Hi everyone!

I have searched this site for answers to my questions below, but I don't "think" they have been asked before. If so, I apologize. I did, however, find a lot of other great information regarding press releases!

So here are my questions about submitting client press releases to free sites:

When doing this type of work for clients, how many PR sites would you submit their information to? (I have a list of over 30 sites!)

When registering for an account on the PR site, do you sign up in your own name/email or do you use the client's information? Obviously if I was using a paid site, I would need to use the client's name and credit card. However on the free sites, it seems as though using my own information would save me from having to open up multiple accounts when this type of work is requested again in the future.

I have had problems with formatting on some sites, even after following their exact directions. It does not create double lined spaces between each paragraph which makes the release extremely difficult to read. These sites do not have an edit option and I'm sure the release will not be approved because of this formatting. Using an application like Notepad does not seem to help. Any suggestions?

If a client wishes to know how long it takes to submit a press release to approximately10 free sites, what amount of time would you estimate? This would include the time it takes to register for each account and wait for email confirmation before proceeding.

Thank you very much for any advice you can offer regarding this task.

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Leslie
Virtually Done!

Leslie,

I have an excel spreadsheet listing of over 150 sites and growing! When I receive a request from a client for Press Release submission I usually use all of the free sites on my list.

My first steps are setting up the client with their user name and password. I use a password that they usually use and make all the user name and passwords similar for each press release site. As you indicated it takes time to set up each site. Some sites will allow you to pick the user name and password that you desire and other sites will mail you the password they have chosen for you. I use all the client information including email contact info. The client will need to forward the info from the press release company on to you when it hits their in box after they confirm their identity. Of course, you can eliminate this step by using only your info. I have developed a list of instructions for the client so they will not be confused by the steps they have to complete.

Formatting is a problem with many of the sites. Some sites are very easy and the submission takes literally minutes. Other sites might take up to 20 -30 minutes to complete the submission. Usually, once the release is uploaded to their site it looks fine. I have had some that appeared to have spaces then once its on the press release site it look fine with no additional spaces.

I would estimate submitting to approximately 10 sites could very easily take 3 hours total time. Remember it could take up to 2 days to hear back from some of the sites with your user name or password - usually this is not something you can complete in one day. Once you set up the user name and pass words - you'll have your information and the next time around will be much easier. Then you will only be looking at your submission for time.

I have been offering this as a service for about 1 year and it gets easier as you progress - but it is time consuming! As you go through it you will learn more as you go!

If you have any questions about any of the particular sites, please let me know I may have answers.

Regards,
Fran

Hi Fran and Welcome to the Forum!

Thank you for such a thorough and helpful reply. You sound like the PR expert, so now I know who to ask should I have any more questions.

Wow, you send to all 150 sites!

Like you said, I am discovering that it does get a little easier with each one. I'm glad to hear you say that it could take 3 hours to submit to 10 sites because that's how long it has taken me. I was afraid the client would freak out and ask why it took such a long time.

I'm glad to hear that what looks funny to me during the preview usually ends up looking fine in the final version. I have access to my client's email so that has helped me in not having to wait for them to confirm the account registration, etc.

Once again thanks for all the helpful advice.

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Leslie
Virtually Done!

Hi Leslie, great questions
I usually submit to PR Web for clients and for myself (this is a paid release distribution service) and then to about five of the free PR sites - more than that I don't have time or inclination for.
My main goal with releases isn't saturation, but quality media contact, and active links. PR Web is great because it's a respected distribution source in the press circuit and it's indexed by Google News with live links (there are quite a few of the free PR sites that index on Google as well but not all provide live links - just something to keep in mind) - so I get the results I'm looking for without having to submit over and over again.

Fran - I'd love to know what your top ten free resources for PR submission are out of that very long list you have!

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I just finished posting a press release yesterday. I use my name as the contact as the client prefers that another person's name is there so it appears that it looks more professional. I've done both...used the client name and my own name.

One thing I do want to share that I have noticed lately. My list of free sites has dwindled. It seems that many were once free, now they are paid. Often that information is not clear when I start out so that can be a bit time-consuming.

Although I prefer to write the press releases myself, if the client writes the release, I don't have control over content. I try to make suggestions. A few sites have been rejecting the releases as not being a release but rather being more like an article. I try to turn that around by writing back to the release support people and asking them what changes they want made. Sometimes I am successful and other times I am not.

I offer submission to 5 free sites and that is about 2 hours of work. The slowdown occurs when I have to create the summary and the bio when the client doesn't offer that information if they write the release themselves. So some press release submissions go better than others.

I always create a google alert using the release title after I submit to the free sites so I can track their progress as submission to the press site does not happen immediately. Then I send that link to the client throughout the week so they can see the results of my work. I hate to bill for something that the client can't see.

Jan

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I am glad I stumbled onto this thread as I was just thinking about it.

Fran, I certainly would be interested in your top 10 list of free PR sites, and Tess, what paid release distribution service do you use? I was thinking of using Vocus.

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

This thread is perfectly timed as I was asked by a client to start doing press releases for her.

Fran, I would be interested in your top 10 list of free PR sites. Also is there a recommendation for paid sites as well?

Ruth