Write Like a Pro – Formatting Tips

Quick reference

• 00:05 Now, though formatting is thought of as quite the robotic element,
• 00:09 it's certainly part of writing like a pro,
• 00:12 because that's what is going to give the release that professional appearance.
• 00:17 A couple of tips to work through now, the logo and the letterhead.
• 00:22 We're gonna incorporate the logo or
• 00:24 the letterhead as best we can at the top of the press release.
• 00:28 And this will convey the source of the message with immediacy and
• 00:32 it will add credibility.
• 00:34 And also give us that professional look that the company aims for.
• 00:39 Contact information is really what's required for the press release to be
• 00:43 complete, because this would be the next step that people will take.
• 00:48 The next step would be to pick up the phone and reach out to a knowledgable
• 00:52 person in the company, or to visit the website and perhaps place an order.
• 00:57 So this information is normally placed on the top left-hand
• 01:00 side of the press release it's gonna be clearly visible to all.
• 01:04 Now if you look at the time and
• 01:06 the dateline, that's gonna be above the headline of the press release.
• 01:11 And we need to indicate to journalists and editors when should this be released.
• 01:16 If it should be released immediately,
• 01:18 you can just state boldly that this is for immediate release.
• 01:22 If you need it to be released on a specific date,
• 01:25 then you can rather just say hold until, and then specify the exact date.
• 01:31 After the headline and the subhead, open the press release with your location.
• 01:36 And it should be followed by a date.
• 01:39 So the dateline then is gonna help readers to understand where and
• 01:43 when the news will be relevant.
• 01:46 We also need to leave some clues for the readers with formatting.
• 01:50 So if a press release is over one page,
• 01:52 then typically you will type a hash and then, more followed by another hash.
• 01:58 And this is preceded and followed by a hash at the bottom of the first
• 02:03 page to indicate that the text will continue on the next page.
• 02:07 So at the end, then, of the press release we're going to type end, or
• 02:12 we can do three hashes to signal the reader that the text will finish here.
• 02:18 So never write your opinions in the press release, remember that.
• 02:22 Only write in the third person,
• 02:24 because this will keep the release rather professional and objective.
• 02:28 Your press release should be written in a typical writing format, and
• 02:33 we're going to double space it as well.
• 02:35 Also remember to include page numbers at all times.

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