How to Write a Press Release

Ready to spread your news with a press release? Here are some tips on press release writing.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Background Information
• News topic

Instructions

1. Determine what the news is.

   Before you start writing anything, make sure you have something current to use as the plug in the headline and lead paragraph. Press releases are dependant on time-sensitive news. So choose your topic and give it a recent slant.

2. Look at samples.

   Take a glance at some other press releases. You can visit sites like http://www.prleap.com or http://www.prnewswire, in addition to plenty of other sites through a search engine, to take a peek at how the format and writing is set up.

3. Format your press release.

   Generally, you will want to include a logo and contact information on the release. Next, create a headline (and a subheadline to get more information up front in large lettering under the headline). Then give your release a date and location notation. Write the release, generally no longer than a page or two. At the bottom, include relevant websites or phone numbers, and you can note a name of who to contact regarding the news. Most people end their releases with "###" to show that it is officially the end of the message.

Tips & Warnings

• Write like a journalist. Use a punchy headline and include a verb in the head and subheadline.

• Follow Associated Press (AP) style. It's what journalists use and are most familiar with.

• Include quotes to give the release dialogue.

• Check out websites to get a gist of press release writing style.

• If you don't feel comfortable writing the release, hire a professional.

• Make sure the release announces news in the headline and first paragraph. Don't include any fluff or you can lose the reader's attention.

Resources

• PR Newswire