Free templates, to get you started
We’ve created these templates to help you prepare your press releases for distribution. They include not only a template for the press release itself, but also for contacting journalists, getting approvals and a handy checklist to use before publishing.
Is it News?
PETER LABROW AND ROBERT CLARKE
Despite having a reputation as one of marketing’s easier tasks, writing a truly great press release is actually one of its most challenging. The writer has just a few hundred words to convey all of a story’s essential facts in a way that engages the reader. This book helps everyone, from marketing professionals to business owners, to do just that.
Free downloads
You can download the templates free of charge; there’s no registration. You’re also free to adapt and change these as needed – they’re our starter for ten, you’re welcome to make them your own.
The complete pack
If you want to grab all of the templates, this complete pack gives you everything in one download.
Download Zip 1256kb
Press release
This template is a suggested press release template. Edit the template to suit your writing needs, and the requirements of your distribution.
Download Word 15KB
Checklist — taking the brief
This checklist is designed to help you gather the information you need in order to write a good, solid news story. The better the information you gather up front, the better the story.
Download Word 18KB
Approval for press release sign-off
This e-mail template is to be used to obtain people’s approval for the press release. There are two versions: the first assumes that sign-off is given if the recipient doesn’t respond; the second requires a response. Which you use depends on your organisation.
Download Word 15KB
External approval for press release sign-off
This template is designed to help get third-party (external) approvals before publishing – something which should be handled with both respect and rigour.
Download Word 16KB
Requesting mailing list opt-in
This e-mail template is to be used when requesting people’s permission to send your press releases to them.
Download Word 15KB
Sending an unsolicited press release
This e-mail template is to be used when sending an unsolicited press release to someone – and asking them to opt in to your mailing list.
Download Word 15KB
Opt-out follow-up
This e-mail template is to be used when following up an opt-out from your mailing list.
Download Word 15KB
Preflight checklist
It’s never too late. Use a preflight checklist based on this one to assess whether your story is good to go, or could be improved.
Download Word 18KB