How to Write and Submit an Effective News Release

A well-written, concise news release is the most accepted method of submitting news.

An effective news release will answer six critical questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? This information will allow the editor to determine if the story fits the newspaper’s criteria for news.

The following is a list of e-mail addresses and fax numbers (where available) for the major northwest CT news outlets. If you send the release via e-mail, it is best to both include it in the text of the e-mail AND to attach it as a Microsoft Word document.

Litchfield County Times          This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it         Fax (860)210-2609           

Republican-American             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it           Fax (203)596-9277             

Kent Dispatch                      This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it        Fax (860)354-2645

Lakeville Journal                   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it       Fax (860)435-4802

New Milford Spectrum           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it        Fax (860)350-6794

Register Citizen                   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Winsted Journal                  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Fax (860)738-3709

WZBG, Attn: Jeff Zeiner       This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it                    Fax (860)567-3292

SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE

To:      Northwestern Connecticut Media

From:  [Your organization’s name]

A title summarizing the story of your grant.

Example: “Soup kitchen receives grant for new stove”

Date:   Specific date the grant was awarded

The Story: The reason for your grant and how it will benefit your organization.

Contact:  Name and phone number of someone from your organization the news editor or reporter can contact for more information or quotes. Be sure to include daytime and evening phone numbers.

Ending: Type  ###  at the end of your release, so that the editor will know it is the end.