Press Release Sites

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Aug 272009

Issuing a press release is an invaluable method of advertising your business, website, event or other venture to the world; and issuing your release is easier now than ever before due to the increasing number of websites that specialize in syndicating press releases to news editors, search engines and interested websites and readers. With a few submissions, not only will you get a few backlinks to your website, you also increase your chance of getting your venture exposure in popular newspapers, magazines and websites. For this reason, we at JournalXtra thought we would be extra kind to you today and give you a few press release writing tips and, to add icing to the cake, compile a huge list of press release sites where you can submit your masterpiece to once you have compiled it.

Will you hit the big time with your press release?

First, the tips

Press Release Writing Guidance Notes

A press release is a news announcement written from the third person perspective (for example, do not write “I would like to…” write “xyz wishes to…”). It seeks to draw attention to your company and its products or services. If you have newsworthy information about your product, service, website or company, issue a press release to publicize it and build credibility through media endorsement.

Follow these steps to attract favorable media attention. The better your press release is written and formatted, the more it will be successful.

Make sure the information is newsworthy. Give the media a story, not an advertisement.
Keep it factual, non-technical and friendly.
Use a catchy headline that sums up your entire story. People will go on reading if the headline grabs them. Write it in bold letters.
Your first paragraph is important, ensure it is interesting. Keep it brief – one or two sentences that describe and introduce what you will say in the second paragraph.
Provide the main information in the second paragraph – who, what, when, where and why.
The final part of your press release should include supporting facts, examples and quotes where applicable.
The final paragraph should summarize the content of the press release
Avoid excessive use of adult jargon and exaggerations. Sentences like “the best affiliate program in the world” will hurt its credibility.
If you want to use an exclamation point, use just one! Not several!!!
Don’t write a long press release. One page is enough.
Provide as much contact information as possible: your name, phone, fax, email, ICQ number, website address, etc.

Composition Method Tips

Write the content of your press release first.
write the introductory sentence/paragraph second.
Write the summary third.
Write the headline fourth.
Lastly, organize it into the standard press release format.

Standard Press Release Format

Write the words “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” at its top left hand side
Two empty lines
Bold title
Empty Line
Dateline – write in the date and as much contact information as possible, include the location of the release (office address)
three empty lines
Introductory paragraph – say what you mean to say
Main content – say it
Summary paragraph – say what you just said
Two or three empty lines
Show the press release has ended by writing “###”

After you have submitted your press release, it will be reviewed by editorial staff to make sure it meets their content requirements. If your press release contains grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors, it is likely to be rejected.

Press Release Sites

Where once there was a mighty list there now lies an empty space; but fret not, dear reader, the list has been checked, added to and recompiled as the semi-automatic Press Release Submission tool that is only available via JournalXtra. Click that link to start submitting.

<p>A press release is a news announcement written from the third person perspective (for example, do not write "I would like to..." write "xyz wishes to..."). It seeks to draw attention to your company and its products or services. If you have newsworthy information about your product, service, website or company, issue a press release to publicize it and build credibility through media endorsement.</p>
<p>Follow these steps to attract favorable media attention. The better your press release is written and formatted, the more it will be successful.</p>
<ol>
<li>Make sure the information is newsworthy. Give the media a story, not an advertisement.</li>
<li>Keep it factual, non-technical and friendly.</li>

<li>Use a catchy headline that sums up your entire story. People will go on reading if the headline grabs them. Write it in bold letters.</li>
<li>Your first paragraph is important, ensure it is interesting. Keep it brief - one or two sentences that describe and introduce what you will say in the second paragraph.</li>
<li>Provide the main information in the second paragraph - who, what, when, where and why.</li>
<li>The final part of your press release should include supporting facts, examples and quotes where applicable.</li>
<li>The final paragraph should summarize the content of the press release</li>
<li>Avoid excessive use of adult jargon and exaggerations. Sentences like "the best affiliate program in the world" will hurt its credibility.</li>
<li>If you want to use an exclamation point, use just one! Not several!!!</li>
<li>Don't write a long press release. One page is enough.</li>
<li>Provide as much contact information as possible: your name, phone, fax, email, ICQ number, website address, etc.</li>

</ol>
<p><b>Composition Method Tips</b></p>
<ol>
<li>Write the content of your press release first.</li>
<li>write the introductory sentence/paragraph second.</li>
<li>Write the summary third.</li>
<li>Write the headline fourth.</li>
<li>Lastly, organize it into the standard press release format.</li>
</ol>
<p><b>Standard Press Release Format</b></p>

<ol>
<li>Write the words "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" at its top left hand side</li>
<li>Two empty lines</li>
<li><b>Bold title</b></li>
<li>Empty Line</li>
<li>Dateline - write in the date and as much contact information as possible, include the location of the release (office address)</li>
<li>three empty lines</li>
<li>Introductory paragraph - say what you mean to say</li>
<li>Main content - say it</li>

<li>Summary paragraph - say what you just said</li>
<li>Two or three empty lines</li>
<li>Show the press release has ended by writing "###"</li>
</ol>
<p>After you have submitted your press release, it will be reviewed by editorial staff to make sure it meets their content requirements. If your press release contains grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors, it is likely to be rejected.</p>