Media Pack

In order to get your team, club or great individual story into your local media you need first to establish your target audience. Are you trying to get your weekly fixtures or results published in your local paper? Or are you trying to publicise an amazing achievement by your club?

Writing a Press Release

Journalists receive hundreds of press releases and most of them end up in the bin. Whether yours is noticed may often be a matter of luck, but there are steps you can take to improve your chances.

Presentation

Use A4 letterhead and a consistent format - double-spacing or one-and-a-half line spacing.

Only use one page, or two at the most.

Put the title 'PRESS RELEASE' and the date in large print at the top of the page.

Include the name and title of the person that you are sending it to.

The style throughout must be concise, journalistic, and as catchy and intriguing as possible. While writing it, imagine that you know nothing about your sport, club, team or event. Does this story stand out? Is it clearly of interest to readers/viewers? Will it tempt the journalist to want to find out more?

Heading

The heading should be a catchy, short title that gives a sense of the story in very few words.

First paragraph

It is absolutely vital that this is short, to the point and newsworthy.

It must clearly state the 'five Ws': who, what, where, when and why (in any order). This paragraph must be able to stand on its own as a concise piece of information.

Second paragraph

This should provide the next piece of information: either more details about the above, or new information.

Third/additional paragraphs

Use these only if you have more new and relevant information. You may want to insert a quote from someone involved who would be willing to talk to the press if requested. The quote must add a new dimension, such as the personal side of the story. Alternatively it could be a quote from your spokesperson explaining the importance of the story in strong, authoritative language.

Contact details

Include your name, title, telephone number and home or mobile phone in clear, bold print at the bottom of the document. You must be prepared for a journalist to contact you at any time.

Additional information for editors

Describe your sport, club, team or event in a few words. Give any relevant basic information and statistics.

Photographs

A photograph will always give your story a better chance of getting in to the paper. Try to include an action image or one of presentation (ensure they are relevant). Ensure you have permission from all of those appearing in the image for that photograph to be taken and published.