Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “write press releases and announcements”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

120 min
typically, once a month
50%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

AIBest fix

Have AI draft the release and the pitch from your fact sheet

You supply the facts and quotes; AI drafts the release in standard format plus a short pitch email and social post.

Typically saves about 45% of the time10 min to set up
  1. 1Write a fact sheet: what, who, when, why it matters, numbers, and approved quotes.
  2. 2Paste it with the prompt below.
  3. 3Edit the headline and lead yourself; they matter most.
  4. 4Send through your normal approval route.
Prompt to copy
Write a press release from this fact sheet: [PASTE]. Standard format: headline under 12 words, subhead, dateline [CITY, DATE], lead paragraph answering who/what/when/why, body, the approved quotes word for word, boilerplate [PASTE], and media contact. Under 450 words. Then write a 100-word pitch email to [TYPE OF JOURNALIST] and one LinkedIn post. Do not invent quotes or numbers.

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot

Fix 2 of 2

Process fix

Set one approver and a review deadline for each type of content

Most approval time is waiting and conflicting comments. One named approver, one round of consolidated feedback and a deadline cut the back-and-forth.

Typically saves about 35% of the time45 min to set up
  1. 1List the content types and who truly needs to approve each.
  2. 2Name one final approver per type; everyone else is optional input.
  3. 3Set a 48-hour review deadline; silence means approved for low-risk content.
  4. 4Ask for feedback in one consolidated round, not a stream of emails.

Tools: Asana, Monday, Wrike or Notion

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for PR / Communications teams