Online press releases: what you should know

As you explore ways to market your online store, you may have come across a variety of ways to spread the word about your online store, from social media marketing, AdSense, blogging, and search engine optimization. But what about good old-fashioned journalism? At a time when we're all learning how to improve our Instagram skills, it's time to take a look at traditional press releases to spread the word about your brand. A press release or PR piece typically consists of a killer headline and 300-400 words that allow you to spread newsworthy stories about your brand in a journalistic manner. It's an official announcement or breaking story typically shared by the media in written form or through other recorded media. A press release typically involves sharing information about your brand, providing details such as the who, what, where, and how of a newsworthy event. Here are some reasons why your brand might conduct an online press release:

The launch of a new product or service
You recently received an award
A new partnership with a brand or influencer
You are launching a contest
You are hosting a branded event
Rebranding
Announcement of new hires
Any other interesting news you would like to share publicly

In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of online press releases and three ways to conduct PR to help your brand reach a wider audience.

Benefits of Press Releases

One of the main benefits of a press release is its significant contribution to your marketing efforts. A well-written press release shared in a newspaper, popular blog, or local or international publication can strengthen your brand and help you reach your target audience worldwide or within your niche community. Online PR is also a great way to gain backlinks to your site, which makes it a great content marketing tool for driving traffic and boosting SEO. Press releases can also be cost-effective for your company and an excellent way to maintain your brand's story while sharing your values, achievements, and future plans, drawing attention to everything that makes your brand exceptional. Now let's explore three ways to distribute your press releases :

1) Contact a press release distribution company

One way to share your story is through the help of a press release distribution company, which could be one of the easiest ways to share your stories with thousands of journalists, news outlets, etc. PR distribution companies send your press releases and story to a variety of media outlets and journalists, who pick up your story and publish it for their readers and viewers. This gives your brand the media coverage you've been looking for, and depending on how many media outlets pick up your story, this could be a cost-effective marketing alternative with favorable returns in terms of brand awareness and customer acquisition. Different PR distribution companies offer a range of options with varying pricing, meaning you'll be able to find a service that fits your budget and goals.

2) Create a press kit for your website

Not willing to shell out a budget for a press release service? Then it might be time to create a new web page on your website. A press kit or media kit is a page on your website that makes promotional information about your brand more accessible. It should contain a resource of information for journalists and editors so they can easily learn about your brand and have access to marketing materials, such as images, ads, brand values, and awards they can use for a promotional story. Think of it as a mini portfolio that highlights your brand, its resources, and its achievements. Having a press kit for your brand can be an important asset and boost credibility, as it can be a valuable tool for journalists, bloggers, and influencers interested in sharing news about your business. As a page on your e-commerce site, a press kit can also be a valuable tool for your potential customers and business partners.

3) Contact journalists

Contacting a specific journalist or publishing site is a straightforward way to pursue media coverage outside of a third-party press release distribution company or simply waiting for a journalist or influencer to find your press kit page on your site. If you want to contact journalists, bloggers, or influencers hoping they'll share your story, the steps are simple. First, you need to find relevant journalists or media outlets who will be interested in sharing your story. Second, you need to find their email address or other relevant ways to get in touch and share your press release. You can start with your local media outlets or pursue journalists, bloggers, podcasters, influencers, and news outlets you think are relevant to your brand. This way, you can reach the right people or groups who have experience sharing your industry.

Conclusion

One of the challenges of running an online business is getting the word out through your marketing efforts, and there are many ways to do this, both organically and through paid methods. Whichever method you employ, press releases are a useful way to reach new audiences. Press releases have been around for a long time, and whether you decide to use a press release distribution service, a press kit, contact journalists directly, or use a combination of the three methods highlighted in this article, press releases will help you achieve some of your marketing goals in establishing visibility and brand recognition, not to mention consumer trust and enhancing credibility.