When you want to share your news with the world, it can sometimes seem difficult to determine the exact steps to take. Selecting the right press release distribution service will help you communicate your key messages to your target audience.
This guide will cover what a press release service does, what features they typically offer, and what to look for when choosing a press release distribution service for your business.
Recommended: We recommend eReleases if you want a well-written and widely distributed press release to help funnel in more customers and increase revenue for your business.
PRESS RELEASE GUIDE:
- How Press Release Distribution Services Help Your Business
- Why Use a Press Release Distribution Service?
- What You Should Know About Press Release Distribution Services
- How to Choose a Press Release Distribution Service
- How Else Can I Use a Press Release Service?
- Final Recap
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
How Press Release Distribution Services Help Your Business
Given the increasing importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for a business’s success, press release distribution services can help increase your company’s brand awareness. In addition, with 34% of US adults preferring to get their news online, a press release distribution service can ensure your news reaches a broader audience.
Press Release Distribution Services:
- Send your content to mass media networks.
- Write and/or edit your releases for you, if desired.
- Provide detailed reports about the audience you reached with your release.
Read our Best Press Release Distribution Service 2021 review to find the right press release distribution for your business’s specific needs.
Why Use a Press Release Distribution Service?
A professional distribution service can help ensure your press releases reach the right reporters at relevant media outlets. These services also employ experienced editors who can review your releases before distribution to ensure they don’t contain any formatting errors or typos.
Key Benefits of Using a Press Release Distribution Service:
- They send your press releases to major news outlets and social media platforms.
- They provide audience and demographic tracking for your release.
- They often provide writing and editing services as well.
What You Should Know About Press Release Distribution Services
Press release distribution services take your newsworthy content and broadcast it to the masses through various distribution networks. Each company has its own way of handling distribution and can, therefore, charge different fees based on the features it offers.
Look for a Press Release Service With:
- Positive customer reviews
- Access to a broad range of media outlets
- A proven track record of published releases reaching relevant reporters
How to Choose a Press Release Distribution Service
With so many companies offering press release distribution services, it can seem challenging to pick the right one for your business. To help you make an informed decision, start by outlining your business’s specific needs and press release goals.
Tips for Choosing a Press Release Distribution Service:
- Determine the length and scope of your press release. Consider the target audience you want to reach, the type of media outlets that serve that audience, and if the company can access those outlets.
- Establish a budget. Each company offers different price points so your budget will directly impact which service can best meet your needs.
- Shop around. Look for a press release distribution service that offers the distribution features you want while still allowing you to stay within your budget.
How Else Can I Use a Press Release Distribution Service?
Many press release distribution services offer a lot more than simple distribution. Plenty of companies now offer press release writing services, enabling you to hand off both the creation and distribution of your announcements.
Additional Press Release Services May Include:
- Detailed press release performance tracking to provide insights on your target audience and their level of engagement
- Distribution of releases to major social media platforms to boost your online presence
- Distribution of releases to online search engines to promote increased content indexing
Final Recap
Press release distribution services exist to broadcast your content to a large pool of relevant media outlets via their digital distribution networks. Using a press release distribution service will help ensure your news reaches the reporters most likely to have an interest in covering your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do press release distribution services charge?
Each press release distribution company has its own pricing system based on the services it offers. Basic press release distribution can cost between $20 and $200, depending on the specific features you want. There’s no standard price for press release distribution because each company maintains its own network of media outlets and editors as well as different service offerings.
Will a press release distribution service write my press release for me?
While the specific offerings of press release distribution services can vary, many provide writing services. Some companies include writing and/or editorial support in their distribution packages for no additional cost while others will provide writing services for an additional fee. Most companies that offer writing services will develop the entire press release to ensure it meets SEO and other editorial standards.
Will a press release distribution service post my releases to my social media accounts?
Most, if not all, press release distribution services will avoid physically posting releases to your social media accounts on your behalf due to privacy considerations and technological feasibility. But, these services often will give you a link to your distributed release that you can then share across those channels. Many of these distribution services also will share your press release via their own social media accounts on platforms like Twitter®, Reddit™, and Facebook®.
What type of media outlets do press release distribution services issue content to?
Most press release distribution services will digitally distribute your release to a range of media organizations, including wire services like The Associated Press as well as online outlets like Google News™ and broadcast networks like ABC. Each company has its own distribution network and media relationships, so make sure you check a service’s distribution list(s) before selecting a press release distribution package.
Will I be able to track my press release?
Press release distribution companies offer different reporting and analytical services. Some will provide a list of each media placement based on your press release as well as its overall viewership and audience demographics. Nearly all of these services will send you a report that outlines all of your press release’s links and placements.
What is a press release?
A press release is a brief statement that features a news announcement about — or from — an organization. Companies and other organizations use press releases to announce new product launches, earnings reports, management changes, and more. Press releases make it easier for journalists and news outlets to learn about potential news items to inform their reporting.
How do you end a press release?
The last section of a press release should include your press contact information. Specifically, it should feature your press contact name(s), phone number(s), and email address(es).
How should you structure a press release?
Press releases typically contain six parts organized as follows:
- The issuing organization’s logo along with its location and the date
- An attention-grabbing headline
- A succinct introduction with a strong lede statement
- Three paragraphs of body content (in descending order of importance)
- The organization’s boilerplate content
- The press release contact information
Where do you send press releases?
Organizations distribute their press releases to relevant media contacts. This includes newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television networks, and online news sites, among others.
If you don’t want to spend your time tracking down relevant media outlets, submit your press releases to a press release distribution service like eReleases. Many of these distribution services also will offer to write your press releases. This can save you even more time and help ensure your company issues professionally written releases more likely to appeal to reporters.
Should I send a press release as a Microsoft Word Doc or PDF file?
Never send a press release as a PDF file. PDFs can prove challenging to format and likely will reduce the chance of a journalist reading and reporting on your news.
Instead, submit your press release to a press release distribution service as a Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) file.
If you plan to send your release directly to a reporter, copy and paste its content directly into your email rather than including an attachment. Why? Most reporters dislike attachments because they can easily clog up their inboxes.
Do press releases work?
Yes, press releases do work. They also provide many benefits.
Besides the obvious benefit of sharing corporate news with media outlets to promote potential coverage, press releases also help businesses improve their search engine optimization (SEO) rankings and brand recognition. In addition, they can help companies increase sales and market share as well as enhance their credibility.
Press releases also can serve as a tool for mitigating negative media coverage. Public relations firms often use them to help their clients improve their reputations.