Get FREE Publicity For Your Website, Product, Service, Event or Book!
Let Me Distribute Your Press Release To the Mass Media -- Radio, TV, Newspapers, Magazines, and Major Internet News Search Engines!
What's the best press release distribution method?
Should you use Fax? Mail? Phone? E-Mail?
 Claim Your FREE Publicity Analysis!
Click Here To Fill Out a Brief Form with Details about Your Project. I'll Outline Several Ways To Get Your Story In The News and Jump Start Your Publicity Campaign! No Cost or Obligation Whatsoever.
Or, if you prefer, call 724-799-4312. I'll answer all your questions and provide facts and figures. There's no obligation and certainly no pressure.
Over the years, many clients have asked me how to distribute a press release. As a result, I've gained a tremendous amount of insight into distribution issues by tracking my own results, as well as listening to feedback from my clients.
Free Editors List
I'll start by letting you know that one way to get a list of editors for your press release distribution absolutely FREE is to visit your local library. Just find the names and addresses in whatever reference books they have on hand, such as:
- Working Press of the Nation
- Bacon's Publicity Checker
- Gebbie's All-In-One Directory
- Standard Rate and Data
You could buy the books, but they would cost hundreds of dollars. Or rent mailing lists for one time use from the above sources. But any list is going to be largely out of date (media types change jobs every 30 minutes).
Don't want to create your own press release distribution list from scratch? You can save time by working with a pre-built database such as Bacon's Media Source or Media Map. But these programs cost over $1,000.
Snail Mail Press Releases
There is still a stable group of media who insists on receiving media kits and books. They basically say that while the fax or e-mail news release may wet their appetite, the electronic methods lack "the personality" that "the real thing" provides. To get these media to bite, it has to be "in vivo". But as first-class postage rates go up, this can be cost prohibitive when you're trying to reach hundreds or thousands of editors.
Faxing Press Releases
Some publications prefer faxed news releases to mailed ones. Others have trouble distributing faxes inside of their organization, so many are just tossed away. But if your news is urgent or if it's close to the editor's deadline, go ahead fax in your release.
They (newspaper journalists not covering a local beat) tend to look to the newswires for hard news, not for book information and feature stories. The number one news wire is the Associated Press, followed by Knight-Ridder, Times-Tribune, and a host of others. There are over 400 news services and syndicates in the US.
E-mailing Press Releases
E-mail is becoming the preferred way to receive media releases. E-mail releases are more likely to be read than faxes and faster than snail mail. Of course some publications are more Internet and e-mail savvy than others. While others refuse to enter the new age of electronic commerce.
Collect e-mail addresses for your preferred media contacts from the web sites for publications and broadcast outlets. Many newspapers list e-mail addresses of their editors, columnists and reporters at their web sites. They may also print e-mail addresses in each section of the newspaper.
Meeting in Person
If you get to meet with them in person, make it memorable! Bring enough media kits, review copies and samples for a small army, so that you create a buzz that lingers in the office days after you are gone. And the best way to make a great and long lasting impression is to:
BRING GOOD FOOD!
These folks are often stressed out office hounds. They are starved for tension release and a great inner office experience.
They feel forever indebted to you for feeding them, especially if it's unique and high quality, or home made. Bring enough to have a small office party. The news streaks across the newsroom faster than lightening, and voila - you have an audience of five to ten key editors! And it's show time! Try it!
So what this means is that any one trying to get publicity must use as many means as they can possibly afford, and plan it out systematically.
But, which method yields the most publicity?
Learn From My Press Release Distribution Tactics
I have placed hundreds of stories in major media nationwide ,including:
Working Mother Magazine, Syndicated Columns (Ask Anne & Nan) and Dr. Paula Bern, Dear Meg and more.
I create custom press release distribution lists every day for clients of all types. I only send to media who can respond favorably.
The editor of a small-town newspaper has different interests than the editor of a trade journal for CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
Choose the media outlets that would be most interested in your release and send it to them. There are over 1,700 daily newspapers, 6,900 weekly newspapers, 12,000 magazines, 8,500 radio talk shows, and 10,000 TV anchors.
There are also press release distribution companies that will send your press release out for you. Some of these press release distribution services claim to have cultivated a relationship with thousands of editors covering a variety of industries.
Take that with a grain of salt!
The truth is there are only 5,000 or so general interest media outlets. When outfits tell you they're sending your release to 12,000 outlets, they're talking about ALSO sending your release to very specialized publications like "The Water Quality Journal", etc.
Before you spend a dime on press release distribution services from Bacon's, PR Newswire, MediaMap, CyberClipping or others, consider trying my service.
Over the years I have developed a database of media contacts. The best deal is to have us write your release and send it out via e-mail, to a customized media list. I see an increasingly positive response to e-mail news releases. Most journalists read from a computer screen all day long.
If you need additional help with press release distribution or writing for your project, our working together may be the best answer. I offer many years of expert writing assistance.
Contact me today. No obligation whatsoever.
My office number is 724-799-4312. Or, if you prefer, fill out the form with some basic details about your project and I'll get back to you right away. Just Click Here.
| 