Best Press Release Services 2021
Best Press Release Services for Small Business. SiteTrail: Best for writing and distributing press releases; eReleases: Best for reaching journalists; EIN Presswire: Most affordable for small business; PRWeb: Best for small business SEO; Newswire: Best for new businesses; PR Newswire: Best for local & state distribution.
Last Updated:
2021-07-26
Best Press Release Services
Our Approach:
Selecting the best press release service for your business comes down to three factors:
Performance history
Value/Cost
Services
In this review, we’ll look at some of the top distribution services and determine what makes them the best for business.
Our Top 6 Press Release Distribution Services for 2021:
SiteTrail
is our choice for best overall.
Its rates are low and it provides both writing and distribution services.
eReleases
is our top choice for reaching journalists.
It works with a network of journalists and uses an industry-targeted approach.
EIN Presswire
is the most affordable.
It does same-day distribution through its global distribution network.
PRWeb
is the best for SEO services.
It helps businesses to optimize their SEO efforts to increase website traffic.
Newswir
e
is our top choice for new businesses.
It uses an extensive network of major media outlets and has a highly-rated service.
PR Newswire
is the best for local, state and national targeting.
It offers targeted distribution services, depending on a business’s needs.
Recommended:
SiteTrail
offers PR distribution and writing services with low cost and great value.
1. SiteTrail: Best Overall Services
SiteTrail
offers the overall best PR services.
This company is our favorite because, not only does it offer low-cost distribution, but it also offers writing services. Its press releases are an excellent value, because they are written by actual journalists trained in PR writing. SiteTrail’s track record proves it ‘s doing something right.
How much does a press release cost? Here is a quick summary of what SiteTrail offers:
Basic ($199)
— A well-crafted 700-word press release, distribution to five industry channels and two countries, one Google News indexed article, and RSS syndication to multiple media outlets and journalists.
Popular ($249)
— Two well-crafted 700-word articles (one press release, one editorial news), distribution to unlimited channels and countries, two Google News indexed articles, genuine media visibility with basic SEO value, and RSS syndication to multiple media outlets and journalists.
Corporate ($1,399)
— Three well-crafted 700-word articles (one press release, two editorial news), three Google News indexed articles, distribution to unlimited channels and countries, genuine media visibility with strong SEO value, and RSS syndication to multiple media outlets and journalists.
How to distribute a press release:
Visit
SiteTrail
and click on “Press Release” at the top of the page. Then, select a package and check out.
Pros:
One price to write and distribute effective press releases
No contracts or hidden fees
Rapid, one-day content production and distribution
Cons:
SEO and marketing packages cost extra
Limited to 700 words
SiteTrail’s expert writing service and complete packages are the reason we rank it so high for
press release services
. Its five-star reviews on
Trustpilot
should provide enough support for the company’s high-quality work. That’s why we have selected this option as our top choice.
Here are some verified reviews (pulled from Trustpilot)
by people who used SiteTrail to help launch their businesses:
“Our company got Instagram accounts verified after using their PR service. Great prices and quick service.”
—Colin Campbel
“They got us into Entrepreneur magazine and another top publication in a short time. Great service.”
—Spencer Fields
“Delivered the work in a timely manner and exceeded our expectations considering the price we paid. Overall a positive experience.”
—Lara Bernhardt
Recommended:
SiteTrail
offers distribution and writing services with low cost and great value.
To learn more, check out our
SiteTrail Review
2. eReleases: Top Choice for Reaching Journalists
eReleases
offers the top service for reaching journalists.
This company is our next favorite because it specializes in getting your industry-specific press release into the hands of journalists who report on your industry. It means you run less risk of your press release not being reported.
How much does a press release cost? Here is a quick summary of what eReleases offers:
Buzz Builder ($299)
— Distribution to an extensive list of media outlets and 100,000+ journalists, proof of distribution, 400-word count, and one industry targeted list.
Newsmaker ($399)
— Distribution to an extensive list of media outlets and 100,000+ journalists, proof of distribution, 500-word count, and two industry targeted lists.
PR Pro ($599)
— Distribution to an extensive list of media outlets and 100,000+ journalists, proof of distribution, 600-word count, three industry targeted lists, and PR True Pitch™ targeted distribution services.
