Sample Press Release Information

All press releases must acknowledge SWE and the company which donated the funds to SWE. Press releases must be approved by SWE Headquarters. Press releases for projects funded by EXXON Mobil must be approved by EXXON Mobil before being released. Joan Kuyper, SWE Deputy Director of Organizational Advancement, coordinates communication with EXXON Mobil.

Example Format

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Contact Person
Company Name
Telephone Number
Fax Number
Email Address
Web site address

Headline

City, State, Date — Opening Paragraph (should contain: who, what, when, where, why):

Remainder of body text - Should include any relevant information about the project. Include benefits, why your project is unique. Also include quotes from members, industry experts or satisfied participants.

(The top of the next page):

Abbreviated headline (page 2)

Remainder of text.

(Restate contact information after your last paragraph):
For additional information or a sample copy, contact: (all contact information)

Company History (try to do this in one short paragraph)e.g.:

The Society of Women Engineers is a 50 year old non-profit educational service organization dedicated to making known the need for women engineers, encouraging young women to consider an engineering education, and encouraging successful engineering careers. SWE has members in every state as well as in more than 20 foreign countries and U.S. military locations overseas. SWE is proud to have made a significant contribution to the progress of women engineers who make up 11% of the US engineering workforce.

Hints

WORDING:
Keep your sentences short, simple and jargon-free.

LENGTH:
The best press releases fit on one page

TIMING:
Daily reporters – print, broadcast, or online – usually have daily deadlines for breaking news, but they may also be writing feature articles up to a month in advance. If you want feature coverage, send them releases at least a month prior to expected publication. Monthly magazines typically close their editorial content about two months in advance of the issue date. If you want a story to run in the May issue, you should submit the idea no later than February. Radio, television and electronic journalists run short but timely stories based on breaking news. Given the dynamic nature of these media, be prepared to give an interview or a demonstration when they call.

Updated on ... July 03, 2001