Should you write a press release?

If you are running a public-facing venture and want to establish credibility, you should consider writing a press release. Transparency about significant recent events or news related to your venture (which will now be referred to as “organization” for readability) encourages local news outlets, editors, donors, and people in your community to trust and invest in your organization. 

Press-releases are usually around 500-700 words, are written in third person, and focus on what the organization has recently accomplished. Press releases explain how the organization has specifically impacted one or two communities and connects these results with two or three actions readers can look forward to doing to help. 

Do you want donors to attend a fundraising event? Provide details about recent, tangible impacts donations have created and two or three goals the organization would fulfill with new funds. 

Do you need volunteers to help pass out flyers, run a 5K, or assemble snack bags at an event? Provide clear details about the time commitment and skills needed by each volunteer and, most importantly, how their help would contribute to furthering the organization’s main mission!  

Quick Tips: 

1. Always include pictures and testimonials from past events. 

2. Avoid repeating your mission statement or using excessive technical jargon. 

3. Highlight significant news or a major recent event as the focal point of the press release.

Donors, the public, and even editors/broadcasters should be able to quickly read your press release, understand the organization’s past and future impact, and feel personally invested in the success of the organization! Send out the press release to an email list of donors and others who attended past events, upload it to a section called “announcements” or “news” on the organization's website, and post it to social media!