How to Write a “Save the Date” Press Release to Boost Your Event Visibility in Africa

A successful event deserves to be seen, read, and shared. To ensure journalists mark their calendars, you need to prepare the media landscape from the very first steps. A “Save the Date” press release is the perfect tool: it announces the key date, sparks interest, and allows media to plan their coverage in advance.

Why send a “Save the Date”?

The first release acts as an invitation for journalists to mark the date in their agenda. It allows them to:

• Plan their attendance and coverage

• Reserve time to interview speakers

• Begin preparing articles or reports

Ideal timing: send the “Save the Date” at least one month before the event.

Structure of an effective “Save the Date”

1. Visual header

• Eye-catching image with “Save the Date” clearly visible

• Clear title: Save the Date: [Event Name]

• Subtitle: Theme or slogan

• Date and location: bold and ideally centered

Tip: no introduction needed — go straight to the point.

2. Main text: concise and direct
Example hook:

\"[Location] will host [Event Name] on [Date].\"

Then add:

• General theme

• Event objectives

• 2–3 key highlights

• Names of featured speakers (“headliners” attract attention)

3. Practical information to include
At the bottom of the release, mention:

• Exact location

• Date

• Registration details

• Possible fees

• Link to program (even if provisional)

• Official website

4. Press contact
Name, email, and phone number of the PR contact.

5. About the organizer
A short paragraph (4–5 lines) presenting your organization, its mission, and expertise.

What’s next?

The “Save the Date” is the first step to securing strong media coverage. The next logical step is the detailed invitation press release, sent about 10 days before the event, with the full program and all practical information.