Press Releases Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Press Releases facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. How long should a typical press release be? → 400–600 words
2. What is an 'online newsroom' and why is it valuable? → A section of a company website hosting press releases, media assets, and contact info
3. What does "###" stand for? → Signal the end of the press release
4. What does 'inverted pyramid' style mean in press release writing? → Most important information at the top
5. How should a company measure the online performance of a press release? → By tracking metrics like page views, media pickups, social shares, and inbound links
6. What metric is commonly used to measure the success of a press release distribution? → Media pickups and earned media value
7. What should the lead paragraph of a press release answer? → Who, what, when, where, and why
8. The news release's heading should read... EXCEPT → Unclear
9. What role do anchor text hyperlinks play in an online press release? → They drive traffic to specific pages and can boost SEO for linked URLs
10. Which day of the week is generally considered best for distributing a press release for maximum media pickup? → Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning
11. What is 'newsjacking' in public relations? → Inserting your brand or story into a breaking news event to gain media coverage
12. Which tense is most commonly used in press release body copy? → Past tense
13. How does social media sharing affect a press release's reach? → It amplifies visibility, driving more readers and potential media coverage
14. What is a 'pitch email' in public relations? → A brief, personalized email to a journalist proposing a story idea
15. What does 'evergreen content' mean when applied to press releases? → Content that remains relevant and useful over a long period of time
16. What is the most effective technique to release a press release? → To a highly targeted group of journalist with interest in subject matter
17. Why should superlatives like 'best' or 'leading' be used cautiously in press releases? → They can seem unsubstantiated and damage credibility
18. Which of the following helps a press release image improve SEO? → Using descriptive, keyword-rich alt text for images
19. Why is keyword research important when writing an online press release? → It helps the release appear in search engine results for relevant queries
20. What is the purpose of the boilerplate section in a press release? → To give standardized background information about the company at the end of the release
21. Which of the following should be avoided in press release writing? → Jargon and buzzwords
22. What font type and size is recommended for press releases? → Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt
23. What is the benefit of including a video in an online press release? → It increases engagement, time on page, and the likelihood of media pickup
24. What is the role of a newswire service's 'SEO distribution' feature? → To optimize and distribute releases so they appear in search engine results
25. What is the purpose of 'For More Information' at the end of a press release? → It directs journalists to the media contact or additional resources
26. What is the correct format for a press release dateline city? → New York, NY
27. What is 'media monitoring' in the context of press release campaigns? → Tracking where and how a press release is covered across media outlets
28. Which type of press release is typically issued to announce a partnership or collaboration? → Partnership announcement press release
29. What is meant by a 'news hook' in press release writing? → A reason why the story is timely and relevant now
30. How will a strong press release help your business? → Increased sales and improved reputation