Mastering Release Notes: Best Practices and Examples

All good product managers know that a product incorporates a lot of steps, hence the need for management to begin with. Building a project is but one step in the entire process. The product manager also should keep the user informed about updates, using release notes. More than simply providing information, release notes connect your team with users.

What are release notes? Even more, why are they important? Let’s look into this tool in more detail.

What Are Release Notes?

Release notes are a summary of all changes made to the product after the launch. No software remains static, especially with team innovations and customer feedback. Release notes are instrumental in tracking these changes. It includes new features, any necessary bug fixes, and other improvements.

A release note is a technical document, often accompanying the unveiling of a new product or its update. It follows several channels, including emails, in-app notifications, and blog posts.

Who Writes Release Notes?

Product managers are usually responsible for writing release notes, as they have the expertise. Their position at the center of all involved departments also offers a good angle to write these notes. Additionally, the product manager is responsible for both the product development and release.

However, product managers are not the only writers of release notes. Technical writers, content marketers, and the Chief Marketing Officer are other professionals who write release notes.

Why Should I Write Release Notes?

The release note is important, not just as a random email sent to users. It offers a mirror into the work done by the development team and keeps your customers integrated in the entire process. Below are some reasons you should write release notes:

• Release notes make feature adoption easy. The explanation inscribed in these notes opens users to the necessity of new features, making them willing to embrace and explore.

• They build trust in customers who witness the commitment of the team. Everyone loves progress, and customers develop more confidence in the product when they view this progress. In this way, release notes portray improvement.

• Release notes enhance the user experience by guiding them on using the product or new features. They’d appreciate the clarity, be more satisfied, and also become more likely to become regular.

Is Writing Release Notes a Marketing Activity?

Although they function as a communication tool, release notes also double as a marketing strategy. For starters, release notes create awareness of the released product or update, as well as any new features. They also keep customers interested and complement other marketing campaigns.

Because of its marketing side, the content of a release note matters. It should also be approached as a strategic tool to acquire and retain customers, not mere writing.

What To Include in Release Notes?

The release note contains major changes to the product, as well as other details a reader might need. These details include bug fixes, UI updates, team credits, titles, relevant links, and explanations.

Bug fixes cover any resolved issues on the product, while UI updates notify of changes to the interface. Team credit acknowledges everyone involved in the development and growth of the product. Titles, relevant links, and explanations place meat on each release note. The content makes user communication better.

How Often Should I Write Release Notes?

You’d be mistaken to consider release notes a one-time process. Every significant product change should be accompanied by a release note explaining the change. Users deserve to be kept in the loop to remain assured. Changes can affect their interaction with the product, increasing the need for clarification.

Rather than settle for random releases, managers should opt for a fixed schedule. You determine the pace for your team and brand, but it can be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

Release Notes Best Practices

To write impactful notes, there are some practices anyone can shape to their taste and implement. They include:

• Use visuals for better attention.

• Aim for precision, transparency, and clarity.

• Organize and divide the content into sections.

• Highlight all key changes

• Structure the updates for easier exploration.

• Acknowledge any bug fix

• Like the “next on...” of a series, hint at forthcoming updates.

Check our guide to release notes best practices for more insights.

Great Examples of Release Notes

The release note is a common tool, and many companies have created excellent release notes from which you can find inspiration. Some examples are Frill.co ,Telegram, Slack, and GitHub. Our collection of changelog examples provides more ideas.

Telegram opts for simple and concise release notes, listing out the updates and then providing information. Though simple, it contains enough information to satisfy curious minds. Slack incorporates humor yet maintains a good structure. GitHub both provides information and serves as an educational tool. All three and more are opportunities to learn.

How To Share Your Release Notes

The next step after creating a release note is to share it using the right channels. Several channels are available, like email newsletters, hosted pages, live-chat announcements, and release notes widgets.

Email newsletters are delivered directly to the customers’ inboxes, which is more effective for an audience that continually uses their emails. Hosted pages are often displayed on the company’s websites, but they can be attached to newsletters or linked to a FAQ page. Live chat announcements are convenient for reaching customers in real-time.

These channels and more can keep users informed about your progress. For more help, you can explore our tools for managing product announcements.

Wrap-Up: Start Writing Great Release Notes

Release notes are an integral part of the product development process, both for the team and customers. Team members are motivated by release notes tracking the progress, and customers build more trust in the company. You should write release notes because of its benefits, including its place in marketing strategies. Following the best practices and the right channels, your release note both provides information and benefits your business.

Switch to practical mode today. Armed with the impact of a release note, practices, examples, and more, make the best release note for your product. For more templates and examples, see our post on release notes templates.