Press Release

Tips for writing your Press or web Release

Writing the Content for your Press Release

Keep the following in mind when writing your content:

Ensure your Press Release is newsworthy and that it contains useful information.
Your headline and first paragraph should tell the story - the rest of your release should provide the detail.
Does your release contain information about your organisation, product, service or event?
Does your release contain information about who, what, where, when and why?
Give examples of how your service or product satisfies desires or fulfills needs. What are the benefits? Use real life examples wherever possible.
If your release is about a product or service, make sure to include details on when the product/service is available, where it can be purchased.
If your release is about an event, be sure to include the date, location of the event and any other pertinent information.
Use ordinary language, avoid using jargon.
Your Press Release should contain more than one paragraph.
The greater the hype level (remember you are not writing an advertisement) the less chance you have of an editor taking up your release.
Your release should end with a single short paragraph that describes your company, products, service and a short company history.

Some things to keep in mind when writing for print publications
When writing for print publications (you expect an editor to take up your content and re-author and re-publish your release).

Start with Press Release.
Do not include e-mail addresses in the body of your release.
Do not include HTML or links to other sites or pages.
Never use ALL CAPITALS.
Check both spelling and grammar.

When authoring a new Press release the ProActive CMS will present you with a default template which you can use as a guideline for your release.

Some things to keep in mind when writing for web publications
When writing for web publications (you expect an editor to take up your content and link to your release, or you wish to gain exposure in search engines for your product, service or event.).

Start with Web Release.
e-mail addresses in the body of your release can increase the flow of spam to the email address.
Use HTML sparingly, links to other pages can be beneficial. Links to other sites can take your reader away from your information.
Include images if possible.
Never use ALL CAPITALS.
Check both spelling and grammar.