Why a Press Release Isn’t Dead—You’re Just Using It Wrong

by Gigi Nevarez PR

Every few months, someone declares, “Press releases are dead.”

And every few months, I watch that same person struggle to get their project picked up by the media, wondering why nobody’s paying attention.

Let me set the record straight: press releases aren’t dead—they’ve just evolved. What is dead is the lazy, outdated way most people use them. If you're blasting a generic PDF to a hundred random emails and crossing your fingers, it’s no wonder your announcement landed in a spam folder graveyard.

At Gigi Nevarez PR, we know what works. That’s why we’ve partnered with EIN Newswire, a leader in digital press release distribution, to ensure our clients’ announcements are not only professionally written but seen by the right media outlets. When used the right way, press releases are still one of the most effective ways to establish credibility and spark media attention.

Let’s talk about how to actually use a press release in 2025—and why if yours didn’t work, you were probably using it wrong.

1. Stop Thinking of a Press Release as a “One and Done” Move

A press release isn’t a magic button you hit to go viral. It’s one tool in a larger strategy. Think of it as your opener—it sets the tone, builds credibility, and gives journalists and outlets a reason to care.

Most people send one release and call it a day. That’s like planting a seed and never watering it. The real impact happens when it's part of a layered campaign—distribution, personalized pitching, media outreach, and consistent visibility.

That’s exactly how we operate at Gigi Nevarez PR.

2. Your Headline Needs to Hit Like a Hook

If your headline reads like a file folder—“Artist Releases New Single”—you’ve already lost the media.

In today’s attention economy, you’ve got 3 seconds to make someone stop scrolling. Your headline should spark curiosity, highlight a compelling angle, or tap into culture. Something like:

“California Rapper Honors Late Grandmother with Soulful Summer Anthem”

or

“Black-Owned Startup Redefines Independent Music Promotion—Without Major Labels”

Now that makes editors stop and think.

3. Tell a Story, Not Just the Stats

Sure, we need the who, what, when, and where—but don’t skip the why.

Journalists and readers want more than just announcements. They want stories. What inspired the project? Why now? What impact does this have on your community, your genre, or your industry?

We make it our mission to shape every press release into a media-ready narrative, not just a news bulletin. It’s part of why our clients don’t just get published—they get featured.

4. It’s Not About You—It’s About the Reader

This is where most artists and entrepreneurs miss the mark. They write their press release like a diary—all about them, with little regard for what the media outlet actually wants.

Truth is, your release should be written for the journalist or blogger reading it. What’s in it for them and their audience?

If you’ve got a community tie-in, trending angle, or cause-based story—lead with that. It’s not self-promotion; it’s storytelling with purpose.

5. Distribution Without Strategy Is a Waste of Time (and Money)

Let’s keep it real: there are distribution sites out there that will charge you $300 just to send your release into the digital abyss.

That’s not how we do things at Gigi Nevarez PR.

We’re proud to partner with EIN Newswire, which gives us access to targeted distribution channels, including top-tier newsrooms, niche industry platforms, and Google News indexing. Combined with our custom media outreach and follow-up, your release doesn’t just get posted—it gets noticed.

Because views alone don’t equal impact. Visibility + credibility + pitch strategy = results.

So… Should You Still Use Press Releases?

Absolutely. But not the way you’ve been doing it.

A well-crafted, strategically distributed press release can:

• Announce your news in a polished and professional way

• Improve your SEO and digital footprint

• Get you featured in publications you never thought possible

• Open doors to interviews, playlists, brand partnerships, and events

• Set the tone for your next big PR push

  
  

But only if it’s written like a story, pitched with purpose, and distributed through the right channels.

Final Word from Gigi Nevarez PR:

Press releases aren’t dead—they’re just misunderstood.

Done right, they are still one of the most powerful tools in your PR arsenal. And when you combine compelling writing with smart distribution, like we do with our EIN Newswire partnership, the results speak for themselves.

If you're tired of shouting into the void, let’s change the game.

📩 Ready to write a release that actually works? Let’s talk strategy.

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