Press Release Sample

Press Release

With this, I hope to demonstrate how I’d communicate news to the media and public.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2025

HEADLINE:

New Adult Education Programs at BOCES – Fast-Track to Employment!

Dateline & Lead Paragraph/ the Hook:

The who, what, where, why, and how & body

HOLBROOK, NY — March 11, 2025 — Eastern Suffolk BOCES is excited to announce the launch of its expanded Adult and Continuing Education Program, designed to equip adults with career-ready skills and direct employment opportunities. The new program features training in high-demand fields such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades — with direct hiring partnerships from local businesses.

“Our goal is to help adults not only gain valuable skills but also secure meaningful employment,” said Dr. Jane Thompson, Superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES. “By partnering with local employers, we’re creating a direct pipeline from the classroom to the workforce.”

“Our mission has always been to prepare students for the real world, and these new programs reflect the changing needs of the workforce,” said Dr. Jane Thompson, Superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES. “By offering students access to industry-aligned training, we’re giving them a head start toward successful careers.”

The new program includes courses in Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA), Welding, Software Development, and Renewable Energy Technologies. Students will have access to hands-on training and mentorship from industry professionals.

“We’re thrilled to partner with BOCES to hire skilled graduates,” said Mark Johnson, CEO of Long Island Healthcare Systems. “It’s a win-win situation — students gain practical experience, and we gain highly trained employees.”

Enrollment for the new programs opens on April 1, 2025. For more information, visit www.esboces.org or contact the Office of Student Services at (631) 123-4567.

About Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Eastern Suffolk BOCES provides innovative educational programs and services to over 50 school districts in Suffolk County, NY. Through collaboration with schools and community partners, Eastern Suffolk BOCES enhances educational opportunities and student success.

Boilerplate and Contact Information:

Media Contact:
Pamela Schmidlin
Public Relations Specialist
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
(631) 875-6820
pamela@esboces.org

Let’s talk about the format of the press release and how to professionally put a release out to the press and organizations that need to know and be present.

 Anatomy of a Press Release

A press release generally includes seven key elements:

1. Headline –  The Attention-Grabber

• Keep it short and impactful (under 12 words).
• Use active language and make it clear why the news matters.
• Capitalize the first letter of each major word (like a newspaper headline).
• Example:
   Eastern Suffolk BOCES Expands Career Training Programs to Meet Industry Demand
   New Career Programs Announced by Eastern Suffolk BOCES (Too passive)

2. Subheadline (Optional) –  The Clarifier

• A short supporting statement that adds context to the headline.
• Provides a little more detail about the news.
• Example:
  New Courses in Cybersecurity, Healthcare, and Renewable Energy Aim to Prepare Students for High-Demand Jobs

3. Dateline –  The When and Where

• Format: CITY, STATE — Date
• Example:
  HOLBROOK, NY — March 11, 2025

4. Lead Paragraph –  The Hook

• Answer the 5 W’s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
• Get to the point quickly — journalists might only read this paragraph.
• Example:
  Eastern Suffolk BOCES is launching an expanded Career Training Program to prepare students for high-demand jobs in fields like cybersecurity, renewable energy, and healthcare. Enrollment begins on April 1, 2025.

5. Body Paragraphs –  The Details

• Expand on the key facts introduced in the lead paragraph.
• Include:
  • Why it matters
  • Key stats or supporting data
  • Quotes from leadership or stakeholders (optional)
  • Background information
• Example:
  “Our mission has always been to prepare students for the real world, and these new programs reflect the changing needs of the workforce,” said Dr. Jane Thompson, Superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES. “By offering students access to industry-aligned training, we’re giving them a head start toward successful careers.”

6. Boilerplate –  About the Organization

• A short “about us” section (2–3 sentences).
• Include the organization’s mission and core purpose.
• Example:
  Eastern Suffolk BOCES provides innovative educational programs and services to over 50 school districts in Suffolk County, NY. Through collaboration with schools and community partners, Eastern Suffolk BOCES enhances educational opportunities and student success.

7. Contact Information –  The Follow-Up

• Include the PR contact’s name, phone number, and email.
• Make sure they can easily reach you for more details.
• Example:
  Media Contact:
  Pamela Schmidlin
  Public Relations Specialist
  (631) 875-6820
  pamela@doggonehealthychoices.com

 Pro Tips for Writing a Strong Press Release

 Keep it short – Ideally 300–500 words (1–1.5 pages).
 Avoid jargon – Use clear, direct language.
 Use active voice – Keep it engaging and confident.
 Include a strong quote – It adds credibility and makes the story more human.
 Write for the reader – Journalists look for the most newsworthy angle — lead with it!
 Format it cleanly – Left-align text, single spacing, 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman).

 Example Press Release Outline

Here’s a simplified outline you can follow every time:

1. Headline: Bold, capitalized
2. Subheadline: Italicized (optional)
3. Dateline: CITY, STATE — Date
4. Lead Paragraph: 5 W’s
5. Body Paragraph 1: Why it matters + Supporting info
6. Body Paragraph 2: Quote + Additional background
7. Body Paragraph 3: Call to action (if needed)
8. Boilerplate: About the company
9. Contact Info: Name, phone, email