How to write a press release for an upcoming event
Press releases are such useful tools! Here’s how to write one specifically for an upcoming event. However, the basic principles apply to the writing of any press release.
Step 1: identify your hook
Remember that a press release is just that – information that you are releasing to the media in the hope that your story will be published and read by large numbers of people. Often times, a press release that is posted online will remain online for people to read long after your event has occurred.
Therefore, in order for your story to be media engaging, you need to identify an angle of your event that people are likely to want to read. For example, a fundraising auction may or may not be of interest to the general public. What does your particular auction have that is valuable to readers? Is the money going to a worthy cause? Is your auctioneer a famous guy with great bidding skills, an entertainment unto himself? Will there be a great selection of weekend vacation homes?
Step 2: essential information
Once you’ve discovered your “hook,” you can write down the essentials: who the release is written for or about, contact information, when it’s okay to post the information, and what the title and date are.
For instance:
For: Edgeport Community Hospital, 174 Van Dyne Street, Edgeport, Connecticut, 03345
Contact: Marjory Craftsman, (203) 489-1834
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[TITLE] Hospital auction offers a chance to bid on a night in a haunted mansion
[LOCATION] Edgeport, CT, April 13, 2010 –
Keep in mind that your title is the first place to mention your hook. The “annual hospital auction” is simply not enough. In the above case, while there may be many other items on sale, the haunted mansion is probably the most exciting possibility, and readers are likely to want to know more and read on.
Step 3: The meat of the launch.
Make your opening statement a direct follow-up to your title. In the example we’re talking about, for example, you could open with “Edgeport Hospital Annual Auction Offers Nighttime Tour of Sloane Mansion and Her Ghosts.” Then build on this idea with your most interesting information about the mansion and the auction.
In an additional paragraph or two, please provide more information that is less essential but still of interest, including, for example, who is the vendor, how long has the hospital been running an auction, what is the money going for, what is it going for? they destine some of the others. The items are, whether the auction is formal or informal, etc.
Conclude with everything people need to know about participating in the auction, including how to register or purchase tickets, ticket prices, phone numbers, email addresses or internet links, when and where the event occurs, and any other thing that people should know in advance. .
Follow these steps and your press release should engage your media contacts and get the publicity you need for your event.
Copyright (c) 2011 Jane Sherwin. You may reprint this entire article and it should include the copyright information and the following statement: “Jane Sherwin is a writer who helps hospitals and other healthcare facilities communicate their strengths and connect with their readers.”