How to Write and Produce a More Effective Press Release

Writing a press release is not as easy as it looks at first! Granted it can be done with a little planning and research but please do not think that you will be able to write a hard hitting attention grabbing press release in 10 minutes - Unless you're a professional of course!

Here are some top tips and ideas that will hopefully help your produce an effective Press Release:

1. Decide what you are writing about, and make sure it is news, for example don't just send out a press release for the sake of it, instead make sure you have something newsworthy to put be it 150 articles wrote or perhaps the creation of a new job within your business or company.

2. Always include the 5 W's, these are Who, What, Where, When and Why - without these a press release probably wont even be picked up by the press and media. SO make sure you cover these and include them in your release. Tell the press what your up to but don't give them too much, for example 2 pages for a press release is much to long.

3. Make your press release all about your first paragraph. Try to include as much information as you can within your first paragraph, as a lot of the time editors are so busy they don't have time to read the whole press release, and if this is the case then you really want to grab and keep their attention from the minute they lay eyes on your press release.

4. Get the editors name or contact information, so that you can send a targeted press release.

5. If you are sending a paper based press release then don't use bright coloured paper, even though you make think it looks good it looks amateurish and really puts the editor off from even picking it up.

6. Always include as much contact information as possible, include fax numbers, email addresses and mobile numbers, give the editor easy access to you for if they require further information.

7. Always draft and edit your press release before you send it out, and read it aloud to make sure it reads like a press release and not like some sales blurb that you have just put together. If your press release does not roll of the tongue and has lingo or language that is difficult to read and understand then please edit and put it in plain simple readable text.

Good luck with writing and sending out those press releases, I wish you every success.