Press releases are very effective in announcing news to outside media and news world. Wikipedia says
"A news release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value".
Important Points to Remember
- Write the news for journalists and media NOT as articles or stories. Such posts will be rejected by media people.
- Make sure you post full contact address with phone without which your news release will lack credibility for journalists
- Avoid thin content. Write atleast 250 words or more in the body of press release.
- Dont use sales, promotional or marketing language.
- Pick an Attractive TITLE to catch attention of media persons.
- Do not use excessive links (link farm). Google's golden rule is one link for press release. Keep it clean and simple plain text. Avoid Google penalty.
- DO NOT WRITE PRESS RELEASE IN UPPER CASE (title especially)
- Ask yourself - "Is your news worthy?".
Press Release Quality Guidelines
- Would you trust the information presented in the press release?
- Is this press release written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it more shallow in nature?
- Have you posted duplicate, overlapping, or redundant press releases on the same or similar topics with slightly different keyword variations in other PR distribution sites?
- Does this press release have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors?
- Are the topics driven by genuine interests of readers of the site, or does the site generate content by attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines?
- Does the press release provide original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis?
- Does the press release provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?
- How much quality control is done on content?
- Does the press release describe both sides of a story?
- Is your website a recognized authority on its topic?
- Is the content mass-produced by or outsourced to a large number of creators, or spread across a large network of sites, so that individual pages or sites don't get as much attention or care?
- Was the press release edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?
- Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name?
- Does this press release provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic?
- Does this press release contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?
- Is this the sort of page you'd want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
- Does this press release have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content?
- Would you expect to see this press release in a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book?
- Are the press releases short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?
- Is the press release produced with great care and attention to detail vs. less attention to detail?
- Would users complain when they see your press release ?
Content Guidelines
- Press release length must be atleast 250 words or more with title and description. Thin content will be rejected.
- Press releases must include Place and Date in the body.
- Media contact information
- Press releases must quote credible sources for verifying accuracy.
- Please do not use Stock ticker symbols (valid written authorisation required)
- Working website link
- Attribution to source
- Do include copyrighted/trademarked content (permission required)
- No spelling or grammar mistakes