Press Release Generator

400-600 words is ideal for most press releases. This length provides enough detail to be newsworthy while remaining concise enough for busy journalists to scan quickly. The sweet spot is typically 1-2 pages when formatted. However, complex announcements (like funding rounds or major partnerships) may require up to 800 words. Anything shorter than 300 words lacks substance, while releases over 800 words risk losing reader attention.

Press releases are formal announcements written in third person for media distribution, while blog posts are conversational content written in first person for direct audience engagement. Press releases follow strict AP Style formatting, include boilerplates and media contacts, and focus on newsworthy events. Blog posts allow for personal opinions, storytelling, and SEO-focused content marketing. Use press releases for major announcements (product launches, funding, partnerships) and blog posts for educational content, thought leadership, and ongoing SEO strategy.

Yes, when done correctly. Press releases distributed through reputable wire services generate high-authority backlinks that signal credibility to search engines. They also create branded search results, improve visibility for target keywords, and drive referral traffic. However, the SEO value has evolved—Google now uses "nofollow" attributes on many press release links to prevent manipulation. The real SEO benefit comes from media pickups, syndication on news sites, and the content appearing in branded search results. Focus on creating genuinely newsworthy content rather than using press releases solely for link building.

Issue press releases for significant, newsworthy events only. Good reasons include: major product launches, funding announcements, key executive hires or promotions, significant partnerships or acquisitions, awards and recognitions, research findings or industry reports, major company milestones, and event announcements. Avoid press releases for minor updates, routine operations, or overly promotional content. Journalists ignore releases that aren't genuinely newsworthy, which can damage your media relationships. Aim for 1-4 press releases per year for small businesses, more for rapidly growing companies with frequent major announcements.

Distribution costs range from free to several thousand dollars depending on reach and features. Free services like PR.com and 1888PressRelease offer basic distribution but limited reach. Mid-tier services like PRWeb ($99-$389) provide better distribution and basic SEO benefits. Premium services like PR Newswire and Business Wire ($400-$3,000+) offer maximum reach, authoritative publications, multimedia support, and detailed analytics. For most small to medium businesses, mid-tier services ($200-$500) provide the best ROI. Enterprise companies typically use premium services for major announcements. Consider your goals, budget, and the importance of the announcement when choosing a distribution level.

Newsworthiness is determined by timeliness, significance, relevance, and uniqueness. Ask yourself: Does this affect a large audience? Is it timely and current? Does it represent a meaningful change or innovation? Would the general public or industry care? Newsworthy press releases often involve firsts (first company to do X), significant milestones (reaching 1M users), major changes (rebranding, pivots), impactful partnerships, funding rounds, or data/research that provides new insights. Internal promotions, minor product updates, and routine business operations typically aren't newsworthy. Think like a journalist: would you write a story about this?

It's possible but complicated. You can update the version on your website anytime, but wire services typically don't allow edits after distribution—you'd need to issue a correction or updated version, which can look unprofessional. To avoid this, carefully review your press release before distribution: check all facts, dates, names, and titles; verify links work correctly; ensure proper formatting; and have multiple people proofread for typos and clarity. Use embargoed distribution if you need time to coordinate with partners or prepare assets. For critical errors after distribution, issue a corrected release with "CORRECTED" in the headline and a note explaining what was changed.

It depends on your resources, frequency, and goals. In-house writing works well if you have experienced writers, issue releases infrequently (1-4 per year), and have established media relationships. PR agencies are worth considering for major announcements, crisis situations, ongoing campaigns, or if you lack media contacts. A middle-ground approach: write releases in-house using AI tools (like this generator) and hire a PR professional to review, polish, and distribute major announcements. Many companies do both—handle routine releases internally and bring in agencies for high-stakes announcements like funding rounds or product launches. If you have budget, even occasional PR agency consulting can significantly improve your press release effectiveness and media relationships.