Killer Press Release Writing!

How do I write a Killer Press Release?
Here are my tips...
First and foremost, a good release is a good news story. I worked for many years as a journalist and in my opinion the best press release writers all boast strong journalistic backgrounds. It makes sense when you think about it. A good journalist knows how to find the right angle. That's their job! They know what makes a good news story and therefore what attracts the maximum media attention. Years of experience has taught them what will grab a person's attention.
So, what makes a good press release? There are several key elements. Let's start by taking a look at the most obvious. First of all a good press release should always have a killer headline. A great headline is critical if you're looking to get your release picked up by the press. Journalists have to wade through press releases day in and day out. They know a good release when they read one. It should grab their attention straight away and leave them wanting to read more. A great headline sets the tone for your release. Your success or failure will often ride on this. A journalist is a busy bee. They don't want to be wading through trash every hour of their day. Make sure your release stands out.
Here's another simple tip. Make sure you are using the correct format. This sounds obvious and yet so many writers fail to present their release in the established format. There are plenty of good press release examples out there on the net to study if you're unsure. So, there really is no excuse for a poorly formatted release. Always include the details of your media contact at the end of your release too. Again, this is basic stuff.
Keep the release short and simple! 700 words max is enough to get your message across. More than this and you risk losing your reader's attention. Make sure you include all the most important information in the first few sentences for this same reason. Finally, who are you writing your release for? Think about this carefully. Are you trying to reach bloggers, newspaper editors or PR agencies? The style and content of your release will vary greatly depending on your answer. Still unsure? Then why not hire a pro to do the hard work for you? Makes sense..