The best way to Write a Press Launch [Free Press Release Template + Examples]

In at present’s world, manufacturers need to generate their very own buzz. Customers aren’t ready for the day by day newspaper anymore to get their information. As an alternative, they’re scanning headlines on Twitter, Fb, and different social media platforms.

One technique to management the narrative surrounding your model is thru press releases. Whether or not it is sharing a brand new product launch or adjustments in your organizational construction, an everyday cadence of significant information can assist an organization stand out and construct mindshare with journalists over time.

On this publish, we’ll talk about:

What’s a press launch/information launch?

A press launch is an official assertion (written or recorded) that a company points to the information media and past. Whether or not we name it a “press launch,” a “press assertion,” a “information launch,” or a “media launch,” we’re all the time speaking about the identical fundamental factor.

Whereas the heading ought to include motion verbs, the primary paragraph ought to reply the “who,” “what,” “why,” and “the place.” The press launch must also include comprehensible language and a quote.

Most press releases are succinct at only a web page lengthy – two pages tops. In the end, corporations need to present sufficient data in order that information retailers have enough materials for publishing their very own tales about regardless of the firm is asserting within the launch.

One factor to recollect is that press releases stay within the public area, which implies your stakeholders and clients can see them.

So, as a substitute of considering of a press launch solely as a ticket to incomes information protection, think about it as a useful piece of selling content material.

Whereas there isn’t any cut-and-dried method for what a press launch ought to embody, listed below are a couple of kinds of events that can assist you carve out a spotlight in your press launch and decide what content material would allow you to broadcast your information in one of the simplest ways:

Product Launches

The product launch sort of press launch is effective to get the phrase out in regards to the new options your group is providing to shoppers.

It ought to emphasize the product’s specs, pricing, availability, and every other particulars that could be useful to shoppers.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Organizational change is noteworthy sufficient to warrant a press launch, particularly for informing present and future stakeholders in regards to the progress and trajectory of an organization.

To announce an acquisition or merger, embody particulars about all organizations concerned, details about the merger or acquisition, and quotes from the management groups.

Product Updates

Just like a brand new product launch, product updates and expansions are additionally ripe for promotion. Clarify what the change is, why it was made, and the way it advantages the consumer.

Occasions

Press releases are an essential part of occasion advertising and marketing to draw promotion from information retailers and different media sources.

You will need to embody:

• What the occasion is about
• Who ought to think about attending
• When and the place will probably be held
• Pricing

Grand Openings

Whether or not you opened up a brand new workplace, relocated, or are opening for the primary time, announce the small print with a grand opening press launch.

Announce the date and placement the grand opening can be held, who’s concerned, how the grand opening is being celebrated, and the rationale for the transfer (if relevant).

New Partnerships

Just like mergers and acquisitions, a press launch asserting new partnerships is a mutually helpful advertising and marketing tactic.

To successfully execute the sort of launch, be sure you write a abstract about every firm, why the partnership was created, who advantages, and any extra essential particulars for present and future stakeholders.

Rebranding

Rebranding is a tough factor for any enterprise to do, and it may possibly often end in confusion and awkwardness.

One technique to make the transition smoother is by asserting the rebrand with a press launch, together with particulars on what’s altering, the rationale for making the change, dates the adjustments go into impact, and quotes from the management workforce.

Government Group Adjustments

Executives typically function faces of the corporate, and a press launch capabilities to kick off this position.

It might embody biographical data to determine their credibility together with a photograph and different pertinent particulars.

Awards

On the subject of enterprise excellence, it is OK to brag. Press releases about awards and accomplishments serve to cement your group as an authority in your area.

Such a press launch consists of details about the corporate and why they got the award, details about the award itself, and particulars in regards to the ceremony (if relevant).

When formatting a press launch, you need to write it in a newsy, easy method so a journalist who may write about it may possibly think about it as an article on their information web site.

To begin, listed below are the fundamentals each press launch ought to embody:

• Your contact data positioned on the highest left nook
• The phrase “For instant launch” positioned on the highest proper
• A headline that rapidly explains the announcement
• What you are promoting location within the first sentence of the press launch
• A fast bio about your organization on the finish of your press launch.

You additionally may need to embody “###” or one other signifier to indicate the journalist that the discharge has ended. Up to now, this prevented busy journalists from ready or flipping the web page for extra data when there was no extra information. Nevertheless, this custom is still adopted and highly-respected today.

Now, onto the physique of your press launch:

• Your first paragraph ought to state what the announcement whereas offering some context round what you are promoting and what it does.
• The subsequent two to a few paragraphs ought to embody quotes from an organization spokesperson or enterprise government to elucidate the “why” behind this announcement.
• Your final paragraph needs to be an “About Us” part that explains what your organization is and what it gives.

