{"id":782,"date":"2016-12-01T01:53:43","date_gmt":"2017-01-04T17:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wayup.com\/guide\/?p=782"},"modified":"2018-06-29T14:13:12","modified_gmt":"2018-06-29T14:13:12","slug":"write-press-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wayupstudent.wpengine.com\/write-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are few items more closely associated with the communications industry than press releases \u2013 it\u2019s important for people interested in the field or new to a communications job to understand the purpose of a press release and to know how to write one.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips for writing a great press release:<\/p>\n

The purpose of a press release<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Organizations use press releases to relay important announcements to key audiences, including investors, consumers and the media.<\/p>\n

How to send out a press release<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Organizations or their representatives can send press releases directly to key stakeholders or through services such as PR Newswire<\/a> or Business Wire<\/a>, which specialize in press release distribution.<\/p>\n

Key points to consider when writing a press release<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The following points are important to remember when writing a press release:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. This is not a creative exercise.<\/em> Writing a press release is not an opportunity to experiment with flowery prose or lay out personal opinions. As a piece of business writing, you should employ clear, concise language. People who read a press release should be able to quickly and fully understand the announcement.<\/li>\n
  2. Cover the 5 W\u2019s.<\/em> A reader should walk away understanding the 5 W\u2019s \u2013 Who, What, When, Where and Why \u2013 whenever relevant. Who is responsible for this new corporate segment? What will happen as a result of this announcement? When will this event take place or this change be implemented? Where will certain meetings take place? Why is this change or event occurring?<\/li>\n
  3. Skip the jargon.<\/em> While it\u2019s sometimes impossible to completely avoid financial or legal language in a corporate press release, investors, consumers and the media all need to be able to understand what the release actually states.<\/li>\n
  4. Keep it concise.<\/em> A press release tends to be between 3-5 paragraphs, though the length can vary depending on the information you need to include.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why press releases are still relevant<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Despite the rise in corporate social media accounts and digital media, a standard press release is still a key tool in business. Press releases remain a valuable and reliable source of information for investors, consumers and the media. Additionally, press releases are often the core building block for other forms of communication \u2013 a company might link to a press release in a tweet, or use language from a press release in a video of a CEO, a letter to employees, or on a call with investors and analysts.<\/p>\n

    What to do after sending a press release<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    The next steps following a press release vary based on the goal. Is an organization launching a new initiative that it wants the public to be aware of? In that case, it makes sense to follow up with media interviews to broadcast the company\u2019s message.<\/p>\n

    Press releases tend to follow this dependable template:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Headline Describing the Main Point<\/strong>
    \nSubhead Providing Additional Detail or Describing Secondary Announcement<\/em><\/p>\n

    CITY, State, Date \u2013 Opening paragraph providing clear announcement.<\/p>\n

    Quote from CEO or other organizational leader offering support or rationale for the announcement.<\/p>\n

    Paragraph providing additional details.<\/p>\n

    About [Organization Name]<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Boilerplate description of the organization.<\/p>\n

    Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Contact Name
    \nTitle \/ Organization Name
    \nTelephone
    \nE-Mail<\/p>\n

    Once you have the template filled in, the finished product<\/a> will highlight all of the key parts of your announcement in an engaging and compelling way.<\/p>\n

    Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Be a Team Player<\/a>\u00a0and find answers to common interview questions such as What Motivates You?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    There are few items more closely associated with the communications industry than press releases \u2013 it\u2019s important for people interested in the field or new to a communications job to understand the purpose of a press release and to know how to write one. Here are some tips for writing a great press release: The … Continue reading “How to Write a Press Release”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,137],"tags":[44,70,138,197,198,199,206,207],"class_list":["post-782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-media-social-sciences","category-public-relations","tag-entry-level-job","tag-full-time-job","tag-public-relations","tag-underclassman","tag-postgrad","tag-senior","tag-communications-journalism","tag-media-communications"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Write a Press Release | Career Advice & Interview Tips | WayUp Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are few items more closely associated with the communications industry than press releases. 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