WriteUP!
How to write press release
by Feoshia Henderson
I know from years of experience that reporters are pressed for time and have lots of people
competing for their interests and time. So creating an effective, readable and compelling press
release is one of the best ways to get media attention.
The first thing you need to remember before you sit down to write is timeliness. You're more likely
to get a response or coverage if you send the release out a few days ahead of time, not on the day
of the event or after. Secondly, read and see what type of events or areas specific reporters cover
and send the release to reporters most likely to cover your particular subject. If you're not sure call
the newspaper and ask!
So let's get into the nuts and bolts of writing a press release:
Contact information: This should go at the top of the release along with the words "For
Immediate Release," like this:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jane Doe, community leader
555-1234 (home)
555-2345 (cell)
e-mail: janedoe@yahoo.com
Headline: Next, you write a short but descriptive headline, like this:
Local program gives $30,000 in local scholarships to needy teens
Body: Then, you write a short description of the event and why it deserves coverage. Keep it at
one to three paragraphs if possible. Try to tell a short story and include people who will be affected
by your action, and why it is important, like this:
The Jane Doe Community group is giving away 10 scholarships worth a total of
$30,000 dollars to local needy college students in our community. The students can use the
scholarships for books, tuition, food or housing. Several of the students said the funding has helped
assure they can continue their education and training.
"Without the scholarship, I would have had to drop out of college next year," College Student John
Doe said.
We will be awarding the scholarships at the Community Center on July 9, 1234
Community Lane at 6 p.m.
Follow up: If you do not receive a call from a reporter following up on the press release, you
should send the reporter an e-mail or call to invite the reporter to the event.
This won't guarantee that you'll get press coverage, but it will definitely give you a better chance of
getting some attention. At the very least the reporter might write a small brief on the event.
Good Luck!
(Article can be reprinted if you give credit to Feoshia Henderson at www.feoshia.com)
by Feoshia Henderson
I know from years of experience that reporters are pressed for time and have lots of people
competing for their interests and time. So creating an effective, readable and compelling press
release is one of the best ways to get media attention.
The first thing you need to remember before you sit down to write is timeliness. You're more likely
to get a response or coverage if you send the release out a few days ahead of time, not on the day
of the event or after. Secondly, read and see what type of events or areas specific reporters cover
and send the release to reporters most likely to cover your particular subject. If you're not sure call
the newspaper and ask!
So let's get into the nuts and bolts of writing a press release:
Contact information: This should go at the top of the release along with the words "For
Immediate Release," like this:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jane Doe, community leader
555-1234 (home)
555-2345 (cell)
e-mail: janedoe@yahoo.com
Headline: Next, you write a short but descriptive headline, like this:
Local program gives $30,000 in local scholarships to needy teens
Body: Then, you write a short description of the event and why it deserves coverage. Keep it at
one to three paragraphs if possible. Try to tell a short story and include people who will be affected
by your action, and why it is important, like this:
The Jane Doe Community group is giving away 10 scholarships worth a total of
$30,000 dollars to local needy college students in our community. The students can use the
scholarships for books, tuition, food or housing. Several of the students said the funding has helped
assure they can continue their education and training.
"Without the scholarship, I would have had to drop out of college next year," College Student John
Doe said.
We will be awarding the scholarships at the Community Center on July 9, 1234
Community Lane at 6 p.m.
Follow up: If you do not receive a call from a reporter following up on the press release, you
should send the reporter an e-mail or call to invite the reporter to the event.
This won't guarantee that you'll get press coverage, but it will definitely give you a better chance of
getting some attention. At the very least the reporter might write a small brief on the event.
Good Luck!
(Article can be reprinted if you give credit to Feoshia Henderson at www.feoshia.com)
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |