Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

What Press Distribution Service Do You Use?

Posted by Anonymous on 9/20/2009 at 1:53 PM ET 25 Points
I've been using PRWeb for 2 years. The results are ok. I was wondering if anyone has used other similar services that they would call "great". Or if you're using PRWeb, have you found certain strategies to make a big impact on distribution?
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  • Posted by Gail@PUBLISIDE on 9/20/2009 at 1:58 PM Member
    Personally, I'm not a big fan of any of the distribution services. Even if you pay for a service that says reporters have opted into its feeds, I've discovered that such is not always the case.

    You'll get better coverage by establishing relationships with target media and pitching to them directly. Also, don't underestimate the power of social media to be read by the media you're working to attract.
  • Posted on 9/20/2009 at 3:20 PM Author
    Well that's true Gail. I've seen PRWeb as a part of our social media plan - it helps build links and drives traffic to our website. I just wonder if there are other services that get better reach.

    I haven't had any luck with pitching media directly. Well at least not on any major plane...some bloggers yes!
  • Posted by sl/fc on 9/20/2009 at 9:05 PM Member
    The concept of spreading the news by 360 degree spray is a non-sense. the true impact of pr is made when you actually relate to the media, editors and all the power to be AND truly understanding the audience these medium serve.

    it is not the wire service; it is how you define the audience and delivering what they are interested in. Start developing relationships, if you are in that business. if not, leave the work to professionals.

    please forgive me if i am preaching what you already know.
  • Posted on 9/21/2009 at 5:16 AM Author
    CLARIFICATION: MY QUESTION should read: Which ONLINE press release distribution service do you use?

    If you do NOT use one such as PRWeb - please don't answer the question b/c you are not my target audience. Thank you so much!!! :)
  • Posted on 9/21/2009 at 8:46 AM Accepted
    Kimberly,

    I have used both PRWeb and Business Wire. My focus is to include SEO and Social Media and I found better results with PRWeb.

    I wrote a post for the Daily Fix (MarketingProfs' blog) on some of my findings: https://www.mpdailyfix.com/2008/11/the_social_media_release_from.html

    As well, PRWeb is inexpensive compared to other wire services that offer similar features. But perhaps that's not a consideration over reach.

    I have also used PitchEngine for pure social media releases, but as you know, the news goes nowhere unless someone picks it up and shares it.

    Marketwire has also been doing a lot in the "SEO/SM" space, but I haven't used them.

    Good luck! I'd love to hear how you make out... [Following you on Twitter now ;-) ]

    Best,
    Beth Harte
    Community Manager, MarketingProfs
    @bethharte
  • Posted by Mandy Vavrinak on 9/21/2009 at 9:24 AM Accepted
    Kimberly,

    I have had some luck with pitchengine, especially if one of your goals is driving interested traffic to your web site. I tend to use pitchengine as more of a way to build a comprehensive release (nice to be able to include photos, links, video, call out highlights, etc.) and then send the link along with a brief pitch to my relevant contacts via e-mail.
    Means no sending attachments, which my media contacts hate and I get to tell way more of the story while still keeping the main release short and topical.
    I tweet the link, facebook it, post it to LinkedIn, as well.
    Have had some success this way, and pitchengine is free. Optimizing it well with keywords (you can tag your release) and using the top facts and headline fields smartly really helps, too.

    Best :)
    --
    Mandy Vavrinak
    @Mandy_Vavrinak
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