Press release writing is quite different from article writing or copywriting. Each style of writing must be viewed as a tool to accomplish a specific task, and when it comes to press release writing, this task is purely journalistic. This means that you must begin a press release with a newsworthy subject and not just advertising hype. But even if you have sensational news, if it's not presented correctly you'll get an editing request at best and quick deletion at worst. Knowing how to write a press release will prove critical in getting it accepted and published by editors and media outlets around the world. We'll explain using a traditional press release writing strategy.

1.) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2.) Contact: Mr. Fancy Pants

(123)-456-7890 Ext. 212

mrfancypants@aol.com

3.) Press Release Service Gives Free News Release Writing Techniques

4.) ANYWHERE, Anyplace October 12, 2011

5.) Content for Conversions announced free press release writing education for the public today. The article writing service and press release distribution company has made the writing strategies available online in order to assist individuals and businesses in developing their own press releases for a variety of purposes.

Press release writing begins with basic information in the format shown above:

1.) Most press releases are delivered to editors with the intention that they be immediately released if possible. However, some people submit their press releases in advance and provide the editor with a specific date to release it. We recommend retaining your release until it is ready for distribution unless you are an experienced PR person.

2.) The contact information is self-explanatory, but you need to plan ahead. The person listed here is being presented as the media contact person, so if the press release generates a landslide of publicity this person could be deluged with requests for edits, follow-up questions from journalists and writers, and possibly requests for interviews and appearances. Make certain that this person can handle such a surge in press activity.

3.) The title is the most important part of press release writing. It must summarize the point of your news release using as few words as possible. This can be difficult considering that for many people SEO is also a critical consideration. Therefore, placement of the primary keyword as close to the beginning of the title as possible is crucial. In fact, if you start the title with your keyword it may help to develop the rest of it. Working in 2 keywords naturally is also highly recommended, but this should be done by experienced writers only.

Remember that the title needs to immediately grab the reader's attention and then impart a very careful summary of the entire release. Keep it simple; use short words and as few of them as possible.

4.) This section is self-explanatory: list the region that the events described in the press release occurred in, NOT the region you would like to target. The date should be the date you expect the public to see the press release.

5.) If the title reels the reader in, then the job of your press release is only just beginning. Now that your keywords and title have attracted them to what you have to say, you need to say it quickly and in a format that is easily digestible. This is done in the summary, which is like an introduction to the actual release itself.

Like the title, the summary should be short, concise, and waste no time delivering the full value of the press release all in one very short paragraph. In traditional journalistic style the summary should include the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of the release. Examine the summary in item 5 above and you'll see that all of the 5 W's (as the strategy is known in the industry) have been covered.

Stay tuned for the rest of this article: Press Release Writing: How to Write a Press Release Part 2 from Content for Conversions.