4 Steps to Writing a Winning Press Release

4 Steps to Writing a Winning Press Release

When it comes to running a business, it all comes down to marketing. Without attracting customers, it doesn’t matter how great your products or services are.

But, how do you gather customers besides word of mouth? One great way to get your company name and information out there is through the local media. By submitting a press release, you can have your information published to a wide range of potential customers.

Keep reading to learn about the best press release format to get your information published.

1. Write a Catchy, Informative Headline

Wondering how to format a press release? You don’t need to be an expert in freelance business writer jobs to write press-release for your company. It all starts with a catchy yet informative headline.

Journalism strongly discourages clickbait headlines, so try to avoid these. Instead, give the most important piece of information away in the headline.

A good headline example would be, “ABC Company Opening New Head Quarters in Indiana”. While on the other hand, a bad title example would be, “ABC Company Taking Huge Step Towards Business Growth”.

Also, make sure you follow the AP Style press release format when it comes to the capitalization of your headline.

2. Start With a Strong Lead

Every press release format should have you start off with a strong lead. But, make sure you first include the location of the release and an em dash (Indianapolis — )before starting your intro.

Your intro should include the main reason for your press release. Whatever big news or event you’re announcing should appear in the first sentence. Also, be sure to include the business name and any important dates.

After your lead, use the body of the press release to go into greater detail. Be sure to include quotes and keep the information concise.

3. Include a Boilerplate

Once you’ve finished the body of your article, it’s time to simply end it. No need to add a conclusion paragraph. Journalists are encouraged to write in an inverted pyramid format, so your press release should do the same.

But, every press release should end with a boilerplate. A boilerplate is a short paragraph that describes your business or company. In just a few sentences, summarize the company’s mission, size, and founding date.

The same boilerplate should appear at the end of every press release, so take the time to perfect it.

4. Don’t Forget to Add Contact Information

As is the standard press release format, you always want to include contact information. This can be added to the bottom of the press release or appear in the upper-right-hand corner of the document.

Include the name, title, email, and phone number of the person who deals with press communication. That way, they can be contacted with any questions regarding the press release.

In addition, this will provide journalists with a contact for future stories or quotes. If you make your business accessible to journalists, you’re more likely to get media attention.

Follow This Press Release Format

If you follow this press release format, you’re well on your way to getting your business in the news.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not tailoring your press releases for publication. Make sure to pay attention to AP Style rules and keep your press releases informative yet concise. The better formatted your releases are, the less work a journalist has to do to edit them, which makes the odds of publication higher.

Looking for more ways to properly market your business? Be sure to bookmark this Business section of this site and check back often for more advice.