Comments on: Online Press Release Myth – When Public Relations Equals SEO PageRank Voodoo

By: Communications Forum

Communications Forum — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:01:04 +0000

To assume that our PR department would know anything about SEO, web design, or network infrastructure would be laughable. They basically send out press releases–like most other PR personnel. They’re writers and don’t know anything about the interwebz.

By: prfuel

prfuel — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:06:53 +0000

Thanks Jon. We’re on the same page. I think you stand head and shoulders above many SEO professionals, which is why you get this, and why so many don’t get online press releases.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:52:42 +0000

Mickie,
thanks for the article. i have been curious about this and interesting to read your thoughts on the matter. I would think that seo should only be a pleasant side effect to the true mission of getting media coverage. guess we are on the same wavelength!

By: Jon Payne

Jon Payne — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:09:03 +0000

Good thoughts Mickie. Let me add something:

Its both. And no I’m not just saying the expected thing here…

You see, a large part of SEO is building links, as you have mentioned. And indeed, you need to get links from good sites at that. One way to get “some” links is pushing out a press release that then gets picked up on many sites automatically. That is fine, but that’s not the big idea here.

The big idea is using press releases as a real PR tool to get exposure for your idea/site/company that then produces real buzz and real coverage… that in turn produces real links from bloggers, writers, offline publications that also have websites, etc. Those sites are higher quality and provide better links. They don’t just republish your release. Its “real PR” here in that the releases goal is to generate interest and demand for a story. The link value is not so much in the release itself, but rather in the release’s ability to put you in contact with or gain the interest of bloggers, writers, etc. who will hopefully discuss your topic. When they do so, they do it online on their blog, Twitter page, social bookmarking sites, etc. and that discussion produces links as a byproduct.