by: Susan Valeri
Keep these few crucial details in mind when writing and submitting your press release to increase your chances of news coverage:
1. If you are not the news: become the news. No matter what your release is about, you need to find a way to tie into the news. Make use of current trends and statistics.
2. Make sure your headline is catchy, compelling the reader to continue. Research your newspaper to see what works to help you write one.
3. Use "Who, what, where, when, why, how" but not in that order. Your first paragraph should state the problem your product/service/book is trying to solve. This is the "why".
4. Your next few paragraphs should contain the "what" and "who" that is solving the problem. Your last paragraph is the "when and "where".
5. Keep it short and sweet. Concise contact information should be included on the top and bottom of the release. Provide a link to your website.
6. Do not "advertise" - this is the news. Keep it fact-based.
7. Use short quotes that evoke an emotion about the product/service/book.
8. Type at the end of your release to indicate there are no more pages. A release of more than one page is not recommended.
9. Include a brief history section at the bottom of your release with details about your company or your bio.
10. Most importantly - research and send it to the correct editor using the method they prefer to receive it. Don't just assume that fax is okay. If you are unsure, pick up the phone and find out.