How Long Should a Press Release Be? Best Layout & Tips

Written by: Grant Oganyan

What is a press release?

A press release is a brief, straightforward and professional message that an organization, company or individual shares with the press to announce something newsworthy. It may be about releasing a new product, throwing an event, winning an award or any news that the public would be interested in. The purpose of a press release is to get the attention of a journalist, blogger, or news site and inspire them to write about it and help spread the word.

How long should a press release be

📢 A good press release is usually around 300 to 400 words, which is about one page.
Appropriate length of your press release is vital to getting your news heard. If it's too long, journalists might ignore it completely; at the same time, making it too short might leave out key details.

Optimal press release structure

A clear structure is necessary for a successful press release. Here is the standard format for a clear, concise, yet informative press release:

Headline and sub-headline

The headline is the first thing a journalist or reader will see. So, it needs to grab attention right away. Keep it short, clear, and interesting. Just below the headline is the sub-headline.

Dateline

The dateline informs people where the news is occurring and when it was issued.

Body

This is where you elaborate on your news more in-depth. The first paragraph should include the five Ws: who, what, when, where and why.

Boilerplate

A boilerplate is a short section you add to the bottom of your press release. It's a brief description of what the company does, its core values, and key achievements.

Contact information

Include the name, email, and/or phone number of someone who can answer media questions.

Multimedia

Including images, video or other visual aids can help make your press release more professional and polished.

Tips to create the perfect press release

Here are a few basic pointers:

Start with a catchy headline

The headline should immediately grab their attention. Keep it short and clear.

Answer the who, what, when, where, and why

Address these five critical questions in the body of your press release to provide an overview of news.

  1. Who is involved?
  2. What is happening?
  3. When is it happening?
  4. Where is it happening?
  5. Why does it matter?

Keep it short and simple

A press release should get straight to the point.

Include a clear call to action

Be clear about the next step you want the reader to take after reading your press release.

Always include contact information

Include a contact for media inquiries.

Use proper structure and formatting

Stick to the standard press release format.

Common press release mistakes to avoid

Poor formatting

Avoid long paragraphs or running wild with styles.

Lack of structure

Follow the basic structure of a press release.

Burying the main point

Put the most important information at the beginning.

Too many announcements in one release

Focus on one main idea for each press release.

Final words

A well-structured press release can get your story the attention it deserves. A strong headline and opening paragraph along with supporting details help make your news stand out.

Frequently asked questions

Q.1: Why does the length of a press release matter?

The optimal length is around 300 to 400 words.

Q.1: What is the best tool to create and format a press release?

Many online tools exist that help you create a press release, like Pressdeck.

Q.3: What is the ideal structure for a press release?

  • Headline and sub-headline
  • Dateline
  • Intro paragraph
  • Body
  • Boilerplate
  • Media contact information
  • Optional photos and videos

Q.4: Who should I send my press release to?

Send it to journalists who cover stories in your niche.

Q.5: Can I include more than one announcement in a press release?

It's best to keep one major announcement per press release.