Where to Submit Press Releases for Free: Complete List

What is a Press Release?

A press release is an official written statement that an organization sends to reporters and news outlets to share important, newsworthy information. Its main goal is to get media attention and public coverage.

Key Elements of a Press Release

• Headline: Catchy title summarizing the announcement.
• Dateline: City, state, and release date.
• Introduction: First paragraph covering who, what, when, where, and why.
• Body Paragraphs: Supporting details, background facts, and quotes from key people.
• Boilerplate: Short, standardized paragraph about the company.
• Media Contact Info: Name, email, and phone number for press inquiries.

Why Organizations Use Them

• Earned Media: Generates free news coverage.
• Control the Narrative: Shares accurate facts directly from the source.
• Build Awareness: Promotes brand updates to a wider audience.

Why Are Press Releases Important?

Press releases are important because they provide a direct, authoritative channel for organizations to control their narrative and gain widespread public credibility through media coverage.

Key Benefits of Press Releases

• Earned Media Coverage: Journalists rely on them as reliable sources for breaking news, leading to free articles, interviews, and broadcast segments.
• Narrative Control: They ensure your official message, data, and executive quotes are communicated accurately without being filtered or misconstrued.
• Instant Credibility: Being featured in trusted news outlets provides a third-party endorsement that paid advertising cannot match.
• Crisis Management: During a public relations issue, they serve as the fastest way to issue a formal, unifying statement to mitigate damage.
• SEO Boost: Distributed online through news wires, they generate high-quality backlinks and help your brand rank higher on search engines.
• Stakeholder Transparency: They keep investors, customers, partners, and employees updated on major corporate milestones simultaneously.

Press Release Submission List

• Online PR News – Free submissions to this site are left online for about three months. Paid submissions have additional benefits and longer live times.
• PR Log – Free submissions include distribution, allow links, and can be tagged with industry and location tags.
• PR.com – Free submission works, but is driven down under submissions from paid members.
• PR Inside – A very bare-bones site that nonetheless gets some exposure.
• 1888 Press Release – Free press release submission is very limited, with no proactive advertisement.
• Free-Press-Release – Free submission gets some basic benefits with this site.
• Market Press Release – Free submissions are limited to one per day.
• OnlyWire – Not technically press releases, this submits your content to various social networks. Free accounts limit social profiles.
• OpenPR – Free submissions are only reviewed during business hours. This site also has a German version.
• Pressbox – A press release dump focused on UK submissions but open to global releases.
• PR Mac – Submissions have been picked up by large news sites in the past. Some bias towards Apple news.
• BizEurope – A European-focused press release submission network.
• NPR – National Public Radio always accepts submissions of newsworthy content, though global news will always take center stage.
• BusinessWire – A business-focused news site that accepts press releases, though you need to apply for membership to submit.
• MediaPost – A media-focused site that accepts press releases.
• PR Sync – This site has a Spanish-language option in addition to English.
• Free PR Now – A very simple press release aggregator that posts all releases on their homepage.
• Pitch Engine – Not technically free, you get a 14-day free trial of their service.
• BriefingWire – Not quite free, but a fee of $3 is virtually nothing.
• Press Release Ping – Another basic press release submission site.
• ClickPress – A site where you can submit both news and press releases.
• Free Press Release Center – A simple press release site that is noteworthy in that it generated PDF releases as well as blog post releases.
• Press Release Post – A slightly hard to read site that offers free press release circulation.
• PR Fire – Another UK-focused press release site, with a wide variety of categories.
• SubmitPressRelease123 – No, I’m not just making up names at this point. This one has a free account but mostly paid services.
• The Open Press – A pretty bland press release site with geographic tagging.
• Press Release Point – A press release site that itself has lists of press release sites on it.

Additional Niche PR Sites

These are additional press release submission locations for specific, narrow niches. Great if you’re relevant, worthless if you’re not.

• Nanotech Now – Press release submission for news specifically about nanotechnology.
• Beta News – A news site mostly focused on tech news, with a press release submission form.
• Thomas – Not just some guy named Tom, this site focused on Engineering and data analysis.
• Yumpu – Not strictly press releases, this site allows you to build a magazine, which can gain exposure on their page.
• ScoopAsia – A press release site focused on Asian countries, with plenty of English content.
• BusinessPortal24 – A European press release portal with versions for several different countries and languages.
• Web Know How – A sort of combination of press release host and eHow-style tutorial site.
• IssueWire – Offers a one-time free press release submission, making it a good option for those looking for a single distribution without a commitment.
• Newswiretoday.com – This platform provides a space for various businesses to announce their latest news and updates. While they offer premium services, their basic offerings can still get your news out there.
• Express-press-release.net – A comprehensive press release distribution site that covers a wide range of industries and niches. While they have premium options, their free submissions can help boost visibility.
• Travpr.com – Catering specifically to the travel industry, this site is a go-to for announcing new travel deals, locations, and other tourism-related news.
• Send2press.com – With a history spanning over two decades, this platform offers both free and paid press release services, focusing on comprehensive distribution to media outlets.
• EIN Presswire – This site has a free press release option, but it has limited distribution. They also have paid accounts with wider distribution.

No Longer Free

These publishers used to have a “Free” option but have since switched to “Paid” only:

• PR Urgent – Submissions to this site have been known to reach Google News. They have several content restrictions and do not allow images in their press releases.
• 24-7 Press Release – Free submission gets your release sent to journalists registered to their media desk.

How to Write an Effective Press Release

Step 1: Define Your News Angle

• Is it newsworthy and relevant?
• Will it interest journalists and the public?

Step 2: Use the Inverted Pyramid Format

• Most important information at the beginning.
• Supporting details in the middle.
• Less critical information at the end.

Step 3: Keep It Clear and Concise

• Avoid unnecessary jargon.
• Stick to one key message.
• Aim for short, direct sentences.

Step 4: Include Quotes for Credibility

• Use quotes from CEOs, experts, or relevant figures.
• Ensure quotes add value and insight.

Step 5: Optimize for SEO

• Use keywords naturally in the text.
• Add links to relevant landing pages.
• Ensure meta descriptions and headlines are optimized.

Conclusion

Press releases remain a valuable marketing and PR tool. By understanding what a press release is, why it matters, and how to write one effectively, businesses can generate media coverage, enhance credibility, and reach wider audiences. Whether you're a startup, a corporate giant, or a nonprofit, a well-structured press release can help amplify your message and elevate your brand presence.