Writing Press Releases

Presented by:Syed Wajih Ul Hasnain()

Syed Muhammad Bilal(7274)

A press release is a statement prepared for distribution to the

media.

Writing Press Releases

• Single double spaced page• One or two sentence paragraphs• 1st pp: by-line & brief summary• 2nd pp: include usable quote• Concise, sparse tone• Last pp: states who actor is• Conclude w/ contact information

What to Write•Company Letterhead•PRESS RELEASE•Contact person•Date of release•Title•By-line•Text•Contact information

Writing a Press Release

•Decide why you are writing a press release and determine your focus. •Keep it short and to the point. Usually, press releases are no more than one page •Print the words "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" in the top left-hand margin in all caps. Follow this line with relevant contact information: name, title, address, phone number, e-mail address.

Writing a Press Release

•Create a headline and center it in bold type just above the first line of the body of the press release.

•Headlines typically highlight the most important, significant or shocking fact in the release.

Writing a Press Release•Create a dateline – the first line of the body of your press release – •Include the city where the release is generated and the date •. LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - January 1, 2000 •Make certain the first paragraph includes all the vital information: the where, when, why, what and who.

Anatomy of a press release

• When to write a press release– Company-related news– Product updates

• Who to send it to– Research appropriate editorial contacts

• How to send it– As e-mail, pasted into the body– As a letter

The Perfect Press Release

Anatomy of a press release

• Title• First Paragraph

• Include some tantalizing peripheral details or facts to spark curiosity in following paragraphs. •A good press release not only informs but also

teases.

Anatomy of a press release

• Body• Quote

•Wrap up the last paragraph with a "for additional information" line, a place to find more details. An annual report or a Web site can be great sources of information.

Center these marks, " # # #" or "-30-", at the bottom of the page to indicate

the end of your release.

• Print your release on high quality paper •Use a good laser or inkjet printer. • You only get one chance to make a solid first

impression.

•Press releases are written in block style, so no paragraph indentation is necessary •Have an objective person read your press release and tell you whether he or she would be interested enough to read a newspaper story about it. If not, consider going back to the drawing board for a rewrite.

Tips for Press Releases

• Send your press release to the reporter that covers the area you are targeting instead of a managing or senior editor.

• Often, this will turn into a story much faster.