Hire Press Release Writers

Demand for Press Release Writers Continues to Expand

Press releases are one of the most trusted formats for securing media coverage and shaping public perception. According to Cision’s 2025 State of the Media Report, 72% of surveyed journalists said press releases are the most valuable content brands can offer, making them the most sought-after asset among public relations professionals. As companies vie for earned media, visibility, and investor attention, having a professional press release writer is essential for creating compelling announcements that stand out to journalists.

But hiring a high-quality press release writer is fraught with challenges. Many content writers and bloggers can produce clean prose, but few understand the unique structure, tone, and messaging techniques needed for an effective release. The best candidates know how to craft intriguing headlines, lead with hard news, and embed quotes and facts in a way that aligns with journalistic standards and distribution platforms.

This hiring guide will show you how to identify press release writers who prioritize clarity, credibility, and strategic value when penning your announcements. You’ll learn what separates great writers from generic ones, how to tailor your search to your communication goals, and what questions to ask to find newsroom-caliber expertise.

What Attributes Distinguish Quality Press Release Writers From Others?

Press release writing blends journalistic discipline with brand messaging. It involves writing with clarity, structure, and newsworthiness. A quality press release writer knows how to identify and lead with an enticing hook, and they follow a format that editors, journalists, and distribution platforms recognize.

Top-tier press release writers distill complex business updates into concise, fact-driven copy. They also understand what qualifies as news, how to frame a narrative without slipping into marketing fluff, and how to write in a media-friendly style that is brief, quote-supported, and actionable.

Experienced press release writers tailor announcements based on the intended outcome. A release about a funding round may emphasize credibility and investor quotes, whereas one announcing a new product launch might lean into industry impact and customer value. Great writers know how to highlight crucial details, use quotes to support key claims, and structure content in a way that supports republishing, syndication, and media attention.

The best writers also understand timing and formatting nuances: character limits for subject lines, word count restrictions for wire services, formatting guidelines for multimedia embeds, and compliance standards for press release distribution services like PR Newswire, Business Wire, or GlobeNewswire.

Complementary Skills of Stand-out Press Release Writers

AP Style Fluency: Top writers follow Associated Press style guidelines to ensure consistency with journalistic standards. This includes everything from how dates and titles are formatted to how quotes are punctuated—factors that support credibility and media adoption.

Press Release Distribution Platform Knowledge: Experienced writers grasp the formatting and technical constraints of press release platforms. They know word count limits, boilerplate conventions, headline optimization rules, and how to include hyperlinks, logos, or embedded media for maximum reach.

Media Targeting and Audience Awareness: Strong candidates write with the end reader in mind. This typically includes journalists, investors, analysts, or trade press, and the best writers know to avoid jargon, stay fact-based, and structure information so it can be quoted or excerpted easily in news coverage.

Headline and Lead Optimization: Headlines make or break pickup. Skilled writers can frame a headline with the right balance of clarity and urgency. They also avoid excessive hype and make sure the first 50 to 70 characters contain the real story.

Crisis and Regulatory Communication: Writers with experience in sensitive announcements (leadership changes, lawsuits, financial disclosures) understand the regulatory and reputational risks involved. They know how to write with precision, vet phrasing with legal or compliance teams, and provide transparency without revealing too much.

Analytics Awareness: Strong writers understand the value of tracking press release performance through Urchin Tracking Module (UTM) parameters, pickup reports, or media monitoring tools. They write with measurable impact in mind—structuring press releases to attract coverage, improve search rankings, generate impressions and backlinks, and encourage republishing across channels.

How Can You Identify the Ideal Press Release Writer for You?

Hiring a press release writer is about finding a content writing specialist who can deliver newsworthy content that is well-structured, earns attention, and maintains credibility. The process should begin with defining your use case: What types of announcements does your company typically make? What goals do you want releases to accomplish—media pickup, investor awareness, search engine optimization?

From there, look at candidates through the lens of media readiness. Generalist or content-marketing writers often over-narrate or over-market, whereas skilled press release writers know how to lead with facts, integrate impactful quotes, and stay within the boundaries of press distribution platforms. The ideal candidate demonstrates fluency with journalistic tone, AP style, and strategic messaging.

Junior press release writers may have experience drafting press releases under editorial guidance but are unlikely to take the lead on shaping a story from scratch. They’ll follow direction, incorporate revisions, and pen clean drafts when provided with structured input and examples. However, without proofreading or supervision, they may miss nuances like headline positioning, boilerplate structuring, or quote formatting.

Mid-level press release writers can independently draft news releases that meet editorial and distribution standards. They’re capable of framing newsworthy angles, editing with AP style in mind, and formatting for wire services. They understand when and how to incorporate executive quotes, how to ensure factual precision, and how to drive traffic by tailoring messaging to target audiences.

