A press release is an ideal way to generate interest in your company and announce newsworthy items to the media and public. You create a press release and then distribute it to media outlets in hopes of those outlets picking up the story, publishing it, and then marketing your website or business through their article.

A press release is a very specific type of document that differs a great deal from traditional advertising and articles. It has a specific format and includes items such as a summary, a boilerplate, and contact information. It should not be sensationalized, but rather present real news items in an interesting and concise way.

To Write a Press Release

• Examine your motive for the release. Your press release must have a focus that is timely and worthy of attention. Newsworthy items include a new product line, a promotion or new employee, a change of address, a venue you’re sponsoring or a current event that ties into your business. Press releases are not sales letters or articles about what your business actually does, although a light handed overview is included at the end of the release.

• Learn the required style of the release and begin writing. Editors are looking for news in small capsules. This is why most press releases fall around three hundred words. The press release contains the following sections: (more…)