Do you have a new business, product, or service to promote? If so, it's time to #getnoticed and what better way to do that than with a press release? But where do you start? You've got a couple of choices:

1. Send it yourself using a platform like Prowly. [more of that later.]

2. Post it to one of these news distribution services

3. Outsource to an agency.

In this post I'm going to give you a selection of the services which fit the second - you've written the release but you don't have any media contacts and just want to get the news out there. If you are doing this, then you won't be following up with the media either. These are straight broadcast services. You'll want to judge them on the following:

- the price

- their reach

- ability to target

We can go into those in more detail in another post, but let's get the ball rolling with a simple list to get you on the starting blocks.

Here are 12 press release services to help you get the word out about what you have to offer. From easy-to-use online platforms to customised services, these press release services can help you #getnoticed and ensure your message is seen by the right audience.

At this stage I'll say that we've used some of these but not all, and we don't have an affiliate relationship with any of these. We've just done some of the research for you and not made a full comparison as we don't know your circumstances.

1. eReleases

From $399.00 /release

eReleases specialises in targeted press release distribution to journalists, news sites, websites, bloggers, social networks, media influencers, and wire services. They use search engine optimisation to ensure press releases are seen, and provide detailed reports to show progress.

2. EIN Presswire

From $99.95 /release.

EIN Presswire offers a comprehensive web-based press release distribution service for businesses of any size. Its features include a global media network, press release tracking, media monitoring, RSS feed services, and SEO functions to help your business reach more people.

3. 24-7 Press Release Newswire

From $29.00 /release.

24-7 Press Release Newswire is a cloud-based press release distribution platform designed to help small businesses reach a wider audience. This platform features a variety of tools, such as real-time news content, a free news widget, and an RSS feed, to help businesses increase their public visibility.

4. PRLog

Free.

PRLog is a free press release distribution service that allows users to submit up to two press releases a day which are instantly approved. All releases come with HTML links that are distributed to a number of news sites.

5. Prowly 

From $418.00/month

Secure meaningful media coverage with your press releases. Forget the "spray-and-pray" method of newswires. Prowly lets you create eye-catching, visual press releases and directly email them to media contacts that are most likely to be interested in your story.

6. PR Newswire

Contact for quote.

Cision's PR Newswire is a media distribution platform designed to provide small businesses with powerful solutions, such as media monitoring, content distribution, and creative services. Through PR Newswire, businesses can easily craft and distribute press releases to reach their target audiences.

7. PR Underground's

From $74.99 /release.

Businesses looking to get their message out to their target audience can use PR Underground's press release distribution platform to compile and distribute their press releases. This platform offers services such as web reach distribution, pay-per-release, and SEO optimization to ensure that the message reaches the right people.

8. PR Web

From $105.00 /release.

PRWeb is a press release distribution service that provides businesses with online coverage, search visibility, and other PR services. With PRWeb, businesses can spread their message and gain more recognition online.

9. SB Wire

10. Send2Press

From $99.00 /release.

Businesses looking to get their message out to the public can use Send2Press to distribute press releases and reach a wide audience. Send2Press offers press release writing services, press release distribution, and social media marketing solutions to help businesses reach a larger audience and get more attention. With Send2Press, businesses can send out press releases to a variety of media outlets, including print, radio, and TV, as well as online outlets. Send2Press also provides social media marketing services that can help businesses increase their visibility and reach a larger audience.

11. Globe Newswire

Contact for quote.

Notified, formerly Intrado Digital Media, offers a press release distribution service called GlobeNewswire which specialises in the syndication of corporate press releases, financial disclosures, and multimedia content worldwide.

12. Pressat

From £110.00 /release.

Pressat is a one-stop shop for all public relations needs, offering press release distribution as well as translation, copywriting, disclosure services, and access to a database of over 1.4 million media contacts.

13. NewswireJet

From $59.00 /release.

NewswireJet is designed to help small businesses streamline their public relations process with comprehensive features such as press release writing services, detailed reports, RSS distribution, and unlimited revisions. It's the perfect platform for entrepreneurs who want to maximize their PR results with minimal effort

Over a period of 12 years in China I dedicated myself to the promotion of British business and the wellbeing of the British community in China. I did this by a combination of events which he created for the community, his own businesses, and his involvement in UK Government to China dialogue particularly in the field of automotive trade.

