Press releases are a surprisingly effective marketing tool that many companies fail to use. But they shouldn’t be overlooked. Press releases can help you get coverage in the media, drive traffic, and establish thought leadership among your target audience.
Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive compared with other forms of content marketing like blog posts or videos. What exactly is a press release? It’s an official announcement by a company usually about something newsworthy that gets distributed to journalists and others in the media so they can write articles about it and publish them online or in print magazines.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Press releases enhance brand visibility. |
| They provide valuable backlinks for SEO. |
| Press releases help capture media attention. |
| Effective press releases convey newsworthy stories. |
| They establish your brand as an industry authority. |
| Incorporating press releases diversifies content strategy. |
| Press releases can lead to increased website traffic. |
| They foster connections with journalists and influencers. |
| Well-crafted press releases drive audience engagement. |
| Including press releases in content plans boosts impact. |
1. Earned Media Is Optimal
Earned media is a great way to get your message out. It builds trust with your audience and allows you to connect with them in a more personal way, rather than pushing sales pitches at them.
There are lots of ways to do this that go beyond press releases – social media, testimonials, case studies, and so on. Remember: you can use all these tactics in addition to press releases!
Crafting press releases that capture attention and spread like wildfire is an art. Dive into our guide on creating press releases that go viral to learn effective techniques for maximizing your reach.
2. Press Releases Can Establish Thought Leadership
A press release is a great way to establish thought leadership. If you want people to think of your company as an authority in its industry, publishing a press release can help them see that.
Press releases are also an excellent way for companies to show their expertise and knowledge about topics relevant to the industry or market they serve.
For example, if you’re in the tech sector and have just launched a new app or gadget, issuing a press release announcing it will likely lead anyone reading it (who could potentially be interested) straight to your site where they can learn more about what you have created and how it works.
In short: Press releases let people know who you are! Not only do they help build credibility within your target audience but they also allow customers/potential clients/prospects to connect by sharing links across various social media platforms such as Facebook groups.
LinkedIn groups dedicated specifically towards industry professionals who share similar interests like yours.”
3. You’re a Step Ahead of the Competition
“If you’re not writing press releases, you’re a step behind your competitors.
Press releases are an effective way to get your message out there, but they’re also great for getting ahead of the curve.
If you’re the first company in your niche to announce something new or exciting, no one else will likely have thought to do it yet (and even if they did think about it, they probably won’t be able to pull their release together as quickly).
This gives you a huge advantage: when journalists see that someone has already released some news on a subject, they often feel compelled to cover that story themselves.
By releasing a press release first and letting other outlets know about it through social media channels like Twitter and Facebook or simply by sending them links via email you can ensure that journalists covering similar topics will be more receptive when approached by other companies who want attention for their products or services.”
Press releases are a cornerstone of effective content marketing. Discover the 10 benefits of using press release writing services that can help you streamline your campaigns and boost your brand’s visibility.
4. They Gain Links And Drive Traffic To Your Website
Links are the currency of the web. Google has shown us through its algorithm updates that they consider links to be a sign of credibility. Links can also help your website rank better in search engines, which means more people will find it when they search for relevant terms on Google.
If you want to get more traffic to your website, then links are a great way to do it because they bring new traffic each time someone clicks on them from another website or email campaign. If you don’t have any existing content available yet (like blog posts), then writing press releases is an excellent way to start building links and driving traffic back to your site
5. They Do Well In Google News
Google News is a great way to get your press release in front of a lot of people. Not only is it free to submit your press release, but it also helps you achieve high rankings in Google search results. Google News is a great way to get your business’s name out there, especially for those who are just starting and don’t have the budget for paid advertising yet.
The key thing to remember about Google News is that it only accepts 100 percent original articles from major news organizations and bloggers with large followings (sorry!). If you can cut, though, posting your articles here will give them more visibility than they would have otherwise had on their own and just might bring in some new customers!
6. Define Your Brand
Define your brand in the news release.
A press release is a perfect opportunity to define your brand—and the best way to do this is by giving it a voice.
You may be thinking that your product or service already has a distinct voice, but you’ll want to make sure it’s communicated through your content marketing efforts as well.
This means giving your brand a personality and creating an image for it: what does it sound like? What does it look like? Where does it go on social media? What are its favorite jokes? How would you describe its personality if you were introduced to someone new today?
It can also help define your brand if you provide some backstory about how or why it was created: what motivated the founder(s) behind this initiative/organization/service/etc., and where did they get their inspiration from?
It could also be helpful to share any details about how long this project has been around (if applicable), who else works at an agency behind-the-scenes (if applicable), etc., especially if any of these things are relevant both now and moving forward into future content releases.
A successful press release needs the right elements to pack a punch. Learn about the essential components you should include in press releases to get maximum impact and ensure your message resonates with your target audience.
7. Build Positive Reputation
Your reputation is an important part of your brand, and you want it to be positive. It can also help build trust with new customers who may not have heard of your company before.
