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Press Release Generator

Generate professional press releases in AP/newswire format with headline variants and distribution recommendations.

From announcement to wire-ready release

Describe your announcement

Provide the news event, a key quote, and company details. The AI will craft a complete press release package.

What happened and why it matters (min 20 characters)

A direct quote to include in the release (min 10 characters)

Optional. Used to attribute the quote.

What Is a Press Release?

A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media to announce something newsworthy about your company. Written in AP/newswire format, it follows the inverted pyramid structure where the most important information comes first, followed by supporting details in descending order of importance.

Press releases serve multiple purposes: they inform journalists about company news, provide a quotable source for media coverage, improve SEO through backlinks from news sites, and establish your company as an active player in your industry. Whether you are announcing a product launch, funding round, partnership, or company milestone, a well-written press release can generate earned media coverage that would otherwise cost thousands in advertising.

This tool generates a complete press release package: a wire-ready release (400-600 words), five headline variants with different angles, a professional company boilerplate, and distribution platform recommendations to maximize your reach.

How to Write a Press Release in AP Style

AP (Associated Press) style is the standard format for press releases because it matches how journalists write. Following AP style increases the chances that your release will be picked up because editors do not need to reformat it.

Key AP style rules for press releases: use the inverted pyramid (most newsworthy info first), write in third person, use active voice, keep paragraphs short (2-3 sentences), spell out numbers under 10, use the Oxford comma sparingly, and always include a dateline with the city and date. The lead paragraph must answer who, what, when, where, and why in one to two sentences.

A standard press release structure includes: headline, dateline, lead paragraph, supporting quote, body paragraphs with context and details, company boilerplate (About section), and media contact information. The release traditionally ends with '###' to signal the end of the content.

How Long Should a Press Release Be?

A press release should be 400-600 words. This length gives journalists enough material to write a story without overwhelming them with unnecessary detail. Most editors will not read past 600 words, and anything under 300 words lacks the substance to be credible.

The breakdown typically looks like this: headline (8-12 words), lead paragraph (25-35 words), quote paragraph (40-60 words), 2-3 supporting paragraphs (150-250 words total), and a boilerplate (50-80 words). Media contact information adds another 30-50 words.

Focus on one announcement per release. If you have multiple pieces of news, write separate releases. A focused release is more likely to get coverage than one that tries to cover everything at once.

Press Release Headline Best Practices

Your headline determines whether a journalist opens your release or skips it. Strong press release headlines use present tense, active verbs, and clearly state the news. They avoid jargon, buzzwords, and superlatives that make the release sound like an ad.

Effective patterns include: '[Company] Launches [Product] to [Solve Problem],' '[Company] Raises $[Amount] to [Expand/Build/Grow],' and '[Company] Partners with [Partner] to [Achieve Outcome].' The headline should be factual and specific, not clever or cute.

Having multiple headline variants is valuable because different publications have different audiences. A tech blog might respond to a headline emphasizing innovation, while a business publication prefers one about market impact. This tool generates five variants with different angles so you can match the headline to the outlet.

Where to Distribute Your Press Release

Distribution is as important as writing. The best press release means nothing if it does not reach the right journalists. There are three main distribution channels: wire services (PR Newswire, Business Wire, GlobeNewswire), direct journalist outreach, and online distribution platforms.

Wire services push your release to thousands of newsrooms simultaneously. They are the most expensive option ($400-1,500+ per release) but provide the broadest reach and are best for major announcements like funding rounds or acquisitions. Direct outreach means emailing specific journalists who cover your industry. It is free but time-intensive and works best when you have existing media relationships.

Online platforms like EIN Presswire and Newswire offer affordable distribution ($100-300) with decent reach. For startups and small companies, a combination of one affordable wire service plus targeted direct outreach to 10-15 relevant journalists typically produces the best results per dollar spent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AP/newswire format for a press release?

AP/newswire format follows Associated Press style guidelines used by professional journalists. It uses the inverted pyramid structure (most important information first), third-person perspective, active voice, short paragraphs, and a standard structure: headline, dateline, lead paragraph, supporting quote, body paragraphs, boilerplate, and media contact. Following this format increases the likelihood that journalists will use your release because it matches their writing standards.

How many words should a press release be?

A press release should be 400-600 words. This length provides enough substance for journalists to write a story without being so long that they stop reading. The lead paragraph should be 25-35 words, the quote paragraph 40-60 words, supporting paragraphs 150-250 words total, and the boilerplate 50-80 words. Stick to one announcement per release for maximum impact.

How do I write a good press release headline?

Use present tense and active verbs. State the news clearly and specifically. Avoid jargon, buzzwords, and superlatives. Follow patterns like '[Company] Launches [Product] to [Solve Problem]' or '[Company] Raises $[Amount] to [Expand/Build/Grow].' Keep it under 12 words. The headline should be factual, not clever. Different outlets respond to different angles, so having multiple variants helps you tailor the pitch.

Where should I distribute my press release?

Use a combination of wire services and direct journalist outreach. Wire services like PR Newswire and Business Wire provide broad reach but cost $400-1,500+ per release. Online platforms like EIN Presswire offer affordable distribution at $100-300. For the best ROI, pair one affordable wire service with targeted emails to 10-15 journalists who cover your industry. Always personalize direct outreach with a brief pitch explaining why the news matters to their readers.

What information do I need to write a press release?

You need four things: the news event (what happened and why it matters), a key quote from a company spokesperson, your company name, and the type of announcement (product launch, funding, partnership, etc.). Optional but helpful: spokesperson name and title, company background for the boilerplate section, and media contact details. The tool can generate a boilerplate and placeholder contact info if you do not have them ready.

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