35 Quick Tips for Writing A Press Release

Layout
1. 1-2 pages in length.
2. Double-space.
3. 1.5 to 2 inch margins.
4. Use company stationary with logo and slogan.
5. Avoid bright or dark-colored paper.
6. Center "News Release" at top.
7. Place a "release date" under "News Release".
8. On second page, type "page 2".
9. Use company stationary with logo and slogan on page 2.
10. Leave out "release after" date on second page, all
else should be the same.
11. At end of press release, type "-30-" or "# # #".
12. Include both black & white, color, and a variety of font
sizes (but no more than four).

Format
13. Inverted pyramid (biggest point or major message first).
14. Straight to the point at the beginning.
15. First and second paragraphs devoted to your main
message.
16. Secondary information comes AFTER main message.
17. No pussyfooting around, be clear up front, at the very
beginning.
18. Don't go on and on.
19. In the third section, establish a connection with you.
20. Use a problem/solution format.
21. Comparing and contrasting ideas can be inside the
problem/solution format.
22. Be careful of your facts, spelling and grammar
23. Only one news release per e-mail or envelope.

Information to Include
24. Newsworthy information, not sales copy
25. All the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How elements.
Their order depends on level of importance.
26. Enticing headline which summarize the material/news.
27. Photos if available, or where they can be accessed
in press section of your web site. No stock images.
28. No cover letter.

Distribution
29. Don't send press release out in a mass e-mailing
30. Don't pester contacts
31. Editors will not distribute anything sloppy, difficult
to read, or understand.
32. Mail release by first class mail.
33. Don't use any type of labels, including your return
address.
34. Add "PRESS RELEASE" and "Release Date:" on outside of
envelope.
35. Places to send press releases: writers@[magazines];
writers@[newspapers]; trade journals in your industry;
print magazines on the topic; online agencies that
distribute news releases.

(c) Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Coach, specializes
in infoproduct development. Newsletters and additional
articles available: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com/

---

Achieve Media Attention for Your Business

Do you want to be quoted by the national press... Read More

The Medias Muscle: Make it Work for You

The least expensive, most effective way for you to promote... Read More

Media Training: How To Speak During a Media Interview

WHITE NOISEA client recently told me about a fascinating new... Read More

A Winning Game Plan

You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More

Do You See PRs Real Value?

As a business, non-profit or association manager, do you see... Read More

Leveraging Media Coverage - Your Tool For Business Growth

Media relations, simply put, is the business of building and... Read More

A Great Way to Do PR

As a business, non-profit or association manager trying to get... Read More

Do You Have A Press Package?

How do you make a friend of the media? A... Read More

For Financial Planners, Marketing and Publicity Is About You

For financial planners, getting publicity, in the end, isn't about... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Make Your Web Site a Resource for the Media

Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More

PR Going According to Plan?

Think carefully! You're a department, division or subsidiary manager for... Read More

Rise of the Creative Class

The fast changing dynamics of the world economy is forcing... Read More

Media Training: Stop Talking, Already!

THE TWO MINUTES UNDERDOGEdward Everett was one of the most... Read More

Youve Done PR the Hard Way Long Enough

As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More

The Best PR Has to Offer Managers

How cool is this? You're a business, non-profit or association... Read More

Your Financial Planning Clients May Hold the Key to Free Publicity

Every reporter, from the cub at the small town paper... Read More

Public Relations: The Fundamental Premise

It seems difficult to believe at the dawn of the... Read More

Publicity: The Right Way for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners to Follow Up with a Reporter

Let's say you've called a reporter with some ideas for... Read More

Publicity for Financial Planners--Eight Tips For Success

Individual financial planners can outscore bigger competitors and gain market... Read More

3 Reasons to Tap into the Power of Publicity

Publicity is obtaining editorial coverage or features for your business.... Read More

Do-It-Yourself PR: An Accident Waiting to Happen

Early in my career as a public relations consultant, I... Read More

Its Just Common Sense!

When a group of outsiders behaves in a way that... Read More

Managers Who Leave PR to Others

You're a business, non-profit or association manager who needs to... Read More

Publicity - What to Say to a Reporter

You can have dozens of marvelous ideas to get free... Read More

Financial Planners Publicity - Dont Wait, Media Folks Want Your Free Publicity

Looking to get your name into a magazine? You need... Read More

PR: A Potent Force for Success

What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More

Managers, Which PR Is Right For You?

An effort built around a string of print and broadcast... Read More

Financial Planning Publicity: When Talking to the Media, Dont Fake What You Dont Know

Relationships are based on trust-not just romantic relationships, or doctor/patient... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Join Your Professional Organization to Get Free Publicity

Unlike some professionals like lawyers and doctors, financial planners aren't... Read More

Can Newbies Avoid The Pitfalls?

Yes indeed! If you are a young person who has... Read More

Etymology- How Words Change Over Time

Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As languages... Read More

A Powerful PR Strategy

It really is powerful when a business, non-profit or association... Read More

Keep The Publicity Machine Rolling with Reprints

More than half of America skips the Super Bowl, the... Read More