Thursday, August 13, 2009

Perfect Press Release 2

Businesses need to get their press releases read by the media. But first they need a catchy subject line for those press releases.

So, how do you draft the perfect headline?
Follow these steps:

1. It needs to be short with few words.
2. Write for your targeted audience.
3. Abbreviations and slang are good for Headlines
4. You can make a statement, a prediction, raise a question, state a statistic or report news
5. The statement is something bold: Donald Trump Must Resign, says economist
6. The question makes you think: Should Trump resign? asks economist
7. The statistic paints a picture: 62% say Trump should resign
8. News hits hard: Trump Is One Step Away from Resigning
9. Predictions have lots of flexibility: Trump Could Resign Tomorrow
10. Referencing something in the news is always helpful
11. Link your headline to things that matter most: love, health, wealth, fun, beauty, art, business.
12. Start your story with the word: EXCLUSIVE

Content and Style:
Lead Paragraph- The first paragraph should answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. This is where you provide the most critical information.

Quotes- Incorporate quotes from relevant individuals within your organization or experts in the field. Quotes add credibility and a human element to the press release.

Body Content- Elaborate on the main points, providing supporting details and context. Keep paragraphs short and use bullet points or subheadings for readability.

Objective Language- Write the press release in a neutral and factual tone. Avoid exaggerated or promotional language.

Conciseness- Keep the press release to one page if possible. Journalists appreciate brevity and clarity.

Follow-Up:
After sending the press release, follow up with key journalists or media outlets to ensure they received it and to answer any questions. Remember that a well-crafted press release is more likely to capture the attention of journalists and get coverage. Tailor your press release to the interests of your target audience and the media outlets you're reaching out to.
 
Finally, consider the news value of your announcement to ensure it is newsworthy and relevant to the media and the public.

I wish You Great Success.