Press
Release Style Notes
1) The first heading should be the words: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
in all caps. Remember you will submit your release via
e-mail so you may not use HTML tags or Bold type. It is also
very important to have the date because as news releases pile
up on a desk, a writer or editor must have a date reference to
know if the news is still relevant or if a special event date
has passed. Also, make a note in your files of the date the release
went out and have a hard copy handy to pull out when a reporter
calls. You may get a call the day the release is sent or one
month from the send date.
2) Allow one spacer line then the company name and address.
3) Allow another spacer line then the word CONTACT:
The next line has the contact persons name followed by their
title if they are an employee of the company and a phone number
if it will fit. The contact phone numbers and e-mail address
should be the direct line to the person with whom a reporter
would speak regarding the news release.
4) Next, allow two spacer lines and type your headline. The
headline should be no more than ten words split on to two lines.
It should be typed in all capital letters. Be clever and to the
point. You've got to grab their attention here. Then allow two
more spacer lines.
5) Begin the text of the release as we show with the city
location and state abbreviation followed by one long dash. Your
press release can be a bit longer up to 500 words. Note the length
of the lines across. Please format your release to be 75-80 characters
across so it looks professional in the e-mailing.
6) Some writers like to include a last sentence stating the
contact phone number again. Include the physical street address
of the company.
7) Allow one space between paragraphs and use the -30- to
indicate the end of your release.