The introduction of the British Business Awards to China created a focal point for the community to celebrate ‘Innovation, Enterprise and Endeavour.’ Jim started this himself in late 2007 and carried it through to launch in Nov 2008 without assistance from the Chamber of Commerce, although in his capacity as a member of the Executive Committee. He played a role on the Awards Committee in 2014 and then chaired the Awards again in 2018. Jim used his own offices to engage the British foreign office, businesses and Chinese Government and media to take part. He enlisted Sir William Ehrman, Ambassador at that time, to become the Patron of the Awards and then gained the support of the British Council, China Britain Business Council, Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry and 48 Group Club. The Awards were attended by The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, the Director General of the Ministry of Commerce, and 400 guests including the media. The BBA contributed nearly GBP100,000 in profits to the Chamber of Commerce; making it the most significant fund raising event of the year. 

Fast forward to 2018, with Patron HMA Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, as Vice Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Awards Jim led the Chamber team to organise the BritishBusinessAwards.cn (a website built and still hosted by  one of Jim’s invested companies). Sponsors included KPMG, the British Council, Geely, Manchester University, GSK, BP and Harrow Schools. Winners included Rolls Royce, Teledyne, University of Edinburgh, Nom Nom, Beijing Construction Engineering Group, Atkins, and Spiraxsarco Engineering (China) Ltd. Voting was conducted by a process devised by Jim which included a 40/30/30 split between a judging panel, online voting, and an Ambassadors panel to ensure transparency, engagement and credibility. National Chinese and British press covered the awards and the winners all benefitted both within China and in the UK from the recognition of their success. The Awards once again made a significant financial contribution to the wellbeing of the Chamber of Commerce in China with over GBP50,000 in profits. The Awards have now become a centre piece in the Chamber events calendar, and has spawned derivations such as the CSR Award and the Alumni of the Year Award. Jim identified and filled the need for a celebration of British success in China, and started a trend in the process.

In his capacity as an entrepreneur, Jim was an ardent supporter and importer of British brands in China. In 2013 HM Ambassador to China Sebastian Wood CMG opened the first Morgan Motor Company showroom in China. Jim purchased a Morgan in 2011 and imported it to China for his personal use under his company EASTWEST Public Relations. Due to the interest received he approached the Factory and won approval to be the authorised importer. Over the period 2013-2019 Jim promoted the Morgan brand, lent the vehicle to official British Embassy events e.g. the Queens birthday parties, and positioned Morgan in the media and at trade shows to demonstrate the great British qualities of craftsmanship and style. As an entrepreneur he purchased 65 cars from the British Factory, to the value of GBP2.5m, and gave jobs to Chinese alumni of British Universities on their return to China. Jim established the national network for Morgan Cars in China - with dealerships in Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing, with over 250,000 unique visitors to their website which also promoted tours to the UK in partnership with Hello Britain and merchandise from other British vendors e.g. Motolita.

During 2015 Jim was approached by Lotus Cars UK to become an interim CEO, and during this time he established the British Motorsport Festival. The BMF was a platform for UK brands as an alternative to expensive and static trade shows, and Jim hosted the BMF in Beijing in 2015, 2016 and 2018 with the support Department for International Trade. The events were funded and managed by Jim and were attended by British car brands including Aston Martin, JLR, McLaren, Lotus, Morgan, MINI and associated British brands for food, drink and apparel.  In the final year Jim set up a partnership with ACE Cafe, a Chinese company with the franchise to the London ACE Cafe venue. 

In 2016 Jim created and produced the British Motorsport Conference, with funding applied for and received from the DIT which met venue costs but no other costs. Jim invited speakers from the UK including Silverstone, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), and ProDrive, and from China including Golden Port Race Track Enterprise, China Automobile and Motorsport Federation (CAMF), and media partners including the HURUN report. The 1 day conference had over 100 attendees which led to the promotion of British venues and technologies, and the live streaming of the event had over 1,000,000 views. 

As Vice Chairman of the British Chamber during two terms of 2017-18 & 2018-2019 with his direct involvement in the automotive industry, Jim played a direct role in preparation of materials for the DIT to engage with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). In the Business Environment Market Access report (BEMA) submitted to DIT in June 2018 Jim James is listed as author. For the full reports to follow in late 2018 and 2019 Jim called upon his industry connections to engage the homologation departments of Aston Martin, Lotus, McLaren, and JLR hosting round table discussions, reviewing the editorial arising from those, and briefing DIT representatives on issues facing British companies with the introduction of new emission standards to China.  The final Position Papers were submitted by the Chamber to the DIT covering a number of sectors including Automotive, Legal, Accounting, Built Environment and Education.  Available here

During this time Jim was also advocating British businesses and supporting British education. In 2017 he became the importer for WAKE Drinks to China using the flag branded drink to promote British sports culture at events including the International Food & Drink expo in Shanghai on the CBBC pavillion, and using social media. A case study is here Jim’s agency, EASTWEST Public Relations, was working with British universities and brands to gain exposure and to gain sales and students. British brands including AGA,  Optalysys GKN, and Universities including York, Kent and Queens University Belfast have continued to use the services of EASTWEST in China by a team led by Jim James.  From 2015-2017 Jim was recognised by the British Council as a Leading Light and by the Chinese Marketing Magazine an ‘International ICON.’

