The Public Relations Blog

Writing an effective headline for your news release is a critical skill for professional communicators. Journalists could receive hundreds of news releases in a day, so standing out in their busy inboxes is no easy feat. A compelling headline, however, is the secret sauce to pique interest and entice a reader to click and read.

If you want your press release to stand out in a crowded media landscape, follow these seven elements of captivating headlines:

Hook readers with magnetic headlines and increase engagement online.

The press release headline is the first touchpoint readers have with your content. In an era of information overload, a weak headline means lost opportunities. Strong headlines draw attention amid the noise and condense your key message into a bite-sized preview. 

Use these proven tips to craft magnetic headlines that hook journalists and other readers. 

Top-tier media coverage is a surefire way to expand brand visibility, yet it’s not the only option for your company.

In the complex world of public relations, securing coverage in top-tier media outlets like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal is often seen as the ultimate achievement for brand visibility. However, this may not always be feasible or even the most effective strategy for many companies. 

Real-world examples and tips to create attention-grabbing headlines that will secure media pickup.

A strong, attention-grabbing headline is critical for a press release to achieve its purpose of securing media coverage. With journalists receiving hundreds of releases daily, standing out among the crowded media landscape is challenging but possible. 

In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses why time is of the essence. Media relations requires quick responses because reporters are typically on deadline, therefore Jason goes into depth about how you can be more timely and responsive to journalists' inquiries.

Tune in to learn more!

A study shows journalists are increasingly overwhelmed with pitches and media requests in an era of dwindling newsrooms.

A new report from Propel, a public relations software company, shows journalists are responding to fewer pitches than ever before, continuing a concerning downward trend.  

Targeting, personalization, captivating pitches, and relationship building are key for earning media coverage.

Sending out a news release is a common practice companies and organizations use to earn media coverage. Sending a release out over the wire doesn't guarantee you'll get journalists to cover your story, but there is a method to the madness. Follow these four best practices to improve your chances of turning your release into earned media coverage.

Visuals grab attention, tell a story, and expand coverage.

Companies might focus entirely on crafting the perfect headline and copy to earn media coverage from a news release. However, the power of compelling images, videos, infographics, and other visual assets is just as important for catching a journalist's attention and getting your story covered.

There are three key reasons why multimedia is essential in your news releases.

Avoid forgettable and vague headlines with these quick tips to make for a better news release.

News releases enable organizations to inform the media and public about key developments within the company. But with limitless information competing for attention, writing effective headlines is critical to stand out and earn consumer clicks. 

The rebranding of HARO by Cision may be a game-changer for PR professionals.

In the fast-changing landscape of public relations, we continuously seek tools to streamline processes and maximize value for clients. The recent rebranding of HARO (Help a Reporter Out), an online platform that connects journalists with expert sources for their news stories and reporting, to Connectively represents an exciting shift in PR outreach capabilities.