In today'southward world, brands take to generate their ain buzz. Consumers aren't waiting for the daily newspaper anymore to get their news. Instead, they're scanning headlines on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

1 way to control the narrative surrounding your brand is through press releases. Whether it's sharing a new production release or changes in your organizational structure, a regular cadence of meaningful news can aid a company stand out and build mindshare with journalists over time.

Download Now: Free Press Release Template

In this post, we'll hash out:

  • What is a press release?
  • Types of Printing Releases
  • Sample Press Release Format
  • How to Write a Press Release
  • Printing Release Template
  • Press Release Examples
  • Tips for Publishing Press Releases

What is a press release/news release?

A press release is an official argument (written or recorded) that an organization issues to the news media and beyond. Whether we call it a "press release," a "printing statement," a "news release," or a "media release," nosotros're always talking about the same basic thing.

While the heading should incorporate action verbs, the beginning paragraph should answer the "who," "what," "why," and "where." The printing release should also contain understandable language and a quote.

Nigh printing releases are succinct at just a page long – two pages tops. Ultimately, companies desire to provide enough data so that news outlets have sufficient material for publishing their own stories about any the company is announcing in the release.

1 affair to remember is that press releases live in the public domain, which ways your stakeholders and customers can see them.

So, instead of thinking of a printing release solely as a ticket to earning news coverage, consider it as a valuable piece of marketing content.

While there's no cutting-and-stale formula for what a printing release should include, here are a few types of occasions to help y'all carve out a focus for your printing release and decide what content would help you broadcast your news in the best way:

Product Launches

The product launch blazon of press release is valuable to get the word out about the new solutions your organization is offering to consumers.

It should emphasize the product's specs, pricing, availability, and any other details that may exist valuable to consumers.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Organizational change is noteworthy enough to warrant a press release, especially for informing electric current and future stakeholders nigh the growth and trajectory of a visitor.

To announce an acquisition or merger, include details about all organizations involved, information about the merger or acquisition, and quotes from the leadership teams.

Production Updates

Similar to a new product launch, product updates and expansions are as well ripe for promotion. Explicate what the alter is, why it was made, and how it benefits the user.

Events

Press releases are an important component of event marketing to attract promotion from news outlets and other media sources.

You'll want to include:

  • What the result is nigh
  • Who should consider attending
  • When and where information technology will be held
  • Pricing

G Openings

Whether you opened upward a new part, relocated, or are opening for the start time, announce the details with a grand opening printing release.

Announce the date and location the g opening will be held, who is involved, how the grand opening is being celebrated, and the reason for the motility (if applicable).

New Partnerships

Similar to mergers and acquisitions, a press release announcing new partnerships is a mutually beneficial marketing tactic.

To effectively execute this blazon of release, be sure to write a summary near each visitor, why the partnership was created, who benefits, and any additional important details for electric current and future stakeholders.

Rebranding

Rebranding is a difficult thing for any business to do, and information technology tin can occasionally result in confusion and awkwardness.

I way to make the transition smoother is by announcing the rebrand with a press release, including details on what is changing, the reason for making the change, dates the changes become into event, and quotes from the leadership team.

Executive Squad Changes

Executives often serve as faces of the company, and a press release functions to kick off this part.

Information technology may include biographical information to establish their brownie along with a photograph and other pertinent details.

Awards

When information technology comes to business excellence, information technology's OK to brag. Press releases well-nigh awards and accomplishments serve to cement your organization every bit an authority in your infinite.

Such a printing release includes information most the company and why they were given the award, information about the honour itself, and details about the ceremony (if applicable).

When formatting a printing release, you lot want to write information technology in a newsy, straightforward mode and then a journalist who might write nearly it can imagine information technology as an article on their news site.

To outset, here are the basics every press release should include:

  • Your contact information located on the pinnacle left corner
  • The phrase "For immediate release" located on the meridian correct
  • A headline that rapidly explains the announcement
  • Your business location in the first sentence of the printing release
  • A quick bio about your company at the finish of your press release.

Yous too might want to include "###" or some other signifier to prove the journalist that the release has ended. In the past, this prevented busy journalists from waiting or flipping the page for more information when there was no more news. Still, this tradition is withal adopted and highly-respected today.

Now, onto the torso of your press release:

  • Your offset paragraph should country what the announcement while providing some context around your business and what it does.
  • The next two to three paragraphs should include quotes from a company spokesperson or business concern executive to explain the "why" backside this announcement.
  • Your final paragraph should be an "About The states" department that explains what your company is and what information technology offers.

