Media Directory
Basics Of Writing an Effective Press
Release
Media Directory Home
How to Write An Effective Press Release
Getting your business mentioned in the press is an extremely good way to achieve a positive image and attract new customers to your business. Few things can give you as much credibility then as being recommended by a major newspaper or magazine. But just how do you write a press release that gets attention, and brings in results? Although I can't guarantee that you'll get media attention, I can tell you how you can increase the odds of seeing your business in the real-world media.
What is a Press Release?
A press release is a document that is written out in a specific format that is used to pitch a reporter or editor or to make an announcement that you believe is newsworthy.
The Press Release Format
The basic outline for a press release is as follows:
----------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:
Full Name of Contact
Email Address
Direct Phone Number
URL
Headline
Some City, Some Country -- Date (i.e. March 7th, 2000) -- Introductory paragraph that answers Who, When, Where, What and So What?
A second paragraph offering more information.
Third paragraph includes a quote that's attributed to somebody important, for example: "It's a revolutionary product," says Joe Smith, CEO of Big Company Inc.
Fourth paragraph includes some more information, perhaps another quote.
Fourth paragraph often includes history and background information about the company.
# # #
----------------------------------------------
The entire press release should be no more than 400 words, or one printed page.
Five Things That You Must Do In Your Press Release
1. Make your press release newsworthy. Make sure that you have something to say that'll be of interest to the readers of the publication that you're sending the press release to. Keep in mind that the media love news stories with a human side to them. Make your angle on the story entertaining, interesting or newsworthy or don't bother sending out a press release at all.
2. Target your releases. There's no point in sending a press release about the launch of your jewelry store to "Fishing World" magazine.
3. Use the proper press release format. Have a professional check the press release for grammar and spelling.
4. Keep the press release concise. Get to the point in the first paragraph. Use clear, concise, vivid language. There's no better way to get your story ignored than sending a lengthy release which doesn't state it's purpose (Who, When, Where, What) right upfront. Don't fill the press release with buzz-words, hyperbole and exaggerated claims.
5. Write an excellent headline. The headline is 90% of your press release. Here are a few headlines that worked extremely well
- I Can Help Anyone Find the Love of Their Life in 90 Days Or Less!
- Abraham Lincoln's Office Is Being Given Away... For Free!
- Brooklyn Bridge Sold By New Jersey Man... For $14.95!
Write headlines that attract attention, stir emotion and create pictures in the mind of the reader.
More On Targeting
Be careful who you send your press release to. When compiling your own media list don't waste your time getting the email addresses or fax numbers of every newspaper and magazine in the country, just the ones who would be interested in your story. Likewise, when you purchase a media list, don't send your press release to every contact. Take some time to filter out all the ones who wouldn't care about your press release, no matter how good it is.
How To Distribute Your Press Release
Where can you get the fax and email addresses for the media? right here! We've assembled for you three great resources for getting publicity:
Use this resource if you are targeting a national market.
B. Directory of Local Daily and Weekly Newspapers
Use this resource if you are targeting a local market.
C. The US Media E-mail Directory
Go here if you are interested in obtaining our entire database of media contacts. The US Media E-mail Directory lists 10,000 fax numbers and email addresses for key contacts in magazines, newspapers, radio and TV across the united States.
Other Topics of Interest
Looking for cheap cars? Here's how we approached the task of selecting
our winner for the best cheap car online resource
Cheap cars under 1000 for sale. Looking for super cheap airline
tickets? We scanned dozens of sources of cheap flights on the Internet
to come up with our choice
Super cheap flights airline tickets. Apply Ratio Analysis to
Financial Statements to analyze the success, failure, and progress of
your business
Financial ratio analysis formula. So you are looking for a free
business checking account; can you find one? sure!
Best bank for small business checking account free. A business plan
can provide the owner-manager or prospective owner-manager of a small
construction firm with a pathway to profit
Sample construction
business plan company profile. Starting a new small business is the
dream of many people ... starting that business converts your dream into
reality. But there is a gap between your dream and reality that can only
be filled with careful planning
Basics of retail operation
doc, tips on starting small business. Looking for super cheap
airline tickets? We scanned dozens of sources of cheap flights on the
Internet to come up with our choice
Discounted dirt cheap airline tickets, low cost air tickets. We've
reviewed dozens of auto insurance companies, brokers and agents to bring
you this elite list of brands
All car insurance companies, allcarinsurance. The quality of
employees and their development through training and education are major
factors in determining long-term profitability of a small business
Training and
development process, methods for employees. Today, many researchers
are concerned with the information sent by communication that is
independent of and different from verbal information;
What is non verbal
communication nonverbal. Shopping for Auto Insurance - It is now
more important than ever that you shop autoefully for auto insurance
Cheapest sr22 auto insurance listing. Here is an abbreviated example
of a serious sample business plan examples template proposal
Proposal sample
business plan examples free samples. Increasing profits through
reduce costs and cost cutting must be based on the concept of an
organized, planned program
Cost cutting strategies
business, how to reduce expenses. This article discusses get best
bank bad credit mortgages - compare bad credit morgages rates
Accounts that deals with houses and morgages. We've reviewed dozens
of auto insurance companies, brokers and agents to bring you this elite
list of brands with the best free quotes online and very cheap rates
The general car insurance reviews quotes. Looking for cheap
computers? Here's how we approached the task of selecting our winner for
the best cheap computer online resource this year
PC
for sale very cheap computers
Advertising signs for
marketing. Looking for super cheap airline tickets? We scanned
dozens of sources of cheap flights on the Internet to come up with our
choice
Dirt cheap airline tickets very cheap ticket airs. When buying an
air conditioner, ask: How many days a year am I going to use it? How
expensive are my electric-utility rates?
Cost of central air conditioner prices for air conditiong room. New
Ideas for Business, Getting Business New Idea are essential to business
progress Top new idea
invention for business with no money. Wie viel zahlen Sie für
Auto-Versicherung hängt von mehreren Faktoren ab
Kfz billige günstige autoversicherung vergleich. Off-the-rack suits
are getting more expensive, making custom and made-to-order suits
increasingly attractive buys
Cheap low cost men discount suits.
Copyright 1998-2010, BizMove.com. Copyright. All rights reserved.