Journalists scan hundreds of pitches and press releases every single day. They operate on strict deadlines and have little patience for ambiguity. When a reporter reads your news, their first question is usually, “Who is this company and what do they actually do?”
Your press release boilerplate is designed to answer that exact question.
Sitting quietly at the bottom of your announcement, this standardized paragraph does the heavy lifting of corporate identity. A clear, factual boilerplate establishes credibility. A poorly written one confuses and costs you media coverage.
This guide explains exactly how to craft a professional boilerplate that serves reporters, satisfies wire service requirements, and accurately reflects your organization.
What Is a Press Release Boilerplate?
A press release boilerplate is a short, standardized paragraph placed at the end of a press release that provides essential background information about the issuing company. It acts as an “About Us” section, giving journalists immediate context regarding the organization’s purpose, size, industry, and market position.
The term originates from the early days of newspaper printing, where standard text meant for repeated use was cast in heavy steel plates that resembled the metal plates used to build steam boilers. Today, it refers to any standardized text that remains consistent across multiple documents.
Why the Boilerplate Matters in Media Relations
A boilerplate serves several distinct functions for different audiences.
For journalists, it provides instant context. If a reporter is writing a round-up of new financial technology startups, your boilerplate confirms whether you fit that specific category. It saves them a trip to your website’s “About” page.
For investors and stakeholders, it signals stability and consistency. Public companies rely on the boilerplate to clearly state their stock ticker and basic operational scope, ensuring compliance and clarity.
For search engines and digital databases, wire services syndicate your press releases across thousands of websites. A well-written boilerplate ensures that accurate, consistent information about your company is archived across the internet.
Key Components of a Strong Boilerplate
A professional boilerplate strips away marketing adjectives and focuses on objective reality. Think of it as a corporate fact sheet condensed into a single paragraph.
Essential vs. Optional Elements
| Component | Description | Priority |
| Company Name | The legal or recognized trading name of the organization. | Mandatory |
| Core Business | A plain-English description of what the company makes, sells, or does. | Mandatory |
| Founding Year | Establishes the company’s timeline and longevity in the market. | Recommended |
| Headquarters | The primary city and state/country of operations. | Mandatory |
| Scale/Size | Number of employees, locations, or clients to establish scope. | Recommended |
| Stock Ticker | Required for publicly traded companies (e.g., NYSE: ABC). | Conditional |
| Website URL | A direct link to the company’s main homepage or media room. | Mandatory |
How to Write a Press Release Boilerplate: Step-by-Step
Writing a boilerplate requires discipline. The goal is to communicate maximum information using minimum words.
Step 1: Start with a Direct Statement
The first sentence must explain exactly what the company does. Avoid abstract mission statements.
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Poor: “Acme Corp is a visionary collective creating pathways to a better tomorrow.”
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Professional: “Acme Corp is a global manufacturer of commercial solar panels.”
Step 2: Establish Scope and Scale
Journalists need to know if they are writing about a local small business or a multinational corporation. Mention your headquarters, key operational regions, and metrics that indicate size.
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Example: “Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, the company operates three manufacturing facilities across North America and employs 400 people.”
Step 3: Highlight Core Offerings or Achievements
Briefly mention your primary products, services, or notable market position. Stick to verifiable facts.
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Example: “Acme Corp’s primary product line, the SunCatch Series, is currently used in more than 50,000 commercial installations worldwide.”
Step 4: Include the Website Link
End the paragraph by directing the reader to where they can find more information. Keep the URL clean and direct.
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Example: “For more information, visit www.acmecorp.com.”
Real-World Examples
Different industries require slightly different approaches to their background information. Here are three examples of how different organizations might structure their boilerplates.
Example 1: B2B Technology Company
About DataSync Solutions
DataSync Solutions is an enterprise software provider specializing in cloud-based inventory management. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company helps mid-sized logistics firms track supply chain metrics in real time. DataSync currently serves over 2,000 clients across North America and Europe, processing an average of 5 million transactions daily. For more information, visit www.datasync-solutions.com.
Example 2: Consumer Retail Brand
About Terra Footwear
Terra Footwear is a sustainable apparel company that designs and manufactures athletic shoes using recycled materials. Based in Portland, Oregon, the brand was established in 2012 with a commitment to reducing plastic waste in consumer fashion. Terra Footwear products are sold in over 300 retail locations nationwide and through the company’s direct-to-consumer platform. To view the current catalog or learn about the company’s environmental initiatives, visit www.terrafootwear.com.
