How to Write a Press Release
Jillian Jennings
Press releases are used often in the business world. They are used to alert the public about important events or news within a company and are a great way for businesses to advertise their accomplishments or improvements made. They are usually written by public relations firms or marketing departments of companies. Press releases are picked up by relative media shows, newspapers, online journals, or magazines for the public to read. This guide is to help you prepare an effective press release. Step-by-step instructions and an example of an effective release are included.
The following should be included in your press release:
1. Headline—Create something short and simple that will catch the attention of the reader, similar to a newspaper article heading. Also, bold and increase the font of the heading for even more focus.
Example:
English Students Create Helpful How-to Guides
2. Date/City of origin—Write the date the article was written. Also, include the city in capital letters where the story is taking place or where the company the article is about is based. Include a hyphen after the date before the article begins. There can be some variation in how this is written.
Examples: SAN DIEGO, Ca., November 18, 2009 – (or)
SAN DIEGO (November 18, 2009) --
3. Intro—Include an introduction which should be a short section (1 or 2 sentences) explaining the overall point/idea of the article.
4. Body— Expand on the main idea of the article in the body. Feel free to give any significant details you feel the public should know in order to understand the importance of the article.
5. Boilerplate—Offer an overview of the company’s purpose and background to help readers understand more about the business. A company’s boilerplate rarely changes and can be saved as part of a template for every new press release written.
6. Media contact info.— Place the name, phone number, and e-mail of the person who is best to contact about the article at the bottom of the press release. The employee the company chooses to field questions about press releases or a specific article is the best choice for contact information.
Example:
John Doe
(555) 123-4567
[email protected]
7. ###--Finish with three hash marks placed at the very end of a press release to indicate that it is done. It is basically a “The End” for the reader.
Tips:
· Try to make the press release under one page, but if not, definitely keep it under two
· Do not use a writing style full of descriptive words or emotional appeals
· Keep business terms in mind
· Use a professional tone throughout the entire press release
· Figure out main points and address those first, then expand on them later
Sample press release:
Trucking Magazine Helps Drivers Battle Obesity
Five long-haul truckers participate in year-long Fit for the Road program
TUSCALOOSA, Ala., March 6, 2007 — Stress, time constraints and the ready availability of unhealthy food leave many Americans frustrated in their desire to lead fit, healthy lives. Nowhere is that frustration more prevalent than among over-the-road truck drivers, who can work up to 14 hours per day, drive more than 100,000 miles per year and face limited food choices combined with little opportunity for exercise.
Recognizing the challenges its trucker readers face, Truckers News magazine launched Fit for the Road, a year-long program designed to help them take steps to lead healthier lives. More than 350 applicants completed a health form and wrote an essay about why they wanted to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. The essays highlighted long years of struggling with diet and exercise and the fear of losing their commercial driver’s licenses because of high blood pressure or insulin-requiring diabetes.
The five truckers chosen to participate received a complimentary weight-loss and fitness program designed by a dietician and medical doctor to fit their individual health needs. Beginning this month, Truckers News will follow their journey through the pages of the magazine and through blogs kept by each participant (http://www.fit4theroad.com). The participants, who are featured in the March issue of Truckers News (http://www.truckersnews.com) are:
— 42-year-old Nancy Younger, Kothleen, Fla., who drives for WRY Enterprises. Her goal is to lose more than 100 pounds.
— 42-year-old Albert Morales, Port St. Lucie, Fla., who drives for Marten Transport, also wants to lose 100 pounds.
— Husband-and-wife team drivers Terry and Carey Hill want to lose 100 pounds and 75 pounds, respectively. The San Antonio, Texas, truckers drive for Swift Transportation.
— John Shook, 38, a Mount Vernon, Ill., owner-operator leased to Landstar-Ranger. Shook wants to lose 55 pounds.
About Truckers News
For more than 30 years, Truckers News has been the No. 1 news and lifestyle publication for over-the-road truckers. More than 100,000 copies of this award-winning publication are distributed monthly at premier truck stops and travel centers nationwide.
