Press release format



Press release format for an online press release has to contain few essential sections. Here in this article we are giving essential sections of a press release format.

Press release format that works

There are several types of press releases (such as the general news release, event release, product press release, financial/earnings releases, social media release etc) – the Press release format most often have several characterstics of their structure in common. A common Press release format helps journalists separate press releases from other PR communication methods, such as pitch letters or media advisories etc.

Some of these common structural elements of Press release format include:

  1. Headline — used to grab the attention of journalists and briefly summarize the news.
  2. Dateline and Location — contains the release date and usually the originating city of the press release. An example is “April, 18, 2010, New York“
  3. Introduction — first paragraph in a press release, that generally gives basic answers to the questions of who, what, when, where and why.
  4. Body — further explanation, statistics, background, or other details relevant to the news.
  5. Boilerplate — generally a short “about” section, providing independent background on the issuing company, organization, or individual.
  6. Close — There are various ways to close the press releasese. For example in North America, they follow the symbol “-30-” that appears after the boilerplate or body and before the media contact information, indicating to media that the release is ending. In some organizations an equivalent has been the “###” symbol. In few countries, other means of indicating the end of the release may be used, such as the text “ends”.
  7. Media contact information — name, phone number, email address, mailing address, or other contact information for the PR or other media relations contact person.

Press release format other parts

Highlighted summary: When submitting the press release online on some of the websites the press release format includes a short highlighted summary which appears as a stand out summary of the press release on the website.

Keywords: Some websites are even asking for the relaxant keywords related to the press release.

Meta Text: On some of the websites (like worldprline.com) the press release writer’s have options to insert their own meta text – meta description, meta title and meta keywords.

Check here a sample press release template for reference. If you have any questions regarding press release format – write in the comments below.