Example 3: Non-Profit Organization
About The Urban Canopy Project
The Urban Canopy Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing tree coverage in metropolitan areas. Established in 1999 in Chicago, Illinois, the organization partners with local governments and community groups to plant and maintain native tree species. To date, The Urban Canopy Project has planted more than 100,000 trees across 15 U.S. cities. For volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, visit www.urbancanopy.org.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many organizations ruin their boilerplate by treating it as an advertisement. Media professionals will ignore text that feels overly promotional.
Overusing Jargon
If a reporter needs a dictionary to understand your boilerplate, they will simply delete your pitch. Avoid phrases like “synergistic paradigm,” “best-in-class,” or “leading provider” unless you have specific, independent data to back up the claim of being the absolute leader in your space.
Making It Too Long
A boilerplate should run between 50 and 100 words. If it exceeds three short paragraphs, it is no longer a summary—it is a company history. Keep it concise.
Forgetting to Update the Text
Companies grow. They move headquarters, launch new products, and cross new milestones. A common error is using a boilerplate written five years ago that states the company has “50 employees” when the current headcount is 500. Schedule a review of your boilerplate every six months.
Best Practices for Managing Your Boilerplate
Tailor by Audience When Necessary
While a boilerplate is meant to be standard, large corporations often maintain two versions: a general consumer version and an investor-focused version. A financial press release about quarterly earnings will use the investor boilerplate, which highlights market capitalization and subsidiary structures. A product launch press release will use the consumer version.
Format Clearly
Always place the boilerplate at the very end of the press release body text, just before the media contact information. Precede it with a clear header, typically bolded, such as About [Company Name].
Separate from Media Contacts
Do not merge your boilerplate with your PR representative’s contact information. The boilerplate describes the company; the media contact section tells the journalist exactly who to call or email for an interview. Keep these two sections distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a press release boilerplate be?
A professional boilerplate should be between 50 and 100 words. It should be long enough to provide essential context but short enough to read in under 15 seconds.
Do I need a boilerplate for every press release?
Yes. Every formal press release distributed to the media or via a wire service must include a boilerplate. Reporters should never have to guess who issued the news.
Where exactly does the boilerplate go?
It goes at the bottom of the press release, immediately following the ### or -30- marks (which indicate the end of the news text), and right before the Media Contact details.
Should I include financial information in the boilerplate?
If you are a publicly traded company, you must include your stock ticker symbol and exchange. Private companies generally do not include financial metrics like annual revenue unless that size is central to their market identity.
Can a company have more than one boilerplate?
Yes. Large organizations with distinct divisions (e.g., a parent company with a distinct healthcare wing and a consumer wing) may use a specific boilerplate depending on which division is issuing the news.
How often should a company update its boilerplate?
Review your boilerplate every six to twelve months. Update it immediately if the company moves headquarters, undergoes a merger, changes its name, or reaches a major verifiable milestone mentioned in the text.
Does a boilerplate help with SEO?
Indirectly. When a press release is syndicated across wire services, the boilerplate provides consistent, factual information and a backlink to your website, which helps establish corporate entity alignment for search engines.
What is the difference between a boilerplate and a media contact section?
The boilerplate explains what the company does and its history. The media contact section lists the name, phone number, and email address of the specific PR person handling inquiries for that particular announcement.
Do non-profits need a different type of boilerplate?
Non-profits follow the same structure but should clearly state their legal status (e.g., 501(c)(3) in the US) and briefly mention their primary funding source or core mission metric, rather than commercial products.
Should I include social media links in my boilerplate?
You can include primary social media handles if they are heavily used for corporate communications, but it is usually cleaner to link only to the official website, which should naturally house your social media links.
Key Takeaways
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A boilerplate is a standardized “About Us” paragraph located at the bottom of a press release.
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Its primary job is to give journalists and readers immediate, factual context about your company.
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Keep the length strictly between 50 and 100 words.
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Focus on verifiable facts: founding year, location, core business, and size.
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Exclude marketing jargon, promotional adjectives, and unverified claims of market leadership.
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Always include a clear link to your company’s website.
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Review and update the text at least twice a year to ensure all metrics and facts remain accurate.
