The Components Of A Press Release
A press release should be a newsworthy item that follows standard submission and formatting guidelines to ensure that it is accepted by distribution services and news wires alike. On a more performance based level, the press release needs to be written in such a way that it is appealing and provides genuine information so that readers like it and journalists use the information it contains. There are several components to a press release that must be included.
Headline And Subheading
The headline and subheading are the first thing that a potential reader will see of your PR. They need to accurately convey the message of the entire release while remaining short and snappy. The headline, in particular, should be written in as few words as possible. The subheading can then elaborate further on this and lead into the main piece.
The Lead
The lead paragraph contains all of the meat of a press release. It needs to inform the reader of the news item and give all the necessary information. Effectively a press release starts with a very short headline summary and then each section goes on to expand further. The subheading is an expanded version of the headline, the lead further expands the story, and the rest of the release delivers the fine details.
The Body
The remainder of the press release, bar the final paragraph, is used to back up the information you provided in the lead. Give more details without getting too hung up on specific ideas. Also try to include a relevant quote where possible because these are extremely popular with journalists whgo are always on the look out for a relevant quote.
The Contact Details
The very final paragraph is where you can promote your website but only by providing a few brief words and contact details – link to your website, provide a phone number, and always offer readers the chance to contact you for further information.
