What is a Press Release?What is a Press Release?

A press releaseA press release is a short document is a short document that provides information about your that provides information about your organization’s events and activities organization’s events and activities to a newspaper, magazine, TV or to a newspaper, magazine, TV or radio station.radio station.

The Elements of a Press The Elements of a Press Release Release

LETTERHEADLETTERHEAD‘FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE’

(or date of release)

Should be placed at the top of the news release

The Elements of a Press The Elements of a Press ReleaseRelease

CONTACTCONTACTUpper RH corner or Lower LH Upper RH corner or Lower LH cornercornerMedia Contact InformationMedia Contact Information

NameName TitleTitle E-mail addressE-mail address

The Elements of a Press The Elements of a Press ReleaseRelease

HEADLINEHEADLINETell the reader and news agency Tell the reader and news agency what the story is aboutwhat the story is aboutThe more eye catching and The more eye catching and interesting, the more likely it will be interesting, the more likely it will be read and runread and run

““Total Health & Fitness Grand Total Health & Fitness Grand Opening Celebration May 14”Opening Celebration May 14”

The Elements of a Press The Elements of a Press ReleaseRelease

THE BODYTHE BODY

Begin by listing the city Begin by listing the city List the date (month, year) in List the date (month, year) in parenthesesparenthesesThe first sentence is the ‘lead’The first sentence is the ‘lead’The second sentence gives a The second sentence gives a factual summary of the article. factual summary of the article.

Writing the Press ReleaseWriting the Press Release

Provide a brief description of Provide a brief description of your organizationyour organization

Quotes from members, leaders, Quotes from members, leaders, or other supportersor other supporters

Text carries facts; quotes carry Text carries facts; quotes carry feelingfeeling

Writing the Press ReleaseWriting the Press Release Write like a reporter--just the Write like a reporter--just the

facts. Write objectively. facts. Write objectively. WhoWho WhatWhat WhenWhen WhereWhere WhyWhy

Writing the Press ReleaseWriting the Press Release

Use 3Use 3rdrd person -- she, they, the person -- she, they, the organization--not we, us, our organization--not we, us, our organization.organization.

Keep it short: 400 words or less. Keep it short: 400 words or less.

Use short paragraphs of only one Use short paragraphs of only one or two sentences. or two sentences.

Writing the Press ReleaseWriting the Press Release

Use more... to signify another Use more... to signify another pagepageUse ### to signify end of press Use ### to signify end of press releaserelease