Press release??? should i go for it

The average price to have a public relations professional write a press release is between $199 - 500. And that's not including distribution. My own normal rate is $75, and only that low because I simply enjoy writing them. I offered a $25 special back in May, and since decided to extend it through the summer (so it's the current rate) because it brought in quite a few clients right here on DP. I hadn't targeted website owners as a market previously, so it was an easy way to market myself (used them more as a tool than anything else) and to build up my portfolio in the new market. But with current demand (not just PRs, but campaigns and other issues as well), I'll probably be raising my normal rates after the summer and taking the focus off PRs. That's just to give you some basic background.

I've also seen people here advertising them for $10 or even less. I wouldn't recommend it. I only say that because it's impossible for that to be a professional in the field and be charging that rate. For the time it takes to write (with proper background research), plus general expenses of being in business, plus the fact that independent professionals only get to bill 22-23 hours per week, tells me that person is literally only making $1-2 at most for their time. Even with my rates more than double that I've gotten stuck turning down some higher paying projects b/c of the demand and previous committments to the releases (hence why the rates are changing after the special). My guess is that it's simply a content writer. Everyone thinks they can write a press release. If your only focus is trying to get on Google News for some backlinks, then go for it. It'll suit your needs well enough. But a content writer has likely never worked directly with the media, and doesn't know how to deal with their deadlines, busiest vs. least busy days to send out releases, working around editorial calendars, how to formulate an angle that might appeal to the media (hence why we're sometimes called "spin doctors") even when it seems there is none, etc.

I would suggest even giving it a shot yourself. I have a sample press release template that you can feel free to use. There are also some press release tips and an article explaining what each section of the release is about on that site (look in the 'related articles' links from the template page - top of right column). Then post your attempt here on DP (assuming it's not extremely urgent). I'm more than willing to give you basic feedback and suggestions (not editing or re-writing it for you) for free. I'd just prefer it be public here on the thread so others can learn from the same feedback.

As for being newsworthy... I wouldn't expect to see any major media coverage, but basic newswire distribution might get you picked up on some blogs in the niche or smaller media sites also focusing on career resources. So it really comes down to what you're hoping to gain from the release.

Hope that helps!

Jenn