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Welcome to Press Release Tips
Hi, I'm Mary White, one of the hundreds of writers here at LifeTips.com. Enjoy these 208 Press Release Tips! If you’re a business, why not hire the expert writers at LifeTips? And if you’re a writer, apply for freelance writing gigs.
Keep It Factual
A press release needs to be factual. While it's acceptable, and even preferable, to present your company and its products and services in the best possible light, do not include claims that cannot be substantiated. In general, superlatives like 'best,' 'most popular,' 'market leader,' and so on, are best left to advertising. If your product is the best selling one of its kind, you can say so, but you'd better be able to prove it. Better yet, include substantiating detail in your release (e.g., 'Highest in customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power and Associates).
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Business Writing Skill
PRWeb Tip: Business writing is a skill that's learned over time. The more you do it, the better you'll get at it. Don't be afraid the check out your competitors' Web sites - they can be a great source of information. Ask at least one person in your company and one person outside your company to read and critique what you say. And don't be afraid to make changes - you want every piece to be as polished as possible when it leaves your hands.
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Creating Your Own Press Release Template
Many companies create a press release template so that all of its releases follow a similar format. The template will usually include those elements of the release that are standard in every release, such as the contact information, the dateline, and the "boilerplate" company information. A template will ensure that your releases are consistent and that all the required information is included. Just be sure to proofread carefully any release that uses a template to make sure that it flows smoothly and that all the information included is correct for the given event. You should be particularly careful about the dateline and media contact information.
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Associated Press Wire Service
PRWeb Tip: The Associated Press, along with other news bureaus like Reuters, provide breaking news stories to newspapers and magazines around the world. They have their own staff of writers who write the stories that are distributed worldwide, and they often derive news from press releases. Check the Web site to see where to send your press release. Timeliness is of the utmost importance to the wire services.
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Press Release Contact Information
In the upper-left corner of the press release, include the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of the media contact person within your company. This needs to be a real person, someone who is both willing and able to take inquiries from the media. If an editor calls and doesn't get an answer or a return call, it's unlikely the story will go anywhere. Don't issue a press release the day before the press contact goes on vacation.
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Investor Communications
PRWeb Tip: The purview of corporate communications includes public relations, media relations, internal communications and investor relations. Investor relations involves the company's communication with its shareholders. Public companies are governed by strict rules with respect to what they can say to the public and when they can say it. There are certain disclosures public companies have to make at certain times in their fiscal year. If you are involved in a joint venture with a public company, be sure that you know what you can say when. If you are a public company, be sure to adhere to Securities and Exchange Commission regulations regarding communications.
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Best Length for a Press Release
Press releases are like resumes. They should not be too long. Your headline and opening paragraph should contain all the essential information in your press release. In fact, they should be able to stand alone if necessary. Think of them as a calendar listing or event announcement unto themselves. Editors may receive hundreds (or even thousands) of releases each week, so get to the point.
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Linking a Press Release to a Current Event
PRWeb Tip: Issuing a press release that ties your product into current events is a great way to get some publicity. If your company is helping out victims of a natural disaster, for example, craft a press release that shows how you're helping and how it ties into your business. It shouldn't be just a big pat of the back. The release needs to let people know how your company or product is uniquely qualified to help. Since these types of stories are time-sensitive, it's helpful to "shop" them to journalists you already know. They're more likely to drop everything to squeeze in a story for someone they've dealt with before as opposed to someone they've never heard of.
