Regarding press releases, there’s a lot of confusion out there. To get closer to what real marketers, business owners, and PR hopefuls are wondering, 24-7 Press Release looked through Reddit, PR forums, and discussion boards to find genuine, unfiltered questions.

These are not theoretical classroom examples—they are genuine questions people are asking online. Below is the question (often verbatim or lightly edited), the source link, and an honest, experience-based answer designed to help you get real results.

1. Is it worth paying for a press release service, or should I just post on social media?
Source: Reddit, r/smallbusiness — “Press release worth it?” View the link here.

It depends—but often yes, if you have real news. In that Reddit thread, one commenter said, “Press releases can be worth it if you do them right. It really comes down to sharing something actually newsworthy and getting it in front of the right people.” Posting on social media is free and suitable for awareness among your existing followers—but it doesn’t reach journalists, syndication outlets, or credible news databases.

A paid press release service gives you formal distribution, credibility, and a chance for editorial pickup. However, those benefits only appear when the release has substance. Many forums warn against using press releases as a “weekly checkbox” tactic. Use a press release when you have genuine news (24-7 Press Release agrees). Use social media or blogs for updates and stories that don’t qualify as announcements. For further information about blogs and press releases, view our last article “Press Releases vs. Blogs: When to Announce, When to Explain“ View the link here.

2. How do I write a press release that journalists will read?
Source: Reddit, r/smallbusiness — “How To Write A Press Release That Actually Works” View the link here.

The answers in that thread mirror what many professional communicators teach. Keep your focus—one story per release. Use a strong headline that summarizes the core announcement.

The first paragraph should tell the journalist the story, briefly and clearly.

Include at least one quote and a short boilerplate at the end. Stay concise—at 24-7 Press Release, we recommend staying under 400–600 words. These guidelines align with what journalists themselves say.

MarketingProfs interviewed reporters who admit they delete releases that don’t quickly answer “what’s in it for me?” or that read like marketing fluff. View the link here. In short: treat a journalist’s attention as your most valuable resource. Make your release lean, factual, and easy to digest.

3. Do press releases really help with SEO?
Source: Reddit, r/PublicRelations — “Can someone explain how press release writing and distribution works”. View the link here.

The short answer: yes, but with important caveats. In that discussion, one user said, “Press release backlinks are no-follow, so they don’t help SEO. Some people argue that search engines decide for themselves if they want a link to be do-follow or no-follow. But they also don’t get dinged for duplicate content.” Another noted that the real value is not direct PageRank, but visibility, shares/reposting of a story, and referral traffic. Almost all distribution networks use no-follow links, meaning they don’t pass link authority, but they still send real visitors to your site.

Search Engine News sites also index press releases and appear in search results for brand or product names. The real SEO value comes when legitimate media outlets pick up your release and link to your site in their own stories. Or bloggers repost your story. A press release may not directly skyrocket your rankings, but do expect brand signals, traffic, potential shares from higher page rank sites that potentially pick it up, and visibility that all indirectly support your online reputation.

4. What if I don’t have major news—can I still issue a press release?
Source: Reddit, r/PublicRelations — “Are press releases valuable?” View the link here.

This question is one of the most common dilemmas discussed online. One user commented, “Press releases are only worth it when there’s real news. Pushing one out every week to tick a box wastes time and money.” That’s true to a degree. If the topic doesn’t have significance beyond your internal team, it likely won’t attract attention. That said, “real news” can take many forms—partnerships, community initiatives, awards, research data, customer milestones, or new features. The key is how you frame it. A minor update can become newsworthy if it connects to an industry trend, a community with local impact, or meaningful change. When in doubt, ask: Would someone outside my organization care? If not, it may be better suited for your blog.

