Create your own Instant Press Release by filling in the blanks and clicking the Show Me The Press Release button. You will be directed to your perfectly formatted press release.

Bookmark this page and come back often.

Contact Information

Timing When do you want the media to use this release? Most often you will want For Immediate Release. This means the media should consider it now. There are cases where you might want the media to hold a release for a certain event date or holiday. In that case, you could use something like: "Hold for Valentine's Day."
Contact Name Be easy to get in contact with! Fill in the name of the person the media should call with questions. The real purpose of your release is to generate enough interest that a member of the media will call to do an interview.
Company Name You know it. Make sure that people in the media do too.
Phone Number Double-check the phone number. Remember, make it easy for people in the media to talk to someone about the press release.
Fax Number Remember, be easy to contact - give the media people lots of ways to get in touch.
Email Address More and more journalists use email.
Website Address By placing your web site address here you give reporters an easy way to find out more on their own.

What the Press Release is About

Headline

Write a strong, attention getting headline. This is the most important component of the press release as this needs to "grab the attention" of the editor or reporter. Think of your press release as an ad for an interview. Stop the reader dead with a grabber headline - Think Man Bites Dog!

City of Origin Correct press release format calls for the city and state of the company in question.
State of Origin
Date of Release Now the date, make sure this is the date you plan to distribute the release. (if you hold it for a week it looks a little funny)

The Press Release Message

Introductory Paragraph

Write an introductory paragraph here. Your first paragraph of the release should be written in a clear and concise manner. It needs contain information that will "entice" the reader. Your story must be newsworthy and factual; don't make it a sales pitch or it will end up in the trash.

Body of the Release

Now you need to further explain the subject and details of your release. This can actually contain several paragraphs. Your text should include pertinent information about your product, service or event. If writing about a product, make sure to include details on when the product is available, where it can be purchased and the cost. If you're writing about an event, be sure to include the date, location of the event and any other pertinent information. Answer the questions "who", "what", "when", "where", "why" and "how".

Note: You should include a quote from someone that is a credible source, include their title or position with the company, and why they are considered a credible source. Always include information on any awards they have won, articles they've published or interviews they have given.

Final Paragraph

Now wrap-up your release by restating your main point.

Background

Include a brief description of your company along with the products and services it provides. Sometimes people refer to this as a boilerplate. It is the type of description that your frequently use to briefly describe your company.

That's It, You're Done!

NOTE: When you hit "Show me the Press Release" you will be redirected to a page that will show your formatted press release. Some settings are beyond my control so it may not show up exactly as you wish. You have several options. You can print the page as is or copy the entire page into your word processing software and tweak it a bit yourself.