Key Takeaways
- eReleases offers affordable press release distribution starting at $399 with national PR Newswire distribution included, making it ideal for small to mid-sized businesses.
- PR Newswire costs significantly more, with pricing from $545+ (including membership fee) and complex custom pricing that can reach $3,000+ for comprehensive distribution.
- eReleases provides the only exclusive partnership with PR Newswire for small businesses, giving you enterprise-level distribution at a fraction of the cost.
- PR Newswire has a broader reach with 440,000+ newsrooms globally, but lacks transparency in pricing and requires annual membership fees.
- AmpiFire transforms your message into 8 different content formats and distributes across 300+ platforms, delivering far more visibility than traditional press release services.
eReleases Overview
eReleases is a press release distribution service designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses that need professional-grade distribution without enterprise-level costs. Founded in 1998, the company has built an exclusive partnership with PR Newswire to offer national distribution at affordable prices.
Key Features
- Superior News Wire Coverage: Every eReleases press release is distributed through Cision PR Newswire’s national press release distribution service
- Editorial Review: Professional PR editorial team edits your news release before sending it out to maximize results
- Unmatched Targeting: Media database of 1.7 million contacts (including over 700,000 bloggers and social media influencers) enables direct targeting to journalists most likely to act on your release
- Powerful Tracking: Detailed reporting showing traffic, audience, and engagement so you know exactly who received your release
- Press Release Writing Services: Professional press release writing with templates, boilerplates, and examples
- Associated Press Distribution: Goes to 3,000 newsrooms, 4,500 major news websites, and 550 news content systems, including Associated Press Newswire
- Direct-to-Journalists Email: Single-targeted email sent to journalists most likely to respond (available in higher-tier plans)
Pros
- Affordable pricing starting at $399 includes premium PR Newswire distribution
- No hidden fees with transparent pricing with all major features included
- Superior news wire coverage; it’s the only service offering Cision PR Newswire’s best-in-industry distribution to small businesses
- High customer satisfaction with 4.8/5 stars across nearly 8,000 reviews
- Professional editorial support is included in all packages
Cons
- Limited multimedia options compared to enterprise platforms
- Word count restrictions based on package level (400–600 words)
- US-focused distribution with limited international reach
Who’s it best for?
eReleases is a solid choice for small to mid-sized businesses that need professional press release distribution with national reach but can’t afford enterprise-level pricing. It’s also good for companies wanting PR Newswire’s credibility and distribution power at accessible prices.
Why Press Releases Don’t Work Anymore
Smart Businesses Are Moving Beyond Traditional PR
• The Problem: Press releases reach one audience through one channel while your customers are everywhere online. Most get buried within days with poor ROI.
• The Solution: AmpiFire’s AmpCast creates 8 different content formats from one topic and distributes across 300+ high-authority sites including Fox affiliates, Spotify, and YouTube.
What You’ll Learn on PR Zen:
✓ Why multi-channel content delivers 10x better results than press releases
✓ How to amplify your PR efforts across multiple platforms
✓ Real case studies of businesses dominating search, social, video, and podcasts
✓ Cost-effective alternative to expensive PR agencies
Ready to Replace Press Releases? Learn the AmpiFire Method →
PR Newswire Overview
PR Newswire is the industry’s leading press release distribution network, founded in 1954 by Herbert Muschel and acquired by Cision in 2015. For 70+ years, it has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world, serving as the backbone for most major corporate announcements.
Key Features
- Global Distribution Network – 440,000+ newsrooms, websites, and journalists across 170+ countries
- 40+ Language Support – International distribution with multi-language capabilities
- Advanced Targeting – Target by geography, industry, demographics, and specific journalist beats
- Multimedia Distribution – Support for videos, images, infographics, and interactive content
- Social Media Integration – Built-in social sharing and amplification tools
- Financial Compliance – SEC-compliant distribution for publicly traded companies
- Media Monitoring – Track coverage and measure campaign performance
- Editorial Support – 24/7 editorial team reviews 325,000+ releases annually
Pros
- Unmatched global reach with the largest distribution network in the industry
- Enterprise-grade features including advanced analytics and targeting
- Brand credibility with one of the most recognized names in press release distribution
- Comprehensive multimedia support for rich content experiences
Cons
- Extremely expensive with costs ranging from $545–$3,000+ per release
- Complex pricing with no transparent rate card; requires sales consultation
- Annual membership required ($195–$249) before you can distribute any releases
- Pay-per-word pricing that can quickly escalate costs
Who’s it best for?
PR Newswire is ideal for large enterprises, publicly traded companies, and organizations with substantial PR budgets that need maximum reach, advanced features, and global distribution capabilities.
