Wednesday, March 7, 2018

How to Write a Press Release and Sample Press Release


Instructions how to write a press release and sample press release.

Today I had the opportunity to teach a group of technicians how to write a press release for a wildlife habitat workshop. I thought I’d pass this along for anyone who might like it. Feel free to share.

What Is a Press Release?


For a press release to be a press release, it needs to have the words “For Immediate Release” at the top, followed by the City, State and the Date.

Next is a title of the article exactly as it should appear in the paper – make it easy for the newspaper – in Title Case (first letter of each word capitalized).

The body of the press release should list the most important things first (who, what, when, where, why, how), especially the date, time, and location.

Paragraphs should be extremely short and concise (one or two sentences, maximum).

The whole press release needs to be very short and the last paragraph should tell the reader who to contact for more information, and how to contact that person.

After the last paragraph should have three hash tags ###. That tells the newspaper where the end of the press release is. Since you will probably be emailing these to the newspaper, after the hash tags should be your contact signature.

You may or may not be the contact person listed in the article, but either way your full contact signature should be below the press release.

Sample press release follows. –Julie L. Spencer, 989-560-1144 julie.spencer@macd.org

Sample Press Release:


For Immediate Release

Ithaca, MI 3/07/2018

Free Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat Workshops for Landowners

Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 7 p.m. the Gratiot Conservation District (GCD), together with Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), will host a free workshop at the Gratiot-Isabella RESD, 1131 E. Center St. in Ithaca.

The workshop is intended to provide interested landowners the programs and tools available to help create quality wildlife habitat.

Anyone looking to attract deer, songbirds, pheasants and pollinators like butterflies onto their property, while improving air, water and soil quality, are invited to attend this free workshop.

Partners include the Gratiot Conservation District (GCD), the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Pheasants Forever (PF), the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI).

Grassland habitats provide significant value to wildlife and to Michigan citizens. They filter water, collect carbon to help clean the air and hold down soil to prevent erosion. They also provide homes and food for a variety of wildlife, including deer, songbirds, butterflies, turkeys, pheasants and insects like bees and butterflies that help pollinate important agricultural crops.

For more information, or to register for the free workshop, contact Kurt Wolf, Biologist at 586-921-3013, or Kurt.Wolf@macd.org

###

Julie L. Spencer
Gratiot Conservation District Administrator
301 E. Commerce Dr.
Ithaca, MI 48847
989-560-1144

www.GratiotConservationDistrict.org

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