Press Release Guidelines
All press releases must comply with the following press release guidelines. We offer a great grouping of SERVICES & FEES, please feel free to review them. While we offer free press release wire services, we will only post press releases that are well written and contain content worthy of publication. The journalists and media professionals who subscribe to our site expect to receive alerts of actual news.
The following guidelines apply to all content submitted through our news wire service:
The idea behind a press release is to inform the media and the world of a newsworthy subject. Be it a product, an organization, service or event, your press release MUST answer ALL the "W" questions such as why, who, where, when what, and NOT how much, so that your press release is information and not an advertisement. Please do not outline "WHY:""WHO:" "WHERE:" etc in your submission, those questions should be answered without highlighting. If you read your pre-submitted press release and it doesn't comply with our guidelines and you don't know how to fix it, we will gladly edit/re-write it for you for $50USD. Just choose the Professional Editing option when you submit it. Our editors will rewrite or edit your press release and submit it to our wire service for you. Please use a document application such as Microsoft Word to write and save your work before submission in case of any server or timing out errors.
All releases submitted by 10:00 pm are published around 12:00 am EST. Unless a date is specified, releases will be posted with the current days submissions. If you need same day service, please check our SERVICES & FEES section.
WE DO NOT EDIT FREE RELEASES. IF YOUR RELEASE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH OUR GUIDELINES, IT WILL SIMPLY BE REJECTED. IF YOU ABUSE THE SYSTEM AND CONTINUALLY SEND IN SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT CHECKING THE GUIDELINES, YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED AND YOUR IP BANNED.
- All press releases must be written in English. Any other language will not be accepted.
- The HEADLINE must be properly capitalized. DO NOT USE ALL UPPER CASE, QUOTATION MARKS, WEB ADDRESSES OR PHONE NUMBERS IN YOUR HEADLINE; capitalize your headline as you would the Title of a Book. Your first paragraph must always begin with: City, State (OPENPRESS) then date with the rest of your release to follow. If you use quotes, DO NOT USE Smart Quotes, use Straight Quotes. Please use block formatting when creating your release. Do not separate paragraphs with more than 1 blank line. You must use single spacing throughout release. Do not break each line at 70 characters and/or use hard carriage returns at the end of each line. Hard returns should be used only at the end of a paragraph. Lines must wrap naturally or it will be rejected. See sample press release at bottom.
- DO NOT write in FIRST person narrative, it is bad form. EVEN in a company description, use 3rd person. (example - do not write "ABOUT US" - use the company name) If your submission is a narrative, newsletter, prediction, survey, biography, business profile, transcript, interview, review, outline, and/or written in the FIRST person, it is NOT a press release, it is an article or opinion editorial and must be submitted accordingly. If you submit an Article / Op-Ed or News Story as a press release, it will be rejected. Any submission containing, but not limited to, content with phrases like "We/I believe" or "It's My/Our Opinion" or words such as I, We, Us or Our, not used in quotations, it is an article or an opinion editorial and not a press release, please submit it through the Articles or Op/Ed service. One gigantic quote is an article/op-ed and not a press release. A press release is NOT a place for subjective opinions, suggestions, recommendations or advice.
- Do not submit multiple identical press releases. If you submit different press releases with the same general content, they will be rejected. If you want to submit your release to multiple categories or MSA/locations, use more keywords.
- Do not include HTML tags or any other types of tags in a FREE press release. It will be rejected. All free press releases are to be written in PLAIN text. If you'd like HTML tags, please choose the Press Release With Stars option.
- DO NOT USE UPPER CASE IN YOUR PRESS RELEASE. Whether it be the headline (Capitalize the headline as you would the Title of a Book), summary or body of the release, if you do not use proper case, your press release will be rejected. UPPER CASE presents hype, which is improper format for a press release.
