Why the 5 Ws and the H Never Get Old

By / / 1 Minute PR, Media Relations / 5 Ws, Public Relations, Traditional Press Release

extinct. I don’t agree. I’ve worked with many editors of local publications and having a well-written press release makes their job easier.

5 Ws

I learned the 5 Ws and the H in high school and they never get old. The who, what, when, where, why, and how are basic questions answered in a press release. Combining these basic elements with a compelling lede or first short paragraph that grabs a journalist’s attention is critical.

  1. Who is this story about?
  2. What happened?
  3. When did it take place?
  4. Where did it take place?
  5. Why did it happen?
  6. How is it happening or how can you participate?

Knowing how to answer these questions is the beginning to writing a traditional press release versus a social media press release. Combine it with searchable keywords, a captivating quote, boilerplate description of the featured company, photographs/video, and social media links, you’ll be on your way to getting your company one step closer in the headlines.