Are you preparing to launch a new product, or service? Have you recently, started using press releases? A well-written press release that is newsworthy can generate media exposure, new business, search visibility, web site traffic, and much more.

Writing a successful press release requires you to present your organization and your story with the perspective of news. Step away from the advertisers mindset and step into a journalist’s mindset. Cover the interests of your target audience and focus on why they care about your story. Journalists may publish a press release in entirety, but only when it reads like news.

Lets go over the basics and then review a sample press release format. Following the standard press release format will increase the chances of having your newsworthy event being picked up by the media.

Basic Guidelines

• When writing your press release use the inverted pyramid format, placing less important information further down in the release.
• Structure your press release in block format by not indenting your paragraphs.
• Review your press release and make sure it does not sound like an essay; it should be informative but appealing.
• Keep your press release within 500 words; this should be enough to cover your news event and prompt people to take action.
• Proofread your press release more than once. Step away after you are done writing and come back with a fresh set of eyes.

Sample Press Release Format