Can a 7th-grader understand your press release?
Though it’s natural to want to write to impress, clarity is more important than anything else.
That’s why you need to make sure you avoid using jargon and buzzwords in your press releases. The average person won’t understand what you’re saying, and that will kill your press release. This is even more important in this day and age, when press releases are often published online and distributed directly to your customers instead of only journalists.
I’ve found that one of the best ways to make sure my press release will be understood is to ask myself this simple question, “Can a seventh-grader understand this?” Studies show that the average person reads at anywhere from a sixth-grade level to an eighth-grade level. So, if your press release reads like something out of an elite academic publication, the average person probably won’t understand it.
Simply put, simplify your writing. This can be hard, but it’s the best way to make sure you’re communicating effectively with your audience. Here are a few things you can do to make your press releases easier to read:
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