When it comes to press release writing, there are certain things you need to include that are considered non-negotiables. The title, the contact info, the company summary…the list goes on and on. However, one of the most important pieces to the puzzle that we don’t often mention is the quote. Bottom line, you can’t have a good press release without at least one or two quotes from a reputable, connected source. In the case of a business press release, this could come from a company spokesperson, the CEO, a valued customer, or another expert in the field. Failing to include the quote detracts from the legitimacy and the more human aspect of your release.
Now having said this, let me be clear about one thing: while most people tend to understand they should have quotes in their release, the vast majority of them plain suck. It’s as if they are just there simply to meet the acceptable guidelines of a press release. And these sorts of quotes do only that. In other words, most press release quotes are boring and literally add nothing to the press release. If you pulled them out, the person reading the release wouldn’t lose a thing.
Why is it that most press release quotes are plain bland? Well, I’d suspect it revolves around these reasons:
- Company executives want to keep things safe and not rock the boat.
- People are in a hurry and don’t want to dig deeper to come up with something pertinent to say.
- Press release writers often manufacture the quotes for their clients.
It’s point number 3 that I’d like to focus on for a moment. It’s important here to go back to the very fundamental elements of writing—to a basic truth. Regardless of the type of writing you are doing, the author holds all the power within his pen (or keyboard). He has complete license to mold the piece in whatever way he sees fit.
While we traditionally apply that line of logic to fiction, we can also use it in our press release writing. See, truthfully, in this day and age most press release writers manufacture quotes for people and have them approved once the release is finished. That means that, by and large, these writers are to blame for the pitiful quotes.
But on the other hand, that should offer us all a bit of hope, because that means that we writers have the power to change this. We can create quotes that will actually add to our press releases. But how? Well…
- Drop the jargon. This is a standard rule of copywriting and it also applies here. Business executives love to use industry words and acronyms, but no one else understands them. Instead, translate the quotes into real life language.
- Keep them conversational. When someone reads the quote, it should feel like it came from an actual interview—an actual conversation; not like you made it up (even though you did).
- Break it up. No one wants to read a book. If the quote is too long, no one will ever finish it. Again, a standard copywriting rule applies here. Cut the text (quote) into smaller chunks so it’s easier to chew and subsequently digest.
- Lend an opinion. Press releases are supposed to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. However, a quote technically can be an opinion. So if you need to sneak a bit of personal opinion in there to help push the product, this is the only place to do it.
- Change how you reference the speaker. “She said” gets old real fast and is the mark of a novice writer. Switch it up. Things like “According to” or “She commented” work well.
- Go outside of the box. Sometimes direct and to the point is not the key. Maybe you need something different like a clever metaphor or something. Just make sure it has some character to it. If the quote sounds like it could have come from anyone and it could be inserted in any old press release, well then it lacks character.
This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (https://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. Download a free copy of the PR Checklist – a 24 point list of Press Release Dos and Don’ts here: https://www.ereleases.com/free-offer/pr-checklist/