As part of the Morgan Cars in China business, Jim made an effort to engage with the community through the brand. He partnered with the Wheels Plus Wings charity, donating a wheel chair to a young Chinese lad named Bo, and created an event for disadvantaged children to feel, touch and ride in a Morgan 3 Wheeler. He connected the Roundabout Charity with technology companies, and was the founding President in 2007 of the Beijing Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EONetwork.org) which is still in operation; now led by another Englishman. In 2008 Jim invested in EggplantDigital.cn a web company operated by an Englishman in China, and used that agency to build the original site for the Britishbusinessawards.cn, which it is still doing 10 years later with his sponsorship.

Letter of Recognition from the Duke of York for the British Business Awards 2008 to attach.

Media coverage: .

Morgan as a British brand going to China

Morgan showroom to sell retro British cars with eye on luxury market

Morgan opens first car showroom in China

Asia Briefing: The car’s the star as newly-rich Chinese flaunt wealth

MOTORING ON IN CHINA

Serial entrepreneur Jim James, the man who established The Morgan Motor Company in China, explains why British brands should explore opportunities in the Far East..

In China, a deep bow to Morgan

An expat at full throttle in China

Bespoke carmaker opens showroom

Sino - UK relations

Close relations

Entrepreneurs make cross-cultural connections at EO Beijing

Leading entrepreneurs from the UK share their experiences of doing business in China

Rob Young - Today Show. BBC. To link to audio file.

British Business Awards: sample

Pioneer Awards Demonstrate British Commitment to China

https://en.prnasia.com/releases/global/Pioneer_Awards_Demonstrate_British_Commitment_to_China-12658.shtml

Awards recognize year's best efforts

http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2014-11/28/content_18990995.htm

British Business Awards in China - Winners Announced

http://www.cbbc.org/news/british-business-awards-in-china-winners-announced/

Leading Light

Meet the Champion and the Leading Lights

https://www.britishcouncil.cn/en/programmes/education/generation-uk/leadinglights

British Motorsport Festival

University of Northampton forms strategic partnership with Beijing’s British Motorsport Festivalhttps://www.northampton.ac.uk/news/university-of-northampton-forms-strategic-partnership-with-beijings-british-motorsport-festival/

Lotus brings pure driving to motorsport festival

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/motoring/2015-11/30/content_22529770.htm

Back in the UK, I have remained involved in the China Britain relationship. Oct 17th taking part in the capacity as ex officio board member of the British Chamber of Commerce at the British Chambers of Commerce International Trade Summit. He is also an Executive Committee member of the Hainan International Chamber of Commerce, with a remit to build UK - Hainan trade relations. 

From 2006 - 2019 I lived and worked in Beijing, starting many enterprises, a family, and experiencing the astounding changes which took place in the Middle Kingdom. These were many formative years. I wrote a blog when I first went, stalled when fatherhood shifted by focus from sharing to caring, but now that I am back it seems fitting to have an end note at least on the work which I accomplished in those 13 years.

Overall, I  dedicated myself to the promotion of British business and the wellbeing of the British community in China. I did this by a combination of events which I created for the community, my own businesses, and my involvement in UK Government to China dialogue particularly in the field of automotive trade.

The introduction of the British Business Awards to China created a focal point for the community to celebrate ‘Innovation, Enterprise and Endeavour.’ I started this myself in late 2007 and carried it through to launch in Nov 2008 my capacity as a member of the Executive Committee. I used my own offices to engage the British foreign office, businesses and Chinese Government and media to take part. I enlisted Sir William Ehrman, Ambassador at that time, to become the Patron of the Awards and then gained the support of the British Council, China Britain Business Council, Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry and 48 Group Club. The Awards were attended by The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, the Director General of the Ministry of Commerce, and 400 guests including the media. The BBA contributed nearly GBP100,000 in profits to the Chamber of Commerce; making it the most significant fund raising event of the year. 

Fast forward to 2018, with Patron HMA Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, as Vice Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Awards I led the Chamber team to organise the BritishBusinessAwards.cn (a website built and still hosted by  one of I’s invested companies). Sponsors included KPMG, the British Council, Geely, Manchester University, GSK, BP and Harrow Schools. Winners included Rolls Royce, Teledyne, University of Edinburgh, Nom Nom, Beijing Construction Engineering Group, Atkins, and Spiraxsarco Engineering (China) Ltd. Voting was conducted by a process devised by I which included a 40/30/30 split between a judging panel, online voting, and an Ambassadors panel to ensure transparency, engagement and credibility. National Chinese and British press covered the awards and the winners all benefitted both within China and in the UK from the recognition of their success.