How to distribute a press release:
Visit
eReleases
and click on “Start My Order”. Then, select a package and check out.
Pros:
Wide range of contacts in all areas
Geographical plans make appealing to a specific area easy
Reporting for every outlet that publishes your press release
Cons:
Pricey basic package
Limited word count
Multimedia additions and writing services cost extra
eReleases’s journalistic reach are the reason
we rank it so high for PR distribution
. Its high reviews on the
ShopperApproved/eReleases
website should provide enough support for the company’s high-quality work.
Here are some verified reviews (pulled from ShopperApproved/eReleases) by people who used eReleases to help launch their businesses:
“eReleases is the best PR distribution company I have worked with in 30+ years. They are totally reliable and responsive and their order process is easy and efficient.”
—Diane S.
“eReleases provides a very easy-to-navigate platform for uploading releases quickly and efficiently, with good communications from the editorial team. Plus, the releases get distributed via Cision/PR Newswire at a very competitive price, with follow-up on media hits via their emailed Visibility Reports. Overall, a win-win!”
—Christa N.
Recommended:
eReleases
is perfect for industry-specific services.
To learn more, check out our
eReleases Review
.
3. EIN Presswire: Most Affordable
EIN Presswire
offers the most affordable service.
This company is our next favorite because it specializes in global, SEO-friendly press release distribution. It also does media monitoring and tracking of press releases.
How much does a press release cost? Here is a quick summary of what EIN Presswire offers:
Basic ($49.95)
— Placement on EIN Presswire, 1 press release, 1 distribution channel, media monitoring, and SEO functions.
Pro ($249)
— Placement on EIN Presswire, 5 press releases, 3 distribution channels, SEO functions, media monitoring, and distribution to US radio and TV stations.
Pro+ ($399)
— Placement on EIN Presswire, 10 press releases, 5 distribution channels, distribution to US radio and TV stations, media monitoring, same-day distribution, SEO functions, and social media posting.
Corporate ($999)
— Placement on EIN Presswire, 50 press releases, 5 distribution channels, distribution to US radio and TV stations, media monitoring, same-day distribution, SEO functions, and social media posting.
How to distribute a press release:
Visit
EIN Presswire
and click on “Submit Release.” Then, select a package and check out.
Pros:
Accessible pricing for small businesses
Hyper-targeted press release distribution
Global distribution
Cons:
No press release writing services
Distribution is limited to up to five channels, depending on your package
To access all of the features EIN Presswire has to offer, you need an upgraded package
EIN Presswire’s prices are the reason we rank it so high for
PR distribution
. Though it doesn’t have any reviews on Trustpilot or other reputable ratings sites, it does have many satisfied customer reviews listed on its own website.
Here are some unverified reviews (pulled from EIN Presswire)
by people who used EIN Presswire to help launch their businesses:
“We have used many PRs and we love this one the most. Works for our own presses and all of our clients’ quarterlies! The upper-end packages are where the benefits really shine through! Can’t buy enough 10 packs in a year, LOL. But seriously. ”
—William Nozak, Nozak Consulting
“EIN Presswire is easy to use, effective, with a big reach, at a fraction of the cost of other news release distributors. I love it. They have also allowed us to issue news releases on important topics, like animal agriculture’s enormous role in climate change, that other news services have rejected, perhaps for fear of offending their big corporate clients. EIN Presswire is the real deal.”
— Jane Velez-Mitchell, Managing Editor, JaneUnChained.com
Recommended:
EIN Presswire
offers affordable services.
To learn more, check out our
EIN Presswire Review
.
4. PRWeb: Best SEO Service
PRWeb
is the best choice for SEO
. This company is another favorite because it specializes in SEO-related services and targeted placement opportunities. It can help your press releases go viral online, boosting website traffic and conversions.
How much does a press release cost? Here is a quick summary of what PRWeb offers:
Basic ($99)
— Permanent hosting of a single press release on the PRWeb website to increase web visibility on Google, Bing, and more.
Standard ($189)
—Syndicate a press release on hundreds of media platforms and permanent hosting of a single release on the PRWeb website.
