Press statement
Writing a Press Statement
Write one to:
- Respond quickly to an issue, offering your organization's perspective.
- Get the media interested in writing a story about a particular issue.
- Clear up confusion.
- Give information.
A good press statement
To be used, it has to be good and newsworthy to the media. The better written the more likely it is to be used.
A good press statement:
- Is newsworthy.
- Has an attention gripping headline and first paragraph.
- Includes all the necessary facts about the situation or issue - your standard what, why, who, when, where and how - but not necessarily all explained in the first paragraph.
- Is short and direct (one page or less if possible).
- Includes powerful statistics, if possible.
- Is so well written it could be used almost directly as is.
- Is accurate
- Gives your organization's views on the issue.
- Gives information about what action your organization intends taking around the issue.
- Is addressed to a particular person. And is followed up with a personal phone call.
- Invites the media to contact your organization for further information.
- Gives a contact person and their telephone number.
- Gets distributed effectively - and don't forget about international media.
Always Always Always include:
Congregation's Name
Location
Mission/Vision Statement
Phone Number of congregation
Phone number of contact person
Web Address
Times for Worship
Some don'ts
Do not send off a press statement if:
- It does not have all the necessary information for the media to be able to write a story or publish it.
- It does not have the correct facts.
- It is based on rumour.
- It is ambiguous.
- The media will not be able to get hold of your organization's media contact person.
- It has not been checked for accuracy, spelling, and grammar.