Submitting press releases can be easy. You can quickly share your news with the public and media by following a few steps.
We will talk about creating a great press release and the best ways to submit it in this article. No matter if you own a small business or work in PR, knowing how to submit press releases well will help you get noticed by more people.
Let’s start and make submitting press releases a simple task!
Submitting Press Releases Made Easy
When submitting press releases, remember to include the following key elements:
- A compelling story
- Relevant news
- A clear call to action
- Contact information for journalists and editors
Formatting is essential. A standard press release format consists of:
- Headline
- Dateline
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
- Boilerplate
- Contact information
Choosing the right press release distribution service is crucial. Look for services that:
- Target your audience
- Offer media contact lists
- Provide link tracking
- Verify copyrights
- Avoid sending spam to journalists
By following these tips and adding visuals, exclusive data, and product information to your press release submission, you can capture the attention of media outlets and enhance coverage for your announcement or publication.
Press Release Submission Methods
Crafting Your Press Release
A well-crafted press release should include:
- A compelling story.
- A relevant news angle.
- Contact information for journalists.
- A strong headline to grab attention.
Visuals, like images and videos, can enhance a press release:
- By providing additional context.
- By engaging the audience.
Keeping a press release brief and to the point is important:
- To help journalists and editors quickly grasp the key points.
To ensure media outlets pay attention:
- Avoid unnecessary details.
- Focus on the most newsworthy aspects.
Using a press release distribution service:
- Can target specific journalists and media outlets.
- Ensures wider coverage and increases publication chances.
A well-formatted press release:
- With attention-grabbing visuals.
- With concise content.
Can effectively communicate a story to the public:
- Generating media coverage.
Choosing the Right Press Release Distribution Service
When choosing a press release distribution service, businesses should consider multiple factors.
First, evaluate the target audience to make sure the service connects with relevant media outlets.
Assess the format options offered, such as including images, copyright options, and the ability to add visuals for engagement.
Look for services that provide a list of journalists to pitch the story directly.
To gauge the service’s effectiveness, monitor the coverage and attention the press releases get.
Check where the press release is published, if it includes exclusive data, and the media outlets covering it.
Make sure the service provides a media contact for inquiries and links back to the company’s website.
By reviewing these points, businesses can customize their press releases for maximum impact and effective audience reach.
Submitting Your Press Release to Online Submission Sites
When submitting a press release to online submission sites, there are several steps to consider.
- Ensure your press release is in the proper format. This includes a catchy headline, engaging content, and visuals like images to grab the media’s attention.
- Make sure you have the necessary copyright for any images or content used in the press release.
- Create a list of reputable online submission sites that target your specific audience and industry.
- Contact journalists, reporters, and editors directly to pitch your story and provide a link to your press release.
- Avoid spamming media contacts with irrelevant content.
To ensure effective distribution:
- Use a press release distribution service or newswire that has connections with various media outlets.
- Target specific online press and media outlets that align with your target audience and newsworthiness of your story.
- Provide exclusive data or information in your press release to attract media coverage.
When choosing online submission sites:
- Consider the credibility and reach of the platform.
- Assess the potential for your announcement to be published by reputable publications.
By following these key considerations, you can increase the chances of your press release gaining attention and coverage through online submission sites.
Pitching Your Press Release to Journalists
Crafting a Compelling Pitch Email
Crafting a compelling pitch email for a press release involves including key elements:
- A catchy subject line.
- A concise and engaging story angle.
- Relevant images with proper copyright.
- A clear call-to-action or link to the press release.
Visuals play a crucial role in capturing journalists’ attention, making emails more visually appealing, and effectively conveying the press release’s main message. Tailoring pitch emails to specific journalists and their interests is vital. Personalizing the pitch to suit the recipient’s preferences increases the chances of getting coverage. This customization shows a genuine effort to provide valuable content, rather than generic emails that may end up in spam folders.
Sending Your Press Release to Relevant Journalists
When sending your press release to journalists, first find the right ones for your story. Do this by checking what stories they cover, their beats, and where they write.
To make your pitches more personalized, refer to their past work, use relevant visuals or data, and show how your story fits their coverage area.
After sending the release, follow up with a polite email, offer more info or visuals, or make a quick call to gauge interest.