- If you submit a book description or review as a press release, it will be rejected. A press release for a book should answer questions such as, when is the release date, who the book was written by, who has published it, how it was written, what was the inspiration, where are the book signings, etc. If it is simply a book description with a blurb about the author, you do NOT have a press release, you have a book review, please submit it through the Book Review service. Simply stating a book exists is not news. Do not promote retail stores that sell books ie. Amazon.com, simply include author or publisher's website. Please see the sample at bottom of this section for an example of what we are looking for in a book announcement.
- Listing facts and information about websites or services without an announcement is considered a news story and not a press release. Please submit newsworthy stories accordingly.
- DO NOT ADVERTISE. If your press release reads like an advertisement, it will be rejected. A press release is an ANNOUNCEMENT and NOT an advertisement. We do not allow spam to be passed as press releases. We offer REAL "press release services" and we take the word "professional" very seriously. The news media is not your advertising agency. Press releases must have substance and must represent real information that informs the readers, not sell to them.
- Do not use this service to preach religious beliefs. If your organization has a news announcement, that is considered an acceptable press release; otherwise use the article/op-ed service.
- DO NOT GIVE ADVICE, TIPS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. Those are all subjective and do NOT belong in a press release. If your business offers those things, then simply announce what your website offers. A press release IS an announcement. Subjective opinions belong in an article/op-ed.
- Do NOT use this service for SMEAR campaigns. It is slanderous, illegal and we will not be involved in actions of that nature. If your submissions contain slanderous information, all previous releases will be deleted and your account and IP will be banned from this site. No Exceptions. No refunds will be issued.
- If you are announcing news which contains information of businesses that offer services that we provide, it will be rejected. We will not post press releases that announce company news of our competitors.
- If your press release has typos, run-on sentences and grammatical errors, it will be rejected. Make sure your submissions are well written. Journalists and Media professionals delete or ignore such PRs immediately and we do not want to alienate the media from using our service. You should compose your press release in a program such as Microsoft Word or Wordperfect ahead of time. If you want one of our editors to edit your press release, make sure you choose the Professional Editing option when submitting your press release.
- Press releases must be at least 300 words in length. Do not include the Headline or Keywords in the body, it will be deleted and not counted in the required 300 words. Your announcement must be longer than your company bio. If you cannot provide substance to your press release, you do not in fact, have a press release. All you have is a blurb and we are not a blogging service.
- If your press release contains any adult (18 or over) material, or promotes any website with the aforementioned content, it will be rejected.
- A list of items is NOT a press release. For example, if you are selling a 10 step program and list all 10 steps and submit it as a press release, it will be rejected. That is a form of advertising and not a press release.
- If your press release includes any exclamation points, it will be rejected. Exclamation points are used mostly for hype and have no place in a press release.
- Make sure your press release does NOT include any special characters. If it does it will be rejected.
- Do not use internet jargon or shorthand in your press release such as "IMHO" etc. If you do your press release will be rejected.
- A calendar of events is not a press release. If your submission is a list of dates, it is a calendar and will be rejected.
- When quoting someone or writing about other companies and products, make sure you obtain permission from the persons or companies you are referencing.
- If you are submitting an article, Op-Ed or Newsworthy Story it must be your own work. Do not submit any items written by others or quote more than 20% of someone else's work.
- You cannot piggyback off of one company to promote your own. Do not list the use of a product copyrighted by another company in conjunction with the promotion of your product unless you disassociate your company from the other. If you have written permission from the other company, it must be stated or your release will be rejected.
Sample Press Release (Template for Press Release with Stars)
(Headline)
Never Give Up Wristbands, In Memory of all People with ALS (PALS), are Now Available
Agoura Hills, CA (OPENPRESS) April 12, 2005 -- On November 9, 2004, the first shipment of "Never Give Up" Wristbands In Memory of all PALS arrived and are now on sale. Already over half of the 10,000-piece shipment has been sold to friends, family, PALS, and ALS advocates across the United States.
The "Never Give Up" project was created and designed by Michelle Rozzen, an avid water polo player and creative arts major at San Jose State University. Her father, David Rozzen, was diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS in June 2002. This devastating disease robbed him of his speech, movement of his hands and feet, and his ability to breathe and eat. "I know that my dad had his tough days, but he put up a long and difficult battle with ALS because he chose to never give up," says Rozzen. Dave's strength and determination to fight and find a cure for ALS is the motivation behind his daughter's wristband project.
