Software release announcements should focus on user benefits rather than technical features. The guide emphasizes writing user-centric descriptions that explain what users can accomplish with new features, not just what was added. Key principles include highlighting impactful changes over exhaustive lists, framing improvements positively, including brief product introductions for new readers, using clear screenshots with visual indicators, and keeping animated demos under 15 seconds. The article distinguishes between release notes (comprehensive technical documentation) and release announcements (marketing-focused summaries of user-facing improvements).
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Release notes are not release announcements 🔗What to feature in a release announcement 🔗Call it “faster” not “less slow” 🔗Briefly introduce your product 🔗No more “various improvements and bugfixes” 🔗Make the most of your screenshots 🔗Keep animated demos short and sweet 🔗Plan your release announcement during development 🔗Real-world examples of compelling release announcements 🔗Summary 🔗Pre-order the bookRevisions 🔗Sort: