What is a Press Release?
Press release definition states that press release is a way of announcing a company’s developments in relation to the public so as to make them aware. Another press release definition could be that any official document that announces a range of newsworthy things is called a press release which must follow a standard press release format. These ostensibly newsworthy announcements can be made either in written form or through video communication. This communication document could be directed for a variety of news media outlets like editors or journalists of newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations or television networks.In a nutshell, press release drafted under a standard press release format serves as a ticket to publicize your company and get the media attention and coverage.
Press releases can be written for a number of reasons like scheduled events, awards and accolades, sales accomplishments, for discussing company’s financial status, introduction of new products and services, introduction of new hires, personal promotions, etc.For your press release definition to stand out of the hundreds of other press releases that an editor or journalist might receive on a regular basis, you need to be aware and well verse with the standard press release format.
Standard format for a press release:
To catch the eye of the journalist or editor, you need to write an impressive press release that compels the editor or the journalist to pick yours. An efficient news release is commonly 4-5 paragraphs long and should follow a word limit of 400-500 words. The common structural elements of an impressive press release are heading, dateline, introduction, body, boilerplate, close and contact information. An eye-catching headline is the one which is brief but clear, short but meaningful, and 6-7 words long. Headline needs to serve as a micro mini version of the whole press release and should clearly tell the reader about what the press release actually is. Date of the press release is important to mention which may or may not include the city. Date comes between the heading and the body of the news.
Just after the date starts the body of the news. Make sure that your news is all complete and you have all the evidence to prove the facts included in the press release if in future someone points a finger at your statements. Don’t make the body of the news release very long with too many paragraphs. Make it concise and the sentences need to be short and not complex. Keep the body of the news simple, without many repetitions and avoid use of many jargons and complex adjectives. Sum up the whole news in the first paragraph itself so as to save the time of the editor or journalist if in case he/she does not want to go through the whole of it. You can elaborate your news and points mentioned in the first paragraph further in the subsequent ones. Don’t forget to answer all the W’s and one H- who, when, where, why, what and how. Write a boilerplate just below the body of the release that briefly describes your company and also the products and services it offers. This section needs to start as About [Your Company Name] and further explain your company in about 5-6 lines. Also mention your website at the end of this section. Include the company’s name, contact person’s name, company address, phone number, emails address and website address in the end.
Press release definition states that press release is a way of announcing a company’s developments in relation to the public so as to make them aware. Another press release definition could be that any official document that announces a range of newsworthy things is called a press release which must follow a standard press release format. These ostensibly newsworthy announcements can be made either in written form or through video communication. This communication document could be directed for a variety of news media outlets like editors or journalists of newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations or television networks.In a nutshell, press release drafted under a standard press release format serves as a ticket to publicize your company and get the media attention and coverage.
Press releases can be written for a number of reasons like scheduled events, awards and accolades, sales accomplishments, for discussing company’s financial status, introduction of new products and services, introduction of new hires, personal promotions, etc.For your press release definition to stand out of the hundreds of other press releases that an editor or journalist might receive on a regular basis, you need to be aware and well verse with the standard press release format.
Standard format for a press release:
To catch the eye of the journalist or editor, you need to write an impressive press release that compels the editor or the journalist to pick yours. An efficient news release is commonly 4-5 paragraphs long and should follow a word limit of 400-500 words. The common structural elements of an impressive press release are heading, dateline, introduction, body, boilerplate, close and contact information. An eye-catching headline is the one which is brief but clear, short but meaningful, and 6-7 words long. Headline needs to serve as a micro mini version of the whole press release and should clearly tell the reader about what the press release actually is. Date of the press release is important to mention which may or may not include the city. Date comes between the heading and the body of the news.
Just after the date starts the body of the news. Make sure that your news is all complete and you have all the evidence to prove the facts included in the press release if in future someone points a finger at your statements. Don’t make the body of the news release very long with too many paragraphs. Make it concise and the sentences need to be short and not complex. Keep the body of the news simple, without many repetitions and avoid use of many jargons and complex adjectives. Sum up the whole news in the first paragraph itself so as to save the time of the editor or journalist if in case he/she does not want to go through the whole of it. You can elaborate your news and points mentioned in the first paragraph further in the subsequent ones. Don’t forget to answer all the W’s and one H- who, when, where, why, what and how. Write a boilerplate just below the body of the release that briefly describes your company and also the products and services it offers. This section needs to start as About [Your Company Name] and further explain your company in about 5-6 lines. Also mention your website at the end of this section. Include the company’s name, contact person’s name, company address, phone number, emails address and website address in the end.