Press releases are one of the best ways to get the word about your business out, especially if you have something important to announce, like a merger or a new location opening. Press releases establish your credibility and shape your public narrative. Plus, they’re also versatile, meaning there are different types of press releases for different types of news. Here are 16 common press release types and what to include in each to attract and engage your audience.
1. New Business Press Release (Grand Opening)
More than 4 million new businesses are started yearly. A new business announcement or grand opening press release helps establish brand awareness and generate early sales. Some angles to consider for this type of press release are:
- How the new business fills a market gap in a location
- How it is different from other companies in the industry
- Its main products or services
- Its mission statements and vision statements
- A unique selling proposition
- The owner’s ties or commitment to the community
- Its location
- The types of customers that will benefit from it
- The new business’ website
A press release announcement for a new business or its grand opening should follow the standard press release format. In the body of the release, summarize your business’ products or services, how it differs from competitors, and their benefits to the target audience. To add a human touch, include a quote stating your company’s vision.
Finally, don’t forget to hyperlink to your website so readers can learn more. To ensure your full website address is always published, include your website URL in its complete written form (e.g., www.yourbusinessname.com) in your press release boilerplate.
Pro tip: Get more ideas to promote your new business in our list of grand opening ideas. Or, if you need a primer on press releases, learn all about them in our guide to what a press release is and why it’s important.
2. Business Press Release for a New Product or Upgrade
Of the nearly 30,000 new products released every year, as many as 95% fail, according to Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen. Getting word out before the launch or upgrade of your new product with a public relations (PR) media campaign is essential to increasing awareness and jump-starting sales. A single press release can mean the difference between your product launch making an impact or getting buried by other brands.
This is precisely why new product press releases are crucial. In addition to your business’ announcement of the new product, it should explain how it’s different from other alternatives already on the market. For an upgrade announcement, it should state the main ways the new version is improved compared to the last edition.
Some of the main angles and inclusions to consider are:
- The features that set it apart
- New technology incorporated
- How the product is used or new functionality available (for upgrades)
- Features unique to your version (not found in competitors’ products)
- A description of the intended audience (e.g., the types of people most likely to benefit from buying your product)
- Its cost or cost range
- Special offers or incentives to generate early sales
- Where it can be purchased or ordered in advance
If you do extend an incentive, like a limited time discount via codeword or coupon marketing campaign, ensure it’s trackable. One way to do this is by creating a landing page and then driving traffic to it from press releases and overall new product launch campaigns. Another way is by creating trackable links through a free platform like Bitly to see how many clicks and conversions.
Pro tip: Writing a press release for product launches (or any type of news) is part art, part science. If you’d like to turn the work over to a media professional, here are the best press release writing services for any size budget.
3. New Service Press Release
Similar to a PR press release for a new product or upgrade, gaining awareness of a new service you’re about to launch can make or break its success. Along with reaching out to existing customers and prospects via email, social media, and other types of announcements, writing a press release in advance can help you build an interest list.
Or, if you’ve recently launched a new service, publishing a press release is an effective way to let your customers and the media know it’s available. It should include information such as:
- The date the service will be released
- How to purchase it (e.g., contact your sales department, sign up online, and so on)
- The pricing or price range customers can expect to pay
- Who it’s best suited for
- How it’s different from competing services
- The gap it fills in a location-based or industry
- The specific benefits or results clients can expect
- The vision for creating the new service
- How long it was in development or how it evolved
- Where they can see a demo or learn how to use the service (such as with software as a service, aka SaaS platforms)
Ensure to include contact information for both prospective customers and the media. For example, customers might be most interested in booking an appointment or signing up. By contrast, journalists would want to know where to access your company’s press kit and who to contact your company to get details to enhance their own stories.
4. Event Press Release
Most in-person business events cost anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000. But even if your event doesn’t require a massive financial outlay, it’s crucial to get a return on your investment. Event announcements are a type of press release you can use to get media exposure before or after events are held (and sometimes both) for occasions such as:
- VIP customer events or exclusives
- Webinars
- Online or in-person workshops and classes
- Corporate retreats, board meetings, and annual company meetings
- Product, service, and business launches
- Major changes to a business, such as a rebranding
- Charity initiatives (like a 5K race, auction fundraiser, or donation drop box)
- Community-related events like an open house
- Media-centric events like a press conference for major business announcements or crisis management
To save time, download our free event press release template and follow along step-by-step to write your announcement. In the body, describe what it is about, where it will take place, when, who will be involved, and how media representatives can gain admission to cover it. If the public is also welcome to attend, provide information on how they can do so.
