Public relations is seen as a way to control information given to the media about a company. A press release is the easiest way to share information with all types of media at once. The information is basic, but detailed enough that a news story can be generated from the press release. It concludes with places to learn additional information.
Promotion
A press release is the best way to gain free publicity with newspapers, blogs and other media outlets. With a simple email you can send a press release to hundreds of media contacts who can then use your information to advertise your product or event in their publication. Other writers may read the stories in publications and contact you to write stories in their newspaper or blog, it can be a never ending cycle of publicity all done with one simple press release.
Involvement
Businesses and organizations use press releases to interest people in joining their cause. If a community center is running a basketball tournament, a press release is a way to not only inform people about the event, but ask for other businesses to join the event. These businesses will then advertise the event and again you earn free publicity.
Announcement
Use a press release to make an announcement about exciting or new things happening with your company. This can be a website launch, event or even a new employee. The news shared through a press release should show your company in a positive light and be significant to people outside of your company as well. You want to send a press release that is appealing to many because an editor will not run a story that is just relevant to the people in the company or organization.
Share
A press release is used as a way to share information that is not necessarily news, but important to the public. It can also be used to address the press when crisis occurs and the public is questioning actions or events. Regardless it is important that the press release is important to a large group of people and includes valuable information.