Every business needs a press release from time to time, but learning how to properly craft one is of great importance. Some people struggle with the structure of a press release while others are not sure of the type of language they should use.
This guide is designed to clarify all of your concerns and questions about press releases and help you to learn how to correctly craft them.
Read on to get to grips with the correct structure and style when it comes to writing press releases:
Write Formally
A press release is a document containing specific information pertaining to a company. For instance, Starbucks releases a press release every time it opens a new establishment or releases its end of year fiscal results. These press releases are informative yet formal. They get straight to the point and are not intended to entertain; their purpose is to deliver factual information in a precise way.
Also, avoid exclamation marks. This is a serious piece of text designed for serious readers. You’d never see exclamation marks in a news article in the New York Times, so keep them for your next email promotion or blog post.
Get to the point
A press release needs to get straight to the point from the opening sentence. There’s no use in enticing the reader in or including exciting language designed to compel. Your purpose here is to relay information to your audience in a factual, honest way, covering the who, what, when, where and why within the first paragraph.
Also, avoid using exaggerated language. You’re not writing to sell, you’re writing to get your point across and tell the media something important.
Be mindful of your spelling and grammar
A press release is very different from a blog post and readers will be unforgiving if they come across a spelling or grammar mistake. Press releases feature in important media such as newspapers or press release websites, and as such there is no room for error. If you’re not sure, get a second pair of eyes to review your PR and ensure it is absolutely perfect.
Mind your language
Just like a news piece, a press release needs to be written in the third person. Never use words such as “I,” “you” or “we,” unless you are quoting someone. Instead, use words such as “clients”, “customers” and “consumers.”
Include a boilerplate
Finally, whenever you create a press release from your company it should have a boilerplate. This is an ‘About’ section featured at the end of your press release providing information about your company, its location and where to go for further details.
So there you have it, our top tips on how to write a press release. The next time you write a press release, refer to this guide to ensure that your readers are satisfied and impressed. Alternatively, contact us today to learn all about our professional content marketing services.
Related articles.
