The press release is an important marketing tool that can help you get more exposure for your company. Press releases are published by companies, organizations, and individuals to inform the public about newsworthy events, products, or services.
They’re also used to promote charitable causes and political campaigns. Press releases can be distributed in a variety of ways including online publishing websites like PRWeb and MarketWire (which charge fees starting at $50), or directly through a reporter’s email address or fax machine.
In this post, we’ll go over what exactly is included in a press release, why it’s relevant for businesses of all sizes, how long it should be and when it makes sense to distribute them from outside the United States as well as some tips on how best write yours!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Understand the importance of crafting press releases with a publisher’s mindset. |
| – Learn how to structure press releases effectively to engage and inform readers. |
| – Explore techniques to make your press releases stand out in a crowded media landscape. |
| – Discover the dos and don’ts of press release writing for maximum impact. |
| – Gain insights into creating press releases that resonate with your target audience. |
What Is A Press Release?
A press release is a written announcement issued by a company or an organization to the media. The purpose of a press release is to inform the public about something that is being released. It can be in the form of an advertisement, announcement, or information about an event.
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What Is The Purpose Of A Press Release?
A press release is a communication tool used to generate media attention.
It’s an announcement about your company, an event, or a product launch. It provides journalists with the information they can use in their articles and stories. Press releases are also called news releases, PRs, or simply “releases.” The goal of a press release is not just to get your name in print but also on TV and radio.
In addition to getting media attention, press releases have other benefits:
- They help gain credibility for your business or organization by providing proof that you’re serious about what you do (i.e., being “in the news”).
- They establish long-term relationships with journalists who may write about your business in the future (i.e., being “on the record”).
Why Do I Need A Press Release?
A press release is a great way to get your message out to a larger audience. It’s also a great way to promote your brand and get the word out about your company. You can use it as an opportunity to get your company noticed, or even featured in the news and media.
In essence, there are many reasons why you need a press release and we’ll go over them below!
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What Is A News-Worthy Event?
The first step in writing a press release is to determine if your event is newsworthy. A news-worthy event is something new and exciting, or interesting and relevant to your audience.
In other words, you need to make sure that what you’re doing has the potential to grab the attention of your target market. If it does not, then don’t waste time creating a press release for it!
What Is The Top News Outlet In My Industry?
You can find this information on their website. Just look at the top of the site, where it says “About”, and see what they write about. You should look at all the news outlets in your industry to get a better idea of what they publish and who writes for them.
Look at their “About” page, then go through each section (or tab) on their website:
Newsroom: Who are the reporters? What do they cover? Are there any reporters who cover things related to your company? How often do these reporters write about things that relate to your company or industry?
Who is responsible for running this part of their site? If you don’t know much about how newsrooms work, You might also want to check out this list of great journalism sites if you’re interested in learning more about reporting
What Should I Include In My Press Release?
Your press release should include all the details of your news, including:
Who and what is involved in this news?
Where it happened and when it happened. Why did it happen? How did it happen? What does the event mean for other people or companies that exist in your industry or niche market?
Who you are–who is speaking for the company (and why are they speaking on behalf of the company)? Can we contact someone at this company if we have questions about what was announced or their products/services?
Want your press releases to catch fire on the internet? Explore the secrets of creating viral press releases in our guide on how to create press releases that go viral.
How Do I Write A Press Release?
Writing a press release isn’t as hard as it sounds. To get started, you’ll need to put together an attention-grabbing headline that grabs your reader’s attention. The next step is writing the body of your press release, which includes all relevant information about your organization and its products or services.
Finally, don’t forget to include contact information so reporters can reach out with follow-up questions!
How Long Should A Press Release Be?
You want to keep your press release short and sweet, but also make sure it’s interesting. You don’t want to bore readers with a long-winded explanation of how great your product is.
So how long should your press release be? The best length for a press release is between 300-500 words. That’s just enough information to get the point across without being too wordy or boring.
The most important thing is to keep it relevant, so make sure everything in the text relates to what you’re trying to say about yourself and/or your business.
