13 replies to this topic

[juliesjewels]

I've spent quite a while searching HR for the answer to this question. What is the difference between submitting an article and writing a press release (submitting a press release)?

Is one better (more effective) than the other? Are they basically the same thing and if so can you submit an informational type of article as a press release? I'm confused.

[Jill]

An article basically is an educational thing, like the stuff I publish in my newsletter.

A press release is more of a news thing where you are telling the news outlets something cool your company is doing.

[Martin C]

Depending on what your product or service is an article is an ideal way of documenting a real life 'problem' and then providing a solution to the problem in the form of a case study. In this way people are then able to see what relevancy a service or product might be to them.

Whereas an article can be fairly long an effective news release will generally be short and sweet.

[torka]

Another difference is that, while you technically retain copyright to both your article and to your original press release, usually the expectation with a press release is that it will be reprinted in multiple places without the publishers' having to ask permission. They are also generally free to edit/rewrite the release as they see fit to match the tone and theme of their site or publication.

Often, if an editor sees a number of releases coming across his/her desk with the same or a similar theme, he/she may sense a "trend" and assign a reporter to follow up and write a story combining information from all (or most) of the releases, plus their own original research, into a single feature article.

Other editors may choose to run your release practically verbatim.

The point is, you don't really have any control over what happens to the information in the release once you've, well, released it. And one certainly can't demand, for instance, that news organizations include a link-back to one's site in return for the privilege of using one's press release.

What news editors do with your press release once they get it is up to them. It's the nature of the beast of press releases -- you send them out there into the big wide world and they pretty much have to fend for themselves from that point.

Articles, on the other hand... well, the writers tend to follow one (or more) methodologies:

1. post the article only on their own site and retain all rights.
2. allow others to post the article only if they ask permission (or, rarely online, upon payment of a royalty).
3. allow others to post the article at will (and for free) but only if they include attribution/linkback to the author's site.

In all cases, the republishers are usually disallowed from making their own changes or edits to the article; it generally must be published "as is".

Oh, yeah, and another distinction -- albeit one that's becoming increasingly blurred as the overall quality of press releases appears to be in decline, MHO -- is that, strictly speaking, a press release should deal in factual information, while an article can present the author's opinions, philosophies and speculations.

My YMMV

--Torka

[Randy]

Very well said Torka, and those are important distinctions you point out. Though I agree that the line is getting pretty blurred.

Those two pennies were worth a lot more than that!

[torka]

Aw, shucks! You're too kind.

--Torka

[copywriter]

Online, the majority of the time, an article is an editorial piece (from the opinion of the writer). It's intended use is as a soft sell... to provide useful information and eventually a link back to a site/product/service. The target audience is the end user most of the time.

A press release is targeted toward journalists and reporters. It is not promotional in the least and provides facts about a product/service/event/topic. It should answer the reporter's question, "Why would my readers care about what you're saying?" Generally speaking, the purpose is to have the reporter use your release as-is, have him/her pull a quote from your release for a feature article they are writing or have them contact you for an interview.

Different intended uses, different target audiences.

<Plus all that stuff Torka said!>

[juliesjewels]

Thank you all for the responses to my question. Those comments make perfect sense and I would have never thought of the distinction between the two on my own.

It sounds to me like the content pages I've written so far would be considered "articles" as opposed to PR's. Thank you again.

[projectphp]

As an idea Julie, try to write an article / release that "tells your story". That is, what you did, how you did it etc.

That sort of story is exactly what many small business sites, newspapers and the local press love, and that can get you some pretty significant exposure for that magic price: FREE.

Down here, we have a few TV shows about small business, like Bread TV, and getting on a show like that, or in a (small) business magazine, a local TV show, a local newspaper etc is a great way to get new customers, build confidence and trust in your brand and generally expose your site to a wide range of people that may not actively look for jewellery (spelt properly ).

As a side benefit, it can also be a way to build links, but stuff SEO, the exposure is golden!

[j0e]

An article basically is an educational thing, like the stuff I publish in my newsletter.

A press release is more of a news thing where you are telling the news outlets something cool your company is doing.

Hi,

Now I have a question.

I sent out a Press Release a few days ago, that told news outlets "something cool that my company is doing."

Is it okay to write an article that talks about "something cool that my company
is doing" as well(?) just rewriting it in a different way. Or would that get rejected by those EzineArticles people?

I'm just curious because, I can't think of anything else to write about.

Thanks,


Joe

[Jill]

Joe, you can write whatever article you want. However, I don't see that as really article material.

Just post your press release on your site.

If you have nothing to teach others, then there's really no reason to write an article, imo.

[Manish]

Hi,

Now I have a question.

I sent out a Press Release a few days ago, that told news outlets "something cool that my company is doing."

Is it okay to write an article that talks about "something cool that my company
is doing" as well(?) just rewriting it in a different way.  Or would that get rejected by those EzineArticles people?

I'm just curious because, I can't think of anything else to write about.

Thanks,
Joe

An article must be just like a real fact that you are showing other persons. It should be clear to the point and precise. Don't write an article because you have to write an article an article must be written in such a way that the readers find it very useful to them so they will use your article... and guess what they will then gradually consider you a good guy full of knowledge and helping... so that when the next time you post as article they would be waiting to read your articles because you give them facts and truth...

Why did you come to the net?? To obtain information thats it.... that's what everybody wants and the person who gives good information is the good guy in their eyes...

Take care!

Manish

[Jill]

Something cool that your company is doing would probably be most appropriate for your own newsletter subscribers if you have something like that.

[digitalplatypus]

As an idea Julie, try to write an article / release that "tells your story". That is, what you did, how you did it etc.

I think you get editors' attention MUCH better with something that has story value. "Someone who found an ingenious way to overcome a problem" wins over "someone who thinks that what they (or their business) is doing is the most important thing in the world" every time.