What Is a Press Release?

A press release is a concise, news-style announcement that shares important updates about your business—like new products, events, partnerships, or milestones. Written in a journalistic format, it aims to grab reporters’ attention and make it easy for them to cover your story.

Press releases typically include a headline, dateline, introduction, body, quotes, and a boilerplate about your company. They follow a pyramid structure: the most important information comes first, followed by supporting details.

In the digital age, press releases are more than just media pitches. They’re a tool for building credibility, earning backlinks, and boosting your search visibility. A well-optimized release can appear in Google News and attract potential customers.

Why Press Releases Matter in 2025

Despite the rise of social media, press releases remain relevant. Here’s why:

• Build authority and trust: When credible news outlets publish your story, it boosts your credibility.
  
• Support SEO: Backlinks from news sites improve your domain authority and search rankings.
  
• Create media opportunities: Reporters often use releases to find sources and stories.
  
• Control your narrative: A press release lets you craft the message instead of relying on speculation.
  
• Drive traffic and leads: Releases linked to your site direct interested readers to your products or services.
  
• Amplify announcements: Share the release across social media, email newsletters, and your website for greater impact.
  

In a city as vibrant as Houston, press releases can help you stand out and connect with local audiences and media.

Elements of a Successful Press Release

• Headline: Catchy and informative. Should contain your main message and a keyword.
  
• Dateline: Indicates when and where the news originates—Houston, TX for local stories.
  
• Lead Paragraph: Summarize the “who, what, where, when, why” in one to two sentences.
  
• Body: Elaborate on the details, provide context, and include relevant statistics. Use quotes from company leaders or partners to add credibility and human interest.
  
• Boilerplate: A short paragraph about your company, including your mission, services, and website.
  
• Media Contact: Make it easy for reporters to reach you with questions.

Our Press Release Services

Directory One offers end-to-end PR services:

• Press Release Writing: PR experts craft clear, compelling, and newsworthy stories tailored to your audience. We ensure the release follows best practices and includes strong messaging.
  
• Online & Media Distribution: We send your news to local and national outlets, journalists, bloggers, and online PR networks. Our distribution channels include Houston news publications, business journals, and industry-specific outlets.
  
• Targeted Audience Reach: Want to reach business media? Tech reporters? Local Houston journalists? We tailor distribution to the audience that matters most.
  
• SEO Optimization: We incorporate keywords, backlinks, and structured data so your release ranks well in search engines. We also optimize titles and meta descriptions for click-through.
  
• Analytics and Reporting: After distribution, you’ll get a report showing where your release was published, how many impressions it received, and any backlinks or media inquiries generated.
  
• Local Focus: We know the Houston media landscape and have relationships with local reporters and outlets. That means your release stands a better chance of coverage.
  

How Our Process Works

1. Gather Information: We learn about your announcement, goals, and target audience.
   
2. Write the Release: Our writers craft a concise, engaging press release that meets media standards.
   
3. Edit & Approve: You review and approve the draft before it goes out.
   
4. Optimize: We add keywords, links, and metadata for search engines.
   
5. Distribute: We send your release to relevant journalists, news outlets, and online platforms.
   
6. Report Back: You receive a distribution report plus any media coverage or backlinks earned.
   
7. Follow Up: We can help pitch follow-up stories or provide statements for interviews.

Why Choose Directory One?

We combine local insight with national reach. Our Houston-based team understands the regional market, culture, and media landscape. We know which outlets to target and how to craft a story that resonates with local readers. Our national distribution ensures your news travels further—online and offline.

Learn more about our press release services in Houston or call 713-269-3094 and share your news with the world.