A press release can be a powerful marketing tool for your business. They can help you to conquer space in the media and reach a wider audience.
In this post, I will tell you what press releases are, how to write them effectively, and some of the benefits they offer businesses.
I will also provide some examples of press release formats so that you can get an idea of what they look like.
What is a press release?
A press release is a written statement that is issued to the media to generate press coverage. It is typically used to announce something newsworthy, such as a new product, an event, or a significant milestone.
It should be should be objective and informative, providing all the relevant facts about the story. However, it should not be too long – around one to two pages is usually sufficient.
Types of Press Release
Let’s go over the most used types of press releases out there.
Product Launches
A press release can be used to announce a new product or service. This type of release should include information about the features and benefits of the product, as well as when and where it will be available.
Products Updates
If you are launching an update for an existing product, a press release can be used to announce the changes. This type of release should include information about what has changed and why the update was made.
Event Announcements
Press releases can also be used to promote an upcoming event, such as a conference or trade show. Event press releases should include information about the date, time, and location of the event, as well as a brief description of what will be taking place.
Mergers and Acquisitions
If your business is involved in a merger or acquisition, you will likely want to issue a press release to announce the news.
New Partnerships
If your business has formed a new partnership, a press release can be used to announce the news. This type of press release should include information about each company involved in the partnership, as well as what the partnership entails.
Executive Team Changes
If there are changes to your executive team, such as a new CEO or CFO, you will want to issue a press release to announce the news.
This type of press release should include information about the individual’s experience and what they will be bringing to the company.
Awards
If your company has won an award or been recognized in some way, you will want to issue a press release to announce the news. This type of release should include information about the award or recognition, as well as what it means for the company.
How to Write a Press Release
In order to write a compelling release, we may user some content marketing tricks.
There are some key elements you should consider:
– A catchy headline
– A dateline
– The body
– Contact information
Let’s take a closer look at each of these press release elements:
Headline
The headline is one of the most important parts of a press release. It should be attention-grabbing and give the reader an idea of what the release is about.
Dateline
The dateline is typically located at the top of a release, and it includes the date and location of the story.
The body of the press release
The body of the release is where you will include all the relevant information about your story.
When writing the body, be sure to keep it concise and objective. Stick to the facts and avoid using marketing language or jargon.
Contact information
At the end of a release, you should include contact information for the person who can be reached for more information.
This should include the individual’s name, title, company name, and contact details (phone number and email address).
Press Release Examples
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of press releases, let’s take a look at some examples.
Apple
Larger companies, such as Apple, usually have their media section on the website, where all of the latest releases are available to the general public.
Journalists may use those content as a source of information as well.
Let’s deep dive into their latest news about the 2022 Apple Design Awards.
Pay close attention to the title of the article that emphasizes what’s happened: Apple announced the winners of the 2022 Apple Design Awards.
Along with the content, the release explores what was the contest about, who are the developers and what their applications stood out for.
Also note, that the images and the visual aspects are very clear and complement the information pretty well.
In the end, there should always be press contact information in case the journalist reading it have any questions he’d love to get answers from.
Microsoft
Microsoft also has its “press releases” corner on its official website.
Let’s take a look at their latest news about a new partnership: “P&G and Microsoft co-innovate to build the future of digital manufacturing”.
Notice in the first paragraph the news is there: “On Wednesday, The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) (P&G) and Microsoft Corp. announced a new multiyear collaboration that will leverage the Microsoft Cloud to help create the future of digital manufacturing at P&G.”
Another aspect of this press release worth noticing is how they let the quotation marks pretty visible so the journalist can use them on their content.
They close off by inserting Microsoft PR team information.
How To Stand Out In The News
You might be thinking, “Great, now I know what press releases are and how to write them.
But how do I make mine stand out in the sea of other press releases that media outlets receive every day?”
Here are a few tips:
– Keep it newsworthy: Make sure your release is announcing something new . If it’s not, it’s likely that journalists won’t find it interesting or relevant.
– Write a catchy headline: Remember, the headline is one of the most important parts of a press release. It should be attention-grabbing and give the reader an idea of what the press release is about.
– Make it easy to read: Press releases should be easy to read and understand. Be sure to use short sentences and simple language.
– Include quotes: Quotes from experts or people involved in the story can add an interesting perspective.
– Use images: Images, infographics, and videos can help make your press release more visually appealing.
Conclusion
A press release is a formal statement that is issued to the media to generate press coverage.
It is important to keep press releases concise and objective, sticking to the facts and avoiding marketing language or jargon.
Be sure to include contact information at the end of the press release.
Now that you know the basics of press releases, you can start writing your own!
Did you enjoy this content? Was it helpful for you to create your press release? Let me know in the comments below!
