Press Release sites that allow URLs in the PR?

[bummed.out]

I've been playing with doing press releases for a site today, and apart from needing free press release sites, I need ones that allow me to place the URL in the main body of the press release, in a clickable form; it is a top level domain, but none of the services I've tried seem to allow it. If I simply include it as text (ie, http://www.mysite.com), it only shows up as text when the release is published, rather than as a clickable link.

If I try to create a link with HTML, I can't publish the release with HTML links in it.

If anyone can suggest good, free press release sites that will allow me to put my link in, in clickable format, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[dvduval]

PRWeb would fit the bill, but I don't know about the free ones.

[JohnMcCabe]

Bummed, what you are experiencing is the response to hordes of article marketers, link spammers and others who have tried to turn press release sites into their personal link farms.

Not trying to be rude, but many of them would read your post and translate it as "I need to dump a bunch of backlinks, and I won't spend money to do it. Where can I dump my links for free?"

You may or may not be one of those ducks, but your insistence on a clickable link makes you look like one. Why not let the PR sites have your release with the plain text url, and hope the autoblogger content scrapers who pick it up leave the option to turn text urls into live links on?

This is basically the same kind of self-defense as making blog comments 'no-follow' and adding CAPCHA codes to online forms. Make your site so it doesn't provide the benefit the spammers want, or make it inconvenient enough they go bother someone else.

[j0s3]

Very good answer JohnMcCabe

I'll just add that free PR won't get you far (from my own experience).

dvduval mentioned PR Web. This is money well invested.

Do try the free ones if money is not an option right now, but don't expect much.

[bummed.out]

All interesting thoughts from everyone, thank you; and John - and those who share the same views, no worries, I take no offense.

For the first time in my life I actually have a "site" of my own. Yes, it does promote a product (that is, after all, what internet marketing is generally about), but I'd like to hope that I can add content to it that actually benefits people who are looking for it and find it.

I heard that press releases were a great idea for getting some fast traffic - who doesn't want traffic?; I did one up, it did get accepted at a free PR site (though no clickable link), and I made it as "unspammy" as I could in a short time.

I have also done some PR submissions. I've had about 200 visitors to the site today as it stands. I didn't know that using press releases for product promotion was frowned upon by some, though when it's worded as you (John) did, I can understand that point of view.

Anyhow folks, thanks for your thoughts and suggestions for PRs if I ever wanted to go the paid route.

Cheers

[socialdude]

I agree, I use PR Web exclusively

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by bummed.out

I heard that press releases were a great idea for getting some fast traffic - who doesn't want traffic?; I did one up, it did get accepted at a free PR site (though no clickable link), and I made it as "unspammy" as I could in a short time.

I have also done some PR submissions. I've had about 200 visitors to the site today as it stands. I didn't know that using press releases for product promotion was frowned upon by some, though when it's worded as you (John) did, I can understand that point of view.

Anyhow folks, thanks for your thoughts and suggestions for PRs if I ever wanted to go the paid route.

Cheers

I just want to clarify something.

I never said I frowned on using press releases for product promotion. Done the right way, news releases can be very, very effective. The key word is "news". It sounds like you're trying to do things right.

Sometimes it seems that for every marketer trying to do things the right way, there are dozens or hundreds trying to take shortcuts. Couple that with some automation software, and a bad apple can cripple a site with junk submissions (badly spun articles, blatant ads instead of 'news', fake reviews, etc., etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseum).

So owners of that kind of site take measures to protect themselves. One way news sites can discourage link spammers is by eliminating the live links. That makes their site less attractive to the spammers because they don't get what they're after.

People who submit news releases for the purpose of having other sites and even other media pick them up, republish them or use them as the basis or resource for their own story can do fabulously well.

[Digital Info Diva]

Yes - you have to PAY to be able to use this feature, for obvious
reasons.

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by softsolutions

Hi JohnMcCabe, this guy just wants to make most of it from PR submissions. No offence

None taken.

I realize he just wants to get the most from his submissions. We all do.

I wasn't trying to slam him personally. If it read that way, my apologies.

My point is still valid, though. Taking steps such as not allowing hyperlinks with anchor text, or hyperlinks at all, is meant to make those sites less attractive to spammers only interested in dropping links. Legitimate news sites aren't interested in 1,000 spun versions of the latest news in male enhancement free trials, complete with anchor text hyperlinks.

It's kind of like having to lock your doors. It really only keeps the honest people honest. Use a good enough lock, and make it look like there's nothing to steal, and even the crooked but lazy will look for easier pickings.

Not allowing hyperlinks is one way site owners can lock the doors and hide the good silver...

[entrepreneurjay]

Prlog.org does its my favorite press release site.

[NicoleBeckett]

PR Log will allow you to put links in the body. According to their rules, you can have up to 3 clickable links in the body (the actual http:// address, no anchor text). However, to get all 3 clickable links, your release has to be more than 2,000 characters. And, you can't have any clickable links in the first 200 characters.

