Getting your press release seen by the right people takes more than good writing. According to Cision's State of the Media Report, journalists receive an average of 50+ press releases per week. It means where you submit is just as important as what you write.
From online distribution services to direct email pitches, and from local news outlets to industry-specific publications, there are multiple ways to ensure your press release reaches the right audience.
In this guide, we break down exactly where to submit your press release by goal, by budget, and by audience. So, your announcement reaches the right inbox every time. We cover the best submission methods, the key factors to evaluate before choosing a platform, and practical tips for email and local submissions.
Methods to Submit Press Releases
It is important to choose the right method of PR distribution before submitting your press release. The right channel can determine how far your story travels whether it reaches just your local audience or gets picked up globally. Below are the most effective ways to submit press releases based on your goals, budget, and target audience.
Online Press Release Distribution Services
Online press release distribution services are a fast and efficient way to reach multiple journalists, media outlets, and search engines at once. They include both paid and free options:
EasyPRwire: Distributes to 400+ high-authority global media outlets. Affordable pricing, guaranteed placement, SEO-friendly backlinks, and detailed analytics. Combines broad reach with advanced targeting and reporting built specifically for SMBs and growing brands.
PR Newswire: Enterprise-tier wire service suited for large organisations requiring national and international reach.
EIN Presswire: Mid-tier distribution service for brands publishing regularly on a set budget.
GlobeNewswire: Industry and region targeting with news aggregator syndication, suited for financial and corporate announcements.
PR Fire: Free basic submission option with limited reach and no guaranteed placement.
IssueWire: Free tier available; paid upgrades include Google News and Bing News indexing.
For a side-by-side comparison of platforms with pricing and features, see our complete press release platform guide.
Direct Submission to Media Outlets
For highly targeted reach, direct submissions remain effective:
- Email journalists and editors: Personalize emails to key media contacts rather than sending mass messages.
- Local media: Contact newspapers, TV stations, and online news sites to cover community-specific stories.
- Industry-specific publications: Reach trade magazines and niche outlets relevant to your business.
Finding the right journalist contact is straightforward: check publication masthead pages for editor emails, use LinkedIn to identify reporters covering your beat, or look for contributor bios on the publication's website.
A personalised direct submission to a reporter who actively covers your industry will almost always outperform a mass-blast to a generic press@ address.
Direct submission ensures your press release lands in the right inbox and can sometimes outperform broader distribution if the story is highly relevant.
Factors to Consider Before Submitting a Press Release
Before choosing where to submit your press release, it is important to consider a few key factors that determine how effective your distribution will be. The right approach can maximize your media reach, SEO value, and brand credibility.
1. Define Your Target Audience
Identify who you want to reach: journalists, customers, investors, or the general public. Different platforms specialize in different audiences. Choosing a platform aligned with your audience ensures your story reaches the people most likely to engage with it.
2. Match Your Goals with the Platform
Your goals should guide your submission strategy.
For brand awareness, opt for platforms with global media reach.
For SEO benefits, choose services offering backlinks and news site syndication that improve your domain authority over time.
For credibility and authority, pick networks connected with verified journalists and established outlets.
3. Consider Your Budget.
Both free and paid press release distribution options exist. Free sites provide basic visibility but limited analytics or guaranteed placement.
Full-service paid platforms like EasyPRwire deliver broader reach, guaranteed coverage, and measurable results - ideal for businesses focused on impact.
If you are debating between starting with a zero-cost tier or investing upfront, reading our guide on free vs. paid press release distribution will help you understand what you sacrifice in syndication network sizes when you don't pay.
4. Check Industry Relevance
Some platforms are general, while others are niche-specific. Selecting distribution channels that align with your industry ensures your release reaches relevant media professionals and audiences interested in your topic.
5. Evaluate SEO and Backlink Benefits
SEO is a key long-term advantage of press releases. Choose services that offer do-follow backlinks, Google News inclusion, and high-authority domain placements to boost your website's visibility and search ranking.
