Press Release Distribution queries - How to? /free sites

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by AndrewDD, Feb 18, 2008.

  1. #1
    Hi
    My company is looking at distributing some press releases for our products, and i hope i can ask a couple of quick questions here:
    1. We're looking at using a couple of press release services (PRNewswire and PRweb) plus wiring services (BusinessWire and MarketWire), plus some free press release sites. Do we need to write different press releases for each one? Or is it ok to use the same one? I don't want to cause problems with having the same text repeated again and again.
    2. Because I am new at this, I'm wondering if it would be smart to submit only one release (say PRNewswire), sit back a little, see what happens, and then decide to continue with the others, if it's worth it. Is this sensible? or can i submit to a few sites all at once?
    3. Also, can anybody recommend some worthy free press release sites that have assisted you in the past?

    BTW, thank you to everybody for the posts at the following thread http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?p=6226080#post6226080
    It really gave me great insight into press releases.

    Thanks for your help. Andrew
     
    AndrewDD, Feb 18, 2008 IP
  2. selfstyledexpert

    selfstyledexpert Peon

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    #2
    This one is old but I still use it.

    http://www.stuntdubl.com/2005/07/11/pr-tools/

    If you rewrite the press release for each individual service, you can do a stupid google trick and hold several positions in the top ten of Google News simultaneously, but its impact is negligible, probably, to your overall business goals.

    I would reverse your strategy a bit and try to ue several free services first, and see if you are happy with that. If not, rewrite it and give prweb $80.
     
    selfstyledexpert, Feb 18, 2008 IP
  3. MavenofMarketing

    MavenofMarketing Peon

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    #3
    I don't think it's necessary to submit it over and over again. Usually 1-2 sites will be fine, or pony up and use a paid service. Submitting the same release is preferred, anything else just looks spammy. Here's a list of free and paid sites: http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/pressreleases.html

    I use Pr.com.
     
    MavenofMarketing, Feb 18, 2008 IP
  4. AndrewDD

    AndrewDD Member

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    #4
    Thanks for the advice and for the lists of possible sites to use. There are definitely a lot of options - hard to know which ones to go for.
    I've checked out PR.com and i reckon i'll start there as a free service. They also have a second option which costs you. MavenofMarketin - when you use PR.com do you use the just the free option?
    I reckon i'll just use the free option and then when i want to fork out some cash i'll head to either PRweb or PRnewswire and try to benefit from their reach and reputation.
     
    AndrewDD, Feb 19, 2008 IP
  5. mac

    mac Peon

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    #5
    For what it's worth, a good friend of mine is in marketing (although new to online stuff) and has used prweb a couple times with really good results, as in several thousand visitors in a couple days. She wasn't promoting products per se, but one thing she did do was have a 'click here for more info' link.
     
    mac, Feb 19, 2008 IP
  6. MavenofMarketing

    MavenofMarketing Peon

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    #6
    Yes, I use the free services and then I send my release to my press list, each individually.


     
    MavenofMarketing, Feb 19, 2008 IP
  7. AndrewDD

    AndrewDD Member

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    #7
    Thanks Robin. Just out of curiosity, how did you form your press list? I'm assuming you don't send every release to every journalist you know, but rather select the appropriate newspapers, magazines, and journalists for a particular release. And consequently you have a relevant and appropriate list.
    Is there a way of finding the best contacts for your particular industry in order to form an appropriate press list? Or is this something you have built over the years of contacting the media?
    Thanks heaps
     
    AndrewDD, Feb 20, 2008 IP