How To Write a Press Release for an Event: Complete Guide and Template

November 25, 2024

The information you communicate to the public about your corporate event has a big impact on how the event is perceived. Writing a press release for an upcoming event can help generate excitement, set audience expectations, and contribute to marketing efforts. Similarly, writing a release about an event that’s already occurred can help highlight key moments and keep important conversations going after the event has ended.

Here’s our comprehensive guide on how to write a press release for an event.

Types of Event Press Releases

Press releases are used by companies and other organizations to communicate pieces of news or information to the media and the public. They’re generally handled by PR departments, and they’re used for many purposes, not just to inform people about events.

But in the context of corporate events, there are four main types of press releases:

  1. Announcing an upcoming closed event: A press release for an upcoming closed event may be used to invite specific stakeholders or journalists and provide information to the media, even if the event is not open to the public.
  2. Announcing an upcoming open event: A press release about an upcoming open event is often used to encourage interest and excitement for the event, invite the public to attend, and set expectations for what people can expect.
  3. Reporting on a previously held closed event: A press release for a closed event that has already taken place may communicate information to the media and the public about what occurred at the private event.
  4. Reporting on a previously held open event: A press release about an open event that has already taken place may be used to summarize what happened at the event, highlight memorable moments, and encourage interest in attending future events.

Benefits of a Press Release

Writing a press release is a simple, yet effective way to highlight the importance of your upcoming event. Here are a few of the main advantages:

  • Credibility: Whether you’re hosting a private event for leaders in your industry or an open event with a general audience, a formal press release demonstrates the legitimacy of your organization.
  • Media coverage: By sharing the details of your event with journalists, you can get the benefit of free publicity and start important dialogues with your audience before the event even begins.
  • SEO: When articles are published online about your upcoming event and organization, you can begin to rank on search engine results pages, expanding your reach, boosting interest, and starting conversations on social media.
  • Strategic messaging: In marketing, you always want to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to shaping the narrative about your brand, products, and services; by strategically highlighting certain details in your press release, you’re in control of the conversation.

Characteristics of a Successful Press Release

Concise

A good press release is straightforward and organized. An excessively wordy or long press release can work against you, even if it’s technically well-written.

Easy To Read

In most cases, an event press release should be written at a 6th-8th grade reading level to ensure accessibility.

If your target audience is particularly educated (industry experts, for example), you should still try to avoid writing at more than a 10th grade level. Even if your audience can understand ultra-technical language, you still want your press release to be convenient to read and easily digestible for journalists.

Enthusiastic

One of the main purposes of a press release is to drum up enthusiasm, especially if you’re advertising an upcoming event. Always use positive language and write in an active voice, not a passive one. Many press releases include a “call to action,” which is designed to inspire readers to take specific, meaningful steps.

Informative

The main goal of a press release is to provide interested readers with details about your event. Therefore, it’s vital that your press release contains all the information your audience needs to take their next step.

Specific

A vague or confusing press release is far less effective at inspiring your audience. Try to stick to key, need-to-know information to ensure readers have clear and accurate expectations of your event.

Event Press Release Template

Heading

[One-sentence description of the event and the purpose of the press release]

Subheading

[Longer, yet still concise description of what makes the event special and newsworthy]

Event Details

[Event date]

[Event time]

[Event location and venue]

Introduction

[Engaging, concise, and accurate summary of the event and why it’s being held]

Main Body

[2-3 paragraphs describing who is invited/attending, goals for the event, important speakers, and other details about the event]

Quotes (optional)

[1-3 quotes from event organizers, speakers, or sponsors]

Boilerplate

[Brief paragraph providing background information and details for journalists about your company or organization]

Call to Action (CTA)

[Statement encouraging stakeholders to take action, such as purchasing tickets, donating, or sharing information]

Contact Information

[Media contact person’s name]

[Media contact person’s phone number]

[Media contact person’s email address]

November 25, 2024

The information you communicate to the public about your corporate event has a big impact on how the event is perceived. Writing a press release for an upcoming event can help generate excitement, set audience expectations, and contribute to marketing efforts. Similarly, writing a release about an event that’s already occurred can help highlight key moments and keep important conversations going after the event has ended.

