Hi luv, writing a media release (or press release as they were called in the olden days, think Dickens era) takes a little practice, but once you get the sort of punchy and no-nonsense style jounos are looking for they’ll be a breeze to write. Here’s my template for you, copy and paste into Word and I’ll stop blabbing on so that you get on with it!

Media release template

Date to be sent

Your logo

MEDIA RELEASE

Nice big title here! (keep it really short and punchy)

Para 1

Intro – sum up what your news is about in one sentence eg: A new tongue-in-cheek animation Paperclips can be dangerous, launched last week has proved to be the next internet memo coming from Australia.

Para 2 – 7

Start to elaborate on the story ensuring you cover WHAT happened; WHERE it took place; WHY it occurred;  HOW, WHEN, and to WHOM. Also remember:

• Keep it short, to the point, punchy and fun! Inject some fun and excitement around what you’re announcing! If you’re not excited, no one will be!
• Right in the third person eg Rhetoric Communications, a PR firm for entrepreneurs, has launched a new e-course aimed at Australian entrepreneurs
• When you talk about your company VERY BRIEFLY describe what you do (see above bullet)
• Don’t try to talk about two separate projects or services, you’ll confuse the reader as they won’t know what the priority is and it will be too long and convoluted. Simplicity is KEY!
• Use 1.5 line spacing, never go below font size 10 and try not to go over a page
• Each paragraph of a news release is less important than the one before it
• Each paragraph should be one or two sentences long
• Add one or two quotes (people – yourself or partners/clients) to add weight to the story. Go and pick up your local newspaper to see what sort of quotes journos use and how they use them

Final para

Second page

For media enquiries, copy of animation, high-resolution images or to arrange interviews, contact:

First name, surname, job role, company, name, email, phone, mobile number  (this can be you!)

Company name

Write a paragraph about your company here and include your url to make it easy for the journalist to contact you.

Partner(s) names

Did you talk about anyone else you’re working with, if so, put a para about them here and their url.