5 Features to look for while buying a Press Release Distribution Service
Tags: Press Release Services, Press Release Writing, Press Release

5 Features to look for while buying a Press Release Distribution Service iCrowdNewswire Jun 8·5 min read

When looking for a press release distribution service, one might already know what features to expect from it. But with the multitude of distribution services available, there are a variety of available features as well. This article aims to guide you regarding the top 5 features to look for while choosing a press release service.

Press release distribution is a competitive market, and companies have to provide top-quality services to maintain their customer bases. As a result, almost all of the leading press release distribution agencies share a few standard features.

Our search for the best press release distribution agencies led us to several distribution companies, some free and some paid. While the popularity and reliability of companies were certainly a factor, we focused mainly on the features that they offer to their customers. This article is a summary of our findings.

What are Common Press Release Features?

Indeed, all that glitters is not gold. So, before exploring what the top-most features to look for are in terms of press release distribution companies, one has to realize what’s common between them. Discovering these will give you a better understanding of what’s rare and unique to certain press release companies.

Although companies do offer common features, be advised that the quality, reliability, and consistency somewhat vary. With that said, the leading companies maintain the highest standards to keep up with the competition. Below are the standard features:

Reporting and Analytics

All the best companies provide reporting and analytics for press release campaigns. Firstly, these reports give you live links to your placements on the network of outlets that they provide. These reports guarantee you that your campaign is live and running. Newswire agencies also report on your impressions and click-through rates.

These reports give you valuable insights about your campaigns’ results, insights that can aid you in your subsequent marketing campaigns and strategies. For example, if you know where most of your clicks are coming from, you can target that region better in your next campaign.

Dedicated Customer Service

Press release submission, revision, and tracking can be a hassle even for individuals and organizations with experience with using press releases as a marketing tool for themselves. Assistance from press release distribution companies is therefore vital for smoother and more effective marketing campaigns.

Whether it is in the form of live chat rooms, calls, or email, your newswire service will likely offer you dedicated customer support. The best distribution companies offer 24/7 customer service to ensure that all queries are answered on time.

Other Common Features

Again, it is not guaranteed that all newswire services will perform the same in terms of these features — some companies dominate in the quality services they provide. The following are more features that you can commonly find in the best distribution services:

Getting indexed on search engines;

RSS syndication;

Huge distribution networks;

At least some form of targeting;

Limited multimedia attachments and backlinks.

The Five Features to Look for

A few features give agencies a competitive edge and help them deliver to their customers better. These services are essential to help you reach your organizational goals:

Niche-Specificity

As mentioned above, all leading newswires offer you at least some kind of targeting. Most will classify your press release according to its industry or topic category. Here, the question arises; do these services offer specific products or services aimed specifically at your niche?

Niche-specific products guarantee that you will be marketing to an audience that shares your interests and industry. They also distribute your press release on subject-specific websites.

Multiple Channels

You may find that all of the best press release distribution services have vast distribution networks. Distribution over multiple platforms (or channels), in this case, means multimedia channels (text, audio, video).

Modern distribution channels include video publishing on Youtube and news sites along with radio and television channels. Another revolutionary distribution option is through Virtual Digital Assistant integration, through which audiences can listen to press releases on the go.

Precision Targeting

Most newswire services offer industry-specific targeting. This is a means of demographic targeting and surely does half the trick. But there’s much more to precision targeting for press release distribution.

Services that offer geographic targeting and enhanced demographic targeting (including characteristics like age, gender, industry, and interests) in their distribution campaigns get better results and stand out from the competition. Precision targeting guarantees that you reach your desired audience efficiently and effectively.

No Limits or Additional Charges

Press release distribution services have word limits on most of their packages. Writing more words will cost additional charges. If the standard package you’re opting for is already expensive, overages will weigh heavy on your wallet.

The same goes for multimedia attachments and backlinks in your press release; there are either limits or additional charges depending on the service you choose.

Translations

Ensuring that a press release is distributed internationally is one thing, but can global audiences access it easily? AI-driven, accurate translations allow readers from all over the world easy access and readability, ensuring that your content reaches your desired audience.

Where Can I Find these Features?

We researched the top press release distribution services in the market, finding their distinguishing features and their quality of service. Our list of competitors comprised of five newswire services:

iCrowdNewswire (iCN). EIN Presswire, 24–7 Press Release, NewswireJet, PR Web

The following table summarizes the features of each of these services, giving you a good idea of what the best services are:

Bottom Line

There are many press release distribution services available in the market, all with distinctive features and additional benefits. Regardless of the competition, there are a few services that offer the best services at affordable pricing. iCrowdNewswire provides competitive packages starting from $4 that offer all of the best features mentioned in this article.