Do You Need a Press Release? (Hint: Not Always)
Press releases get a lot of love—and a lot of overuse. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you’ve probably asked, “Should I put out a press release for this?” Spoiler alert: not everything needs one.
The Press Release: Powerful, But Not a Cure-All
Think of a press release like a flare shot into the sky. It says: “Hey world, something just happened!” That’s great for newsy moments—like a product launch, funding round, or major hire.
But what if you’re trying to build credibility over time or share your founder journey? That flare might fizzle fast. A one-size-fits-all press release won’t always carry the emotional weight or depth your story deserves.
Why This Matters: Visibility, Trust, and ROI
Used right, a press release can boost:
Visibility (getting featured in 300+ outlets with Wave360, for instance)
Search engine rankings (hello, backlinks!)
Investor and customer confidence (as seen in MarketWatch, anyone?)
But if you send one out for something minor—or worse, too often—you dilute your impact. And that’s wasted time and money.
Let’s break down when a press release is your best move, and when to consider other options.
When a Press Release Makes Sense
1. You’re Announcing News With Broad Appeal
If your update is timely, public-facing, and relevant to a wide audience, a press release is gold. Think:
Product launch or rebrand
Funding announcement
Partnership or acquisition
Major hiring or leadership changes
📣 Wave360 was designed exactly for this. It gets your announcement in 350+ media outlets, with a press release written by pros—plus a nice SEO bump from all those links.
2. You Want to Build SEO Fast
Press releases can deliver high-quality backlinks from reputable sites like Apple News, Financial Post, and Yahoo Finance. That’s juice for your domain authority.
If organic search matters to your growth strategy, this is a smart move.
When You Might Not Need One
1. You’re Telling a Personal or Emotional Story
Press releases are brief and formal. If you’re sharing a mission-driven founder story, a major challenge you overcame, or a vision for the future—you need room to breathe.
✅ Instead, go with Ripple+. It’s perfect for getting a thoughtfully crafted editorial feature placed in outlets that align with your audience and values.
2. You Want to Show Expertise, Not Just News
Thought leadership doesn’t come from announcing stuff. It comes from teaching, sharing, and being seen as someone who gets it. A press release won’t cut it here.
Try appearing on podcasts via PodWaves—it’s ideal for deep, authentic conversations that build long-term trust with niche audiences.
3. The News Is Too Small
Launching a new website, hiring an intern, or celebrating your 10th Instagram post? Celebrate those wins, for sure. But don’t waste a press release on them.
Save it for when you have real news—then go all in.
Your Go-To Media Menu: Press Release or Not?
Wave360 is great for: Major announcements and Building SEO
Ripple+ is great for: Personal founder story, Targeting niche industry audience and Long-term trust building
PodWaves is great for: Demonstrating expertise and Long-tern trust building
The Takeaway: Be Strategic With Your Spotlight
A press release can absolutely be the hero of your media strategy—but only when it’s used intentionally. The best results come from matching the message to the medium.
Need help deciding what’s press-release-worthy and what needs a deeper story? That’s what we’re here for.
Ready to share your next big moment—or your meaningful message—with the world? Let OlaPR guide you. Whether it’s Wave360, Ripple+, or PodWaves, we’ll make sure it lands in the right place.
👉 Explore services or contact us to talk through your goals.