How to Create AI-Assisted Press Releases That Journalists Will Actually Use

AI can turn a blank page into a polished draft in minutes, but the difference between noise and news comes from strategy. This guide shows you how to create AI-assisted press releases that are fast to produce, accurate, and newsroom ready, without losing the editorial judgment that earns coverage.

What AI Should Do, and What You Still Own

AI is excellent at patterning structure, accelerating first drafts, and adapting your message to different audiences. It should not invent facts, exaggerate claims, or create quotes you cannot attribute. You own the newsworthy angle, the verified data, approvals, and final accountability. Treat AI like a smart drafting partner, not a spokesperson.

A Simple End to End Workflow

Think in phases, from inputs to approvals. If you are using AI press release tools, prepare your facts once, then reuse them across variations without retyping.

• Set the objective and headline angle, define who needs to care and why now.
• Gather verified facts, quotes, dates, metrics, links, and any embargo details.
• Draft with AI using clear prompts and your structure, then iterate for brand voice.
• Edit for accuracy, compliance, and clarity, add human context and a real quote.
• Approve, distribute, and monitor results, then refine the next prompt set.

The Inputs AI Needs Before You Prompt

Great outputs start with complete inputs. Feed AI with specifics, not slogans. Include the problem you solve, the proof behind your claim, and what action you want readers to take. Provide the exact wording for any executive quote you plan to use to avoid fabrication.

• What happened, one line summary with date and location for the dateline.
• Why it matters, the audience impact in concrete terms.
• Proof points, numbers, customers, partnerships, studies, or awards.
• Quote text, attributed to a real person and title.
• Boilerplate and media contact details, plus any embargo or media kit link.

Prompt Patterns That Work

Use prompts that define the structure, tone, and constraints. Tell AI what to include and what to avoid. Reference your audience, industry, and the desired reading level for quick newsroom scanning.

• “Write a press release announcing [news] for [audience]. Use AP style, 550 words, with headline, subhead, dateline, body in short paragraphs, one executive quote, and a boilerplate provided below. Avoid hype language and do not invent facts.”
• “Revise this release for journalists covering [beat]. Keep all facts the same. Tighten sentences, front load the news in paragraph one, and reduce adjectives.”
• “Generate three headline and subhead options prioritizing clarity and specificity. Include a strong verb and one concrete benefit.”
• “Rewrite for regional media in [region], adding relevant context and local data points without changing the core announcement.”

Structure for Clarity and SEO

Journalists scan fast. Keep paragraphs short, facts high in the copy, and claims substantiated. Use keywords naturally, focus on intent, and make it easy to quote or lift a line without rewriting.

• Headline and subhead, specific, accurate, and free of jargon.
• Dateline and first paragraph, what happened, who, when, where, why it matters.
• Proof and context, stats, customers, partnerships, third party validation.
• Quotes, human insight that adds meaning, not repetition.
• Boilerplate and media contact, plus a link to your media kit or assets.

Quality Control and Compliance

Treat every AI draft as a starting point. Verify every figure, name, title, and claim. Check trademarks, regulatory language, and embargo timing. Run a plagiarism check if you asked AI to use external context. Read out loud for flow and replace buzzwords with plain language. If a fact cannot be sourced, remove it.

Quote Discipline

Quotes should sound like a person, not a brochure. Avoid repeating the headline. Use quotes to add intent, market context, or next steps. Always attribute with full name and title, and confirm the speaker’s approval in writing.

Distribution and Measurement With AI Assistance

Segment your media list by beat and region, then adapt the angle and subject line to match each segment. Use AI to draft concise, personalized pitches that reference the reporter’s recent coverage, but keep the personalization human checked. Automate routine tracking, then review results and feed learnings back into your content automation workflow.

Metrics That Matter

Track pickup quality, not just volume. Prioritize tier one placements, backlink quality, quoted usage, and referral traffic to the asset or product page. Note which headlines convert and which proof points get cited, then update your prompt library accordingly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not let AI invent quotes or customers. Do not inflate superlatives without third party proof. Do not bury the lede or lead with product features instead of audience impact. Avoid vague timeframes, be precise with dates and availability. Keep legal reviewed language intact during edits.

A Reusable Template You Can Adapt

Below is a compact outline you can paste into your prompt, then fill with your data. It keeps the structure tight and newsroom friendly.

• Headline and subhead with one clear benefit.
• Dateline city and date. Lede paragraph with the news and why it matters.
• Second paragraph with proof points and context.
• Executive quote with insight or implications.
• Availability, calls to action, links to assets. Boilerplate and contact.

Write your press release for free now with AI using WorldPress Platform.