Press Release Template

THE BASICS:

Double-space lines or use a space and a half.
Body text should be in 12-point type. 10 point is okay if you have a lot to say.
Keep it all on one page. A sell-sheet or bullet points of features on the back is okay.
Spell check each draft before a mailing.

To see an example of the following template put to use, check out my press release writing sample.

THE TEMPLATE:

[Company name] Contact: [Name of contact]
[Company street address]
[Company city, state and zip]
[Contact's phone number with area code]
[Press Release number or job number if there is one]

PRESS RELEASE SUBJECT OR TITLE HERE
Available: [If it's a product or event, enter the date available or date of event here]

FIRST PARAGRAPH: THE CAPSULE

DATELINE: Enter the date and location that the press release originated. For example:
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 6, 1995 -- [opening sentence here...]
PRODUCT NAME: Write an exciting opening sentence telling readers why this news is
important, then tell them the news. For example: "Now your evening calendar is clear of
dish-dirt because you can set the Wash-O-Matic to come on when you're not home! This
top-of-the-line, bottom-of-the-price list dishwasher..."
FORMAT: Talk about the specifics of your product: dimensions, power source, what it
comes with; or if your publicizing an event, give the date of the event, the ticket price, the
dress code, etc. Include anything users would have to know or have to have to use this
product or attend this event.
CONCLUDE WITH SOMETHING STRONG: Conclude the paragraph with the three
most important features about the subject, or an endorsement quote from a star or creator of
the product.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: THE STORY BEHIND IT

SETTING AND CHARACTERS: Tell us about the people involved and about any
significant locations like the garage where it was invented or the lunatic next door that inspired
the theme of the event.
TELL US WHY WE SHOULD WANT IT
TELL US THE ULTIMATE REWARD

THIRD PARAGRAPH: EXPAND ON FEATURES

Give detailed descriptions of general features mentioned earlier. Also/or talk about the great
features other than those you mentioned earlier.

FOURTH PARAGRAPH: WRAP IT UP (I'LL TAKE IT!)

Clinch them with a quote from a star or the designer of the product or event. Have them talk
about how great the product is, how cool the event will be, how he/she's behind
it...something. It's common practice to write a fake quote, then have it approved by the
person your quoting before sending it out (NEVER SEND OUT A FAKE QUOTE
WITHOUT AN APPROVAL FROM THE PERSON QUOTED!) Tie it up with a clever
concluding sentence.

[Center the following at the bottom of the page and put it in small type -- about 9 point:
[Type three hash marks (###) or type the numeral "30" here]
[Company 'Mission Statement' here]
[Applicable TMs, Copyrights, and Registered Trade Marks here
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