Cision Press Release Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide with Cost Breakdown

As a public relations professional, you understand the importance of press releases as a tool for communicating with your target audience, generating media coverage, and establishing your brand’s credibility. However, with countless press release distribution services available, it can be challenging to choose the best option for your needs and budget. In this article, we’ll take you through Cision’s press release pricing structure, how it compares with other alternatives, and what features you can access at different pricing tiers.

What is Cision and How Does it Work?

Cision is a communication and marketing software company that helps businesses connect with their audiences, monitor and analyze media coverage, and manage their brand reputation. Among its suite of products is the Cision PR Newswire, a global press release distribution network that enables users to send their announcements to journalists, news outlets, social media, and other relevant channels.

To use Cision PR Newswire, you need to sign up for a subscription plan that suits your needs and budget. Cision offers various pricing tiers based on the scope of your distribution, the number of releases you want to send, and the level of reporting and analytics you need. You can choose to send your press release to a specific geography, industry, or media type, or opt for a wider distribution that covers multiple regions and sectors.

Once you’ve created your press release, you can upload it to Cision’s platform and customize its distribution settings, such as the headline, summary, target audience, and release date. You can also add multimedia assets such as images, videos, and infographics to enhance your release’s impact. Cision then sends your press release to its database of media contacts and outlets who might be interested in your news. You can track the performance of your release using Cision’s analytics tools, which provide insights such as the number of views, clicks, and social media shares.

Cision Press Release Pricing: A Breakdown of Costs

Cision offers four main subscription plans for its PR Newswire service:

1. The State and Metro package starts at $575 per press release and enables distribution to a single state or metropolitan area. This plan is ideal for local businesses or organizations that want to target a specific geographic region.

2. The Regional package starts at $805 per release and allows distribution to multiple states or regions. This plan is suitable for businesses that operate in several regions or want to reach a wider audience beyond their local market.

3. The National package starts at $1,055 per release and enables distribution to all major media markets in the US. This plan is best suited for organizations with a national presence or those that want to achieve widespread media coverage.

4. The Global package starts at $1,385 per release and lets you distribute your press release to media outlets and journalists worldwide. This plan is ideal for international brands or businesses that want to expand their reach across borders.

All plans come with basic features such as unlimited word count, multimedia embedding, proofreading, and customer support. However, the higher-priced tiers offer additional perks such as improved targeting options, better analytics, more visibility opportunities, and expedited distribution.

It’s also worth noting that Cision offers add-ons and upgrades that can enhance the effectiveness of your press release distribution. For instance, you can choose to include Google News, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, or other premium news sites in your distribution for an extra fee. You can also opt for an editorial review service that ensures your release meets journalistic standards and increases the likelihood of media pickup.

Comparing Cision PR Newswire Prices to Competitors

Cision PR Newswire’s pricing is relatively high compared to other press release distribution services. Here’s how it stacks up against some of its competitors:

1. PRWeb: PRWeb is a press release distribution service owned by Cision’s parent company, Vocus. Its pricing ranges from $99 to $389 per release, depending on the features and distribution scope. PRWeb offers similar features as Cision PR Newswire, such as multimedia embedding, social media sharing, and reporting. However, PRWeb’s distribution network is more geared towards online media outlets, bloggers, and influencers, rather than traditional news media.

2. Business Wire: Business Wire is a global press release distribution service owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Its pricing starts at $400 per release and varies based on the region, language, and distribution options. Business Wire is known for its vast media database, extensive targeting capabilities, and industry-specific distributions. However, its prices can quickly add up, especially if you want to include additional features such as SEO optimization, multimedia embedding, and analytics.

3. PR Newswire: PR Newswire is a direct competitor of Cision PR Newswire, and their pricing is comparable. PR Newswire offers four pricing tiers, starting at $625 per release for a state distribution and going up to $1,350 per release for a global distribution. PR Newswire emphasizes its ability to reach journalists and media outlets in specific verticals, such as healthcare, finance, or technology. However, like Cision PR Newswire, its pricing could be prohibitive for smaller businesses or those operating on a tight budget.

Is Cision PR Newswire Worth the Price?

Like many marketing tools, the value of Cision PR Newswire depends on your goals, audience, and budget. Here are some key considerations to help you decide if Cision PR Newswire is worth the investment:

1. Does your business target a national or international audience? If your brand has a broad reach or wants to expand its market presence, Cision PR Newswire’s national or global distribution plans could be a good fit. These plans offer comprehensive exposure to media outlets across the US or around the world, which can translate into significant media coverage, website traffic, and brand recognition.

2. Is your industry or niche highly competitive? If your business operates in a crowded market or vertical, getting media attention can be challenging, and you may need to employ various tactics to stand out. Cision PR Newswire’s targeting options and add-ons such as editorial review, multimedia embedding, and premium site distribution can increase your chances of getting noticed by journalists and reporters.

3. Do you have a large budget dedicated to PR? Cision PR Newswire’s pricing can be prohibitive for small businesses or startups that need to conserve their resources. However, for larger companies with a dedicated marketing budget, investing in a comprehensive press release distribution service like Cision PR Newswire can provide a measurable return on investment.

