Press releases with well-crafted editor’s notes receive significantly higher media pickup than those without. Learn how to maximize your press release impact with our comprehensive guide to creating effective editor’s notes that boost both SEO performance and journalist engagement.
What Are Editor’s Notes in Press Releases?
The editor’s note section (also called “Notes to Editor”) appears at the end of your press release. This section provides essential background information, context, and resources that help journalists understand your story. This section should contain information about your organization, cited sources, and media contact details.
Key Benefits:
- Improves press release SEO performance through keyword-rich content
- Increases journalist engagement and story pickup rates
- Provides search engines with additional context for better indexing
- Enhances brand authority and credibility
Unlike the main press release content, editor’s notes aren’t meant for direct quotation but serve as a resource for journalists to better understand and report on your announcement.
Why Editor’s Notes Matter for SEO and Media Coverage
Enhanced Search Engine Visibility
Editor’s notes containing relevant keywords and company information help search engines better understand and index your press release content, improving your chances of appearing in search results and Google News.
Improved Journalist Experience
Reporters scanning dozens of press releases daily appreciate immediate access to background information, contact details, and supporting resources without additional research.
What to Include in Your Editor’s Notes Section
The editor’s notes section provides crucial background information that doesn’t fit in your main press release narrative. However, this valuable real estate can boost your SEO performance when optimized correctly.
Best Practice: Keep editor’s notes concise yet comprehensive. Journalists are busy, so provide essential information without overwhelming them. Aim for 150-300 words total across all sections.
SEO Optimization Tips for Editor’s Notes:
- Include relevant industry keywords naturally
- Add 2-3 internal links to your website content
- Incorporate geographic keywords for local SEO
- Use structured formatting for better readability
Essential Elements for Effective Editor’s Notes
1. Company Overview (50-75 words)
Include:
- Company founding year and headquarters location
- Primary products or services with relevant keywords
- Key achievements, certifications, or differentiators
- Website URL for additional information
2. Key Personnel Information
Include:
- Names and titles of quoted executives
- Brief professional background (when relevant)
- Industry credentials or notable achievements
3. Supporting Data and Sources
Include:
- Links to referenced studies or reports
- Citation information for statistics mentioned
- Contact information for third-party sources
4. Media Contact Details (Required)
Must include:
- Primary media contact name and title
- Direct phone number and email address
- Best times to reach them and time zone
- Secondary contact for urgent inquiries
5. Additional Digital Resources
Consider adding:
- High-resolution images and logo download links
- Social media handles and verification status
- Video content or interactive demonstrations
- Related blog posts or case studies
How to Write SEO-Optimized Editor’s Notes
Company Information “Boilerplate” Best Practices
Create a compelling company description that includes:
- Founded year and location (helps with local SEO)
- Primary services/products with industry keywords
- Notable achievements that establish credibility
- Website link for traffic generation
Example Template:
| “Founded in [YEAR] and headquartered in [CITY, STATE], [COMPANY] provides [PRIMARY SERVICE/PRODUCT] for [TARGET MARKET]. The company has [ACHIEVEMENT/METRIC] and serves [NUMBER] clients across [GEOGRAPHIC AREA]. Learn more at [WEBSITE].” |
Partner and Third-Party Organization Details
When mentioning partnerships or collaborations:
- Include brief background on partner organizations
- Explain the relationship’s relevance to your announcement
- Add links to partner websites when appropriate
- Use keywords that describe the partnership type
Contact Information Optimization
Essential contact details:
- Primary spokesperson: Name, title, direct phone, email
- Response times: Best hours to reach, time zone
- Secondary contact: For urgent or after-hours inquiries
- Digital assets: Link to media kit or press room
Pro Tip: Include mobile numbers for breaking news announcements and specify preferred contact methods.
