There are several reasons to send a newspaper, TV station or network, magazine, or radio station a press release, either by fax, e-mail, snail mail, etc. Perhaps there is some event, like a sale at your business, or the release of a new product, that you want to announce to the public. This would be a great time to send out a press release. There's another reason to send out a press release. A press release is a great way to get a reporter or editor's attention. Sending a press release with just a few choice bits of information might get the editor or reporter to call you for an interview. An interview might mean a bigger story, more print or air time, and more publicity. If your company has just completed a big medical study, for example, then you'll want to send a press release to media outlets so that they will give your study-and your company-more publicity.

So why would you want to embargo a press release? Well, there are several reasons. You might be releasing a product at midnight on a certain day, or early in the morning. In that case, you would send the news release or the press release ahead to the different members of the news media and ask them to wait to publish the release until after you have actually released the product.

You always should send out your press releases before the event that your press release is announcing. Sending out your press or news release beforehand will give reporters time to actually respond to your press release, call you with questions, and even perhaps prepare an article to publish on the date of the event that your news or press release is announcing.

Remember when you're writing a press release that you don't really want your press release to be the only thing that's put in the newspaper or written in a magazine article. What you really want is for a reporter to call you and to devote a large amount of air time or print to your event or your information. So the purpose of your press release is to tantalize. Make it interesting! Make it powerful! Make sure that the editor who reads your press release remembers your press release above all of the other ones that are sent in. If your press release is remembered, you'll get the story and the publicity. Consider writing EMBARGOED PRESS RELEASE on the top of your press release, and sendign it out beforehand, so that the news media will have time to respond and give your story or your announcement the publicity that you want and deserve.

For tips on how to write great press releases and mistakes not to make, go here:

101publicrelations.com/sr12.html.

For more information on press releases and embargoed press releases, go here:

usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/pressoffice/look.htm

For tips on how to write a great headline that grabs attention, go here:

101publicrelations.com/sr39.html.

www.publicrelationsideas.com/use_formula_press_release_headlines_to_get_the_rep_000005.html.

For a basic overview of how to publicize your company, and your products, go here:

www.publicrelationsideas.com/4_options_to_getting_your_publicity_materials_to_t_000077.html.

For tips on how to send your press release, go here:

www.publicrelationsideas.com/the_best_way_to_send_a_press_release_000006.html.

For templates and a step-by-step guide on how to create great press releases, go here:

101publicrelations.com/pressreleasereport.html.