How to Write and Distribute a Press Release

Description

Press releases remain a foundational tool in public relations, even in today’s fast-paced digital world. This section sets the stage for what businesses, nonprofits, and individuals should know about crafting effective and impactful press releases.

• The enduring value of earned media in a paid media landscape
• The history of the Press Release – what came before today’s press release?
• Press Releases and the 1^st Amendment
• Press releases as a tool for legitimacy and visibility
• Differentiating between a press release and a social media announcement
• How media professionals view and use press releases
• Success stories: how a well-timed release made national news

Public Relations Professionals have learned that press releases are the cornerstone of strategic communications, even in an era dominated by digital and social media. Despite the evolution of media platforms, journalists, bloggers, and news aggregators continue to rely on well-crafted press releases as a primary source for breaking news and updates—likely because these releases provide a ready-made structure for a potential news story, making their jobs significantly easier. In fact, according to the 2022 Cision State of the Media report, 66% of journalists cite press releases as their most trusted source of brand-related content. This highlights the enduring relevance of a well-written release.