Internet Marketing - Press Release Primer, Part 3

The two previous articles in this series explained what press releases are, what they can do for your Internet marketing business, and how to write them. But you need to distribute them for any real benefit. So, in this article, let's discuss the benefits of one of the most respected press release sites on the Internet--PRWeb.

PRWeb is one of the largest press release directories online, and smart Internet marketing folks use PRWeb to get their news seen by consumers and media people alike. Though there are many free press release sites online, most won't allow you to use anchor text, which is a hyperlinked keyword phrase, in the body of your release. Nor can you add pictures, sound or video. You can add these things at PRWeb. However, PRWeb is not free. The cost to post a release there is between $80 and $360, but if your news is really important, placing a release there is well worth the cost.

A basic press release at PRWeb will cost $80, and though it's still a good way to get the word out, the perks increase as the price rises. You can add pictures, hyperlinks, and have the release added to your RSS feed at the $200 level. At the $360 level, you can add videos and podcasts, but unless you want to add those elements, the $200 release is a pretty good deal. One cool thing is that you can include hyperlinks to your keyword phrases and those are one-way links pointing back to your website, giving you search engine optimization advantage. The ability to add a picture helps because it draws readers' eyes to your release from a veritable sea of other headlines. Though your headline may be noticed, you increase the chances of your release not being overlooked when you add a picture.

This price point also allows you to add Web 2.0 tags. That means your release might be picked up by bloggers searching Technorati for interesting information related to their niche. So your announcement could end up on blogs, too.

Whatever price level you choose, be sure to follow PRWeb's editorial guidelines, or any other site's guidelines where you intend to submit your release. Though editors will work with you to get the release out, it will delay the release of your news. If you're announcing something timely, you'll be sunk. So, try to get the release uploaded to the site a few days before the event you want to publicize about your Internet marketing business is happening. If the release is sent back to you, you'll have time to make corrections and send it through again.

But here's the deal: Don't neglect to use press releases. They're a very powerful way to advertise any important event in your Internet marketing business. If jumping right into a paid release makes you uneasy, start with the free release sites, until you know the ropes. Just don't forget that press releases are an incredibly effective way to put your Internet marketing business on the map.