There are around 7,153 trade & technical schools in the US. So if you wish to advertise in some way, you have to make an impact to stand out from the crowd. One way you can gain attention is with a press release. A press release is a powerful tool that can help your school or college to gain visibility and credibility in the community. Whether you’re announcing a new program, event, or accomplishment, a well-written press release can help you to attract the attention of local media and promote your school to potential students, donors, and other stakeholders. But the key question is: how to write a great press release?

Crafting a great press release is not always easy. To help you get started, here are some handy tips for writing a press release that will put your school in the spotlight:

Start with a Strong Headline

The headline is the most important part of your press release, as it is the first thing that readers will see. It should be clear, concise, and attention-grabbing, and it should provide a clear summary of the main point of your press release. For example, “Local Trade School Launches New Welding Program” is a strong headline that tells readers exactly what to expect from the press release.

It’s important to note that the headline should be written in title case, meaning that the first letter of each word should be capitalized except for conjunctions, articles, and prepositions. This format makes the headline easy to read and understand.

Additionally, the headline should be short, ideally no more than 10-12 words. This is so that it can be easily read and understood even when it’s being shared on social media platforms.

Use a Press Release Template

There are many press release templates available online that can help you to format your press release correctly and ensure that it includes all of the necessary information. A press release template can also help you to follow the standard format for press releases, which includes the headline, the date, the contact information, and the body of the press release.

Using a template can save you a lot of time and effort, as you won’t have to worry about formatting your press release correctly. Additionally, using a template can help you to ensure that your press release follows the standard format, which will make it more likely to be picked up by media outlets.

By using a press release template, you can also make sure that you include all the necessary information that is required by the media outlets. You can also ensure that your press release is of the right length and format.

Provide All the Necessary Information

To be effective, your press release should provide all of the necessary information that readers need to know. This includes the who, what, where, when, and why of your story. You should also provide any quotes or statistics that can help to add credibility to your message.

For instance, in a press release announcing a new program, you should include information about the program itself. This could be info such as what it is, when it will start, who it is aimed at, and why you are offering it.

Furthermore, include contact information for a school representative who can answer questions. By including all the necessary information, you make it easy for media outlets to understand and write about your story. It will also be easier for potential students to find the information they need.

Keep it Short and Sweet

A press release format is often only one page long, and it should be easy to read and understand. Avoid using jargon or technical language, and stick to the most important points of your story.

Remember, the goal is to get your message across quickly and effectively. Press releases that are too long or that contain too much information can be difficult to read and understand, and they may be less likely to be picked up by media outlets.

A press release that is too long to read may be less likely to be shared on social media. Readers may not want to take the time to read through a long document. By keeping your press release short and sweet, you increase the chances that it will be read and understood by your target audience.

Use Quotes

Quoting a school official or a student can add personalization and credibility to your press release. Make sure you have permission to use the quote, and that it is relevant to the news you are sharing.

Quotes can be a powerful way to add a personal touch to your press release and to make it more engaging for readers. They can also add credibility to your message by providing a testimonial from someone who has firsthand experience with your school or program.

When selecting a quote, make sure that it is relevant to the news you are sharing and that it supports the key message of your press release. Additionally, make sure to get permission from the person you are quoting before including their quote in your press release.

Include a Call to Action

A press release should not only inform but also encourage the reader to take action. Include a call to action such as “Learn more about our new welding program by visiting our website.” Or “Interested students can enroll now for the upcoming semester.”

By including a call to action, you give readers a clear next step that they can take. The next step can be visiting your website, signing up for a program, or reaching out to your school for more information.

Including a call to action can help to increase the chances that your press release will lead to new students. Or it can increase engagement from potential donors.

Tailor the Release to your Audience

It’s important to keep in mind who your audience is when writing a press release. Are you targeting students, donors, or community members? Tailor the language and content of your press release to appeal to your specific audience.

For example, if you’re announcing a new trade college program for students, use language that is easy for students to understand and that highlights the benefits of the program. If you’re announcing a new donation, use language that emphasizes the impact of the donation and how it will benefit the school.

