With social media on the rise, a lot of marketers and entrepreneurs have developed this crazy notion that the press release is dead, and social media was the one who killed it. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Sure, social networks have made it easier for people to reach out to journalists and bloggers, but do you really think a simple tweet or wall post is enough to get them to check out your company? Hardly. Besides, even if you do manage to get around the spammy links and mindless chatter in social networks and catch a journalist’s attention, you would still need something to point people to. This is where your trusty press release will come in.

An effective press release is an article that’s newsworthy and covers all the bases when it comes to What, Where, How, When, and Why. It’s a credible source that journalists and consumers can always refer to if they want to get the “real deal” about your company.

On top of this, a press release offers a lot of benefits when you want to generate buzz and add credibility.

Journalists Still Love Press Releases

The press release is the most heavily-relied on tool by the media when it comes to finding news. According to a survey by PR firm Text 100, when they asked journalists to rate the usefulness of a press release, they gave a score of 72%, the highest among the given categories. Meanwhile, social networks like Twitter and Facebook, only received scores of 53% and 47%, respectively.

How exactly do members of the press want to receive news releases? According to MyPRGenie, nearly 94% of journalists prefer to receive them through email, indicating that the best way to catch a journalist’s attention is by sending an article straight into their inbox.

It Can Get You Found on Google

When you use online news release distribution services such as PRWeb and PR Newswire, your press release gets submitted to major search engines, allowing you to be seen in Google News, Yahoo News, and the like. So whenever someone searches for current events in your industry using any of the major search engines, your press release will appear in the news category, giving you more visibility and more potential leads.

It Can Make Your Company Look Much Bigger

Give your company a publicity boost by publishing a press release. Even if you’re just a small startup that’s new to the industry, getting your name published and having it appear in search results can instantly build up your credibility. When people perceive your company as being established, they’re more likely to contact you.

It Keeps You on Your Customers’ Radar

Publishing press releases on a regular basis can also strengthen your relationship with existing clients. Seeing your name in the news will build their confidence in your company, increasing the chances that they’ll give you more repeat business.

It’s All About YOU!

Another great benefit of putting out a press release is that it puts you in the driver’s seat. It gives you the chance to craft your own message and tell your story exactly the way you want it to be told. And don’t think that there aren’t stories about your business that are worth sharing. Anything new about your company, such as an update in your product line, would make a great story.

If you can’t find news within your company, then MAKE some. Do some research on growing trends in your industry, and publish the results. Make an infographic out of the statistics that you find and make sure to get them in the hands of the press.

Image credit: Mactitioner on Flickr