How to Write a Press Release for a Startup or New Business
If you’re launching a new business or a startup, you need to build your brand, gain visibility and stand out from the competition. A well-crafted press release can be the key to creating a buzz and capturing media attention.
Whether you’re announcing a funding milestone, launching a product or breaking into a new market, press releases for startups and small businesses are a powerful way to connect with investors, customers and the media. Let’s break down how to write an effective press release for a new business.
Top Reasons Startups and New Businesses Use Press Releases
Press releases for startups and new businesses are effective tools for attracting investors and new customers, building credibility and increasing brand awareness. Here are some of the top reasons why startups and small businesses distribute press releases.
Secure Investments and Funding
A well-written press release can capture the attention of potential investors and venture capitalists by highlighting your startup’s value proposition and key milestones. Press releases announcing funding rounds, major partnerships, financial earnings or growth metrics are a great way to accomplish this.
Boost Awareness
Press releases help startups and new businesses announce their presence to a broader audience. Whether it’s a product launch or a new market entry, a press release ensures your message reaches the right people and builds brand recognition.
Establish Industry Credibility
Press releases provide an opportunity to position your new business as a serious player in the market. Sharing recognition, strategic partnerships or innovative solutions can help boost your credibility with new customers, potential investors and the media.
Drive Traffic and Improve Search Performance
Press releases that include links to your website can drive traffic, leading potential stakeholders or customers to learn more about your business. In addition, optimizing press releases for search engines can enhance your online visibility and support your broader content marketing strategy.
Build Media Relationships
Press release distribution helps you develop valuable relationships with relevant journalists and media outlets. These connections can eventually lead to increased coverage and opportunities for future story placements.
Key Elements of a Startup Press Release
Effective press releases for startups focus on key elements that help your announcement stand out, engage your audience and resonate with potential stakeholders. Be sure to include these essential components:
Attention-grabbing headline: Your headline should immediately capture attention and convey the essence of your announcement. Make it engaging and clear by summarizing your key messaging in a single, impactful sentence.
Informative lead paragraph: Your first paragraph should succinctly answer the “who, what, when, where and why” of your announcement, providing an informative summary of your news.
Compelling data and milestones: Back up your announcement with data such as funding amounts, market growth or other key metrics that give your press release substance and make it newsworthy.
Visual elements: Multimedia content like images, infographics, video clips or logos help your story stand out and increase engagement. If you’re highlighting data, use charts or graphs to present it in a visually compelling way.
Strong call to action (CTA): Wrap up your press release with a clear next step for your audience, whether it’s visiting your website, attending an event or contacting your team for more information and a potential interview.
Updated contact information: Always include updated contact details so that journalists, editors and interested parties can easily reach out to learn more.
How to Write a Press Release for a New Business
A press release for a new business should go beyond the basics and emphasize what truly sets your business apart. Think of it as an opportunity for you to make a lasting first impression. As a new business owner, you need to learn how to write a press release that not only informs but also inspires your audience.
Emphasize Your Unique Selling Proposition
Clearly articulate what sets your business apart, whether it’s an innovative solution, a unique approach or a compelling mission. For added impact, include an anecdote or customer insight that demonstrates your company’s value proposition.
Optimize for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Craft an SEO-focused press release that uses keywords or industry-specific terms to improve your company’s searchability online. Make sure your title and subheadings are optimized for search engines, and use links to drive traffic to your website.
Perfect Your Timing
Timing is key when it comes to a press release for startups. If you’re announcing an event, schedule your release so your audience has time to plan. Funding and financial announcements typically coincide with investor meetings. If your press release is about a current trend, release it while the conversation is still happening. Avoid sending press releases during major global events or big industry announcements that might overshadow your story.
Tailor Your Content to Your Audience
Understand your target audience and write with their interests and needs in mind. New business owners often overlook the importance of simplicity – avoid using technical jargon and write in a language that’s relatable and engaging.
