Google will give you thousands of results if you search "How to write press releases" in its search bar. It's no surprise. It is essential to know how to create a press release if you want to gain media coverage for your company.
- What should a press release contain?
- How do you end a press release?
- What about the format of a press release?
We have all the answers.
You can follow specific guidelines to write a press release. These guidelines cover everything, from news angles to structure. You will find all of them in our comprehensive guide to writing press releases that get attention and results. You will also find expert commentary.
Are you ready to write great press releases?
Step-by-step instructions on how to create a press release
- Pick the angle that is most relevant to your target audience
- Learn the structure of press releases
- Begin with a well-thought-out headline
- Pay close attention to the first paragraph
- In a few paragraphs, you can cover the basics.
- Consider adding quotes
- Include contact details
- Use a boilerplate to end your press release
- Double-check everything
- How to format your press release
- Avoid common mistakes in press release writing
Step-by-step instructions on how to create a press release
Step 1: Target audience
Before you start writing the press release, it is important to choose the right angle for your audience.
Keep in mind that the angle (or the perspective) that a story takes will be different for readers of specialist magazines than it will be for local newspapers. You should actually write different releases for different audiences.
To maximize the potential of your press release and make sure it reaches its intended audience, don't overlook the importance of researching who you're targeting. Crafting an excellent piece won't work if journalists in relevant areas aren't aware that it exists!
WUGT is a PR tool that allows you to access over a million contacts and make smart recommendations based on your press releases. You can then always pitch the most relevant journalists who are likely to be interested.
Step 2: Structure of a press release
It is important to know the structure of press releases in order to create a winning press release.
You're making sure that journalists can quickly find the information they need in your press release. This shows that you are a skilled PR professional who is familiar with the details of a press release and makes it easy for them to work with you.
Here are the contents of a press release:
- Headline: To catch a fish, you must catch it first
- To be effective, your press release must have a catchy headline. This is the headline that people read first and they will decide if they want to continue reading the entire thing.
- Keep it brief. It's easier to read and more attractive. If it is less than 110 characters, people might tweet about it. The entire decision-making process takes only 3 seconds. Make it interesting, fresh, and newsworthy.
- Writing a press release's lead is the second most important aspect. The lead is the place where impatient readers will find the answers they need to the most pressing questions.
- This part should follow the "miniskirt Rule". That is, your lead should be short enough to only cover the basics but not too long to make it entertaining. You don't want to waste the journalist's attention.
- Source: Show your trustworthiness
- Cite external sources if you are basing your press release on them. This will make you more credible to your audience. It is important to ensure that the link you are linking to is authentic and not fake news.
- We do not recommend that you display the entire URL unless you are citing your sources at the bottom of press releases. Anchor text can make your links appear more natural.
- The beauty of the details is what makes essentials so beautiful
- Your readers need to know the basics. We mean the essential details that are necessary to understand why this press release is important. It doesn't matter if you write a novel. Just give a brief explanation to get reporters interested in what you have to say.
- If you want your
