| It is not important to just know how to distribute a | | | | The method of delivery must also be determined. Will |
| press release, but the timing and the content of the | | | | you be faxing or emailing your press release? Most |
| news release must be top priority. This is one of the | | | | news outlets require you to fax the document, but |
| least understood aspects of how to distribute a press | | | | some will also want an email follow-up, while most |
| release. Press releases are great marketing tools | | | | others will require an online submission. Check with |
| when they are done correctly. A public relations | | | | each media outlet to find their preferred method. When |
| company can typically handle press releases for | | | | sending a fax it is always a good idea to test the |
| businesses, but it is also possible to prepare and | | | | quality of the fax. You can avoid a lot of headaches |
| release this item on your own. Knowing how to | | | | or missed opportunities if you correct any legibility |
| distribute a press release can save you tons of time | | | | problems before you send it out. |
| and money if you do it correctly. | | | | Plan your timing very carefully. If you send your press |
| It is important to make sure that the press release | | | | release during a major event you will not get anyone |
| contains all of the appropriate contact information. | | | | to look at it. It is best to try and release your document |
| Items like headline, contact person and the name of | | | | in the middle of the week. There is no way to tell |
| the company should all be very quickly found when it is | | | | when it will be a slow enough news day to give your |
| initially sent out. Make these items prominent on the | | | | press release the attention it needs, but with a little |
| document. | | | | attention you should be able to tell when it is not a |
| Get a list together of the medial outlets that you plan | | | | good time to send it. |
| to send the press document. Take the time now to | | | | Be ready for some questions. Get a list together of |
| make sure that the contact information is current and | | | | potential questions that could be asked about your |
| that the list is accurate. Make sure the list contains only | | | | announcement. This will help you to be prepared and |
| the outlets that will most likely have an interest in the | | | | ready with your answer no matter the question that is |
| press release. Don't waste time sending the document | | | | asked. There is no way to predict every question that |
| to those outlets that are not likely going to be | | | | will be asked, but it is possible to be prepared for the |
| interested in your release. | | | | most likely ones. |