Press Release, yay or nay?

[trCreative]

Hi guys,

I've got an ecommerce client who has asked if we should generate a press release when they add a new range of products/add a new brand?

Is this a good idea?

Do we just publish it on their blog or do we send it our to PR websites to distribute with links back to the site.

I don't want it to be spammy, just announcing a new brand. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[GPainter]

YAY

Press releases are fine but what Google likes is nofollow links on them. The reason they can be helpful is they can let people in a niche know about your awesome brand/product and can leave to people visiting you via the link (which is no follow don't forget!). The how to do a press release is a bit more than I'm willing to type here but i'm sure there are some great guides out there on how to make a great press release.

It's best to remember the who what why & when type jazz on a press release.

Good luck!

[ChadC]

YAY!  Chirs hit the nail on the head. Also we as Online Marketing people forget sometimes that we are not the only channel in a marketing portfolio. PR done right is a big win all by its self, even if it doesn't help with your rankings. (But do remember the nofollow that way we can make sure it doesn't hurt your rankings.)

[katemorris]

Does the client have a PR team or anyone that reaches out to writers when there is a story like a new product or brand? If not, that needs to happen first. Hire or contract PR help, best with someone that already has contacts that you can benefit from.

When you have that, then yes, press releases are helpful to get the word out about a new product or brand. But don't rely on the press release itself to bring recognition, stories, or anything else. Press releases like any other piece of content needs to be promoted to the wider audience.

On the technical side, press releases should not be used for link building. A well executed press release along with the right promotion will bring links, but not from the release itself.