Getting your press release noticed is not easy. Many businesses struggle to have their news picked up by journalists, media outlets, and online platforms. The key is knowing where to submit press releases to reach the right audience and gain maximum visibility.
From online distribution services to direct email submissions and from local news outlets to industry-specific publications, there are multiple ways to ensure your press release is read, shared, and trusted.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best submission methods, highlight top paid and free services and provide practical tips for email submissions for businesses that want guaranteed coverage and measurable results.
Methods to Submit Press Releases
It is important to choose the right method of distribution before submitting your press release. The right channel can determine how far your story travels whether it reaches just your local audience or gets picked up globally. Below are the most effective ways to submit press releases based on your goals, budget, and target audience.
Online Press Release Distribution Services
Online distribution services are a fast and efficient way to reach multiple journalists, media outlets, and search engines at once. They include both paid and free options:
Paid Services
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PR Newswire: Offers wide media reach and syndication for national and international coverage. Trusted by top media outlets and provides analytics to track performance.
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PRWeb: Focuses on online visibility and search engine indexing. Syndicates news to major sites and helps drive traffic to your website.
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EIN Presswire: Distributes to journalists, news outlets, and bloggers. Offers targeted outreach and reporting to measure media pickup.
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GlobeNewswire: Features industry and region targeting, social media distribution, and news aggregator syndication. Provides analytics to track reach and engagement.
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Presscloud: Allows selection of specific journalists from a database of 5,000+ contacts. Ideal for precise, personalized media outreach with measurable results.
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EasyPR: Distributes to 400+ high-authority global media outlets. Guarantees placement, SEO-friendly backlinks, and detailed analytics. Combines broad reach with advanced targeting and reporting.
Free Services
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PR Fire: Free press release submission to media outlets, social media, and search engines, though with limited reach.
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HARO (Help a Reporter Out): Connects you with journalists seeking sources for stories, allowing organic media mentions.
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IssueWire: Offers one free press release per account; paid upgrades enable broader reach and inclusion in Google News and Bing News.
Direct Submission to Media Outlets
For highly targeted reach, direct submissions remain effective:
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Email journalists and editors: Personalize emails to key media contacts rather than sending mass messages.
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Local media: Contact newspapers, TV stations, and online news sites to cover community-specific stories.
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Industry-specific publications: Reach trade magazines and niche outlets relevant to your business.
Direct submission ensures your press release lands in the right inbox and can sometimes outperform broader distribution if the story is highly relevant.
Factors to Consider Before Submitting a Press Release
Before choosing where to submit your press release, it is important to consider a few key factors that determine how effective your distribution will be. The right approach can maximize your media reach, SEO value, and brand credibility.
1. Define Your Target Audience
Identify who you want to reach: journalists, customers, investors, or the general public. Different platforms specialize in different audiences. Choosing a platform aligned with your audience ensures your story reaches the people most likely to engage with it.
2. Match Your Goals with the Platform
Your goals should guide your submission strategy.
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For brand awareness, opt for platforms with global media reach.
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For SEO benefits, choose services offering backlinks and news site syndication.
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For credibility and authority, pick networks connected with verified journalists and established outlets.
3. Consider Your Budget
Both free and paid press release distribution options exist. Free sites provide basic visibility but limited analytics or guaranteed placement. Paid platforms like EasyPR or PR Newswire deliver broader reach, guaranteed coverage, and measurable results ideal for businesses focused on impact.
4. Check Industry Relevance
Some platforms are general, while others are niche-specific. Selecting distribution channels that align with your industry ensures your release reaches relevant media professionals and audiences interested in your topic.
5. Evaluate SEO and Backlink Benefits
SEO is a key long-term advantage of press releases. Choose services that offer do-follow backlinks, Google News inclusion, and high-authority domain placements to boost your website’s visibility and search ranking.
6. Analyze Reporting and Analytics Options
Strong PR distribution platforms provide detailed post-release analytics.
Look for metrics such as:
- Number of media pickups
- Traffic and impressions
- Backlink reports
- Social shares and audience engagement
EasyPR, for example, includes real-time performance tracking and detailed analytics, allowing brands to measure results and optimize future releases.
Top Platforms to Submit Press Release for Maximum Media Coverage
How to Submit a Press Release via Email?
Emailing your press release directly to journalists and editors remains one of the most personal and effective ways to get media attention. Unlike automated distribution, this method allows you to build genuine relationships with reporters and tailor your pitch for maximum relevance.
Here’s how you should submit a press release via email:
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Paste your content in the email body: Avoid sending attachments, as many newsrooms block them. Pasting your release directly makes it easier for editors to read instantly.
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Personalize your message: Address each recipient by name and mention something specific about their previous work or coverage. This shows you’ve done your research and increases your chances of being noticed.
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Follow up politely: Wait a few days before following up. A short, respectful message asking if they received your release and offering to provide more information keeps communication professional and courteous.
Done right, email submissions can help you stand out from the flood of generic press releases journalists receive every day.
Tips for Local Press Release Submissions
When your goal is to reach your community or city-based audience, submitting your press release locally can deliver faster and more meaningful results. Local coverage builds trust and drives engagement especially for small businesses, events, or community initiatives.
Here is how to make your local press release stand out:
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Target the right local outlets: Focus on newspapers, TV stations, and online news websites that cover your area or industry. These are the most effective places where to submit a local press release for genuine community reach.
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Use location-based keywords: Naturally include your city or region in the headline and throughout the content to make it more discoverable online.
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Build relationships with local journalists: Personal connections often lead to quicker responses and more personalized coverage.
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Emphasize community relevance: Highlight how your story benefits or impacts local residents, that’s what gets editors interested.
Local press release submissions are especially powerful for small businesses, startups, and event organizers who want to create buzz within their immediate audience before scaling nationally.
Final Thoughts
Knowing where to submit press releases is critical for achieving visibility, credibility, and authority. By choosing the right platforms whether paid like EasyPR for guaranteed results or free services for budget-conscious businesses, you can ensure your announcements are seen by the right audience.
Direct submission, local targeting, and strategic use of distribution platforms maximize the impact of every press release. With EasyPR, you get a reliable, all-in-one solution that guarantees placement, SEO benefits, and measurable results. Make every press release count and turn your announcements into branding and marketing wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to submit free press releases?
Free press releases can be submitted on platforms like PR Fire, HARO, and IssueWire, which allow limited distribution to media outlets, search engines, and social networks.
What are the best platforms to submit my press release on?
Affordable press release service providers like EasyPR offer global media coverage, guaranteed placements, and analytics. With high budget PR Newswire, EIN Presswire & Globalnewswire also provides guaranteed media placements to top outlets.
Who do I submit a press release to?
Target journalists, editors, bloggers, industry-specific publications, local media, and relevant online platforms.
How to submit a local press release?
Email local newspapers, TV stations, or online news websites. Include a personalized message, your press release in the email body, and a follow-up after a few days.
Where are press releases posted?
Press releases appear on media outlets, distribution services, search engines, social media platforms, and sometimes in newsletters or blogs of the media.
