Writing a press release from scratch can be daunting and tedious - especially if you’re short on time. And that’s where we can help!
In this post, we share free press release templates for a variety of purposes. Whether you're launching a new product, hosting an event or making a major corporate announcement, we've got you covered.
You'll find:
- 6 free press release templates for multiple situations
- 9 guidelines for writing an excellent press release
If you want to effectively tell your company’s story and get noticed by journalists, keep reading!
6 Press Release Templates for Multiple Situations
General Press Release Template
Our "General Press Release" template covers many scenarios. This template ensures you include everything the media and your key audiences would be interested in.
Follow these steps when completing this template (and all the other templates in our guide):
- Include your company’s logo.
- Fill in the brackets with your text or delete irrelevant bracketed sections.
- Fill in your headline and subheadline.
- Be succinct, dynamic and engaging.
- Keep your press release between one and two pages in length.
- Adjust the formatting to make it "neat."
Download the "General Press Release" template - CLICK HERE
Special Events and Celebrations Press Release Template
This template works for special events and community celebrations - especially those that are open to the public.
Use this press release template to announce:
- Grand openings
- Fashion shows
- Film screenings
- Galas
- Sporting events
- Concerts
- Public lectures
- Charity events
- Auctions
- Other public celebrations
When writing, use exciting language that "sells" your special event to the public. Give them a reason to show up! How much does it cost? When is it? Who's going to be there?
Download the "Special Events and Celebrations" template - CLICK HERE
Unveiling or Product Launch Press Release Template
This press release template is for launching or unveiling a new product, service, technology, etc. The goal is to attract new customers.
Use this template to announce:
- New products
- New professional services
- Game-changing technologies
- Social or political campaigns
- New business launches
- New website launches
- Shipping dates for new products and how to buy them
Make sure you write this type of release in a way that appeals to the widest audience possible.
Also, give the media and your key audiences information about (1) the size of the audience, (2) why they'll be interested, (3) how much the product/service costs and (4) how people can buy it.
Download the "Unveiling or Launch Date" template - CLICK HERE
Company Developments Press Release Template
Companies are continually developing and growing - and so are their employees.
The "Company Developments Press Release" is for important developments and changes that happen within your organization. You might use this template when your company:
- Hires a legendary computer programmer
- Gets a new CEO
- Merges with a prestigious brand
- Lands a lucrative new contract
- Finalizes a legal settlement
- Achieves a sales/income milestone
- Achieves a corporate goal
- Plans to construct a new facility
- Recognizes the achievements of a team member or department
Download the "Company Developments" template - CLICK HERE
Awards and Special Achievements Press Release Template
Perhaps your company just recognized the efforts of an employee who did something amazing. Maybe a prestigious organization gave your company an award.
Use this template to share news about accolades and achievements such as this!
When writing an "Awards and Special Achievements Press Release," don't forget to contextualize the award by showing why it's relevant to a wider audience. Not all awards will be interesting to the public, so be selective when promoting something like this to the media.
Download the "Awards and Special Achievements" template - CLICK HERE
Contact List Press Release Template (For Sending to an Email List)
If you have a contact list of your own (and if not, learn how a media database can help), format your press release into a succinct and timely email announcement.
The "Contact List Press Release" should be a mandatory extra step no matter which of these six press release formats you choose.
This template helps you craft an email to send directly to your established audience. Use it to announce:
- New areas of business
- Launches and product releases
- Special events and celebrations
- Awards and achievements
Remember: Emails benefit from an eye-catching, clickworthy subject line. Also, don't forget to include links to your products, services or webpage in the body of your email.
Download the "Contact List" template - CLICK HERE
9 Guidelines for Writing an Engaging Press Release
Media outlets sort through mountains of press releases each day to find the most interesting stories. However, the majority of these press releases don't contain anything newsworthy.
To get noticed, your press release needs a strong story to stand out from the rest. While keeping this in mind, read the following guidelines and apply them to yours!
- Don't send a press release unless you have something truly interesting to announce. Your newsworthy event should be eye-catching, headline-worthy, exciting, curious and awe-inspiring. It should be newsworthy and of interest to as many as possible. Let the facts speak for themselves.
- Think like a journalist. Journalists are hungry for a real story. They're digging through the mundane, trying to satisfy a demanding audience. That takes work. Reporters like to have all of the facts delivered to them. That's what your press release should do. Get into the head of the journalist. What do they want? What's going to make their readers happy? How can you provide that in your press release?
- Make the reporter's job easy. An impactful, engaging press release can indeed help your business. Spell things out. Make things easy and clear. Your press release should act as a "story kit" with all the building blocks for a complete story. Include all the facts, stats, quotes, names, times and dates in your submission. Essentially, you are giving the journalist a readymade, headline-worthy story.
- Let the facts speak for themselves. This is not the time for grandiose promotion. Deliver the information and let the facts speak for themselves. It's the most powerful way to convey your message to a journalist and your readers.
- Spend time on your headline. The best press releases lead with a headline that grabs you by the eyes. If you can't summarize your story into an interest-inducing headline, chances are you don't have news.
- Be brief. When you can use 10 words instead of 50, try five! We'll leave it at that.
- Don't use industry jargon. Strip all industry jargon from your press releases. Explain it like you’re talking to a fifth grader. Even if you're targeting industry-specific journalists, state your message in short sentences with simple words.
- Submit the press release "under embargo" - and submit it early. Using "embargoed for" allows you to request a specific time and date for release. Media organizations will usually honor this date. More importantly, submitting early and under embargo helps journalists by giving them extra time to craft a compelling story.
- Don't rely on journalists alone. Reach out to your audience. Above, you'll find our "Contact List Press Release" template. No matter which template you choose, create an additional press release with this template and send it to your email list. Also, post your news on your company’s social media channels.
By using our templates and following our guidelines, you can tell powerful stories that grab the attention of journalists.
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