2025 Editor’s Notes Examples by Industry
The following examples demonstrate effective editor’s notes that balance SEO optimization with journalist needs:
Banking Press Release Editor’s Note Example:
| About USF Federal Credit Union USF Federal Credit Union (USF FCU) offers a full range of financial services to the faculty, staff, students, alumni association members, and families at the University of South Florida in Tampa. USF FCU divisions include Darden Credit Union serving employees of Darden Restaurants, Inc., and Red Lobster Credit Union for employees of Red Lobster restaurants. Please visit: www.usffcu.com for more information. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Media Contact Kristin Kryza |
Marketing Press Release Editor’s Note Example:
| About The Marketing Shop The Marketing Shop is an online marketing agency that provides a full suite of forward-thinking digital marketing services to clients in a wide range of industries. Contact: Tracy Gibb |
Education Press Release Editor’s Note Example:
| BestCollegeValues.com is an online resource for prospective college students seeking an education worth its cost. Best College Values strives to provide the most comprehensive and rigorously researched set of online resources on the intersections of college affordability, educational quality, and educational outcomes so that individuals pursuing higher education can find the best college at the best price. Contact: Brett Gershon, editor |
Software Press Release Editor’s Note Example:
| About Gravity Software Gravity Software, LLC (Gravity) is an online cloud business management software company that provides financial business solutions exclusively written for smart businesses. Gravity’s robust solution is built on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 (aka Microsoft CRM) platform to give businesses the distinct advantage of having your Financials and CRM fully integrated on one platform. More than just accounting, Gravity provides businesses with the necessary tools and processes to help drive sales, improve customer service and increase productivity. Gravity Software – Simply Innovative Business Management. www.go-gravity.com. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn & Google+, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and Like us on Facebook. Gravity Software and the Gravity logo are trademarks of Gravity Software LLC. All other company and product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Contact: Jaclyn Cauley |
Business Press Release Editor’s Note Example:
| About M3Jr Growth Strategies M3Jr Growth Strategies is a full-service provider of social selling training and lead development. M3Jr assists with organizations’ social selling strategy development, and teaches end-users how to brand, engage, connect, and feed their prospective buyers through social selling training via corporate training and workshops. For more information on any M3Jr sales and marketing programs, contact us at [email protected] or visit us online at www.m3jr.com. Contact: Mary Ann Lynn |
2025 SEO Best Practices for Editor’s Notes
Keyword Integration Strategy
Primary keywords to include:
- Industry-specific terminology
- Geographic location keywords
- Product/service category terms
- Company brand variations
Placement strategy:
- Include main keyword in company description
- Use location keywords for local SEO
- Integrate service keywords naturally
- Maintain 1-2% keyword density
Mobile Optimization
Format for mobile readers:
- Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences maximum)
- Include bullet points for easy scanning
- Ensure all links are mobile-friendly
- Test readability on mobile devices
Internal Linking Strategy
Link to relevant pages:
- Company about page or leadership bios
- Related blog posts or case studies
- Product or service landing pages
- Previous press releases or news coverage
Common Editor’s Notes Mistakes to Avoid
Information Overload
❌ Don’t: Include every company achievement since founding
✅ Do: Focus on information directly relevant to your announcement
Outdated Contact Information
❌ Don’t: Use generic contact@ email addresses
✅ Do: Provide direct access to knowledgeable spokespeople
Generic Boilerplate
❌ Don’t: Copy identical editor’s notes for every press release
✅ Do: Customize content to match each specific announcement
SEO Over-Optimization
❌ Don’t: Stuff keywords unnaturally into every sentence
✅ Do: Integrate terms naturally while maintaining readability
Frequently Asked Questions About Editor’s Notes
What is an editor’s note?
In a non-press release environment, an editor’s note is a clarifying comment or additional insight added by an editor to a text, typically marked by the phrase “Editor’s Note.” It serves to enhance the reader’s comprehension without altering the original author’s intent. It can provide context, correction, or pertinent information often in response to anticipated reader queries or potential misunderstandings (for example, within a complex quotation).
In a press release, the editor’s note section offers extra background, clarity, or added details that can aid journalists in comprehending the essence of the press release. It can include details about the entity or entities mentioned in the press release, provides citations for information referenced, and the contact particulars for the media liaison. The editor’s note, in contrast to the principal text of the press release, is not meant to be quoted or published directly. Instead, its primary function is to guide journalists in their interpretation and understanding of the conveyed information.
What are some other things you include in the “Notes to the Editor” section in your press releases?
This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (https://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. Download your free copy of 7 Cheap PR Tactics for Success in Any Economy here: https://www.ereleases.com/free-offer/cheap-pr-tactics/