Press Release Platform

A press release is an official statement or announcement issued by a company, organization, or individual to communicate news or information to the media and the public. It is a structured document that provides key details about a significant event, development, product launch, or any other noteworthy occurrence related to the entity. Typically, a press release includes a headline, subheadline, dateline, body text, boilerplate (brief company overview), and contact information for media inquiries. 

The purpose of a press release is to disseminate information in a clear, concise, and unbiased manner, aiming to capture the attention of journalists, bloggers, and other media professionals who may then choose to cover the story. Well-crafted press releases can generate media coverage, increase brand visibility, and contribute to overall public relations efforts. They are an essential tool for companies looking to communicate important updates and engage with their target audience.

Press releases serve several important purposes in the realm of public relations and communications:

1. Announcing News: Press releases are used to inform the media and the public about significant events, developments, or milestones within a company or organization. This can include product launches, mergers, acquisitions, financial results, and more.
2. Building Credibility: When a reputable source, such as a well-known company or organization, issues a press release, it lends credibility to the information being shared. This can help build trust with stakeholders, including customers, investors, and partners.
3. Attracting Media Attention: Journalists are always on the lookout for interesting and timely stories. A well-crafted press release can catch their attention and serve as the basis for a news article, interview, or feature.
4. Increasing Visibility: Press releases, when picked up by media outlets, can significantly increase the visibility of a company or its products/services. This exposure can lead to increased brand recognition and potential new customers.
5. SEO Benefits: Well-optimized press releases can improve a company's search engine rankings. By including relevant keywords and providing backlinks to the company's website, a press release can enhance online visibility.
6. Crisis Management: In the event of a crisis or negative news, a well-structured press release can help an organization take control of the narrative and provide a clear, factual account of the situation.
7. Compliance and Disclosure: Publicly traded companies are often required by regulatory bodies to disclose certain information. Press releases serve as an official means of meeting these disclosure requirements.
8. Keeping Stakeholders Informed: Press releases are an effective way to keep stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and partners, informed about important company updates and initiatives.
9. Supporting Marketing Efforts: Press releases can complement marketing campaigns by providing additional exposure and credibility for a company's products or services.
10. Industry Recognition: A press release highlighting achievements, awards, or recognition within a particular industry can help establish a company's leadership and expertise in that field.

Overall, press releases are a valuable tool in a company's communication arsenal, helping to shape public perception, disseminate important information, and maintain transparent and open communication with stakeholders.

Following up on the advertising toolbox, you also need to let the media (oh if only there was a site about Web 2.0 and social networking where you could get covered...) know about your new venture. We've gathered 20+ sites that will help you with getting your press release out in the world for free.

24-7PressRelease.com - Free release distribution with ad-support
1888PressRelease.com - Free distribution and paid services give you better placement and permanent archiving.
ClickPress.com - Distributs to sites like Google News and Topix.net, Gold level will also get you to sites like LexisNexis
EcommWire.com - Focuses on e-commerce and requires you to include an image, 3 keywords, and links.
Express-Press-Release.com - Free distribution company with offices in 12 states.
Free-Press-Release.com - Easy press release distribution for free, with more features for paid accounts.
Free-Press-Release-Center.info - Distributes your release, and offers a web page with one keyword link to your site. Pro upgrade will give you three links, permanent archiving, and more.
I-Newswire.com - Allows for free distribution to sites and search engines, premium membership differs only slightly in adding in graphics.
NewswireToday.com - All the usual free distribution tools, and premium service include logo, product picture, and more.
PR.com - Not only will they distribute your press releases, but you can also set up a full company profile.
PR9.net - Ad-supported press distribution site.
PR-Inside.com - European-based free press release distribution site.
PRBuzz.com - Completely free distribution to search engines, news sites, and blogs.
PRCompass.com - Distribute your press release with a free or paid version, others can vote it up ala Digg style.
PRUrgent.com - Not only distributes your release, but attempts to teach you how to write one, and even offers downloadable samples for you to work with.
Press-Base.com - Submit your release for free and get on their front page and the category of your choice.
PressAbout.com - A free press release service formatted as a blog.
PressMethod.com - Free press release distribution no matter what, but extra services based on the size of your contribution
PRLeap.com - Free distribution to search engines, newswires, and RSS feeds. Fee-based bumps get you better placement.
PRLog.org - Free distribution to Google News and other other search engines.
TheOpenPress.com - Gives free distribution for plain formatted releases and fees for HTML-coded releases.