- By Tiva Kelly
- Published 03/25/2008
- Writing for the Web
As someone once new to writing press releases myself, I will tell you honestly that writing a press release is no big deal. I panicked the first time I needed to write a press release. I had never written one before and didn’t even really know what they entailed, much less the purpose of them. Don’t worry though; I’m going to walk you through the process of writing a press release so you don’t have to second-guess yourself. What is a Press Release? A press release is a form of writing that is expressly for reporters to use in part, in whole or for a stepping stone towards an article for publication. Unlike an article that goes into great detail, examples and even personal opinion, a press release is more about facts that are told in a simple way. Press releases are simply a way to announce things that are timely or newsworthy about your business or product. Press releases are submitted to PR sites. The idea is that reporters and journalists will read your press release, find some value in it and pass the information along to a different readership group. What to Include in a Press Release
Don’t get caught up worrying about what needs to be included in a press release. Once you read a few of them, you’ll see that there is a clear formula for writing press releases and all you really have to do is plug in a few details. Start off with a strong thesis statement. This’ll be a sentence or two that explains exactly what message you want to send. These
are the words that are the most important in the entire document because they grasp the reader’s attention. When writing a press release make sure you have exact, accurate details. Think of the basics of journalism when you do this; provide information on who, what, when, where, why and how. Check and double check to make sure that each name and place is properly spelled. Tell your audience why your press release is important. Keep language simple and fresh. Stick to the facts and avoid the cute stuff that some writers use as filler. Nearly as important as the information itself is your contact information. If possible, write your press release on company stationary and provide several ways that people may contact you about the information included in the press release. Be prepared to take calls for questions about your press release. Helpfully answer their questions and provide any additional information needed. It will benefit you and your cause in the long run. The Best Information for Press Releases
There is simply no reason to fear writing or using press releases. Familiarize yourself with the types of information that belongs in an article and the type that belongs in a press release. Decide before you begin writing if you are addressing a problem and giving a solution, offering information for your readers on a particular topic or if you have a general announcement to make about your product or services. Once you decide which format to use, you’ll see how it easy it is to use Internet marketing through press releases to increase your bottom line.
