Thursday, June 26, 2008

Getting a Jump on the Press Release

A press release is essential in the world of PR. You want your client to get noticed (in a good way), and you want them noticed quickly. Here are some tips to get your press release started, before the event actually happens, so you can get it to the media ASAP:

-Put together a structured draft. You know what the story is going to be about, so get started on the details you can get down before it happens. You can definitely get the lead paragraph started. Make sure you get the who, what, were and when in there. If it's already a complicated or detailed story, you may need to put the why in another paragraph.

-For your quotes, get a general idea of what you want them to be about and where you want them placed in the release. Make sure you go to the event prepared with the questions you want to ask, and who you want answering them.

-For the paragraphs that have the specifics about the event, wait to write that. But, have the general idea and layout of what you want to write.

-Have a boiler plate ready to go with any additional information the reader needs to know about your client.

-Have the release laid out in a press release format, with the words FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE at the top and include your contact information.

-Once the event happens, you can go back and fill in the blanks. Don't forget to proofread and edit!

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