A dash of media attention to your organization can do wonders for your business. Increased website traffic, more conversions, and more significant revenue–media coverage of your press release can do free publicity to your benefit. Personalized press release emails can help engage journalists and increase the likelihood of media coverage.
Well, if you have ever organized a press conference, you know garnering media attention is uncertain. Even after you send press releases as a strategic communication tool to journalists, there’s always a chance of not showing up. So, if you want maximum media coverage of your press conference, you need to learn how to write impressive press release email invites for journalists.
In this article, we’ll also provide press release email examples to help you craft your own effective emails.
This template has added a detailed guide on writing a press release email, emails opening lines, best practices, and a few tips to follow. Feel free to use our free press release email template and customize it as you please.
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Garnering media attention through press release email outreach takes skill and excellent copy writing skills, skip the painful parts and use our press release email template to pull in replies an coverage faster than you can handle.
A press release is an official statement distributed to the media to announce a newsworthy event, product launch, or significant company development. As a cornerstone of public relations, a well-written press release helps organizations share their story, build credibility, and generate media coverage across various news outlets and online media platforms. By including key elements such as a clear headline, a concise introduction, and all relevant details about the event or product launch, businesses can ensure their message reaches a broader audience. Writing a press release with a focus on newsworthy content and pertinent details not only raises awareness but also positions your company as a credible source in your industry.
Before sending a press release, it’s essential to evaluate whether your announcement truly warrants media attention. A newsworthy press release should offer a compelling story that is timely, unique, and relevant to your target audience. Ask yourself if the information you’re sharing will resonate with readers and if it stands out in the current media landscape. Consider the impact of your announcement—does it introduce a new product, highlight a significant achievement, or address a trending topic? If your press release lacks these qualities, take the time to refine your message and add more relevant details to increase its appeal to journalists and news outlets. Ensuring your press release is newsworthy is the first step to generating meaningful media coverage.
Before you send a press release, define your objectives to maximize its effectiveness. Are you aiming to generate media coverage, drive traffic to your website, or build brand awareness among your target audience? Clarifying your goals will help you craft a focused message and select the right media outlets for distribution. Identify the key points you want to communicate and tailor your press release template to highlight these messages. By setting clear objectives and understanding your audience, you can create an effective press release that supports your broader public relations strategy and helps you achieve measurable results.
For immediate release
Subject: {press release title}
Hi {first name},
I have read your article on {topic} for {company name}, and I must say I was impressed by the way you covered the topic.
I am writing this to enlighten you about a news release of {company name} and hoping it would be worth covering by {media house name}.
We just launched {product/service name} last week, and we have decided to donate $2 from every sale to an education program for {charity name}.
We are announcing this charity program on the event date: {dd/mm/yy}.
Do you think your subscribers will be interested in it? Check out this {Dropbox/Google Drive link} for more details on the launch.
For media inquiries, please contact our media contact below. You can also reach out to me in this email if you have any concerns. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
{Your Name}
{Your Title}
Media Contact: {Your Name}, {Your Title}
{Company Name}
{Phone Number}
{Email Address}
Social Media Accounts:
Twitter: @{twitter_handle}
LinkedIn: {LinkedIn URL}
Facebook: {Facebook URL}
Email signature:
{Your Name} | {Your Title}
{Company Name}
{Phone Number} | {Email Address}
Connect with me: Twitter (@{twitter_handle}), LinkedIn ({LinkedIn URL}), Facebook ({Facebook URL})
Template rating on a few factors:
· Number of words (143)
Social proof (9/10)
Introduction (7/10)
· Fluff (1/10)
· Large paragraphs (2/10)
· Single CTA (7.5/10)
· Potential to convert (8/10)
· Spam word use (metric/10)
· Complex sentence use (metric)
Creating a standout press release email template involves including key elements that capture attention and convey your message effectively. Throughout this section, we will reference press release email examples to illustrate each element and best practice. Here’s what you should include:
1. Press Release Email Subject Line: Craft a compelling and concise subject line that grabs the recipient’s attention immediately. It should hint at the newsworthy aspect of your press release and appeal to a news outlet looking for timely, relevant stories.
2. Personalized Greeting: Address the journalist by name to create a personal connection. A press release email example with a personalized touch is more likely to be read, especially when you align your pitch with the journalist's interest and beat.
3. Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that explains the purpose of your email. Clearly state your goal to generate publicity and mention why the news release is relevant to their audience, whether it’s for product launches, an upcoming event, business announcing, or local news.
4. Press Release Email Body: The main content should be structured according to the standard press release format, with a clear headline, subheadings, and short paragraphs. Use bullet points to highlight key information. Most press releases follow a certain length and structure to ensure clarity and professionalism, making it easy for journalists to scan and extract key details.