4. Are you willing to handle the distribution process yourself? If you have a small or medium-sized business and don’t have significant PR resources, using a service like Cision PR Newswire can save you time and effort. Rather than reaching out to individual journalists and outlets, you can rely on Cision’s media database and network to get your news in front of relevant audiences. Furthermore, Cision’s reporting and analytics tools can help you measure the effectiveness of your releases and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

Cision PR Newswire is a well-known and reputable press release distribution service that offers a broad range of features to help businesses communicate with their audiences and media contacts. However, its pricing can be a barrier to entry for smaller businesses or organizations with a limited budget. Before committing to Cision PR Newswire or any other press release distribution service, make sure to evaluate your goals, target audience, and available resources, so you can choose the solution that best fits your needs.

Most Common Questions About Cision Press Release Pricing

What are the pricing options for Cision’s press release distribution service?

Cision offers various pricing options depending on the level of service and features selected. The pricing includes a one-time fee for distribution and then a monthly rate for the continued use of their platform.

The three most important things to keep in mind when considering Cision’s pricing options are:

The pricing varies depending on the level of coverage and targeting options selected.
Cision’s pricing includes both a one-time fee and a monthly fee for continued use of their platform.
Cision offers discounts for customers who commit to longer-term contracts.

What factors influence the pricing of Cision’s press release distribution service?

Several factors influence the pricing of Cision’s press release distribution service. These include the level of coverage, targeting options, and additional services that are added to a particular campaign.

The three most important things to keep in mind when considering the factors that impact Cision’s pricing are:

The more targeted and comprehensive the distribution, the higher the cost will be.
Certain features, such as multimedia content or social media amplification, can add to the price of a campaign.
The pricing options can be customized based on the individual needs of each client.

How does Cision’s pricing compare to other press release distribution services?

Cision’s pricing is generally higher than other press release distribution services, but it offers a more comprehensive and targeted distribution network.

The three most important things to keep in mind when comparing Cision’s pricing to other press release distribution services are:

Cision’s pricing is generally higher due to its extensive network and advanced targeting options.
Other press release distribution services may offer lower prices, but may not offer the same level of coverage or targeting options.
Cision’s pricing can be more cost-effective for businesses with specific needs or audiences.

Are there any discounts available for using Cision’s press release distribution service?

Cision offers discounts for customers who commit to longer-term contracts, typically lasting one year or more. These discounts can be as much as 20% off the regular monthly rate.

The three most important things to keep in mind when considering discounts for Cision’s press release distribution service are:

Discounts are available for customers who commit to longer-term contracts.
Discounts can be as much as 20% off the regular monthly rate.
Cision’s sales team can work with individual clients to find the pricing plan that works best for their organization.

What types of businesses and organizations can benefit from Cision’s press release distribution service?

Cision’s press release distribution service is ideal for businesses and organizations that require comprehensive and targeted distribution to maximize the impact of their news announcements.

The three most important types of businesses and organizations that can benefit from Cision’s press release distribution service are:

Large corporations and organizations that have multiple stakeholders and require extensive news dissemination to reach their target audiences.
Mid-sized businesses that are looking to expand their market reach and target specific demographics.
Entrepreneurs and startups that are looking to generate media coverage and establish their brand in a crowded marketplace.

Common Misinterpretations Regarding Cision Press Release Pricing

Introduction

Cision Press Release Pricing is one of the most common PR platforms that businesses use to distribute press releases to journalists, bloggers, and other media outlets. However, there are several misconceptions that surround the pricing model of Cision Press Release, which can end up misleading businesses into making the wrong decisions.

Cision Press Release Pricing is Too Expensive

One of the most common misconceptions about Cision Press Release Pricing is that it is too expensive. However, the truth is that Cision offers a range of pricing plans that can fit the budget and needs of any company. Additionally, the value of Cision’s pricing should also be considered in context of the vast amount of features and services it provides to businesses.

You Need to Pay for a Long-Term Contract

Many businesses believe that they can only use Cision Press Release Pricing after paying for a long-term contract. However, Cision offers flexible pricing options where businesses can choose to pay only for what they need. This can include monthly, quarterly, or annual plans that can be easily adjusted to suit the business’s changing needs.

You Cannot Target Specific Journalists with Cision

Another common misconception is that using Cision for press releases also means that businesses cannot target specific journalists or bloggers. However, the platform actually allows businesses to search a database of journalists and outlets based on criteria such as location, industry, and beat (e.g., entertainment, politics, technology). This means that businesses can ensure their press release is delivered directly to the right people.

Cision is Only for Large Corporations

Some businesses believe that Cision Press Release Pricing is only suitable for large corporations. However, Cision has pricing plans and options that cater to small to medium-sized businesses as well. Additionally, Cision’s database includes both national and regional journalists, so businesses can target their press releases to specific localities.

You Cannot Track the Performance of Your Press Release

Finally, another common misconception is that businesses cannot track the performance of their press releases with Cision Press Release Pricing. This is not true, as businesses can access metrics such as open rates, clicks, and shares to better understand the impact of their press releases. Cision also provides analytics tools that help businesses track mentions and monitor social media and news coverage.

Conclusion

Cision Press Release Pricing is a valuable platform for businesses looking to reach out to journalists and media outlets with their press releases. However, it is important that businesses understand the realities of the pricing plans and what they entail. By debunking common misconceptions, businesses can gain a clearer picture of the value and benefits of using Cision for their PR needs.