By Becca Butler
 With more than 3,000 media attending the SEMA Show, exhibitors are encouraged to post their Show-related news and announcements to the Online Media Center to attract the attention of editors and reporters. |
Press releases can be an easy and effective way to generate buzz surrounding your SEMA Show news prior to the event taking place in November. With more than 3,000 media in attendance, exhibitors are encouraged to post their Show-related news and announcements to the Online Media Center to attract the attention of editors and reporters. Free to exhibitors, this serves as a destination for media to receive exhibitor-related news and information regarding the latest products, hottest vehicles and activities going on at the Show.
Having a solid, easy-to-read press release with relevant content is key to creating a lasting impression, driving traffic to your booth and generating media coverage. Whether you’re announcing new products, a booth demonstration, vehicle unveil, celebrity appearance or more, here are a few tips for drafting and submitting a press release for SEMA Show coverage:
- Have a strong headline: Make it concise and compelling to grab the attention of your reader.
- Stick to the facts: Avoid embellishing or opinions. Reporters are looking for news and will not report on the “best” or “greatest” products. They will, however, report on products that result in specific outcomes.
- Keep it short: Keep the entire release short and sweet. Readers want to know from the beginning what it’s about.
- Include a photo: Editors like to run photos with their news stories. Many editors will only use releases that have photos. JPEGs are preferred, and print publications will insist on a high-res 300dpi image.
- Write like an editor: Most publications follow the Associated Press (AP) format. Become familiar with this style of writing to help you craft your message in a way that makes it easy to read and easy to use.
- Include your contact info: Whether you’re inviting your reader to an event or introducing your new product, make sure you include your SEMA Show booth number and contact information should they have any questions or want to drop by your booth.