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What is a press release? A press release is a story generated by a company that is newsworthy and is submitted to various media for publication and distribution. Most press release services can offer you good service for a reasonable price. You can even write your own press release and it's easy to find out how to. Press release tutorials and how-to's can be found in books, Internet searches, and even software.
Press release distribution services make getting your press release out to hundreds of media outlets very simple. If you tried to do this yourself it would be a full-time job. You can consider hiring your own staff member to handle press releases and other marketing, advertising, and public relations tasks as well.
Many media outlets want you to submit your press release on their own press release forms. If you are doing your press release distribution yourself you will need to check each publication to find out what they require. This is where the services of a press release firm can come in handy. They already are familiar with the many preferences and rules of each publication.
If you want to try your hand at writing your own press release follow the steps outlined below.
- Decide what your focus is and why you want to write a release. Do you need to promote an event, announce a change in management or unveil a new product?
- Keep it short. A press release that gets to the point will get an editor's attention. Keep it to one page if possible.
- You must print in "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" in the top left-hand margin. Follow this with your contact information: name, title, address, phone and email address.
- Create a relevant headline. Don't use inflammatory statements but do be creative and highlight the purpose of your press release. It should be able to convey the essence of the press release in one sentence. Center the title and use bold type.
- Use a dateline, the first line, that includes the city the release originated from and the date.
- Get right to the point in the first paragraph. Who, where, when, how and why should be covered.
- Summarize in the last paragraph and include a 'for additional information' line.
- Center these marks, '### or "-30-" at the bottom of the page indicating the end of your release.
- Print it on high quality paper if you are mailing it. Some outlets accept emails but not all so be sure and check.
- Use a press release distribution service (many of which can be found and used online) to save you time and money.
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