I'm moving this thread to the Public Relations Forum as that's a better fit for your questions.
You'll also want to read this thread about other places to distribute your press release and tips about free vs. paid.
To answer your questions:
1. Because this is my first press release should I use the FREE option and save the paid option for later or is it best to start with $200 option that allows keyword embedded links?
See link above to other thread.
2. Should I only submit to prWeb or should I submit to as many free options as I can find?
See link above to other thread.
3. My press release is about 800 words. Should it be longer/shorter?
Much shorter. A press release is almost never over 500 words.
4. Do you have any suggestions on getting the article picked up by news sites?
It's not an article, it's a press release (big difference). Creating an optimized press release will help with this.
5. Should the press release be more facts or story?
A press release, by nature, consists of facts. It is not an article or an advertisement. See this article for more information about writing a press release.
6. Is it OK to do it from a first person narrative?
No, you'll want to have a good understanding of what a press release is and isn't or you'll be wasting your time and money with any distribution efforts. A press release is not done in first person and is not a narrative. It is an account of who, what, when, where and why that is written in order to inform a reporter of why what you're about to say is important to their readers.
Think about what you're going to write. Then pretend you've told the information to a reporter of a newspaper/magazine/site. He/she asks you, "Why would my readers care?" That's the question your release has to answer.
You'll also want to read this thread about other places to distribute your press release and tips about free vs. paid.
To answer your questions:
1. Because this is my first press release should I use the FREE option and save the paid option for later or is it best to start with $200 option that allows keyword embedded links?
See link above to other thread.
2. Should I only submit to prWeb or should I submit to as many free options as I can find?
See link above to other thread.
3. My press release is about 800 words. Should it be longer/shorter?
Much shorter. A press release is almost never over 500 words.
4. Do you have any suggestions on getting the article picked up by news sites?
It's not an article, it's a press release (big difference). Creating an optimized press release will help with this.
5. Should the press release be more facts or story?
A press release, by nature, consists of facts. It is not an article or an advertisement. See this article for more information about writing a press release.
6. Is it OK to do it from a first person narrative?
No, you'll want to have a good understanding of what a press release is and isn't or you'll be wasting your time and money with any distribution efforts. A press release is not done in first person and is not a narrative. It is an account of who, what, when, where and why that is written in order to inform a reporter of why what you're about to say is important to their readers.
Think about what you're going to write. Then pretend you've told the information to a reporter of a newspaper/magazine/site. He/she asks you, "Why would my readers care?" That's the question your release has to answer.
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