On this instance, Catbrella Inc., a fictitious advert company that simply gained its tenth Twitter follower after two years of paid social media efforts, pronounces its achievement in a press launch.

*Disclaimer: HubSpot is fully chargeable for the silliness of this fake announcement.

Writing a press launch to interrupt essential firm information can assist companies develop higher, however doing it proper is simply as essential. Here is methods to write a press launch, just like the one above, step-by-step.

1. Write a compelling headline.

You’ve got obtained your announcement in thoughts, and now it is time to get it down in phrases to share together with your neighborhood, business, and followers.

Similar to writing the right weblog publish title, establishing your press launch for fulfillment begins together with your headline. You solely have one line to work with, which might appear scary, however think about your phrases rigorously to make your headline charming.

Listed below are some tricks to make your headline stand out:

• Use motion verbs.
• Be particular.
• Preserve it quick.

Most significantly, make it fascinating: Take into account that reporters get dozens, if not a whole lot, of releases every day, so make investments the time to write down a compelling headline.

Customers, however, see information tales throughout their timelines. As such, your headline must be fascinating sufficient to reel them in.

2. Convey the information worth to the press.

If you’d like your press launch to be newsworthy, you need to give readers a motive to care.

A great way to make sure that is by utilizing the reverse pyramid method when writing your press launch: Going from crucial data to the least essential.

Whereas the primary paragraph of your launch ought to clarify the who, what, the place, the second paragraph ought to cowl the why.

Reporters do not have a ton of time to sift via particulars and fluffy background data — they only want the information that’ll assist them inform your story to another person from a place of authority.

There should not be any new, essential data coated after these sections as a result of the readers may probably miss them.

3. Supply a tempting quote.

As soon as you’ve got set the scene, it is time to deliver your particulars to life with a quote that reporters can use for context round your announcement and assist paint an image of how your information impacts the given business, buyer base, and panorama.

Ideally, quotes can be from key stakeholders in your organization together with your government workforce, mission leads, or these immediately impacted by your announcement.

Quoting key figures and authorities underlines the significance of your improvement. The chosen quote ought to form your narrative and emphasize the core of the announcement.

Do not ask everybody in your workplace for a remark or really feel compelled to cite all 25 folks included within the acquisition. Decide one or two essential spokespeople and focus the quotes round their distinctive perspective.

4. Present useful background data on the topic.

On this final paragraph, take into account that the reader ought to have already got key particulars they want concerning your announcement.

Supply particulars right here that strengthen your narrative, like artistic or noteworthy methods your organization developed the mission or announcement at hand. Or, when relevant, touch upon the long run implications of your announcement.

One other great way so as to add worth to your press launch is by utilizing newsjacking. A means of relating your press launch to one thing at present happening to make it extra useful to the journalist and reader.

5. Summarize the “who” and the “what” in a boilerplate.

Twitter is chock-full of reporters lamenting press releases or pitches that do not clearly clarify what the corporate does or what the announcement is definitely about.

Describe what your organization does in clear, plain language and embody a hyperlink to your organization’s web site early on.

In case you cite knowledge, embody a reference hyperlink for the info supply, and ensure each title within the launch has an related title and firm as effectively.

To maintain your self sincere on this entrance, ask a colleague to learn the discharge with out context and ask them to relay the data again to you. If they can not recall the who, what, or why get again to the drafting board.

Press Launch Template

This template consists of press launch templates based mostly on the kind of announcement your organization needs to make, whether or not it is a new product, a partnership, or a change inside your group.

Download This Press Release Template for Free

This template additionally gives artistic replacements for the normal press launch and a information on methods to create a complete promotional plan. You will have precisely what you have to drive model consciousness and stand out amongst your opponents.

Press Launch Examples

Many individuals assume press releases need to be chock filled with buzzwords and branded phrases.

“Large knowledge,” anybody? 5-syllable phrases you need to search for on Thesaurus.com? Quotes from each government on the planet that go on for pages? We have seen all of it. Sadly, so have reporters – and they’re not followers.

As an alternative of stuffing your subsequent launch with business jargon, take a web page out of our ebook (OK superb, e book), The Newsworthy Guide to Inbound Public Relations, and brainstorm some artistic approaches in your subsequent announcement.

Are you able to embody new knowledge? A outstanding graphic or video? A shareable SlideShare? If that’s the case, a artistic angle can assist carry your content material and improve the probability of social sharing.

