The Power of Working With a Premium PR Network
In the US alone, there are over 30,000 newspapers and over 11,000 radio stations. There are also hundreds of TV stations, thousands of websites, and countless other media outlets. So how do you get your press release in front of all these people? If you’re not sure how to go about distributing it, you may want to consider working with a premium PR network.
A good network can help you get your press release in front of the right people and increase your chances of getting coverage.
In this article, we’ll discuss three key benefits of working with a premium PR network.
Read on to dive deep into the importance of a press release statement and PR networks.
What Is A PR Network?
A PR network is a group of individuals or organizations that work together to promote and distribute press releases.
Usually, networks will have a specific focus or industry, which allows them to target their distribution efforts more effectively.
For example, if you’re in the tech industry, there are PR networks that specialize in promoting and distributing tech press releases.
Furthermore, PR networks usually have established relationships with journalists, bloggers, and other influencers in their respective industries.
This means that they can get your press release in front of the right people, which increases your chances of getting coverage.
What’s the Difference Between a PR Network and a Press Release Distribution Service?
PR Networks are relationship-based platforms that connect businesses with journalists, media outlets, and influencers. They focus on building ongoing connections and facilitating personalized media outreach. PR networks typically offer tools for pitch management, media database access, and relationship tracking with specific journalists.
Press Release Distribution Services are more mechanical in nature, focusing solely on broadcasting pre-written press releases to a wide list of media contacts and outlets. They operate like a megaphone, sending your release to predefined lists of journalists and websites, often with minimal targeting or personalization.
Key Functional Differences: Press release services simply distribute your announcement to a mass audience. They provide limited interaction with media contacts and usually follow a “spray and pray” approach.
PR networks enable two-way communication with journalists and often include features for managing ongoing relationships. You can track journalist preferences, past interactions, and pitch success rates.
Press release services focus on one-time broadcasts of your news. Once your release is distributed, the service’s job is essentially done.
PR networks support the entire media relations lifecycle. They help you research journalists, craft targeted pitches, follow up on opportunities, and maintain relationships over time.
Cost Structure Differences: Press release distribution typically charges per release, with pricing based on word count, geographic reach, or distribution list size.
PR networks usually operate on a subscription model, providing ongoing access to their platform and media database. Pricing often reflects the depth of features and number of users needed.
Who Should Work With A PR Network?
There are a few different types of companies that can benefit from working with a PR network. First, if you’re a startup or small business, a PR network can be a great way to get started with press release distribution.
Usually, startups and small businesses don’t have the budget to hire a full-time PR person, or the resources to build their own distribution list.
Therefore, working with a PR network can be a cost-effective way to get your press release in front of key influencers and journalists.
Second, if you’re launching a new product or service, working with a PR network can help you generate buzz and excitement around your launch. A good PR campaign can generate media coverage, which can lead to more sales and customers.
Finally, if you’re working on a time-sensitive project, such as a fundraising campaign, a PR network can help you get the word out quickly.
Oftentimes, time is of the essence when it comes to these types of projects, and a PR network can help you meet your deadlines.
How Does A PR Network Work?
Typically, when you work with a PR network, you’ll submit your press release to them for distribution. They will then review it and determine which outlets and individuals would be most interested in it.
They’ll distribute your press release to those outlets and individuals. In some cases, they may also provide an additional promotion or follow-up services.
Furthermore, most PR networks will offer different package levels, which allow you to choose the level of service that you need.
For example, some PR networks may only provide basic distribution services, while others may offer additional services, such as social media promotion or press list building.
The Challenges of Working with Free and Low-Quality PR Networks
Yes, the price tag associated with free and low-quality PR networks sounds appealing at first, but it’s important to realize that in this case, you get exactly what you pay for – almost nothing.
Working with free or low-quality PR networks comes with significant risks and limitations that can undermine your communications efforts. Here’s why you should think twice before choosing these budget options:
- Story placement suffers dramatically with low-quality networks. Your content often ends up on obscure blogs or content farms rather than legitimate news sites, severely limiting its reach and impact.
Very frankly, free and low-quality PR networks/press release distribution services oftentimes publish your press release only on a set of low-quality sites that they own. Those sites aren’t listed in the search engines, and get almost no viewership, so they’re generally a total waste of money.
- Technical problems are a constant headache with basic networks. Systems frequently go down, distribution is unreliable, and you’ll rarely find adequate technical support when issues arise.
- Your brand’s credibility can take a serious hit when associated with lower-tier networks. Getting your content placed alongside spammy or poor-quality materials can damage your reputation and get you blacklisted by serious journalists.