By tailoring your press release to your audience, you’ll be more likely to capture their interest and get them to take action.

The Importance of Visuals

Press releases with photos or videos get much more attention than those without. It can be a photograph of the new program or students in action, a video of the school’s facilities, or infographics.

Adding visual elements, such as photographs or videos, to your press release can make it more engaging and help to grab the attention of readers. Additionally, visual elements can help to illustrate your message, making it easier for readers to understand and remember.

When choosing visual elements to include in your press release, be sure to select high-quality images that are relevant to your story. For example, if you’re announcing a new program, include a photograph of students participating in the program. Or if you’re announcing an event, include a photograph of the event space.

Infographics are a great way to present information in a clear and easy-to-understand format. They can help to simplify complex data and statistics and can make your press release more engaging and memorable for readers. When creating infographics, keep in mind that they should be visually pleasing, easy to understand, and relevant to the news you are sharing.

Use Press Release Services

By using professional press release services, you can reach a large and diverse audience through local and national media outlets. Plus, press release services can help you to track the performance of your press release, allowing you to see how it is being received and to measure its impact.

Another benefit of using press release services is that they can help you to target specific media outlets. We’re talking about the ones that are most likely to be interested in your story.

Such services typically have a large database of media contacts. They can help you to reach out to journalists and editors who cover topics related to your school or program. The result is you can help to increase the chances that your press release will be read by your target audience.

Review and Edit

Before you send out your press release, make sure you review and edit it for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. It’s also a good idea to have someone else review it for you as well. A fresh pair of eyes can often catch mistakes that you may have missed.

Reviewing and editing your press release is a crucial step that can help to ensure that it is professional. By proofreading your press release and making sure it is free of errors, you can make sure that it is easy to read and understand. You’ll also ensure that it will be taken seriously by media outlets.

Timing is Everything

Timing is crucial when it comes to sending out a press release. You want to make sure your press release is distributed at a time when it will be most likely to get noticed.

For instance, if you’re announcing a new event, you might want to send out the press release a few weeks before the program starts. This is so that media outlets have time to write about it before the program begins. 

Follow-up

Once you’ve sent out your press release, be sure to follow up with the media outlets that you’ve contacted. This can include reaching out to journalists and editors who have expressed interest in your story, as well as sending out additional materials or information that they might need to write their story.

Remember, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for media outlets to write about your story. So be prepared to provide them with whatever they need.

Measure the Success

Analytics can provide valuable insights into how your press release is performing from the day you release it. For example, you might learn how many times people view, share or download your press release. You can use this data to evaluate the effectiveness of your press release and make adjustments as necessary. With this data, you can also see which media outlets are picking up your press release and know where you need to focus your efforts next time.

Furthermore, you can track the number of new students or donors that you’ve attracted as a result of your press release. Use this data to evaluate the effectiveness of your press release and make adjustments as necessary. You can use this press release as a guide to determine what kind of press releases to craft in the future and if there are any changes you need to make in your approach.

Don’t Forget the Power of Social Media

In addition to traditional media outlets, social media can be an effective way to share your press release with a wider audience. After all, the social industry is worth a whopping $62 billion, meaning that it does its job well of connecting people.

By sharing your press release on your school’s social media channels, you can reach potential students, donors, and community members who may not have been reached through traditional media outlets.

You can use social media to engage with your audience and to encourage them to share your press release with their own networks. When sharing your press release on social media, be sure to use eye-catching visuals and to write an engaging headline that will encourage people to read it.

Also, consider including a link to your press release on your website. This way people can easily access it and learn more about your school or program.

All the Advice You Need on How to Write a Great Press Release

Press releases are a powerful tool that can help your school or college to gain visibility and credibility in the community. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can learn how to write a great press release that will put your trade school or college in the spotlight. You will end up attracting the attention of local media and promoting your school to potential students, donors, and other stakeholders. 

At Local Finder, we can provide you with top-level press release services. Find out more by clicking here.