5. Compelling Lead: The first paragraph should summarize the most important information, including the who, what, when, where, why, and how. This helps journalists quickly understand the value of the news and why it might interest their media outlet.
6. Supporting Details: Include quotes, statistics, and other relevant details that add depth to the story. These elements make your press release email more engaging and can be tailored to the specific focus of the media outlet or local media you are targeting.
7. Call to Action: Clearly state what you want the journalist to do next. This could be to contact you for more information, visit your online newsroom, attend an upcoming event, or cover your product launch press release.
8. Contact Information: Provide complete contact details, including your name, phone number, and email address. This ensures journalists know how to reach you for further questions.
9. Visuals and Attachments: Attach high-quality images, a PDF press release, or provide links to downloadable media assets. Visual content can make your press release email more appealing and accessible for online media outlets.
10. Boilerplate: Include a short paragraph about your company or organization at the end of the press release email body. This gives context to your news and is a standard part of most press releases.
When distributing your press release, consider using services like Business Wire to reach a wide network of media outlets, including online media outlets and local news. Hosting your news release in an online newsroom also makes it easy for journalists to access and reference your latest updates. Tailor your outreach to the relevant media outlet, whether it’s a national publication, local media, or a niche industry news outlet, to maximize your chances of coverage.
Adhering to best practices ensures that your press release email templates are effective and professional. Here are some tips:
1. Align with Your PR Strategy: Make sure your press release email supports your overall PR strategy. Set clear goals and ensure your messaging is consistent with your broader marketing and communications plan.
2. Send Your Press Release Correctly: Format and send your press release correctly by following proper structure, using appropriate email etiquette, and targeting the right journalists for increased media coverage.
3. Keep it Short and Simple: Avoid lengthy emails. A concise press release email is more likely to be read and acted upon.
4. Be Newsworthy: Ensure that the content of your press release is newsworthy. Focus on what makes your announcement interesting and relevant to the journalist’s audience.
5. Personalize Each Email: When sending press releases, customize each press release email to journalists to show that you’ve researched their work. Personalization increases the likelihood of engagement.
6. Send to the Right Contacts at the Right Time: Send your press release to the most relevant journalists or media outlets and consider the best timing for maximum impact. Research when journalists are most likely to check their inboxes.
7. Understand How Journalists Receive Press Releases: Learn how journalists prefer to receive press releases—some may want the release in the body of the email, while others prefer attachments or links. Adapting to their preferences can improve your chances of coverage.
8. Use a Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and professional tone throughout your press release email. Avoid jargon and overly promotional language.
9. Include Relevant Links: Provide links to additional resources, such as your company’s website, press kit, or related articles. This allows journalists to explore more if they are interested.
10. Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your press release email format is mobile-friendly. Many journalists read their emails on mobile devices, so make sure it looks good and is easy to read on smaller screens.
11. Follow Up: Plan to send a follow-up email if you don’t receive a response within a few days. Refer to the original press release email and politely inquire if they need more information.
12. Proofread: Check for spelling and grammar errors. A well-written press release email reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
Securing coverage for your press release starts with building strong media contacts. Begin by researching and identifying relevant journalists, bloggers, and influencers who cover your industry or topic. Engage with them on social media, comment on their articles, and share their work to establish a genuine connection. Compile a media list that includes up-to-date contact details such as email addresses, phone numbers, and social media profiles. When sending press release emails, personalize your outreach to reflect the journalist’s interests and previous coverage. Building these relationships increases the likelihood that your press release will be noticed and picked up by the right media contacts, ultimately helping you secure valuable media coverage.
To maximize the impact of your press release, it’s crucial to identify and target the most relevant journalists for your story. Start by researching journalists who regularly cover your industry, company, or similar topics. Look for those who have shown interest in stories like yours, and gather their contact information using media databases, social media, and online searches. Create a targeted list of journalists and tailor your press release emails to address their specific interests and the needs of their audience. Leveraging a press release distribution service can also help you find journalists and reach a wider network, increasing your chances of generating media coverage and getting your story in front of the right people.
Sending a press release email to a journalist requires a strategic approach to ensure it gets noticed. Knowing how to send press releases effectively is essential for maximizing your chances of media coverage. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Research Journalists and Media Outlets: Identify journalists who cover topics relevant to your press release and the media outlet they represent. Before you send press releases, write a press release tailored to the specific media outlet, considering their audience and interests. Look for their contact information and learn about their interests and previous work.
2. Craft a Personalized Subject Line: Write a catchy and relevant press release email subject line that piques the journalist’s interest.