In this example, Catbrella Inc., a fictitious ad bureau that simply gained its 10th Twitter follower subsequently 2 years of paid social media efforts, announces its accomplishment in a press release.

Sample press release format by HubSpot, with orange markers highlighting five key areas on the press release: headline, 3 paragraphs, about us section

*Disclaimer: HubSpot is entirely responsible for the silliness of this false declaration.

Writing a press release to break important company news can aid businesses grow improve, but doing information technology right is just as important. Here's how to write a press release, like the i above, step-past-footstep.

i. Write a compelling headline.

You've got your announcement in listen, and now it'southward time to become it down in words to share with your community, industry, and followers.

Just similar writing the perfect web log post title, setting upwardly your press release for success starts with your headline. You only have one line to work with, which can seem scary, merely consider your words advisedly to make your headline captivating.

Here are some tips to make your headline stand up out:

  • Apply action verbs.
  • Be specific.
  • Keep it brusk.

Virtually importantly, make it interesting: Keep in mind that reporters get dozens, if not hundreds, of releases each day, so invest the time to write a compelling headline.

Consumers, on the other hand, see news stories all over their timelines. As such, your headline needs to be interesting plenty to reel them in.

2. Convey the news value to the press.

If you desire your press release to be newsworthy, you have to requite readers a reason to intendance.

A good fashion to ensure this is past using the contrary pyramid formula when writing your printing release: Going from the nigh important information to the least important.

While the first paragraph of your release should explain the who, what, where, the second paragraph should cover the why.

Reporters don't have a ton of time to sift through details and fluffy background information — they only need the facts that'll help them tell your story to someone else from a position of authority.

There shouldn't exist any new, crucial information covered afterwards these sections because the readers could potentially miss them.

three. Offer a tempting quote.

Once you've set the scene, it's time to bring your details to life with a quote that reporters can use for context effectually your announcement and assist paint a picture of how your news affects the given manufacture, customer base, and landscape.

Ideally, quotes volition be from key stakeholders in your company including your executive team, project leads, or those directly impacted past your declaration.

Quoting key figures and authorities underlines the importance of your development. The chosen quote should shape your narrative and emphasize the core of the announcement.

Don't ask everyone in your office for a comment or experience compelled to quote all 25 people included in the conquering. Option i or ii disquisitional spokespeople and focus the quotes around their unique perspective.

four. Provide valuable background information on the bailiwick.

In this last paragraph, keep in mind that the reader should already take key details they demand regarding your proclamation.

Offering details here that strengthen your narrative, like artistic or noteworthy ways your company developed the project or declaration at hand. Or, when applicable, comment on the future implications of your announcement.

Some other skillful way to add together value to your press release is past using newsjacking. A procedure of relating your press release to something currently going on to make it more than valuable to the journalist and reader.

five. Summarize the "who" and the "what" in a boilerplate.

Twitter is chock-full of reporters lamenting press releases or pitches that don't clearly explain what the company does or what the declaration is actually about.

Depict what your company does in clear, evidently language and include a link to your visitor's website early on.

If you cite data, include a reference link for the information source, and make sure every name in the release has an associated title and company as well.

To keep yourself honest on this front, ask a colleague to read the release without context and ask them to relay the data back to you. If they can't recall the who, what, or why get back to the drawing board.

Printing Release Template

This template includes press release templates based on the type of proclamation your company wants to make, whether it's a new product, a partnership, or a change within your organization.

press release template offer from hubspot

Download This Press Release Template for Complimentary

This template also offers artistic replacements for the traditional press release and a guide on how to create a comprehensive promotional program. You'll accept exactly what y'all need to drive brand awareness and stand up out amongst your competitors.

Press Release Examples

Many people think printing releases take to exist chock full of buzzwords and branded terms.

"Big data," anyone? V-syllable words you take to look up on Thesaurus.com? Quotes from every executive on the planet that proceed for pages? We've seen it all. Unfortunately, so have reporters – and they are not fans.

Instead of stuffing your side by side release with industry jargon, take a folio out of our volume (OK fine, ebook), The Newsworthy Guide to Inbound Public Relations, and begin some artistic approaches for your next annunciation.

Can y'all include new information? A remarkable graphic or video? A shareable SlideShare? If so, a creative angle can aid carry your content and increase the likelihood of social sharing.

