Importance of Media Release in 2024
Media release is a public relations tool that is one of the most common practices used by professionals. Today a lot of people think that writing a media release is dead because of digital media. Well, it’s a debatable topic for another day. Recently, I have started working as an intern in one of the top PR consultancy in India. Working there has made me realize how writing a good and catchy release is important to get the attention of the journalist and get the coverage for the client.
An attractive media release can tell a story, help a cause or report news that reaches thousands of people. Keeping in mind that journalists receive a lot of release in a day, writing one can be like storytelling. We all have been narrating stories from the day we commenced the journey of life. But what we need to know is conveying definite messages in the most unique and unconventional manner possible. The message needs to be transmitted in a manner that convinces the person on the other side.
So how do you do it? Here are a few points that I have learned in the past few days:
- The article sent to journalists should be newsworthy for readers and it should hook them enough
- A reader is inclined to read a story when there is a catchy and compelling headline leaving them to know more
- The writing style must include facts and information in short and simple sentences with no jargon for a layman to understand
- While writing, one should keep the goal of the release in mind by answering the 5 Ws rather than diverting the topic
- Good quotations help to reinforce the main point which should be ideally written in a way the quoted person would say
Other than these points, a media release must consist of the company logo, dateline, boilerplate describing the brand/company and contact information of the person who the journalist can contact. One must attach pictures if there is any.
–Neha Goyal
Neha Goyal is a part of the Class of 2020 of PG Programme in PR and Corporate Communications at SCoRe, Mumbai. She completed her winter internship with Genesis BCW, Mumbai.
Neha Goyal is from City of Joy- Kolkata. Having completed her graduation in Media Science she came to City of Dreams- Mumbai to pursue her further studies and eventually start her professional life. With a specialisation in Advertising and Public Relations from iLead College, Kolkata, her love and fascination towards building brands drew her towards SCoRe which helped her polish and hone her skills. She loves meeting new people, interacting with them and eventually working towards creating some impactful campaigns. As she takes her first steps in this dynamic industry she hopes to leave her mark and create an impact with everything she does.
