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Press Release Submission
A press release distribution is only as good as its database and newswire partner.
Only TriggerTouch has an exclusive database of opt-in (subscribing) journalists. Other press release services might spam reporters with unsolicited emails. But the 30,000 journalists, reporters, and writers at more than 17,500 sources who receive our press releases have asked us to send them press releases.
We contact interested journalists directly. Though many PR firms simply use a generic "editor@newspaper.com," TriggerTouch reaches more than 95 percent of our sources by name, submitting press releases directly to their personal email addresses.
We target your PR at no extra charge. Unlike our competitors, we don't add any surcharges to target the distribution of your press releases. That's included. Whether you're a toy retailer, florist, non-profit organization, or online shoe store, we tailor each press release submission to your specific needs, combining general media outlets with specialized trade journals and other publications.
Our low price includes newswire distribution via PR Newswire, the recognized leader in newswire services. At no additional charge, you'll reach the tens of thousands of media personnel and organizations that belong to PR Newswire.
Just US$499 gets you fantastic distribution:
· U.S. National Press Release Distribution (more than 17,500 newspapers, radio and tv outlets)
· Press Release Submission to Disclosure Media including Dow Jones, Reuters, Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, AP, USA Today, and Investor's Business Daily.
· Targeted Industry Distribution (choose two categories; size varies)
· PR Newswire Distribution (tens of thousands of subscribers)*
· More than 4,000 web sites, databases and online services
· Confirmation of press release distribution
[*] PR Newswire sends press releases to more than 22,000 newsrooms, 60,000 journalists through its media websites, and 1.4 million equities terminals.
Clients love us.
Have Us Write a Press Release (save $99)
Not only do you save $99 when we write and submit a press release (special combination price of US$599), you enjoy the greatest chances of major media pickups because we've professionally crafted your message and delivered it to the appropriate audience.
Whether or not you use our press release submission service, heed this advice. In addition to saving you time, this information reveals the pitfalls that could give your organization black marks among media contacts with long memories. Read this and play it safe!
How to Send a Press Release
Don't Tarnish Your Good Name Spamming Editors
There are people on the Internet that will sell you the email addresses of editors and publishers. Did the editors request to be put on these lists? Do they look forward to your press release? The answer is no. Sending unsolicted email, even press releases, is spam. You've heard about it in newspapers and magazines. Perhaps, you have received forms of spam in your email in-box. To most of us, spam is a nuisance. To professionals who rely on email for much of their work, spam is a nightmare. Be careful that you send a press release only to those with whom you have an exisiting relationship.
In the months I spent contacting and querying editors to accept press releases for TriggerTouch.com, I was told of numerous horror stories. Some editors were forced to change their email addresses because of press release-related spam. The sad part: the majority of these releases were untargeted. Press releases on gardening products were being sent to computer hardware magazine editors. It shouldn't have to be this way. When you send a press release, make sure it is targeted to the correct journalists.
The more editors I contacted, the more horror stories I heard. A few editors told me point blank: if you don't query me, chances are I will never even read your press release. A few even told me they were compiling a list of companies that have sent unsolicited press releases to ensure these "spammers" would never receive press in their newspapers, magazines, and trade journals.
If you send press releases yourself, we provide these recommendations:
· Identify editors & reporters who would be most interested in what you have to say.
· Choose your media list carefully. If sending via e-mail, be sure the editors & reporters accept press releases via email. Queries should be over the phone or in writing (snail-mail).
· Only send your release to one person per news outlet.
· Brevity is not only allowed, it is encouraged and rewarded. It shows you respect the time of busy editors & reporters. If they require more information, they will ask.
· Purchase an AP stylebook and learn how to properly abbreviate words and numbers, as well as the proper way to refer to most formal names and titles.
· End your press release with either ### or -30- typed across the center of the page a couple lines below the end of your text.
Be patient. Sending a press release is like fishing. Not every editor or reporter will bite. Likewise, not every cast will produce a catch. In some cases, you may have to rewrite the release and try again, or wait until you have another event, announcement, or idea to submit.
Additional Press Release Format Tips and Guidelines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Headline
Be creative and keep it to one sentence. Capitalize the first letter of all words but do not use all caps. Exclamation marks (“!”) only sell your release as advertising, not news.
Paragraph 1
City, State, Month, Day, Year – Begin with a strong introductory paragraph that grab’s the reader’s attention and contains the information most relevant to your message such as the five W's - who, what, when, where, and why. This paragraph should summarize the press release and include a hook to get your audience interested in reading more.
