Ever wondered why some press releases feel instantly credible while others get tossed aside? The secret isn’t always the story, it’s often the format. Specifically, whether it follows AP style.

Journalists live and breathe AP style because it keeps content consistent across thousands of publications. If your release doesn’t match those standards, it can scream “amateur,” no matter how groundbreaking your announcement is.

This guide breaks down exactly how to craft an AP style press release that earns media trust, looks professional, and maximizes your chances of getting published. Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or PR pro, you’ll walk away knowing the why and the how, plus you’ll get templates and real examples.

What Is an AP Style Press Release?

An AP style press release follows the formatting rules of the Associated Press Stylebook, the gold standard for journalists and media outlets worldwide.

Unlike a casual blog post or a company newsletter, an AP style release is designed to fit seamlessly into a newsroom. That means:

• Consistent grammar, capitalization, and punctuation
  
• Standardized date and location formatting
  
• Neutral, factual tone
  

Think of it this way: you’re not just writing your news, you’re making it easy for a journalist to copy and paste straight into their publication.

For event-specific announcements, check out our guide to writing an event press release to see how AP style works in a real-world context.

Why Follow AP Style for Press Releases?

Here’s the reality: journalists get hundreds of releases daily. They don’t have time to fix formatting or guess at dates and locations. AP style solves that problem for them.

Benefits:

• Builds trust with journalists: A well-formatted release says, “I understand how the newsroom works.”
• Ensures consistency: AP style makes your release look professional no matter where it’s published.
• Avoids common pitfalls: Misplaced commas, wrong abbreviations, or inconsistent numbers can instantly flag you as inexperienced.

In my experience, the difference between a pickup and a pass often comes down to these small but critical details.

To see how following the right format impacts reach and SEO, check out Mastering PR Distribution: How to Maximize Reach & SEO Impact.

How Do You Format Your Headline and Subhead?

Your headline is the first thing a journalist sees, and in AP style, clarity wins over cleverness.

Tips for AP style headlines:

• Use title case (Capitalize Major Words)
• Keep it under 80 characters
• Be factual, not promotional
• Include the main keyword or event name if relevant

Example:

Tech Startup Launches AI Platform to Streamline Logistics

A subhead can add context or a secondary hook:

New York-based company raises $5M to expand into Europe

For headline inspiration, see our 10 Proven Strategies for Writing Press Releases.

What Belongs in the First Paragraph?

The first paragraph (the “lead”) is everything. In AP style, it’s not just about catching attention, it’s about delivering the facts fast.

Include:

• Who is making the announcement
• What is happening
• When and Where (in AP style dateline format)
• Why it matters

Example Lead:

SAN FRANCISCO – August 1, 2025 – EcoTech announced today the launch of its new solar-powered charging stations across California, aiming to reduce urban carbon emissions by 15% over the next year.

Notice how the dateline is formatted: CITY in all caps, state abbreviated per AP style, en dash before the date.

If you’re unsure how to structure the dateline, our AP style dateline guide breaks it down with examples.

Which AP Style Rules Should You Follow?

Here are the biggest AP style rules that trip people up:

• Numbers: Spell out one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.
• Dates: Write “Aug. 1, 2025” (abbreviate most months, no “th”).
• States: Use AP abbreviations (Calif., not CA). Some states are never abbreviated (Texas, Ohio).
• Quotes: Always attribute: “Quote,” said Name, Title.
• Capitalization: Only proper nouns and formal titles before names are capitalized.

Using a consistent font like Times New Roman or Arial (12 pt) keeps it newsroom-ready.

How to Structure the Body of Your Press Release

After the lead, the rest of your AP style press release format should expand logically:

1. Second paragraph: Supporting details, stats, or background.
2. Quotes: Adds a human voice and credibility.
3. Call-to-action: What should readers do next? Visit a website, register, contact you?
4. Boilerplate: A 2-3 sentence “About Us” section at the bottom.
5. Media contact: Name, email, phone number.

Aim for 400–600 words. Enough to give context, not so much it feels like an essay.

AP-Style Press Release Templates and Examples

Here’s a quick template you can adapt:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY, State – Month Day, Year

[Headline in Title Case]

CITY, State – [Opening sentence with who, what, when, where, why]. [Additional context or stat to support the announcement.]

“[Insert compelling quote from CEO or spokesperson],” said [Name], [Title] of [Company].

More supporting details here: partnerships, product specs, event agenda, etc. End with a call-to-action: “Visit [website] to register” or “Contact [media email] for more information.”

About [Company Name]
[2–3 sentence boilerplate about the company’s mission and background.]

Media Contact:
Name
Email
Phone

Example:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK – July 10, 2025

Local Nonprofit Launches Summer Coding Bootcamp for Teens

NEW YORK – CodeForward announced a free six-week coding bootcamp for underrepresented teens in the city. The program, starting July 20, will provide hands-on training in Python, web development, and robotics.

FAQs About AP Style Press Releases

How long should an AP-style press release be?
Typically 1 page, 2 max (400–600 words).

Do I always need “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE”?
Yes, unless it’s embargoed (then specify release date/time).

What do I capitalize in an AP press release?
Follow title case for headlines, proper nouns for content, and keep everything else lowercase.

Final Thoughts

Mastering AP style press releases isn’t about following rules for the sake of it, it’s about speaking the language of the newsroom. When your release matches a journalist’s expectations, you remove friction, build trust, and dramatically increase your odds of coverage.

It’s a small detail with a huge impact. Once you get the format down, every release you send out screams professionalism and credibility.

If you’re unsure how to structure the dateline, our AP style dateline guide breaks it down with examples.

Ready to distribute your AP style press release?

At Press Advantage, we help businesses create and distribute newsroom-ready releases that get picked up, ranked, and read.

Schedule a free strategy call or start your first press release today.