Learn How to Choose Images for Your Press Release and Where to Place Them

The relevancy of press releases is still there but the format changed over time with modernization. Read along to know how you choose images for your press release.

Images help people visualize content and add extra interest to read the entire thing. With digitalization taking over us, the ways of writing and converting messages have changed. With so many options over the internet, it is very hard to attain the attention of readers nowadays. This is why the writings now contain visuals and images so that the readers stay interested. But when it comes to press releases, these become even more crucial because the target audiences in this case are the journalists.

The reporters and people from the media are extremely busy individuals, so attracting them via your press release is a vital task that must be done properly. Including images in your press releases is a catchy option and the reporters can use them in their stories later or even during their research. But how to decide which image would be the best for your content? We have got the answer. Continue reading to know how you choose images for your press release so they become effective.

But before moving forward, let’s address the elephant in the room. You might think what is a press release and why do we still need them? Let’s find out.

What are Press Releases? What is its Relevance?

If we go by definition, press releases are brand announcements made by organizations and they are directed to the media. This definition is still valid but the usage of press releases is a bit reformed. A press release can be published for various reasons so there are different types of press releases that can be seen in the media. Let’s look at the types and when they are published.

• A press release can be published to announce any new product or service launch.
• A press release can be published when a new location is opening.
• A press release can be published when the company is going through merging and acquisition.
• A press release can be published when there is a significant change in the company’s management or there is a new policy added.
• A press release can be published to handle a crisis.

The main goal of publishing a press release is to control the narrative of what is portrayed in the media and gain positive coverage based on that. So a press release is only published so that the media takes it and makes news out of it. But you might question its relevance since there is a huge decline in print journalism. To answer that, it can be said that press releases are now being used and bringing astounding results as marketing tools.

Now one thing is clear the target audience is the journalists whose attention is very hard to get, let alone maintain till the very end. This is why nowadays images have become an integral part of a press release. But how to choose them? Let’s look for the answers.

Now when you choose your image to put in the press release, there are some important steps you need to follow and some important points you need to keep in mind.

How Can One Choose the Perfect Image for their Press Release?

• Relevant Images:

Images can quickly grab one’s attention so it might be tempting to use a beautiful picture that you have seen on the internet and use it to attract viewers. Beautiful and captivating pictures will also motivate shares on social media and will increase popularity. But, if your picture does not match the content in your press release you will lose credibility along with the trust of the readers. So the first rule you need to follow is to select a relevant picture that supports the content you are putting out in your press release.

• Maintaining Quality:

This is another strict rule that you need to follow if you want the journalists to take your press release seriously. Photo quality matters a lot and it can create an impression on the viewers. Make sure to use high-quality and high-resolution pictures which are clear to see. If the images are too dark or blurry there might be a risk that the journalist will pass on the content because of it.

• Owning the Image Rights:

When you are using pictures in your press release content, it is important to own the rights. So it’s better to use original pictures by hiring a professional photographer. This will also solve the problem of the picture maintaining its relevance and matching with the content as the photographer will be on-site.

• Adding Captions:

Don’t ever forget to add captions to the image you are adding to your press release. Photographs themselves tell stories but putting a caption and adding credits shows your credibility. It shows who took the picture and explains what the picture is about.

• Saving Images with A Name:

You need to maintain writing about the picture while you save it as well. The images go as attachments in the email so while you save them, you need to save them with the proper name.

• Selecting the Right Size:

Images need to be more than 200 x 200 pixels and if you are going for a high resolution the image should be 300 dpi (“dots per inch”). This makes it perfect for a print, otherwise, it can appear blurry and dark.

Where to Place the Image in the Press Release?

If you are planning to send a media kit, submit the photo or the image on a separate page. While sending an email of your press release, you can attach the picture but make sure the size is not too large, as some agencies will not open photographic attachments if they are too large. Another option is to upload your photo for review in online forms as some agencies put those out. If you are just planning to share the link of your press release, you can include the image by uploading it to a google folder or a dropbox and share the link along with it.

So always use images as they will surely attain the interest of the reporters but make sure the writing is excellent and follow the format throughout.