Create A World-Class Press Release For Your Event
The following Press Release Tutorial is meant to help you create an exciting and compelling Press Release/Article for your upcoming event(s).
FOR PRINT: A good press release should be no less than 260 words and no more than 425 to be included in the print edition of the Southern Utah Independent monthly event guide.
FOR ONLINE DIGITAL PUBLISHING: Your content can be as many as 600 to 800 words for posting your material as an online article.
Below, you will find a complete step-by-step Press Release Tutorial to help you achieve this goal.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Investing about 90 minutes or less for your first release should be all it takes to create, proofread, and distribute your material. Once you are accustomed to this process, you should be able to create future press releases in under an hour.
- A well-written press release is generally worth its weight in gold. Thousands will see it on SUindependent.com and thousands more if it is published in our local print edition. Then, once you have your finished piece, you can easily send it to other platforms.
- Many 3rd party outlets appreciate having something publishable they can easily share with their readers as long as it is accompanied by a nice image or two.
- Images must be high-quality, scalable, and privately owned in order to be distributed online.
- Writing a press release involves crafting a concise and compelling document that effectively communicates your news or announcement to the media. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write your press release:
Press Release Tutorial
Start With a Strong Headline:
Craft a headline that grabs attention and summarizes the main point of your release. Keep it short and to the point.
Write a Subheading (Optional):
Provide a brief subheading to give more context to your headline. It’s not always necessary, but it can be helpful for adding additional information.
Include a Dateline:
Begin your press release with the date and location. This is typically written in the format “Date, Location, and City.” Announcing the date of your event as the first thing people see will immediately put it into perspective for the reader.
Craft a Compelling Lead Paragraph:
The first paragraph should include the most essential information, answering the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. Often referred to as the “5 Ws and H.”
Provide Supporting Paragraphs:
Use the following paragraphs to provide more details and context about your announcement. Include information regarding the history of your event and how many years this event has been happening. Any unique information related to this particular year, etc… You can or should also include relevant quotes from key individuals involved; however, this is not critical, just helpful.
Use Clear and Concise Language:
Write in a straightforward and clear manner. Avoid jargon or overly complex language. Journalists appreciate clarity and simplicity.
End with a Strong Conclusion:
Summarize the key points in a concluding paragraph. Reiterate the significance of the news and what it means for your audience. This can also include your website, ticketing links, and calls to action.
End with ### or “End” to Indicate the End of the Release:
This is a traditional way to signify the end of a press release.
Include Boilerplate Information Below the ### End Indicator:
Add a brief section about your company or organization. This is known as the “boilerplate” and provides background information about who you are and can be used in all future press releases. This information may or may not be included in the published piece, but it helps publishers learn more about you should your event or organization be new to them and their readers.
Add Contact Information:
Include the contact details of a media contact person who can provide more information as needed. Include their name, title, phone number, and email address.
Include Multimedia Elements:
If applicable, provide links to high-resolution images, videos, or other multimedia that can accompany your story. Make sure these files are easily accessible.
Include at Least One Photo:
Attach at least one high-resolution, full-color image, logo, or illustration that you have the right to use, ideally an original image. Many online publishers will not publish your submission without at least one good photo.
Check for Errors:
Proofread your press release carefully for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. A well-polished document reflects positively on your professionalism.
Send the Press Release to Us and Others:
Once your press release is ready, please send it to our Editor, James McFadden, at editor@suindependent.com. Then you should consider sending it to other relevant media outlets, journalists, and individuals or organizations that may be interested in supporting your event. Individual publication submission info can be found on their respective websites.
We hope this Press Release Tutorial will help you write a more successful message that you can send out to multiple outlets to help you promote your next successful event!
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