5 Steps for Effective Free Press Release Distribution
Are you interested in using press releases to promote your band? It’s not impossible, or even too hard to distribute your own press releases. Below is a list of 5 steps for more effective free press release distribution:
- Choose a few free press release distribution sites. Choose which sites to use based on which ones will get the release added to news engines. Just because some bigger distribution sites charge for this service,
it does not gurantee they will get picked up.
- Send your release to the Associated Press. It never hurts to try… and if they think your release is newsworthy, you might get some other media coverage out of it too. Just email or fax the release to the appropriate editor, writer, or region depending on your location and area.
- Local News! Send your releases to your local newspaper, street press or other media and put a local spin on your release. It won’t take you too long to add a local spin to the introduction or headline of the press release. Send it to the most relevant journalist or editor at your local paper. Smaller papers especially love it when a local is doing anything remotely newsworthy. Try to build a relationship with the editor or writer whenever possible while you’re at it, send them or the photgrapher free tickets to your gig!
- Send it directly to niche or industry outlets. If you know of the top blogs, magazines, or websites in your musical niche, see if they have press release submission guidelines and submit it directly to them. Work on the bigger ones first and submit to as many as you have time for. If you get bigger pickups, they’ll often lead to smaller niche blogs etc copycatting the story anyway. Again, try to build relationships if you can.
- Add your press releases to your own website, Facebook, MySpace or blog. This so often ignored or neglected! Some artists say they don’t want duplicate content on their site. But who the hell cares about duplicate
content? Maybe it’s just us, but we thought the purpose of a press release was to bring exposure to your band! On top of putting your news out to your regular readers, fans, or visitors, it also allows you to archive your releases for journalists who visit the site wanting to learn more about your band. If you don’t have a press room or at least a press release archive, we suggest you add one! And when it’s on your site, you can take that opportunity to add all the little social media tools that are relevant, add commenting (especially if it’s on a blog), add it to del.icio.us, or Digg it , Facebook, MySpace etc.
So there you go. There’s no need to use expensive agencies or other sites to distribute your press release for you. If you’re feeling independently-inclined, give it a go and get that release and your band out there! You’d be surprised at how effective a little direct involvement can be in press release distribution and media relations as a whole.
Here is a big list of free press release distribution sites we have found over time:
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