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How to Write a Press Release with GitHub Copilot

Writing an effective press release requires rigor: precise structure, professional tone, and well-organized key information. GitHub Copilot, the AI assistant integrated into your code editor, can help you with this task even outside of software development. Thanks to its text generation capabilities, Copilot helps you structure your press release, craft compelling hooks, and adhere to journalistic conventions. In this tutorial, you will learn to use GitHub Copilot step by step to produce a complete press release, from the headline to the boilerplate, including the body text and executive quote. Whether you are a communications manager, entrepreneur, or freelancer, this method will save you valuable time while maintaining a professional quality level.

Prerequisites

  • 1.Have Visual Studio Code with the GitHub Copilot extension activated
  • 2.Have a GitHub Copilot subscription (Individual, Business, or Enterprise)
  • 3.Know the key information to communicate (event, product, announcement)
  • 4.Have access to GitHub Copilot Chat for conversational interactions

Steps

1

Prepare the Brief and Context in a File

Create a new Markdown file (.md) in VS Code and write a structured comment containing all essential information: company name, announcement subject, date, key figures, executive quote, and target audience. This context will allow Copilot to generate relevant content aligned with your message. The more detailed your brief, the more accurate the result.

<!-- Press release brief Company: [COMPANY_NAME] Announcement: [ANNOUNCEMENT_DESCRIPTION] Date: [DATE] Key figures: [KEY_DATA] Executive quote: [SPOKESPERSON_NAME and title] Target audience: [JOURNALISTS_IN_SECTOR_X, GENERAL_MEDIA...] -->

Press Release

Tip: Use HTML comments in your Markdown file so that Copilot has context without these notes appearing in the final output.
2

Generate the Headline and Lead with Copilot Chat

Open Copilot Chat (Ctrl+I or Cmd+I) and ask it to write a catchy headline and a concise lead. The headline of a press release should be informative and contain the main keywords. The lead (or subheading) summarizes the essentials in two to three lines according to the 5W rule (Who, What, When, Where, Why).

Based on the brief above, write a press release headline that is impactful and informative, followed by a lead of 2-3 lines that answers Who, What, When, Where, and Why. The tone should be professional and factual.

Tip: Ask Copilot to propose 3 headline variations to choose the most impactful one. A good press release headline should be between 10 and 15 words maximum.
3

Write the Body Paragraph by Paragraph

Use Copilot's inline completion to write the body of the press release. Structure it in inverted pyramid order: the most important information first, then supplementary details. Start each paragraph with a primer sentence and let Copilot complete. Accept or adjust each suggestion with Tab to accept or Esc to reject. Include an executive quote in quotation marks to humanize the message.

Write the body of the press release in 3-4 paragraphs following the inverted pyramid structure:

  • Paragraph 1: Main announcement with essential facts
  • Paragraph 2: Context and market issues
  • Paragraph 3: Executive quote in quotation marks
  • Paragraph 4: Additional details and next steps
Tip: After each generated paragraph, review and adjust the tone. Copilot tends to be overly enthusiastic: remove superlatives and maintain a factual, measured tone.
4

Add the Boilerplate and Contact Information

The boilerplate is the standard company presentation paragraph found at the end of every press release. Ask Copilot to generate it from the information in your brief. Then add the press contact details. This section is essential for journalists to easily reach you.

Write a boilerplate (About section) for [COMPANY_NAME] in 4-5 lines including: founding date, main business, mission, key figures (employees, customers, revenue if public), and website. Then add a Press Contact section with fields: Name, Title, Email, Phone.

Tip: Keep your boilerplate in a separate file (boilerplate.md) and reference it in future press releases to ensure consistency in your communications.
5

Proofread, Optimize, and Finalize with Copilot Chat

Use Copilot Chat for a final proofread. Ask it to identify weaknesses in the text, check information consistency, and suggest improvements. Take the opportunity to optimize the press release for online search (SEO) by naturally integrating relevant keywords. Ensure the press release is between 400 and 600 words, the ideal length for press distribution.

Proofread this press release and suggest improvements on: 1) Clarity and conciseness of the message, 2) Compliance with journalistic format, 3) Natural integration of keywords [KEYWORD_1, KEYWORD_2] for SEO, 4) Removal of superfluous adjectives and marketing jargon. Also indicate if the length is appropriate.

Tip: Always do a final human review. Check proper names, figures, and dates that Copilot cannot validate. A press release with a factual error seriously damages your credibility.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Accepting the generated text without proofreading: Copilot may invent figures or inaccurate facts that must be systematically verified
  • ✗Using an overly promotional or marketing tone instead of the factual, informative tone expected by journalists
  • ✗Not providing enough context in the initial brief, leading to a generic and irrelevant press release
  • ✗Forgetting the inverted pyramid structure and burying the main information in the middle of the text
  • ✗Neglecting the boilerplate and contact details, which are essential elements for journalists

FAQ

Can GitHub Copilot replace a press agent for writing press releases?
No, Copilot is a writing assistance tool. It speeds up the production of the first draft and helps structure the text, but communication strategy, fact-checking, and journalist relations remain essential human skills. Use it as an accelerator, not a replacement.
Should I use Copilot Chat or inline completion to write a press release?
Both approaches are complementary. Use Copilot Chat for structured instructions (generating a headline, proofreading the text) and inline completion for fluid paragraph-by-paragraph writing. Chat is ideal for initial framing and final proofreading, while inline completion is better suited for continuous drafting.
How can I ensure the generated press release is original and not plagiarized?
Copilot generates text based on statistical models; it does not directly copy sources. However, the phrasing may resemble existing press releases. Always personalize the content with your specific data, brand tone, and real quotes. When in doubt, run the text through a plagiarism detection tool before distribution.

Related tutorials

How to Write a Blog Post with GitHub CopilotHow to Write a Press Release with ChatGPTHow to Write a Professional Email with GitHub Copilot

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