[taboy74]

I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the link at free press release is not clickable. Anyways, I just move on and find another one. Haha

[P.Sharma]

pr log and pr web are the best services that I use. Although paid services are better for obvious reason. Hire someone of fiverr to submit your press releases to different pr sites. That way you atleast get more submissions.

Bookmark and build backlinks to the Press release and you will also get google rankings

[URbanWorld]

www.press-release-notice.com is free and they will let you submit do follow html back links with anchor text in the article portion of your press release along with images. It doesn't say they are allowed, but they did show up for me and for others that submitted Press Releases. Whats great about the site is you don't have to sign up - just submit your release and your done. It took about a day for my PR to be approved and show up on the site. Hope this helps.

[seopress]

Here are a few free press release sites that appear to include links unchanged:

Free Press Release: Instant & Unlimited Online Distribution Service
Free Releases: Welcome!
pressreleasenow.com
http://www.ezpressrelease.com

Hope this helps.

[URbanWorld]

Originally Posted by seopress

Here are a few free press release sites that appear to include links unchanged:
Hope this helps.

Very Helpful!

[seopress]

Originally Posted by bummed.out

I've been playing with doing press releases for a site today, and apart from needing free press release sites, I need ones that allow me to place the URL in the main body of the press release, in a clickable form; it is a top level domain, but none of the services I've tried seem to allow it. If I simply include it as text (ie, http://www.mysite.com), it only shows up as text when the release is published, rather than as a clickable link.

If I try to create a link with HTML, I can't publish the release with HTML links in it.

If anyone can suggest good, free press release sites that will allow me to put my link in, in clickable format, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Misbhave999

Hey here are some free PR sites.. but they don't allow for clickable links. But hey they are free...

bestpagrank.info bestquickpr.info freepagrank.info newpagrank.info prlistplus.info

Misbhave999 - bummed.out is aware there are free sites available, he was asking for some that allow links. Sorry but your reply is not helpful.

[celente]

PR log I have got some very good results from that.

Just make sure you spell it right. Too many times I have seen people write their domains names wrong. What a waist of a press released. LOL

[URbanWorld]

Originally Posted by celente

PR log I have got some very good results from that.

Just make sure you spell it right. Too many times I have seen people write their domains names wrong. What a waist of a press released. LOL

That sucks! I've caught mistakes in my press releases a few times at the very last second before submitting them. It would have been quite embarrassing and as you said a waste of a press release.

[hotftuna]

Many will provide a clickable link in the contact area, but not with anchor text.

Try Press Release Distribution Services - WebWire. Easy to use and not expensive.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by bummed.out

If anyone can suggest good, free press release sites that will allow me to put my link in, in clickable format, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Press releases are not designed for people to browse on the internet. They are designed for reporters to use as reference material to write a printed news story, where links are not clickable. Your URL belongs in your contact information, NOT the body of your press release.

Man, I really need to finish writing this guide to marketing with press releases, because there are way too many people who don't know WTF they're doing with them.

[John Romaine]

I use webwire and PRweb. Because I registered an EMD, I got clickable links without paying the extra fee.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/03/prweb5113534.htm

[seopress]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

Press releases are not designed for people to browse on the internet. They are designed for reporters to use as reference material to write a printed news story, where links are not clickable. Your URL belongs in your contact information, NOT the body of your press release.

Man, I really need to finish writing this guide to marketing with press releases, because there are way too many people who don't know WTF they're doing with them.

You are correct, of course. But for better or for worse, the trend away from printed news and towards online news is unstoppable. And with that trend, the meaning of "press release" has changed radically over the past decade. When a "press release" is placed online, those who are creating the releases naturally expect them to function as other web pages. Whether you agree with it or not, it is a trend that cannot be stopped. And honestly, isn't that what the internet is about - enabling more direct communication, including with consumers?

[ankitnagpal]

Check out this software: Press Release Submitter - The Best Online Marketing Software It allows you to enter hyperlinks and submit the news, press release with hyperlinks.

[Martin1977]

I submitted press release by PRlog. I like their service.

[flyfinatic]

Hey bummed,

I believe the www dot 24-7pressrelease dot com allows for link in the body. And i believe the www dot submitedge dot com press release service allows this as well. However, these are paid-for press release services but they do multi-site distribution at a VERY cheap price - I think it's 49 bucks and distributed to a couple hundred sites... It's worth a look into I think.. Hope this helps

[intelinside]

The cheapest option for inserting 3 links in a PR is offered by onlineprnews.com for $22. I have good success with them so far. PRWeb is also good but that option is quite expensive.

[philiptrav]

Great thread, I need to do some press releases this week so I will book mark this thread...

[autumnsmith]

great thread and suggestions. How about negative feedback on PRweb and webwire? I would like to give these sites a try