Understanding Press Releases and Tips for Writing Them
A press release is a powerful tool in public relations, providing specific information about events or announcements. While issuing a press release doesn't guarantee media coverage, it can help attract journalists' attention. To make your press release stand out, focus on creating engaging content, starting with a captivating headline and writing in the third person. Remember, the ultimate goal is to share significant news and build relationships with the media over time.
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Presentation Transcript
Press Release Shabana Asgher Assistant Professor Course; Practical Journalism3
Definition A press release is a written communication that reports specific but brief information about an event, circumstance, product launch, or other happening. It's typically tied to a business or organization and provided to media through a variety of means.
Continued A press release is a short, compelling news story written by a public relations professional and sent to targeted members of the media. The goal of a press release is to pique the interest of a journalist or publication.
Continued A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, an official statement, or making an announcement.
Purpose of Press Releases public relations strategy. A regular cadence(pace,tempo) of meaningful news can help a company stand out and build mindshare with journalists over time. The main purpose of all press releases is to promote something significant and specific, and to do so clearly (From Marketing and professional point of view)To share something about your business, hoping a reporter will see a story in your press release and write an actual news article about it.
Remember Issuing a press release doesn't mean the media will automatically run with it. Media outlets will ask the same questions they always do: Does it interest their readers? Does it benefit the community in some way? You should also consider other outlets that might pick up your press release. A press release is not a guaranteed marketing tool. Temper your expectations. Don't anticipate that mainstream media will jump on every press release you write. But don't give up, either.
Tips for Writing a Press Release A press release typically begins with the name of the city where it originates from and the current date. It should include an attention- grabbing headline. Always write in the third person, sharing riveting information from an outsider's perspective (as the media would).
Continued If your information isn't riveting,( interesting, exciting) take a step back. Maybe there's something you can add to your event or announcement that will make it more interesting. Of course, that "something" has to happen. You can't mention that an A-list celebrity will show up when you know full well they won't. Linking your press release to a current trend or timely occurrence in the news can also grab attention.
While the heading should contain action verbs, the first paragraph should answer the "who," "what," "why," and "where." The press release should also contain understandable language and a quote. provide enough information so that news outlets have sufficient material for publishing their own stories
Press releases live in the public domain, which means your customers and prospective customers can see them. So instead of thinking of a press release solely as a ticket to earning news coverage, you should also think of it as a valuable piece of marketing content.
Avoid dry, rigid wording. You don't want to lose your reader with the first sentence. The bottom line is that if your event is boring, your press release may be yawn-worthy too. And if that's the case, why would any media want to chase the story?
A press release should not be a mere recitation of facts. Effective press releases always employ quotes from someone significant to the company or event a corporate executive or a representative from the charity benefiting from the event, for example. But quotes in press releases are seldom a verbatim rendition of what a personage actually said. Instead, they are usually an idealized version of a statement what that person should have said that pushes the press release's agenda. They act a rhetorical device to raise the interest level.