3. Compose the Email: Start with a personalized greeting and a brief introduction. Follow the best practices for the press release email body, ensuring it’s concise and informative.
4. Attach the Press Release: Include the full press release as an attachment or paste it below your signature in the email. Ensure your press release format is correct—use a clean, professional structure with a compelling headline, dateline, body, quotes, boilerplate, and contact information.
5. Include Contact Information: Provide your contact details clearly so journalists can reach out for more information or interviews.
6. Send at the Right Time: Timing is crucial when sending a press release email. Consider when journalists receive press releases—aim to send it during the journalist’s working hours and avoid weekends and holidays for optimal visibility.
7. Send Your Press Release to the Right Media Outlet: Make sure you are sending your press release to the most relevant media outlet for your story to reach the right audience and increase your chances of coverage.
8. Monitor Responses: Keep track of responses and be prepared to answer any follow-up questions quickly. Journalists work on tight deadlines, so timely replies are essential.
9. Follow-Up: If you don’t receive a response within a few days, send a polite follow-up email. Reference the original press release email and offer additional information if needed.
By following these steps and utilizing a well-structured press release email template, you can increase the chances of your press release being picked up by the media. Sending press releases strategically ensures your news reaches the right journalists and media outlets for maximum impact.
Start your email with an engaging subject line to capture attention. Greet the recipient by their first name (Hi Stacy) and congratulate them on their latest achievement/personal success. Briefly include all the information about the press release in a concise manner, following the standard press release format for clarity and professionalism. Also, don’t forget to add a small CTA at the end of the email.
Yes, whether it's business announcing, product launches, a new release, or exciting news, a news release (also known as a press release) works wonderfully to generate online and offline business traffic. In the era of digitalization, companies rely on news releases and media coverage to build brand awareness.
Press release emails are formal invitations for journalists to the press release event. So, the tone should be professional. But do not forget to add a personal flair to the email. Research your prospect and write personalized email content that aligns with the journalist's interest to attract your prospects.
A press release email should be concise and to the point. Ideally, it should be around 300-500 words, as most press releases generally fall within this word count range to effectively communicate with journalists. The email should include a compelling press release email subject line, a brief introduction, the main body containing the key information of the press release, and a call-to-action or contact information at the end. You want to capture the journalist’s attention quickly and provide them with all the necessary details without overwhelming them with too much information. For further guidance, refer to press release email examples and templates to ensure your content is formatted correctly and is easily digestible.
Following up after you send your press release email is crucial to ensure your press release gets noticed. Wait about 3-5 days before sending a polite and concise follow-up email. In your follow-up, reference the original email in which you send your press release, express your interest in their thoughts, and offer additional information or answers to any questions they might have. Be respectful of their time and avoid being overly persistent. You can also include a brief press release email example to remind them of your previous email.
To prevent your press release email from ending up in the spam folder, use a professional email address and avoid using spam trigger words in your subject line and body. Make sure your email includes clear and accurate contact information. Personalize your email to each journalist if possible, as generic emails are more likely to be flagged as spam. Also, ensure your press release email format follows best practices, such as using a simple layout and avoiding excessive links or attachments. If you need to include an attachment, consider adding a PDF press release, as this format is commonly used for media outreach and is generally accepted by journalists. Using press release email templates from reputable sources can also help maintain a professional appearance.
Yes, tailoring your press release email for different journalists can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed. Research each journalist’s interests and previous work to personalize your pitch. Mention why your story is relevant to their audience and how it aligns with their beat. Be sure to tailor your email to the specific media outlet by referencing the outlet’s focus or recent coverage. A personalized press release email example might include specific references to the journalist’s past articles or the media outlet’s focus. This approach demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and increases the likelihood of your press release being picked up.
When writing a press release email, avoid these common mistakes:
1. Generic Subject Line: Craft a specific and engaging press release email subject line that captures attention.
2. Lack of Personalization: Sending a generic email to multiple journalists reduces your chances of getting noticed. Personalize each email to the recipient.
3. Overloading with Information: Keep your email concise, but make sure to include all key details such as the release date, main figures, and essential facts. Journalists are busy and prefer emails that get straight to the point.
4. Poor Formatting: Ensure your email is well-formatted and easy to read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs. It's also important to send your press release correctly by following proper structure, email etiquette, and targeting the right journalists.
5. No Clear Call-to-Action: Always include a clear next step, such as a contact for more information or an invitation to an event.
6. Ignoring Follow-up: Don’t forget to follow up a few days after sending your press release.
By following these tips and using a well-structured press release email sample, you can avoid these pitfalls and increase the effectiveness of your media outreach.
