How to Write Perfect Press Releases: Essentials

Conquer the fundamentals of writing effective press releases and understanding the news cycle

This four-hour press release training course focuses on the essential elements of successful written communication with journalists.

What You’ll Learn: How news is made, best practices for structuring and editing press releases

What makes a story news? How do reporters decide what to cover and where do they find stories? What determines which stories lead the news agenda or go viral? With insights from reporters and editors who are making the news, you’ll learn how journalists think and reveal the secrets of their decision making – helping you develop your own “nose for news”.

You already know that journalists receive hundreds of press releases a week – we’ll focus on how you can make sure yours stand out. We’ll share tips from editors whose inboxes are constantly overflowing and give you a clear understanding of how to craft eye-catching subject lines and opening paragraphs. You’ll go home with a checklist to use before hitting send in the future.

How you’ll learn

This two-module course press release training session will be led by an excellent trainer and practitioner who will share their practical expertise through presentations, discussion and practical exercises – ensuring you have the opportunity to reinforce your learning and test your understanding.

Who this press release training is for

This course is for you if you want to level-up your press release skills and steal a march on the opposition. Follow up with our Writing Press Releases Advanced to refine and build your skills even further.

BOOK AS AN INDIVIDUAL: Check out the scheduled dates below and book your place now. This will be a remote course.

BOOK FOR YOUR TEAM: The course will be tailored to your needs and can be delivered remotely or in your offices. Get in touch using the button below to discuss times and dates for bespoke training. 

Course Modules

What Makes News?

  1. What makes a news story
  2. News sources and demographics
  3. Hard and ‘soft’ news
  4. Recognising fact and opinion
  5. Knowing your audience

Press Release Fundamentals

  1. What is a press release for?
  2. Toplines: getting on the news agenda
  3. Headlines, intro and structure
  4. Principles of clarity and style
  5. How to edit a press release
press release training

How to Write Perfect Press Releases: Essentials

Conquer the fundamentals of writing effective press releases and understanding the news cycle

Categories: Short CoursesTags: calendar
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What our students say

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The team is flexible, slick, well-resourced and overall simply first class. Their expertise and knowledge have been invaluable. I was delighted with our choice, so I’d have no hesitation in recommending them

Prostate Cancer UK
, Head of External Relations

My time at PA Training was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. The full-time NCTJ course in London is fast-paced and hard work but perfectly sets you up for what to expect in a reporter role.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

PA Media Training were efficient, well organised and genuinely lovely people to deal with and, importantly for us, able to provide flexibility around our needs to create the bespoke training we required. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them for further training or to recommend them to other organisations.

Mayor of London’s Press Office
, Head of Media

Being equipped with an NCTJ Diploma does massive favours for your future, and the skills the course taught me are ones I lean on every single day. The simple fact is, I wouldn’t be where I am without that course. 

Alex Barker
, Videographer & Presenter
, The Athletic

What a great session we had on Communicating with Impact. Bridgid shared practical techniques to enhance and develop our communications skills so we can present and speak publicly or to senior stakeholders with confidence and impact.  I speak for my whole team in highly recommending Bridgid Nzekwu if you are after effective and fun communication training.

Vodafone
, Group Legal Director, Corporate Commercial & Compliance

The lifelike interview settings and tasks that PA Media Training deal in replicate perfectly the real-world feel of a tough media interview and help the delegates come out of the day feeling much more confident that they can play an active role in representing their organisation.

Transport for London
, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs

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