It’s disappointing when you put in all that hard work writing your press release only to find it scarcely, if at all, gets distributed. We’ve put together five tips to help you maximize your press release distribution so you can expand its reach and pull more customers into your sales funnel.
Keep reading to learn how to maximize your press release distribution.
Recommended: We recommend eReleases if you want a well-written and widely distributed press release to help funnel in more customers and increase revenue for your business.
PRESS RELEASE GUIDE:
- Press Release Definition
- 1. Write an Attention-Grabbing Headline
- 2. Grammar and Spell Check Your Content
- 3. Stay On Point — Focus On the Main Idea
- 4. Know Your Audience — Write for Them
- 5. Partner With a Press Release Distribution Service
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
Press Release Definition
A press release, also known as a news release, is an official written statement delivered to the media in order to make a public announcement or provide further information on an individual, organization, or business. A press release consists of nine central components including an introduction, headline, body, facts, and other relevant information.
The phrase “press release” has evolved over the years to have broader meanings that typically depend upon who is issuing the release, the medium for delivery, the language used, and the timing of delivery. In short, a press release can be issued by a person or a company to inform the general public about a product or service or some activity.
We’ve put together five tips for maximizing your press release distribution to help you expand your reach and make the most of your press releases. Keep reading to learn these 5 tips and how they can benefit your business.
Read our Best Press Release Distribution Service 2021 review to find the right press release distribution for your business’s specific needs.
1. Write an Attention-Grabbing Headline
When preparing a press release, it is essential to first select a headline. The headline should be catchy and memorable. It consists of wording that represents your brand’s image. Additionally, the phrasing of your headline can also help determine whether the release will be released through a mainstream media outlet such as a newspaper, television station, magazine, website, or cable television channel. Make sure you craft your headline with your audience in mind. Know what will draw their attention and keep your headlines targeted to your customers.
2. Grammar and Spell Check Your Content
A press release should be well written and clearly expressed. All grammar and spelling issues should be taken care of. Using good grammar and spelling will help to make the press release more credible and improve readability.
3. Stay on Point — Focus on the Main Idea
A press release should always be written around the issue it addresses. The writer should consider how best to position the company or organization so that the company’s message is clear. There is no point in having a press release if journalists have to strain to understand what is being said. Incorrect information and convoluted statements will make the journalist look bad and decrease the chance that your message is projected.
4. Know Your Audience and Write for Them
Press releases are not sales pitches; however, they are a subtle form of influence, advertising a product, an event, or helping build a company’s reputation. And as important as it is to understand this, it is also important to understand the media outlets a press release may be conveyed through.
Newspapers for example are written to more conservative and traditional audiences whereas social media posts are a more modern, less formal outlet for communicating news. Different audiences embrace different mediums. Write your press releases intentionally, keeping in mind your audience and the medium your press release will be communicated through.
5. Partner With a Press Release Distribution Service
Partner with other outlets to create a coordinated campaign. There are many press release distribution service companies that provide templates for writing good press releases, along with other marketing tools. Some will even write your press release for you.
By taking advantage of these companies and the various tools that they provide, you will be able to quickly create an effective campaign. Some companies submit to all the above press release distribution channels, while others focus on certain sectors of the market. Your ultimate goal should be to create an effective press release that is targeted and well-planned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a press release?
A press release is a brief statement covering news announcements about or from an organization. They are used to roll out new product launches and make it easier for journalists and news outlets to report on the news.
How do you end a press release?
The last piece of a press release should be your press contact information. You’ll want to include the phone number(s), contacts’ name(s), email address, and physical address.
How is a press release structured?
Normally, press releases contain six parts organized as follows:
- Logo, date, location
- Eye-catching headline
- Introduction with a strong lead statement
- Three paragraph body content (leveled by primacy)
- Boilerplate content
- Press release contact information
Where do you send press releases?
Distribute press releases to relevant media contacts. This includes newspapers, radio, and television.
If you don’t want to spend your time tracking down media outlets, submit your press releases to a press release distribution service like eReleases. Many firms will also write your press releases, saving you even more time and ensuring they get picked up by the media.
Should I send a press release in Word or PDF?
Never send a press release as a PDF. PDFs are challenging to format and are more likely to reduce the chance of your press release being reported on. Instead, use MS Word (.doc/.docx) to send your press release. If you do not have Word, it is better to copy and paste directly into an email rather than in a PDF.
Do press releases work?
Yes, press releases do work. Press releases have many benefits.
Besides the obvious benefit of sharing corporate news to the media for reporting purposes, they also help corporations improve their search engine optimization (SEO), improve brand recognition, increase sales, increase market share, and enhance credibility. Press releases can also be a tool for mitigating negative press. They are often used by public relations firms to help companies improve PR.