How to Write a Press Release That Will Get the Media's Attention
??Brian Keltner??
Strategic Fractional CMO | Reputation Management Specialist | Driving Business Growth Through Marketing Leadership & Brand Strategy | Expert in Customer Acquisition & Digital Presence Optimization | Gunslinger
How to Write a Press Release That Will Get the Media's Attention
As a business, it's important to get visibility to attract new customers and increase brand awareness. A great way to do this is by issuing a news release. A press release is a great way to get the word out about your company, product updates, or important information about an upcoming event. It's essential to follow some basic guidelines when writing a press release to be effective in getting the attention of the media.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing a press release is to focus on the readers' interests. You want to make sure that your announcement is newsworthy and will capture the media's attention. To generate interest among the media, you need to make sure that your press release is well-written and tells a compelling story about your brand.
Press release writing is a delicate balance of getting the announcement out there for your own buzz and not overdoing it. You want to make sure you get coverage from your media release, but you also don't want to bore or confuse readers with too much information or other details that are less significant. In this article, we'll go through some guidelines for what you should include in your announcement and how to write your next release that will get the media's attention.
1. What is a press release, and why do you need one
2. How to write a press release that will get the media's attention
3. The anatomy of a press release
4. The dos and don'ts of writing a press release
5. Tips for promoting your press release
6. Resources for creating your own press releases
What is a press release, and why do you need one
A press release is a written communication reporting specific but brief information about an event, circumstance, product launch, or other newsworthy information. It's typically tied to a business or organization and provided to media through various means.
You might need a news release if you're launching a new product, hosting an event, or have some other newsworthy item to share with the public. Press releases can also pitch story ideas to reporters and editors at various publications.
Press releases can effectively get the media's attention and share your story with a broader audience from media coverage from various news media outlets. But, before you start writing, it's essential to understand the anatomy of a news release and the dos and don'ts of writing one for any PR strategy.
Continue reading, and I will walk you through some of the things I have learned about crafting a press release that will get read.
How to write a press release that will get the media's attention
You need to write an exciting press release that piques their interest to get the media's attention. Be sure to include keywords relevant to your announcement, and make sure your story is interesting to readers. You can also have a branded story to make your announcement more interesting.
When developing a successful news release strategy, it's essential to be organized and have a clear action plan. Here are some tips for writing press releases that will get the media's attention:
- Start by identifying your target audience and crafting a message relevant to them.
- Make sure your story is interesting and newsworthy.
- Write a catchy headline that will grab the reporter's attention.
- Include keywords that are relevant to your announcement.
- Make sure your press release is well-written and error-free.
- Send it to the right people at the right time.
- Follow up with reporters after sending your release.
The anatomy of a press release
A press release is a statement sent to the media announcing something newsworthy. It can be about a new product, a company announcement, or another newsworthy event. Press releases are typically written in a formal tone and should be well-written and error-free.
Several components make up a press release:
- The headline
When it comes to your press release, the headline is one of the most critical elements. It's what will grab the attention of reporters and make them want to read more. Write a headline that is clear, interesting, and to the point.
- Sub-headline
The sub-headline is the second most crucial element of your press release. It should provide more detail about the announcement and grab readers' attention.
- The dateline
The dateline is the first part of your press release and includes the city and state where the announcement is taking place and the date.
- The lead paragraph
The lead is the first paragraph of your press release and should summarize the announcement. It should be brief and to the point.
- The body of the press release
The body of your press release should provide more details about the announcement. It should be well-written and error-free.
- The conclusion
The conclusion should provide a brief summary of the announcement and its effect on the reader.
- The boilerplate
The boilerplate is a brief paragraph that provides information about the company or organization making the announcement. It should be well-written and error-free.
领英推荐
- Contact information
Include contact information for the person who is available for interviews.
The headline is the most crucial part of the news release because if it doesn't hook the journalist, they won't read past it. It should be catchy and promise something interesting. The lead paragraph is where you introduce the story and give the essential details. The press release body elaborates on the story and provides more information. The boilerplate is a brief description of your company or organization at the end of the press release. And finally, contact information should be included so that reporters can get in touch with you if they have questions.
Press releases can be a great way to announce something newsworthy, but it's important to remember that they should be well-written and error-free. Follow these tips to write press releases that will get the media's attention:
- Start by identifying your target audience and crafting a message relevant to them.
- Make sure your story is interesting and newsworthy.
- Write a catchy headline that will grab the reporter's attention.
- Include keywords that are relevant to your announcement.
- Make sure your press release is well-written and error-free.
- Send it to the right people at the right time.
- Follow up with reporters after sending your release.
The dos and don'ts of writing a press release
- DO make sure your story is interesting and newsworthy or press coverage.
-DO take advantage of distribution services.
- DO write a catchy headline that will grab the reporter's attention.
- DO include keywords with relevant content to your announcement and search engines.
- DO make sure your press release is well-written and error-free with key details.
-DO have marketing strategies in place before reaching out to news organizations.
- DON'T exceed one page in length.
- DON'T forget to include contact information.
-DON'T write excessive industry jargon.
Tips for promoting your press release
Once you've written a news release that is well-written and error-free, it's time to start promoting it. Here are some tips for getting your release in front of the right people:
- Send it to the right people. Make sure you send your release to the right people at the right time. You can find a list of journalists' contact information on various websites or use a tool like Cision PR newswire to help you compile a list of contacts.
- Follow up with reporters. Once you've sent your release, be sure to follow up with reporters to see if they're interested in covering the story. You can do this by email or phone call.
- Use social media to promote your release. Share your release on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and use hashtags to help increase exposure.
- Submit your release to online news aggregators. Sites like Google News and Yahoo! News will publish your release on their website.
- Host a press conference or send out a media advisory. If you have a significant announcement to make, consider hosting a press conference or sending out a media advisory to let reporters know about it.
Resources for creating your own press releases
If you're looking for resources to help you write your press releases, here are a few options:
- The Associated Press Stylebook is a guidebook that journalists use to standardize their writing. It includes guidelines for how to write press releases, as well as style tips for various types of news stories.
- The Public Relations Society of America offers a free guide on how to write effective news releases. It includes tips on hooking the reader's attention, making sure your release is error-free, etc.
- The Write Way offers a free online course on writing effective press releases. It covers topics like identifying your target audience, writing a catchy headline, etc.
- Prowly offers a free press release template that you can use to create your releases. It includes tips on how to write each section of the press release and what information to include.
Conclusion
In conclusion, press releases are an excellent opportunity to promote something newsworthy. They should be concise and well-written to get media attention. Consider the following guidelines when writing a press news release:
Once you've written a release that is newsworthy and error-free, follow these tips for promotion:
With a well-crafted and well-promoted press release, you can increase the chances of earning media attention for your announcement.
________
This is really great information and I really like to "visual" - nice job and very attention grabbing! Cool!
Fractional Chief Strategy Officer | CEO & Founder of Whiteboards N Whiskey | Helping Local Businesses Become World Class with Proven 3-Year Execution Plans | Expert in Business Growth, Strategy | Franchises Available
2 年Great stuff as always