Now, to get you lot thinking on the right track, take a look at some creative press release examples beneath, the blazon of news each 1 is reporting on, and what makes the release unique:

1. Microsoft

Type of press release: Acquisition

snapshot of press release example from microsoft

Epitome Source

The first thing that stands out in this printing release is the headline. It tells a total story without being also long: It covers who'south involved (Microsoft and Activision), what'south happening (an acquisition), and why information technology matters (to bring the joy and customs of gaming to everyone).

Throughout the press release, you get quotes from leaders in both organizations, helping explain the benefit of this acquisition and how it will motility the industry forward.

Toward the bottom of the press release, you get additional context surrounding each company's market share and how this acquisition will impact the industry.

2. Flourish

Type of press release: Team and office expansion

snapshot of press release example from flourish

Image Source

Organizational changes tin seem relatively boring. One way to generate some interest is to include visual elements to add together more dimension to the story.

In this printing release announcing a team and office expansion, venture upper-case letter firm Flourish shares photos of some new hires correct at the tiptop, immediately drawing readers in.

The release dives into the reason behind the expansion and the key areas of focus moving forward. Then, we get a quick bio for each rent featured in the epitome, which tin aid build excitement surrounding the make's time to come.

The cardinal takeaway here is: Don't be agape to use visual elements in your press release, as they can help describe readers in.

3. SuperCom

Type of press release: Upshot

snapshot of press release example from supercom

Prototype Source

Every bit the shortest press release in the bunch, SuperCom shows that less is often more.

In this release, security solutions company SuperCom announced its participation in an upcoming conference.

When it comes to events, the almost of import details are date and location. As long as you accept those key pieces, everything else is a bonus.

One affair that would've elevated this release is a quote on who tin benefit from attending this event and why, as a fashion to reel in potential attendees.

iv. HubSpot

Type of printing release: Program launch

snapshot of press release example from hubspot

Image Source

We've also crafted this comprehensive, easy-to-follow press release template complete with a promotional plan and considerations for your next announcement. We use these same guidelines when writing and formatting our releases here at HubSpot, and created a false, sample release to illustrate what content goes where and why.

Tips for Publishing Press Releases

Writing a press release is actually only half the battle. In one case you're finished with production, it'll be fourth dimension to focus on distribution.

Of course, we're all familiar with the traditional distribution levers we can pull, which include publishing the press release on our website/web log equally well as sharing the printing release with our followers/subscribers via social media and e-mail.

To get the maximum amount of distribution possible, here are some tips you can follow.

1. Attain out to specific journalists.

Instead of blasting a printing release out to every announcer you tin can discover an electronic mail accost for, focus on a few journalists who accept experience covering your industry (and company, hopefully) and ship them personalized messages.

Connect the dots. Bear witness why what you lot wrote connects to what they write.

two. Send the release to top journalists the twenty-four hours earlier.

Give journalists some time to craft a story around your press release by sending information technology to them — nether embargo — the mean solar day before it officially goes live.

"Under embargo" only means they aren't immune to share the data in the press release until the time you lot specify.

3. To avoid competition, don't publish your release on the hr.

If you're publishing your press release on a distribution service like PR Newswire or Business concern Wire, avert publishing information technology on the hour (e.yard., 1 p.m., or 3 p.yard., or 5 p.grand.).

The reason? Virtually companies schedule their releases to go out on the hour, which means if your release goes out on the hour as well, information technology's more likely to become lost in the shuffle.

Instead, endeavor going with a more distinct time (e.1000., 1:12 p.k., or 3:18 p.m., or 5:22 p.grand.).

4. Share your media coverage.

If all goes according to plan, and your press release gets picked up by the media, your job still isn't finished.

To keep the buzz going, you tin can release a "second wave" of distribution past sharing the specific stories that news outlets write based on your press release.

You tin can likewise share the news on your digital channels, like social media and email, to bring awareness to your announcement.

How To Stand Out In The News

The primal to keeping your PR strategy new school is forgetting preconceived notions of what public relations is and instead focusing on creating highly remarkable content. Traditional press releases tin can still be really valuable when executed well.

Instead of ditching releases as a tactic, give them a modern makeover to make them more useful for your marketing.

Think about how yous've used inbound methods to transform your marketing strategies to exist more personalized, approachable, and build relationships. Those same principles apply to your PR strategy: Create content to craft your ain story and use tactful outreach to get the media familiar with (and excited about) your brand.

Editor's note: This mail was originally published in November 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Feb 25, 2022 7:00:00 AM, updated Feb 25 2022