what Are Press Releases
A press release is an important tool for suggesting to a journalist that you have a viable news story. To put this in simple terms, the press release is a psuedo- news story that tells about your product, service or company in language familiar to journalists.
A good press release follows a basic template format that places at the very top what makes this story newsworthy, free of out right hype and promotion. The following paragraphs should include background information, quotes and any other information that shows the newsworthiness of the story.
A good press release follows a basic template format that places at the very top what makes this story newsworthy, free of out right hype and promotion. The following paragraphs should include background information, quotes and any other information that shows the newsworthiness of the story.
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How To Find Something "Newsworthy" About Your Business
You must think about the customer you want to target! Place yourself in the customers shoes. What would get you intrigued or provoked? What would get you excited about the product? What problem would you be looking for a solution for? Then ask yourself how your business, product or service answers these reactions.
Before we go any farther there is a very important item that you need to keep in mind before you write one word of your press release: "Reporters do not have any desire to help your business or make you money" "The reporter is only interested in a story that will appeal his or hers readers and makes the editor happy"
Before we go any farther there is a very important item that you need to keep in mind before you write one word of your press release: "Reporters do not have any desire to help your business or make you money" "The reporter is only interested in a story that will appeal his or hers readers and makes the editor happy"
"We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects." Alexis de Tocqueville
10 Rules For Writing Effective Press Releases
1. Your press release needs to sound like news, not an advertisement.
2. You must convey a story with only a brief mention of your service or product in the main body of the story.
3. Keep the readers attention by keeping your press release to one page.
4. Your press release needs to be written using short sentences with double spaced line. The white space is extremely important for easy reading.
5. The header and first couple of sentences must capture the reader's attention.
6. It is important to Proof read the press release for grammar and spelling mistakes. Do this several times.
7. Write your press release a few days before you plan to submit it. Wait a day or two and then read it over so that you are getting a fresh view.
8. Find a media to release your press release to that is related to your topic.
9. You need to write a new and different press release for each new product or service for your company.
10. Present the facts and nothing but the facts.
2. You must convey a story with only a brief mention of your service or product in the main body of the story.
3. Keep the readers attention by keeping your press release to one page.
4. Your press release needs to be written using short sentences with double spaced line. The white space is extremely important for easy reading.
5. The header and first couple of sentences must capture the reader's attention.
6. It is important to Proof read the press release for grammar and spelling mistakes. Do this several times.
7. Write your press release a few days before you plan to submit it. Wait a day or two and then read it over so that you are getting a fresh view.
8. Find a media to release your press release to that is related to your topic.
9. You need to write a new and different press release for each new product or service for your company.
10. Present the facts and nothing but the facts.
Planning Your Press Release
When writing your press release you need to begin by identifying your target. When you identify your targeted audience, you will begin writing better press releases. You will have the ability to know what the target audience is looking for and how to deliver what they want.
You must create an interesting story when you write your press release. The story you write must be able to create a lasting impression on the reader. You need to create interest and desire in the reader for your product or service.
Begin this process by planning out your press release before you begin writing.
1. Gather all the information that you will need
2. create a list of the questions or answers your target audience will want to know
3. Create a list of the answers you have for the targeted audience
4. Begin writing the press release using short sentences
5. Choose words that fit your targeted audience
6. If you have more than one targeted audience write different versions for each audience.
You must create an interesting story when you write your press release. The story you write must be able to create a lasting impression on the reader. You need to create interest and desire in the reader for your product or service.
Begin this process by planning out your press release before you begin writing.
1. Gather all the information that you will need
2. create a list of the questions or answers your target audience will want to know
3. Create a list of the answers you have for the targeted audience
4. Begin writing the press release using short sentences
5. Choose words that fit your targeted audience
6. If you have more than one targeted audience write different versions for each audience.
Press Release Template for your use
[Company Logo Goes Here]
Date of Press Release
Contact: Name Here
Telephone ...
cell phone ...
e-mail ...
