Are Press Releases Worth doing?

[mneylon]

Has anyone had any experience of doing press releases to promote a new site?

 

[georgiecasey]

That's a good question, I'd like to see other peoples answers. I tried it a few years ago and it I got a few writeups because my website was kinda of interesting, but I can't imagine working if you're starting a new ringtones website or viagra-related one now. It's just not interesting!

 

[writie]

Georgie has the answer.

I've done verysuccessful press releases through things like prweb. But the success was also due to the inherent interest in the site and service (a new scriptwriter's magazine) and the timing (a few weeks before the Cannes festival). It generated a phone interview from France and at least 30 links to the site from news and movie-related sites.

 

[mneylon]

Writie - do you have any links to past coverage that you've got?
I've used PRWeb for the company quite a bit over the last year or so and found it to be highly effective

 

[Packet]

Any publicity is good, dont the link backs on news sites come in handy too?

 

[mneylon]

Links from quality sites are always welcome

Where would you submit press releases to if you wanted to promote a site like this one or say Irish Ecommerce Directory - Online Shopping in Ireland ?

I know where to send press releases for hosting related stuff, but not for the non-hosting sites

 

[Packet]

I have a list of Generlised contacts, both on and off line. I got it off Mr Mulley some time back and built onto it, I was asked not to give it out but I am sure if you drop him a pm he may be able to help.

 

[writie]

Writie - do you have any links to past coverage that you've got?
I've used PRWeb for the company quite a bit over the last year or so and found it to be highly effective

I had a quick look and didn't find a plug-in, ready-to-roll link - sorry. It was 2 years ago. The project was the launch of a writers magazine by "101 Scénaristes en herbe/101 New Screenwriters".

The only thing of real interest was that the press release was well written (topical, clear with good non-generic quotes) and perfectly timed. That was the reason it was successful. So if you have a site planned, it might be an idea to officially launch it in time for a major trade fair. A few weeks prior to that, the trade press will be looking for stories. The really big ones such as the Cannes Film Market, Midem, MIPIM, etc.) also have daily newspapers that need filling.

Another angle is to try and "find the angles", as we say in the press. A friend of mine has written a massive book on left-hand guitarists. (His site is at Uncommon Sound - The Left-Handed Guitar Players That Changed Music Rather than restricting his coverage to the music press, he will be contributing articles about left-handedness (an interesting subject, btw) to various publications. As he can pull lots of celebrity examples, these articles should be quite reader-friendly.