10 Types of Press Releases Every Business Should Know About

Not sure what to announce? Here are 10 proven press release types that work for businesses of all sizes, from grand openings to community involvement.

Beyond the Grand Opening

When most people think of press releases, they picture a grand opening announcement or a major product launch. And while those are both excellent reasons to distribute a press release, they represent only a fraction of the opportunities available to you.

The truth is that most businesses have far more newsworthy moments than they realize. The challenge is not a lack of material—it is a lack of awareness about what qualifies as press-worthy. Once you understand the full range of press release types available to you, you will start seeing opportunities everywhere.

Here are ten types of press releases that work for businesses of all sizes, along with examples and tips for making each one effective.

1. New Business Launch or Grand Opening

This is the most intuitive type of press release, and for good reason. Opening a new business or a new location is inherently newsworthy because it affects the local community, creates jobs, and adds to the economic landscape.

A strong launch press release should include your opening date and location, what products or services you offer, why you chose this particular location, any special opening events or promotions, and relevant background about the founder or ownership team. The key is to frame your opening not just as a business decision but as a story that connects to the community.

For example, instead of "New Restaurant Opens in St. George," consider "Former Executive Chef Opens Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Downtown St. George, Sourcing Ingredients From Southern Utah Farms." The second version tells a story and creates multiple angles for media coverage.

2. New Hire or Leadership Change

Personnel announcements are one of the most underutilized press release types, yet they are among the most effective for building credibility and expanding your professional network.

When you hire a key employee, promote someone to a leadership role, or welcome a new partner to your firm, that is worth announcing. These releases demonstrate growth, attract talent, and position your business as an organization where accomplished professionals choose to work.

Effective personnel press releases focus on the new hire's qualifications and what they bring to the organization, the strategic reason for the hire, a quote from leadership about what the hire means for the company's direction, and a brief mention of the company's growth trajectory that necessitated the hire.

3. Product or Service Launch

Launching a new product or service gives you a natural opportunity to reach new audiences and remind existing customers that your business is evolving.

The key to an effective product launch press release is focusing on the problem your product solves rather than its features. Features matter, but they matter in the context of the customer's life. Lead with the benefit, then support it with specific details about how your product delivers that benefit.

Include specific details like pricing, availability dates, and where customers can learn more. Vague product announcements without concrete details frustrate editors and readers alike.

4. Awards and Recognitions

If your business or team members have received awards, certifications, or recognitions, announce them. These achievements provide third-party validation that is incredibly valuable for building trust with potential customers.

Award press releases should name the specific award and the organization that granted it, explain the criteria and selection process, include context about the significance of the award within your industry, and quote the recipient about what the recognition means.

Do not be modest about awards. If a respected organization recognized your work, that is news worth sharing.

5. Partnership or Collaboration Announcement

Strategic partnerships are newsworthy because they signal growth, innovation, and market confidence. When two organizations join forces, the combined story is often more compelling than either organization's story alone.

Partnership press releases work best when they focus on what the partnership means for customers or the community rather than the business mechanics of the deal. How will this partnership improve service? What new capabilities will it create? What problem does it solve?

6. Milestone Achievement

Has your business served its 1,000th customer? Completed its 500th project? Reached $1 million in revenue? Celebrated 10 years in business? These milestones deserve recognition.

Milestone press releases are effective because they combine proof of longevity and success with an emotional narrative about the journey. They also provide an opportunity to thank customers, employees, and community members who contributed to the achievement.

When writing a milestone press release, include specific numbers and timeframes, a brief narrative about the journey to this point, a forward-looking statement about what comes next, and quotes from leadership that reflect on the significance of the achievement.

7. Community Involvement or Charitable Initiative

Community engagement press releases serve multiple purposes. They demonstrate corporate responsibility, connect your brand with causes your audience cares about, and generate goodwill that translates into customer loyalty.

Whether you are sponsoring a local event, launching a scholarship program, volunteering for a community project, or donating to a nonprofit, these activities are worth announcing. Local media outlets in particular are eager to cover stories about businesses giving back to their communities.

The most effective community involvement press releases focus on the impact rather than the donation amount. "Local Company's Volunteer Program Renovates Three Homes for Elderly Residents" is more compelling than "Company Donates $10,000 to Housing Nonprofit."

8. Research, Survey, or Industry Report

If your business has conducted original research, gathered survey data, or compiled an industry report, you have excellent press release material. Original data is inherently newsworthy because journalists need data to support their stories.

Research-based press releases should lead with the most surprising or significant finding, include methodology details that establish credibility, provide context about why the research matters, and offer the full report as a downloadable resource for journalists who want to dive deeper.

This type of press release is particularly effective for professional services firms, technology companies, and consultancies that want to position themselves as thought leaders.

9. Event Announcement

If you are hosting, sponsoring, or participating in an event—whether it is a conference, workshop, fundraiser, festival, or community gathering—a press release can significantly boost attendance and media coverage.

Event press releases should include all essential details like date, time, location, and registration information. They should also explain why the event matters and who should attend. Include information about keynote speakers, entertainment, or special activities that make the event unique.

Timing matters for event press releases. Distribute your release three to four weeks before the event to give media outlets time to plan coverage and give potential attendees time to register.

10. Expansion or Relocation

Expanding into a new market, opening an additional location, or relocating to a larger space are all strong press release candidates. These announcements signal business growth and create interest in the new location's community.

Expansion press releases should address why you chose the new location, how many jobs the expansion will create, what services or products will be available at the new location, and the expected timeline for opening.

Geographic-specific press releases are particularly valuable for local SEO. When you distribute a press release that mentions specific cities, counties, or regions, you create indexed content that helps your business appear in local search results for those areas.

Choosing the Right Type for Your Situation

You do not need to wait for a once-in-a-decade event to distribute a press release. Most businesses have multiple press-worthy moments each year—they simply do not recognize them as such.

Start by listing the events, achievements, and developments from the past 12 months. How many of them fit one of the ten categories above? Chances are, you will find three to five strong candidates.

Then look forward. What milestones, launches, hires, or events do you have coming up in the next quarter? Planning your press releases in advance allows you to prepare stronger content and time your distributions for maximum impact.

A Note on Frequency

While it is important to distribute press releases when you have genuine news, it is equally important not to force it. Distributing press releases about non-newsworthy topics can damage your credibility with media outlets and dilute the impact of your future announcements.

A good rule of thumb for most small and medium businesses is one press release per quarter, aligned with your most significant announcement for that period. Businesses with frequent legitimate news—such as rapidly growing startups, firms with multiple locations, or organizations with active community programs—may benefit from monthly distribution.

The key is quality over quantity. Every press release you distribute should contain information that a journalist could reasonably cover as a story. If you would not expect to see it in your local newspaper, it probably does not warrant a press release.

Making the Most of Each Release

Regardless of which type of press release you choose, the same principles apply. Lead with the most newsworthy angle. Include specific, verifiable details. Use quotes that add perspective rather than simply repeating what the body copy already says. And always include a clear boilerplate that tells people who your company is and how to learn more.

Every press release is an investment in your business's long-term visibility. The placements you earn today will continue appearing in search results and AI recommendations for months and years to come. Choose your topics wisely, craft your content carefully, and distribute through a network that ensures your news reaches the outlets that matter.