Senior press release writers don’t just write the release; they shape the narrative and often work with leadership or PR strategists to ensure alignment with brand voice, legal constraints, and strategic timing. They anticipate media questions, guide quote development, and structure releases for high-value distribution. Additionally, they understand how to adapt tone for crisis communications, investor-facing updates, or regulatory disclosures.

What should a strong press release writing sample include?

A high-quality sample should demonstrate editorial restraint and a strong command of press release structure. Look for a headline with a genuine news angle (not just branding) and a strong lead paragraph that answers the “who, what, when, where, and why.” The body should include supporting details, at least one quote, and a concise, non-promotional tone. Great samples will also show formatting awareness when it comes to boilerplate placement, dateline usage, and sign-off. If a writer’s sample reads like a blog post or ad, it signals that they may not understand how to craft an effective press release that will be picked up by media outlets.

How do you know when to hire a senior-level writer for a press release?

If your release is tied to regulatory disclosure, involves investor communication, addresses a reputational risk, or is likely to be reviewed by legal or compliance teams, hire a senior-level writer. These writers know how to navigate high-stakes messaging and have written for executives, worked under NDAs, and handled announcements that must balance transparency with risk. For mission-critical news, junior and mid-level writers won’t have the experience to anticipate what’s at stake.

How to Write a Press Release Writer Job Description for Your Project

To craft a compelling job post for a press release writer, start by identifying the types of announcements your company makes most often—such as product launches, funding updates, leadership changes, or major company milestones. Use a specific job title such as “Press Release Writer for Tech Launch” or “PR Writer for Investor-focused Communications.”

In the description, outline your company’s tone, format expectations, and distribution goals. Are you submitting to a wire service? Is media pickup a priority? Should the writer follow AP style and prepare content for legal review? Make sure to mention any brand or industry context that will shape the voice and angle.

Highlight relevant attributes such as experience with B2B or investor relations writing, fluency in AP style, and familiarity with platforms like PR Newswire or Business Wire. If your company’s releases typically involve sensitive information or require fast turnaround, state that clearly.

Common job titles that align with this role include:

• Press Release Writer
• PR Content Specialist
• Communications Writer
• Corporate Announcements Copywriter

What Are the Most Important Press Release Writer Interview Questions?

Press release writing requires precision, discipline, and a deep knowledge of audience needs and distribution formats. These interview questions reveal whether a candidate can deliver newsroom-quality work that aligns with your communication goals.

How do you determine what’s newsworthy in a press release?

Strong candidates will explain how they assess whether a topic has a compelling angle, third-party relevance, or real market impact. They should mention identifying the central “hook,” evaluating timing considerations, and aligning the message with audience priorities, especially for journalists or investors. Top writers will also show they know when to push back on weak angles and suggest stronger positioning.

What’s your process for structuring a release from start to finish?

The best press release candidates will explain how they craft a headline that clearly conveys the news, followed by a lead paragraph that answers key journalistic questions (who, what, when, where, why). They’ll talk about layering in supporting context and quotes while keeping the word count tight and the tone neutral. Great responses will include attention to formatting constraints and wire service requirements.

Can you describe a time when a press release didn’t perform as expected? What did you learn?

Listen for reflective answers that demonstrate ownership and insight. Top candidates might describe a release that failed to get media pickup and detail its shortcomings, such as a weak hook, poor timing, or misaligned targeting. They’ll also explain what they changed in future work, whether in headline framing, quote placement, or distribution strategy.

How do you approach quote writing for executives or stakeholders?

Experienced writers will say they never copy quotes verbatim from stakeholders. Instead, they craft quotes that sound natural, provide strategic emphasis, and deliver useful insights. They’ll describe getting raw input from executives and refining it to balance personality with professionalism, all while avoiding jargon and off-brand remarks.

How do you tailor a press release based on the intended audience or distribution channel?

Leading candidates will explain how they adjust tone, emphasis, and detail based on whether the release is aimed at journalists, investors, trade publications, or customers. For example, they might downplay technical language when writing for general media, or emphasize financial metrics and leadership quotes when targeting investor platforms. They should also reference formatting or compliance differences across channels, such as character limits for wire services, link usage policies, or image handling in email versus syndicated feeds.

Why Do Companies Hire Press Release Writers?

Companies hire press release writers to ensure that important announcements—such as product launches, funding rounds, executive hires, and crisis responses—are communicated clearly and credibly. Press releases are more than just company updates. They’re opportunities to broaden reach, shape perception, and build brand awareness. The best writers compose messaging that intrigues journalists, aligns with distribution requirements, and maintains brand integrity.

But finding the right writer is a specialized hiring challenge. Strong candidates must possess writing ability, formatting fluency, audience awareness, and a deep understanding of media dynamics. They need to know what makes a story newsworthy, how to structure it for pickup, and how to frame quotes and facts for readers and wire services.

This guide outlines how to assess press release writing skills, what abilities set top candidates apart, how to write a focused job post, and what interview questions reveal newsroom-caliber talent. With the right writer in place, your announcements will attract positive attention and propel your business forward.