Every single day, the average newswire service publishes anywhere from 500 to 1,000 press releases. These press releases are used to tout everything from new products to changes within a company’s structure.
Whenever possible, your company should take full advantage of the power of press releases. You can hire a great press release writer to put together the perfect press release for whatever news your company would like to share. You can then have a press release service handle press release distribution so that it makes a big splash.
How Much Does a Press Release Cost?
The cost of writing a press release can vary depending on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements that influence the cost:
1. Writer’s Experience and Expertise
- Seasoned professionals or agencies: Writers with extensive experience in PR, marketing, or journalism often charge higher rates.
- New or freelance writers: May offer lower rates but might lack the same level of expertise or industry knowledge.
2. Length and Complexity
- Standard press release: Typically 400–600 words, focusing on a single announcement, is less costly.
- Longer or technical releases: If the press release requires in-depth research, interviews, or technical language, it may increase the cost.
3. Research Requirements
- Minimal research: Simple announcements with readily available details are less costly.
- Extensive research: Topics that require gathering background information, competitor analysis, or understanding industry trends may require additional time and expertise.
4. Turnaround Time
- Standard delivery: Allowing a few days or a week is typically more affordable.
- Rush orders: Requiring completion within 24–48 hours often incurs a premium.
5. Industry or Niche
- Specialized industries: Press releases for niche fields like healthcare, technology, or finance may require a writer with specific expertise, increasing costs.
- General industries: Easier to write for broader markets, usually less expensive.
6. Additional Services
- Editing and revisions: Some writers include one or two rounds of edits in the base price, but additional revisions might cost extra.
- SEO optimization: Incorporating keywords and metadata for online distribution can add to the cost.
- Distribution services: If the writer or agency also handles dissemination through press release platforms (e.g., PR Newswire), this may incur additional fees.
7. Geographic Location
- Regional differences: Writers from countries or regions with a higher cost of living may charge more.
- Remote freelancers: Often have more competitive pricing.
8. Agency vs. Freelancer
- Agencies: Typically charge more because of their overhead costs and team-based approach.
- Freelancers: Often provide more affordable options with flexibility.
9. Volume Discounts
- Single press release: Costs more on a per-piece basis.
- Bulk packages: Discounts may apply for multiple press releases purchased together.
10. Client Relationship
- New clients: May face standard or higher rates.
- Returning clients: Often benefit from loyalty discounts or special offers.
Typical Price Range
- Freelancers: $100–$500 per press release.
- Agencies: $300–$2,000, depending on the scope of services.
- High-profile experts: Over $1,000 for premium, industry-specific releases.
If you’re planning a press release, it’s worth discussing the scope and requirements with potential writers to get a customized quote.
Learn more about these factors below.
The Press Release Writer You Hire
When you need to have a press release written for your company, you’re welcome to hire whoever you would like to write it for you. Your press release writer can be:
- An intern you have on your staff
- A recent college graduate interested in gaining experience
- Someone you find on a website like Fiverr.com
- One of your most trusted staff members who can serve as a ghostwriter for you
- A professional press release writer
- A press release agency
You can choose whichever option you like the most when you’re in need of a press release writer. But keep in mind that the answer to the question, “How much does a press release cost?”, will vary based on which of these options you select.
If you have an intern, a recent college grad, or someone from a site like Fiverr.com write your press release, it might cost you next to nothing. You may be able to get away with paying less than $50 for it.
But at what cost? The press release you get back might not be every bit as professional as you need it to be.
If, on the other hand, you have a professional press release writer take care of writing it for you, you could be looking at spending anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. You’ll get a fantastic press release for this price, but it’s going to cost a pretty penny.
Think long and hard about which press release writer will be the most impactful and the most cost-effective at the same time.
The Type of Writing Included in Your Press Release
There are some types of press releases that almost anyone who has ever taken a marketing class in college will be able to write. You should be able to keep your costs on the lower end of the spectrum when you need to create a press release like this.
