Today we have a guest post by Mickie Kennedy of eReleases.com. Mickie writes about the difference between a traditional press release and an SEO press release, so read on!
While a regular press release can net results for your business for a short burst of time, an SEO press release has the potential to unleash the power of the Internet to your advantage. If you want to get your company’s website to the first page of search engines like Google, an SEO press release is just one tool in your arsenal.
So is there a big difference between traditional and SEO press releases? Sure, the aims are different, but other than that, aren’t they identical? Let’s take a look.
Keywords
First off, one of the main differences between a regular press release and an SEO press release is the use of keywords. The way an SEO press release works is through search engines like Google picking up on keywords in your article. The more times your website is associated with those keywords, the more likely an Internet user will stumble upon it while searching.
So, right off the bat we have a new consideration when writing an SEO press release. We want to make sure the keyword usage is full enough to catch Google’s eyeballs but not crazy enough where the press release is ruined. There is too much of a good thing, and “stuffing” the press release with keywords reads poorly to both end users and search engines.
Try to keep the keyword density to around 3% (or less) for maximum effect. Also, try to figure out which keywords will be the most effective. Sometimes popular keywords are too competitive to tackle head on. It may behoove you to pack your press release full of niche keywords before you tackle the big boys. While your site may not rank on the first page for the keyword “shoes,” you might be able to sew up “red sequin shoes,” as it’s less likely for that “long-tail” keyword to be competitive.
Interactivity
Another big difference between the two kinds of press releases is Internet interactivity. When writing a press release, there’s a lot to take into consideration. Namely, you want to keep in mind who you’re writing for and where it will be published. Often, this includes places that aren’t on the Internet. As a result, you can’t exactly place links, pictures, and videos on your press release, as that wouldn’t translate to the web.
However, an SEO press release is made for the Internet. Due to this, you can do whatever you want with it – add links, embed videos, insert charts — anything you would do on a normal website. SEO press releases can often be much more dynamic because of this, and as a result, more effective.
One way to use this interactivity to its fullest is to include links to other writers’ blog posts. This way, you practically double the use of the SEO press release. After its initial use in garnering SEO hits through keywords, it continues on when the blog writers see you’ve linked to them and return the favor. Again, a press release only serves one purpose, while an SEO press release can serve many.
How can you utilize both a press and SEO press release to bring business to your company?
Mickie Kennedy is the founder of eReleases, the home of affordable, next generation press release distribution. Mickie also publishes PR Fuel, a PR-centric blog that showcases advice and articles on all things social media, PR publicity, and online marketing.
Elena is founder of a technology PR agency that works with startups to billion-dollar companies. She is passionate about helping marketers and small business owners with practical publicity strategies.
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Great article, I feel that there is definitely more of a trend toward SEO releases with online companies now. Brick and mortar stores are still focusing on standard press releases but with more and more online companies looking to jump up in the rankings we’re seeing more SEO oriented business practices.
The thing that kills me is the fact that terribly written press releases are becoming the norm, stuffing keywords in every sentence in illogical places. I like that you remind readers to still write coherently, a lot of SEO authors can’t seem to remember that.
Small Business PR´s last [type] ..Our Services
Thank you for the great post. This is something that I believe needs to be incorporated into today’s Public Relations curriculum at the university level. SEO Press Releases are very important for any practitioner in todays market.
Hey Mickie !
I really admire and appreciate your firm and well fabricated explanation on the comparison between traditional and SEO press releases.SEO press release is the great strategy for businesses to be get ranked higher in SERPS,also to get a great benefits from it.
Thank you for sharing such a great and valuable content with us Mickie.
Good Luck and God Bless!!
With Regards!
Samuel Joshua
Samuel Joshua´s last [type] ..How Do Circuit Breakers Work To Prevent Electrical Fires
Great post – thank you for sharing
shahar´s last [type] ..Wedding photography’s ten commendments
I also believe that it’s somewhat necessary to get links pointing to the actual press release url in order for it to rank even if for long tail keyword phrases.
With Google’s constant algorithmic changes, even long tail press releases might get buried.
Thanks for the tips.
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay´s last [type] ..How to Write a Blog Post
Hi Mickie,
Thanks for the post- I’m just about to start doing some SEO press releases, not something I’ve tried before- many thanks.
Thanks for the kind words. Like social media, SEO is here to stay. It’s yet another skill that belongs in our toolbelt. Personally, I believe any well written press release is going to be SEO-friendly by the nature of covering a specific topic / subject. However, it is always worth reviewing your press release after it has been written to ensure you have balanced human readability with machine readability. Avoid worrying about reaching some elusive xx% keyword density. Good content that is well written will be rewarded … eventually.
As someone whose business also includes a freelance writers agency, I can tell you that the main difference between an SEO press release and a regular press release is quality. For SEO purposes, there is no interest in developing an angle and a strategy to pull in the reporters and get a story. Instead, it’s just “Give me something good enough to pass inspection at the press release site so I can get a link.”
David @ SEO blog´s last [type] ..SocialFloat – social sharing widget
Great post and explanation. Eren also makes a good point above about the long tail keywords.
Thanks for a great share!
Ana @ Bounce Rate´s last [type] ..The Most Important Traffic Source That EVERYBODY Forgets
This is something that I believe needs to be incorporated into today’s Public Relations curriculum at the university level. Thank you for sharing such a great and valuable content..
angie´s last [type] ..Arizona Gets Inside Information on the 12 Myths of Bankruptcy – Myths 7-9
Unfortunately, SEO press releases usually just result in a ton of duplicate content and will not contribute much to search engine optimization.
If your “SEO Press Release” is picked up by, lets say, 300 sources (which is not uncommon for something pushed out through cision wire or PRweb, it will contribute very little to your seo for a few reasons.
Google will take all of the links from this duplicate content and count it as one inbound link, because the inbound link’s contextual content is IDENTICAL across all of the sources, it is essentially spam, and heavily discounted by Google.
Additionally, the places that pick up this automated content have already been discounted by Google as an information source or authority because of the fact that these sources post mostly duplicate, non-original content.
Try searching “Google News” for the title of your release. Notice how they only give one result, instead of links to all 300 sources which picked up the release.
Only high quality inbound links from unique content contribute worth while increases to SEO. You cannot buy SEO with an “SEO Press Release”.
Matthew Rideout´s last [type] ..Engagement – The Newest 4 Letter Word
Okay…Matthew touched on the question I have. The goal is to help the SEO of the client’s website. If the PR company posts the Release on their PR syndicate, any links back to the client’s URL will help his SEO.
However, if you really need/want to add content to the client’s site, does it work against SEO to repost the release on the client’s site?
Is there a way to make the client’s post the primary post in the eyes of search engines?
Search engine optimisation as well as search engine optimization is a process which is of utmost importance to the majority of webmasters and internet-based businesses. Folks utilize various approaches as well as …seo
I think all the online press releases today are SEO oriented. Why miss out the opportunity to improve visibility along with the profit of PR distribution?
Great article, will definitely Tweet this. I like how you mentioned that content is still important when writing an SEO Press Release. Running across press releases that are filled with keywords often times don’t make sense. There is happy medium.