should be included throughout the first paragraph as well as the headline of the press release and any other applicable sections (such as an “about” section). It’s also good practice to include one main keyword within your first sentence and another main keyword at least once in each paragraph after that initial one.
Include Hyperlinks To Your Website Or Other Webpages When Possible, Relevant And Useful For Readers
It is important to note that hyperlinks can be used to link to other web pages, social media accounts, and other websites. They are also more than just a way of linking out from your article or press release. You can also use them as a way of linking in by including links within the body of your content that point back to your site.
Writing a press release efficiently while maintaining its quality is a valuable skill. Explore a shortcut to achieving this in our guide on writing a perfect press release in just minutes. Save time without compromising the impact of your content.
Writing A Good Press Release Saves You Time, Money And Helps You Get Noticed By Lots Of People
Writing a good press release saves you time, and money and helps you get noticed by lots of people. Writing a press release is a great way to get your message across to a lot of people. It’s also a good way to get your message out to the media or just about anyone who might be interested in what you’re doing.
Press releases are one of the best tools that businesses can use when trying to get their message out there and attract new customers. However, not all press releases are created equal!
Press releases have become somewhat of an art form in themselves over the years, with many businesses failing at writing them simply because they don’t know where to start or how the best practice works for this particular genre of content marketing.*
Conclusion
There you have a quick and easy guide to writing press releases. You now know the basics of how to write a press release and what makes a good one. We hope that this article has given you some inspiration to get started on your press release, or at least helped you understand why others might be worth reading!
Take some time and think about how you can make your unique voice shine through in an engaging way, then dive right into writing!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further exploring press release writing:
Shopify’s Guide on How to Write a Press Release: Learn from Shopify about crafting compelling press releases that effectively showcase your business updates and news.
Press Release Writing Template and Tips: Fit Small Business provides a comprehensive guide and template to help you structure and create impactful press releases.
8 Steps to Creating a Standout Press Release: Discover Hinge Marketing’s 8-step approach to crafting press releases that stand out and grab the attention of your target audience.
FAQs
How can I improve the impact of my press release?
Enhance the effectiveness of your press release by following best practices in writing, structure, and targeting the right audience. You can find valuable tips in various guides available online.
What are some key elements to include in a press release?
A press release should typically include a compelling headline, relevant information, quotes, contact details, and a boilerplate about your company or organization.
How can I make my press release newsworthy?
Focus on presenting timely and relevant information that addresses current trends, events, or industry developments. Highlight unique aspects that make your story worth covering.
Are there templates available for press release writing?
Yes, there are press release templates available that provide a structured format to follow. These templates can guide you in organizing your content effectively.
How do I distribute my press release to the right audience?
Consider using online press release distribution services or reaching out directly to journalists, bloggers, and industry influencers who might be interested in your news.
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.