But there are also other types of press releases that will require more in-depth knowledge of a particular subject to perform more technical writing. This is when a press release can start to get pricey.
You should consider which type of writing you’ll need to be included in the press release you want to put together from the beginning. You’ll know that you should set aside some extra money in the budget if a press release will call for technical writing prior to publication.
The Length of Your Press Release
Did you know that a press release can be as short as just two words? One of the most memorable moments of NBA legend Michael Jordan’s career involved him sending out a two-word press release that had a gigantic impact on the sports world (“I’m back” were the two words in that press release that announced his return to the NBA for those who don’t remember it).
There’s a pretty good chance you won’t be sending a two-word press release. But press releases can really vary in length from one to the next.
In some cases, a press release might only be a few paragraphs. In other instances, it might play out over the course of several pages.
The length of your press release is another important factor when it comes to answering the question, “How much does a press release cost?”. Generally speaking, longer press releases that include more information and, therefore, more writing will cost more than those that are on the shorter side.
The Press Release Edits That’ll Need to Be Made
Unless you just so happen to hire the best press release writer on the planet, you’re probably not going to be able to put the finishing touches on a press release without going through a few editing stages. You’ll want to send a press release back to the person who wrote it to make changes after you review it.
At times, these changes will be few and far between, and they won’t add to the overall price of a press release. But if you decide to change the entire direction of a press release at some point and scrap whatever a writer already worked on, it could lead to a higher press release cost.
With this in mind, you should have a very clear idea as to what you would like a press release to be before you have someone work on it. It’ll help you avoid having to go back to square one later because you weren’t clear enough from the start.
The Timeframe for Completing Your Press Release
Do you need to send a press release out ASAP to announce a new product or a change within your company? If you do, you should be able to locate a press release writer who can get to work on it right away.
But just like in any other industry, you’ll need to pay more to have a rush order put on a press release. A press release writer will have to drop everything else they’re working on to create a press release for you, and they’ll typically charge you more than they might otherwise for it.
If, on the other hand, you’re able to give a press release writer a few days or, better yet, a few weeks to work on a press release for your company, it could save you some money. They’ll likely extend a more affordable price on a press release when you give them more than enough time to get it done.
The Press Release Distribution Strategy You Use
Writing a press release is only half the battle. Once you have it finished, you’ll also need to figure out how you’re going to distribute it, and this might actually end up being one of the biggest factors as far as the price of a press release is concerned.
Some companies will attempt to do press release distribution on their own. They’ll have a list of journalists and other media members they’ll use to get a press release out quickly.
But not all companies will be cut out to do this. Many will have to hire a press release distribution company like eReleases.com to help them get their press releases out into the world.
If you decide to go with this option, you’ll be looking at spending anywhere from $699 to $999 on press release writing and distribution services. But it may be well worth it when you consider that eReleases.com will be able to distribute your press release through PR Newswire. It’ll reach an audience consisting of thousands and sometimes even millions of media members who have figured out how to get on PR lists.
The Press Release Service You Hire for Distribution
If you like the idea of hiring a press release distribution service to help you spread the word about your latest press release, eReleases.com will be one of the best options of the bunch. But there will also be other services that can set you up with distribution for your press release.
You’re free to shop around for the best press release service available to you. The one you choose will affect the price of a press release both now and well into the future.
You won’t find many that’ll offer the kinds of affordable prices that eReleases.com will. It’s why you should strongly consider calling on them for all your press release needs.
How Much Does a Press Release Cost? Contact Us to Find Out
As you can see, so many factors will play a role in answering the question, “How much does a press release cost?” From the press release writer you hire to the press release distribution method you choose, you’ll need to remember them all when you’re creating a budget for a press release.
eReleases.com can help you and your company stay on budget at all times when you turn to us for help with your press releases. Touch base with us today to get more information on our press release services.