{"id":4014,"date":"2024-04-09T13:23:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T17:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newswire.com\/blog\/?p=4014"},"modified":"2025-12-17T13:24:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T18:24:40","slug":"how-to-format-a-press-release-dateline-with-ap-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newswire.com\/blog\/how-to-format-a-press-release-dateline-with-ap-style","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Press Release Dateline AP Style: Tips & Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"get-started-newsroom\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What is AP Style?<\/span><\/i> For anyone unfamiliar, AP Style stands for Associated Press Style and refers to the standardization of content that allows media around the world to have consistent and uniform structure for news writing, grammar, abbreviations and titles. <\/span><\/p>\n

AP style is the gold standard with which all news writing is measured. And, just as the format of a press release<\/a> is important, so too is the content. <\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, according to a USC Annenberg study, 88% of public relations professionals and 80% of marketers believe digital storytelling is the future of communications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the focus on crafting compelling press releases intensifies, business professionals need to hone their skills and leverage AP Style to their advantage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The AP Press Release Advantage<\/h2>\n

If your content is written in AP Style, there\u2019s a better chance the media will gravitate to your story, <\/span>especially when that <\/span>press release writing<\/b><\/a> follows a standardized format. <\/span>That\u2019s because adhering to the wording and format they\u2019re most familiar with will demonstrate your professionalism and understanding of the information they need to develop stories of their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, you landed on this blog because you want to know more about how to format a press release dateline with AP Style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re going to help you with.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Dateline?<\/h2>\n

The dateline is found at the beginning of the press release. <\/span>In this example, a press release about our <\/span>Media Suite<\/b><\/a> demonstrates where the dateline appears. <\/span>The highlighted portion in the image below is the dateline.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is the Dateline Important?<\/h2>\n

A proper dateline is important because it\u2019s the first thing a reader and any journalist considering picking up your story will see. They want real, current news, and not something weeks out of date.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where Are Datelines Located in a Press Release?<\/h2>\n

The dateline is found at the beginning of the press release. The highlighted portion in the image below is the dateline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Picture<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Write a Professional AP Style Dateline<\/b><\/h2>\n

When writing a professional AP Style dateline, the AP Stylebook says it should contain\u00a0\u201ca city name, entirely in capital letters, followed in most cases by the name of the state, county, or territory where the city is located.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

AP Style Press Release Rules<\/h2>\n

Below are AP Style press release rules to consider when creating your dateline.<\/p>\n

Some large metropolitan areas do not require the state. These include:<\/p>\n