Paragraph 2, 3, 4, …
These paragraphs should contain more detailed important information, and make up the body of the release. Pick up with the information provided in your first paragraph, including quotes from key staff, customers or subject matter experts. Make sure you use correct grammar so as not to affect your credibility negatively.
As for content, make sure to keep in mind that you are writing a press release to grab the attention of the media. It is very important to maintain factual accuracy, make sure you are cleared to use quotes or information about businesses, and most importantly have an angle that will appeal to journalists (often by connecting your release to current events or issues). Effective releases usually utilize a strategy known as the inverted pyramid, which is written with the most important information and quotes first.
Try to keep the press release to fewer than 400 words total. Remember, succinct and to the point works best.
The body of your release should be more than one paragraph. The final paragraph should restate and summarize the key points of your release.
Additional 1
Provide avenues for the reader to obtain additional information, demos, samples, etc., but please DO NOT include Internet links. WebWire® provides special data submission fields for company/agency name, contact, telephone, email address, website location, etc. and other online connections (links).
Additional 2
Trademark acknowledgment, product or event timelines, availability, logistics, etc.
Additional 3
Background information about the company featured in the release, if appropriate, as well as any applicable safe harbor statement.
### (end with these characters)
A FINAL NOTE: With an effective release, it should be possible to cut off the bottom half of the release and still provide journalists with sufficient information.
EXAMPLE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR Newswire Celebrates 50 Years as Industry Pioneer and Leader
Commemorates Occasion with $25,000 Contribution to the Committee to Protect Journalists
NEW YORK, Mar 08, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The modern age of public relations officially began on March 8, 1954, when PR Newswire transmitted the first electronic commercial news release to 12 media outlets in New York, changing the way the media gathers and retrieves information. Today, PR Newswire celebrates Herbert Muschel's creation of the commercial newswire industry and its contribution to the evolution of public relations and investor relations.
To commemorate its long-standing relationship with the media community and in honor of its 50th anniversary, PR Newswire will make a $25,000 donation to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Founded in 1981 as an independent, nonprofit organization, CPJ promotes freedom of the press by defending the rights of journalists to report news without fear of reprisal. PR Newswire will be designated a Corporate Underwriter with this donation and joins other esteemed media organizations including CNN, Bloomberg, Dow Jones Foundation, the New York Times Foundation, and many more who have pledged money to assist CPJ in administering its programs. For more information on CPJ, please visit www.cpj.org.
"For the past 50 years PR Newswire has been an essential link in the communications chain by providing a conduit for businesses and organizations to transmit news around the world. From our beginning serving 12 New York media outlets to our current status as a global enterprise, PR Newswire has shaped the newswire industry by setting the standards for the way information is organized, distributed, received and archived," said David B. Armon, chief operating officer of PR Newswire.
Armon continued, "PR Newswire has grown to serve hundreds of industries with numerous services and technologies. Yet despite our size and global reach, the success of PR Newswire is still beholden to one thing above all else -- our close, collaborative relationship with the media that we serve. We understand that much of the value we bring to our members is incumbent upon the media viewing PR Newswire as a reliable and credible source of information. It has been PR Newswire's privilege to serve the journalist community for 50 years, and it is our profound honor to make this donation to CPJ."
"We are honored to be recognized by PR Newswire and extremely grateful for their generosity," said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper. "This contribution is a testament to PR Newswire's commitment to press freedom and will allow CPJ to continue our advocacy on behalf of the thousands of journalists around the world who face violence, arrest, and harassment for reporting the news."
About PR Newswire
Now in its 50th year, PR Newswire Association LLC (www.prnewswire.com) provides electronic distribution, targeting, measurement, translation and broadcast services on behalf of some 40,000 corporate, government, association, labor, non-profit, and other customers worldwide who seek to reach a variety of critical audience including the news media, the investment community, government decision-makers, and the general public with their up-to-the-minute, full-text news developments. Established in 1954, PR Newswire has offices in 14 countries and routinely sends its customers' news to outlets in 135 countries and in 30 languages. Utilizing the latest in communications technology, PR Newswire content is considered a mainstay among news reporters, investors and individuals who seek breaking news from the source. PR Newswire's leading brands include ProfNet(SM), eWatch(TM), Online MEDIAtlas(TM) and MultiVu(TM). PR Newswire is a subsidiary of United Business Media plc of London.
About CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information about CPJ, please visit their Web site: www.cpj.org.
Contact: Rachel Asche, Director of Public Relations, PR Newswire, +1-212-282-1929 or rachel.asche@prnewswire.com
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