Media Relations 101: How to Write a Good Press Release

Chances are you probably understand the value of good press. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here trying to find out how to write a good press release.




It’s true - the press can be your best friend. Or, it can be that hot guy (or girl) in high school that ignored you. The difference depends largely on the quality of the press release you write. I’m here to tell you how to write a good one.




I’ll admit, my motives are partially selfish. I write for a newspaper, so if people stop writing bad press releases, my job will become a lot easier. I won’t have to sift through six pages of information about where Johnny Smith went to preschool and what his favorite color is when all I need to know is what time his concert is. It will be a win-win situation for all involved.


I’ll start by giving you the cardinal rule of writing a press release, and writing in general: Always keep in mind who your reader is. 




In this case that’s a reporter or editor at a newspaper, who probably has little to no time on their hands, receives stacks of press releases every day, and doesn’t initially care about your event or news.




It’s your job to make them care. It’s my job to explain how.

The Newsroom




Something you need to understand: The newsroom is a busy place.




Reporters and editors constantly have stories waiting to be written. They’ve got phone calls they need to make, and people they needed to talk to yesterday that still haven’t returned their call. They’ve got Mrs. Jones calling looking for a copy of an article from three years ago that she can’t remember the name of. At the same time, Mrs. Smith is calling to find out if the honor roll at her son’s high school has run yet. There are deadlines looming.




However, amidst this hectic environment, the simple fact is that NEWSPAPERS WANT NEWS. Newspapers want timely, interesting news that matters to the community they serve. So give it to them. A press release is the way you do it.

What is a press release?