How to write press release for your commercial enterprise in Nigeria

Press release

Writing a press release for your business in Nigeria is a good way to tell the people what
you are doing, when you started, why you are doing that, where you are doing it and how
you intend to do that.

It is critical statement prepared for release to the media both online and offline.
The purpose of writing a press release in Nigeria is to enable journalists to access the
information that is accurate, useful and valuable. Press release also acts as an
invitation to journalists to ask you more information regarding the release and be in contact with your company. A lot of
businesses with new product or service in Nigeria have issued out many press releases but only a handful of them are published because they lack the will to write a press release that will capture the publishers’ interest to publish it. Their choice of format, sample, and headlines tends to be less likely
to attract a journalists or publisher.

When writing a press release in Nigeria, always write from the publishers view and do not use
“I” or “We” except you are quoting someone in your company. And many people have said that press release should not be more than a
page to allow easy distribution and increase the readership quantity.

Main types of press release in Nigeria

* Media press release

* New product press release

* New Service press release

* New business press release

* Book press release

* Music press release

* Company acquired press release

* Event press release

How to write press release in Nigeria

1. Write a headline
This is a section where you will state clearly your headline of the release. Your headline
should be killer keywords that will even make people to read the release or make journalists,
publish it. The headline should be in Capital letter and most often will be the subject of the
press release when sending to different media houses in Nigeria.

2. Sub headline
This is a second headline that shares more information on your release statement. It must
be precise and direct to the point. All the initial letters must be in capital letter.

3. Lead line
This is the first paragraph of your press release in Nigeria and any information you shared here is very crucial and it will also decide whether people will read down your
press statements or just skip all. This is a place you have to hit the nail at the head and
briefly discuss your announcements and the
solution or benefits it means to end users.
You will need to include all key points and keywords in this paragraph as the opening
paragraph and make it short as possible..

4. Quotation
State a quotation that is brief with the person that made the quote. It can be the CEO, CFO,
CTO, or any executives of the company that relates to the press release. This is important
as journalists and media houses will caption the quote and use it to broadcast more about the New service or product you are about to
introduce into the market.

5. Main body
The main body of your Press release will contain the answer to the 5 “w’ and the “H” precisely. Such as;

* Who is the actual news?

* What is the news about?

* Where are they doing it?

* When did they do it?

* Why is it important?

* How does it benefit the people?

Keep this part of the press release short and to the point.

6. Conclusion part
This will focus on giving information about your company and its other services. It will be very brief and showcase how your company is changing or will lead the industry.

7. Closing line
Closing line is about giving them a call of action to contact you for more information. A
good example is “For more information about
this topic or schedule an interview, please call
(Phone Number) or (Email address).

8. Use hatch
Use the hatch three times to mark the end of the press release and place it in the middle.

E.g.

Tips for writing a press release in Nigeria

1. Include your company contact details at the top right of the release.

2. Include company logo

3. Make your headline irresistible.

4. Use keywords to attract Search engines optimization.

5. Keep the entire piece short and direct.

6. Avoid jargon.

7. Include quotations.

8. State clearly ‘PRESS RELEASE’ across the top of the page.

9. Check your spelling and any factual information.

10. Timing is important-Time to release it. (Between 10.30am and 11.00am).

11. Target Your Distribution.

12. Send your release by email.

13. Be concise and grammatically correct.

14. Proofread.

15. Be available for interview (if needed).

It is very good to write a nice press release for your purpose as it has a lot to do with your
marketing abilities. A good press release statement will make more journalists, media,
blogs, etc. to publish your press release with a
good will.

 Always think business