CMW Tool: Create a Press Release

Create a Press Alert, from your friends at Community Media Workshop

Thanks for visiting Community Media Workshop's Media Alert Generator at www.newstips.org. Check out our upcoming nonprofit communications training or register for our upcoming Making Media Connections Conference. Also, don't forget to get your compass and map to navigate the Media Landscape, Get the 2008 Getting on the Air, Online and Into Print media guide.

Use the form below to create a press release for your organization. Click the "Preview/Print" button to view your work; use your browser program's print capability to print your release.


Contact Info

Organization Name

Address

City

State

Zip

Day Phone

Evening Phone - Must fill in, in case your story is assigned to a night shift reporter.

Fax

Email

Web Site Address

Contact Name

Embargoe This Release? - Check "yes" if you have hot information and want to hold publication to a certain time and date. Check "no" if the time frame isn't as urgent.
Yes      No

Date - Give ample time before the event you're announcing.


Headline Portion

Overline - Support headline with an appeal & broad stroke.

Headline - Be concrete!


Now explain the WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, HOW and WHO of your story. Arrange these in order of importance.

What - Keep it to 1 sentence, maximum 5 lines.

Display Order: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Why - Keep it to a direct, to-the-point sound-bite.

Display Order: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Where - Just the facts, one line.

Display Order: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

When - Just the facts: dates, times.

Display Order: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

How - How is this news event happening?

Display Order: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Who - Describe the key players.

Display Order: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th


Mission Statement - Describe the organization behind this story.