A good reputation makes people more likely to buy from you because they know that they’ll get what they expect or even more (if you deliver on time and provide excellent customer service). On the other hand, a bad reputation can hurt sales because people think twice about buying from companies that have had problems in the past.
When creating press releases, focus on building your company’s name in the industry as well as within your community. This helps promote goodwill between stakeholders and creates an overall positive experience for everyone involved including readers who receive the press release via email distribution lists!
8. Increase Brand Awareness And Exposure
Press releases are a great way to increase brand awareness, exposure, and recognition.
This is the holy grail of content marketing: when your product or service becomes recognizable enough that people don’t have to think about it or search for it when they need what you’re offering. They just know who you are and come looking for offers from you.
This is why press releases should be in your arsenal of content marketing strategies because they’re an excellent way to increase brand recognition.
9. Expand Reach With Social Media Coverage
Social media is a great way to get your press release in front of a wider audience and get some extra coverage.
The social media post itself can serve as an effective link back to the original press release, but consider posting it directly on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter too (if applicable). If you have the budget for it, I recommend paying for promoted posts on each platform.
10. Grease The Wheels For Pr Professionals
If you want to get a job as a press release writer, the first step is knowing how to write well. You can learn this skill with practice and patience. The freelance market for PR professionals is always booming, so if you’re good at it and have an eye for detail, you should be able to find work easily enough on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer.com.
In addition to being an effective tool for getting your name out there as a content marketer who knows what they’re doing (see tip #4 above), press releases are also great for building up your portfolio and adding some much-needed variety to your writing routine.
You may even choose to include them in one of those fancy-schmancy marketing plans I mentioned earlier just remember that they should never be the centerpiece of any strategy!
11. They’re Great For Internal Communications
Press releases are also a great way to communicate with employees. Press releases can be used to communicate new initiatives, products, and services. They can also be used to introduce new hires or promotions in the organization.
This is especially useful if you want to create buzz around a particular person (e.g., the CEO) who’s being promoted but doesn’t have time for a lot of interviews at this moment in time or if you simply want to announce something without having to make an internal announcement via email/website/etc.
Startups face unique challenges when it comes to PR strategies. Uncover valuable insights and practical advice in our article on 9 tips for writing press releases for startups to help your startup effectively communicate its story.
12. Amplify Research, Surveys, And Reports
One of the best ways to get the word out about your research, surveys, and reports is through a well-written press release.
Press releases are a great way to show off your work and draw the attention of media outlets that are interested in covering stories like yours. It can also help you build credibility as an expert in your field by showing that you’re actively researching topics relevant to your industry.
It’s important to remember that these articles aren’t just meant for journalists they can be used as content on your website or distributed via social media channels too!
Whether distributing your press release through a professional distribution service or free through online news sites, press releases can be an incredibly cost-effective way to extend your reach.
Whether distributing your press release through a professional distribution service or free through online news sites, press releases can be an incredibly cost-effective way to extend your reach.
Press releases are written to be picked up by various media outlets. They are sent out in bulk and contain information about a company’s product or service as well as contact information for someone who can be reached for more information if needed. Once picked up by the media, this information is used to publish articles about what’s happening in your industry.
This article serves as an introduction to press releases and explains why they should be part of any content marketing strategy:
Should you charge for your press releases or offer them for free? This decision can have a significant impact on your reach. Delve into the debate with our exploration of 12 reasons why your press release should be free, and find the best strategy for your goals.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you should be using press releases as part of your content marketing strategy. Whether it’s to increase brand awareness, establish thought leadership or drive traffic to your website, press releases can be an incredibly cost-effective way for businesses to get their message out there.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to enhance your understanding of press release writing and its impact on content marketing campaigns:
What Can Press Releases Do for Your Content Marketing Campaign? Learn how press releases can contribute to the success of your content marketing efforts by reaching a wider audience and generating valuable attention.
8 Characteristics of a Successful Press Release Discover the essential elements that make a press release effective, including tips on crafting attention-grabbing headlines and compelling content.
Press Release Definition, Types, and Examples Get a comprehensive overview of press releases, including different types, formats, and real-world examples to guide your writing strategy.
FAQs
What are the key components of a successful press release?
A successful press release should include a newsworthy angle, a captivating headline, a concise and informative body, relevant quotes, and the contact information of the spokesperson.
How can press releases benefit my content marketing campaign?
Press releases can enhance your content marketing efforts by increasing brand visibility, improving SEO through backlinks, and generating interest from media outlets and potential customers.
Are there specific characteristics that define a well-crafted press release?
Yes, a well-crafted press release has characteristics like clarity, relevance, conciseness, an engaging tone, a compelling narrative, and a strong call-to-action.
What types of press releases can I create for my business?
There are various types of press releases, such as product launches, company announcements, event promotions, expert opinions, and success stories, each catering to different goals.
How do press releases contribute to my brand’s authority and credibility?
Press releases, when distributed to reputable media outlets, can establish your brand as an authoritative source in your industry, thereby enhancing credibility and trust among your audience.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.