#27 From Newswire to #1 on Google: Why Press Releases Still Matter

Press releases don’t work for SEO… unless you actually know what you’re doing.

Most people blast out one press release, cross their fingers, and wonder why rankings don’t budge. But done right? They’re one of the most powerful tools to boost map visibility, control your brand narrative, and dominate local search.

💡 Enter Randy Roddy—founder of 38 Digital and The News Guy—who’s been using press releases since 2008 to rank businesses, fight off reputation attacks, and own page one.

🔥 Here’s what you’ll learn:
✅ How to use press releases to climb Google Maps rankings (and stay there)
✅ Why quality AND consistency are the secret sauce no one talks about
✅ The biggest press release mistakes that kill your results before they start
✅ How to turn press into a long-term local SEO strategy that compounds

If you’re sleeping on press releases, you’re handing visibility (and clients) to your competitors. Learn the strategy, write better stories, and start using press the way the pros do.

timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Common SEO Questions
01:20 Meet Randy Roddy: SEO Expert and Speaker
02:34 Randy's Journey: From Retail to SEO
10:07 The Power of Press Releases in SEO
14:31 Choosing the Right Press Release Service
17:35 The Importance of Quality Writing in Press Releases
21:56 Effective Reporting and Link Building Strategies
25:00 The Importance of Indexing for SEO
26:09 Maximizing Press Release Impact
26:55 Does Press Release SEO Really Work?
28:01 Strategies for Ranking in Maps vs. Organic Search
30:23 The Role of Press Releases in Reputation Management
35:30 Frequency and Longevity of Press Releases
40:36 Leveraging AI for Press Release Content
45:01 Final Thoughts and Contact Information