Jan 24, 2017: Choose a Topic of the Press Release: The entire press release writing process starts with “something that happened” that you wish to announce to the media and the public. This is your news and the subject of your press release. News that you can announce includes: a new website, new feature, new product or service, new office location, new employee, new award received, new sales record, new partnership… To get ideas for your own press release, it is a good idea to look at the announcements that others have made in press releases here.

Write the Headline: The headline is a single sentence statement that announces what the news is. Readers should be able to know exactly what you are announcing by reading the headline. The headline should be 100 characters or less including spaces.

Write Body of the PR: The body of the press release expands on the “Who, What, When, Where, How and Why” of the announcement or news. The details in a press release should be limited to the “facts” about the announcement or news. Opinion, fluff or hype is not appropriate. Statements about how the product or service is the most amazing innovation ever invented should not be included. It is important that readers form this opinion for themselves by reading the details (facts) in the press release.

Do not write your PR as a sales pitch. Your press release needs to announce news, not pitch your product / service to the public. View other press releases on our site to get a feel about what gets published! Verify that the Basic Press Release Rules as below were followed.

• Was your press releases written in third person?
• Does your press release focus on your announcement, alert or news rather than selling something? Your press release should never resemble an advertisement or sales letter!
• Did you include a media contact name, email address and phone at the bottom of the press release?
• Is there any way that you can make your press release more interesting, timely or unique?
• Is your press release more than 200 words and less than 500?
• Did you add ### to the bottom of the press release to signify the end?
• Is your headline clear and to the point? Can it be shortened without losing anything?
• Are all details of the “Who, What, When, Where, How and Why” covered in the body of the press release?
• Have you looked at other press releases to make sure yours looks correct and does not leave out any information?

Next: Press Release Submission & Distribution