How do you format a press release dateline for an online publication or a social media platform?

The list of cities that stand alone in datelines: ATLANTA BALTIMORE BOSTON CHICAGO CINCINNATI CLEVELAND DALLAS DENVER DETROIT HONOLULU HOUSTON INDIANAPOLIS LAS VEGAS LOS ANGELES MIAMI MILWAUKEE MINNEAPOLIS NEW ORLEANS NEW YORK OKLAHOMA CITY PHILADELPHIA PHOENIX PITTSBURGH ST. LOUIS SALT LAKE CITY SAN ANTONIO SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO SEATTLE WASHINGTON Eight state names are spelled out; all others are abbreviated: Ala. Alaska Ariz. Ark. Calif. Colo. Conn. Del. District of Columbia Fla. Ga. Hawaii Idaho Ill. Ind. Iowa Kan. Ky. La. Md. Maine Mass. Mich. Minn. Miss. Mo. Mont. Neb. Nev. N.H. N.J. N.M. N.Y. N.C. N.D. Ohio Okla. Ore. Pa. R.I. S.C. S.D. Tenn. Texas Utah Vt. Va. Wash. W.Va. Wis. Wyo.

It is appropriate to indicate two places in some circumstances. For example, when the press release is being issued from a headquarters in one place, but pertains to developments in another.

Using AP style for press releases is like wearing a tuxedo to a casual brunch – it's classy but might be overkill! While AP style is a gold standard, it's essential to consider your audience and the occasion. Sometimes, a more relaxed, conversational tone can make your press release stand out in a sea of formality. It's like showing up to that brunch in a crisp t-shirt and jeans – you're effortlessly cool, and everyone notices. So, yes, embrace AP style when needed, but don't be afraid to rock your unique style when the situation calls for it!

Including time zones in your press release is like adding a GPS to your global communication, ensuring nobody gets lost in the time warp. Yet, here's the twist: while it's vital for clarity, don't let it turn your press release into a time-keeping manual. Keep it concise, or you risk drowning your audience in alphabet soup. It's like GPS that doesn't stop giving directions even after you've arrived at your destination! So, yes, guide your readers, but don't bore them with an overkill of time zone info. Keep it snappy, and let your message take the wheel!

If you send out a press release using a wire service, they will automatically include a timestamp on it. Or at least the major, reputable ones.

Choosing between parentheses and brackets for your press release is like deciding between classic and trendy fashion. The only difference is: while parentheses are the timeless little black dress, brackets are the trendy neon sneakers. They might grab attention, but they can also be distracting. So, consider your audience and the occasion. If it's a formal gala (read: traditional publication), stick with the classic. If it's a hip rooftop party (read: modern platform), go ahead and rock those brackets. Just remember, fashion (and punctuation) should always serve your message, not steal the show!

It's more typical for a date to come after a comma per AP style. E.g. "NEW YORK, October 21." Then you follow that with an em dash. In practice, the dateline format varies. Even the newswires have different formats. PRNewswire and GlobeNewswire follow the format I mentioned. Business Wire has it above the location. PRWeb doesn't have a comma after the location. Companies will often have an em dash after the location. Whatever you choose, stay consistent.

Revising your press release dateline is akin to rephrasing an awkward text message – it smoothens things out. Yet, the plot twist: don't go overboard. Constant dateline tweaks are like endlessly editing a message; it becomes perplexing. Reserve dateline changes for significant updates, not minor shifts. Remember, credibility thrives on consistent precision, not ceaseless revisions. So, go ahead, make necessary fixes, but don't turn your press release into an ever-changing saga. Keep it clear and straightforward, just like those perfect texts!

Only update your announcement in case of an unforeseen emergency. Ensure you have enough time beforehand that it will go out when it needs to and can be paused before it goes live if necessary. Once an announcement has crossed the wire, it's public and can't be taken back. You can spend extra money issuing a correction, but that doesn't remove the press release syndications and coverage that already happened.

When formatting a press release dateline for online or social media platforms, adapt best practices to maximize reach and engagement. At White Internet, we start with a compelling headline that succinctly captures the essence of the release. The lead paragraph concisely addresses the core questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how, ensuring the key message is immediately clear. We enrich the content with relevant quotes and multimedia to hold the audience's interest. Each release concludes with a boilerplate that provides background on our organization and includes a call to action or contact details for further inquiries, optimizing our engagement with the audience.

Press release best practices are like the trusted steps in a classic waltz, but here's the scoop: sometimes, it's the unexpected moves that steal the spotlight! Sure, get the basics down: the catchy headline, the crisp lead paragraph, the relevant details – they're the dance floor essentials. But don't forget to sprinkle in a bit of your unique flavor. Be the headline maverick who leaves readers craving an encore, the lead paragraph virtuoso who paints vivid pictures with words. Follow the beat but don't be afraid to tap into the unexpected. Sometimes, it's the offbeat that turns your press release into a performance worth remembering!

Always think about the reader and how your news will benefit them. If anything in it isn't important for a reader to know, cut it. And remember the reverse pyramid structure - lead with the most important information and then progressively delve down into less essential details.

Not to be released or for immediate distribution at the beginning of the news release depending on the situation. And - 30 - for French press releases.

Add three hashtags, centered, as follows, which indicates to the reader: this is the end of the press release, no more pertinent information follows. That way the reader doesn’t miss a second page for example. This is standard press release etiquette. ###