Today’s web-driven world makes it possible for companies large and small to create news simply by writing and publishing their own content. The way to get started is by writing and sharing powerful press releases online. Thanks to the power of today’s social web, the elitism of public relations is gone. Nowadays, many organizations do their own PR.
This article will explain how to write online press releases that build credibility, visibility, and salability.
Press releases have a format that helps keep news pithy and powerful. Thanks to search engines, press releases are not just read by the media. Current and prospective customers, who want to be educated and empowered, also read them. Think of a press release as a way to spoon-feed news that is easily consumed. Here are the necessary components to writing an effective online press release.
Pick a Topic
Picking a topic may sound like a no-brainer. But this is the point where many businesses get stumped. They don’t realize how much of their day-to-day work is newsworthy. Understand what news means. Merriam-Webster defines news as “something having a specified influence or effect” and “matter that is newsworthy.”
Think of news as information that is educational, helpful, or relevant to your target market. Online press release topics could include company news, new product releases, and educational thought leadership about a current event — educating beyond what the media is sharing while linking your brand to news being discussed and shared. Press releases communicate stories that help people understand your brand better.
For example, a nonprofit organization called Explore Ecology — which my company supports — specializes in environmental education and art discovery. An event last year called “One Night Stand” was such a success it’s now held annually. Explore Ecology wanted a release that educated local journalists, the media, and potential attendees. The topic is event-focused to educate and build awareness.
7 Points to Address
Before you start writing, address the points below as it relates to your topic.
- Who
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
- How
- Who Cares
These points will need to weave into your release. Having them all helps you plan and execute.
Title
The title of a press release is paramount. It needs to fit on one line and summarize the entire theme of the release. It should be descriptive and also capture a reader’s attention. It should be clear, concise, and interesting.
Here’s our title for the Explore Ecology event:
Beneath the title is a subhead, a critical section with two lines of italicized text to support the title but provide more depth. Our subhead of the Explore Ecology press release is:
Quote
Most press releases include a quote, usually from a leader of the organization. Quotes in press releases originated to give the media or a journalist an approved statement from a company leader. Quotes in online press releases still provide an approved media statement and a human component. The quote should include who is saying it and usually her role within the organization. If people outside the organization are cited — happy customers, board members — their connection to the company should be clarified. Any quotes need to be approved by the person before they go live.
Here is our quote in the Explore Ecology press release:
Body
The body of the release is where you tell — and sell — your story. Address your seven key points, starting with the location where the release was written.
A press release is a good way to share a focused piece of news.
Here is our entire release for Explore Ecology.
Sensational One Night Stand Art Event Returns for Second Year
Santa Barbara art lovers to choose from the works of 200-plus professional artists to
benefit Art from Scrap, a program of Explore Ecology
SANTA BARBARA, CA – For the second year in a row, on the evening of August 11, 2012, Santa Barbara’s Art from Scrap offers art lovers, collectors, and artists an exciting opportunity to participate in a One Night Stand at Brooks Institute of Photography’s Gallery 27 in downtown Santa Barbara. One Night Stand (ONS) is an art lover’s dream and an annual fundraiser for Art from Scrap at which, for one night only, more than 200 nine-by-nine-inch works of art will be exhibited for purchase. Last year’s sold-out event attracted in excess of 400 patrons and artists, many of whom purchased original artwork, raising $40,000 to support Art from Scrap’s mission of environmental education and creative art programming. This year’s incarnation of the ONS benefit is also in support of Art from Scrap, which is a program of Explore Ecology, a leading environmental education and art organization, now in its 21st year of encouraging creative expression in the arts and promoting a greater understanding of environmental issues.
Contemporary artists from around the country have been personally invited to contribute artwork in all mediums. The list of artists who have accepted the ONS challenge grows daily. Local art legends Nicole Strasburg, Jesse Alexander, Eric Beltz, Hilary Brace, Phoebe Brunner, and John Iwerks; environmental artist Laura Lynch; painter John Nava; actor/musician Jeff Bridges; architects Fred Sweeney and Barry Berkus, renowned artists Ann Hamilton, Charles Arnoldi, Nancy Monk, and J. Shea; and many more have already contributed their work for what promises to be the art event of the year. To accommodate the festivities this year, ONS is being held in an expanded area of Gallery 27 at Brooks Institute at 27 East Cota Street.
“Last year’s event was amazing, with so much great art and positive energy, and this year’s One Night Stand is shaping up to be even better,” said Executive Director Cay Sanchez. “We have a larger space to accommodate more art, more guests, and more excitement! This is just a fantastic way to raise awareness for the environment and creativity, and to keep our programs funded to spread the message even further.”
Aside from the fact that it’s a one-night-only event, One Night Stand has an additional enticing element of surprise: each and every work of art will be unidentified. Artists’ names will be revealed only after their artwork is purchased. Each work of art will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis for a pre-set rate of $200. The evening also includes a Silent Auction, festivities, food, a Patron bar, and music.
Tickets are available online, onsite at Art from Scrap (302 East Cota Street), or by calling (805) 884-0459 x17. General Entry (7 p.m.) is $25 advanced purchase or $30 at the door. Early Entry (6:30 p.m.) tickets are $100 advanced purchase and $125 at the door. Special group ticket packages and sponsorship opportunities are also available online. Visit www.OneNightStandAFS.com for more information.
Boilerplate
The last piece of the online press release goes under the body text. It is a summary — called the “boilerplate” — about the organization. This summary is often the same in all press releases. It is a statement that the organization approves the use of the release while also allowing customers and prospects to learn more. A boilerplate should include your organization, what you do, and whom you serve. Explore Ecology grew from an entity called Art From Scrap, which offers environmental education. Since Art From Scrap is more known in the community, this press release has a boilerplate for both organizations. Sometimes press releases that feature two organizations will have both company boilerplates.
Here are the two boilerplates.
Links
Online press releases build credibility and salability while also supporting search visibility. When appropriate, include links to pages so readers can learn more. The actual press release for Explore Ecology has links back to its website and the One Night Stand event. Links can also include descriptive phrases — not just company names — to help with search engine optimization.
Release Date and Press Contact
The press release should indicate if it is available “For Immediate Release” or on a specific date. Most are available immediately. Provide a press contact for more details. This should be someone who can represent the organization and is knowledgeable about the content in the release.
Distribution
Once the release is complete, add it to your website’s “Press” or “News” page. Send it to local media and distribute it on various online press release channels. You can search the web for online press release distribution channels.
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