When it comes to press releases, there are a lot of things that go into making them effective. One of the most important factors is the length of the release.

Too short, and you might not be saying enough. Too long, and you’ll lose your readers’ attention. This article will explore what the experts say about press release length and how to find the sweet spot for your releases.

According to Debra Dixon-Anderson, Founder and CEO at Light of Gold PR, Marketing and Consulting LLC, a press release has to be free of long, exhaustive paragraphs, grammatical errors, and syntax.

In addition, she noted that the first paragraph should have important facts that answer: who, what, when, where, and why. Lastly, she opined that if a press release is too long, sometimes it won’t get read. Experts recommend that a press release should be between 400-500 words.

How to Make a Press Release Clear and Concise

Clarity is critical in a press release. You want to ensure that your press release is easy to read and understand. This means keeping the language simple and avoiding jargon. It also means being clear about what you want your reader to take away from the release. The length of your press release should be dictated by how much information you have to share.

If you have a lot of information, you might need a more prolonged press release. However, a shorter release will suffice if you only have a few key points to make. Experts recommend keeping your press release short and sweet. This gives you enough space to include all the vital information without overwhelming your reader.

Plan ahead

What is the main point of your release? What information do you need to include to get your message across? Answering these questions before you start writing will help you plan and structure your release. It will also ensure that you stay on track and don’t include any unnecessary information.

When planning your press release, it can be helpful to think about the inverted pyramid. This structure starts with the most critical information at the top and then goes into less essential details. This is useful for ensuring that your readers get the main points of your press release even if they only read the first few sentences.

Reduce information clutter.

Your press release should be easy to read and understand. This means keeping the language simple and avoiding jargon. It also means being clear about what you want your reader to take away from the release. The length of your press release should be dictated by how much information you have to share.

You might need a more extended release if you have a lot of information. However, a shorter release will suffice if you only have a few key points to make. Experts recommend keeping your press release short and sweet. This gives you enough space to include all the essential information without overwhelming your reader. 

Proofread your press release before sending it out.

Many believe their job is done once they have written a press release. However, this could not be further from the truth. To ensure that your press release makes the desired impact, it is crucial to proofread it thoroughly before sending it out.

It might seem tedious, but avoiding any embarrassing typos or grammatical errors is essential. Furthermore, taking the time to proofread will show reporters that you are professional and detail-oriented. So before you hit “send” on your next press release, be sure to take a few minutes to proofread it carefully.

Understand how best to communicate with your audience.

Your press release should be tailored to your audience. This means understanding how they like to receive information and what type of language they respond to.

If you are targeting a more general audience, your press release should be easy to understand and free of jargon. However, targeting a more specific audience can include industry-specific language in your press release.

Understanding the best way to communicate with your audience is also essential. Some people prefer visual content, while others prefer text. It would help if you also considered the attention span of your audience when deciding how long your press release should be. For example, if you are targeting a busy executive, you might want to keep your press release short and to the point.

By tailoring your press release to your audience, you will increase the chances that they will read it and take notice of your message. So before you start writing, take some time to think about who you are targeting and what type of language they respond to.

How long should my press release be?

Like many things in life, the answer is “it depends.” The most important thing is to ensure that your press release contains all the essential elements.

Beyond that, you can let your creativity and storytelling instincts guide you. Remember that brevity is key – the goal is to get your message across quickly and efficiently.

1. Headline: The headline of your press release should be short, attention-grabbing, and to the point. It should give readers a clear idea of the press release and make them want to read more. It would help if you targeted a headline of fewer than 12 words.
2. Subheadline: The sub-headline can be used to provide additional information about the story. This is optional but can help provide context for the reader. A suitable subheadline is 20 words or fewer.
3. Opening paragraph: The opening paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and give them an overview of the story. According to Alistair, Founder of Class: PR, it should be no more than three or four sentences long.
4. Main body: The main body of your press release should be concise and free of fluff. Stick to the facts and include only truly newsworthy information. The main body should be no more than 300 words. You can have quotes, statistics, facts, and necessary data here.
5. Closing paragraph: The closing paragraph should be a summary of the main points of the press release. You can also use this space to include a call to action or provide additional contact information.
6. Boilerplate: The boilerplate is a short, standard paragraph that can be used on all of your press releases. It should include information about your company, such as its mission statement or history.
7. Press contact information: Be sure to include your name, phone number, and email address so that reporters can get in touch with you if they have any questions.

What’s the best way to modify your press release?

Suppose you want your press release to get the attention it deserves. In that case, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to ensure it’s appropriately tailored to your audience.

• Consider the publication you’re targeting. Is it a trade magazine read by industry insiders or a consumer-facing publication with a more general audience?
• Adjust the language and style of your press release accordingly. For example, suppose you’re targeting a trade magazine. In that case, you’ll want to use industry-specific jargon and focus on the newsworthy aspects of your story. 
• Consider the tone of the publication you’re targeting. Is it a severe, objective news source or a more light-hearted entertainment magazine? The style of your press release should match that of the publication.
• Ensure you are familiar with the guidelines for submitting press releases to your target publication. Many publications have specific requirements for format, length, and content.

By tailoring your press release to your target audience, you can ensure it will have the maximum impact.

How PressReach can help

At PressReach, we can help you to create a custom press release that will resonate with your target audience. We’ll work with you to understand your goals and objectives and then craft a press release that meets your needs. Contact us today to learn more.

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