For a new web startup, what is your opinion on purchasing press coverage via sponsored articles, pay per review etc. is it worth it. Or should you rely on organic coverage.
Organic coverage would be best. The problem is your site would have to be really good (special) to get it.
Purchasing press coverage is normal and everyone does that when they first started in order to get the maximum exposure for their website. Organic coverage only happen if you have established in the niche or if you have something extremely good to offer.
Media is the best thing. If you have a friend lawyer, you can try to get sued by a well known corporation in your industry. For something really small but carefully crafted by you can skyrocket your PR if done properly. I hear this is the cheapest media advertisement for its results. If you have low budget and don't know any good lawyers, its not really suggested, but if you do then its the best to create your own media buzz and lawsuits are covered in all medias including the internet. Press Coverage is expensive and if you generate buzz then its free for you (well you pay the lawsuit but your lawyer can give you rough estimate on its costs, which compared to you buying coverages is times less Cheers, Venetsian.
LoL Venetsian, sounds like a plan actually, my cusin is a lawyer at one of the top firms in T.O but i doubt he'd go for something like that, although that makes total sense. What is boils down to in the end is either you've got the next twitter or else you have to be a s*&t disturber.
In my opinion I would not go with press coverage first. First I would go for some article marketing such as submitting a number of articles per week to article directories. Then answering some Yahoo answer questions with some related information and a link to your site in the source and to follow this off do some link exchanges. Once your site is able to make enough cash to buy a press coverage of your site then go for it.
Sound advice David, funny thing i was watching TV last night and a commercial came on for a simmilar service for business' that charges like 50 bucks per month. I'm thinking that perhaps I can write some articles comparing the two services, and how smb's can save that money by using my free service.
If your website is truly press worth go with online press releases. If you would like a hundred of them you can use this link>> http://www.basic-directory.com/free_press_release_sites_list.html and if you would like to learn how to write press releases then go here http://www.prwebdirect.com/pressreleasetips.php the hundred press releases in the first link are mainly free.