Knowing how to write a press release also means that you know what not to write. Many people think that writing press releases is a no-frills task. That’s where they’re wrong. There are common mistakes in writing press releases that every writer should know (and avoid). Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thinking that any press release article will do. Press releases rely heavily on strict content that you can use for businesses^[1]. Here, we present the 10 most common mistakes that people commit when they write press releases.

1.    The title is boring, or is unrelated to the content

The title is the first thing that will catch the attention of the reader. Therefore, your title is as relevant as the content. I will go as far as saying that your content will never be read if your title is not catchy. People that know how to write a press release also know that you shouldn’t use clichés too much in your title. This is because they are commonly heard and do not sound interesting anymore. If you decide to use any puns, make sure that the puns that you will use are witty.

2.    You write in the first person

Pick up a newspaper on any given day and you will see that the articles are always written in the third person. The same goes for press releases. Never us the phrase “I discovered that Martians live in Mars,” but instead write, “It was discovered that there are Martians in Mars.” Writing in the third person is much like writing academic articles. They require a strict style of writing that is formal, but not too stiff. It should be as informative and concise as possible so that you press release will garner respect for readers.

3.    You don’t say enough

A common mistake of those that do not know how to write a press release is that they assume that the reader know everything pertinent about them. Well, they don’t and you have to make sure you add the proper information in the first few paragraphs of your press release. State your company name, address, your title, along with contact information. Journalists and reporters are busy people, and if they have to look up the information about your company before they publish your story, you will become more a bother than a help.