Pickleball Presswire

Press Release Guidelines

Best practices for creating effective pickleball press releases

Typography Standards

Headlines

  • Length: 50-100 characters (under 100 is ideal)
  • Style: Title Case for major words
  • Format: Bold, clear, and action-oriented
  • Avoid: ALL CAPS, excessive punctuation!!!, clickbait

Body Copy

  • Length: 2,500-4,000 characters (optimal range)
  • Minimum: 1,200 characters (anything shorter lacks substance)
  • Maximum: 5,500 characters (hard limit—be concise!)
  • Line spacing: Use paragraph breaks every 3-4 sentences
  • Font: System will use professional sans-serif (Arial/Helvetica)

Formatting Tips

  • Use bold sparingly for key names, dates, or results
  • Avoid italics, underlines, and fancy formatting
  • Write in clear, active voice
  • Keep sentences under 25 words when possible
  • Use bullet points for lists (if you include them in body text)

Press Release Structure

1. Headline

Your headline is the most important element. Make it clear, compelling, and newsworthy.

✓ Good Examples:

  • • "Austin Pickleball Club Opens State's Largest Indoor Facility"
  • • "Pro Player Sarah Martinez Wins National Championship in Phoenix"
  • • "Paddle Co. Launches Revolutionary Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle"

✗ Avoid:

  • • "AMAZING NEWS EVERYONE!!!" (too vague, excessive punctuation)
  • • "You Won't Believe What Happened at Our Tournament" (clickbait)
  • • "Press Release" (not a headline)

2. Location

Use City, State format (or City, Country for international news).

Examples: "Austin, TX" • "Phoenix, AZ" • "Miami, FL" • "Vancouver, BC"

3. Opening Paragraph (The Lede)

First 2-3 sentences should answer: Who, What, When, Where, Why. This is what journalists will read first.

Good Lede Example:

"Austin Pickleball Club announced today the opening of the largest indoor pickleball facility in Texas, featuring 16 climate-controlled courts. The 45,000-square-foot venue at 123 Sport Drive opens to the public on March 15, 2025, with memberships starting at $99/month."

4. Body Content

Expand on the news with supporting details, quotes, and context. Use the inverted pyramid—most important info first.

  • Include quotes: Add credibility with 1-2 quotes from key people (CEO, coach, player)
  • Add context: Why is this newsworthy? How does it impact the pickleball community?
  • Provide details: Dates, pricing, registration info, specifications
  • Keep it factual: Avoid marketing fluff like "game-changing" or "revolutionary" unless you can back it up

5. Call-to-Action Link (Optional)

If relevant, include one link to more information: event registration, product page, full results, etc.

Link Text Examples: "Register for the Tournament" • "View Full Product Specs" • "See Championship Brackets"

6. Media Contact Information

Always include a contact name, email, and phone number. This goes in its own section at the end.

Media Contact:

John Smith
Email: john@austinpickleballclub.com
Phone: (512) 555-0123

Writing Best Practices

✓ Do:

  • • Write in third person (not "we" or "I")
  • • Use active voice ("Club opens facility")
  • • Include specific numbers and dates
  • • Spell out acronyms on first use
  • • Proofread for typos and grammar
  • • Be newsworthy—answer "So what?"
  • • Use short paragraphs (3-4 sentences max)

✗ Avoid:

  • • Marketing jargon ("synergy," "revolutionary")
  • • Vague claims without supporting data
  • • Passive voice ("was opened by")
  • • Excessive adjectives ("amazing," "incredible")
  • • Long, complex sentences
  • • Burying the news in paragraph 3
  • • Promotional language—this isn't an ad

Choosing the Right Release Type

Selecting the correct category helps target the right audience. Here's when to use each:

New Facility/Courts Opening

Announcing new pickleball venues, court expansions, or renovations

Tournament/Event Announcement

Upcoming tournaments, clinics, leagues, or special events

Championship Results

Tournament winners, standings, or significant competitive outcomes

Product Launch

New paddles, gear, apparel, or equipment releases

Brand Partnership

Sponsorships, collaborations, or strategic alliances

Coaching Certification

New certified coaches, training programs, or educational initiatives

Industry Research/Data

Survey results, growth statistics, or market insights

Executive Appointment

Leadership changes, board appointments, or key hires

Other Newsworthy

Significant news that doesn't fit other categories

Pre-Send Checklist

Before clicking "Publish," verify:

Ready to create your press release? Get started now