Merits and Precautions of Press Release Distribution “For Sole Proprietors”

There is an image that Press Release is an announcement of new products and services from companies, but in fact, Sole Proprietors can also distribute press releases in the same way as companies. 

In this article, it will explain the distribution of press releases by sole proprietors. Here are some of the benefits of delivering a press release, and what you should be aware of when doing so.

Even Sole Proprietors Can Distribute Press Releases

When announcing new products and services or introducing new trends in the company, companies create press releases and distribute them widely to the media. Similarly, for sole proprietors, the number of cases of using press releases has gradually increased.

Not only companies and organizations can deliver press releases.

It is not only companies and organizations that distribute press releases. Even if you are a sole proprietor, you can still deliver press releases to the media and targets. When a sole proprietor sends a press release , there are two methods , "Individual delivery" and "Broadcast delivery" , as in the case of companies.

Individual distribution is a method of sending a press release directly to contacts such as media personnel owned by the sole proprietor . You can send information at a low cost, but it can be difficult if you haven't contacted the media in the past. On the other hand, Broadcast distribution is to send the created press release to many media at the same time. You can select the destination media by using the press release distribution service .

Three Benefits of Personally Delivering Press Releases

If you check the press release distribution service, you can see many press releases sent by sole proprietors along with press releases by companies and organizations. So why do sole proprietors bother to distribute press releases in addition to their own blogs and social media?

There are three benefits. 

Benefit 1: Get featured in the Media

If you are a sole proprietor, your awareness will greatly affect whether you can get a job that matches what you are good at. More work is important, but it is even more important to be consulted about the work that should be done. 

One of the benefits of delivering press releases by sole proprietors is, along with your own specialty and ideas, you can send information that will lead to increased awareness. If the delivered press release is of interest to the media, it will often be featured in an article or linked to the press, and as a result, the person's name will become widely known . Many sole proprietors create press releases with the aim of being featured in the media.

Benefit 2: You can expand your reach if you share it on SNS

The main targets of press releases are mass media and web media. There are many general users who are checking press releases, most of whom are ordinary consumers. If it is a press release with high empathy, it may be shared on SNS, which will lead to expansion of reach.

[Example of personal press release being shared on SNS]

•   Innerwear development by students

•  Sole proprietor writer collaborates with companies to develop products

•  Launch of new service by sole proprietor who does not have legal personality (crowdfunding)

• Releases on self-published books

Benefit 3: Acquired an exposed surface by reprinting and also for SEO measures

When a press release is distributed, multiple press releases will be reprinted on partner media affiliated with the press release distribution service. Partner media includes major newspaper web media and major business web media, so when you search by company name or service name, it will be displayed at the top.

It is also significant that your portfolio site and SNS account are displayed at the top. A press release that conveys the latest activities leads to the impression that you are "Actively Working" and contributes to the ease of requesting work. It is very valuable for sole proprietors to get a press release page that is strong against SEO at the same time as distribution.

Three Things to Keep in Mind when a Sole Proprietor Distributes a Press Release

Sending a press release is more than just creating a manuscript and delivering it to the media. In order for sole proprietors to distribute press releases, they are required to enter necessary information and communicate with the contractor after clearing the preliminary examination.

Please note that you may not be able to deliver the press release if you do not meet the requirements.

So what should you be aware of when a sole proprietor distributes a press release? There are three points to remember that would be helpful for sole proprietors who want to distribute press releases in the future.

a. Delivery may not be possible depending on the result of the preliminary examination

When mass distribution is performed using the press release distribution site instead of individual distribution, most sites have pre-screening . The pre-screening is conducted for the purpose of distributing an appropriate press release , and confirms the business content and the content of the press release you want to distribute. As the number of press releases by sole proprietors increases, basically it will be cleared without any problems.

However, please note that unfortunately it may be judged that delivery is not possible depending on the result of the preliminary examination. The criteria for pre-screening will vary depending on the press release distribution service, it is safe to confirm in advance that the planned press release can be published.

b. The method of describing business information may be specified

When distributing a press release, there is a description method for specifying the press release distribution service to be used. Of course, the content of the release is as decided by the distributor in principle, but in many cases the basic information including the business content is specified.

For example, when registering as a sole proprietor, many people may have prepared a "principal deposit," which is the capital at the time of company establishment. However, when writing business information in a press release, some services stipulate that the principal deposit should not be listed as capital stock. If the description method is specified , be careful to write it according to the specification.

c. In the case of business consignment, obtain permission from the consignor company

I think that many sole proprietors are working in a business consignment relationship with a company.

If you have a business consignment relationship, get the consent of the consignor company in advance when distributing the press release. To avoid unexpected troubles after the press release is delivered, don’t forget to get permission for press release distribution and content.

Conclusion

Entering an era in which " individuals " also distribute press releases. Press release distribution is no longer limited to businesses. Now that diverse work styles are spreading, it is necessary for even sole proprietors to firmly disseminate " individual " information.

As introduced in this article, the merits of distributing press releases by sole proprietors include.          " expanding reach through SNS sharing " and " possibility of media coverage ." Even if there is no contact with the media at this time, it is possible to reliably send information to the target you want to deliver by using a press release distribution service or the like. In order to broaden your range of work and develop your own career, please try to master the distribution of press releases by sole proprietors.