Press Release
By agrant10
@agrant10 (1476)
United States
December 31, 2009 11:48am CST
I wrote my first press release a couple of days ago. It was really new to me and I was not sure how I wanted to word it. Has anyone ever written a press release? If so what was it about?
http://www.freepressindex.com/news-alicia-ellison-grant-latest-single-6172.html
2 responses
@PastorP (1170)
• United States
31 Dec 09
Yes I have. My first one was years back and dealt with some church function we were having. I forget precisely what it was about. I have written many since then.
I have also been on the other side of the fence--part of the press, working for a local newspaper first as a freelancer then later as their employee.
Of course when one sends these it is good to indicate if it is for immediate release or not, and also a way for the receiver of the release to contact you.
Your first line should be crafted to immediately get the interest of readers.
Also, stating who, what, when, where, why and perhaps how are essential.
@agrant10 (1476)
• United States
31 Dec 09
Thanks for your response. I did not realize or indicate if it was for immediate release. Thanks I just learned something new. It sounds like you are a pro at this. I'm working on a book that is going through the editing stage and when it is completed I will remember to use immediate release for the next press release. Thanks for your response. Happy New Year.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
31 Dec 09
It is a lot like writing a newspaper article (which it is,in a way)Title - hook - body - quotes - sum up.I did a short journalism course and got my first PR briefs as a result - that course helped no end.
I'd like to work for a newspaper but I've got to get my NUJ qualifications first. Too expensive at present... 
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
31 Dec 09
I was asked to do some PR's for my agent a few weeks back - he sent me the message:"I've gotlots of these if you want them - I imagine you'd be quite good at them!" Mine were for companies I'd done web content for, and covered all sorts of areas from a forex brokers to a baby goods provider!
All the sites were online ones, and I got all my info from the sites - so in a way, it's a bit like web content but without the keywords ...
I like PR pieces as I can use my creative writing skills - especially when it comes to making up the quotes. Basically, you can put words in the CEO's mouths.So long as they approve of what you say they said, it's okay to do that.I've always been good at conversation pieces, and it's fun creating those scenes in my head!
I only found out about making up quotes after I'd spent half a day trawling the internet in vain, before sending a memo to my boss wailing: "You told me to include at least one quote - but I can't find anything this guy said about this product ANYWHERE!" Back came the usual, "Oh, didn't I tell you ..." reply!
I like PR pieces as I can use my creative writing skills - especially when it comes to making up the quotes. Basically, you can put words in the CEO's mouths.So long as they approve of what you say they said, it's okay to do that.I've always been good at conversation pieces, and it's fun creating those scenes in my head!
I only found out about making up quotes after I'd spent half a day trawling the internet in vain, before sending a memo to my boss wailing: "You told me to include at least one quote - but I can't find anything this guy said about this product ANYWHERE!" Back came the usual, "Oh, didn't I tell you ..." reply!