How to Write a Press Release [Free Press Release Template + Examples]
3. Send the release to top journalists the day before.
Give journalists some time to craft a story around your press release by sending it to them — under embargo — the day before it officially goes live. (FYI “under embargo” just means they aren’t allowed to share the information in the press release until the time you specify.)
4. To avoid competition, don’t publish your release on the hour.
If you’re publishing your press release on a distribution service like PR Newswire or Business Wire, avoid publishing it on the hour (e.g., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m., or 5 p.m.). The reason? Most companies schedule their releases to go out on the hour, which means if your release goes out on the hour too, it’s more likely to get lost in the shuffle. Instead, try going with a more distinct time (e.g., 1:12 p.m., or 3:18 p.m., or 5:22 p.m.).
5. Share your media coverage.
If all goes according to plan, and your press release gets picked up by the media, your job still isn’t finished. To keep the buzz going, you can release a “second wave” of distribution by sharing the specific stories that news outlets write based on your press release.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
References
- ^ public relations strategy (offers.hubspot.com)
- ^ turning your PR strategy into an inbound one (offers.hubspot.com)
- ^ still adopted and highly-respected today (www.thehalogroup.com)
- ^ click here (blog.hubspot.com)
- ^ writing the perfect blog post title (blog.hubspot.com)
- ^ reverse pyramid formula (blog.justreachout.io)
- ^ newsjacking (blog.justreachout.io)
- ^ inbound methods to transform your marketing strategies (blog.hubspot.com)
- ^ The Newsworthy Guide to Inbound Public Relations (offers.hubspot.com)
- ^ ŠKODA at the World Rally Championship (www.skoda-press.be)
- ^ ScribbleLive Acquires New Company (www.youtube.com)
- ^ Peapod’s New Headquarters (about.peapod.com)
- ^ HubSpot’s New Product Announcements (www.hubspot.com)
- ^ Ellie Botelho (www.linkedin.com)
- ^ press release template (offers.hubspot.com)