How Far In Advance Should A Company Write And Distribute Their Press Release?
If you are writing a press release, the right amount of time depends on your subject. If it is time sensitive, then it should be written as soon as possible. However, if it is something that can wait a few days or weeks to be released (like most company announcements), then a week or two in advance would be recommended.
It’s also possible that the company will want to schedule when they send out their press release to coincide with another event happening at the same time (such as an awards ceremony). This could help drive more attention toward their announcement since people will already be interested in what’s happening there.
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When Does It Make Sense To Distribute A Press Release From Outside The United States?
If you have an international audience, it can make sense to distribute a press release from outside the United States. If, for example, your company is based in Europe and has some sort of product or service that will appeal to U.S.-based customers, then distributing a press release via PRWeb would be a great way to get coverage in U.S.-based media outlets.
Similarly, if you’re looking for investors who are based outside of the United States, then this may be another good reason why distributing from outside of the country might make sense for you. The same applies if you’re looking to attract foreign talent (or vice versa).
In these cases – where one’s primary goal is an international audience – it’s important to understand how news travels around the world so as not to end up with an incomplete picture of what’s happening globally!
Who Should You Contact To Have Your Press Release Published?
As a writer, you should have your press release sent to as many people as possible. These include:
- Reporters
- Editors
- Public relations professionals
- Newspaper publishers and editors
- Magazine publishers and editors
- Radio and television producers
- Bloggers (and other content creators) who cover topics similar to yours
You can also reach out to social media influencers who might be interested in sharing the news with their followers or fans. They may want to interview you for a blog post or video as well!
How Long Does It Take For The Media To Receive And Publish Your Press Release After It Has Been Distributed?
The answer is a bit complicated. It depends on the news outlet.
For example, if you’re sending your press release to a local paper, chances are they will put it up on their site within 24 hours or less. That’s because they probably have some stuff in place specifically for this task and they want to give you good service so they can stay in business and make money!
If you’re sending your press release to The New York Times or CNN though? Well, then it could take weeks or even months before that story gets published–if at all! They receive thousands of stories every day from all kinds of sources so it takes time for them to sort through them all before deciding which ones deserve attention (and space) from their audience.
Think Like A Publisher – The Ultimate Guide To Writing a Press Release
Imagine the headline “Think Like a Publisher” showing up on a large magazine. It doesn’t have to be an exact match, but it helps if you can get within the ballpark.
If you’re writing a press release, and you want it published in major media outlets (or even outside of your own country), then following these guidelines will be helpful:
Crafting a perfect press release doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. Learn how to streamline your approach with our insights on how to write a perfect press release in just minutes.
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to know about writing a press release. It’s not easy, but if you follow these guidelines and tips, it will be much easier for anyone who wants to learn how to write one.
Further Reading
HubSpot’s Press Release Template: HubSpot provides a comprehensive press release template to guide you through crafting effective press releases.
The Guardian’s Guide on How to Write a Press Release: The Guardian offers insights into the key elements and strategies for writing impactful press releases.
Prezly’s Press Release Guide: Prezly presents a resourceful guide covering the essentials of creating and distributing press releases.
Now, let’s create the “FAQs” section based on the semantic of the titles:
FAQs
How do I write an effective press release?
Crafting an effective press release involves outlining the key information concisely, using a compelling headline, and incorporating newsworthy angles to capture attention.
What elements should I include in a press release?
A well-rounded press release typically includes a headline, dateline, lead paragraph, body content, boilerplate, contact information, and relevant multimedia assets.
How can I make my press release newsworthy?
To make your press release newsworthy, focus on timely and relevant topics, highlight unique angles, and provide information that’s valuable to your target audience.
What are some best practices for distributing press releases?
Distribute your press releases to relevant media outlets, journalists, and influencers. Utilize online distribution platforms and personalize pitches to increase the chances of coverage.
How can I measure the success of a press release?
Monitoring metrics like media coverage, website traffic, social media engagement, and lead generation can help gauge the impact and success of your press release campaigns.
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.