Leverage Partnerships or Collaborations
Highlight strategic partnerships or collaborations to strengthen your credibility and build trust. For example, mention any notable clients or affiliations that validate your business’s reliability and potential.
Choose the Right Quotes
Press release quotes add personality and depth. For a press release for a new business, choose quotes that provide genuine insight and add value to your story, such as a founder explaining the inspiration behind the business or a partner highlighting the benefits of your collaboration. Remember to keep quotes clear and concise, so journalists can instantly lift them for use in their coverage.
Consider the Best Distribution Strategy
For small businesses and startups, targeting niche industry publications and local media can increase your chances of attracting attention from investors, partners and new customers. You can also share your release on your website, social media channels and email newsletters to maximize exposure. Leverage trusted press release distribution services like PR Newswire to amplify your reach and target relevant media outlets.
Examples of Successful Startup Press Releases
Now that we’ve covered best practices, let’s take a look at some real-life examples of how a press release for startups can capture media attention and drive engagement.
Investment Announcement
Investment announcements demonstrate a startup’s growth and future potential, build confidence in your business model and capture additional interest and media attention. When writing an investment announcement, include the funding amount, the purpose of the investment and quotes from key stakeholders. Talk about how the funds will be used and showcase your startup’s growth potential.
Example: Knot Closes $10m Series A Led by Nava Ventures to Transform Card-on-file Management
New Product or Service Launch
A startup press release announcing a groundbreaking product or service will help position your company as an innovator addressing a specific market need. By highlighting the new product’s unique value proposition, industry relevance and the problem it solves, a new product press release for startups creates buzz and resonates with your target audience.
Mergers and Acquisitions
A press release announcing a merger or acquisition demonstrates company growth, strategic alignment and future potential. Be sure to explain why the move is significant and how it will impact customers, employees and investors. Talk about how it will enhance your startup’s offerings, and reassure stakeholders by addressing integration plans and the alignment of the companies’ missions.
Example: Fabric Acquires MeMD, Expanding Virtual Care Services to 30,000 Employers and 5 Million Members
Market Announcement
Entering a new market is a pivotal moment for startups, offering the chance to showcase expansion and innovation. For this type of startup press release, emphasize the unique value your business brings to the region and provide context about the market opportunity. Be sure to focus on how your product or service will meet the specific needs of this new market.
Example: Quartile Expands into Asian Markets with Strategic Partnerships and Portal Globalization
Maximize the Impact of Press Releases for Startups
A well-crafted press release for startups and small businesses helps you gain visibility, build credibility and connect you with key stakeholders who can propel your business forward. But writing an effective press release is just the first step – ensuring it reaches the right audience is equally important.
Partnering with PR Newswire will guarantee that your message reaches the right people at the right time. Our distribution services align your press release with your business goals, amplifying your reach and establishing your presence. Start sending press releases with us today to position your startup or new business for success.
FAQs About Press Releases for Startups
How can I get media coverage for my startup?
Writing a compelling press release that follows AP guidelines, tailoring your pitch to specific reporters and media outlets and following up with personalized outreach will all help maximize your chances of getting media coverage. Distributing press releases for startups through platforms like PR Newswire can also amplify your reach and help you build relationships within your industry.
Are press releases effective for startups?
Absolutely. Press releases for startups can attract attention, establish credibility and help you connect and build relationships with investors, customers and the media. They can also enhance your visibility and SEO performance by providing searchable content online and driving traffic to your website.
What should a startup include in a press release?
A startup press release should feature a strong headline, engaging and newsworthy content, key milestones, data, impactful quotes and a clear call to action. It’s also helpful to include visuals and links to relevant resources. Don’t forget to include contact details to make it easy for interested readers to reach out and get more information.
Startups have so many exciting reasons to send press releases that it can be hard to determine your most compelling news angles. That’s why we wrote a guide on how to showcase your startup’s most newsworthy topics. Download 10 Newsworthy Reasons to Send a Press Release and unlock ideas and strategies to make your announcements stand out.