Press releases are very useful tools! Here’s how to write one specifically for an upcoming event. The basic principles, however, apply to the writing of any press release.

Step 1 – Identify your hook

Remember that a press release is just that: information that you are releasing to the media in the hope that your story will be published and read by a large number of people. Often, a press release that is posted online will stay online, for people to read long after the event has occurred.

So, to make your story attractive to the media, you need to identify an angle to your event that people want to read. For example, a fundraising auction may or may not be of interest to the general public. What is it about your particular auction that is valuable to readers? Is the money going to a worthwhile cause? Is your auctioneer going to be a famous guy with great bidding skills, an entertainment in itself? Will there be a large selection of weekend vacation homes?

Step 2: Essential information

Once you’ve figured out your “hook,” you can jot down the essentials: who or who the release is written for, contact information, when it’s okay to post the information, and what the title and date are.

For example:

For: Edgeport Community Hospital, 174 Van Dyne Street, Edgeport, Connecticut, 03345

Contact: Marjory Crafter, (203) 489-1834

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[TITLE] Hospital auction offers chance to bid on a night in a haunted mansion

[LOCATION] Edgeport, Connecticut, April 13, 2010 –

Note that your title is the first place to mention your hook. The “annual hospital auction” just won’t work. In the above case, while there may be many other items on sale, the haunted mansion is probably the most exciting prospect, and readers will most likely want to find out more and keep reading.

Step 3: The Meat of the Launch

Make your opening statement a direct follow up to your headline. In the example we’re talking about, for example, it might start with “Edgeport Hospital’s annual auction offers an evening tour of Sloane Mansion and its ghosts.” Then build on this idea with your most interesting information about the mansion and the auction.

In an additional paragraph or two, provide more information that is less essential but still relevant, including, for example, who the supplier is, how long the hospital has been holding an auction, what the money is going for, how much of the proceeds others are the items, if the auction is formal or informal, etc.

Conclude with everything people need to know about participating in the auction, including how to register or purchase tickets, ticket prices, phone numbers, email addresses or internet links, when and where the event will take place, and anything else people need to know ahead of time. .

Follow these steps and your press release will attract your media contacts and get the publicity you need for your event.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jane Sherwin. You may reprint this entire article and it must include copyright information and the following statement: “Jane Sherwin is a writer who helps hospitals and other healthcare facilities communicate her strengths and connect with her readers.” .