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FAQS
PR Newswire is the global leader in innovative communications and marketing services, enabling companies and organizations to connect and engage with their target audiences worldwide. Through its multi-channel distribution network, audience intelligence, targeting, and measurement services, PR Newswire helps companies and organizations of all sizes conduct rich, timely and dynamic dialogues with the media, consumers, policymakers, investors and the general public, in support of building brands, generating awareness, impacting public policy, driving sales, and raising capital. Pioneering the commercial news distribution industry 55 years ago, PR Newswire connects customers with audiences in more than 170 countries and in more than 40 languages through an unparalleled network of offices in 16 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and via unique affiliations with the leading news agencies across the globe. PR Newswire is a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, a leading global business media company that serves professional commercial communities around the world.
What is a news release? A news release (also called a press release) is written communication directed at the media, financial community, trade and industry analysts, investors and consumers to announce a product, partnership, acquisition, event, personnel announcement, or other newsworthy item. Public companies issue news releases to the financial community when they need to disclose "material" information simultaneously. Editors, reporters, and journalists depend on news releases to alert them to unique products, trends and changes in the business landscape. If the journalist or analyst finds the announcement of value they may contact the company for more details and/or an interview. This may result in the company being mentioned in an article or broadcast. Even if a news release does not result in media pick-up it can still generate significant consumer interest. Helpful tool: Thinking about creating your own news release? Click here to download the "Anatomy of a news release" diagram (pdf).
What are the benefits of distributing a news release? Some of the benefits of distributing a news release with PR Newswire include:
What is a multimedia news release? Multimedia News Releases allow you to deliver your news in a multimedia format blending video, audio, text, logos, photos and related documents into a dynamic HTML platform. Existing video and audio footage from commercials, product launches and CEO presentations can be visually packaged with text, photos, hyperlinks, relevant documents and more to help expand the reach of your news.
Why does my company need a newswire to send out its message? PR Newswire content is considered the mainstay among news reporters, investors and individuals who seek breaking news from the source. Through its extensive distribution networks PR Newswire ensures that your information is cost effectively delivered to the media in precisely the places they go to get the raw material for their stories. You’ll also receive maximum visibility online and offline with qualified, engaged audiences using the latest benefits of Web 2.0 and search engine optimization. PR Newswire puts your news into an interactive realm of social media where it can be seen, shared and talked about by those who rely on our RSS feeds and embedded social media tools. Additionally, every domestic new release distributed by PR Newswire is distributed to more than 5,000 Web sites, databases and online services, such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL. This is extremely powerful tool for small businesses because it gets your release in front of a potential audience of millions, including potential customers. PR Newswire allows you to cost effectively deliver your message to your target audiences in the way they want to receive it.
What audiences can PR Newswire help me reach? PR Newswire can help you target your message to several audiences including: Online: Social Media and Bloggers: Media: Industry Trades:
How does my release reach my target audience? To ensure that your news lands on the desk of the person most likely to use it, PR Newswire electronically transmits news releases and other information via its cutting-edge newswire, Internet, and satellite network. Its dedicated newswire sends the information directly into the central processing computers of selected media and to major business and financial wires such as the Associated Press, Dow Jones, Reuters, Bloomberg and Bridge News. In addition, PR Newswire sends all news releases to appropriate industry trade publications and to more than 5,000 Web sites, databases and online services. The news release is also sent to thousands of other Web sites via redistribution and syndication.
When should I issue a news release? A news release can be used to announce a variety of information. Consider the following examples:
Can PR Newswire help with online visibility?
Yes. Every domestic news release distributed by PR Newswire is distributed to more than 5,000
Web sites, databases and online services, such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL. This is an extremely
powerful tool for small businesses because it gets your release in front of a potential audience
of millions, including potential customers.
Does PR Newswire offer tools to help me increase my search engine visibility? Yes. PR Newswire offers a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) service to help you increase the likelihood that a news release will be spidered by search engines, and thus, be more accessible to key audiences (media, analysts, clients, prospects) searching for information on the Web. Releases optimized by PR Newswire's SEO service become "search engine friendly" and are indexed by the Web's leading search engines for six months. As a result, people searching the Web for related information will find the release in their natural search results for months after the release is issued. To help you track your return on investment PR Newswire provides quantitative reports that detail how many times it was viewed via search engines and other sources (Digg, Facebook, etc.). Included in the reports are keywords used by searchers and the number of people who clicked through to each Web site in the release. This intelligence can be used to tailor future messages and gain a better understanding of how key audiences seek and use news.
How can I use social media to generate visibility for my business? PR Newswire automatically includes links to popular social media and blogging tools to all news releases on prnewswire.com. Included are a variety of Web 2.0 tools, including:
A news release posted to any social networking site is made available to the millions of registered bookmarkers, which can dramatically increase a news release’s visibility. Users who click through to news releases have an established interest in that subject area and are more likely to share the information contained in your news release with others. It is the collaborative nature of social bookmarks and Web 2.0 that extends both the reach and life of your releases online.
