How to Edit a Release on Business Wire

Navigating the world of press release distribution can be complex, and sometimes, even after careful crafting, you might find yourself needing to make a change. Whether it's a small typo or a crucial factual update, knowing how to edit a release on Business Wire is an essential skill for any communications professional.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from handling a draft to addressing a distributed news release, ensuring your message remains accurate and impactful.

Why Edits Are Essential for Your Press Release

Errors happen. It's a simple fact of life and business. Perhaps a statistic was misquoted, a name was misspelled, or a new development necessitates an immediate update to your announcement. In the fast-paced news cycle, accuracy is paramount. An incorrect press release can damage your brand's credibility and lead to misinformation. Therefore, understanding how to edit a release on Business Wire efficiently is not just about fixing mistakes; it's about maintaining trust and ensuring your message is precisely what you intend it to be.

Editing a Draft Press Release on Business Wire

Before your news release goes live, you have the most flexibility to make changes. Business Wire's platform is designed to allow thorough review and revision during the drafting phase.

Accessing Your Business Wire Account

First, log in to your Business Wire account. This will typically take you to your dashboard or a similar central hub where you can manage your releases.

Locating Your Drafts

Look for a section or tab labeled "Drafts," "Pending Releases," or "My Releases." Here, you should find a list of all press releases you've started but haven't yet submitted for distribution. Select the specific release you wish to edit.

Making the Changes

Once you open the draft, you'll typically have access to an editing interface. This is where you can:

• Correct Text: Fix typos, grammatical errors, or rephrase sentences for clarity.
• Update Information: Add new details, revise old figures, or change contact information.
• Adjust Formatting: Ensure headings, bullet points, and paragraphs are correctly formatted for readability.
• Manage Multimedia: Add, remove, or update images, videos, or other attachments.

Review and Save

After making your desired changes, always take the time to review the entire press release again. Does it still convey the intended message? Is it clear, concise, and free of new errors? Once satisfied, save your changes. Many platforms, including Business Wire, will have a "Save Draft" or "Update" button. Your release is now updated and ready for final submission when you are.

Editing a Distributed Press Release on Business Wire: The Correction Process

This is where things get a bit more nuanced. Once a press release has been distributed by Business Wire, it has been sent out to thousands of journalists, databases, search engines, and social channels. Direct, instantaneous self-service editing for a published release isn't typically available in the same way it is for a draft. Why? Because the news has already been disseminated.

Understanding the Impact of Published Releases

A distributed press release is considered a formal record. Changing it after the fact without proper notification can lead to confusion and erode trust with media outlets and the public. Imagine a financial report being altered without a clear amendment!

Minor Corrections vs. Major Revisions

For minor errors (e.g., a single misspelled word, a punctuation error that doesn't change meaning), you might be able to contact Business Wire's customer service for guidance. They may be able to advise on the best course of action, though direct alteration of a live release is rare.

For significant errors or updates (e.g., incorrect financial figures, wrong names, major factual inaccuracies, or a complete change in the announcement), the standard procedure is often to issue a "CORRECTING and REPLACING" press release.

The "CORRECTING and REPLACING" Method

This involves creating a new press release that explicitly states it is correcting and replacing a previously distributed one.

1. Draft the New Release: Write the corrected version of your press release.
2. Add a Correction Notice: At the very top of the release, clearly state that this is a correction. For example: "CORRECTING and REPLACING [Original Headline] – Please replace the release dated [Original Date] with the following corrected version due to [reason for correction]."
3. Highlight Changes (Optional but Recommended): While not always required by Business Wire, some companies choose to highlight the specific changes within the body of the new release for clarity.
4. Submit to Business Wire: Submit this new "CORRECTING and REPLACING" release through your Business Wire account, just as you would a new announcement.
5. Potential Costs and Considerations: Be aware that issuing a new correction release will likely incur additional distribution costs, similar to the original release. Also, while this method ensures the corrected information is distributed, you cannot force media outlets to update their previously published stories. It's best practice to also update the release on your company website if it was posted there.

Contacting Business Wire Support

If you're unsure about the best approach or if your situation is unique, always contact Business Wire's customer service team. They are experts in press release distribution and can provide the most accurate guidance based on their policies and your specific needs. They can often help facilitate changes if caught quickly enough, especially prior to the scheduled distribution time.

Best Practices for Flawless Press Release Editing

Preventing errors is always better than correcting them. Here are some best practices to minimize the need for post-distribution edits:

• Thorough Proofreading (Human Review is Key!): While spell checkers are helpful, they are no substitute for a human eye. Read your release aloud, or have multiple team members review it. A fresh pair of eyes can catch errors that automated tools miss.
• Fact-Checking and Verifying Data: Double-check every name, title, date, statistic, and quote against original sources. Inaccurate statements can quickly kill credibility.
• Review Tone, Voice, and Style: Does the release align with your brand's voice? Is the tone appropriate for the announcement? Ensure it's straightforward, clear, and backed by facts.
• Avoid Jargon and Superlatives: Write in clear, concise language, avoiding technical terms unfamiliar to your audience unless explained. Stick to facts and avoid overly promotional language or unsubstantiated claims.
• Consider SEO Keywords: While editing, ensure relevant keywords are naturally integrated into your headline, subheadings, and body text to improve search engine visibility for future releases.

What You Can and Cannot Easily Edit Post-Distribution

Understanding the limitations is crucial. Once a press release is distributed via Business Wire:

• Direct Modification of the Original Release: Generally, you cannot directly "edit" or alter the content of the original distributed release on the wire. It's a permanent record.
• Unpublishing: While some platforms might offer an "unpublish" feature (e.g., for drafts or specific content management systems), for a widely distributed press release, a true "unpublish" that removes it from all syndicated sources is highly unlikely and not standard practice. The news has already been picked up.
• Corrections via New Release: As discussed, significant changes are handled by issuing a new "CORRECTING and REPLACING" release.

Conclusion

Mastering how to edit a release on Business Wire is a critical aspect of effective public relations. While editing drafts is straightforward, correcting a distributed release requires a more strategic approach, often involving the issuance of a "CORRECTING and REPLACING" notice. By adhering to best practices in proofreading and fact-checking, and by understanding Business Wire's correction protocols, you can ensure your company's news is always accurate, credible, and professionally presented.

Have you ever had to issue a correction on a distributed press release? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I unpublish a press release once it's been distributed by Business Wire?

A1: Generally, no. Once a press release has been distributed by Business Wire, it is considered a permanent record and has been sent to numerous media outlets, databases, and search engines. You cannot typically "unpublish" it in the sense of removing it from all distributed channels. For significant errors, the standard procedure is to issue a "CORRECTING and REPLACING" release.

Q2: Is there a cost associated with correcting a distributed press release on Business Wire?

A2: Yes, issuing a "CORRECTING and REPLACING" press release typically incurs additional distribution costs, similar to the original release. It's essentially a new distribution of corrected information.

Q3: How quickly can Business Wire distribute a correction?

A3: Business Wire is known for its speed. Once you submit a "CORRECTING and REPLACING" release, their editorial team will process it swiftly for distribution, much like a standard news release. However, the exact timing can depend on their queue and the complexity of the correction.

Q4: What's the best way to avoid needing to edit a distributed press release?

A4: The best strategy is prevention. Implement a rigorous internal review process that includes multiple rounds of proofreading, thorough fact-checking, and review by all relevant stakeholders before the initial submission. Human proofreading is crucial for catching errors that automated tools miss.