HOW TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE

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         HOW TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE

I.    What to write about
      A. Find out all information.
            1. When (date/time), cost, who can play, where it is.
            2. What cause is the event held for.
            3. Who is putting on the event (find out name of highest
               person involved with event; chancellor, director, etc.)

      B. Weed out filler details, irrelevant information.
           1. Keep information down to nitty gritty.
           2. People will call for additional information.
           3. Make sure basics are covered without getting bogged
              down in details.

II.   How to write it
      A. Use larger writing at the beginning
           1. Use large, bold type to get reader’s attention
           2. Two large items should include
                 a. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                 b. The source of the press release (UCSB Recreational
                    Sports).

      B. Announce event from upper management position
           1. Find out highest person in organization involved with
              event.
           2. Use direct quote from that person to announce scheduling
              of event.
               a. Use same quote to reveal one or two details about
                   event.

      C. Write one or two paragraphs with the rest of the information
           1. Make sure to include all important information
           2. If it is a fundraiser, include goal of $$ raised.

      D. Leave a contact for more information
            1. Should be coordinator of event
                 a. Leave name, address, and telephone number
            2. Does not need to be same source quoted earlier in
               release.
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    III.     How to distribute information
             A. Television
                   1. Initial release should be one year before event
                        a. TV stations pick several events per year to do public
                            service announcements on, must get release in early.
                   2. Follow-up release one month before event
                        a. Fax release and give phone call
                        b. Try to talk to relevant person (sports editor, etc.)

             B. Newspaper
                  1. Initial release should be three months before event.
                  2. Follow-up release should be both one month and one
                     week before event.
                       a. Fax and mail release one month prior to event and
                           follow-up with a phone call.

             C. Radio Stations
                  1. Initial release should be one month before event.
                  2. Follow-up release one week before event.
                       a. Should fax and mail a copy, phone call.

             D. Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table – Mondays @ Noon at
                Harry’s Plaza Café (State & Los Positas).

    IV.      Very important to stay persistent with follow-through, only by
             staying consistent can we differentiate our press releases from
             thousands out there, and prove that ours are worth the media’s
             attention.




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UCSB Recreational Sports Handout