Many businesses also plan buzz-building publicity stunts to draw mass attention to their brand from journalists and the public alike. These are also preceded by a heads-up to the media with a press release.
If you want the media to attend your event in advance of your event press release, issue a media advisory. This is slightly different from a press release in both format and purpose, so read our article on how to write a media advisory, which also has a free template you can use.
5. New Hire Press Release
The average tenure of C-suite (aka “chief” of something) executives is just over four years. These individuals are often key hires brought in to meet specific high-level goals, such as growing revenue, introducing new offerings, or improving perceptions around a brand.
A new hire press release is a type of press release used to announce that your company has made an essential new hire. It builds credibility by positioning your brand as a sought-after employer and increases trust in your company’s expertise. Your new hire PR announcement should include things like:
- The unique expertise or experience of the new executive
- Awards or accolades (e.g., made the list of top 30 under 30)
- Significant career accomplishments in prior roles
- Standout education and background details
- What their role and key responsibilities will be
- How this is expected to benefit stakeholders
- Changes that clients or customers can expect in the future
- A quote from the new hire and someone from within your company (such as the CEO or a member of the board of directors)
As this is one of the more formal types of press releases, we recommend you follow the AP (Associated Press) formatting. To make this easy for you, read our guide on how to write an AP-style press release and download the free templates we’ve made for you.
6. Crisis Management Press Release
When something goes wrong, whether or not caused by your business, the best type of press release for this issue is a crisis management press release. It is a specific kind of media statement issued by an organization in response to a significant event or problem.
This type of press release is typically issued as part of an overall crisis PR communications plan. It’s a tool you can use to get out in front of a situation that could potentially generate bad PR for your business. It is also often used in the case of disasters or other emergencies, such as a government press statement about where to go for help.
Instances where a crisis press release may be warranted are:
- Customer or site visitor data breaches or cybersecurity attacks
- Significant downtime of your website, customer support, or business
- Sudden unexpected closure of your business
- An accident in or because of your business that causes significant impacts on your employees, customers, or the community
- Criminal, negligent, or grossly unprofessional actions of a key employee in your business
- Your business’ contribution to or participation in relief efforts
- To address concerns emerging as a result of bad players in your industry
Your media statement should provide timely and accurate information about the event, who is affected, and your response or plan to address or mitigate the problem. If your company is at fault in some way, acknowledge the blame as openly and transparently as possible, express regret, and say what your company will do next. For more tips and a free template, read our guide on how to write a crisis press release.
7. Joint/Partnership Press Release
A joint press release doubles the PR value for all parties when two or more companies partner on a special project. Both companies gain increased exposure through the other partner’s distribution channels, which can, in turn, generate additional brand credibility, leads, and sales.
Begin your release by addressing the who, what, when, why, and how details in the lead paragraph. Follow that with supplemental information, such as the problems the partnership solves for stakeholders and the positive changes they can anticipate.
Additional information to consider including are:
- An explanation of the alignment between the partners (e.g., why are you working together)
- How the project fits with the mission and vision of all parties
- The specific goals or what will occur as a result of the partnership
- Links to additional resources, such as a landing page with your press kits, images, charts, videos, and other media associated with the business announcement
- A media contact and a general inquiries (public) contact for more information
- The problem solved by the initiative
- Who benefits (e.g., which audience should be interested in the news)
- Quotes from the CEOs of both companies
- A quote from any organization or cause benefiting from the partnership
- Boilerplates for all companies represented in the joint press release
Pro tip: Unsure what to include in your boilerplate section? Get all the details in our article on how to write a press release boilerplate in five steps.
8. Rebranding Press Release
Businesses rebrand about every seven to 10 years. It entails an update to the visual presentation of a brand. Usually, it affects everything from its office or storefront to its logo, website, and even down to its forms, business cards, flyers, and other marketing materials. As such, it’s a significant project that warrants issuing a press release.
Using a rebrand press release to announce your company’s changes to its brand prevents confusion and unrest among stakeholders. Your rebranding media statement can reduce the fear of the unknown among employees and customers by clarifying what changes to expect and when. It should include things like:
- A compelling rebranding story outlining the changes and why they were needed
- How rebranding benefits the company and its employees and clients
- How the rebrand aligns with your company’s mission statement, values, and vision
- Professional research or design agencies involved
- Examples of the rebranding, such as an image comparing your old and new logos, website home pages, storefront, business sign ideas considered, and so on
- What was included in the rebranding, e.g., website and logo only or everything from your brand’s logo and website color scheme to its pricing and interiors, or even your business name
- Where people can go (in person or online) to see examples of your business’ rebranding
- A contact person who can address any questions
Tell a positive story in your rebranding press release to create some buzz and excitement around it. If it impacts your physical location, consider having an open house with members of the local media, community leaders, professionals who assisted in your rebrand, and your team to celebrate.
