Five Tips on Becoming a Better Press Release Writer
Want to get better press release results? While there are many things that go into successful press releases, it all starts with your writing skills. Let’s take a look at five, probably surprising, tips to become a better press release writer.
- Read Press Releases – This is probably not what you expected the first tip to be. However, it’s a general rule of writing that if you want to get better, you have to read. That means, in this case, reading press releases. As you read them, think about what the writer did well. What works? Also take a look at what the writer didn’t do very well. What needs improvement? Review the fundamentals of a good press release and keep them in mind as you read. Try to read a few press releases every week and don’t just stick to your industry. Read press releases from other industries as well.
- Write More – Write more press releases. Seriously. Writing is a skill that improves with practice, so practice. Do you have to issue every press release that you write? No. You can, of course, and you may be quite pleased with the results. As your frequency increases, so too will your traffic, links, SEO and more. But that’s just a side benefit. As you write more press releases, you’ll develop a better style and voice. You’ll improve your skills, and that too will help you achieve better results.
- Ask for Feedback – One of the best ways to struggle as a press release writer is to ignore your resources. So, ask fellow writers for feedback. Ask your co-workers for feedback. And, of course, pay attention to your press release results. Keep in mind that asking for feedback doesn’t mean taking advice. It simply gives you a different perspective. Some advice or feedback will be off track and maybe even hurtful. Some of it, however, will be good. Writers have to develop a strong backbone and learn to deal with criticism to improve their skills.
- Copy a Pro – Author and screenplay writer, Elmore Leonard, learned to write by copying Ernest Hemingway. Now Leonard wrote westerns, and eventually crime novels, but he learned to write by copying the writer he considered to be the best. Over time, he developed his own voice and style. So, find a press release writer that you admire, that you believe to be one of the best, and copy them. You can literally sit down and type or write their press release word for word to get a feel for it. Or you can use their press release as a template for your own. (But don’t plagiarize and don’t infringe on copyright laws.) The point is to learn how to be a better writer by emulating a skilled writer.
- Write Other Things – Get out of your box and write other things. You might want to write other marketing copy, blog posts and content, or try your hand at some personal writing projects. Writing skills overlap and strengthen one another. Write.
Choose one of these tips and focus on it today. You don’t have to wait until your next press release project. Start improving your skills today.
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