Here’s our comprehensive guide on how to write a press release for an event.

Types of Event Press Releases

Press releases are used by companies and other organizations to communicate pieces of news or information to the media and the public. They’re generally handled by PR departments, and they’re used for many purposes, not just to inform people about events.

But in the context of corporate events, there are four main types of press releases:

  1. Announcing an upcoming closed event: A press release for an upcoming closed event may be used to invite specific stakeholders or journalists and provide information to the media, even if the event is not open to the public.
  2. Announcing an upcoming open event: A press release about an upcoming open event is often used to encourage interest and excitement for the event, invite the public to attend, and set expectations for what people can expect.
  3. Reporting on a previously held closed event: A press release for a closed event that has already taken place may communicate information to the media and the public about what occurred at the private event.
  4. Reporting on a previously held open event: A press release about an open event that has already taken place may be used to summarize what happened at the event, highlight memorable moments, and encourage interest in attending future events.

Benefits of a Press Release

Writing a press release is a simple, yet effective way to highlight the importance of your upcoming event. Here are a few of the main advantages:

  • Credibility: Whether you’re hosting a private event for leaders in your industry or an open event with a general audience, a formal press release demonstrates the legitimacy of your organization.
  • Media coverage: By sharing the details of your event with journalists, you can get the benefit of free publicity and start important dialogues with your audience before the event even begins.
  • SEO: When articles are published online about your upcoming event and organization, you can begin to rank on search engine results pages, expanding your reach, boosting interest, and starting conversations on social media.
  • Strategic messaging: In marketing, you always want to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to shaping the narrative about your brand, products, and services; by strategically highlighting certain details in your press release, you’re in control of the conversation.

Characteristics of a Successful Press Release

Concise

A good press release is straightforward and organized. An excessively wordy or long press release can work against you, even if it’s technically well-written.

Easy To Read

In most cases, an event press release should be written at a 6th-8th grade reading level to ensure accessibility.

If your target audience is particularly educated (industry experts, for example), you should still try to avoid writing at more than a 10th grade level. Even if your audience can understand ultra-technical language, you still want your press release to be convenient to read and easily digestible for journalists.

Enthusiastic

One of the main purposes of a press release is to drum up enthusiasm, especially if you’re advertising an upcoming event. Always use positive language and write in an active voice, not a passive one. Many press releases include a “call to action,” which is designed to inspire readers to take specific, meaningful steps.

Informative

The main goal of a press release is to provide interested readers with details about your event. Therefore, it’s vital that your press release contains all the information your audience needs to take their next step.

Specific

A vague or confusing press release is far less effective at inspiring your audience. Try to stick to key, need-to-know information to ensure readers have clear and accurate expectations of your event.

Event Press Release Template

Heading

[One-sentence description of the event and the purpose of the press release]

Subheading

[Longer, yet still concise description of what makes the event special and newsworthy]

Event Details

[Event date]

[Event time]

[Event location and venue]

Introduction

[Engaging, concise, and accurate summary of the event and why it’s being held]

Main Body

[2-3 paragraphs describing who is invited/attending, goals for the event, important speakers, and other details about the event]

Quotes (optional)

[1-3 quotes from event organizers, speakers, or sponsors]

Boilerplate

[Brief paragraph providing background information and details for journalists about your company or organization]

Call to Action (CTA)

[Statement encouraging stakeholders to take action, such as purchasing tickets, donating, or sharing information]

Contact Information

[Media contact person’s name]

[Media contact person’s phone number]

[Media contact person’s email address]

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an event press release be?

Who is an event press release for?

How soon before the event should you publish a press release?

How soon after an event should you publish a post-event press release?

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Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation, learn more about our services, and tell us about your event.