I want to submit a press release for my virtual assistant small business; what are some good sources?

Question

I've already posted a press release to my local newspapers and have gotten contact information for the larger newspapers like the Washington Post, New York Times and Baltimore Sun. I am looking for things like trade magazines and community publications that other small business and home-based business owners read, since they are my target market. Any help is greatly apprecated.

Answer 1

Depending on your situation and budget, you could be better off using one of the services below. I have no affiliation or attachment to any of them.

Most if not all news agencies, media, and associated writes subscribe to Newswire type services. They rarely use Press Releases sent to them by individuals. There are too many reasons to cite here for their behavior, but it is the norm.

Individual contact and getting your release picked up is almost impossible unless you are an exceptional person pushing an exceptional cause or product

The time cost required to get all the media is enormous compared to paying one of these services $200 US $ and getting them to post it 'on the wire' where editors, reporters and other writers can pick it up. They all subscribe to the Newswire.

Getting free publicity by using Press Releases is recommended by a myriad of books in marketing, hence the press is contacted by countless others doing the same. To get the attention, you can use what celebrity agents do, they create something that is news worthy.

A media person will pick up your 'story', if you offer them something they can write or speak about. Look carefully and see what you can do to help them.

The sources of media contacts at the library are usually out-of-date, so look at the current publication of the outlet you want and it should have the contact info in one of the section. Usually this information is part of the editorial page.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Go to the library's reference desk and ask for the annual Editors & Publishers edition. They list all of the daily and weekly newspapers in the USA, plus trade publications and community publications. There is also another annual book that lists magazines, newspapers, newsletters, trade publications, and so on. Just ask the reference librarians. They know.