Here are some of the benefits you can expect from using well-written press releases as a promotional tool:
- Press releases can maximize your reach both in traditional media and new media: You can send your press releases out to local, industry and other targeted publications to attract the attention of traditional (i.e. offline) media. You can also submit your releases to online distribution sites to maximize your visibility in new media (i.e. online) outlets. Tomorrow’s post will provide a list of online press release distribution sites.
- Press releases are inexpensive: Many times, press releases cost nothing but time. Of course, you can pay for enhanced online submissions or mail your releases out with samples and other supporting information, but if you submit your release to free online distribution sites or send them out to traditional media, it requires very little investment.
- There are considerable SEO benefits from online press releases: If you take time to write a well-formatted and effective press release, it will contain targeted keywords, links and very specific information about your business. When your release is distributed online, many web sites, news and search engines will pick it up and it will increase your visibility dramatically.
- A good press release can enhance your credibility: If you consistently write and submit relevant and well-timed press releases, they can quickly increase your exposure and brand name recognition among your target audience. Plus, you can create a media section on your web site where you can list your releases as news items. You can even develop a media kit that contains your releases and other information on your business that interested parties can download.
Here is a list of 15 press release distribution sites:
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1888PressRelease.com: A free and paid service that provides a number of options, including distribution outlets, visibility and tracking statistics.
- 24-7 Press Release: A free and paid service with varying formatting and distribution options.
- Business Wire: A paid service (requires membership) that will distribute your press release to geographic, trade and industry media, and search engines.
- Express Press Release: A paid service that includes distribution to state-based sites, industry-specific blogs and a PR forum.
- i-Newswire: A free service that will allow you to submit one release per week to a global audience.
- Media Syndicate: A free service that focuses on distributing press releases for small and medium sized businesses.
- PR Leap: A paid service that distributes releases to all major search engines, newswires and websites.
- PR Newswire: A paid service (requires membership) that will submit your release to a number of outlets, including newsrooms, bloggers, financial portals, social media networks, web sites, and search engines.
- PR Urgent News: A free and paid service that allows up to three live links, targeted keywords and a thumbnail image with each release.
- PR.com: A free and paid service that provides an option that includes a full company profile in addition to distributing your release.
- PRBuzz.com: A paid service that distributes press releases to online news sites and blogs.
- PRLog: A free service that allows you to include HTML links in the press release body, creates a PDF version of your release and allows you to submit to specific categories.
- PRWeb: A paid service that distributes your site to numerous sites and lets you track and analyze results.
- SBWire: A paid service that allows you to submit releases for geographical and industry targeting. They also distribute your releases via RSS to numerous third party sites.
- The Open Press: A free and paid service that distributes press releases to numerous websites, blogs and RSS feeds.
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