The boilerplate just might be the most overlooked part of the press release. We spend so much time obsessing over coming up with the perfect story angle, crafting an irresistible headline, and sucking in readers with a strong opening that we often don’t give our boilerplate a second thought. We just continue using the same one over and over, for months and even years at a time.

The problem with this is that your boilerplate is pretty dang important. It’s not just a quick “about us” that you can slap together and put out there. It’s something that makes an important statement about your company. It affects how your brand will be perceived, and the fact is that brands change and grow over time, so it only makes sense that your boilerplate should evolve as well.

So, today I’m asking you the question: When was the last time you updated your company’s boilerplate? For that matter, when was the last time you actually even read your boilerplate?

Stop what you’re doing and go read the boilerplate you’ve been using in your press releases. Read it carefully. I’ll wait…

…

…

Okay, does that boilerplate really reflect the brand you want people to see right now? Is the information all current and accurate? Are the facts actually still facts? Has your company shifted its focus in any way since the boilerplate was written?

Simply put, could your boilerplate be better? If the answer is yes, it’s time to write a new one. Lucky for you, I’ve already come up with some tips to help you write a better boilerplate. Enjoy!

This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (http://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. Download a free copy of Grammar Geek’s Guide to Writing Press Releases here: http://www.ereleases.com/offer/grammar.html