You know that moment when you need to send out a press release, but staring at a blank document feels like trying to debug production code without error logs?
You've got important news to share—a product launch, a funding round, a major milestone—but the thought of writing something that journalists will actually read makes you want to procrastinate by refactoring your CSS instead.
Most AI prompts for press releases are useless. "Write me a press release" gives you generic fluff that ends up in journalists' trash folders. After watching dozens of announcements get ignored, I decided to treat this like an engineering problem.
The Problem: Why Most Press Releases Fail
Let's be honest about what goes wrong:
- No news angle: Just announcing "we exist" isn't a story
- Marketing language: Journalists hate promotional fluff
- Poor structure: Buried lede, missing key information
- No human element: Just facts without quotes or context
- Wrong format: Doesn't follow industry standards
Journalists receive hundreds of pitches daily. If your press release doesn't immediately scream "this is newsworthy," it's getting deleted in 3 seconds flat.
The Solution: A Professional Framework That Works
I created a comprehensive AI prompt that transforms AI assistants into experienced PR professionals. This isn't just another template—it's a complete system built on what actually makes journalists cover stories.
The prompt works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok—any major US AI platform you prefer. It's designed to generate press releases that follow AP Style, include proper quotes, and focus on news value over marketing messages.
What Makes This Prompt Different
Built-in Professional Standards
Instead of generic advice, this prompt includes:
- News value assessment: Forces AI to evaluate if the story is actually newsworthy
- AP Style compliance: Proper formatting, datelines, and journalistic standards
- Quote integration: Automatically includes executive quotes for human interest
- Quality checklist: Built-in verification system before output
Industry-Specific Scenarios
The prompt adapts to different announcement types:
- Product launches: Focus on innovation and market impact
- Company milestones: Emphasize growth metrics and achievements
- Partnership announcements: Highlight strategic value and mutual benefits
- Crisis communications: Add transparency and responsibility elements
Media-First Thinking
The prompt forces AI to consider:
- What journalists actually need (facts, not fluff)
- How to structure for quick scanning (inverted pyramid)
- What makes something newsworthy (timing, impact, human interest)
- How to make it immediately usable (contact info, boilerplate)
The Complete Prompt Template
Here's the full framework. Copy it, customize it, make it yours:
# Role Definition
You are an expert PR strategist and professional press release writer with 15+ years of experience in corporate communications, media relations, and journalism. You have a deep understanding of what makes news stories compelling, how journalists think, and what editors look for in newsworthy content. Your expertise spans across industries including technology, healthcare, finance, consumer products, and nonprofit sectors.
# Task Description
Create a professional, media-ready press release that effectively communicates the news story to journalists and media outlets. The press release should be newsworthy, well-structured, and follow industry best practices for maximum media pickup and coverage.
[Please address the following content/issue...]
**Input Information** (Optional):
- Company/Organization: [Company name and brief description]
- News Angle: [What's the main news story?]
- Key Facts: [Important data, statistics, or details]
- Target Audience: [Who should care about this news?]
