How to Use Press Releases for SEO Benefits
Press releases have been used for decades by the public relations industry to make announcements and acquire media attention for their clients. Today, press releases have begun to be used in other ways, including as part of online marketing efforts.
Below are some tips to help you optimize and write effective press releases for your marketing methods.
Choose a Newsworthy Topic
One of the biggest mistakes people make when writing press releases is not making them something anyone would be compelled to read. Your web site’s launch is of little importance to the world at large unless you can show that you are offering a valuable and necessary service.
For example, if you were starting an online IT recruiting web site, your newsworthy angle might be the large number of vacancies in certain industries which are being left unfilled. Then people would take an interest in how you can help solve that problem.
Writing a Press Release
Treat the content just as you would any article in terms of keywords. Pick some that are relevant and are frequently used in searches. Add them strategically to your press release, particularly in the headline, summary, and several times in the body.
Do not overuse the keywords because these will make the PR seem too spam-like and may make it seem less than professional.
Use Clear Language
Another mistake that is easily made is writing the press release for a specific instead of a general audience. That means you don’t want to rely too heavily on industry jargon in your content. Readers are usually turned off by jargon not only because it can be challenging to understand but also because it can generate a negative impression of your site or your business.
Add an Image and Quote Someone
To make it more interesting, professionals recommend you add an image, if appropriate, to your press release. It’s also a good idea to insert a quote somewhere in the article. This will make it seem more professional and add authenticity.
Create Keyword Anchor Links
Because the goal of the press release you are writing is to drive people back to your web site, you’ve got to make it as easy as possible for that to happen. One way to accomplish that is by adding anchor links to your text. These are links back to pages of your web site embedded into the text through your keywords.
Link back to appropriate pages on your site, not just your home page. These links can become a valuable asset in your web site’s link inventory.
Follow Online Formatting Guidelines
If you’re going to be distributing your press releases through online services, you need to be aware of the format that is required by those services. The most common format requires the press release to be between 300 and 500 words in length, to have a headline, a summary, body content, an about the company section, and contact information.
You can find press release samples on the Internet fairly easily or you can hire a ghostwriter to prepare them for you.
The service I frequently use for press releases is PR Web. The cost of a press release, including the SEO Visibility option, is $200. There are also several free services online.
Press releases are great content / link baits. Online press releases spread so rapidly if they are well written on a newsworthy product or service.
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Oh it is a great and nice article looking forward to have such article it is so useful.. Since I’m new to blogging, these articles are greatly appreciated; very useful and informative blog and every body must visit this blog. It is very interesting article and quite impressive and more informative and looking forward to read such article
You’re so right. As a Mass comm major, and having worked in the magzine indurstry, press releases are simple and highly effective. If you can throw together a blog, you can easiy throw together a press release.
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Definitely something I need to learn, thanks. I haven’t done one yet, but I’d like too!
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Thanks for writing such a useful post. I have asked some of my friends to go through your article. Let’s see whether it helps them or not. All the best.
Great post Kay ,
Press release is the good method of one-way links . I read an article in which a press release of company was published in yahoo local news with link to their website . A link from yahoo completely free So I strongly suggest to write your press release very carefully
I agree completely with this article. Press releases can really be useful for SEO purposes and I definitely try to use them when I develop a site.
Very interesting article, must give this a try for my website. It could generate some traffic and provide seo benefits!
This is one of the things that separates agency level SEO from small time SEO. I have never been able to afford one. I would love to be able to write a few of these because I have seen 1 release make the difference between a # 1 ranking and a # 3 ranking. Good articles get replicated and those embedded links multiple.
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I find the layout to be a nice one.
I would love to be able to write a few of these because I have seen 1 release make the difference
Good article.I write press releases so it was all the more interesting to read.
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I’m from Thailand,I’ll try to make PR for my website aliong time. =[
thx. for good article.
press releases are better for increasing brand awareness but does have some seo benefits luv the design of this blog by the way
@Dennis – they work really great for a business site.
@Miami web design – agreed…you never know where a press release may show up.
@Ramsey SEO – they can make a big difference. I use them for clients; one day I’ll try the free sites for one of my personal web sites and see what happens.
SEO Divas last blog post..How to Use Press Releases for SEO Benefits
This is a really timely post – I’ve just been looking around for good sites to submit press releases to. My site (linked to above) is about mattresses – so no real angle to generate mainstream press coverage! – but I’ve been looking to do it for SEO reasons.
So far PRLog.org looks to be the best free site out there as it allows you to add 3 links in press releases. I’ve tried a few others but without much success with the free services, but if you know of any good ones I’d definitely be interested in hearing them.
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thanks for the information about SEO, very useful!
Thanks, healthy tips.
Press Releases are very helpful for seo purpose
all the latest company’s product when launched by company press releases helps..
Very helpful information thanks
Thanks for the tips!It’s time for me to write an article!i shall follow the guide of yours!
There are many fabulous press release sites that can significantly help your ranking.
The key, as always, is content. Produce a release with well research, interesting facts about your relevant area of expertise.
Your aim is to be regarded as an authority to the subject, so use the press release platform wisely and you will reap the rewards.
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Pres Release is a good way to get 1 way back link. Thanks for the article
Good idea and nice tips. This is obviously going to be great for SEO, specially backlinks and that too quality backlinks. Thanx for posting this article.
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Just wanted to say hell-o it has been a while since I was here last.
I have considered using Press Releases but I have always been concerned about the ROI. I may yet roll the dice with this idea!
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@hi Boris! If you can’t afford Press Releases, just go with article syndication. I’m having great luck with Ezine Articles.
It would be great that you provided few links for resources and list of pr sites where we can submit. Some of us can not afford to pay other people for that. But thanks anyway
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i never write for press releases because i often think that i am doing the same thing as i am writing an article on blog than what is the difference would you tell me???
Great tips, thanks.for sharing.
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its a great website and service but their really expensive as far as a press release is concerned
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Excellent source of information about that How to Use Press Releases for SEO Benefits .I have considered using Press Releases but I have always been concerned about the ROI. I may yet roll the dice with this idea.
Press releases can play an important role in the field of link baiting.The press releases spread up through online to many medias, if we look up for the number of downloads sometimes we may wonder.I found the article writing and submission to the sites like ezine is also important.
Getting a back link is an important part of SEO. This can be done through Press Release, Blog, Forum and through Social Networking Sites.
Thanks for the articles!!
This is new to me, I never used press release before, I just thought it’s not very effective, but I was wrong.
You can also make different press releases about same topic. This way you can target different keywords just make sure each one is unique.
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nice tutorial
now I’m going to use press releases for my site.
I do press releases, it really helps. i recommend too to submit articles to articles directories.
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Press releases really help getting backlinks
This is for sure a nice tip. I never thought of using this as a SEO technic, but now after reading your post, I might give it a try.
I have o try new things, I’m already sick of submiting my sites in different directories!!
Cheers
Kia
This is for sure a nice tip. I never thought of using this as a SEO technic, but now after reading your post, I might give it a try.
I have o try new things, I’m already sick of submiting my sites in different directories!!
Cheers
Kia
I never used press release. But after reading your article, it’s clear to me what press release can do for me.
I’ll do it. Thanks for your sharing. So simple, so clear, and so powerful.
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