How To Write A Good Press Release
So… you’ve got a story and you want to get it out there into the public domain. It sounds easy enough – after all, you know the story’s got worth and is interesting, so why wouldn’t everyone else?
Unfortunately, while it does sound simple, if you’ve never actually written a press release or sent a story out into the ether before you might find that it’s a little harder than it looks . And without the right kind of dressing-up, your story might not be as captivating to others as it is to you.
First of all, you need to make sure that your story is newsworthy, otherwise it’s not going to get the kind of coverage you’re looking for. Sit down and think about what you like to listen to, watch and read in the media and see how your story compares.
Is there anything new, unusual or unexpected in it? Would this be of interest to anyone who’s not a part of your business? These are just a couple of questions to ask yourself before even try to draft your first release.
In terms of length, aim for between 300 and 400 words, and no more – and always make sure that you include at least one quote in the piece, so journalists don’t have to get in touch with you for comment or further information. Also avoid including any background information about your brand in the first paragraph – include this and other additional info in the Notes to Editors section at the end. Don’t worry – this isn’t included as part of your press release word count!
When you do sit down to finally write, make sure that your opening lines work the hardest and grab the journalist’s attention immediately. They receive so many press releases each and every day that if they’re not intrigued straightaway, then your press release will likely hit the recycling bin sooner rather than later.
Importantly, when you add your quote to the release, make sure that you’re using this chance to add insight and opinion to the story, rather than using it as an opportunity to include more facts about what’s going on. This is your chance to let people know how you’re feeling about the matter at hand – so don’t waste it and choose your words wisely.
Another good tip when sending out the release once you’ve finally finished drafting it up is to make sure you title the email as Press Release so that the journalist knows what they’re getting straightaway. Also, consider including a very short outline of the story and where you think it will fit in best in their publication.
Don’t attach the press release but add it at the bottom of your introductory email as journalists may not bother clicking on the attachment to open it. Make it as easy as possible for them to find your story and run with it.
Need the help of a press release creation service? Give us a call today .