PLACE THE TITLE OF YOUR PRESS RELEASE IN ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS
Your Sub-Title Goes Here In Title Case Letters (upper and lower case)
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.The body of your press release goes here.
###
(notice the three # this notes the end of the press release)
If you would like more information about this topic you can go to your website.com To schedule an interview contact your name at 555-5555 or email: Yourname@webserver.com
Tips For Writing A Press Release
1. DO NOT use hype style phrases like Unique - State of the Art - Breakthrough - Miracle Cure
2. Do Write in the third party - DO NOT use "I", "we" or "Our" except when it is a quote.
3. KEEP your press release short. If it needs two pages, acceptable, but one page is best.
4. READ lots of press releases and Newspapers, learn a feel for the style of the writing.
2. Do Write in the third party - DO NOT use "I", "we" or "Our" except when it is a quote.
3. KEEP your press release short. If it needs two pages, acceptable, but one page is best.
4. READ lots of press releases and Newspapers, learn a feel for the style of the writing.
TUTORIAL EXAMPLE
Below you will find a description related to each section of a press release and an example taken from an actual press release
Writing a Press release and more
Press Release Headline
The headline for your press release is the most important part of the press release. State your most exciting news, finding or announcement in as few words as possible. Emulate the headlines you see in the newspaper every day.
The Press Release Subhead
Subheads are remarkably useful tools, yet usually overlooked by press release writers. Basically, the press release subhead gives you the opportunity to flesh out your angle and further hook the reporter, without stepping on the drama of the press release headline.
Headline and Sub-Headline Example:
Header: Web's Largest Free Law Library Opens to the Public
sub-header: Fastcase Public Library of Law Offers Best Starting Point for Law Online
The Press Release Subhead
Subheads are remarkably useful tools, yet usually overlooked by press release writers. Basically, the press release subhead gives you the opportunity to flesh out your angle and further hook the reporter, without stepping on the drama of the press release headline.
Headline and Sub-Headline Example:
Header: Web's Largest Free Law Library Opens to the Public
sub-header: Fastcase Public Library of Law Offers Best Starting Point for Law Online
Press Release Opening Paragraph
the lead paragraph includes the who, what, when, where and how of the story. If the reporter were only to read the lead of a good press release, he'd have everything he needed to get started. The first paragraph of your press release needs to cover the who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Opening Paragraph Example:
Fastcase today opened the doors to the largest free law library on the Web. The Fastcase Public Library of Law (http://www.plol.org) launches as the most comprehensive free resource for legal research online, making it the best starting point for anyone who
Opening Paragraph Example:
Fastcase today opened the doors to the largest free law library on the Web. The Fastcase Public Library of Law (http://www.plol.org) launches as the most comprehensive free resource for legal research online, making it the best starting point for anyone who
Body of the Press Release
In the body you will expand on the detail and use quotes to personalize your press release. The balance of the press release serves to back up whatever claims were made in the lead and headline. In this case, you'd pull some quotes from the message boards (an aside here: if you really were to pull quotes in this fashion, you should only use the poster's name or identifying information with his or her permission. Otherwise, simply say "a 14 year old boy said..." or "a 16 year old Midwestern girl added..." Also, if this technique appeals to you, be certain that a disclaimer appears on your message boards notifying posters that all posts become your property and copyright). Use enough supporting material to make your case, and to demonstrate that, whatever angle you're promoting, it wasn't something you slapped together carelessly.
Next, a quote will help put in some perspective:
"I was surprised by the level of anger expressed in these messages," Smith said. "Teenagers are far more clued into this issue than most people would imagine."
You might ask an expert for a quote:
"This demonstrates once again the need to teach young girls and boys about how to develop a positive self-image," said Jane Doe, author of "I Like My Body Just As It Is". "theplace4vitamins.com has done a true service by bringing these attitudes to the public's attention."
