What is a Press Release?
A press release is a text-based announcement about an event, development, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the media for publication consideration.
If a newspaper, magazine, or blog is interested in your release, they will publish it as an article. If a radio or TV program is interested in your release, they will mention it on-air or conduct an on-air interview with someone from your company/organization.
A press release is NOT a biography, a poem, a letter, a flyer, or an advertisement.
5 Tips for Writing an Effective Press Release for the Black Media:
1) Write your press release as if you are the journalist writing the article. It should be 100% fact-based, and written in 3rd person.
2) Give your press release a descriptive, newsworthy, and meaningful title, and use a subtitle if necessary to include more important details.
3) Mention in the first paragraph how and why your press release is relevant to the Black community. The first paragraph should also make reference to who or what is in the photo that you've provided.
4) Keep the length of your press release to no more than 1 and 1/2 pages (single-spaced).
5) Include a relevant, high-resolution, horizontal photo. The size should be atleast 600 pixels in width. (Logos and flyer-like images with text will not be accepted!)
Below is a Template of Exactly How Your Press Release Should Look:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2017
CONTACT:
Judith Mays
jmays@hiphopweekly.com
202-553-6117
CYNTHIA HORNER NAMED EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF HIP HOP WEEKLY
Horner to Receive Carma Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
New York, NY (BlackNews.com) -- Esteemed African-American journalist Cynthia Horner, who has been Hip Hop Weekly's Editor-At-Large since the magazine was first created in 2006, has been appointed its first Editor-In-Chief. Horner was formerly the Editor-In-Chief and Editorial Director of Right On! magazine, the first nationally-published title for African-American celebrities and their teenage fans, and over the course of her career she has interviewed almost every African-American superstar entertainer, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, and many more. Cynthia is a recipient of the "Journalist of the Year" Award from the International Association of African-American Music, and has received countless awards and citations for her contributions to the music industry.
"It is an honor to accept this title and position," said Cynthia Horner. "I have been involved with Hip Hop Weekly since its inception, and I am looking forward to utilizing my vast knowledge in the areas of entertainment, fashion, beauty and news to enhance the Hip Hop Weekly brand. The brainchild of Raymond 'Benzino' Scott and Dave Mays has revolutionized a sluggish industry, and Hip Hop Weekly has rapidly become the people's choice with exclusive stories and thought-provoking features. Hip Hop Weekly is a unique hybrid of music and entertainment with many fast-breaking news articles inside. There are many stories to tell and we will effectively continue to do so by putting our own spin on these stories."
"Cynthia Horner has played a major role in building Hip Hop Weekly's reputation as the premiere entertainment magazine for the Hip Hop Generation," said David Mays and Raymond "Benzino" Scott, Hip Hop Weekly's publishers. "We are very proud that she has accepted the Editor-in-Chief position, as we couldn't have found a better person to represent the voice of the Hip Hop Weekly brand as we continue to build the magazine and expand into television, digital and event platforms in 2012."
Mays is making the official announcement of the appointment this Saturday, December 17th at the annual Carma Foundation Jingle Bell Ball in New York, where Cynthia will be the recipient of Carma's Lifetime Achievement Award. Melky Jean, singer and sister of Haitian performer Wyclef Jean, will be hosting the event, which raises money to help Haitian women and children.
About Hip Hop Weekly
Hip Hop Weekly is a groundbreaking magazine, launched nationally in 2007, that brings its readers fresh, exciting and relevant content, including the latest news and information on film, TV, music, current events, fashion, sports and celebrity lifestyles. In an age where rumors and innuendo flood the Internet, Hip Hop Weekly has established itself as the go-to outlet for authentic news, interview and thoughtful reviews. Hip Hop Weekly is a trusted source for timely, accurate and entertaining reporting for the tens of millions of young Americans who identify with hip hop culture. In 2010, Hip Hop Weekly became the #1 selling urban entertainment magazine on newsstands in America, and is the only frequent-format celebrity magazine to target a multicultural audience. Hip Hop Weekly has been voted best Urban magazine for 3 years in a row: in 2009 at the Urban Music Awards, in 2010 at the YGEA Awards and in 2011 at the Duval Diamond Awards.
About the Carma Foundation
Founded by Wyclef Jean's sister, performer and singer Melky Jean, the Carma Foundation supports efforts in Haiti to help victims of the 2011 earthquake disaster and runs projects to help the Haitian people, including the rebuilding of the CARMA HOUSE orphanage in Léogâne, the Carma House Scholarship Fund, and the Carma Care Initiative, aimed at helping young women and men entrepreneurs. This year's Jingle Bell Ball will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 15W NY, NY. It will honor Editor-in-Chief of Hip Hop Weekly Magazine Cynthia Horner, Melissa Koester, Dr. Chris T. Pernell, and Actor Michael Kenneth Williams.
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