I am still kind of confused by the press release. I understand it has to be newsworthy, but does the actual information have to come from my website, or can it be from another site and I just reference it in it. Then I put my info in like a resource box? Or does the actual press release have to be about my site? I understand how to write them as a news story just not what exactly they are all about. Thanks for any help.
The PR has to be about what you think is the newsworthy thing. If it's your site, it's about your site. If it's you, it's about you and your site. The information comes from the best source available to give it. If it's you or your site, that person would be you, not some other site.
So if the info is from another site I would have to list them, but would I still be able to list my site in some type of resource box or in the article?
Yes, you should always be listing your site and contact info in the resource box. If the press release is about your product or service, then you need to link the story to that product or service.
Of course the press release can talk about your site (or product, company, or whatever it's about), but don't make it sound too self-promoting like and advertisement. Many media outlets won't run publish it if the content seems bias or to 'sales-y'. You want to write it for them to publish as-is. That said, also write so it can easily be trimmed to fit the space they have... a 7 paragraph release that would still make sense and have value if the last 3 paragraphs were cut.
A press release should be something newsworthy. It doesn't have to be about your website all the time. Maybe you can talk about a certain problem or trend and then you mention that they can find the solution online. That's where your website can be part of the news.
A PR is like a news release, so it should be newsworthy. It doesn't necessarily have about your site, it can be about an event or something. Just make sure that it's accurate and well written to entice your reader.