Pricing Comparison: eReleases vs PR Newswire
eReleases Pricing
eReleases offers three transparent pricing tiers:
- Buzz Builder: $399 – 400 words, 1 industry target list, PR Newswire custom national newswire distribution, SEO enhancements, guaranteed media syndication
- Newsmaker: $499 – 500 words, 2 industry target lists, all Buzz Builder features plus premium news outlets via Associated Press, WireWatch™ Proof of Distribution Report
- PR Pro: $699 – 600 words, 3 industry target lists, all Newsmaker features plus Direct-to-Journalists single targeted email send, Cision Influencer List
Press Release Writing: Add $300 to any package for professional writing services
Complete Packages: Writing + distribution bundles start at $699
PR Newswire Pricing
PR Newswire has a more complex custom pricing system with multiple fee structures:
Annual Membership: $195 (required for all distribution levels)
Distribution Costs by Level:
- State & Local: $350 per release (1,000 digital networks)
- Regional & Top Markets: $575 per release (1,300 digital networks)
- National: $805 per release (5,800 digital networks)
Standard Features: All levels include 400-word limit
Additional Fees:
- Extra 100 words: $140–$245 depending on distribution level
- Multimedia inclusions: $325 per item
- Logo inclusion: $495
Total Cost Example: A basic 400-word national release with logo = $1,495 ($195 membership + $805 distribution + $495 logo)
Comparison Table: eReleases vs. PR Newswire vs. Ampifire
| Feature | eReleases | PR Newswire | AmpiFire |
| Starting Price | $399 | $545+ (with membership) | Unlimited content creation without distribution starting at $27/month; DIY content creation with distribution starting at $397/month |
| Distribution Network | Cision PR Newswire + 1.7M database | 1,000–5,800 digital networks | 300+ authority sites (Google News, YouTube, Spotify, Fox affiliates, MSN, Yahoo Finance, social platforms) |
| Word/Content Limit | 400–600 words | 400 words (standard) | Unlimited (content repurposed into 8 formats) |
| Industry Targeting | 1–3 targeted lists | 200+ industry verticals | Broad audience targeting via multi-platform distribution |
| Multimedia Support | Basic images/logos | Full multimedia suite (videos, infographics, etc.) | Articles, blogs, infographics, videos, podcasts, social posts |
| International Reach | Limited | 170+ countries | Global reach via online platforms |
| Editorial Review | Included | 24/7 editorial team | Hybrid AI + human content editing |
| Pricing Transparency | Full transparency | Custom quotes only | Subscription-based, transparent |
| Best For | Small–mid businesses | Enterprise/large companies | Businesses seeking leads, SEO growth, and long-term visibility |
Alternatives to eReleases and PR Newswire
EIN Presswire
EIN Presswire offers affordable press release distribution starting at $149 per release. Features include SEO optimization, distribution to major search engines and news sites, and detailed analytics. It’s best for businesses wanting basic distribution without premium pricing.
PRWeb
PRWeb provides budget-friendly distribution starting at $110 per release with syndication to 1,200+ websites powered by PR Newswire It includes editorial proofreading and social media integration, making it ideal for companies needing simple, cost-effective distribution.
Newswire.com
Newswire.com offers comprehensive press release distribution with their Press Release Optimizer (PRO) suite. It features media databases, monitoring services, and strategic campaign management. Perfect for businesses wanting full-service PR support.
Which Platform is Best for Me?
When to Choose eReleases
Select eReleases if you want professional-grade press release distribution that includes PR Newswire’s network without the enterprise-level costs. It’s great for:
- Small to mid-sized businesses with limited PR budgets
- Companies wanting proven results with transparent pricing
- Organizations needing national US distribution with journalist targeting
- Businesses that value human editorial review and personal service
When to Choose PR Newswire
Choose PR Newswire if your organization requires maximum reach and has the budget for premium distribution. It’s best for:
- Large corporations and publicly traded companies
- Global businesses needing international distribution
- Organizations with complex compliance requirements
- Companies that need advanced multimedia and targeting features
Why AmpiFire Outperforms Traditional Press Release Services
While press release distribution services focus on getting your news to journalists and media outlets, AmpiFire takes a completely different approach that delivers far superior results for businesses of all sizes.
What Makes AmpiFire Different?
- Multi-Format Content Creation – Your single topic becomes a news article, blog post, slideshow, infographic, long-form video, short-form video, podcast, and social posts—all created with AI and human expertise.
- 300+ Platform Distribution – Simultaneously published to Google News, YouTube, Spotify, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Fox affiliates, major news sites, and social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
- Lasting Impact – Unlike press releases that have a short lifespan, AmpiFire content continues working long-term, building your authority and driving organic traffic for months and years.
This multi-format approach means you’re not just hoping for media coverage—you’re guaranteeing your message gets seen by potential customers everywhere they look online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is more cost-effective: eReleases or PR Newswire?
For most small to mid-sized businesses, eReleases offers better value. At $399, you get a national PR Newswire distribution that would cost $1,000+ directly from PR Newswire, plus editorial review and targeted journalist outreach. PR Newswire’s complex pricing often exceeds $1,500–$3,000 per release when you factor in membership fees and add-ons.
Can I get PR Newswire distribution without the high cost?
Yes, eReleases is the only service offering full national PR Newswire distribution at affordable prices. Their exclusive partnership allows small businesses to access PR Newswire’s network for just $399, compared to PR Newswire’s direct pricing of $1,000+ per release.
Which service offers better ROI for small businesses?
Based on our analysis, AmpiFire provides the highest ROI for businesses focused on growth and lead generation. While traditional press release services measure success by media mentions, AmpiFire tracks direct business impact through traffic, leads, and revenue generation. Our case studies show businesses achieving 30–50x returns through multi-channel content strategies.
Do I need an annual membership for eReleases?
No, eReleases operates on a per-release basis with no annual membership fees or long-term contracts. You simply pay for each press release you distribute. This contrasts with PR Newswire, which requires a $195–$249 annual membership before you can distribute any releases.
How does AmpiFire compare to traditional press release services?
AmpiFire takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of creating one press release and hoping for media coverage, AmpiFire transforms your topic into 8 different content formats and distributes them across 300+ platforms. This ensures your message reaches your audience directly, rather than relying on journalists to cover your story.
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