Many internet marketers neglect using press releases as part as their SEO campaigns. This is because many think of a press release as a time sensitive story. There is a tendency to think of press releases being used only when there is something new to announce.



The internet is a very different form of media and press releases are done to help build back links to your site, while also helping with SEO, by driving traffic to your site or blog. With your back links, you want well established sites that have authority. Search engine spiders love these sites and this will help you tremendously.

Search engines also look at your anchor text. Your anchor text should have your keywords in your link. The search engines decide your theme of your site by looking at the keywords that you use as anchor text. The more relevant your anchor text, the better your search engine rankings will be. This is why you don't want anchor text saying “Click Here”.

There are 3 types of press releases:

1. Free releases with no links allowed- Here the press release site lets you submit your press release for free, but you are not permitted to put active links in your content.

2. Free releases with links allowed, but with no anchor texts- You are permitted to put in 1-2 URL's in each press release. No anchor text is permitted.

3. Paid releases with links and anchor text- Here the press release site allows for at least 2 back links and anchor text. This is what is needed for good SEO and it is all done for an affordable fee.

These press release sites have many high ranking sites in their distribution list. These are well established sites; such as, American Chronicle, CNET and may others.

When you publish a press release traffic will come to your site from:

Direct traffic- After your press release has been published; it will be syndicated across many news related sites. Readers who see your story may pop over to your site to take a look.

News subscribers- Press release sites will also submit your release to news wire sites. These sights have many news subscribers and they will pick up your story. If they are interested, they will pop over to your site to take a look.

Search engines- The search engines will give you a consistent stream of traffic from organic searches. This is the best kind of free traffic to your site and will be around long after the excitement of the press release is gone.

Preparing a press release is not as difficult as most people believe that it is. It is easy to get one approved and to get it distributed all over the internet. If you chose to write your own press release, remember to:

1. Write in the third person.

2. Come up with a compelling headline to catch people's interest.

3. Include 1-2 quotations from someone with authority in that industry.

4. State facts, features and benefits clearly.

5. Chose an interesting angle to write about so that it is interesting to the reader.

6. Don't over stuff you press release with keywords. Make sure it sounds natural, use synonyms if you have to.

7. Include your contact information at the end of the press release.

8. Keep it around 500 words. People get bored and stop reading if it is to long.