Writing Your Online Training Press Release: 5 Questions To Answer
There are a number of guidelines that you can follow while writing your online training press release, but there also happen to a few questions that you should address before you even begin the process. These targeted inquiries can offer you the chance to learn as much as possible about your readership, find a unique angle to pursue, and create a compelling story that grabs their attention right from the start. Here are the top 5 questions that you should consider BEFORE you sit down to write your online training press release.
1. Have You Researched Your Target Audience?
No matter what product you’re promoting or what online training event you are covering, researching your target audience is a vital part of the process. It gives you the chance to custom tailor your online training press release to attract your target readership, so that they can familiarize themselves with your brand and message. Surveys, focus groups, and interviews also offer insight into their habits. For example, you can determine if they get their news on-the-go via their smartphones, or if they prefer “old fashioned” printed media. Ultimately, the goal of your audience research is to figure out what grabs their attention and how you can relate to them on a meaningful level.
2. Can I Find A Newsworthy Angle?
An online training press release is only a press release if it covers a newsworthy online training story. Even if you are writing your online training press release to promote a new product or service, you still have to find the right angle. Otherwise, you may end up with nothing more than a marketing gimmick. Readers are looking for interesting information that they can use in some capacity. This means that your online training press release has to offer them real value, such as facts and stats that can help them make an informed purchase. If you are having trouble finding a newsworthy angle, then try researching some current news, events or studies that tie into your online story. If there is relevant breaking news you can emphasize the connection to make your online training press release engaging and authentic.
3. Can My Opening Paragraph Pack A Punch?
The headline, and possibly subhead, grab the reader's attention, but the first paragraph is what holds it. Thus, it has to pack a punch in order to ensure that they keep reading. The opening paragraph should contain the who, what, where, when, and why of your online training story. In essence, a reader must be able to get all of the information they need after perusing those first few lines of your online training press release. The proceeding paragraphs are just there to elaborate upon the first and to provide supporting evidence, such as research findings. Keep in mind that most journalists simply won't have the time to read through every online training press release that interests them. So, you'll have to make yours stand out by giving them all of the necessary information from the very beginning.
4. Do I Have Facts And Stats To Back Up My Information?
No online training press release is complete without facts, statistics, research data, and quotes to back up your information. Remember that an online training press release isn't a creative writing piece that must contain vivid imagery, metaphors, and other literary devices. Instead, it should offer your readers cold, hard facts that support your claims. For example, if you are identifying a trend in the eLearning market, you need to be able to prove it with statistical data, researching findings, and other information that backs up your assumptions. Just make sure that the data you use is actually relevant. Last, but not least, always give credit for your supporting information. If it's a quote, mention who said it. If it's a research study, include the name of the organization.
5. Are My Cross-Promotional Web Pages Ready To Go?
One of the most notable benefits of writing an online training press release is that you are able to promote your brand. The trouble is that you can't ramble on about your company's background and accomplishments in a single-page online training press release. Thus, you must have your website, sales page, and other cross-promotional web pages ready to go before you submit your online training press release. These resources also allow journalists to learn more about who you are, what you offer, and what you stand for. So, include hyperlinks to all relevant pages and make sure that all of your online marketing materials reflect your brand image. For example, all of your sites, social media profiles, and sales pages should have the company logo or message. In addition, don't forget to include your website URL with your contact information at the bottom of the online training press release.
The answers to these all-important questions can give you the insights you need to craft a high quality online training press release. Press releases should typically be between 300 and 500 words in length. Therefore, it's essential to be concise, clear, and succinct in order to get your message across, and thorough research can help you to achieve this. Be sure to download our Free eBook "The Definitive Guide to eLearning Press Releases" and start optimizing your Press Releases.
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