Newsworthy Press Release Starter Pack

Getting media coverage involves more than writing a press release.

First you have to find the story. Then you have to tell it in a way a journalist can quickly understand — and get it onto the right newsdesk.

This practical Starter Pack takes you through that complete process, from looking at an ordinary business announcement and asking “Why would anybody care?” to writing, checking and sending a finished press release.

Instead of simply telling you what a press release should contain, it gives you a process to work through and practical tools you can use again on the next story.

You'll learn how to:

• find the story hidden underneath an announcement
• test whether somebody outside the organisation has a reason to care
• stop burying the strongest part of the story
• write a clear, factual headline
• build a first paragraph around Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?
• structure the rest of the press release professionally
• write quotes that add personality, opinion and context
• use WITH PICS, ENDS, Notes to Editors and media contact information
• check the finished release before sending it
• decide whether to approach a reporter directly or use the newsdesk
• write a subject line and simple covering email
• assess what may have gone wrong if the story isn't used

Written by journalist turned PR specialist Patrick Barnham MCIPR, the Pack approaches the whole process from the newsroom's point of view: what does the journalist need, and how can you make their job easier?

You'll see real and practical examples of the difference between an announcement and a story, weak and stronger headlines, and corporate quotes versus quotes that actually add something.

You'll also get story-finding, headline, introduction, quote and final-check checklists, a working press-release structure and a newsdesk email template you can refer back to whenever you have another story to send.

If you're trying to get publicity for your own business, an organisation or a client, this Pack gives you a clear route from “We've got something to announce” to “Here's a story a journalist can quickly understand and assess.”

Find the story. Write it like news. Get it onto the newsdesk properly.

15-page PDF Starter Pack