Understand your why for writing your company’s press release
Press releases are an effective way to get your message out to the public, but it is important to follow best practices when crafting one. Many companies have not followed best practices and have had common PR Fails that follow them for years. So, press release creation can be tricky, but not impossible to get right.
Though we have all read countless Press Releases on endless topics, they typically fall into one of three categories.
To Announce a New Product or Service
A press release is a great way to let the public know about a new product or service that your company is offering. This can help increase awareness and generate interest in your company and its offerings.
To Respond to Negative Publicity
A press release can be used as an effective tool to respond to negative publicity or rumors that may be circulating about your company or its products and services. By providing an official statement through a press release, you can set the record straight and clear up any misconceptions that may have been spread by the media or other sources.
To Share News of Awards & Achievements
Press releases are also useful for announcing awards, accolades, or other achievements that your company has achieved recently. This helps create positive buzz about your business, which can be beneficial for gaining more customers and increasing sales.
6 Steps for Successful Press Release creation
There is and right and wrong method to sharing a press release, which we can talk through with you. But, if you are certain that you want to write a release to the press there are a few things to do to ensure it is as solid and press ready as possible.
Start with a strong headline
Your headline should be attention-grabbing and summarize the main point of the press release in as few words as possible.
Use an inverted pyramid structure for writing your press release
This means that you should start with the most important information and then move on to less important details in descending order.
Keep it concise and simple
Use concise, simple, and to the point language so that readers can quickly understand what’s being said without having to read through long blocks of text or complex jargon.
Include quotes from experts
Reach out to, or include already existing and sourced quotes from experts or stakeholders in your industry who can provide further insight into the topic you’re discussing in the press release. This will help add credibility and make it more engaging for readers who may not have prior knowledge about the topic at hand.
Triple Check every single word is factual and correct
Especially if you’re citing statistics or other research studies as evidence for any claims made throughout the document. If there is any doubt about a certain fact, don’t include it in the press release until you can verify its accuracy with another source or expert opinion from within your industry who has knowledge about this particular topic area.
How should people contact you?
Is this a no-brainer? For some no, it isn’t 🙂 You’ve poured some much into every detail you’ve forgotten the call to action! Include contact information so that reporters and other interested parties can easily reach out with questions or additional requests related to this particular news story covered by your press release. After all, that’s why you’re releasing this news!
To chat with us about your Press Release needs or questions, fill out a few pieces of information here and we will respond as soon as we see your message.