- Media Contacts: [Contact information for media inquiries]
- Timing: [Embargo date if applicable]
# Output Requirements
## 1. Content Structure
- **Headline**: Compelling, attention-grabbing, under 100 characters
- **Dateline**: City, State/Country – Date
- **Introduction**: First paragraph containing the most critical information (who, what, when, where, why)
- **Body Paragraphs**: 2-3 paragraphs providing supporting details, quotes, and context
- **Boilerplate**: Standard company description (About section)
- **Media Contact**: Complete contact information
- **### (End Mark)**: Traditional press release ending
## 2. Quality Standards
- **Newsworthiness**: Must have a clear, compelling news angle
- **Clarity**: Simple, direct language avoiding jargon and fluff
- **Accuracy**: All facts, figures, and names must be verifiable
- **Professionalism**: Follow AP Style guidelines and industry standards
- **Media-Friendly**: Format and structure optimized for journalist workflow
## 3. Format Requirements
- Word count: 400-500 words maximum
- Single-spaced with double spacing between paragraphs
- Use standard press release formatting
- Include proper contact information block
- End with traditional "###" mark
## 4. Style Constraints
- **Language Style**: Professional, objective, journalistic
- **Expression**: Third-person perspective, factual reporting
- **Professional Level**: Industry-standard PR communication
# Quality Checklist
Before completing the output, please self-check:
- [ ] Headline is compelling and under 100 characters
- [ ] First paragraph contains all essential information (5 W's)
- [ ] Quotes are included and attributed properly
- [ ] Company boilerplate is included
- [ ] Contact information is complete and accurate
- [ ] Word count is between 400-500 words
- [ ] AP Style guidelines are followed
- [ ] No promotional language or marketing fluff
# Important Notes
- Focus on news value, not marketing messages
- Include at least one executive quote for human element
- Ensure all claims are factual and verifiable
- Avoid hyperbole and exaggerated claims
- Consider SEO keywords naturally in the content
- Include relevant data points or statistics when available
# Output Format
Present the press release in standard format ready for immediate distribution to media outlets
How to Use It in 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Choose Your AI Platform
This prompt works with any major US AI assistant:
- ChatGPT: Excellent for creative storytelling and natural language
- Claude: Strong for structured output and technical accuracy
- Gemini: Great for research-backed content and multiple perspectives
- Grok: Good for current events and timely topics
Step 2: Fill in Your Details
Replace the bracketed sections with your specific information:
-
[Company name and brief description]: Your organization basics -
[What's the main news story?]: The actual news angle -
[Important data, statistics, or details]: Supporting facts and figures -
[Contact information for media inquiries]: Media contact details
Step 3: Review and Send
The AI will generate a complete press release, but always:
- Fact-check all numbers and claims
- Verify quotes are accurate and properly attributed
- Check that the news angle is genuinely newsworthy
- Ensure contact information is correct
Real Results: Before vs. After
Before Using This Prompt
- Generic announcements that journalists ignore
- Marketing language that gets deleted immediately
- Poor formatting that looks unprofessional
- Missing quotes or human interest elements
- No clear news angle or story
After Using This Prompt
- Professional, AP Style compliant releases
- Clear news value that journalists care about
- Proper quotes and human interest elements
- Immediate usability with contact information
- Higher media pickup and coverage rates
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
Focus on News Value
Ask yourself: "Would I care about this if I didn't work here?" If not, find a better angle or wait for a stronger story.
Include Real Data
Specific numbers work better than vague claims:
- ❌ "Significant growth"
- ✅ "150% year-over-year growth to 10,000 customers"
Get Good Quotes
Executive quotes should add perspective, not just repeat facts:
- ❌ "We are excited about this launch"
- ✅ "This solves the core problem our customers have faced for years—getting accurate data without the complexity"
Timing Matters
Send press releases:
- Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: Best for media pickup
- Avoid Monday/Friday: Journalists busiest or wrapping up
- Early morning: 8-10 AM in target timezone
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Send Marketing Materials
Press releases aren't advertisements. Focus on news value, not sales pitches.
Don't Bury the Lede
Put the most important information in the first paragraph. Journalists won't hunt for it.
Don't Forget Contact Info
Include complete contact information or your release is useless for follow-up.
Don't Ignore Distribution
A great press release needs proper distribution to relevant journalists and media outlets.
Who This Is For
This prompt works best if you're:
- Startup founders announcing product launches or funding
- PR professionals managing multiple announcements
- Marketing managers handling company communications
- Communications teams needing consistent quality
- Anyone who needs to send professional press releases
It's probably overkill if you just need to announce internal team updates or casual news.
Your Turn: Create Better Press Releases
Stop struggling with press release writing. This prompt framework transforms how you approach media communications—turning it from a creative struggle into a systematic process.
Give it a try for your next announcement. Copy the prompt, customize it for your news, and see the difference professional structure makes.
I'd love to hear how it works for you. Share your experience, any media pickup success stories, or questions about implementation in the comments below.
P.S. Save this prompt in your communications toolkit. Unlike many tools, this one gets better the more you use it as you refine it for your specific industry and media relationships.
Note: This prompt works with major AI platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. Results may vary based on specific model version and your input quality. Always review and edit AI-generated content before distribution.
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