Write A Press Release
Every story, especially youth stories, deserves to be told clearly and powerfully — here’s how to get it right.
1. Create Your Header
Follow this formula:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: [Month Day, Year]
Contact: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Website/Social: [Link]
2. Add Your Headline and Subheadline
Your headline should be clear, specific and impactful. Remember to consider want your audience to know, to feel and to do.
Formula for the title is:
Who + What + Why It Matters
Ex: Students at xxx college organize 5K to support to xxx cause
The subheadline (optional) includes:
Purpose + Impact + Date
Ex: Event aims to [high level goals] and bring community together on [event date]
3. Opening Paragraph
This paragraph should cover the 5 Ws, but in sentence form:
- Who
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
4. Second paragraph
Personal Story or Motivation
This is where the emotion lives. Cover why your event was created and include a quote to bring the impact you want to make to life.
5. Event details paragraph
This should include in sentence everything people need to know about the logistics of the event.
Ex: The [event] will begin at [time] and is open to [who can participate]. Registration costs [$X], and participants can sign up at [website]. Proceeds will benefit [organization name]. The event will also include [extras].
6. Impact paragraph
This paragraph is for to you to share impact in a broader context. You can include statistics or outside sources.
Ex: According to [credible source], more than [statistic] people are [impact]. Events like this help [impact statement — fund research, provide education, support families, etc.].
7. Closing paragraph
This is where you call to action lives.
Ex: Community members are encouraged to take xxx the following action steps (register, donate, volunteer or learn more [share link]).
8. Boilerplate section
Start with a title and then a short descriptor.
About [Event Name]
Include 2–3 sentences describing the event, your organization, or the beneficiary nonprofit.
9. Final checklist
The media loves to cover stories of young leaders so get your message out there!
- Is 400–600 words
- Includes at least one quote
- Has clear registration info
- Uses short paragraphs (media-friendly)
- Includes contact info at the top
Tips for who to reach out to
- Start with local news outlets as they are more likely to share.
- Send your event at least 2-3 weeks before if possible to give them time to plan.
- Keep the email you write with your press release direct and short.
- Follow up (politely) if you don’t hear back.
- Obviously, you know how to use google so I would search: Town name + newspaper, tv, radio station, community news
- Look for links on the website you find like these: Contact Us, Staff Directory, Newsroom, Submit a News Tip, Community Calendar.
- Community calendars will often post information for free and all you have to do is fill out a form.