9. Award Press Release
Winning a prestigious award positions you as a business owner and your company as a leader—but only if people know about it. As one of the most positive types of press releases, an award press release showcases an accolade won based on a business accomplishment. It should include things like:
- The name of the award or accolade (e.g., “best places to work”)
- The criteria for winning or earning it
- Information about the organization that issued the award
- What you or your company did to deserve it
- What it means for your business and its customers and employees
- How it impacts your position in the industry or your community
- A quote from you or someone else high up in your company
- A quote from the award issuer
- A quote from someone in your community or industry
- A media contact for journalists or others wanting more information
- A boilerplate for your company
Issuing award press releases can be tricky—being overly promotional is one of the most common press release mistakes businesses make. Explain when and why the award was issued as objectively as possible, and express appreciation to the organization issuing the award or accolade.
10. Book Press Release
The sheer number of new books released (upward of 2.2 million books a year, as of this writing) showcases the top challenge for authors: getting the word out. A book press release is the type of press release used to promote the launch of a new book to gain media coverage and entice the intended audience to buy it.
Your book launch press release should start with a summary of the book’s benefits to readers. The following paragraphs should detail reasons to purchase the new book, such as:
- Any book launch events planned, such as a reading, book tour, or signing event
- The gap the book fills in the marketplace
- The unique point of view of the author on the topic
- The author’s background
- The inspiration for the new book
- Any awards the book or author has won
- Celebrity or other notable endorsements (e.g., politicians, educators, well-known business persons, and so on)
- A quote from the book
- The release date and where it can be purchased
- The name of the publishing company
- How journalists can get free or advance copies for their stories
- A media contact and availability of the author for interviews
- An author boilerplate
- The publishing company’s boilerplate
- Some advanced reviews if there are any
If this is the type of press release you need, learn how to write a book press release and get a free template to save time. Then, when you’re ready, issue your book launch announcement to a wide or targeted audience using one of the best press release distribution services.
11. Company Merger or Acquisition Press Release
More than 3,400 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals occurred in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2023 alone. Merger and acquisition press releases are used to announce when one company acquires another or when two companies merge.
Usually, the acquiring company or company taking the lead in the merger will be the organization that sends a merger or acquisition press release. In addition to sharing the business announcement, these types of press releases also serve to allay the concerns of employees and investors and give customers advance details about changes coming their way.
This kind of media statement can address multiple angles by including things like:
- The public terms of the deal
- The parties involved
- The effective date of the acquisition or merger, and any major changes
- The benefits of the acquisition to either or both entities
- Quotes from the leaders of one or both companies
- The reason behind the merger or acquisition
- Values, mission, and vision alignments
- The size of one or both companies before and afterward
- New technology or offerings made possible as a result of the merger or acquisition
- Key leaders in place
- What changes can be expected by customers, vendors, suppliers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders
- Impacts to the community, e.g., is one company moving or closing? Will the acquiring company have a larger local footprint?
- Impacts on the economy, such as will other jobs be created as a result, and if so, how many and what kind of jobs will they be and where will they be located?
- The boilerplate information of both companies involved
- Contact information or an online form where existing customers can submit questions
- Contact info or website URL for people interested in becoming customers
- Media contact for follow-up and a link to your press kit
This is a great example of a press release type that should not only be distributed to the media, in general, but also to industry and location-targeted journalists. Newswire is the best press release distribution service to use if you want to access multi-layer targeting with your announcement to reach the journalists who will most likely cover your story.
12. Video Press Release
A video press release, or video news release (VNR), is a video-based business announcement. It can be issued on its own, but for formal media statements, it is often embedded as part of a text-based press release. Some of the use cases that make a video the right type of press release are for:
- Interviews, which could be anything from an acquisition to a crisis press release, business closing, partnership, or any of the other types above
- Product tours and demonstrations
- Unpacking reviews
- Customer testimonials
- Sneak peeks at what’s coming next in your business
- New product features or upgrades
- How-to videos
- Company profiles, such as for an occasion like a 50th anniversary
- Interactive videos that allow viewers to choose their own adventure
Learn more about this press release through our guide on a video news release. We also cover how to create one and how to use it to promote your business. When it’s complete, embed it as part of a regular media statement and send it through a distribution service to get the widest reach. In addition, post it on your YouTube channel so that you can repurpose it into content on your website.
13. Online Press Release
One of the foundational reasons to make a small business website is to communicate important information about your company to the public. On it, you can post online press releases any time your business has a newsworthy angle, even if you don’t send it directly to the media or use a distribution service.