The Awards once again made a significant financial contribution to the wellbeing of the Chamber of Commerce in China with over GBP50,000 in profits. The Awards have now become a centre piece in the Chamber events calendar, and has spawned derivations such as the CSR Award and the Alumni of the Year Award. I identified and filled the need for a celebration of British success in China, and started a trend in the process.

In my capacity as an entrepreneur, I was an ardent supporter and importer of British brands in China. In 2013 HM Ambassador to China Sebastian Wood CMG opened the first Morgan Motor Company showroom in China. I purchased a Morgan in 2011 and imported it to China for his personal use under my company EASTWEST Public Relations. Due to the interest received I approached the Factory and won approval to be the authorised importer. Over the period 2013-2019 I promoted the Morgan brand, lent the vehicle to official British Embassy events e.g. the Queens birthday parties, and positioned Morgan in the media and at trade shows to demonstrate the great British qualities of craftsmanship and style.

We ordered 65 cars from the British Factory, to the value of GBP2.5m, and gave jobs to Chinese alumni of British Universities on their return to China. I established the national network for Morgan Cars in China - with dealerships in Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing, with over 250,000 unique visitors to their website which also promoted tours to the UK in partnership with Hello Britain and merchandise from other British vendors e.g. Motolita.

During 2015 I was approached by Lotus Cars UK to become an interim CEO, and during this time he established the British Motorsport Festival. The BMF was a platform for UK brands as an alternative to expensive and static trade shows, and I hosted the BMF in Beijing in 2015, 2016 and 2018 with the support Department for International Trade. The events were funded and managed by me and were attended by British car brands including Aston Martin, JLR, McLaren, Lotus, Morgan, MINI and associated British brands for food, drink and apparel.  In the final year I set up a partnership with ACE Cafe, a Chinese company with the franchise to the London ACE Cafe venue. 

In 2016 I created and produced the British Motorsport Conference, with funding applied for and received from the DIT which met venue costs but no other costs. I invited speakers from the UK including Silverstone, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), and ProDrive, and from China including Golden Port Race Track Enterprise, China Automobile and Motorsport Federation (CAMF), and media partners including the HURUN report. The 1 day conference had over 100 attendees which led to the promotion of British venues and technologies, and the live streaming of the event had over 1,000,000 views!. 

As Vice Chairman of the British Chamber during two terms of 2017-18 & 2018-2019 with my direct involvement in the automotive industry, I played a direct role in preparation of materials for the DIT to engage with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). In the Business Environment Market Access report (BEMA) submitted to DIT in June 2018 I was listed as a contributor. For the full reports to follow in late 2018 and 2019 I called upon industry connections to engage the homologation departments of Aston Martin, Lotus, McLaren, and JLR hosting round table discussions, reviewing the editorial arising from those, and briefing DIT representatives on issues facing British companies with the introduction of new emission standards to China.  The final Position Papers were submitted by the Chamber to the DIT covering a number of sectors including Automotive, Legal, Accounting, Built Environment and Education. 

During this time I was also advocating British businesses and supporting British education. In 2017 I became the importer for WAKE Drinks to China using the flag branded drink to promote British sports culture at events including the International Food & Drink expo in Shanghai on the CBBC pavillion, and using social media. EASTWEST Public Relations, was working with British universities and brands to gain exposure and to gain sales and students. British brands including AGA,  Optalysys GKN, and Universities including York, Kent and Queens University Belfast have continued to use the services of EASTWEST in China.  From 2015-2017 I was recognised by the British Council as a Leading Light and by the Chinese Marketing Magazine an ‘International ICON.’

As part of the Morgan Cars in China business, I made an effort to engage with the community through the brand. He partnered with the Wheels Plus Wings charity, donating a wheel chair to a young Chinese lad named Bo, and created an event for disadvantaged children to feel, touch and ride in a Morgan 3 Wheeler. I connected the Roundabout Charity with technology companies, and was the founding President in 2007 of the Beijing Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EONetwork.org) which is still in operation. In 2008 I invested in EggplantDigital.cn a web company operated by Alex Dodkin, and used that agency to build the original site for the Britishbusinessawards.cn, which it is still doing 10 years later with his sponsorship.

Back in the UK, I have remained involved in the China Britain relationship. Oct 17th taking part in the capacity as ex officio board member of the British Chamber of Commerce at the British Chambers of Commerce International Trade Summit. I am also an Executive Committee member of the Hainan International Chamber of Commerce, with a remit to build UK - Hainan trade relations.