Archive for October, 2009

Press Release Submission Tips

Monday, October 26th, 2009

When you are writing a press release for submission, you want to make sure you know how to format and write it correctly. The first thing you want to realize is a press release is used to generate an interest. For this reason, you want to make sure it is written in a way which keeps the reader interested in what you are saying. It’s part article and part ad at the same time. Your first few sentences should really pull in the reader and make them want to know more.

The press release should make the reader feel as if you are a credible source of information. You can make yourself come across as a more credibly source by adding facts and figures in to your press release. You also want to write your press release in an interview style if this is possible. People really enjoy reading these types of press releases. If possible, try using direct quotes in your press release. As stated before, facts and figures should not be overlooked, readers want to know the statistics.

Your press release should not only interest the reader, it should also inform them. After they read your press release they should know all the relevant information. Such things as where, when, how, and why should be answered for them. While a press release is generally short and sweet, it should also be packed full of all the important information. You want to use your press release to generate some real interest. The more interesting and informative your press release is, the more readers you will have read completely through it.

As for the format of a press release, it is quite simple and to the point. At the top you will include contact information about yourself. This will include your name, company name, phone, fax, and email address. You will begin with a short, yet powerful headline. Then you will move on to a short summary which expands on the headline. The next portion will be the body of the press release. This will start with the City, State, and Date. From there you will go in to the story itself. The body should not contain very much more than 500 words. End the body by informing the reader of where they can go for more information. Under the body you will want to include information about your company. Now your press release is ready for submission.

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Press Release Structure

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

A press release is a written statement, addressed to the media with the intent to convey a message, and therefore shall be structured and recorded formally.

Every press release statements start off with a headline. Within this headline, it is important to supply the addressed audience with a suiting tagline that most appropriately labels your release. You may also wish to include a very succinct summary or description attached to the headline. It may also be of advantage to include some peripheral details to further spark curiosity from the media.

The second step is called the dateline. This process involves the recording of the date, at which you wish to release this document, followed by the city in which this press release originates from. (i.e. Paris, France. – April 6, 2009)

Thereafter, the introduction follows. This part should be the foundation of your actual content, and is usually written in one paragraph. It is important to point out key functions that the introduction should portray such as: who is involved, what is being reported, when this is happening, why and where this is taking place.

The body of this release is the core part of your press release. This section should explicitly target your core aspects of this document and be further substantiated by a detailed analysis, statistics, visual aids and a background if applicable. Another important function of a press release is not only to inform the targeted audience, but also to evoke curiosity, peculiarity and most importantly interest.

The next step of this process is known as the boilerplate. Within this section leave information about the background of the involved parties. In general terms, this is also known as the ‘about’ section.

There are three different ways of formally closing your press release. The closing of your release is indicated under the boilerplate, by the following captions. In traditional sense, “-30-” was an indicator line for closing a press release. In contemporary version, it is common to indicate the closing with “###” or “ends”.

The final and concluding step of this document is to provide the media with contact information. This is necessary as they might want to contact you for more detailed information. Be sure to include your particulars such as name, phone number, email address, department, address, etc.

In conclusion, a press release should have the general structure outlined above and is to be written in a succinct yet formal style.

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