Writing

How to Write a Press Release with AI

Generate a professional, newsworthy press release in AP style that journalists will actually open and publish.

Press releases follow a rigid structure that most writers get wrong. AI can scaffold the inverted pyramid format, write a wire-ready headline, and ensure every paragraph answers who, what, when, where, and why — while keeping the word count tight enough for a busy editor.

The structure journalists expect

A press release has five mandatory elements: the headline, the dateline and lead paragraph, the body (two to three supporting paragraphs), an executive quote, and a boilerplate. Journalists read press releases in reverse pyramid order — the most important information first, details later. If your headline and lead paragraph don't establish the newsworthiness immediately, the release gets ignored regardless of what follows. AI can generate this structure reliably when you provide the news angle upfront.

What makes a press release newsworthy

Newsworthy facts are specific, significant, and timely. A funding announcement with a dollar amount, lead investor, and use of funds is newsworthy. 'We're excited to announce continued growth' is not. Before prompting, identify the single most newsworthy fact in your news. If it's funding: lead with amount, investor, and purpose. If it's a product: lead with the specific problem it solves and who it affects. If it's an award: lead with the award, the category, and why it matters to the audience.

Writing quotes that sound human

The executive quote is where most press releases fail. AI-generated quotes — and most human-written ones — sound like press releases rather than things a person would actually say. A good quote adds perspective that isn't already in the body copy. It expresses a point of view, not a summary. Ask AI to draft a quote that sounds like the executive is explaining why this matters to them personally, then edit it to match the executive's actual voice. The quote should make you nod, not wince.

AP style requirements

Wire-ready press releases follow AP (Associated Press) style. The most common errors: abbreviating months (don't — spell them out), using % instead of 'percent' (use the symbol after a numeral only), not spelling out acronyms on first use, using state abbreviations incorrectly, and including unnecessary capitalization. Ask AI specifically for an 'AP-style pass' after the first draft — it will catch most of these without you needing to know the AP Stylebook from memory.

Step-by-step guide

Define the news angle

Identify the single most newsworthy fact — funding amount, product launch, award — and lead with it.

Structure the release

Use AI to format the headline, dateline, lead paragraph, supporting quotes, and boilerplate section.

Write the quote

Ask AI to draft a spokesperson quote that sounds human and adds insight beyond what is in the body copy.

Edit for wire style

Request an AP-style pass that removes jargon, spells out acronyms, and trims to under 400 words.

Ready-to-use prompts

Funding announcement

Write a press release announcing [COMPANY NAME]'s [FUNDING AMOUNT] [ROUND — Seed/Series A/B] led by [LEAD INVESTOR]. Include: a headline under 12 words that leads with the amount and investor, a dateline, a lead paragraph with the 5 Ws, one supporting paragraph on use of funds, an executive quote from [CEO NAME] that expresses why this matters (not a summary of the news), a boilerplate (2 sentences), and a media contact section. AP style, under 400 words.

Why it works

Covers all structural elements a journalist needs without requiring the writer to know press release conventions. The instruction to distinguish the quote from the body copy prevents the most common press release mistake.

Product launch

Write a press release announcing the launch of [PRODUCT NAME] by [COMPANY]. The product [WHAT IT DOES] for [TARGET AUDIENCE]. Key differentiator: [UNIQUE ANGLE]. Include: newsy headline focused on impact (not 'announces'), lead paragraph stating the problem solved and for whom, one paragraph on key features, a quote from [SPOKESPERSON] that sounds like genuine commentary not a summary, availability and pricing information, and boilerplate. Under 400 words, AP style.

Why it works

Focuses the headline on impact rather than announcement, which makes it more likely to be picked up by journalists who receive hundreds of product press releases daily.

Practical tips

✦Lead with numbers — funding amounts, user counts, performance metrics — in both the headline and lead paragraph; they make abstract announcements concrete.
✦Write the executive quote last, after the rest of the release is final; it's easier to write a quote that adds perspective when you know what the body copy already says.
✦Keep the boilerplate to two sentences maximum: what the company does and where it is based; journalists trim it anyway.
✦Send AI an example press release you admire and ask it to match the structure and style — this calibrates output quality faster than describing it abstractly.
✦Run an AP-style pass as a separate prompt step; asking for draft + style correction in one prompt produces worse results than two focused prompts.