5. Can AI write my press release for me?

This topic has exploded in popularity across PR boards and LinkedIn discussions. The short answer is that AI can help, but shouldn’t replace you. AI is great for structure, grammar, and generating a first draft quickly. It can even propose headline options and key points. But it can also fabricate facts, oversell claims, or miss subtle angles that a journalist would notice immediately. Use AI to save time, not to automate credibility. The strongest press releases still come from people who understand what makes a story worth publishing.

6. Are cheap press release services worthless or harmful?
Source: Reddit, r/SEO — “Press release worth it or hurt it?” View the link here and Reddit, r/DigitalMarketing — “What’s your experience with paid press releases?” View the link here.

The problem with free or bargain-basement PR distribution is not just poor results—it’s wasted credibility. If your release is buried on irrelevant sites, it won’t build trust or drive visibility. Professional-level press release services deliver measurable value, like 24-7 Press Release with real syndication, editorial review, and reporting. Regarding press distribution, you generally get what you pay for.

7. Should I hire a freelancer or contact the media directly instead of using a wire service?
Source: Reddit, r/PublicRelations — “Should I use a freelancer for a press release or try to contact media outlets directly?” View the link here.

This option isn’t an either/or choice—you can do both. A skilled freelancer can write a strong, structured release ready for distribution. A press release service ensures that the release reaches multiple outlets instantly, while direct journalist outreach can secure personalized coverage. In the Reddit thread, one commenter summed it up nicely: “The efficacy of a press release varies, but a lot of it comes down to the quality of the news and doing a tiny bit more than just putting it on the wire.” Use distribution for reach, and pitching for relationships. The best results happen when both are coordinated.

8. Which press release distribution services are good?
Source: Reddit, r/PublicRelations — “Best press release distribution services for North America?” View the link here and Reddit, r/PublicRelations — “Do you guys recommend wire services to your clients?” View the link here.

Reddit discussions name a few familiar options and highlight the trade-off between price and reach. Some users mention that top-tier services like Cision or PR Newswire are powerful but expensive. Others point out that mid-tier networks (like 24-7 Press Release) can deliver good results for small businesses at a lower cost. The key factors to evaluate are audience targeting, reporting tools, syndication reach, and the ability to attach images or multimedia. Always check if the service offers access to Google News and local newsrooms, not just obscure content sites. Quality distribution isn’t just about how many outlets it hits—it’s about whether the right people can find and trust your story.

9. How fast will I see results from a press release?

This question shows up in nearly every forum. The truth is that press releases aren’t instant-response tools like ads. You might see early metrics within 24–48 hours (impressions, syndication, and news site listings). Journalistic responses and backlinks may take weeks or more. The SEO benefit, if any, develops over time as the release is indexed and possibly cited elsewhere. Press releases deliver short-term exposure but long-term credibility. The impact is cumulative, not immediate.

10. How do journalists decide which press releases to open or ignore?

This topic comes up repeatedly in journalist AMA threads and PR training blogs. The top deciding factors are consistent:

– The subject line or headline—journalists often decide in under one second whether to open it.
– Relevance to their beat—if it doesn’t fit their topic area, it’s deleted immediately.
– Clarity—the first paragraph must explain what happened, why it matters, and to whom.
– Credibility—a recognizable company name or verified wire increases trust.
– Tone—avoid hype, adjectives, and vague claims; stick to facts and quotes.

MarketingProfs highlights that “journalists delete press releases that feel promotional or confusing before the first paragraph ends.” View the link here. The takeaway: make it easy for the journalist to understand and trust your story.

Final Thoughts

All these questions reveal the same underlying theme—people want to use press releases effectively, but many are unsure how to separate hype from substance.

Real-world discussion threads show a mix of frustration and curiosity, which is precisely where opportunity lies. By following proven structure, maintaining credibility, and choosing reputable distribution, a press release remains one of the most powerful and affordable marketing tools. The key is not sending more releases, but sending the right, quality ones.

For more practical guidance and examples, explore these helpful resources: 24-7 Press Release Newswire Knowledge Base