10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Press Releases

I talk to a lot of clients about press releases, whether we are writing them for them or helping them write their own. In fact there is such a hazy aura around the whole process I thought I'd put together a selection of the questions I come across most often.

1. What is it and Why Do I Need A Press Release Anyway?

A press release is more often than not a one page sheet that's sent out to press, either vie email or post. It's designed to catch their eye with some news or something unusual about your or your business. Whereas years ago all you had to do was send a press release out and you could be pretty confident that at least part of it would be reprinted, today that's very unlikely.

Nowadays, a press release is more of a tickler - something that alerts the journalists to what is going on in your business. If it's of interest, they'll follow it up and more often than not write their own piece or use a snippet of yours inside a larger piece.

And yes, it is a good idea to have one. Even if you're great on the phone and plan to seduce the press with a great phone story they'll more often than not want that encapsulated in a press release. So it makes sense to get one written before you phone.

Do Your Own PR offer a 7 day how to write your press release course, where you're taken through putting together your own release, and send it to us to get our feedback. For more details click here