Advanced ($289)
— Email your press release directly to industry-focused influencers, permanent hosting of a single release on the PRWeb website, and syndicate it on hundreds of media platforms.
Premium ($389)
— Distribute your press release to industry-curated Twitter feeds and influential blogger networks, email your press release directly to industry-focused influencers, permanent hosting of a single release on the PRWeb website, and syndicate it on hundreds of media platforms.
How to distribute a press release:
Visit
PRWeb
and click on “Start My Order”. Then, select a package and check out.
Pros:
SEO targeted distribution
Competitive pricing
Real-time analytics reporting
Cons:
No proofreading, spellcheck, or auto-save features
No regional distribution
No multimedia input on the basic plan
PRWeb’s SEO specialty is the reason we rank it so high for PR services. Its high reviews on
Trustpilot
should provide enough support for the company’s high-quality work.
Here are some verified reviews (pulled from Trustpilot)
by people who used eReleases to help launch their businesses:
“I am satisfied with their service. Customer support is good.”
—Ronan S.
“Horrible Service. Spent $ 289 and not a single backlink or visibility.”
—Anubhav Saraf
“I used PRweb a few times and although the results weren’t great they were acceptable. However without telling me they were taken over by Cision who are 10 times worse than PRweb ever were.”
—Derek Newark
To learn more, check out our
PRWeb Review
.
5. Newswire: Best for New Businesses
Newswire
is our top choice for new businesses.
This company is another favorite because it helps new businesses get the word out. It also offers writing services, though prices and fees can add up if you’re not careful.
How much does a press release cost? Here is a quick summary of what Newswire offers:
Newswire Digital ($199)
— Distribution to Newswire’s digital network, detailed analytics report, as well as a 500-words with six hyperlinks, image, video, and industry list included.
Newswire Digital Plus ($449)
—Distribution to Newswire’s expanded digital network, detailed analytics and visibility report, a two-tier editorial process, as well as a 500-words with six hyperlinks, image, video, and industry list included.
Newswire State ($499)
— Distribution to Newswire’s expanded digital network and state-specific media outlets, social media marketing, detailed analytics and visibility report, a two-tier editorial process, as well as a 500-words with six hyperlinks, image, video, and industry list included.
Newswire National ($799)
— Distribution to Newswire’s expanded digital network and national distribution to all 50 states, detailed analytics and visibility report, a two-tier editorial process, as well as a 500-words with six hyperlinks, image, video, and industry list included.
How to distribute a press release:
Visit
Newswire
and click on “Let’s Get Started – Press Release Distribution.” Then, select a package and check out.
Pros:
PR writing services with multimedia options for logos, audio, and videos
Track performance of your releases, Google analytics, and location of your readers
Newswire boasts an extensive database of journalists, making it possible to find the right market for your release and major media outlets such as Google and Twitter in their network
Cons:
No proofreading or editing available in the basic plan
Higher costs than some competitors
Basic plan offers limited distribution outlets
Newswire’s new business focus is the reason we rank it so high for
PR distribution
. Its high reviews on
Trustpilot
should provide enough support for the company’s high-quality work.
Here are some verified reviews (pulled from Trustpilot)
by people who used eReleases to help launch their businesses:
“David was a huge help! Despite some phone issues beyond his control he continued to follow up and made sure we got our release out.”
—John Eason
“It was not published properly on the network website. Not worth using at this much cost..”
—Sourabh Sharma
“Service was easy to use.”
—Noelle Abarelli
To learn more, check out our
Newswire Press Review.
6. PR Newswire: Best Location Targeting
PR Newswire
is the best PR distribution for local, state, and national targeting
. This company is another favorite because it targets specific locations to get the word out where it matters most.
How much does a press release cost? Here is a quick summary of what PR Newswire offers:
PR Newswire does not offer a list of prices on its website. However, you can visit its
pricing guide
or reach out directly to obtain a
pricing quote for your business
. The prices listed below are based on a 400-word press release.
Additionally, all businesses must pay an annual membership fee to use PR Newswire’s services, which starts at $195.
State & Local ($350+/$355+)
— Distribution to over 1,000 targeted, local media outlets and websites.
Regional ($475+)
— Regional press release distribution to 13 surrounding states in your region.