6. Analyze Reporting and Analytics Options
Strong PR distribution platforms provide detailed post-release analytics.
Look for metrics such as:
- Number of media pickups
- Traffic and impressions
- Backlink reports
- Social shares and audience engagement
To understand exactly which metrics to track and how to interpret them, see our guide on measuring press release SEO impact.
Top Platforms to Submit Press Release for Maximum Media Coverage
The table above compares platforms by starting price, media reach, key features, and ideal use case. EasyPRwire leads for SMBs, ecommerce, and growing brands that need guaranteed placement, transparent reporting, and distribution targeting without the enterprise price tag of major wire services.
How to Submit a Press Release via Email?
Emailing your press release directly to journalists and editors remains one of the most personal and effective ways to get media attention. Unlike automated distribution, this method allows you to build genuine relationships with reporters and tailor your pitch for maximum relevance.
Here's how you should submit a press release via email:
- Paste your content in the email body: Avoid sending attachments, as many newsrooms block them. Pasting your release directly makes it easier for editors to read instantly.
- Personalize your message: Address each recipient by name and mention something specific about their previous work or coverage. This shows you've done your research and increases your chances of being noticed.
- Follow up politely: Wait a few days before following up. A short, respectful message asking if they received your release and offering to provide more information keeps communication professional and courteous.
Done right, email submissions can help you stand out from the flood of generic press releases journalists receive every day.
For a full guide on structuring and formatting your release before you send it, see how press release distribution works.
Tips for Local Press Release Submissions
When your goal is to reach your community or city-based audience, submitting your press release locally can deliver faster and more meaningful results. Local coverage builds trust and drives engagement especially for small businesses, events, or community initiatives.
Here is how to make your local press release stand out:
- Target the right local outlets: Focus on newspapers, TV stations, and online news websites that cover your area or industry. These are the most effective places where to submit a local press release for genuine community reach.
- Use location-based keywords: Naturally include your city or region in the headline and throughout the content to make it more discoverable online.
- Build relationships with local journalists: Personal connections often lead to quicker responses and more personalized coverage.
- Emphasize community relevance: Highlight how your story benefits or impacts local residents, that's what gets editors interested.
Local press release submissions are especially powerful for small businesses, startups, and event organizers who want to create buzz within their immediate audience before scaling nationally.
For brands combining local visibility with a broader national strategy, see our guide on press release distribution for branding and marketing .
Final Thoughts
Knowing the right press release submission sites is critical for achieving visibility, credibility, and authority. By choosing the right platforms whether results-focused services like EasyPRwire that prioritise guaranteed placement and measurable outcomes, or free options for brands just getting started - you can ensure your announcements are seen by the right audience.
Direct submission, local targeting, and strategic use of distribution platforms maximize the impact of every press release.
With EasyPRwire, you get a reliable all-in-one solution that guarantees placement, SEO-friendly backlinks, and full performance reporting.
Make every press release count - and if you are ready to submit your first release with guaranteed results, get started with EasyPRwire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to submit free press releases?
Free press releases can be submitted on platforms like PR Fire and IssueWire, which offer limited distribution to media outlets, search engines, and social networks. Note that free platforms typically provide no guaranteed placement and limited analytics. For brands focused on results, EasyPRwire's entry-level packages offer guaranteed placement at an accessible price point often delivering more measurable value than free alternatives.
What are the best platforms to submit my press release on?
EasyPRwire offers global media coverage, guaranteed placements, and transparent analytics making it the most effective choice for businesses of all sizes. For teams with enterprise budgets requiring international wire distribution, major wire services exist but typically cost significantly more with less targeting flexibility and fewer reporting options.
Who do I submit a press release to?
Target journalists, editors, bloggers, industry-specific publications, local media, and relevant online platforms.
How to submit a local press release?
Email local newspapers, TV stations, or online news websites. Include a personalized message, your press release in the email body, and a follow-up after a few days.
Where are press releases posted?
Press releases appear on media outlets, distribution services, search engines, social media platforms, and sometimes in newsletters or blogs of the media.
