News releases (also called press releases) are an important part of a public relations campaign. They are also an important part of marketing your business. They are the primary means of "selling" your story to the media. All press releases are structured the same way. Make sure you
answer "yes" to these key questions when writing your next press release:
Is it easy to read?
Editors look at hundreds of press releases every day, and if your news release is difficult to read, they will throw it out. It should be on plain white paper and printed in black ink. The main body of the release should be double-spaced and have at least a one inch margin all around the edges.
Your letterhead should appear at the top of the first page to establish your identity.
Have you double-checked your spelling and grammar?
A good press release has no typographical or grammatical errors. If yours contains such errors you'll lose credibility; it will have the same effect as a badly written business letter or resume. The release should be typed. Print out (or type out) a fresh copy for each person to whom you will send it. Do not send out poor-quality photocopies with dark staple marks or blotches.
Did you include the six news elements?
Because all news articles include six basic elements-who, what, when, where, why, and how - your press release should also follow the same guidelines. Put the most important facts in the lead paragraph, with the facts decreasing in importance as you go down the page. Why? Suppose you send a press release to an editor who has five inches of space open in the newspaper and your release runs eight inches long. Ideally, the editor would trim your press release from the bottom. Therefore, to make sure the most important information gets run, put the less important information at the bottom.
Did you include a contact source?
In the top, right-hand corner of the first page, directly beneath your company name, there should be a line that states, "For further information, contact." A name and telephone number should follow. The editor must have somebody in your business to call to answer questions or to be interviewed about your news item. If you can only be reached during certain hours, specify them.
Have you included a dateline?
The best press releases have a dateline with the city in which the business is based and the date the release is written. Every press release needs a dateline so that the editor can tell when it was mailed. Nobody wants to cover an old story that has lost its timeliness.
The other morning during my favorite radio talk show they mentioned this guy who wrote a book about selling water beds which was coming out next week. How you do think this guy got the radio stations to talk about this....you got it - a press release or a publicist who sent a press release.
Copyright DeFiore Enterprises 2002
Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com
Culver prom limo ..There's good news for public relations execs, marketing professionals and... Read More
Successful buisnesses know that media attention reaches consumers better than... Read More
Yes, and that pressure often comes from a CEO who... Read More
Advice about business and life often gets around to one... Read More
Because good public relations can alter individual perception and lead... Read More
I got the latest issue of Internet Works in the... Read More
Sure. What else do you call a human discipline whose... Read More
The right kind of PR, that is, the kind that... Read More
How you answer questions depends on many factors. Example what... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
Photographs are essential for getting good publicity in the print... Read More
When special events and communications tactics rule the PR roost... Read More
Public relations is a very important part of the marketing... Read More
You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More
At the core of any successful public relations campaign is... Read More
Mark Twain once said the rumors of his death had... Read More
For some, public relations works well when their news release... Read More
As if making sure your company runs smoothly on an... Read More
Southern grandmothers have often said, "there are only three... Read More
Have you ever gotten one of those letters from your... Read More
Sure, any publicity is good. But don't invest time and... Read More
That big story the media pursue each day is what... Read More
Just promoted to manager?Here's something you need to know.Whether you... Read More
Every reporter, from the cub at the small town paper... Read More
Everyone is talking about the Ps of successful marketing, so... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..So you have spent hours and hours writing, shaping and... Read More
The call came into my office and the voice on... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
For a business, non-profit or association manager, they could be... Read More
Do it by restructuring your business, non-profit or association public... Read More
It's not unusual for clients of service providers to insist... Read More
If your product or service can be given as a... Read More
Want to get radio interviews and coverage in print publications... Read More
You never want to inundate a reporter with information, but... Read More
When your book is mentioned on television, sales go up.... Read More
You worked hard to get a story on your business... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
Because PR can be difficult to control, it is often... Read More
What is the true purpose of public relations and how... Read More
Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More
Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More
A new public relations blueprint could be a good idea... Read More
PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
Before meeting my soon-to-be-wife for the first time, I "Googled"... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, occasions will arise... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, what do you... Read More
It seems difficult to believe at the dawn of the... Read More
How do you make a good relationship with a newspaper... Read More
For business, non-profit or association managers like yourself, survival pretty... Read More
Just promoted to manager?Here's something you need to know.Whether you... Read More
Public Relations |