Creating a press release
You have some good news and you want to share it with people in your area – one of the most effective ways is by sending a press release to your local media.
Newspaper, radio and television newsrooms receive hundreds of press releases every day. By following a few simple steps, you can make sure your press release gets the attention it deserves.
Keep it short and simple
Check your press release has all the important facts, but avoids putting in too much detail as editorial space and airtime is limited.
Make sure your press release can be read easily.
Great ideas have been developed from scribbles on a torn piece of paper, but great press releases should be typed or written legibly.
Don’t forget to include your contact details
If someone wants more information, they will need to know how to get in touch. Include your name, title (if appropriate), contact telephone number and e-mail address (if available).
Send the press release to the right person
Making sure the press release gets to the right person at the right address is vital. You can check this information by calling the newspaper, radio station or television company and asking for the information you need.
The press release
Your press release should include the following pieces of information:
- Who it is about
- What it is about
- Where it is happening
- When it is happening
- Contact information
Here is an example of a basic release which you can use or adapt to suit your own needs.
Greenock residents can learn new skills at the Stewart Community Centre as part of the Autumn programme which begins on Monday 21st September 2009.
The Stewart Street centre’s courses include Winter Warmers cookery, Holiday Spanish, Car Maintenance, Creative Writing, Changing Rooms – a guide to basic DIY and An Introduction To Computers.
These courses are part-time and have daytime and evening sessions. Most last for ten weeks, except for the Creative Writing course which runs for eight weeks.
Centre manager Julie Smith said: “We feel we have a great variety of courses on offer for this coming session, there really is something for everyone. We are pleased that we can offer all of our courses in afternoon or evening sessions, so people can come along when it suits them best.”
ILA Scotland offers funding of up to £200 a year towards learning. Further information, including details of local courses and learning providers, is available from the ILA Scotland helpline on 0808 100 1090 or at www.ilascotland.org.uk.
Costs of the courses range from £X to £XX and full details are available from the centre’s website on www.stewartcomcen.co.uk or by calling 01475 10 20 30.
(For further information about this release, please contact:
Julie Smith, centre manager on
01475 10 20 40 or 07777 111 222).
Press release template:
(INSERT PLACE NAME) residents can learn new skills at the (INSERT NAME OF CENTRE) as part of (INSERT NAME OF COURSE OR PROGRAMME) which begins on (INSERT DATE).
The (INSERT NAME OF CENTRE) centre’s courses include(INSERT COURSE NAMES).
These courses are (INSERT COURSE INFORMATION) and last for (??)weeks.
Centre spokesperson (INSERT NAME OF SPOKESPERSON) said: “(INSERT COMMENT).”
ILA Scotland offers funding of up to £200 a year towards learning. Further information, including details of local courses and learning providers, is available from the ILA Scotland helpline on 0808 100 1090 or at www.ilascotland.org.uk.
Costs of the courses range from £?? to £?? and full details are available from the centre’s website on (insert website address) or by calling (insert phone number).
(For further information about this release, please contact:
Insert name of contact, and title (if applicable)
Insert direct phone number/mobile(mobile number is not essential)
Please also send a copy of your press release to: info@ilascotland.org.uk so that we can make other providers aware of your success stories.