How to Write A Press Release

Posted by Paula Kirman Jan 21, 2007

1) Include an eye-catching header. "Rally and March Against The Occupation" sounds a lot more enticing than "Peace March Next Weekend".

2) Include the date the press release is issued. This will not be the same date as the actual event, just the date you are releasing it to media.

3) In the first paragraph, include the basic information a reporter would need to understand your event. In journalism, this is called the five "W"s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

4) In the next one or two paragraphs, describe the issue that your event is about in greater detail. Why is it important?

5) Include a quote or two from the spokesperson in your group.

6) Put contact information at the end for one or two people in your group who are willing to do interviews (with their permission, of course). It's usually a good idea to plan in advance regarding who will act as spokepersons.

7) Include a link to your group's website, if you have one.

8) It is a Public Relations custom to close a press release with the number 30 bracketed by dashes, centered at the bottom of the page: - 30 - . It is the sign that the press release is finished.

9) Press releases should never be more than one page in length. Most reporters are going to read the first paragraph and then decide if the story is worth their time