How To Format Your Press Release
Need to write a press release, but don’t have time to source a contractor? What about writing your own? If you follow the proper format, use a good grammar checker and send it to the right people, you may not end up doing so bad.
Following the proper format is crucial to press releases. Your recipients are likely to be very busy folks and a structure helps them skim through your text, knowing exactly where to find which information.
Release Statement. A press release should come with a release statement at the top of the page, detailing the time of release. Write “For Release” or “For Immediate Release” with the exact time and date below it.
Contact Details. After that, add the contact details of the person (in this case, you) recipients will need to get in touch with, should they require more information.
Headline. Put your headline in the center, bolded and one font size bigger two spaces below the contact details. Make sure it’s catchy and imparts the gist of the release succinctly.
Dateline. The dateline details the place of origin and the date of the release. This can be bolded for better legibility.
Lead. The lead paragraph comes on the same line as the dateline. Like any good introduction, it should include all the most pertinent facts (who, what, where, when, why and how) that are relevant to the press release.
Body. The body of the press release builds on the “why” and the “how,” detailing the specifics that make it worthy of being news. It can also be used to list off numerous details (even mundane ones) as additional listing, although the focus should remain squarely on its “newsworthy” aspects.
Boilerplate. The boilerplate provides details on the company behind the press release, usually listing general facts.