Whether distributed directly to journalists or through press release distribution services, the news release remains one of the most important tools of public relations.
Most large companies and PR agencies maintain their own media lists of press contacts for news release distribution or utilize fee-based services such as Business Wire to distribute their press releases. The companies especially favor paid services for financial reporting and major product announcements, as the major fee-based news release distribution services have proven to supply the widest coverage and best placements.
Some organizations, especially small businesses and non-profits that believe they cannot afford paid press release services, attempt to save costs by using free or low-cost services. The free online services argue that they can increase exposure and readership and help improve search engine rankings even if the coverage does not achieve the breadth of major paid services.
CyberAlert first published its comprehensive list of free news release distribution services in 2011. The following is an updated 2015 list of websites that offer free or low-cost news release distribution services. Press release distribution sites with dollar signs ($, $$, $$$) are low-cost sites that charge a small fee. More dollar signs mean higher fees, but all are under $100 per news release distribution.
emeapr.com $$
pr9.net $
techprspider.co $
pr.com $$
prbuzz.com $$
webwire.com $$$
officialwire.com $$$
prfree.com$$$
presszoom.com $$$$
XpressPress.co $$$$
prleap.com $$$$
free-press-release-center.info $
wireservice.ca $
Using multiple free press release distribution services can increase the number of placements. Even then, veteran PR professionals contend that free and low-cost services cannot match the in-depth distribution and proven placements of the long-established fee-based services.
Rating the Free Services
Because of the large number of press release distribution services, deciding which to use to distribute a news release can be challenging. To assist organizations in evaluating and choosing from among the free and low-cost services, CyberAlert has published a ranking of the best services based on Google page rank and Alexa ranking.
Whether using distribution services or their own database of media outlets, most organizations typically track media placements of press releases with a media monitoring service that reports what media outlets and websites publish their releases.
A news and social media monitoring service like Glean.info, formerly CyberAlert, uses keywords and phrases to find and clip the press releases publish by news outlets in print, online and broadcast. The services also include measurement of the reach and impact of news releases. Many of the services also monitor social media conversations about the company and its products. That valuable measurement data enable public relations and marketing personnel to gain insight into the effectiveness of their public relations, marketing and social media activities.
Have you used free press release distribution services? What is your opinion of their value? Your comments and additions to the list are most welcome.
William J. Comcowich founded and served as CEO of CyberAlert LLC, the predecessor of Glean.info. He is currently serving as Interim CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Glean.info provides customized media monitoring, media measurement and analytics solutions across all types of traditional and social media.
Really useful having a list of free sites, do you know the success of getting a newsworthy press release picked up by journalist using free sites?
Most of them allow automated submissions and are full of spam. Pressat is a good site for circulating PR’s, not free though.
Here is a new Paid website which is free from any type of spam and advertisements:
http://www.newsrepos.com