What is press release and what should be the contents of press release ?
A press release is a written communication that provides information to the media and the public about a specific event, announcement, or news story related to your organization, in this case, a hospital. Press releases are a valuable tool for hospitals and healthcare organizations to disseminate important information, build brand awareness, and engage with the community and media outlets.
Here are the key components and contents of a press release for a hospital:
Headline: Create a clear and attention-grabbing headline that summarizes the main point of the press release. It should be concise and compelling to entice journalists and readers.
Dateline: Include the city, state, and date when the press release is issued. This provides context and helps journalists understand the relevance of the news.
Lead Paragraph: The opening paragraph should contain the most important information and answer the “who, what, when, where, and why” of the news. It should be concise and grab the reader’s attention.
Body: The body of the press release provides more details about the announcement or event. It should include relevant information such as:
- Quotes: Include quotes from key stakeholders, such as hospital executives, doctors, or patients. Quotes add credibility and a human touch to the story.
- Details: Offer comprehensive information about the event or announcement. Explain why it’s significant and how it benefits the community or patients.
- Facts and Figures: Include statistics, data, or research findings if applicable. This can add credibility and depth to the press release.
- Background Information: Provide some context about the hospital, its history, mission, and any relevant achievements or milestones.
Boilerplate: Include a brief paragraph about your hospital at the end of the press release. This is a standard description of your organization, including its name, location, services, and mission. It can be used consistently in all your press releases.
Contact Information: Include contact details for the person or department that journalists can reach out to for more information or interviews. This should include a name, phone number, email address, and possibly a physical address.
Visuals: If applicable, consider including high-quality images, graphics, or videos to complement the press release. Visual content can make the story more engaging and shareable.
Release Date and Embargo: Specify the date on which the press release can be published or shared. If there is an embargo date (a date before which the news should not be released), make that clear.
End Mark: Use “###” or “END” to indicate the end of the press release.
Additional Information: If there are any relevant notes, background information, or sources for journalists, provide them in an “Editor’s Note” section after the end mark.
Remember that a well-crafted press release should be concise, factual, and free of jargon. It should tell a compelling story and provide value to both journalists and the general public. After writing the press release, you should distribute it to relevant media outlets and reporters who cover healthcare or local news to increase the chances of getting your story published.