How to Write Great Product Release Notes

Product release notes are an essential part of your communication strategy with users. They inform your audience about new features, improvements, bug fixes, and other updates to your product. Writing great release notes is both an art and a science – it requires clarity, conciseness, and a touch of creativity. In this post, we’ll explore how to craft compelling release notes that not only inform but also engage and delight your users.

Understand Your Audience

Before you start writing, consider who will be reading your release notes. Your audience could include:

End Users: Customers who use your product daily.
Stakeholders: Internal teams like sales, marketing, and support.
Developers: Technical users interested in the nitty-gritty details.

Tailoring your content to address the needs and preferences of these different groups will make your release notes more effective.

Structure Your Release Notes

A well-structured release note is easy to read and navigate. Here’s a common format you can follow:

Introduction: A brief summary of the release, highlighting major updates.
New Features: Detailed descriptions of new functionalities.
Improvements: Enhancements to existing features.
Bug Fixes: List of resolved issues.
Known Issues: Any remaining bugs or limitations.
Closing: A thank you note or call-to-action.

Keep It Simple and Clear

Avoid jargon and overly technical language, especially if your audience includes non-technical users. Use simple, straightforward language to explain updates. Here’s a comparison:

Technical Jargon: "Implemented asynchronous data fetching using GraphQL."
Simple Language: "You can now load data faster, thanks to our new data fetching method."

Highlight the Benefits

Focus on the value that updates bring to your users. Instead of just listing changes, explain how these changes improve the user experience. For example:

Before: "Added a new search filter option."
After: "You can now filter search results by date, making it easier to find recent content."

Be Consistent

Consistency in tone, style, and formatting helps build familiarity and trust. Use the same format for each release note to create a seamless reading experience. Consistency also extends to how frequently you publish release notes. Regular updates, even if they are small, keep your users informed and engaged.

Use Visuals

Screenshots, GIFs, and videos can make your release notes more engaging and easier to understand. Visuals are particularly useful for demonstrating new features or changes to the user interface.

Inject Personality

While maintaining professionalism, don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your release notes. A touch of humor or a friendly tone can make your notes more enjoyable to read. For example:

Plain: "Fixed a bug causing crashes on startup."
Personality: "We squashed the pesky bug that was causing startup crashes. Your app should now run smoother than ever!"

Include a Call-to-Action

Encourage users to engage with your product updates by including a call-to-action (CTA). Whether it’s exploring a new feature, providing feedback, or visiting your blog for more details, a CTA can drive user interaction and engagement.

Gather Feedback

Finally, use your release notes as a tool for gathering user feedback. Include a link or contact information for users to share their thoughts on the new updates. This not only helps you improve future releases but also shows your users that their opinions matter.

Writing great product release notes is about more than just listing changes. It's about communicating value, engaging your audience, and building a relationship with your users. By following these tips and best practices, you can create release notes that not only inform but also delight and inspire your users.

Happy writing!