The Reason Why Your Press Release Isn’t Getting Covered
- Narrativ Consulting
- Aug 11, 2025
- 2 min read
It’s 9:23 a.m. on a Tuesday and you’ve got a steaming cup of coffee in your left hand. You sift through your inbox, which is already bursting with unread mail, when you see the notification that your company’s press release has gone live. You click on the hyperlink supplied by your newswire service and skim the contents. Perfect, soon eager reporters will begin emailing asking to speak with the CEO... Right?
Nope.
Here’s a news flash: Publishing a press release does not guarantee that a journalist will reach out to you. In fact, members of the media may not run your story at all.
Ouch.
Press releases are great for sharing your company’s latest announcement, but without a distribution strategy, the news is not getting far. This is where a public relations (PR) practitioner can help. A good PR partner will:
Target Relevant Journalists: Every reporter has a specific topic that they cover. Your PR partner will understand who the best fit for your news is and will coordinate interviews between the journalist and your company spokesperson.
Identify Key Publications: Not every media outlet is the same! PR professionals have a deep knowledge of mainstream and trade media. This means they understand which publications will be most appropriate for your news, the sector that your company operates in, and the industries you want to reach.
Expand Outreach: Sometimes a company announcement should go beyond traditional media. This could mean sharing the information with podcasts and analysts. Your PR partner will identify the best matches for your news and will ensure all relevant parties are informed.
So, before you flip your keyboard, ask yourself:
Am I satisfied with the media attention that my press releases receive?
Am I confident that my news is reaching decision makers?
Do I really want to create and execute a distribution strategy by myself?
If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, it may be time to bring a PR consultant on board.