Are there any tools to help me get quoted by the media? You can gain exposure for your small business by promoting your spokespeople and experts to the media. One tool for this is ProfNet Experts, which is the leading experts network. ProfNet allows you to respond to requests for experts from journalists and proactively alert reporters to experts who can comment on timely and newsworthy topics. You’ll find out what stories are being developed by which reporters, putting you in the loop at just the right time. Plus, you’ll get to know the reporters and freelancers who cover your industry and beat. To learn more visit the PR Tools section or view a short ProfNet Experts demonstration.
I’d like to develop a media campaign--where should I start? Consider using a media-targeting database to help you target media that cover your industry. MEDIAtlas is a comprehensive Web-based media database that provides continuously updated information on journalists and media outlets, 24/7. You can use it to complement a news release distribution by individually targeting the journalists most important to the success of your media campaign or you can use it for other purposes such as promoting a fundraising or local event. To learn more, visit the PR Tools section or view a short MEDIAtlas demonstration.
Can PR Newswire help me target my message to multicultural markets? PR Newswire has the ability to reach U.S. Hispanic media, including newspapers, magazines, radio and television outlets on a national, state and local level, and more than 90 Hispanic Media Web sites, including Yahoo! en Español, Hispanic Business, LatinaStyle and Diario Las Americas. We also have the ability to reach African-American, Native American and Chinese-American media on a national level. PR Newswire provides flexible and cost effective distribution options to help you reach U.S. multicultural markets. We offer specialized newslines that help you promote your company, brand, service and product news to consumers, media and potential investors. For example, PR Newswire members that join via the PR Toolkit can utilize a unique Hispanic Web only distribution, which reaches key Hispanic newspaper and magazine Web sites, including Yahoo! en Español, Hispanic Business and LatinaStyle.
Why should I target my message to multicultural markets? Multicultural markets are one of the fastest growing segments in the U.S. and should not be ignored. The purchasing power of multicultural markets is substantial, for example, U.S. Hispanics’ buying power is estimated to be $1 trillion by 2010. A variety of news appeals to this market including breaking news, feature news, new product announcements, changes in corporate structure, events, personnel changes, corporate philanthropy and media advisories. The purchasing power of the multicultural segment is very strong and growing.
When should I submit my release as a feature? Features are timeless or semi-timeless news about products, services, people, advice, surveys or trends—typically about the novel, the unusual or offbeat. Feature releases often get play in the "lifestyles" or "living" section of newspapers and are designed for verbatim pickup. You can distribute your release as a feature any day of the week or you can take advantage of topical packages. For tips on writing an effective feature click here.
Should I use visuals (photos, videos, audio) when distributing a news release? Incorporating photos or video with your release can increase your visibility with media or consumers. Photos and video should be compelling, and complement and support your news release. PR Newswire provides several tools that small businesses can utilize to incorporate photos or video for a multicultural market or general market news release. To review some of PR Newswire’s most popular photo services click here.
Does PR Newswire write the news release? PR Newswire does not write the release, however, there a plenty of resources available to help you do it yourself. Visit the Tips and Advice section of the PR Toolkit to review helpful writing tips and news release writing templates. If you still think you need help there are plenty of small PR firms and independent writers that specialize in helping small businesses with tight budgets. Helpful tool: Thinking about creating your own news release? Click here to download the "Anatomy of a news release" diagram (pdf).
Do you guarantee that the media will pick up my release? Unlike advertising where you are purchasing coverage in a publication or broadcast, with public relations it is up to the media to determine whether or not they will run your story. Coverage, or "pick-up", in a publication or broadcast will typically carry more weight with your target audience than an advertisement because it is considered unbiased third-party information. In most cases distributing a news release is far less expensive than purchasing ad space.
Can I issue a release about litigation or a lawsuit with PR Newswire? Only news releases about litigation that come from the principal parties involved in that litigation and/or their legal representatives, or from third parties directly impacted by the litigation, can be distributed through PR Newswire. Details specifying the court and date the lawsuit filing took place must be provided. News releases about litigation must be attributed to the party issuing the release.
Can I include stock ticker symbols in my release? You can include the stock ticker symbols of other companies only if the news involving the other party is deemed "material". Material news may include takeover or merger talks, labor negotiations, filing of lawsuits, regulatory approval, credit ratings, product reviews from recognized publishers and contract announcements. News that does not fall into one of those categories may be distributed by PR Newswire only with written permission from the second party.
Can I send out investment opinions or stock tips? Only investment opinions and stock recommendations from firms or broker/dealers that are either a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) or from major nationally recognized publishers with broad circulations will be distributed. Stock tips, recommendations or investment opinion releases from small Web, online or newsletter publishers are not permitted over PR Newswire.
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