Press releases are an essential part of any public relations campaign. They are a way to announce news about your company to the world.
However, there are certain do’s and don’ts that you need to know to write effective press releases. This article will discuss nine of the most important do’s and don’ts you need to know when writing successful press releases.
Questions You Need To Understand When Writing Press Release
A press release is a written statement typically provided to news media outlets to generate publicity for a particular event, product, or person. A press release must be well-written and provide clear and concise information that interests the target audience to be effective.
When crafting a press release, you must comprehend a few crucial questions, such as: Who is your target audience? What is the purpose of the press release? What are the key points that you want to communicate? Answering these questions will help you craft a press release more likely to achieve its intended goal.
In addition, it is crucial to remember that a press release is not an advertisement. Therefore, you should avoid using promotional language or making claims that cannot be backed up.
Focus on providing accurate and objective information to give readers a reason to pay attention to your story. Answer the questions raised above before you start writing, and you’ll be well on your way to drafting a press release that will pique the interest of editors and reporters.
DO ensure your press release is newsworthy.
Although it might seem obvious, you’d be surprised at how many businesses attempt to utilize press releases to advertise non-newsworthy items. A press release should announce something newsworthy, such as a new product, a new service, or an important event.
If you are not sure whether or not your press release is newsworthy, ask yourself if it is something that would interest the media. If the answer is no, it is probably not worth writing a press release about.
DON’T use too much jargon or technical language.
When writing a press release, you must remember that it will be read by people unfamiliar with your company or industry. It means that you should avoid excessive use of jargon or technical language.
Use simple, straightforward language that everyone can understand. If you must use jargon or technical terms, explain them in simple terms. In addition, avoid using acronyms or abbreviations. Again, these will only serve to confuse people who are not familiar with your company or industry.
DO write in a clear, concise style.
It’s essential to bear in mind that being precise is crucial while creating press releases. You should get your point across as quickly and succinctly as possible. It means avoiding long, rambling sentences. Get to the right point and then stop. In addition, use short, easy-to-understand words rather than long, convoluted ones.
If you can say something in twenty words rather than forty, do it. The fewer time people have to spend reading your press release, the better. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice quality for quantity. Even though your press release should be concise, it should still be well-written and free of errors.
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:
- Use active voice rather than passive voice
- Use short paragraphs
- Avoid clichés
- Be careful with humor
- Don’t be afraid to use numbers and statistics
DON’T be afraid to be creative and think outside the box.
Yes, there are certain conventions that you need to follow when writing a press release. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative and think outside the box.
If you have a good story, don’t be afraid to tell it in an exciting and attention-grabbing way. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice quality for quantity. Even though your press release should be concise, it should still be well-written and free of errors.
DO include quotes from key stakeholders.
When writing a press release, it is essential to include quotes from key stakeholders. These could be quotes from the CEO, the CFO, or other high-level executives. These quotes add credibility to your press release and give reporters something to use in their articles.
However, don’t just randomly insert quotes into your press release. Ensure that the quotes you include add value and help tell your story. In addition, make sure that the quote is attributed to the correct person. It should not be full of marketing buzzwords or sales pitches. Keep the language factual and avoid any hype.
DON’T forget to proofread!
Proofreading is the last chance to ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors. Take a step back and read your press release from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about your company or industry. Is it easy to understand? Is it free of jargon?
Before you hit send on your next big press release, could you take a moment to proofread it first? Yes, we know you’re busy, and there are a million things on your to-do list, but trust us, taking the time to do a quick spell check will be worth it in the end.
After all, you don’t want your carefully crafted message lost in a sea of typos. So before you go live with your next release, take a few minutes to proofread it – your readers will thank you for it.
DO keep your target audience in mind.
No matter what you’re writing, it’s essential to keep your audience in mind. It is especially true when you’re writing a press release. After all, the whole point of a press release is to get attention from the media – and you’re not going to do that if you don’t consider your target audience.
So who are you writing for? Is your release intended for trade publications? The general public? Or somewhere in between? Once you know your audience, you can tailor your language and message accordingly, increasing your chances of getting the coverage you want.
DON’T forget to include contact information.
A press release is only as good as its contact information. That’s why it’s crucial to include up-to-date and accurate contact information when writing a press release. Without this essential element, your press release could end up going nowhere. So don’t forget to include contact information when writing a press release – it could be the difference between success and failure.
At the end of your press release, include your contact information – including your name, email address, and phone number. It will make it easy for reporters to get in touch with you if they have any questions or want to set up an interview. In addition, if you have a website or social media accounts, be sure to include those as well.
DO send the release to reporters and other influencers who might be interested.
You’ve written the perfect press release. It’s informative, engaging, and properly formatted. You must decide who will receive it before pressing the “send” button. A well-targeted list of reporters and other influencers is essential for getting your press release noticed.
Your press release will likely get lost in the shuffle without a targeted list. So take the time to research the reporters and influencers most likely interested in your story. Then, send them your press release and cross your fingers that they’ll give it the attention it deserves.
Final thoughts
A press release is a tool you can use to get media attention for your company or product. So don’t treat it like an ad – and don’t make the mistake of thinking that more is always better. Just because you can include a lot of information in your press release doesn’t mean you should.
The key is to be clear, concise, and engaging – and to ensure that your press release has a newsworthy story. You have a good chance of drafting an effective press release if you can accomplish that.
Featured Image: Megapixl © Bartpeereboom
