Go Beyond the Big Boys: How SMBs Gain Competitive Edge Via Targeted Press Releases
6 Ways North American SMEs Can Gain Brand Influence and Sales Through Press Releases
Securing mainstream media coverage was once only fortune 500 turf with costly PR firms and inside connections. Thankfully, press release distribution levels the playing field so even small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) can now garner brand influence and sales momentum.
Specifically, North American SMEs hold immense opportunities across major finance platforms plus segmented newswire terminals. This blog covers six proven press release strategies for SMBs targeting economic centers like the United States and Canada:
I. Press Releases Offer Disproportionate Benefits to SMBs
Press releases seem like corporate vanity projects with speculative impact for resource-strapped SMEs. However, several dynamics means earned media actually generates outsized brand and direct economic returns for SMBs compared to large cap players.
With less existing content volume online, press releases drive higher search visibility and discovery for SMEs. Release narrative themes also gain more prominence as they don’t compete with hundreds of other company announcements. Assuming providers optimize copy for SEO, multimedia engagement and sharing.
Further opportunities emerge courtesy of SMEs prominence upholding local communities. Unlike global conglomerates, local media actively spotlights SMB growth, partnerships and innovations as hometown success stories.
II. Mainstream Finance Coverage Drives Brand Influence
Think only major corporations secure features in globally recognized finance publications like Associated Press, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider? Think again.
Journalists at these outlets actively seek unique angles on business trends plus underdog success stories. For SMEs offering novel services, niche innovations or standout local contributions, earned media delivers household name credibility.
For example, highlighting a unique sustainability initiative or woman-led management team makes compelling hooks. Such coverage builds immense brand influence with customers, collaborators and investors alike.
III. Reach Investor Inboxes Directly Via Newswire Terminals
Mainstream press provides general brand halo effects. However, newswire terminals like Dow Jones Factiva, BusinessWire and PR Newswire directly inform investor decision making.
Terminals publish press releases to subscriber inbox networks including massive financial institutions, investment firms and private equity players otherwise nearly impossible to access independently.
Securing terminal distribution for funding news, acquisition deals, expansion plans or quarterly earnings puts this intel directly in front of capital allocators actively screening new opportunities. Talk about influential outreach!
IV. Utilize Multimedia for Maximum Engagement
Text-only press releases fast become relics even for B2B companies as multimedia engagement grows exponentially important for online discoverability and sharing.
Embedding compelling images, infographics and videos boosts reader click-throughs while improving search and social media performance. Consider visualizing key data, showing product applications in action or company culture via video clips.
Further enhancement comes from optimum formatting and supplementation of digital assets so releases seamlessly insert into journalist content management systems. Provide the assets they prefer.
V. Continually Evaluate Performance Metrics
Limited resources means SMEs must maximize press release ROI through continual optimization informed by distribution analytics.
Newswire services provide key metrics around online sentiment, click-through rates, social amplification and media placements. Use this data to identify well-performing messaging for emphasis in future content. Similarly highlight which journalists to build relationships with.
Ongoing feedback loops ensure continual efficiency improvements over brute volume blasts. Optimize rather than saturate.
VI. Overcome Limited In-House Capabilities Through PR Agencies
We’ve covered multiple advanced distribution, targeting, multimedia and analysis tactics — but who has the bandwidth to handle internally? PR agencies.
Agencies optimize writing for online readability, manage terminal outreach and handle multi-platform engagement so SME marketing teams avoid displacement. They also provide outside perspective to identify messages missed internally.
Measure agency value based on executed best practices versus just release volume. Ensure media list access and reporting transparency.
The Bottom Line:
Press releases present unmatched brand influence and investor access opportunities for underserved SMEs. Yet securing value means applying the latest digital targeting, multimedia and analytics best practices covered here.
No more generic blasts crossing fingers for results — follow these recommendations to guarantee influential earned media, build credibility and achieve direct sales order growth. Dominate competitors.
Let me know if you would like me to expand or provide clarification on any section.