Press Release Writing

Write professional press releases with research and fact-checking via inference.sh CLI.

Quick Start

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Install note: The install script only detects your OS/architecture, downloads the matching binary from dist.inference.sh, and verifies its SHA-256 checksum. No elevated permissions or background processes. Manual install & verification available.

AP Style Format

Structure

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Section-by-Section Guide

Headline

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Rules:

• - Present tense, active voice
• No period at end
• No superlatives ("revolutionary", "groundbreaking", "best-in-class")
• No exclamation points
• Include the key news element
• Title case

Dateline

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AP month abbreviations: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. (March, April, May, June, July spelled out)

Lead Paragraph

Answer WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY in 25-35 words:

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Quotes

Rules:

• - 1-2 quotes maximum (CEO/founder + partner/customer)
• Never start a quote with "I"
• Attribution format: "Quote," said Full Name, Title at Company.
• Quotes should add perspective, not repeat facts from the body
• Forward-looking quotes work well: "We believe this will..."

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Boilerplate (About Section)

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Keep to 3-4 sentences. Consistent across all press releases.

Media Contact

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The Inverted Pyramid

Most important information first. Each paragraph is less critical than the one before. Editors cut from the bottom.

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Research & Fact-Checking

Verify Claims

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Add Context

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Press Release Types

Product Launch

Focus: What it does, who it's for, why it matters, availability
Quote: CEO or product lead on the vision

Funding Announcement

Focus: Amount, round, lead investor, what funds will be used for
Quote: CEO on growth plans + lead investor on why they invested

Partnership

Focus: What the partnership enables, benefits to customers
Quote: One from each company

Milestone / Achievement

Focus: The metric, growth trajectory, what it means
Quote: CEO on the journey and what's next

Executive Hire

Focus: Who, their background, what they'll lead
Quote: CEO on why this hire + new exec on why they joined

Length Guidelines

Element	Length
Headline	10-15 words
Subheadline (optional)

15-25 words | | Total body | 400-600 words | | Quotes | 2-3 sentences each, max 2 quotes | | Boilerplate | 3-4 sentences | | Total | 500-800 words |

Over 800 words and editors won't read it. Under 400 and it lacks substance.

AP Style Quick Reference

Rule	Example
Numbers 1-9 spelled out, 10+ as digits	"nine employees" / "10 employees"
Percent as one word

"15 percent" (not 15% in body text) | | Titles before names capitalized | "CEO Sarah Chen" | | Titles after names lowercase | "Sarah Chen, chief executive officer" | | Company names: no Inc./Corp. in body | "Company X" not "Company X, Inc." | | Dates: month day, year | "Jan. 15, 2026" | | States abbreviated in dateline | "SAN FRANCISCO, Calif." | | Serial comma: AP does NOT use it | "fast, simple and effective" |

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Problem	Fix
Superlatives	"Revolutionary" = ignored by editors	State facts, let readers judge
Exclamation points

Unprofessional | Never use in press releases | | Starting quotes with "I" | Informal, weak opening | Start with a fact or insight | | Burying the lead | Key news in paragraph 3 | Most important info first | | Too long | Won't be read | 500-800 words max | | Jargon | Alienates non-expert readers | Write for a general audience | | No fact-checking | Credibility risk | Verify all claims and statistics | | Missing contact info | Journalists can't follow up | Always include media contact |

Checklist

• - [ ] Headline: present tense, active voice, no period, no superlatives
• [ ] Dateline: correct AP format (CITY, STATE, date)
• [ ] Lead: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY in first 25 words
• [ ] Inverted pyramid: most important first
• [ ] Quotes: attributed, don't start with "I", add perspective
• [ ] All claims and statistics fact-checked
• [ ] Boilerplate: consistent with other releases
• [ ] Media contact: name, email, phone
• [ ] 500-800 words total
• [ ] Read aloud for flow

Related Skills

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