HOW TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE

Why do I need a Press Release?

• Attempt to gain media coverage for a person, company, organization, event or issue;

• To provide media with a document that can be passed onto its audience;

How do I begin?

• Choose one key idea per release;

• Write it in a clear, concise manner;

• Answer the questions Who, What, When, Where and Why or How

What is the proper layout?

What is the proper layout?

How will it look?

Now What?

• Distribution– Will it be distributed to Local, Regional, National

media or a combination?– Do you want to send it to Television, Radio or

Print?– Paid or Free New Release Sites

Now What?

• Follow up– Call media to make sure they received it– Make sure you are available– Make sure you know the answers.

What could you do a press release about?

• Do you have a story that is unique or different and could benefit others?

• Do you have something tangible you want to sell to the public (a book, a product)?

• Do you have an event to announce?• Have you opened a new office, or changed

locations?• Have you just hired additional staff?

My offer to you.

• If you decide to write your own press release, I will critique one release for you for free and provide feedback on how to improve it.

• If you decide you need a press release but decided you don’t want to write it, I will write and distribute one press release for you for $99 (normally $250).

HOW TO TALK TO THE MEDIA

They want to interview me –Now What?

• Prepare –

– Try to anticipate the questions that will be asked

– Research the Reporter – watch stories they have done/read articles they have written

– Know your subject

They want to interview me –Now What?

• Think first, speak second

– Decide what you are trying to accomplish and what you don’t want to say

– Don’t be long and complicated and don’t ramble– Avoid the jargon of your industry– Don’t go “off the record”

They want to interview me –Now What?

• Know your Message

– Know your key points

– Don’t just answer the question, but tie it into your key points

They want to interview me –Now What?

• Use “layman’s” terms

– Don’t complicate your answer with large words and terms that no one understands

– Be clear and concise

They want to interview me –Now What?

• Media Deadlines

– Be flexible

– Answer the phone (or email)

– Provide all requested information

Q & A

There are no dumb questions, if you are thinking it, so is

your neighbor!

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