Press Releases - who reads them and how do they help?

[wizkid]

i think press releases probably work better on localised websites where the release targetted for particular events or products or services happening or avaialble in within that city or region. i have seen it work for a couple of events. a company i worked for. hosted - website got tons of hits in a very short span of time and where it didnt work when they tried to publicise an international conference in a similar manner. I think the increase in the target audience geography must have something to do with it.