Free Introduction to Press Release Question and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What details should a boilerplate contain?
- Location of the company
- Contact information including website
- Key facts about the company
- All of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above
A boilerplate, typically found at the end of a press release, provides a brief 'about us' section for the issuing company. It should include key facts about the company, its location, and essential contact information like its website, offering a concise overview for readers and journalists.
Question 2: In a press release, quotation marks should be:
- From the most relevantly authoritative person in the company (Correct answer)
- From the CEO
- From as many people in the company as you can get on the record
- From the head of Marketing
Correct answer: From the most relevantly authoritative person in the company
Quotations in a press release should come from the most authoritative and relevant person regarding the announced news. This lends credibility and weight to the statement, ensuring the spokesperson has direct knowledge and a pertinent perspective on the subject, rather than just any company employee.
Question 3: What does an SEO press release serve as?
- To get retweets on twitter
- To drive online traffic to another location such as a website, registration page or a blog post (Correct answer)
- To get likes on Facebook
- All of the above
Correct answer: To drive online traffic to another location such as a website, registration page or a blog post
An SEO press release is strategically optimized with keywords and links to improve its visibility in search engine results. Its primary goal is to drive online traffic to specific digital assets, like a company website, registration page, or blog, thereby increasing online presence and engagement.
Question 4: An effective press release should be distributed to:
- Print and television media
- Bloggers
- Social networks
- All of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above
For maximum impact, an effective press release should be distributed across a wide range of media channels. This includes traditional print and television media, relevant bloggers, and various social networks, ensuring the news reaches a broad and diverse audience for comprehensive coverage.
Question 5: What three things make up a press release?
- Headlines, sales, call to action
- Headline, Facebook page, email address
- Headline, Body, Contact Information (Correct answer)
- Headlines, website links, twitter feed
Correct answer: Headline, Body, Contact Information
A standard press release structure includes a compelling headline to capture attention, a detailed body that presents the news in an inverted pyramid style, and clear contact information for media inquiries. These three elements are crucial for effective communication and journalist follow-up.
Question 6: What is the most effective technique to release a press release?
- To a highly targeted group of journalist with interest in subject matter (Correct answer)
- To all contacts in email list
- Via facsimile
- None of the above
Correct answer: To a highly targeted group of journalist with interest in subject matter
The most effective way to distribute a press release is to send it to a highly targeted list of journalists who cover the specific industry or subject matter. This increases the likelihood of the news being picked up, as it aligns with their editorial focus and audience interests, rather than a mass, untargeted send.
Question 7: The following information should appear in the subject line of an email news release:
- The subject line should be left blank
- The words "BREAKING NEWS" in all caps
- The email of the press release author
- The press release headline (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The press release headline
The subject line of an email containing a press release should be the press release headline itself. This immediately conveys the main news to the recipient, helping journalists quickly assess the relevance and newsworthiness of the email without needing to open it first.
What details should a boilerplate contain?