If you've ever wondered "what is a press release" and why it's still relevant today, you're not alone.
A press release is a concise, newsworthy announcement issued by a company or organization to share important updates with the media and public.
It's used to inform journalists, editors, bloggers, and customers about product launches, company milestones, partnerships, events, and more.
Despite the proliferation of social media and direct communication channels, press releases remain a cornerstone of professional communications and public relations strategy.
A well-written press release helps control the narrative, build credibility, and increase media visibility, all while supporting your SEO and brand trust.
Understanding what a press release is and how to use it effectively can significantly impact your brand's growth and visibility.
At its core, a press release serves three main purposes:
1. Inform: Share meaningful updates with your audience or industry. A press release provides a structured way to communicate important company news to stakeholders, customers, media, and the public. It ensures your message is clear, consistent, and professionally presented.
2. Engage the Media: Make it easy for reporters to cover your story. Journalists receive hundreds of pitches daily. A well-crafted press release gives them ready-made content they can reference, quote, or adapt for their own coverage. It reduces their workload and increases the likelihood of coverage.
3. Build Credibility: Use third-party media coverage to enhance trust. When your press release gets picked up by news outlets, it creates third-party validation that advertising can't replicate. This external endorsement builds brand authority and trust with potential customers.
Press releases also serve secondary functions like improving search engine visibility, creating shareable content for social media, and providing a historical record of company milestones.
Not all press releases are created equal. The most effective ones share several key characteristics:
Following proper press release format ensures your announcement meets professional standards and increases the likelihood of media pickup.
Press releases are appropriate for a variety of newsworthy announcements:
For product launches, press releases create awareness and drive initial coverage that can be amplified across other marketing channels.
Strategic use of press releases helps brands control their narrative and ensure important news reaches the right audiences through trusted channels.
Standard press releases follow a consistent structure that journalists expect:
1. Headline: The main announcement in a concise, attention-grabbing statement.
2. Dateline (City, State - Date): Location and date of the announcement.
3. Lead Paragraph: The complete story in 2-3 sentences covering who, what, when, where, why, and how.
4. Supporting Paragraphs (Quotes, background info, data): Additional context, executive quotes, statistics, and relevant details that flesh out the story.
5. Boilerplate: Standard company description, mission statement, and relevant background information.
6. Media Contact Info: Name, email, and phone number for journalists seeking additional information or interviews.
This standardized format makes it easy for journalists to quickly assess newsworthiness and extract the information they need for their own coverage.
Understanding how to structure press releases properly improves the effectiveness of your PR strategy and increases media pickup rates.
Despite changes in media consumption and the rise of social platforms, press releases remain one of the most effective tools for building authority.
When distributed properly, they:
1. Drive traffic and backlinks: Press releases published on news sites create valuable links back to your website that improve search rankings.
2. Increase visibility across news platforms: Distribution networks ensure your announcement reaches hundreds of outlets simultaneously.
3. Offer social proof: Media coverage creates third-party validation that prospects trust more than advertising.
4. Help shape your brand story: Regular press releases establish a narrative arc of growth and achievement that builds credibility over time.
Press releases also support press release SEO by creating indexed content with relevant keywords and authoritative backlinks.
For startups and growing companies, consistent press release activity demonstrates momentum and traction that attracts customers, partners, and investors.
The permanence of press releases also matters. Unlike social media posts that disappear from feeds within hours, press releases remain searchable and discoverable indefinitely.
A press release isn't just a document. It's a credibility signal.
It shows the world your brand is newsworthy and professional.
In an era where anyone can publish content on social media, official press releases distributed through recognized channels carry weight and legitimacy.
They demonstrate that your company operates at a professional level and has news worth sharing through formal channels.
At Brand Featured, we help businesses write and distribute press releases that land on top-tier media outlets and drive real attention.
Our approach to press release strategy ensures your announcements are newsworthy, professionally written, and distributed to outlets that matter to your target audience.
Whether you're launching a product, announcing funding, or sharing a significant milestone, strategic press release distribution amplifies your message and builds credibility.
If you need a press release that gets picked up and generates real visibility, contact us to share your story.
You can also visit our FAQ page to learn more about how press releases can support your growth goals, or check our reviews to see results we've achieved for other brands.
1. What's the difference between a press release and a blog post?
A press release is news-focused and written for journalists with a specific format and distribution strategy. A blog post is typically opinion-based, educational, or promotional content written directly for your audience.
2. How long should a press release be?
300 to 600 words is ideal. Long enough to include key information and context, short enough to stay skimmable and maintain journalist attention.
3. Do press releases help with SEO?
Yes. If published on high-authority news sites, they can improve rankings and generate valuable backlinks that boost your domain authority and search visibility.
4. What's the best time to publish a press release?
Tuesday to Thursday mornings work best for media attention, as journalists are most active and receptive during midweek before deadline pressure builds.
5. Can Brand Featured write my press release for me?
Absolutely. We offer full-service writing and distribution to help you get featured fast with professionally crafted announcements that meet media standards.
