What is a Press Release and Why is It So Important?

Media coverage is one of the most powerful tools for promoting your brand. It can be used to raise awareness or communicate important news to your target audience. 

The most effective way to get media coverage is through a press release. Stay with us for a deeper understanding of press releases. 

What is a Press Release? 

A press release is an effective tool for announcing any official information related to a brand, such as a special event or new product launch.  

As an official information, the press release contains clear, concise, and precise information in a maximum of 2 pages. 

The public relations team will write a concise press release and send it to media partners who will disseminate the news to their audiences. 

At first glance, press releases may seem like ordinary news stories, but they contain a bit of advertising. Therefore, you need an interesting writing style to get into the minds of your audience.

Why are Press Releases So Important? 

With so many other ways to promote your brand, you may be wondering why press releases are so important. Here are the answers:

1. Soft Sell 

When you promote your brand through its social media, people know right away that it is the promotion that leads to the sale. 

But if you promote your brand through a press release, people will read it as if it were a regular news story, even though it is not. This is called soft selling, which is more interesting and more easily absorbed by the audience.   

2. Increase Brand Awareness 

If your press release is published on a large enough media partner's website, their audience will read your press release and get to know your brand. This will increase your brand awareness. 

3. Create Brand Image 

Press releases are not always about promoting special events and new products, but also about brand image. This can be done when your brand takes on corporate social responsibility (CSR). 

Let's say your brand educates villagers about cleanliness and helps them get access to clean water. You can put this information in a press release to create a good brand image for your target customers.       

4. Deflect Negative Issues   

We never know if a negative issue will ever hit our brand. But if it does, we can divert that negative issue by writing a great press release. So a reliable writer is a must when it comes to press releases.    

5. Build Relationships 

By creating press releases, your brand can build a good relationship with journalists, which can be useful for future media coverage. 

6. Attract New Investors 

A great press release will also help your brand attract new investors who will be intrigued by your brand's activities. 

5 Types of Press Release 

You can choose one of these types of press release according to your needs, such as:

1. Launch Release 

This type of press release aims to generate interest among potential investors and target customers. A good press release can create a good brand image and build buzz around the new product.      

2. Event Release 

Promote a newsworthy event that your brand is hosting, attending or even sponsoring. This press release can drive traffic to the event and generate coverage in some media. 

3. Partnership Release 

A partnership press release covers new partnerships, joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. This press release can have a significant impact on the company's image and share price.   

4. Rebranding Release 

If your brand is changing its logo, name or brand identity, then you need to create a rebranding release. This press release aims to inform people about the changes. 

5. Award Press Release 

To create a great brand image, you need to brag about the awards and recognition your brand has received. This can create the impression of a well established company for your brand.  

How does a Press Release Work? 

You may be wondering how exactly a press release works. Here are the common steps of issuing a press release: 

1. Your brand launches a new product or service or has a newsworthy event. 

2. Your PR team writes a press release. 

3. You distribute the release to a few relevant media outlets. 

4. A journalist at one of those relevant media outlets reads your press release.  

5. The journalist contacts you for further information.     

6. The journalist edits your press release to match the tone between your brand and their media and publishes it on their website. 

7. The press release helps to increase your brand awareness and image.  

A press release is a powerful tool to get media coverage to promote your brand. It consists of accurate and concise newsworthy information. You can choose a type of press release according to your needs. Make sure you get a good writer to write your press release. Then the media journalist will not need to contact you for more information. Then the media will be able to publish your press release quickly.