Did you know that you can significantly improve your overall search engine rankings with the help of an online press release? For those of you without a marketing background, let me explain the nature of a press release and how you can use this little known SEO technique to improve your search engine rankings.

The purpose of a press release is to communicate news or information to members of the news. Often times companies send out press releases to inform the media of a new product, service, or important change within their company. For nearly a decade, press releases are distributed via email or posted online. There are even online services that manage the posting and distribution process for you.

Many companies send out press releases to announce a new product, service, or event. The public relations industry has depended on press releases to both disseminate information as well as help cut through the clutter of millions of daily news stories. Reporters have come to rely on press releases as a way to sift through irrelevant stories and find actual news.

A press release in not all that complicated to develop. Most press releases include the date of the release, headline, news, and a brief company description or bio. Online releases include this information with a link back to the company’s website or blog.

Today, online press release websites about. The purpose of these sites is to help reporters find news related to their industry and to sort through much of the irrelevant noise that is floating around the internet. The benefit to anyone in business today is that it is easier than ever to tap into this new stream and distribute information about your website or product.

Press releases are a valuable tool for anyone trying to promote a new website or blog. Years ago, when I began in Internet marketing, my belief was the PR was all about writing a fantastic press. The truth is that press releases today are only partly about the news. For me, they are more about the back links that are created when your news travels across the internet and gets posted on thousands of websites.

There are a few press release services out there, much like article directories that allow you to submit your release and include a link back to your website. Unlike article directories, many of these sites are not free. However, a small handful cost nothing, dozens charge less than twenty dollars and others will charge more.

When I need to build a ton of back links to my website quickly, I always gravitate toward online press releases. You can implement this today. Do a Google search for free press releases and look at the top 10 results. You will find many that do not charge. Be mindful though that a lot of these sites do not let you include a link unless you are going to pay a fee.

Over time I have found a couple of services I like and even pay a small fee for. I’m fine with that as long as the fees are reasonable. With a small budget you can start building inbound links to your website in less than 24 hours. Try using press releases to enhance your search engine optimization efforts. It’s quick, easy, and gets results.