Online Tool Store
· 2 min read
How to Format a Press Release
Heshan Fernando
Co-founder & COO
You have the announcement, but the format is not press-release ready yet. The headline, dateline, body, boilerplate, and quote sections all need to feel like they belong together.
A press release formatter gives you a structured draft without forcing you to rebuild the layout from scratch.
What press release formatting actually involves
The document usually needs a headline, dateline, body copy, a quote section, and a short boilerplate at the end.
That structure helps editors and readers skim the release quickly.
Why people get stuck here
- The sections are easy to mix up.
- Quotes need a clear place.
- Boilerplate gets forgotten.
- A messy format looks less credible than the message itself.
What a good release looks like
The headline is obvious
It should say what the announcement is.
The dateline comes first
Readers should know where and when the news applies.
The boilerplate is concise
The closing section should summarize the organization without rambling.
| Section | Purpose | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|
| Headline | Frames the news | Being too vague |
| Dateline | Gives context | Missing location/date |
| Body | Explains details | Overstuffed paragraphs |
| Quote | Adds voice | Making it too long |
| Boilerplate | Summarizes the source | Turning into a second article |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing the body before the headline is clear.
- Forgetting the dateline or boilerplate.
- Making the quote section too promotional.
- Mixing news copy with marketing copy.
- Ignoring the structure editors expect.
How to do it with Press Release Formatter
Online Tool Store’s Press Release Formatter structures release copy in the browser.
- Open the formatter.
- Enter the headline, dateline, body, quote, and boilerplate.
- Review the layout for clarity.
- Copy the finished release into your workflow.
That keeps the announcement organized without a lot of manual cleanup.
Final thought
A press release should read cleanly before anyone touches the publishing side. Good structure makes the news easier to trust.