Finally, spend a sentence or two describing your company and what you do:
Body Content Example:
The Fastcase Public Library of Law (PLoL) is powered by Fastcase, Inc., the premium provider of next-generation legal research. Since its founding
in 1999, Fastcase has worked to democratize the law, making it more accessible to more people.
"American law used to be controlled by foreign-owned publishers," said Fastcase CEO Ed Walters. "Over the past eight years, Fastcase has smashed through those bottlenecks with our premium service for lawyers. Now, by launching the Fastcase Public Library of Law as a free service, we are also empowering non-lawyers to learn about and use the law themselves."
In the past, many different Web sites contained pockets of free legal resources. PLoL brings all of those resources together in one place, and adds more than 2 million pages of cases that were previously available only by subscription -- making PLoL the best starting point for legal resources online.
Fastcase has made a number of recent moves to democratize the law, including a November 2007 agreement with PublicResource.org to make 1.8
million pages of federal cases available in the public domain. Fastcase
included those same cases in PLoL and added an additional 10 years of caselaw from all 50 states -- the only collection of its kind on the Web.
PLoL also features an intuitive interface that works like popular Web search engines, making it more accessible to all researchers. "By listing the most relevant cases first, our PLoL search sorts the haystack, putting needles on top," said Walters. "It makes first-time legal research as easy as using Google."
This is important to the latent market of non-lawyers who seek access to the law that Fastcase identified; four out of five people who sign up for a trial of the full Fastcase service are not attorneys. The Fastcase PLoL will give students, small business owners, people litigating small claims, and pro se litigants a free and user-friendly law resource online.
"Just as the Internet has made it possible for people to book their own travel, manage their own investments, and file their own taxes, PLoL will
enable individuals to find answers to their routine or small-claims legal questions online -- either by themselves or in conjunction with a lawyer," said Phil Rosenthal, President of Fastcase.
Unlike other free resources, Fastcase backstops PLoL, so citations to older cases not in its database appear as links to Fastcase, increasing the
size of the PLoL library to virtually the entire American law library. Additional professional research tools are available through Fastcase.com
as well.
To ensure that the PLoL remains up-to-date and comprehensive, Fastcase will also update PLoL with new law books as they come out, unlike many services that simply update from court draft opinions online.
Next, a quote will help put in some perspective:
"I was surprised by the level of anger expressed in these messages," Smith said. "Teenagers are far more clued into this issue than most people would imagine."
You might ask an expert for a quote:
"This demonstrates once again the need to teach young girls and boys about how to develop a positive self-image," said Jane Doe, author of "I Like My Body Just As It Is". "theplace4vitamins.com has done a true service by bringing these attitudes to the public's attention."
Finally, spend a sentence or two describing your company and what you do:
Body Content Example:
The Fastcase Public Library of Law (PLoL) is powered by Fastcase, Inc., the premium provider of next-generation legal research. Since its founding
in 1999, Fastcase has worked to democratize the law, making it more accessible to more people.
"American law used to be controlled by foreign-owned publishers," said Fastcase CEO Ed Walters. "Over the past eight years, Fastcase has smashed through those bottlenecks with our premium service for lawyers. Now, by launching the Fastcase Public Library of Law as a free service, we are also empowering non-lawyers to learn about and use the law themselves."
In the past, many different Web sites contained pockets of free legal resources. PLoL brings all of those resources together in one place, and adds more than 2 million pages of cases that were previously available only by subscription -- making PLoL the best starting point for legal resources online.
Fastcase has made a number of recent moves to democratize the law, including a November 2007 agreement with PublicResource.org to make 1.8
million pages of federal cases available in the public domain. Fastcase
included those same cases in PLoL and added an additional 10 years of caselaw from all 50 states -- the only collection of its kind on the Web.
