Many of you already know that Central Counties Tourism (CCT) offers a free press release distribution service for stakeholders across York, Durham and Headwaters, to help share local stories with media, travel writers, bloggers and influencers throughout our network.
And many of you are already sending us your releases, which we love reading.
But if you’ve ever wondered how to write a media release, what information to include or how to submit it to CCT, we’ve created a resource to help.
Introducing the CCT Stakeholder Press Release Submission Guide & Writing Resource!
Whether you’re preparing your first media release or simply looking for a refresher, this new guide walks you through both writing a press release and submitting it to CCT. Use it as a checklist, a suggested framework or a starting point for your next announcement.
What’s In the Guide?
The guide covers:
- How to submit a press release to CCT, including recommended word count, timelines and email subject line formatting
- What to include in a media release, from headlines and datelines to quotes, calls to action and media contact information
- How to identify the details that make a story newsworthy
- The who, what, where, when and why behind an effective release
- A suggested press release structure that can be adapted to your organization’s needs
- A sample press release that brings all of the guidance together
The resource also includes tips for identifying the people, details and context that can help make a story more compelling.
After all, a strong press release isn’t just an announcement. It gives media a reason to tell the story.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
When submitting a release to CCT, we recommend sending it as a Microsoft Word (.docx) document. We also encourage stakeholders to provide sufficient lead time for events and other time-sensitive announcements, and to include a clear media contact who can answer questions or provide additional information.
The guide includes a suggested structure, but it isn’t intended to be a strict template. Every organization has its own voice and priorities, and you’re welcome to use as much or as little of the resource as you find helpful.
Whether you’re looking for a quick checklist before hitting send or a step-by-step guide to building a release from scratch, the resource is designed to make the process easier.
Once your press-ready release is complete, email it to media@centralcounties.ca for consideration for distribution through CCT’s media network.
Have a story to share? We’re ready when you are.
We’re always interested in hearing about newsworthy announcements, events, milestones and stories from stakeholders across York, Durham and Headwaters. Use the guide to help prepare a media-ready press release, and when you’re ready, send it our way.
Please note that submitting a press release does not guarantee media distribution. CCT reviews each submission to determine whether it is relevant to our audiences, aligns with our communications priorities and is appropriate for media outreach. Our team may also edit submissions for length, clarity, style and consistency before distribution.