National ($805/$835)
— National press release distribution to over 4,500 targeted media outlets of varying types.
How to distribute a press release:
Visit
PR Newswire
and click on “Get Started”. Then, fill out a submission form.
Pros:
Wide range of contacts in all areas
Geographical plans make it easy to appeal to a specific area
Reporting for every outlet that publishes your press release
Cons:
Little cost transparency
Additional costs for multimedia such as photos, audio or videos
Annual membership fee is required
PR Newswire’s targeted focus is the reason we rank it so high for
PR distribution
. Its high reviews on
Trustpilot
and
TrustRadius
should provide enough support for the company’s high-quality work.
Here are some unverified reviews (pulled from Trustpilot and TrustRadius)
by people who used PR Newswire to help launch their businesses:
“It’s VERY expensive. This is why it’s difficult to recommend it to any clients on a budget. Smaller businesses and startups would be hard-pressed to pay hundreds of dollars to issue a press release. And the pricing goes up if you want to include a photo, etc. There are competitors who will do it for less … If you’re a big company with a big budget, by all means, PR Newswire is a good fit.”
—Michelle Messenger Garrett
“I have gained nothing using PR Newswire, and if anything have wasted dozens of hours writing releases approved by their staff only to have them removed shortly after … I recommend looking at similar companies in this space. There are companies out there who get a similar exposure, are a fraction of the cost, and provide 10x more excellent customer service.”
—Verified User
“User-friendly – PR Newswire has a very user-friendly website that makes it simple and easy to get a news release set up for a distribution relatively quickly. You can also save your selections from a previous distribution to make it go even faster. Since I am pretty much always sending out my releases to the same distribution list, all I have to do is check that box.”
—Cindy Arco
“Once a press release is sent up, PR Newswire follows up with visibility reports so you know how well your release did and if you need to do another or target specific reporters.”
—Richard Angeloni
To learn more, check out our
PR Newswire Review
.
Final Thoughts
You can go down this list, trying different press release services to find the one that best serves your business needs. All of the distribution services on this list have their pros and cons. They each have their own specializations.
We recommend starting with
SiteTrail
for the best distribution and writing services. It covers everything the other press release services do and its prices are lower than the rest on this list.
FAQs
What is the best press release distribution service?
The best press release distribution service depends on your business’s needs, type, and budget. However, our best overall press release distribution service is SiteTrail that offers writing and distribution of optimized press releases for a flat fee.
What is a press release distribution service?
A press release distribution service helps businesses issue news to targeted channels including media outlets, influencers, journalists, and websites.
How do I distribute a press release for free?
If you’re on a budget, distributing a press release for free is possible by doing it yourself. This entails finding targeted distribution channels such as media outlets and industry journalists that will take interest in your announcement and publish it.
However, this process is very time consuming and requires commitment to finding destinations for your press release and following up with your chosen channels.
Are press releases worth it?
Press releases can be one of the most effective marketing tools available to small businesses. They can help boost SEO, increase traffic, and serve as an effective branding tactic for small business marketing.
How do you distribute a press release locally?
Find local channels such as new stations, radio stations, websites, and blogs. The key to successfully distributing press releases locally is to find contacts within each of these channels that are familiar with or interested in your industry to increase the likelihood of them publishing your press release.
Why do companies issue press releases?
There are many reasons a company will issue a press release; here are some of the most common ones:
Easily
brand your business
.
Increase foot traffic to your business.
Effectively increase your website’s SEO and enhance your business’s online presence.
Generate more sales by announcing a new product or service launch.
Help your business gain momentum for an upcoming product release or business event.
Help your business manage a crisis affecting your business.
Are press releases outdated?
As with any marketing strategy, the way press releases are written and distributed need to be updated with changing markets, technologies, and consumers. In their essence, press releases are not outdated; they can help boost SEO, drive foot traffic, and otherwise build your brand. However, it is imperative that you
write effective press releases
and are selective about the news you’re releasing.
How do I make my press release stand out?
Hire a professional writer to craft your press release or do substantial research on how to write a compelling press release yourself. Most importantly, be selective about the announcements you choose, selecting only newsworthy content to release.