Online press releases can be hosted on your website’s “About Us” page or a dedicated landing page where you post media announcements and a link to your media kit. This way, journalists researching stories about your business can easily learn about important announcements, milestones, awards, and advances—all in one place.
Unlike different types of press releases used for specific purposes, online press releases can be any type of news about your business. Posting them online allows you to build a library of announcements that can be easily shared with journalists or via your social media and email marketing channels.
14. Research Study Press Release
Research studies are one of the best ways to establish your business’ credibility and grow your online brand presence. For example, other businesses can cite your study in their blogs, which earns you backlinks and builds your authority. If you publish a research study, press releases are the best way to let the world know about it because they’re credible and authoritative—qualities you also want your study to express.
Here are some essential parts to include in your research study press release:
- The name of the study
- The link to the full study
- Important details about the study (e.g., what it’s about, its basic methodology, and how many respondents)
- A few key insights from the study
- Why the study is important
Aside from these elements, you can also add extras like expert quotes and graphs from the study to make your press release more credible. Research studies are one of the most well-established types of press releases. Often, they’re the main gateway for the rest of the world to read your research, so ensure it is clear, is well-written and formatted (e.g., no academic jargon), and has just enough information to draw readers in.
15. Financial Earnings Press Release
Financial earnings are another type of press release you can use to establish your business’ credibility. They’re essentially public reports of your business’ financial performance, along with some key insights, often released every quarter. These types of press releases don’t usually have a story—instead, they spell out key facts and figures about your business’ revenue, including growth rates, earnings per share (EPS), and other important numbers.
Here are the data you’ll need to include in your financial earnings press release:
- Your company’s headline revenue (i.e., your overall revenue for the time period)
- The period when your report was conducted
- Your growth from the previous year or quarter
- Net income
- EPS
- Projections for the next report
- Insight and commentary from company management
While there is no fixed format for a financial earnings press release, other details you can include are your market share, earnings per business sector, and other finance-related company updates (e.g., if you shifted to a new revenue model).
Because they’re so comprehensive, financial earnings press releases are often done by larger, more established companies rather than small businesses—but that doesn’t mean they’re off-limits. For small businesses, they can help get more investors. As with other types of press releases, be sure not to come off too promotional, to inflate and misrepresent data, or to only highlight positive numbers. Stick to the key facts and commentary to build your readers’ trust.
16. Business Closing Press Release
Nearly 600,000 businesses close every year for various reasons. If your business is closing its doors, you’ll want to inform your customers, community, and the public in advance. A business closing press release can help lessen the impact on your customers by offering alternative recommendations and sharing your business announcement.
A business closing press release should include:
- The name and nature of the business (e.g., a florist, dental practice, boutique, or some other type of entity)
- A brief explanation of why it’s closing
- The official date it will be closed, deadline for placing any last orders, closing or liquidation sales, and so on
- Whether any facility, equipment, furnishings, or other assets are available for purchase
- A quote from the business owner
- A quote from a community leader
- Length of time the business was open and timeline highlights
- How your business served the community
- Where else customers can purchase similar products or services
- Who to contact to get more information
Perhaps most importantly of all, these types of press releases provide an opportunity to say “thank you.” Express your appreciation to customers, employees, and the community for their support while your business was open.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The most common press release types are grand opening announcements, product launches, event promotions, partnership or acquisition announcements, and crisis management statements. Other types of press releases are for company rebrandings, award announcements, book releases, new hires, financial earning reports, research studies, or business closings. In terms of format, the main press release types are printed, online, and video press releases.
The seven essential parts of a press release are your company logo, business contact information, story headline, release date, your press release’s main content, an end notation, and a boilerplate with your company details. Some other helpful elements are the date and location of your press release, multimedia and interactive elements, and expert quotes.
The most common types of news releases are grand opening press releases, product launches, event announcements, company updates like mergers and acquisitions, and event announcements. These types of news are meant for a general public audience, which press releases are very beneficial for.
Ultimately, all press releases are issued to gain positive PR and coverage around a business announcement. Journalists also use press releases to source materials and information for their own coverage of stories important to their audiences. Online influencers and creators also use press releases from brands to make content for their followers.
Bottom Line
Press releases should be part of your small business marketing toolkit to generate positive publicity and build a solid brand presence. While we’ve covered over a dozen types of press releases above, the truth is, any critical business announcement could warrant a press release.
Whatever press release you create, it needs to be written in the standard industry format to maximize your chances of coverage. This is why we often recommend leaving your press release writing to the experts instead. A service like Send2Press has services for writing, editing, and distribution at small business-friendly prices.
