Social Media

Social Media Press Release: How to Write and Distribute News in 2025

SocialRails Team
SocialRails Team
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

10 min read

Tips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.

Quick Answer: Social Media Press Release

The formula: Attention-grabbing headline → 2-3 sentence summary → Quotable soundbite → Visual assets → Pre-written social snippets

Post Tuesday-Thursday, 6-8 AM. Skip Monday and Friday.

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What Makes It Different?

A social media press release is news written for sharing, not just for journalists.

Social vs Traditional Press Release

📱

Shorter Format

Scannable, not wall of text

🎬

Visual First

Images, video, infographics required

💬

Shareable Quotes

Pre-written soundbites included

#️⃣

Social Ready

Hashtags and links built in

Essential Elements

ElementPurposeLength
HeadlineGrab attention60-70 characters
SubheadlineAdd context100-120 characters
Lead paragraphKey news summary2-3 sentences
BodyDetails and quotes200-300 words
MultimediaVisual engagement1-3 images/videos
Social snippetsReady-to-share quotes280 characters each
Contact infoMedia inquiriesName, email, phone
Quick Quiz
Medium

What should come first in a social media press release?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!

Writing Headlines That Get Shared

The Formula: [Action Verb] + [News] + [Benefit/Impact]

Good Examples:

  • "Local Startup Raises $5M to Transform Remote Work"
  • "New App Helps Parents Track Screen Time Automatically"
  • "Restaurant Chain Eliminates Single-Use Plastics by 2026"

Avoid:

  • Jargon-heavy headlines
  • Overly promotional language
  • Vague statements like "Company Announces News"
  • Clickbait that doesn't deliver

The Lead Paragraph Formula

Answer four questions in 2-3 sentences:

QuestionWhat to Include
WhoCompany or person making news
WhatThe actual announcement
WhenTiming or availability
WhyWhy readers should care

Example: "SocialRails (who) today announced AI-powered content scheduling (what), available immediately (when), to help businesses save 10+ hours weekly on social media (why)."

Quick Quiz
Medium

Which quote is more shareable?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!

Required Visual Assets

AssetSpecificationWhy You Need It
Hero image1200x630pxSocial sharing thumbnail
LogoPNG, transparentBrand identification
Product photosHigh-resVisual storytelling
Headshots400x400px minSpokesperson credibility
Video60-90 secondsHigher engagement

Always include at least a hero image and logo. Video optional but highly effective.

Pre-Written Social Snippets

Give journalists and readers copy-paste content.

Twitter/X (280 characters)

📢 NEWS: [Headline in 100 chars]

[Key benefit in 80 chars]

[Link] #Hashtag #Hashtag

LinkedIn (300-500 characters)

We're excited to announce [news].

[Why this matters - 2 sentences]

[Quote from leader]

Learn more: [Link]

Instagram Caption

[Emoji] BIG NEWS [Emoji]

[Announcement in 2-3 sentences]

[What this means for followers]

Link in bio!

#hashtag #hashtag #hashtag
Quick Quiz
Medium

How many hashtags should you use in a press release tweet?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!

Distribution Strategy

Distribution Order

1️⃣

Owned Channels

Website, newsletter, social accounts

2️⃣

Media Outreach

Industry journalists, beat reporters

3️⃣

Wire Services

PR Newswire, Business Wire (optional)

4️⃣

Amplification

Paid promotion, employee sharing

Wire services are expensive. Only use them for truly major announcements like funding rounds or IPOs. Most news doesn't need a wire.

Timing Your Release

WhenResult
Tuesday-ThursdayHighest journalist engagement
MondayInbox cleanup, lower attention
FridayWeekend mode, gets buried
6-8 AMCatches morning news cycle
10-11 AMBefore lunch decision-making
Quick Quiz
Medium

You have a product launch. When should you send the press release?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!

Platform Strategies

PlatformBest Approach
Twitter/XThread format, 2-3 hashtags, tag relevant journalists
LinkedInCompany update + Article for depth, employee reshares
InstagramCarousel post, Stories for behind-the-scenes
FacebookPage post, relevant Groups, consider paid boost

Measuring Success

MetricGood Benchmark
Media pickups3-5+ for major news
Website traffic2x normal day
Social sharesVaries by audience
Backlinks2-3 quality links
Engagement rate3%+ on social posts

When to Write a Press Release

Newsworthy:

  • Product launches
  • Funding announcements
  • Major partnerships
  • Executive hires
  • Awards and recognition
  • Research findings

Not Newsworthy:

  • Minor product updates
  • Generic company news
  • Self-promotional content
  • Info better suited for a blog post
Quick Quiz
Medium

Your company updated its logo colors slightly. Press release?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!

Common Mistakes

Content Mistakes:

  • Burying the lead (put news first)
  • No actual news angle
  • Too promotional, not factual
  • Missing quotes from real people
  • Wall of text with no breaks

Distribution Mistakes:

  • Wrong timing (avoid Monday/Friday)
  • Mass blasting without personalization
  • No visual assets included
  • Ignoring your own channels
  • No follow-up

Quick Checklist

  • Headline is 60-70 characters, action-oriented
  • Lead paragraph answers who, what, when, why
  • At least one quotable soundbite under 140 characters
  • Hero image at 1200x630px included
  • Pre-written social snippets for each platform
  • Sending Tuesday-Thursday, early morning
  • Media contact info included

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