- Control over your content and its placement becomes extremely limited. You’ll have little to no say in where or when your stories appear, making it impossible to coordinate with other marketing initiatives.
- Professional support is virtually non-existent with basic networks. You won’t receive strategic guidance, editing help, or crisis management assistance when you need it most.
- Measurement and analytics capabilities are typically basic or completely missing. Without proper tracking and reporting tools, you can’t measure ROI or gather meaningful insights to improve your strategy.
- Quality control is often non-existent on these networks. Your brand message could appear alongside inappropriate content or on sites that don’t align with your values.
- Distribution reach is severely limited with free networks. Your content typically only reaches a small fraction of potential outlets, missing key industry publications and influential media channels.
- Building media relationships becomes nearly impossible through these networks. You’ll miss out on developing valuable connections with journalists and editors who could become long-term allies for your brand.
- Budget options often lead to hidden costs down the line. The time spent fixing mistakes, managing technical issues, and dealing with poor results usually exceeds any initial savings.
What to Avoid When Looking for A PR Network?
When you’re looking for a PR network to work with, there are a few things to avoid. First, you’ll want to avoid working with a PR network that doesn’t specialize in your industry.
While they may be able to get your press release in front of some journalists, they likely won’t have the same level of access as a network that specializes in your industry.
Second, you’ll want to avoid working with a PR network that doesn’t have established relationships with journalists and influencers.
While they may be able to get your press release in front of some people, it’s unlikely that they’ll have the same level of access as a network that has established relationships.
Finally, you’ll want to avoid working with a PR network that doesn’t offer the services that you need.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive PR campaign, you’ll want to find a network that offers more than just press release distribution.
1. Increased Chances of Getting Coverage
As we mentioned above, PR networks have established relationships with journalists, bloggers, and other influencers in their respective industries.
This means that they’re more likely to get your press release in front of the right people, which increases your chances of getting coverage.
Also, PR networks typically have access to a wider range of outlets than you would if you were to distribute your press release on your own. This means that you’re more likely to get coverage in a variety of different outlets, which can reach a larger audience.
2. Wider Distribution
PR networks also have the ability to distribute your press release to a wider range of outlets than you could on your own.
This is because they typically have established relationships with multiple media outlets and individuals. As such, they can get your press release in front of more people, which increases your chances of getting coverage.
In addition, PR networks typically have access to a variety of different distribution channels, such as social media, email lists, and website placements. This means that your press release will reach a wider audience than if you were to distribute it on your own.
3. Save Time
Working with a PR network can also save you a significant amount of time. This is because you won’t have to worry about distributing your press release yourself.
Instead, you can submit it to the network, and they’ll take care of the rest. This frees up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your business.
However, it’s important to note that not all PR networks are created equal. There are a lot of different factors that you’ll need to consider when choosing a network to work with.
But if you take the time to find a reputable and experienced network, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the benefits that we’ve discussed above.
4. Expertise
When you work with a PR network, you also benefit from their expertise. This is because they’ve likely distributed many press releases before, and know what works and what doesn’t.
As such, they can help you create a press release that is more likely to get coverage.
Yet, another advantage of working with a PR network is that they can provide you with feedback on your press release before it’s distributed. This way, you can make any necessary changes to ensure that it’s as effective as possible.
5. Cost-Effective
Working with a PR network is often more cost-effective than distributing your press release yourself.
This is because you only have to pay for their services once, rather than having to pay for each individual outlet that you want to distribute your press release to.
But, the cost of working with a PR network will vary depending on the size and scope of your press release. So, it’s important to get a quote from the network before you commit to anything.
6. Increased Visibility
Finally, working with a PR network can help increase your visibility. This is because they can get your press release in front of more people, which increases the chances that someone will see it and take notice of your company.
Keep in mind that working with a PR network is just one way to increase your visibility. There are many other marketing and PR strategies that you can use to achieve this goal. But, using a PR network is a great place to start.
7. Focus
As we mentioned above, PR networks typically specialize in a specific industry or focus.
As such, you’ll want to choose a network that specializes in promoting and distributing press releases for companies in your industry.
This will ensure that they have the right relationships and expertise to get your press release in front of the right people.
8. Reputation
When choosing a PR network, you’ll also want to consider their reputation. This is because you want to work with a network that is known for distributing high-quality press releases that get results.
To learn about a PR network’s reputation, you can read online reviews or ask other companies in your industry for recommendations.
PR Done Right
If you’re looking for a way to get your press release in front of more people, then working with a PR network is a great option.
But, it’s essential to choose a reputable and experienced network that distributes press releases for companies in your industry. Doing so will ensure that you get the most out of your investment.
If you’d like a customized press release campaign, get in touch with us now and we will help you out.