1. What Is a Boilerplate?
A boilerplate is the final paragraph of a press release, the section that typically begins with “About [Company Name].”
It is a standardized, concise, and factual description of the issuing organization. It can be seen as the company’s official identity card: stable over time, always available, and consistently reliable.
A boilerplate usually includes the essential elements of the organization:
- its core activity,
- its positioning,
- its expertise,
- key milestones or dates,
- sectors of operation,
- and a link to its website.
Unlike the body of the press release, which may adopt a specific narrative angle or highlight a particular announcement, the boilerplate remains stable over time. It allows journalists to quickly contextualize the information being shared.
2. What Role Does the Boilerplate Play in Corporate Communication?
A well-crafted boilerplate fulfills three essential functions in corporate communication.
2.1. Providing a Clear and Reliable Reference Point
It offers journalists, partners, and readers a consistent description of the company, usable across every announcement.
In an environment where brands strive to build reputation, credibility, and authority, this consistency is critical.
2.2. Anchoring Brand Identity
The boilerplate reiterates the fundamentals: mission, expertise, and positioning. It supports the broader storytelling developed by the company, without replacing it.
For companies operating in fast-evolving sectors — particularly in tech — it provides stability: a fixed framework that remains constant even as innovation progresses.
2.3. Facilitating the Dissemination of Accurate Information
By providing a precise summary, the company helps ensure that journalists use accurate information in articles, reports, or interviews.
It is an external communication tool that reduces errors, approximations, and misinterpretations.
3. What Is the Boilerplate’s Role in Public Relations?
Within a press relations (PR) strategy, the boilerplate is both technical and strategic. It is rarely highlighted, yet it consistently works in the company’s favor.
3.1. A Standard Expected by Journalists
Newsrooms expect a serious press release to include a boilerplate.
It makes journalists’ work easier: they can quickly identify the company, verify its area of expertise, or confirm its founding date.
And importantly, it is always located in the same place — which greatly simplifies the journalist’s workflow.
3.2. A Credibility Lever
A clear, structured, and professional boilerplate reinforces perceptions of seriousness and reliability.
It helps position the company as a credible source within its sector — whether fintech, deeptech, energy, healthcare, or other industries in which StoriesOut operates.
3.3. A Useful Element for Editorial SEO
Although not optimized content in itself, a boilerplate contains relevant keywords such as industry sector, used technology or expertise, relevant geographic market or mission.
These elements help search engines clarify the company’s positioning and reinforce the coherence of its organic footprint.
4. How to Write an Excellent Boilerplate
There is a simple and effective method for crafting a professional boilerplate.
4.1. Remain Factual and Concise
The objective is not to “sell,” but to describe.
A strong boilerplate typically ranges between 80 and 120 words and relies on short, clear sentences.
4.2. Clearly Explain the Activity
What services? For whom? In which markets?
The company must be understandable to someone discovering it for the first time.
4.3. Integrate Key Proof Points
A few factual elements enhance credibility:
- year of establishment,
- geographic presence,
- sector expertise,
- client segments (e.g., startups, scaleups, tech players),
- relevant distinctions or milestones.
4.4. Adopt a Neutral, Professional Tone
No slogans, no exaggeration, no superlatives.
The style should reflect the company’s expert positioning.
4.5. Ensure Overall Consistency
The boilerplate must reflect the company’s core narrative.
This is especially important in specialized sectors such as fintech, AI, energy, healthcare, or B2B SaaS.
For StoriesOut, for example, this means highlighting specialization in supporting innovation-driven companies, emphasizing public relations expertise or mentioning international reach.
4.6. Always Conclude with a Link
A boilerplate should always include a website link, enabling journalists to verify or deepen their understanding of the company.
5. Conclusion
The boilerplate is a discreet yet indispensable tool in professional communication.
In public relations, it guarantees consistency, reinforces credibility, and provides a stable framework for presenting the company in every press release.
In a competitive environment — particularly in tech and innovation — a well-written boilerplate becomes a strategic media asset, just as important as angles, messaging, or spokesperson selection.
Simple, clear, calibrated: it is the solid foundation underlying every public statement.
FAQ : Boilerplate (Press Relations & Corporate Communication)
What is the purpose of a boilerplate in a press release?
A boilerplate presents the company in a clear, concise, and factual way. It enables journalists to quickly identify the organization, its activity, expertise, and positioning. It serves as a stable reference point in every communication.
What is the difference between a boilerplate and a company presentation?
A company presentation may be long, narrative, or commercial.
A boilerplate, by contrast, must be short, standardized, and strictly informative. It is designed for journalistic use, not marketing purposes.
How long should a boilerplate be?
A strong boilerplate typically ranges between 80 and 120 words.
It should be readable in seconds and understandable without prior sector knowledge.
Where should the boilerplate appear?
At the end of every press release.
Part of its effectiveness lies in the fact that journalists know exactly where to find it.
What must a boilerplate include?
An effective boilerplate includes:
- the company’s activity,
- its positioning,
- sectors or areas of expertise,
- key factual elements (founding date, geographic presence, client base),
- a website link.
For tech companies, specifying specialization (fintech, AI, energy, healthtech, SaaS, etc.) is essential.
Should the boilerplate be rewritten for each press release?
No. The boilerplate remains consistent across press releases.
It may evolve over time (new markets, growth, funding rounds), but not from one announcement to another.
How can you assess whether your boilerplate is effective?
It is effective if:
- a journalist understands the company at first reading,
- the information is factual and coherent,
- the tone is neutral, without exaggeration,
- it aligns with the company’s core narrative,
- it can be reused as-is by media outlets or partners.
Can SEO keywords be included in a boilerplate?
Yes, but subtly. The boilerplate may include sector terms (fintech, deeptech, energy, AI, B2B SaaS) and concepts such as public relations or media visibility. However, it must never resemble over-optimized content.
Is the boilerplate used only in public relations?
Primarily, but not exclusively. It may also appear inpress kits, “About” pages, media kits, investor fact sheets and certain corporate presentations.
Its function remains the same: providing a stable reference for all stakeholders.
Can a boilerplate include a slogan or emotional statement?
No.
A boilerplate should avoid slogans, emotional phrasing, or commercial promises. It must remain factual, neutral, and journalist-friendly.
How should a boilerplate be adapted for international campaigns?
For export or multilingual PR campaigns:
- draft a clear and simple English version,
- avoid culture-specific references,
- align terminology with the target market,
- maintain the same structure and factual information.
Can companies have multiple boilerplates by sector?
In theory, yes.
In practice, it is recommended to maintain a single boilerplate, possibly with a short sector variation for multi-activity companies.
In tech, one unified boilerplate is usually sufficient, with references to verticals (fintech, AI, energy, etc.).
Why does a boilerplate reinforce credibility?
Because it conveys coherence, rigor, and transparency.
A well-structured boilerplate demonstrates that the company masters its communication and provides journalists with the necessary information to produce reliable coverage.
Should founders or executives be mentioned?
Only if relevant:
- early-stage startups,
- founder-led companies where leadership embodies the vision,
- scaleups with well-known executives.
For established or international companies, this is not mandatory.
How often should a boilerplate be updated?
It should be reviewed:
- following a funding round,
- after a change in activity,
- during a repositioning,
- after any major shift in the core narrative,
- at least once per year.
What common mistakes should be avoided?
- turning it into a mini sales pitch,
- exceeding 150 words,
- using excessive superlatives,
- omitting key sector terminology,
- failing to include a website link.
A boilerplate is not a sales argument, it is a reference point.
