Press Release Checklist
4.8/5 with 146 votes
Table of Contents
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- Before Writing the Release
- What is the item announced via news release?
- Is this newsworthy?
- What is your targeted audience?
- Find a special angle for your story.
- What is the purpose of the release? Know your objective.
- Writing the Release
- Make sure your headline contains a single point and is factual.
- Use the active voice and the present tense.
- Summarize the story's who, what, why, when, where in the first paragraph.
- Find ways to grab attention!
- Do repeat information from your title.
- Keep it conversational.
- Follow the style guidelines of the Associated Press.
- Make sure the formatting and style is appropriate.
- Avoid passive sentences wherever possible.
- Make sure your release answers the relevant questions.
- Use short paragraphs for easy scanning.
- Use subheads on long or complex copy.
- Opinions or grand claims should be credited to an executive in a quote.
- Give the name & title of the spokesperson once, thereafter use the surname only.
- Include visual aids.
- After Writing the Release
- Review the release.
- Have someone else proofread your copy.
- Have it approved.
- Decide where and how it should be distributed.
- Announce it.
- Link it with an event
- Check to whom should you make follow up calls.
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Presented by:
Jake R Brady
Stats
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66
Views: 66
Uses
2
Uses: 2
Tasks
30
Tasks: 30
Who it's for
This Press Release Checklist is for teams that want consistent execution, less rework, and clear ownership.
- Standardize quality - run the same Press Release steps every time, regardless of who executes
- Save time - reuse a proven Press Release workflow instead of rebuilding processes from scratch
- Improve accountability - assign owners and see what's done vs. what's pending
- Onboard faster - use the Press Release checklist as the SOP and training guide
- Coordinate across roles - handoffs are clear and everyone works from the same source of truth
How to use it
How to use this Press Release Checklist:
- Start by saving it - save as a Template if you'll reuse it, or as a Checklist if it's a one-off project.
- Customize it once for your workflow - remove what doesn't apply and add your team-specific steps.
- Assign ownership and execute - set owners/due dates where needed and track completion as work happens.
- Reuse without rebuilding - when Press Release comes up again, start from your saved version and run it with clear ownership.
Rate this Checklist
5 stars
Scores 4.80 with 146 votes