Respectful and professional communication is crucial for building relationships with journalists and getting media coverage for your press release.
Including Visuals to Enhance Your Press Release
Visuals like images, graphs, charts, and infographics are great for press releases because they catch the reader’s eye.
Make sure visuals are properly sourced and have copyright permissions.
Visuals should complement the story without taking away from the main content.
Provide direct links for high-resolution image downloads via mail and email when sending press releases.
Relevant, engaging visuals increase the chances of press release coverage in publications and gain attention from media outlets and audiences.
Formatting Your Press Release for Success
Incorporating Keywords for SEO Optimization
In press releases, including keywords is important for SEO.
It helps the press release show up in search results when users look for related terms.
To do this effectively:
- Make a list of targeted keywords to include in the press release.
- Use variations of the main keyword.
- Consider where and how often to place keywords to avoid being labeled as spam.
Journalists often use search engines to find stories.
So, optimizing keywords is crucial for reaching media contacts.
Using a reputable press release service can boost visibility, leading to more coverage.
Adding visuals, exclusive data, and a media contact can make the release more appealing to journalists.
Keeping Your Press Release Brief and to the Point
Crafting a press release should be brief and clear. Stick to essential details related to the news. Here are some tips for staying concise:
- Create a catchy headline.
- Summarize main points in the first paragraph.
- Use bullet points or lists for key information.
Avoid unnecessary details to keep the main message clear. Focus on newsworthy aspects and provide visuals like images. This helps grab media outlets’ and audiences’ attention. Keep content relevant and targeted to increase coverage chances and prevent being labeled spam.
Examples of Successful Press Release Submissions
Success Stories from Small Business PR Outreach
Small businesses have found success by using press release submission methods.
They create newsworthy stories and share them with journalists and editors.
This helps them reach their target audience effectively.
By sending email pitches and using mailing lists, they get the attention of media outlets and get coverage.
They also use visuals and exclusive data to attract media interest.
They make sure to keep copyright and avoid being seen as spam, building strong relationships with journalists.
Platforms like eReleases offer press release distribution services to help small businesses connect with the right media contacts.
Sharing their stories professionally has helped small businesses generate positive publicity and increase brand awareness.
Choosing the Right Format for Your Press Release
Selecting the Best Newswire for Press Release Distribution
Selecting a newswire for press release distribution involves considering factors like reach and audience demographics.
It’s important to think about the target market and the content type. Also, the format, including visuals like images or data, can affect distribution success.
Copyright and exclusivity of the content must be considered to avoid legal problems. Having a newswire with a good list of media contacts is crucial for attention and coverage.
Spamming should be avoided. Providing newsworthy content increases the chances of media outlets picking up the story.
A well-planned distribution strategy that aligns with PR goals and target audience is key to successful media coverage.
Final thoughts
Press releases can be easy to submit by following these simple steps:
Identify the target audience and the purpose of the press release.
Craft a newsworthy story with all relevant information in a concise and engaging way.
Choose the right distribution channels and follow each platform’s guidelines.
Proofread the press release carefully for accuracy and professionalism.
By following these steps, submitting press releases can be a smooth and effective process.
FAQ
What are the benefits of submitting press releases?
Submitting press releases can increase brand visibility, attract new customers, and enhance your company’s reputation. It can also drive traffic to your website, improve SEO, and generate media coverage. Additionally, press releases can help you announce new products, services, or business updates efficiently.
How do I submit a press release?
You can submit a press release by emailing it to relevant media outlets or using online press release distribution services like PR Newswire or Business Wire. Make sure to include a catchy headline, newsworthy content, contact information, and relevant images or multimedia.
Is there a cost associated with submitting a press release?
Yes, there may be a cost associated with submitting a press release, especially on reputable newswires like PR Newswire or Business Wire. Prices can vary based on distribution reach and additional services, like multimedia attachments or priority placement.
Can I include images or videos in my press release?
Yes, you can include images or videos in your press release to make it more engaging and visually appealing. Examples of visuals you can include are logos, product photos, event footage, and customer testimonials.
What is the typical turnaround time for press release distribution?
The typical turnaround time for press release distribution is usually within 24-48 hours after submission. However, some distribution services offer same-day distribution for an additional fee.