12 founder-proof press release examples b2b saas with angle, formula, quote, CTA, and distribution notes.
How to:
Pick one angle and metric.
Choose embargo or exclusive and offer two interview slots.
Use a formula headline and a real CTA.
Glossary
Embargo: Share info early. Publish at agreed date. Exclusive: One outlet breaks the news first. CTA: Call to action. What to do next. AEO: Answer engine optimisation for LLMs. Design partner: Early customer that co-builds with you. ICP: Ideal customer profile. GTM: Go-to-market.
How to ship a founder-led press release
Choose the angle. Funding, launch, partnership, or recognition. Pick one. If your story still feels fuzzy, tighten it in product positioning.
Decide timing. Simple stories: 24–48 hours under embargo. Deeper stories: 3–7 days. Hardware or complex datasets: 1–2 weeks. Offer two interview windows.
Pick embargo vs exclusive. Exclusive buys depth on one outlet. Embargo buys breadth. Always get agreement before sharing details.
Write the headline with a formula. Funding: “X raises $Y Series [round] to [outcome] for [ICP]”. Launch: “X launches [product]: the [descriptor] that [job]”. Partnership: “X and Y partner to [outcome] for [ICP]”. Recognition: “X named Leader in [report] — what it means for [ICP]”. For a full walkthrough, use Press release guide for startups: founder-led template.
Open strong. One sentence with result or problem. Put the key metric in the money paragraph.
Use one tight quote. Founder voice first. Make it human. One line can be delightfully specific.
Attach a real CTA. Trial, waitlist, report download, webinar, or event.
Decide on distribution. Wire for compliance and breadth. Founder pitching for depth. New to pitching and media lists? See PR for startups.
Measure and learn. Track opens, responses, and release analytics. Plan volume accordingly.
$29 is website-only; $479 uses PR Newswire online network
[24-7 pricing] https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/price_plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com ; Simple Post $29
What this means.
Local vs national is the biggest lever. Budget jumps when you switch circuits. Business Wire+1
PR Newswire adds a yearly membership on top of per-release fees. Include it in your plan. portal.prnewswire.com
Word count and assets drive add-ons. Plan length and media up front to avoid surprises. Prezly.com+1
Sample math. You pitch 80 reporters. 46% open → ~37 opens. 3.4% respond → ~3 replies. If 2 convert to coverage and each drives 200 qualified visitors with a 5% trial start, that is ~20 trials from one announcement.
In 90 seconds, find the bottleneck stopping your first 10 customers. Take the free quiz and get a personalized action plan.
Use for big data, A-list investor, or a first-of-its-kind product.
Typical lead time 5–10 days for complex stories.
Risk: if it falls through, timing slips.
Embargo
Breadth across outlets at once.
Use for regular launches, partnerships, badges, and raises with standard details.
Typical lead time 24–48 hours for simple stories; up to a week for complex. Decision rule: if you have proprietary data or a marquee backer, start exclusive. If you need broad reach or have regulated timing, run embargo.
Templates
Use these verbatim, then personalise with 1–2 proof metrics.
Funding template Headline: [COMPANY] raises $[AMOUNT] [ROUND] to [OUTCOME] for [ICP] Deck: Backed by [LEAD] to scale [WHAT] amid [TREND]. Body: [CITY, STATE] — [DATE]. [COMPANY] announced a $[AMOUNT] [ROUND], led by [LEAD], to [WHAT IT ENABLES]. Money paragraph: Two product impact metrics: [METRIC 1], [METRIC 2]. Quote: “[ONE-LINER IN PLAIN HUMAN VOICE].” — [FOUNDER], CEO. CTA: Learn more or book intro. Distro: Wire + investor quote + founder LinkedIn thread.
Product or beta template Headline: [COMPANY] launches [PRODUCT]: the [DESCRIPTOR] that [KEY JOB] Open: Problem line + simple fix. Features: 3 bullets of outcomes. Quote: Founder vision + one concrete outcome. CTA: Join waitlist or start trial. Distro: Wire + product page.
Partnership template Headline: [X] and [Y] partner to [OUTCOME] for [ICP] Open: Name the exact workflow the integration improves. Two-CEO quotes: Both tied to the same KPI. CTA: Sign up for early access. Distro: Wire + landing.
Recognition template Headline: [COMPANY] named Leader in [REPORT] — what it means for [ICP] Open: Why the badge de-risks vendor selection now. Quote: “This is not a pivot. It is what we have built toward since day one.” — [FOUNDER], CEO CTA: Download report. Gate it. Distro: Wire + gated report.
Pitch email under embargo or exclusive Subject: [EMBARGOED dd:mm] [COMPANY] raises $[AMOUNT] to [OUTCOME] for [ICP] Hi [FIRST NAME], We are announcing [ONE-LINER]. If helpful, I can offer [EXEC NAME] for a 10-minute call at [TIME 1] or [TIME 2]. Under embargo until [DATE, TIMEZONE]. Happy to send the full release and assets if interested. Thanks, [FOUNDER NAME], [TITLE], [PHONE]
Risks
Vague headline. Use a formula.
Quote stuffed with adjectives. Replace with a human line.
No CTA or a weak one. Replace with trial, waitlist, report, webinar, or event.
Embargo sent without consent. Always secure agreement first.
No interview window. Offer two slots inside the window.
No number in the money paragraph. Add one real metric.
FAQ
You:
When do I use an exclusive?
Guide:
When you want depth and a marquee byline. Offer it 5–10 days before publish for complex stories.
You:
How long should a press release be?
Guide:
400–700 words for the body. Add a facts box and one quote.
You:
Should I quote investors?
Guide:
Yes, for funding. Keep it one line. Founder gets the primary quote.
You:
Do I need a wire?
Guide:
Use a wire for compliance distribution, analytics, and breadth. Many founders combine wire + direct pitching.
You:
What is a good CTA?
Guide:
Trial start, waitlist, report download, webinar, or event with a precise next step.
You:
Can I skip the quote?
Guide:
You can, but one tight, human line often increases pickup.