Using ChatGPT to Create Compelling AI-Generated Press Releases
As a long-time advocate for press releases to gain earned media, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-written press release can generate significant publicity for businesses of all sizes.
With the rise of AI writing tools for press releases like
ChatGPT, Claude and more, it’s now possible to generate press release drafts more efficiently than ever.
The key is knowing how to “coach” the AI with effective ChatGPT prompts for press releases to produce high-quality, newsworthy releases that catch the attention of journalists.
Using AI to Write Your Press Release
When using ChatGPT to write press releases, I recommend focusing on crafting specific prompts for each part of the release, rather than just providing a general topic and expecting the AI to generate a perfect press release from scratch.
Start by clearly defining what the first paragraph should focus on – the key newsworthy angle.
This could be a new product launch, an exciting partnership, or a significant milestone for your company. The more specific and compelling your angle, the more likely journalists will be interested in covering your story.
Optimizing Press Releases with AI
Feed the AI focused instructions paragraph by paragraph to ensure the release is structured effectively and includes the most important information. This might include background on your company, details about the news you’re announcing, and any relevant statistics or data points.
By providing clear direction for each section, you can ensure that the AI generates content that fits your desired narrative and messaging.
Creating Quotes with Artificial Intelligence
Quotes are essential for adding a human voice to your press release and providing journalists with ready-to-use soundbites.
However, AI-generated quotes often lack the punch and memorability of human-crafted ones. Use ChatGPT to brainstorm quote ideas, but then put your own spin on them to create something truly impactful.
Writing the Headline for Your Press Release
While ChatGPT can help with the body content, I find that it often struggles to generate concise, punchy headlines on its own. A great headline is crucial for grabbing the attention of journalists and enticing them to read your release.
Because writing headlines are not ChatGPT’s strength, I suggest playing around with prompts like “give me 10 headline options for this press release” and then refining the best ones yourself.
Look for headlines that are clear, specific, and compelling, and that highlight the most newsworthy aspect of your announcement.
Best ChatGPT Prompts for PR
Whether you use AI to generate your body copy or not, it can be incredibly helpful to help you brainstorm, create hooks, quotes, and headlines for your press release.
Some of my favorite ChatGPT prompts for press release ideation include:
- “Give me 20 press release ideas for a [type of company]”
- “Provide 10 examples of powerful quotes related to [topic]”
- “Write 10 attention-grabbing headlines for a press release announcing [news]”
- “Generate a list of newsworthy angles for a press release about [company/product]”
- “Suggest 5 ways to structure a press release for [announcement type]”
By using these prompts and then carefully curating and improving upon the AI-generated suggestions, you can come up with novel press release angles and engaging copy. The AI can serve as a brainstorming partner, helping you to think outside the box and approach your press release from new perspectives.
Combining AI and Human Expertise for PR
It’s important to remember that ChatGPT is a tool to enhance human creativity, not replace it entirely. The most effective press releases will always need that human touch, especially when it comes to crafting newsworthy angles, compelling quotes, and engaging stories that make journalists eager to cover your news.
One area where human expertise is particularly crucial is in developing the “story” behind your announcement. Journalists are always looking for interesting narratives and human interest angles to engage their readers.
As I mentioned in the article, one powerful example of this is incorporating customer case studies into your press releases. By highlighting how your product or service solved a real problem for a specific client, and including a strong quote from them about the impact it had, you can create a story that’s much more compelling than a simple list of product features.
Identifying the Media Contacts to Send it to
Another human element that’s essential for a successful press release is strategic targeting and distribution. While AI can help you write the content of your release, it can’t tell you which journalists or publications to pitch it to.
This is where your own research and relationship-building comes into play. By identifying the right media contacts and crafting personalized pitches that speak to their interests and beats, you’ll have a much better chance of securing coverage.
Why You Should Use a Press Release Distribution Service Like eReleases
While ChatGPT and other AI tools can help you create compelling press release content, it’s equally important to ensure that your release reaches the right audience. This is where press release distribution services like eReleases come in.
As the founder of eReleases, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that targeted distribution can have on the success of a press release. Our service helps businesses of all sizes get their news in front of the most relevant journalists and media outlets, increasing the chances of securing valuable media coverage.
One of the key benefits of using a distribution service like eReleases is the ability to tap into an extensive network of media contacts. Building and maintaining relationships with journalists can be time-consuming and challenging, especially for small businesses or startups with limited resources. By partnering with eReleases.com, you can instantly access a wide range of media professionals who are interested in your industry or niche.
Plus, eReleases is the only service that offers distribution on Cision’s National PR Newswire, the leading wire service for press releases, giving you distribution not possible through any other service.
Moreover, eReleases can help you navigate the complex landscape of media pitching and outreach. With so many businesses vying for journalists’ attention, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Services like eReleases have years of experience and expertise in crafting effective pitches and targeting the right media contacts for each release. This targeted approach can significantly boost the visibility and impact of your press releases.
Another advantage of using a distribution service is the ability to track and measure the performance of your press releases. eReleases, for example, provides detailed analytics and reports that show you which media outlets have picked up your release, how many people have read it, and other key metrics. This data can help you refine your PR strategy over time and make data-driven decisions about your media outreach efforts.
In addition to these benefits, press release distribution services can also save you significant time and resources. Rather than manually reaching out to individual journalists or building your own media lists from scratch, you can leverage the expertise and infrastructure of a service like eReleases to streamline your PR efforts. This can free up your time to focus on other aspects of your business, such as product development, customer service, or sales.
So, while tools like ChatGPT can certainly help you create engaging press release content more efficiently, don’t underestimate the importance of strategic distribution and media outreach. By combining the power of AI-generated content with the expertise and reach of a press release distribution service, you can take your PR efforts to the next level and achieve your business goals faster.
Maximizing Press Release Impact with AI
In conclusion, ChatGPT and other AI writing tools can be incredibly valuable for streamlining the press release creation process and sparking new ideas.
But to truly maximize the impact of your press releases, it’s important to use AI as a starting point rather than an endpoint.
By combining the efficiency of AI-generated content with the creativity, strategy, and human touch of an experienced PR professional, you can create press releases that stand out from the crowd and drive real results for your business.