Inspired by the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s "Live Strong" campaign, the "Never Give Up" wristbands are red in color and feature the slogan "Never Give Up" on the outer front. Inside, there is a special inscription, "in memory of all PALS." "Because of the whole ‘Live Strong’ popularity, I thought to myself 'why can't we do something similar like this for ALS' because there is so little awareness about the disease," says Rozzen.
The wristbands will be sold for $1 each, and all proceeds will help The ALS Association, Greater Los Angeles Chapter (ALSA-GLAC) support research to find a cure for ALS and provide much-needed services to patients and their families. Both Rozzen and The ALS Association are hoping the "Never Give Up" campaign will become a national phenomenon.
"Please wear your "Never Give Up Wristband" to increase awareness of ALS and to support the work of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of The ALS association," encourages Rozzen. "My family and I would like to make my dad's wish come true and find a cure for ALS."
Contact:
Michelle Rozzen
For more information, please visit:
www.nevergiveup4pals.org
www.alsala.org
www.alsa.org
Sample BOOK Press Release
(Headline)
Love, Loss & Revenge: DS Bauden Re-Releases Nurturing Souls
(OPENPRESS) January 5, 2005 -- Since first writing Nurturing Souls five years ago, author DS Bauden has matured and learned so much about writing she felt compelled to rewrite the novel about a young woman’s loss and newfound love on a Montana ranch.
When the first edition of the novel sold out and her new publisher wanted to re-release the story, Bauden took advantage of the opportunity to improve her earlier work. The result is a longer book with new scenes, more character development and a better constructed plot.
“It feels like a completely new book. I absolutely love the revised edition and feel like it is the book I had envisioned almost five years ago,” Bauden said. “I wasn't 100% happy with the first version of the story. This feels much more complete now and I cannot wait for folks to read this new book. It feels brand new.”
In the story, Alicia McKenna's parents are killed in an auto accident, leading the young woman to her Aunt Edna's ranch in Montana to seek comfort. There she meets Australian ranch hand Sydney Thompson, a woman who offers a shoulder to cry on and quickly captures Alicia's heart. But as Alicia's sorrowful spirit is introduced to passion, Sydney is reluctant to return the feelings. Still devastated by a past break-up, the Aussie has vowed never to risk getting hurt again. As Alicia tries to chip away at Sydney's emotional walls, Sydney's former girlfriend connives to stop the relationship from developing, initiating an evil plot that threatens to destroy the couple and their friends.
When Bauden first penned the story she was barely 30 years old and just learning how to write professionally. She has since worked more extensively with editors to learn how to better craft a story and develop more natural dialogue. She also consulted with friends in Australia to give Sydney more natural Aussie charm.
“I've grown tremendously as a writer since the first drafting of Nurturing Souls. I've matured as a person and that has definitely been brought into my writing style as well. I've learned so much about the art of writing since I've begun working with different editors. You can never learn too much when it comes down to your craft. You can only better yourself with further education,” Bauden said.
Bauden will be touring this summer and fall to promote Nurturing Souls and her other books. She appeared at the National Women’s Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio in July and also has appearances scheduled in Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Charleston, S.C.
In addition to Nurturing Souls, Bauden is the author of:
Drive All Night, from At First Blush: A Jane Doe Anthology. Fortitude Press, 2001
A Sacrifice For Friendship, first edition. Renaissance Alliance Publishing, 2002
Nurturing Souls, first edition. Justice House Publishing, 2003
A Saving Solace. Limitless Dare2Dream Publishing, 2003
A Sacrifice For Friendship. second edition, Limitless Dare2Dream Publishing, 2004
Nurturing Souls, second edition. Limitless Dare2Dream Publishing, 2004
Jolie’s Onyx, from Infinite Pleasures: an Anthology of Lesbian Erotica. Star Crossed Productions, 2004
For more information go to DS Bauden's website at www.dsbauden.com