You understand the importance of press releases to your overall marketing plan as a business owner or marketer. However, do you know how to maximize them?
If not, you’re not alone. Many businesses don’t realize the power of press releases until after they release one – and it’s too late. There are several considerations to make.
You have to start by asking the right questions. This will make it easier to ensure that your press release is exciting and educational. This article will discuss 10 press release questions you need to ask before writing your next press release.
How to Know if a Press Release is Required
If you’re wondering whether or not you should write a press release, ask yourself the following questions,
- Is this newsworthy?
- Will anyone care?
- Will a press release help promote my business/event/product?
It is usually preferable to forego the press release and concentrate on another marketing plan if you can’t respond positively to all three of those questions.
However, if you’re confident that a press release is a right move for your business, follow these tips to ensure that it’s done correctly.
- First, ensure that the news is newsworthy – no one wants to read a boring story about your company’s latest product launch.
- Second, keep it brief and to the point – journalists are busy people, and they don’t have time to wade through pages of fluff.
- Finally, include all the essential details, such as who, what, when, where, and why. When you do this, you can be sure that people will read your press release and perhaps even share it.
What Are Some Press Release Alternatives?
Most people are familiar with press releases as a time-honored public relations tool. But what if you’re not looking to use such a tool? Are there other ways you could get your words out to your target audience?
Here are a few alternatives to the press release that might gain more visibility.
One option is the blog post. A well-written blog post can reach a wide audience and generate meaningful engagement. Plus, you can include links and images to spice things up. If you’re not a wordsmith, there’s always the infographic. People love a good visual, and an infographic is easy to share. Just make sure it’s informative as well as visually appealing.
Another option is contributed article, where you write an article for another publication – one that’s relevant to your industry. This is an excellent technique to introduce your brand and company to a new audience. Just make sure to abide by the publication’s rules and ensure that your story is indeed newsworthy. This is a great marketing strategy for small businesses.
There’s also the thought leadership piece. This is where you share your insights and expertise on a particular topic – one that’s related to your business. This is a great way to build credibility and thought leadership within your industry.
All of these alternatives have their own set of benefits – it just depends on what you’re looking for. Therefore, consider which choice best suits your needs before writing your next press release.
What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make With Press Releases?
Now that you know if you need a press release, any of its alternatives, or a combination of tools, here are some of the frequent mistakes that PR pros make which are worth noting:
- Trying to be too clever – A press release is not the time to show off your wit. Keep it simple and to the point.
- Using jargon – Again, simplicity is key. Use language that everyone can understand.
- Being too self-promotional – A press release should be newsworthy, not a sales pitch.
- Failing to proofread – This one is pretty self-explanatory. Always proofread your work before hitting send.
When Should You Send Out a Press Release?
If you’ve ever wondered when the best time to send out a press release is, you’re not alone. There’s no magic formula for timing, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, consider the news cycle. If your story is time-sensitive, you’ll want to send it out as soon as possible. If it’s not, you may want to wait until there’s a slow news day or two.
You should also take your target audience’s needs into account. You might want to wait until the end of the workday if your article is geared for professionals who are currently employed.
If a big holiday or event is coming up, you may want to avoid sending your press release then. You should be able to choose the ideal moment to distribute your subsequent press release by keeping these criteria in mind.
Why is it Important to Ask the Right Questions?
If you don’t ask the right questions, you could end up making some common mistakes. For example, many businesses make the mistake of not including a call to action. This is a vital part of any press release, yet many businesses forget to include one.
Asking questions before you start writing will help you avoid making this and other common mistakes. It will also help you create a more effective press release.
Here is a list of questions you should ask before publishing and distributing your next PR:
- What is the goal of this press release campaign – to generate leads, build brand awareness, or do something else entirely?
This is the first and most essential question you need to ask. Without a clear goal, it will be difficult to measure the success of your press release campaign. Discuss your goals with your team if you are unsure of what you want to accomplish. The next question can be answered once you have a certain objective in mind.
- Who is your target audience?
It is impossible to compose an effective press release without knowing who you are writing it for. Who are you trying to reach with this campaign? What are their needs and wants? Keep your target audience in mind as you write, and ensure that the content is relevant to them.
- How do you reach your target audience?
It’s time to consider how you will approach your target audience now that you are aware of who they are. There are several ways to do this, and the best approach will depend on your particular audience. If you’re not sure where to start, consider using social media or a press release distribution service.
- What newsworthy event are you announcing?
Your press release should be about something newsworthy that is happening with your business. This could be a new product launch, an expansion into a new market, or even a significant milestone. Make sure that whatever event you’re announcing is newsworthy – otherwise, your press release will fall flat.
- What are the key messages you want to communicate?
Before you start writing, take some time to think about the key messages you want to communicate. What do you want your target audience to know? What are the most important points you want to get across? Keep these in mind as you write, and make sure that they are included in your press release.
- Who is available for interviews?
If you want your press release to be successful, you need to be prepared to do interviews. Make sure you have a list of people who are available and willing to make interviews, as well as a list of talking points for each person. This will make it easier for the media to cover your story and increase the chances of your press release being picked up.
- What are the potential risks or negative aspects of your story?
No story is perfect, and you need to be prepared for any potential risks or negative aspects of your story. What could go wrong? How would you handle the probable risks? By preparing for the worst, you can make sure you’re ready to handle anything.
- What are your competitors doing?
You need to know your competitors’ actions to stay ahead of the game. What are they announcing? How are they positioning themselves? Keep an eye on your competition, and make sure you’re always one step ahead.
- What are the media trends?
You must keep up with the most recent trends because the media world constantly evolves. What are reporters covering? What topics are they interested in? Keep up with the latest news so that you can make sure your press release is relevant and timely.
- What’s your budget?
Last but not least, you need to think about your budget. How much are you willing to spend on this press release campaign? Before you begin writing, be sure you have a firm grasp on your spending plan so that you can stay inside your constraints.
Final Thoughts
Asking these questions before writing your press release will help create a more effective and successful press release campaign. By taking the time to plan, you can make sure that your press release is newsworthy, relevant, and well-received by your target audience. So don’t wait – start asking these questions today, and see how they can improve your next press release.
Featured Image: Megapixl © Jasperodus