PLoL also features an intuitive interface that works like popular Web search engines, making it more accessible to all researchers. "By listing the most relevant cases first, our PLoL search sorts the haystack, putting needles on top," said Walters. "It makes first-time legal research as easy as using Google."
This is important to the latent market of non-lawyers who seek access to the law that Fastcase identified; four out of five people who sign up for a trial of the full Fastcase service are not attorneys. The Fastcase PLoL will give students, small business owners, people litigating small claims, and pro se litigants a free and user-friendly law resource online.
"Just as the Internet has made it possible for people to book their own travel, manage their own investments, and file their own taxes, PLoL will
enable individuals to find answers to their routine or small-claims legal questions online -- either by themselves or in conjunction with a lawyer," said Phil Rosenthal, President of Fastcase.
Unlike other free resources, Fastcase backstops PLoL, so citations to older cases not in its database appear as links to Fastcase, increasing the
size of the PLoL library to virtually the entire American law library. Additional professional research tools are available through Fastcase.com
as well.
To ensure that the PLoL remains up-to-date and comprehensive, Fastcase will also update PLoL with new law books as they come out, unlike many services that simply update from court draft opinions online.
The Boiler Plate
Finally, spend a sentence or two describing your company and what you do: Mycompany.com was founded in 1997 to provide consumers with a wide choice of vitamins, supplements and herbal products. The site offers a range of articles, research materials and message forums for the health conscious consumer. This paragraph is known as the "boilerplate" -- an old newspaper term meaning a block of standard text that's used over and over again (e.g. the explanation of symbols on the stock price page). In this case, it's text that you might use at the bottom of all your releases. Place your boilerplate right above the # # #'s.
Boiler Plate Example:
About Fastcase
As the premium provider of next-generation legal research, Fastcase seeks to democratize the law, making it more accessible to more people. Using patented software that combines the best of legal research with the best of Web search, Fastcase helps busy users sift through the clutter, ranking the best cases first and enabling the re-sorting of results to find answers fast. Founded in 1999, Fastcase.com has more than 275,000 subscribers from around the world, and the company recently launched the Fastcase Public Library of Law, the most comprehensive free legal research site for consumers and lawyers alike. Fastcase is an American company based in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.fastcase.com.
Boiler Plate Example:
About Fastcase
As the premium provider of next-generation legal research, Fastcase seeks to democratize the law, making it more accessible to more people. Using patented software that combines the best of legal research with the best of Web search, Fastcase helps busy users sift through the clutter, ranking the best cases first and enabling the re-sorting of results to find answers fast. Founded in 1999, Fastcase.com has more than 275,000 subscribers from around the world, and the company recently launched the Fastcase Public Library of Law, the most comprehensive free legal research site for consumers and lawyers alike. Fastcase is an American company based in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.fastcase.com.
Learn more about free publicity
Learn more about free publicity. Is there any better advertising than free publicity? Not as long as they spell the name correctly.
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- Hobo Marketing Tips
- FREE PUBLICITY AND PRESS RELEASES
- How To Find Something "Newsworthy" About Your Business
- 10 Rules For Writing Effective Press Releases
- Planning Your Press Release
- Press Release Template for your use
- Tips For Writing A Press Release
- TUTORIAL EXAMPLE
- Writing a Press release and more
- Press Release Headline
- Press Release Opening Paragraph
- Body of the Press Release
- The Boiler Plate
- Learn more about free publicity
- HAVE YOU FOUND THIS LENS OF HELP?
- OTHER BUSINESS RELATED LENSES
- MORE HELP WRITING PRESS RELEASES ON SQUIDOO
- Publish Your Very Own Press Release And More
- Press Releases Are Not A Strategy
- Want to know more about writing press releases?
Press Releases Are Not A Strategy
A press release is not a public relations strategy
Want to know more about writing press releases?
by Dayle_Medley
compassionate thinker, stranger than mud with no vices except for a dozen or so. I have an opinion on everything, yet can not think of a single opini... (more)
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