How to Submit a Web Press Release
Online Releases Bring Big Publicity to Online Businesses
Online press releases are submitted in a very different way than the traditional print press release.
Web press releases are generally not released to print markets via fax. They are either sent directly to a few selected online media outlets, released to a press release submission site, or both. If the release is sent directly to websites or news agencies that run online news, they are usually emailed to a specific email address that is dedicated to them.
Larger sites will have a page just for PR and media personnel to find the correct contact numbers and email addresses. This may be labeled "Press" or "Inquiries." Smaller websites may simply have a contact page with an email address or two. If that’s all they have available, use those to submit the press release.
Copy and paste a press release unless a site's press page asks specifically for attachments. Most companies will not open an attachment from an unknown source. To make the release more likely to be read, contact a company in advance via telephone to find out the best email address to send the press release to.
Press Release Distribution
To submit a Web press release to one of the many sites devoted to publishing press releases, follow that site’s directions. Each site has its own specific press release format that they require of each release before it can be submitted to them. That can mean making a few small changes to the same release several times to make it acceptable to several different sites.
One of the biggest and best-known press release distribution sites is PRWeb. The site has allows distribution of press releases that fit the PRWeb template, and they also offer press release writing services for companies that don't already have one. Other submission sites include PRLog and eReleases.com.
Benefits of Online Press Releases
When a press release is submitted to a site like PRWeb, the links contained in the press release will count as backlinks for the site being advertised. This can help sites to get a higher pagerank and come up earlier in search engine queries. And if the release is reprinted many times by many different sites, that's more backlinks for the site.
Media outlets and other sites with an interest in news get email alerts when press releases are submitted in categories that they've selected. This allows them to look at new online releases and see which ones are relevant to their own site. The best, most relevant ones are reprinted on their sites, or a news story or blog post is written that's based on the release. This means yet more backlinks as well as more publicity for the site.
When a major site picks up a release, it's granted instant credibility and worldwide recognition. That's the type of advertising that isn't for sale, and it's what every press release writer is hoping to attract.
Related article: How to Write Online Press Releases
