Write a Social Media Press Release in 8 Simple Steps

Write a Social Media Press Release in 8 Simple Steps:

In the past, when businesses desired to share corporate news, announcements, or events, the go to means of sharing [this information] was through a press release. The internet has changed things quite a bit; making traditional press releases less effective. The ability to insert links, images, and supporting data has not only decreased the size of a press release, but it has made, what was once a very complicated document, an easy to understand announcement. With the ability to create and post a press release on demand, it’s easy to see that the way information is disseminated has evolved.

If you’re experienced in writing traditional press release, an introduction to the social media press release won’t be a difficult adjustment. Having a thorough understanding of formatting and needed information will assist you in securing media coverage for your broadcast.

The Basics

Your social media press release should consist of the following sections:

Headline - States what the press release is about. Be sure to include a keyword or two.

Secondary Headline - This section is not mandatory, though it is commonly utilized. It allows you an additional opportunity to provide the reader with additional insight.

Announcement Overview - Limit this section to a paragraph or two. It should provide the readers with a summary of what the press release will cover. This is where you capture the reader’s attention. Include keywords in this section.

Body (which may or may not include facts and supporting data) - Write this section in third person and avoid an editorial (opinionated) tone. Include the pertinent details (who, what, when, why, and where) of your press release here.

About - Include a brief bio of your company, business, or personality. This section should only be a few sentences long, and should have a link to the ‘about us’ section of your website (for additional, more in-depth details).

Multimedia Links (if applicable) - Links to images, videos, and RSS should be inserted here – so that readers are empowered to locate uploads that are associated with your press release.

Relevant Links (if applicable) - Links to previous (applicable) press releases go here. Only insert links to information that is relative and relevant to the current announcement.

Tags - Use this section to suggest tag words to the end user. Choose carefully, and only include words that are actually applicable to the content.

Additional Tips:

• Your social media press release should be kept at one-page in length; your target market (media heads) don’t have a lot of time to read press releases.
• Be sure to address your target audience effectively. Write a compelling summary that invites interest and warrants the support of others – this will make it easy for bloggers or journalists to want to share your press release information.
• Include contact information. Don’t conclude your press release without providing detailed contact information for the author or designated contact person. It is important to make sure that the person listed has access to supporting information and contacts that are related to the press release.

Distribution

Now that you have written and edited your social media press release, it is time to distribute it to media sources. Of course you can go the traditional route and email, fax, or post links to your website; or you can use distribution services. There are paid services, like Marketwire, that provide access to syndicated newswires (like the Reuters and the Associated Press). There are also free services such as: PRLog and Press Release Point. Be sure to do your due diligence and identify the service that will work best for you.