What to Include in the ‘Editor’s Note’ Section of Your Press Release (Including Examples)

Home » PR Fuel » What to Include in the ‘Editor’s Note’ Section of Your Press Release (Including Examples)

Editor’s Notes in a Press Release

The editor’s note in a press release is where you provide additional context, clarification, or supplementary information to help journalists fully understand the context of a press release. It should contain information about the organization(s) involved in the press release, sources cited, and contact information for the media representative. Unlike the main content of the press release, the “Editor’s Note” isn’t intended for direct quotation or publication, but rather to help the journalist understand or interpret the information presented.

What is an Editor’s Note?

One of the important components of a press release is the editor’s notes or “notes to the editor” section at the very end. This is the section where you can provide a bit of background information for the reporter. It’s typically boilerplate information that doesn’t belong in the story but that lets the reporter know a little bit more about who you are, what your company does, what your background is, etc.

Now, if you’re not careful, this section can go to waste, or you could cram it with so much information that it’s overwhelming and the reporter just ignores it. Remember the basic rule of press releases — reporters are busy, so get to the point. The same rule still applies to the “Notes to the Editor” section. You have to include the right elements, but you must take care not to go overboard and turn this section into a novel.

Editor’s Note Format

An Editor’s Note could contain:

1. Company overview: A concise summary of your company’s history, services/products, and location.
2. Relevant organizations: Briefly describe any other key players mentioned in the release.
3. Cited sources: List references for studies, statistics, or publications cited in the release.
4. Contact details: Provide the name, title, and contact information for the designated media representative.

How To Write An Editor’s Note

It varies according to the company and the situation, but some of the things you might want to include are as follows:

• Information about your company — Include a few sentences about your company, including information about when you were founded, what you do, what your main products/services are, where you’re located, and what awards/recognition you’ve received. Think of this as an abridged version of the About Us page on your website.
• Information about other organizations referred to in the press release — For example, if your press release is announcing a partnership with another organization or if it’s announcing that you’ll be presenting at an industry conference, you’d want to include more information about your new partner or the conference you’re presenting at. It’s all about giving the reporter good background information they can pull from when writing their story.
• Details on documents or studies referenced in the press release — If you reference any studies or statistics in your press release, it might be wise to include information about your sources, such as the name of the publication, in the “Notes to the Editor” or “Editors Notes” section.
• Your contact information — Include the name, job title, and contact information (phone, email, etc.) for the individual that the media can contact for more information. This is a must. Every press release should include contact information on it.

Editor’s Notes Examples

Here are some editor’s notes examples taken from the press release examples section of our website:

Banking Press Release Editor’s Note Example:

 

Marketing Press Release Editor’s Note Example:

 

Education Press Release Editor’s Note Example:

 

Software Press Release Editor’s Note Example:

 

Business Press Release Editor’s Note Example:

---

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/

Send A Press Release - Save 30% !