Contact:
Carolyn Magner
(205) 248-1429
[email protected]
Randy Grider
(205) 248-1054
[email protected]
# # #
Here is a link to other examples of press releases
Additionally, there is a link below to a written analysis of press releases.
The following should be included in your press release:
1. Headline—Create something short and simple that will catch the attention of the reader, similar to a newspaper article heading. Also, bold and increase the font of the heading for even more focus.
2. Date/City of origin—Write the date the article was written. Also, include the city in capital letters where the story is taking place or where the company the article is about is based. Include a hyphen after the date before the article begins. There can be some variation in how this is written.
Examples: SAN DIEGO, Ca., November 18, 2009 – (or)
SAN DIEGO (November 18, 2009) --
3. Intro—Include an introduction which should be a short section (1 or 2 sentences) explaining the overall point/idea of the article.
4. Body— Expand on the main idea of the article in the body. Feel free to give any significant details you feel the public should know in order to understand the importance of the article.
5. Boilerplate—Offer an overview of the company’s purpose and background to help readers understand more about the business. A company’s boilerplate rarely changes and can be saved as part of a template for every new press release written.
6. Media contact info.— Place the name, phone number, and e-mail of the person who is best to contact about the article at the bottom of the press release. The employee the company chooses to field questions about press releases or a specific article is the best choice for contact information.
7. ###--Finish with three hash marks placed at the very end of a press release to indicate that it is done. It is basically a “The End” for the reader.
Tips:
· Try to make the press release under one page, but if not, definitely keep it under two
· Do not use a writing style full of descriptive words or emotional appeals
· Keep business terms in mind
· Use a professional tone throughout the entire press release
· Figure out main points and address those first, then expand on them later
Sample press release:
Trucking Magazine Helps Drivers Battle Obesity
Five long-haul truckers participate in year-long Fit for the Road program
TUSCALOOSA, Ala., March 6, 2007 — Stress, time constraints and the ready availability of unhealthy food leave many Americans frustrated in their desire to lead fit, healthy lives. Nowhere is that frustration more prevalent than among over-the-road truck drivers, who can work up to 14 hours per day, drive more than 100,000 miles per year and face limited food choices combined with little opportunity for exercise.
Recognizing the challenges its trucker readers face, Truckers News magazine launched Fit for the Road, a year-long program designed to help them take steps to lead healthier lives. More than 350 applicants completed a health form and wrote an essay about why they wanted to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. The essays highlighted long years of struggling with diet and exercise and the fear of losing their commercial driver’s licenses because of high blood pressure or insulin-requiring diabetes.
The five truckers chosen to participate received a complimentary weight-loss and fitness program designed by a dietician and medical doctor to fit their individual health needs. Beginning this month, Truckers News will follow their journey through the pages of the magazine and through blogs kept by each participant (http://www.fit4theroad.com). The participants, who are featured in the March issue of Truckers News (http://www.truckersnews.com) are:
— 42-year-old Nancy Younger, Kothleen, Fla., who drives for WRY Enterprises. Her goal is to lose more than 100 pounds.
— 42-year-old Albert Morales, Port St. Lucie, Fla., who drives for Marten Transport, also wants to lose 100 pounds.
— Husband-and-wife team drivers Terry and Carey Hill want to lose 100 pounds and 75 pounds, respectively. The San Antonio, Texas, truckers drive for Swift Transportation.
— John Shook, 38, a Mount Vernon, Ill., owner-operator leased to Landstar-Ranger. Shook wants to lose 55 pounds.
About Truckers News
For more than 30 years, Truckers News has been the No. 1 news and lifestyle publication for over-the-road truckers. More than 100,000 copies of this award-winning publication are distributed monthly at premier truck stops and travel centers nationwide.
Contact:
Carolyn Magner
(205) 248-1429
[email protected]
Randy Grider
(205) 248-1054
[email protected]
# # #
Here is a link to other examples of press releases
Additionally, there is a link below to a written analysis of press releases.
press_release_analysis.docx | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | docx |