How to Improve Your Press Release Writing Style
Very few people, if any, are capable of writing a fantastic press release without a bit of education and practice. Writing, any type of writing, is something that you learn. And writing an effective press release is one type of writing that is a bit more challenging than other types. It can be a tricky format for many. The following tips will help you improve your press release writing style.
- Practice
One of the best ways to get better at any skill is to practice. Some experts say that you don’t master any skill until you’ve put in about 10,000 hours at it. If you put that many hours into writing press releases, well… you’ll likely have a very active and prosperous marketing campaign. But no one is suggesting you actually put in that much time.
However, practicing and writing press releases, drafts and finished products, does help improve your skills. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll become with writing them. You’ll also find it easier to tap into your voice and more effectively communicate your brand story.
- Read
Read other press releases. Read them through completely from top to bottom, and then read them through again with some focus. Pay attention and assess what the writer did well and where they could improve. Read and evaluate press releases each week. You might read three a week or more. Combining reading and practicing will put you well ahead of the curve, and your competition.
- Copy
Copy the writing style of those writers and press releases that you admire. Some writing teachers actually ask their students to copy successful press releases word for word. And you can certainly do this. You can also simply integrate approaches and styles that you admire into your own writing style. Over time you’ll create your own voice and style and that will resonate with your audience.
- Evaluate Successes
With each press release that you publish, evaluate your success. Test and track various key elements in your press releases. Collect data and pay attention to what features and tactics work best. What does your audience respond to? What generates the best results? What brings you closer to your goal?
- Have it Edited (and read the edits)
Have some, if not all, of your press releases, fully edited. Not just proofread for spelling and grammar, but actually edited. An editor will review clarity, sentence construction, flow and much more. An editor, one who specializes in press releases and marketing content, can help improve the quality of your releases. There are a number of editing and content writing services out there like ServiceScape that you might consider. Otherwise, our team at Newswire can help review your release should you wish to have a little bit of guidance. If you actually read their comments and feedback and take it to heart, you can apply their insight and information to future press releases. It’s a fantastic way to learn and strengthen your own writing style.
That’s it. Five simple steps to help you grow from a beginner press release writer to a pro. It will take some time, dedication, and practice, but you can do it.
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