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Free vs. Paid Press Releases

by Rich Blondi
5 replies
Is there a benefit and if so to what extent in using paid PR submission like prweb versus free services? What about the different submission packages within paid submission services like prweb that can vary from $100-$400?
#free #paid #press #releases
  • Profile picture of the author Lashley
    I have used both but not in any volume. I paid $360 for a PRWeb press release and it tracked over 3,000 downloads and 100,000 views in about two week period. It also brought some traffic to my site. My free press releases did not appear to get anything of value that I could measure. But the free services also don't offer the same granularity in tracking software either so maybe they did and I couldn't tell. The free one did not do anything to improve my traffic stats.

    This could have been the topic. It could have been the timing. It could have been the writing. I don't think I have enough info to say for sure what the service can truly do or not do. But based on my experience so far, I would rather go w/ paid service for pillar stories and free ones for more average stories/content/opportunities.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Dodson
    I'm the type that associates "expense" with "quality". When releasing any story to the media, I always prefer paid press releases.
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  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    Originally Posted by Rich Blondi View Post

    Is there a benefit and if so to what extent in using paid PR submission like prweb versus free services? What about the different submission packages within paid submission services like prweb that can vary from $100-$400?
    Rich,

    What is hard to grasp - and I admit, it took me a while to figure this out because no one out there is explaining it clearly - is that there is a crucial difference between services that only POST your release online and those that actually SEND the release to an opt-in list of media contacts.

    Very few of the free services do anything more than provide a spot where you can post your press release. This posting sometimes gets you traffic and once in a blue moon even gets you media coverage. However, if you want serious media attention and a serious increase in traffic, then you have to spring for the paid services.

    The quality services that in fact send releases directly to media people who have opted in mostly charge $399 and up. If you're looking at a service that charges less than that, the bargain you seem to be getting may not get you what you expect.

    I hope this helps.

    Marcia Yudkin
    Author, 6 Steps to Free Publicity, 3rd edition, and 10 other books
    http://www.yudkin.com/publicityideas.htm
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    Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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  • Profile picture of the author OnlineBusiness.com
    I just sent out a press release two days ago in fact, and wound up on CNBC, Reuters, Forbes.com, and too many others too count...

    I don't think the free press releases will get you that type of exposure.

    PRNewsWire distribution has worked well for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Franck Silvestre
    Go with paid press releases.

    Make sure that you have a strategy and funnel in place. It's good to get traffic, but you need to monetize it.

    All the best,
    Franck
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