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To Date or Not to Date

by M. Parsons    

What is the purpose of including dates in releases? It lets editors identify two very important things about your release.

First, it lets them know when to let the release out to the readers. For example, if you postdate a release, usually it is held until the time that you wish it to be distributed - whereas if it is dated for immediate release, it can get out in the very next edition if they wish to use it.

Secondly, it ensures that the editor will know that the information is timely. Nothing ticks an editor off faster than to realize that the information they believed to be accurate and current turns our to be nothing but a rehash of yesterdays events.

Although the trend of not including dates in releases seems to be growing more common, remember that most editors prefer to see dates in releases, and if you can keep your editors happy, the more likely they will be to use your submission.