How Long Should a Press Release Be

What Should Be the Right Length of a Press release?

What is the Ideal Length for a Press Release?

When crafting a press release, it's important to keep it concise and engaging! Aim for a word count of 300 to 500 words, with 400 being a sweet spot that works wonders for clarity and impact and the perfect press release distribution.

What Makes Length So Important?

Are you wondering why press releases must be of a limited length? It is a common practice to ensure that a press release is contained within a single page. If it is too long, the journalists may be unenthusiastic about reading it to the end, thus leading to skipping of the entire release. Although most press release distributions happen through the electronic media nowadays, the old format of a one-page press release is still observed in the industry.

While journalism has evolved with the increase in internet use, primary regulation remains fundamental. Straying from these formats is counterproductive as media outlets may not pay much attention to the press release and its relevant event.

Press Release Basics

A press release is a formal statement issued to the media with information regarding certain events or announcements for newer products or developments in the organization. They are brief and provide important information to the readers. The aim of a press release is to catch the interest of the journalists so that they can amplify the story to the public.

Business entities can create a positive image through press releases, control their messages, and unveil it to the media. However, it must be noted that many journalists only skim through the headlines as they receive numerous emails on a busy working day. Your press release must be written and distributed in a way that attracts their attention.

Press release - Structure and Length

Before submitting a press release to any online site, ensure it doesn't exceed one full page and should be between 300 and 500 words long. Here is an example of a general structure of the 'perfect' press release:

• First paragraph: This paragraph must contain brief information about the announced event, answer the 5 W's (Who/What/When/Where/Why), and offer a strong news angle.
• Second Paragraph: The second paragraph offers further information supporting the points outlined in the first paragraph. Here, one ought to bring the quotes or data or any other substantiation.
• More Paragraphs (if required): It is possible to elaborate on the specifics in one or two more paragraphs. However, keep it concise. Any more information should be included in the additional paragraph using a meaningful and educational approach.
• Boilerplate: This last paragraph provides additional information about your business and the necessary contact information.

Press release Length –Keep it Short and Sweet

If you have more information that you need well over one page to present, then it is advisable to use additional documents. Longer content can be used as a blog post, an article, or a set of press releases.

Keep it Concise: Avoid Fluff.

Focus on cutting the fluff. Remember that you should not use more than three sentences in your introduction paragraph. Share the core information that is useful or necessary quickly. This means that you should remove all adjective-type words that do not add value to the message and all the adverbs. Instead, make the content better with stronger verbs adjoined by nouns.

Short Press Releases Are Not Good Either

• Although keeping your press release brief is crucial, ensure that it is not overly basic. Create interest but leave some details unsaid to encourage further inquiries.
• Focus on what interests your audience. Consider adding engaging elements like videos and compelling descriptions to increase reader engagement.
• Enhance credibility by conducting interviews and gathering soundbites from authoritative figures. This makes your message more personal and appealing.
• Review your press release for any gaps or vague statements. Filling in missing details with precise information will strengthen clarity and journalistic appeal.
• Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs for logical content flow. Avoid redundancy, and make sure each idea connects seamlessly to the next.
• Keep your headline concise (10 words or less) and informative. The subheadline should add details in 20 words or fewer while maintaining some intrigue.
• Short and engaging press releases perform better. Since journalists often skim through content, a well-structured and concise press release is more likely to be read and published.

Ideal Length of a Press Release

• A press release is a cost-effective way for businesses of all sizes to reach their target audience without overspending.
• Keep your press release impactful by focusing on major news. A 400-word length is ideal for clarity and maintaining reader interest.
• Use the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) to stay relevant and concise.
• If your press release is too long, trim the introduction, remove unnecessary data, and rewrite sentences in an active voice for better clarity.
• Eliminate redundant adverbs and adjectives that do not add value to the message.
• If the press release feels too short, expand on general information to provide more context while ensuring smooth transitions between paragraphs.
• Your headline and subheadline should be informative yet concise, offering enough detail to engage readers without overwhelming them.
• For professional assistance, Riyo Advertising offers expert press release services to maximize media exposure. Contact us today at 9821984000 to get started.