Q: With all the newspapers, magazines and other places both online and off, how do I choose where to start sending my press releases?

A: You need to build a media list and this will likely take some time. Start local and small. Local and/or small media are most likely to be interested in your story and it’s the perfect way to hone your release writing skills. Besides, a lot of the larger media outlets scan the little guys to find stories to pick up.

Try newspapers, trade journals, topic specific magazines, websites, radio shows, television show ~ whomever would be interested in your topic. Don’t send your release to just anyone, or you could be accused of spamming; instead send to only those media outlets (and reporters) that handle your topic.

How to Build Your Distribution List:

1. For your local media, check the publication or their website for information on how to submit a release.

2. Do a search on your favorite search engine for websites in your industry that might just be interested in running your story.

3. Here’s a few websites to help you build your list:

- Media Post- extensive directory for US media

- NewsLink.org – directory for a number of countries

- ABYZ News Links -directory for a number of countries

4. Submit your site to a few online newswires and news websites. There are number that require payment, but these may be outside your budget. Here are some free ones:

- Click2NewSites.com- submit your press release for free

- Free-Press-Release.com- free press release distribution center

Not Free, but Worth Checking Out

- PrWeb.com: PR Web started out as a free service, but has moved to paid models to their growing reach and popularity. They’re definitely worth checking out.

But remember, nothing beats building your own highly-targeted media list.

For more in depth help with press releases, grab a copy of my Press Release Profits course. It teaches you how to create a press release campaign with little to no cost that meets your marketing objective.