{"slug":"press-release-system","title":"Press Release Writing System","tags":["press-release","pr","local-seo","authority"],"agent_summary":"Press release structure, format rules, and distribution strategy for local businesses and agencies. Covers inverted pyramid structure, AP style requirements, wire distribution, and local SEO link-building applications.","trigger_phrases":["write a press release","press release template","how to write a press release","pr announcement","press release for local business","news release"],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\n# Press Release Writing System\n\n## When to Use Press Releases\n\n- New business opening or location\n- Major hire or leadership change\n- Product/service launch\n- Award or recognition\n- Partnerships or acquisitions\n- Community involvement or charity work\n- Major milestone (anniversary, X customers, revenue milestone)\n\n---\n\n## Structure: Inverted Pyramid\n\n```\n[MOST IMPORTANT] → [SUPPORTING DETAILS] → [BACKGROUND]\n```\n\nAll critical information in the first paragraph. Editors cut from the bottom.\n\n---\n\n## Required Elements\n\n### Headline\n- Newsworthy and direct\n- Under 80 characters\n- Use active voice\n- Lead with the biggest news\n\n**Formulas:**\n- \"[Company] Announces [What]\"\n- \"[Company] Opens [What] in [Location]\"\n- \"[Company] Launches [Product/Service] for [Audience]\"\n\n### Dateline\n`CITY, State, Month DD, YYYY —`\n\n### Lead Paragraph (most important)\nAnswer: Who, What, When, Where, Why\nKeep under 35 words. This is what wire services and editors grab.\n\n### Body Paragraphs (supporting details)\n- Paragraph 2: Elaborate on the lead\n- Paragraph 3: Quote from spokesperson or executive\n- Paragraph 4: Additional context, data, or impact\n- Paragraph 5: Market context or background\n\n### Quote Format\n\"[Quote text that sounds like a real person said it, not corporate speak],\" said [Full Name], [Title], [Company Name]. \"[Second sentence if needed]\"\n\n### Boilerplate (About Section)\n- 2-3 sentences about the company\n- Founded when, what they do, location, contact info\n- Keep consistent across all releases\n\n### Call to Action + Contact\n```\nMedia Contact:\n[Name]\n[Title]\n[Phone]\n[Email]\n[Website]\n```\n\n---\n\n## AP Style Rules\n\n- Numbers one through nine spelled out; 10 and above use numerals\n- Dates: Month Day, Year (January 15, 2026) — no commas in date alone\n- No Oxford comma\n- Use \"percent\" not \"%\"\n- Spell out \"United States\" on first reference\n- Abbreviate company suffixes: Inc., Corp., LLC\n- Quotation marks: outside commas and periods\n\n---\n\n## Local SEO Applications\n\nPress releases build:\n- Citations (NAP mentions = Name, Address, Phone)\n- Local authority signals\n- Backlinks from local news coverage\n- Brand entity mentions\n\n**Target distribution for local businesses:**\n1. Local newspaper websites\n2. City/regional business journals\n3. Industry trade publications\n4. PR Newswire or PRWeb for syndication\n5. Google News pickup\n\n---\n\n## Writing Rules\n\n1. Write in third person — no \"we\" or \"our\"\n2. No exclamation points\n3. No superlatives without proof (\"the best\", \"first ever\")\n4. Quotes must sound like something a human actually said\n5. One press release per announcement — don't combine unrelated news\n6. Include a high-res image when possible (journalists use them)\n7. Word count: 400-600 words optimal\n\n#content-sop #press-release #pr #local-seo\n","html":"<h1>Press Release Writing System</h1>\n<h2>When to Use Press Releases</h2>\n<ul>\n<li>New business opening or location</li>\n<li>Major hire or leadership change</li>\n<li>Product/service launch</li>\n<li>Award or recognition</li>\n<li>Partnerships or acquisitions</li>\n<li>Community involvement or charity work</li>\n<li>Major milestone (anniversary, X customers, revenue milestone)</li>\n</ul>\n<hr>\n<h2>Structure: Inverted Pyramid</h2>\n<pre><code>[MOST IMPORTANT] → [SUPPORTING DETAILS] → [BACKGROUND]\n</code></pre>\n<p>All critical information in the first paragraph. Editors cut from the bottom.</p>\n<hr>\n<h2>Required Elements</h2>\n<h3>Headline</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Newsworthy and direct</li>\n<li>Under 80 characters</li>\n<li>Use active voice</li>\n<li>Lead with the biggest news</li>\n</ul>\n<p><strong>Formulas:</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>\"[Company] Announces [What]\"</li>\n<li>\"[Company] Opens [What] in [Location]\"</li>\n<li>\"[Company] Launches [Product/Service] for [Audience]\"</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Dateline</h3>\n<p><code>CITY, State, Month DD, YYYY —</code></p>\n<h3>Lead Paragraph (most important)</h3>\n<p>Answer: Who, What, When, Where, Why\nKeep under 35 words. This is what wire services and editors grab.</p>\n<h3>Body Paragraphs (supporting details)</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Paragraph 2: Elaborate on the lead</li>\n<li>Paragraph 3: Quote from spokesperson or executive</li>\n<li>Paragraph 4: Additional context, data, or impact</li>\n<li>Paragraph 5: Market context or background</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Quote Format</h3>\n<p>\"[Quote text that sounds like a real person said it, not corporate speak],\" said [Full Name], [Title], [Company Name]. \"[Second sentence if needed]\"</p>\n<h3>Boilerplate (About Section)</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>2-3 sentences about the company</li>\n<li>Founded when, what they do, location, contact info</li>\n<li>Keep consistent across all releases</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Call to Action + Contact</h3>\n<pre><code>Media Contact:\n[Name]\n[Title]\n[Phone]\n[Email]\n[Website]\n</code></pre>\n<hr>\n<h2>AP Style Rules</h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Numbers one through nine spelled out; 10 and above use numerals</li>\n<li>Dates: Month Day, Year (January 15, 2026) — no commas in date alone</li>\n<li>No Oxford comma</li>\n<li>Use \"percent\" not \"%\"</li>\n<li>Spell out \"United States\" on first reference</li>\n<li>Abbreviate company suffixes: Inc., Corp., LLC</li>\n<li>Quotation marks: outside commas and periods</li>\n</ul>\n<hr>\n<h2>Local SEO Applications</h2>\n<p>Press releases build:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Citations (NAP mentions = Name, Address, Phone)</li>\n<li>Local authority signals</li>\n<li>Backlinks from local news coverage</li>\n<li>Brand entity mentions</li>\n</ul>\n<p><strong>Target distribution for local businesses:</strong></p>\n<ol>\n<li>Local newspaper websites</li>\n<li>City/regional business journals</li>\n<li>Industry trade publications</li>\n<li>PR Newswire or PRWeb for syndication</li>\n<li>Google News pickup</li>\n</ol>\n<hr>\n<h2>Writing Rules</h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Write in third person — no \"we\" or \"our\"</li>\n<li>No exclamation points</li>\n<li>No superlatives without proof (\"the best\", \"first ever\")</li>\n<li>Quotes must sound like something a human actually said</li>\n<li>One press release per announcement — don't combine unrelated news</li>\n<li>Include a high-res image when possible (journalists use them)</li>\n<li>Word count: 400-600 words optimal</li>\n</ol>\n<p>#content-sop #press-release #pr #local-seo</p>\n"}