Press Release Writing Tips

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What Is the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Value of a Press Release?

The SEO value of a press release comes from the engagement with the press release such as: - Sharing the press release content on a social media site - Re-posting the content - Others writing about the content - Linking to the content Issuing a press release can help you attract more viewers to your website, however, press releases should not be used primarily to achieve greater search engine optimization results for your website. ReleaseWire sets all links within a press release ...

What Is a Boilerplate Paragraph?

Along with your headline, one of the first things a journalist will look for is a boilerplate at the end of your press release. A boilerplate paragraph serves as an overview for your company and can be used over and over, from one press release to another, with only minor changes or updates so invest the time to compose a solid paragraph. The usual boilerplate heading is "About (Your Company Name)" and it should be a brief paragraph that tells about your company. For example, where you're headqu...

How Many Words Can I Have In My Press Release?

ReleaseWire does not set a specific limit on the number of words that can be included in your press release. We believe that you are the best judge of how much text is needed to convey your news. With that being said, ReleaseWire has found that press releases are most effective when they are limited to 300-400 words. In the event that your press release exceeds that number - we will communicate with you and offer our advice and determine with you how to proceed with your press release.

How To Write An Objective Press Release

Press releases should be written in an objective and impersonal writing style. The content should not include personal feelings, thoughts or opinions. The press release content should not ask the reader to take specific actions not common for journalists to take. Objective writing is commonly used by journalists when reporting on a news story. The content is typically written in the third person point of view, i.e.,"they, their, them, it, one, he and she" and is designed to be an unbiased prese...

My Press Release Is In "Draft Mode" What Does That Mean?

When submitting a press release to ReleaseWire for distribution, your press release is created in "Draft Mode". This mode allows you to edit your press release content and related settings. Once you have completed editing your press release you will need to publish your press release. This action locks editing of your press release and sends your press release to our ReleaseWire Editorial Team to review. To publish your press release, click on the green "Publish" button located on the top left...

What Elements Must Be In a Press Release?

Every press release distributed by ReleaseWire must contain the following elements: The press release must include VALID CONTACT INFORMATION including a contact name, contact email address, and a phone number. Contact information will automatically be added to your press release based on your submission. The press release must contain A DESCRIPTIVE HEADLINE. Capitalize all words in the headline except for "a", "an", "the", "of", "to", and "from". Do not UPPERCASE the entire headline. The press...

What Factors Improve My Press Release's Quality Score?

RELEASEWIRE QUALITY SCORE algorithms rank press releases by quality. Press releases that achieve a higher quality score are placed in more visible locations on ReleaseWire, distributed by more methods and received by a larger audience. ReleaseWire Quality Scores factor in over 100 aspects of your press releases quality. To achieve the highest placement on ReleaseWire, and to ensure your press release is sent to subscribing journalists, bloggers and interested viewers, we recommend you focus on...

What Is the Difference Between a Press Release and a News Article?

Press releases should be newsworthy and easy to read, and should follow a standard press release format which looks different from a news article. To help you understand the difference between a press release and a news article, we will illustrate. What is a Press Release? A press release is designed to express newsworthy information about a company, product or service, event, etc. Press Releases are self-serving marketing tools designed to keep journalists, editors, bloggers and the public u...

What is the difference between a press release and an advertisement?

The simple truth is that a Press Release is NOT an advertisement, it is news. If you write your press release in a style that resembles an advertisement, it will simply be discarded. Here are some tips to make sure your press release does not read like an advertisement: 1)Follow a standard press release format -Journalists and editors have become accustomed to a standard press release format. It is important to follow the standard formatting so that journalists and editors can quickly find th...

What Is The Maximum Word Count For a Press Releases?

ReleaseWire does not set a minimum or maximum word count for press releases. We feel that you, as the creator of the content, know what is required to communicate your news effectively. With that being said, every press release ReleaseWire distributes is reviewed by our editorial team. If the editor finds that the content is too short or too long, we will communicate with you and mutually decide with you how to proceed. Here are some standard guidelines: The press release should be between 30...

What Location Should I List In My Dateline?

ReleaseWire will ask for a location to be used for the dateline of your press release. It is important that you enter a valid location, as this information is used to direct your press release to journalists and editors who are only interested in press releases from a geographical location. Never enter a location where your company is not located and you have no physical business. For example, if you are a software development firm in London, you should not list your location as being New York ...

What Makes a Press Release Effective?

Is it Newsworthy? Did you know that many journalists receive hundreds of press releases per day? In fact, the most important aspect of creating a press release is the ability to get a journalist's attention. The best way to do this is to make sure your press release is newsworthy. Examples of a newsworthy event would be: Announcing a new product or service - Announcing a new major customer or business deal - Announcing major company changes such as mergers or acquisitions - Announcing executive...

What Should Be Included In My Press Release's Opening Or Lead Paragraph?

The opening or lead paragraph is the most important paragraph of your press release. Journalists will most likely decide by this paragraph if they are going to read further. When they read the opening paragraph, journalists should be able to answer the following questions, who, what, when, where and if necessary why and how. There is no room for hype in the opening paragraph, stick to the facts. A sample opening paragraph: Company Name, a leading provider of (service/product) to (target indu...