Public Relations for Business 4
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Is there any special format I should use?
You should follow these basic conventions in preparing your release:
- Use conventional typefaces and sizes. The editor wants information, not samples of your desktop publishing prowess.
- Print out your release on standard-sized paper that includes your letterhead. If budget permits, use letterhead-quality paper. If your budget is tight, standard bond paper will do.
TIP: If you don't have letterhead, you can create your own on your computer by typing your business name on one line at the top left of the page and your address, phone number and fax number below that. Make the business name boldface type one or two point sizes bigger than the body of your letter. Make the address line about a point-size smaller than the body of the letter. Insert a rule line (or hold down the underscore key and make a line of underscores) below the address.
- Type "News Release" at the top of the page or just under your company name and address.
- Skip down a line or two and type "Release date:" followed by the date or "For Immediate Release" to tell the editor when to run the story. (A specific release date is generally used only if you don't want the information released before a particular date.)
- Skip another line and type "Contact:" followed by the names of one or more people (often this will be you) the editor should call if additional information is needed.
- Skip another line and write a headline that describes and summarizes the importance of the release. Usually this will be a variation of the material you have in the first paragraph of the release. Use bold-faced type for the headline if you can.
- Skip one line and start your release by typing a dateline. A dateline is a notation about the city and state from which your release is being issued and often the date the release was issued. If you will be mailing your release (rather than faxing it), you might want to leave the date out of the dateline. That way, if your release is late getting out or gets stalled in the mail, it won't look outdated when it hits the editor's desk.
See a sample of how the release might look below.
Sample Press Release
ANDERSON WIDGETS, INC. NEWS RELEASE 123 4th Street Hauppauge, NY 11788 For Immediate Release Contact: G. T. Anderson (516) 987-6543
NEW DEVICE INTRODUCED BY ANDERSON WIDGETS CONTROLS STEREO VOLUME FROM ANY ROOM Hauppauge, NY—April 29, 2004—Relief is just around the corner for parents who are tired of screaming at their offspring to turn down the stereo volume. Thanks to a new remote control device that can be hooked up to any stereo system, parents soon will be able to turn down the boom-box volume from anywhere in the house.
The new gadget, introduced at a trade show today by Anderson Widgets, will...
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
