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Write a Press Release for Your Local Paper

Local papers love local news. A clear release gets noticed.

Step by step

  1. Start with the news.
  2. Include who, what, when, where, why.
  3. Add a quote.
  4. Add contact info.
  5. Send to the right editor.

What to expect

Expect a headline, a first paragraph with the key facts, a quote and contact details in the standard format.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not bury the news. Avoid hype words like revolutionary. Check every name, date and address before sending.

A good next step

Find the editor's email on the paper's website and send your release with one good photo.

A worked example

A new bakery owner uses AI to draft a release. She adds a quote and sends it with a photo; the paper runs a short item.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

Write a 250 word press release announcing the opening of my [business] on [date] at [address]. Include a quote from me and contact details placeholders.

Good to know. Check names and spelling carefully.

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Common questions

Is it free?

Often yes.

How long should it be?

One page.

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