Writing a Press Release

Designate a Contact Person

Designate one person to handle questions for an organization or event. This keeps communication clear. Include the contact person's name, title, day and evening phone numbers, e-mail address or any other means of contacting them at the top left corner of your release. Remember to include contact times.

Include a Release Date

Please specify the date on which your information may be released to the public. Please record this above the headline. If your information is timely, please indicate this by writing "For Immediate Release" at the top of the press release.

Keep it Short

A one-page press release works best and should contain the basics: who, what, where, when, why and how. For example, what is the event? Who is the sponsor? Who should attend? Why is this important? Who benefits? And how can they contact you.

Proofread

Double check your press release for grammar and spelling errors, especially when it comes to names. Ask someone else to preview your press release to make sure everything is understandable.

Specify a Section

If your announcement or news is intended for a particular section of the paper, please indicate that

Example

News Release


Attention: Editor
Date release was sent:

Contact: Name and title

Address:

Daytime phone:

Evening phone:

E-mail address:

For Immediate Release

Title: Announce It In Just a Few Words

Copy: Remember to include the who, what, when, where,why and how to contact someone for your event or organization. Include the information that makes your news stand out as being important and interesting.