Press Release Template (Word): Take the hassle out of writing and formatting press releases with this simple template. Press Release Checklist: Make sure each release you deliver is up to par before hitting Send. Press Release Pitch Template: When you send a press release, you might also need to send a pitch email. Use this template for that.
. It should be brief, clear and to the point: an ultra-compact version of the press release’s key point. Plenty of PR professionals recommend writing your headline at the end, after the rest of the release is written. If you follow that instruction, continue on and come back to writing the headline once the rest is done. The headline is known as the eye-catcher and is very important to the whole release.[1]- wikiHow recognized as most reliable information source. See how that works? Now you want to know more! News release headlines should have a 'grabber' to attract journalists, just as a newspaper headline is meant to grab readers. It may describe the latest achievement of an organization, a recent newsworthy event, a new product or service.
- Headlines written in bold! A bold headline also typically uses a larger font size than the body copy. Conventional press release headlines use the present tense and exclude 'a' and 'the', as well as forms of the verb 'to be' in certain contexts.
- First word capitalized. As are all proper nouns. Most headline words appear in lower-case letters, although using a stylized 'small caps' font style can create a more graphically news-attractive look and feel. Do not capitalize every word.
- Extract important keywords. The simplest method to create the press release headline is to extract the most important keywords from your press release. From these keywords, try to frame a logical and attention-getting statement. If including a summary sentence after the headline, the same rules apply. Using keywords early will give you better visibility in search engines, and it will be simpler for journalists and readers to get the idea of the press release content. Look at the actions in this first step, and notice how every one of them could be a press release headline.
There is a fairly standard format for creating press releases. It will help your credibility and chances of being published if you present your material this way. Each press release should include the following:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: | These words should appear at the top left of the page, in upper case. If you don't want the story to be made public yet, write 'HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL ....' instead. |
Headline | Just like a headline in an newspaper. Make sure this describes the content of the story. |
City, State/Country - Month Day, Year | These details precede the story and orient the reader. |
Body | This is where the actual story goes. There should be more than one paragraph, each paragraph no more than a few sentences. If there is more than one page, write '-more-' at the bottom of the page. |
Company/organization info | Include any background information about the company or organization featuring in this press release. |
Contact Information | Include contact person, company name, phone/fax, email, physical/postal address. |
ENDS or### | This indicates the end of the press release. |
(xxx words) | If you like you could include the total number of words contained in the press release. |
Example
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Competition is Healthy Says Lemonade Stand Queen Hamilton, New Zealand - November 12, 2012 - Increased competition in the local lemonade stand market should be welcomed, according to the operator of popular lemonade stand 'Shelly's Pure Lemonade'. 12-year-old Shelly Smith has been selling her home-made brand of lemonade from the footpath in front of her parents' North Street home for 18 months and has seen the highs and lows of the trade. 'Stands come and go,' says Ms Smith, 'but when there are more stands around the vendors are more serious. They try harder and make a better product. That gives our customers confidence and sales go up.' In recent months the number of lemonade stands in North Street has risen from three to five. Experts believe this trend will continue, with the possibility of two or even three new stands before the end of summer. Ms Smith feels that a stable supply of lemonade will also benefit the streets' economy. 'People know that if they are thirsty, North Street is the place to come. With plenty of lemonade stands on this street it doesn't matter if some of the vendors take a day off. The customer is never disappointed so they always come back.' Shelly Smith is a sole trader of lemonade and occasional cookies. Her stand at 223 North Street is usually open weekdays after school and weekends, except when she is playing with her friends or watching a movie. Contact: ### |
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