Press Release Definition:
A press release is an official document which may announce a range of news items in form of written statement following a Standard Press Release Format or video communication. This news release is directed for the news media members like editors and journalists of newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations or television networks. Press releases announce something ostensibly newsworthy which can belong to the categories like scheduled events, new products and services, new hires, personal promotions, awards, sales accomplishments etc. Press release is a public relations announcement so as to make the public aware of the company’s developments. In other words, news release with a standard press release format is a ticket to publicity as it gets your company the coverage and attention through media and other publications.
Standard Press Release Format:
For your press release to get the desired publicity, it must be efficient enough and for that it needs to follow a standard press release format. A news release is generally 4-5 paragraphs long having a word limit of 400-500. The common structural elements to be included are heading, dateline, introduction, body, boilerplate, close and contact information. Write a clear, brief and to the point genuine headline. It is the eye-catcher for your release which should be a compact version of the key point of your press release. A bold headline with its first letter capitalized is typically used with a larger font size than the body. Do not forget the date of the press release. You may also include the city along with but it is optional.
Now, about the body of the release, it should be compact, not using very long sentences and paragraphs, keep it simple and avoid repetition and use of fancy words. The first paragraph needs to sum up the release which can further be elaborated in the subsequent paragraphs. Since, this is news, use concrete facts and figures. Don’t forget to clearly communicate the 5w’s- who, what, when, where, why and also how. Better are the chances of your press release to be selected if you follow the standard press release format and make you release newsworthy enough. Also, write a boilerplate underneath the body of the release that includes information about your company. Give a heading to this section as About [Your Company Name] and explain your company in about 5-6 lines. Also mention your website at the end of this section.
Last but not the least, add your contact information. It must include the company’s name, contact person’s name, company address, phone number, emails address and website address.
Tips:
Other than the standard press release format, do follow the further discussed tips for a crisp and worthy press release. Always put the date at the top of the press release. Make sure that the essence of the whole news story is made very clear in the first paragraph itself within the first few lines. Your company’s name must be placed prominently in the opening section. Provide information about the timescale of the news. Include a boilerplate or editor’s note with basic facts about the company. Make sure that you have mentioned is briefed to take calls and provide further instructions. Keep your press release short, informative and interesting.
A press release is an official document which may announce a range of news items in form of written statement following a Standard Press Release Format or video communication. This news release is directed for the news media members like editors and journalists of newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations or television networks. Press releases announce something ostensibly newsworthy which can belong to the categories like scheduled events, new products and services, new hires, personal promotions, awards, sales accomplishments etc. Press release is a public relations announcement so as to make the public aware of the company’s developments. In other words, news release with a standard press release format is a ticket to publicity as it gets your company the coverage and attention through media and other publications.
Standard Press Release Format:
For your press release to get the desired publicity, it must be efficient enough and for that it needs to follow a standard press release format. A news release is generally 4-5 paragraphs long having a word limit of 400-500. The common structural elements to be included are heading, dateline, introduction, body, boilerplate, close and contact information. Write a clear, brief and to the point genuine headline. It is the eye-catcher for your release which should be a compact version of the key point of your press release. A bold headline with its first letter capitalized is typically used with a larger font size than the body. Do not forget the date of the press release. You may also include the city along with but it is optional.
Now, about the body of the release, it should be compact, not using very long sentences and paragraphs, keep it simple and avoid repetition and use of fancy words. The first paragraph needs to sum up the release which can further be elaborated in the subsequent paragraphs. Since, this is news, use concrete facts and figures. Don’t forget to clearly communicate the 5w’s- who, what, when, where, why and also how. Better are the chances of your press release to be selected if you follow the standard press release format and make you release newsworthy enough. Also, write a boilerplate underneath the body of the release that includes information about your company. Give a heading to this section as About [Your Company Name] and explain your company in about 5-6 lines. Also mention your website at the end of this section.
Last but not the least, add your contact information. It must include the company’s name, contact person’s name, company address, phone number, emails address and website address.
Tips:
Other than the standard press release format, do follow the further discussed tips for a crisp and worthy press release. Always put the date at the top of the press release. Make sure that the essence of the whole news story is made very clear in the first paragraph itself within the first few lines. Your company’s name must be placed prominently in the opening section. Provide information about the timescale of the news. Include a boilerplate or editor’s note with basic facts about the company. Make sure that you have mentioned is briefed to take calls and provide further instructions. Keep your press release short, informative and interesting.