By Joanne Volkert
Brand Manager, Lessiter Media
jvolkert@lessitermedia.com
262-777-2442
Press releases might seem old-school, but they remain a powerful marketing tool when used strategically. Here's seven reasons why they matter and how they can amplify your brand’s reach.
- Instant Credibility & Authority: Press releases provide a sense of legitimacy because they are published on news sites and often picked up by journalists. Unlike ads, they appear as news, which boosts credibility.
- SEO Benefits & Online Visibility: Well-optimized press releases with the right keywords can rank on search engines, driving long-term organic traffic. They also provide backlinks when media outlets republish them, improving your site’s domain authority.
- Wide Media Reach & Virality Potential: A single press release can be syndicated across dozens (or even hundreds) of media outlets. If it catches a journalist’s attention, it can snowball into larger coverage, leading to viral exposure.
- Cost-Effective PR Compared to Paid Ads: While press release distribution costs vary, a successful one can generate more exposure than a paid ad campaign—without ongoing costs.
- Positioning as an Industry Leader: Consistently publishing newsworthy press releases (about product launches, partnerships, or milestones) establishes your brand as a thought leader in your space.
- Lead Generation & Customer Trust: Being featured in a press release on reputable sites builds trust with potential customers, making them more likely to engage with your brand.
- Crisis Management & Reputation Control: A well-crafted press release can help control the narrative during a crisis or controversy, allowing you to shape public perception before misinformation spreads.
Having trouble figuring out what you’d write a press release about? Take a look at the infographic below for some ideas. Feel free to print out a copy and keep it handy for reference. For more tips, check out another Marketing Minute edition, Guidelines to Write an Effective Press Release.
