PR checklist

A quick checklist for press release requirements:

• Is the press release business focused?
• Is it written in a strong business tone
• Does it include a clear Middle East business relevance?
• Does it have a business angle?
• Does it include a quote from a senior Middle East based executive?
• Have you identified the key message you want to communicate?
• Have you included full contact details for the company?
• Have you included full contact details for the sender whom the release is being sent from? 
•  All press releases submitted should originate from an official corporate email id, alternatively include details of why it has been sent from another email address
• All press releases sent from either Outlook, Webmail, Blackberry/Smartphone devices/ non corporate accounts should contain a signature setup to speed up verification
• Have you included a photo with caption or logo?
• Does the release include a date it was issued to the media?
• Have you highlighted several search engine optimized (SEO) keywords or Tags e.g.: these could relate to the industry or an event the company is participating in?
• Client/ Company mention - Be sure to advice on whose behalf the release been issued e.g. the organizer of an event, the company or the client.
•  The release should have a minimum of 350 words
• Typical press release guideline format: 
  Headline (no more than 100 characters) 
  Stand first/ Introduction (no more than 50 words) 
  Full body of press release/ contents (no less than 350 words) 
  Boilerplate
• Have you included and submitted an English and Arabic version?
• Get permission. Be sure that you have written permission before including information about another company