Press Release Format

Before moving on to learn how to write a press release or even studying a format of the same, it is important to know what a press release is. Basically, it is a written communication of a report on an event or a circumstance that has occurred. The press release is provided by a third party to the new medium, unlike ordinarily, wherein the news story is written and reported by a journalist who works for the news medium. A press release is very different from a news article. It is content that is written in such a manner that journalists and media organizations pick it up to develop news stories around the subject of the press release. A press release has a very biased approach towards the subject of the document and is therefore normally never published as it is. With the web becoming such a major source of news, press releases are increasingly being confused with news articles but avoid this confusion. Press releases are and will always remain public relations tools. In this article we tell you what the correct format for a press release is and how you should draft one.

How to Write a Press Release

While learning to write a press release remember that there are three important tips to keep in mind. It is important that everything you mention is clear, concise and correct. These 3 C's of writing are probably the most important elements of any press release. Any press release that goes above a word limit of 500 words tend to be ramble and loses the attention of the reader. Without clarity and precise information, more often than not, your press release will be tossed into the dustbin and if you are not accurate about your information, then there are chances that your future press releases will be blackballed.

Any of the examples at the many free press release sites will tell you that a press release should always be written in third person, exactly like a reporter would. Most press releases are drafted by public relations officials who do not have a personal interest in the business, but in case you are writing press releases for your organization yourself, then write it like a reporter would. While writing a press release never sell it outright or even add unnecessary exclamations. Instead frame it exactly like a news report that you have read in a paper where a company is being highlighted in a positive light.

While learning how to write a press release for an event, include things like quotes from the representative of the company, statistics (if possible), names of guests coming for the event. Information related to what is happening, when it is happening, where, why, what for, and how. All these are important details to be mentioned in any press release.

Format of a Press Release

So now you know what are the press release tips that you need to keep in mind before actually writing a press release. If you have always wanted to learn how to write a press release template, then refer to the format given below.

For Release Immediately If you need the news media to hold the story for a couple of days till releasing it to the public, then substitute the for release immediately by hold for release until and specify the date on which the news can be made public. Headline The headline of a newspaper needs to be catchy and interesting. It should be a summary of what the press release is about. Dateline This will include details like the day, month, year, city, state, and country of where the story originated from. These details need to be given before the story is presented to the reader. Body The actual content of the press release will come next. Try and divide the information in more than one paragraph. Each paragraph should be ideally less than 50 words. Company Info Any information about the organization should go here. This includes any kind of background information about the company and information about the specific subject at hand. Contact Details Information about the person to be contacted for any verification of any sort about the news of the organization. ### This sign is used to indicate that the press release is over. Most press releases also mention the word count of the press release.

So now that you have studied the format given above, you should have no problem writing a press release. Learning how to write a press release is extremely easy and has a lot of benefits. Press releases ensure proper coverage which is fast, promotion for your organization, and credibility especially if major news networks pick up the news.