Hi Kachaloo,

The short answer is yes. But, of course, that depends how you use them.

Some Press Release sites allow you to place an "x" number of links throughout body. Not to mention the fact that you can use the entire headline to strategically place relevant Keywords.

The great thing about using Press Releases is that they get picked up by the search engines rather quickly. In addition, your release also gets syndicated and picked up by other sites. As you can imagine... this allows for a lot of 'link love'.

Sites like PR Web allow for links; but they are pricey. Last time I used them the price was $199+ (I think) for the use of anchor text/links throughout the body.

There are other sites that are less expensive you can use. Check out PR Leap and Webwire. Used in combination, these last 2 can give you a reach close to that of PR Web.

Hope this helps.

- Jay

Hi jaggyjay,
Would you say Press Release should be one of the main methods to improve seo of a site ?

I am currently doing Article Marketing and I am quiet happy with it I don't like blog commenting and forums as I get very few links from them. So I was thinking of Press Releases.

Cheers,
Kachaloo

[DELETED]

Yes of course it helps, it will increase your backlinks and draw attention to your products or services.

Make sure its newsworthy to get the best results.

There's a couple of lists of free press release sites. SEO tip - put your best keyword in your headline, and the first sentence in your press release. Works wonders for Google placement.

BigNews.biz is an On-line Press Release and World News Distribution Center

PressZoom.com - Global News Service - News and Press Release Distribution

PressReleasePoint | Free Press Release Distribution Website | Submit Press Releases

http:pr-usa.net

prFocus.com :: Free Press Release Services ::

myfreepr.com

www.anyrelease.com
PR Urgent News - Free Press Release and News Distribution

Free Press Release Distribution & Free Press Release Submission - PR Log

Free Press Release Distribution Service - Submit Your Press Releases Here For Free PR Exposure

Free Press Release - Online Press Release Distribution Service

PressReleaseSpider - Press Release Search Engine, Thousands of Press Releases

http://www.pagerelease.com

BigNews.biz Is Your Free Press Release and World News Distribution Center

National PR Wire - Free Press Release Distribution

Free News Release Distribution Service

Press Release

Press Release Distribution Service | PR9.NET

Free Press Release Distribution Service - Submit Your Press Releases Here For Free PR Exposure

Free Press Release Distribution

Free press release distribution - free press release services with ClickPress

Free Online Press Release Distribution | Submit Free Press Release

openPR.com - Worldwide Open Public Relations - Publish Press Releases Free of Charge

myfreepr.com

prFocus.com :: Free Press Release Services ::

EcommWire Is Your Free Press Release Distribution Center - ONLY for stories about ecommerce

Pressbox : Add a Press Release

Press Release Service and Distribution - 24-7PressRelease.com
Download Junction - Download Software, Freeware, Shareware, Games - press releases about software

Hi Guys,

Awesome thread, very useful information.

Thanks Guys
Bryant

Any backlink helps so why not.

hello again Kachaloo,

As other have already suggested - yes press releases are excellent for seo. As far as this being a "main" method - well, that depends on how much of an ROI in terms of $$$, effectiveness, and efficiency you are getting back.

You should do what works... and do that repeatedly.

I am greally glad I asked these questions. Everyone has been so helpful.

Thanks guys.

Cheers,
Kachaloo

A follow up question now that I am clear Press Releases help. How do I go about making a press release worthy for distribution ?

I don't mind paying someone to do it for me.

Cheers,
Vishal

I find there are are 3 main benefits of press releases beyond seo...

1) Other people talking about you - most websites etc will almost print your release word for word so you can control what is said (within the rules of course). I can say my products are great value - but what if that appears on 100/300/2000 other places?

2) Adding your own local release list to newspapers and especially radio can not only get you interviews but also used as their expert in your niche

3) Because of the rules restricting a sales pitch (unless you use my tricks to incloude one) a press release and news story based on it is TRUSTED by the reader far more than a sales page.

Articles and Press releases are always my first 2 methods. I just spent $1200 on press releases this week. I love them. You can also add attachments, audio and video now too.

I think it was Ewen Chia who first suggested this but try and think of 4 or 5 different angles to a story and submit one release a day.

Yes its working...I'd say after 2 years, I can still see the link pointing towards my site.

While we're about it, and hopefully this is of use to someone: write a press release in such a way that a jounalist has to do absolutely No work on it. In other words he could chop the Release off at any paragraph and what is presented up to that point makes full perfect sense