Now, to get you considering heading in the right direction, check out some artistic press launch examples beneath, the kind of information every one is reporting on, and what makes the discharge distinctive:

1. Microsoft

Kind of press launch: Acquisition

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The very first thing that stands out on this press launch is the headline. It tells a full story with out being too lengthy: It covers who’s concerned (Microsoft and Activision), what’s occurring (an acquisition), and why it issues (to deliver the enjoyment and neighborhood of gaming to everybody).

All through the press launch, you get quotes from leaders in each organizations, serving to clarify the advantage of this acquisition and the way it will transfer the business ahead.

Towards the underside of the press launch, you get extra context surrounding every firm’s market share and the way this acquisition will impression the business.

2. Flourish

Kind of press launch: Group and workplace growth

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Organizational adjustments can appear comparatively boring. One technique to generate some curiosity is to incorporate visible parts so as to add extra dimension to the story.

On this press launch asserting a workforce and workplace growth, enterprise capital agency Flourish shares images of some new hires proper on the high, instantly drawing readers in.

The discharge dives into the rationale behind the growth and the important thing areas of focus transferring ahead. Then, we get a fast bio for every rent featured within the picture, which can assist construct pleasure surrounding the model’s future.

The important thing takeaway right here is: Do not be afraid to make use of visible parts in your press launch, as they can assist draw readers in.

3. SuperCom

Kind of press launch: Occasion

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Because the shortest press launch within the bunch, SuperCom reveals that much less is usually extra.

On this launch, safety options firm SuperCom introduced its participation in an upcoming convention.

On the subject of occasions, crucial particulars are date and placement. So long as you could have these key items, every little thing else is a bonus.

One factor that might’ve elevated this launch is a quote on who can profit from attending this occasion and why, as a technique to reel in potential attendees.

4. HubSpot

Kind of press launch: Program launch

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We have additionally crafted this complete, easy-to-follow press release template full with a promotional plan and concerns in your subsequent announcement. We use these identical pointers when writing and formatting our releases right here at HubSpot, and created a pretend, pattern launch as an instance what content material goes the place and why.

Ideas for Publishing Press Releases

Writing a press launch is de facto solely half the battle. When you’re completed with manufacturing, it will be time to concentrate on distribution.

After all, we’re all aware of the normal distribution levers we will pull, which embody publishing the press launch on our web site/weblog in addition to sharing the press launch with our followers/subscribers through social media and electronic mail.

To get the utmost quantity of distribution attainable, listed below are some ideas you’ll be able to observe.

1. Attain out to particular journalists.

As an alternative of blasting a press launch out to each journalist you’ll find an electronic mail deal with for, concentrate on a couple of journalists who’ve expertise overlaying your business (and firm, hopefully) and ship them customized messages.

Join the dots. Present why what you wrote connects to what they write.

2. Ship the discharge to high journalists the day earlier than.

Give journalists a while to craft a narrative round your press launch by sending it to them — below embargo — the day earlier than it formally goes stay.

“Below embargo” simply means they are not allowed to share the data within the press launch till the time you specify.

3. To keep away from competitors, do not publish your launch on the hour.

In case you’re publishing your press launch on a distribution service like PR Newswire or Enterprise Wire, keep away from publishing it on the hour (e.g., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m., or 5 p.m.).

The explanation? Most corporations schedule their releases to exit on the hour, which implies in case your launch goes out on the hour too, it is extra prone to get misplaced within the shuffle.

As an alternative, attempt going with a extra distinct time (e.g., 1:12 p.m., or 3:18 p.m., or 5:22 p.m.).

4. Share your media protection.

If all goes in line with plan, and your press launch will get picked up by the media, your job nonetheless is not completed.

To maintain the thrill going, you’ll be able to launch a “second wave” of distribution by sharing the particular tales that information retailers write based mostly in your press launch.

You can even share the information in your digital channels, like social media and electronic mail, to deliver consciousness to your announcement.

How To Stand Out In The Information

The important thing to holding your PR technique new college is forgetting preconceived notions of what public relations is and as a substitute specializing in creating extremely outstanding content material. Conventional press releases can nonetheless be actually useful when executed effectively.

As an alternative of ditching releases as a tactic, give them a contemporary makeover to make them extra helpful in your advertising and marketing.

Take into consideration how you’ve got used inbound strategies to remodel your advertising and marketing methods to be extra customized, approachable, and construct relationships. Those self same ideas apply to your PR technique: Create content material to craft your individual story and use tactful outreach to get the media aware of (and enthusiastic about) your model.

Editor’s notice: This publish was initially printed in November 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.