Wednesday, 19 November 2014

PRESS RELEASE

HOW TO WRITE A KILLER PRESS RELEASE


WHAT IS A PRESS RELEASE
A press release is a standardised way of communicating with journalists. If done well, it will tell them what the story is at a glance. 
(this therefore makes it more likely they will cover your issue)
Journalists get send loads of press releases everyday. What makes your press release stand out. 
Must have an angle. What are you trying to sell.

WHAT SHOULD YOUR PRESS RELEASE BE ABOUT?
Most important thing is its content
You must be writing something of interest to the journalist else they won't cover it.
HAS to be newsworthy 
New has to be new. - Cant be something thats happened, it must be about whats happening now or what will happen in the future.

EXAMPLES, launch of a new campaign etc 



PRESS RELEASE
Brand Name 
Date 
For immediate release (date)
If you want the media to use the story as soon as they receive it 

or 

Embargoed for: (time/date)
 This is a good way of giving journalist time to prepare and ensure they don't use it until a specific time 

Headline 
Start with a snappy headline, but not too clever 

Photo opportunity
What is it, where is it, when is it and contact details 

Paragraph 1: Summarise the story- who, what, where, when and why. All key information needs to be in this paragraph

Paragraph 2: Put in more details to flesh out the story you have outlined in the first paragraph 

Paragraph 3: "Quotes from you or someone relevant to your story." Don't try to cram  too many points into one quote- each point should make one point 

Paragraph 4: Extra relevant information 

END 

Notes for editors;
  • Provide extra information in case they run a longer story 
  • Outline what you have to offer: pictures, interviewees 
  • Outline any additional information or facts and figures, but keep it short. 
Contact, make sure you supply numbers where you can be reached day or night. This can make the difference between your story being covered or not. 

Name:                  Telephone:              Name:                Telephone 2 :
Type your group name here, local group 

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