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Publishing a Press Release for Free

09/25/2025 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

For small businesses, startups, or freelancers on a tight budget, one question often comes up: Is it possible to publish a press release for free – and does it actually have any impact? The good news is: yes, there are indeed free ways to distribute a press release. The not-so-good news: without a clear strategy and quality content, your press release can easily get lost in the crowd. In this article, we’ll explain what’s possible, what to watch out for, and which free platforms are worth considering.

1. Why Use Press Releases at All?

Press releases are a classic public relations tool. They are used to inform media outlets, journalists, or even the general public about company news – such as product launches, services, partnerships, leadership changes, or events. When written well, a press release can generate significant reach, especially if picked up by news outlets.

2. Advantages of Free Publication

The biggest advantage is obvious: no direct costs. For startups, small companies, or non-profits, this makes press releases an attractive way to gain visibility without straining the marketing budget.

Some free press portals also offer basic reach through their own websites, RSS feeds, or social media sharing. From a search engine optimization (SEO) perspective, having the release online – with relevant keywords and backlinks – can also help improve visibility.

3. Limitations and Challenges

Free press release platforms do have their downsides. Their reach is often limited, and the quality of the platforms can vary greatly. Many free sites publish every submission without editorial review, which means your press release may be buried under a flood of other content.

In addition, free platforms rarely offer targeted distribution to specific journalists or media lists. Features like image uploads, dofollow links, or category targeting are usually only available in premium (paid) versions.

4. Recommended Free Press Release Platforms

Here are some reputable free platforms where you can publish your press release at no cost:

  • openPR.de – One of the best-known free press portals in Germany. Includes editorial review and solid visibility.
  • fair-news.de – Covers a wide range of topics and offers social media integration.
  • prmaximus.de (basic version) – Limited free options with upgrade possibilities for more reach.
  • pressemitteilung.ws – Free, but somewhat cluttered with ads. Usually publishes within hours.
  • online-artikel.de – More suitable for expert articles, but also allows press releases with an SEO focus.

Tip: When choosing a platform, consider its professional appearance, Google visibility, and whether it allows backlinks.

5. Writing Tips for Maximum Effect

Even when publishing for free, content quality is critical. A press release is not an ad – it should follow journalistic principles:

  • Relevance: Does it offer real news value?
  • Structure: Headline, lead paragraph, body, quote, contact information.
  • Neutral tone: Avoid hype and excessive self-promotion.
  • Error-free: Check grammar and spelling carefully.
  • Keyword optimization: Use relevant search terms for SEO.


6. Strategies to Boost Reach Without a Budget

Even with zero investment, you can increase the impact of your press release. Here are some proven strategies:

  • Use multiple platforms: Submit your press release to several free sites to broaden its reach.
  • Publish on your own website: Post it in a news or blog section for visibility and SEO benefits.
  • Leverage social media: Share the release link across your social media profiles and in niche groups.
  • Build your own press list: Email your release directly to journalists, bloggers, or influencers in your field.
  • Include it in newsletters: Add your press release to your email newsletter to inform your audience.


7. Conclusion: Free Doesn’t Mean Useless

Publishing press releases for free is absolutely possible – and can help you gain initial exposure. However, content quality and smart distribution are key. By combining several free platforms, crafting professional content, and using your own channels effectively, you can build real visibility even without a budget.

In the long term, a combination of free and selected paid distribution methods may be ideal, especially if you're aiming for coverage in industry-specific or high-authority media. But for initial outreach or lower-priority announcements, free platforms are a real opportunity.

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Freelancer and Self-Employed Rates in 2025 – These Are the Costs You Should Expect

08/27/2025 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

The world of work is changing rapidly – and with it, the pricing models of freelancers and self-employed professionals. Whether in IT, marketing, design, or business consulting: more and more companies rely on external experts to remain flexible, manage peak workloads, and access highly specialized knowledge on demand. But what do rates look like in 2025? Which hourly and daily fees are realistic, and what should clients keep in mind?

1. Why Freelancers Are Becoming More Expensive

Skill shortages, inflation in recent years, and the rising demand for expertise have driven up prices in many industries. While simple tasks are still available at moderate rates, highly skilled professionals in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data science are more expensive than ever in 2025. On top of that, increasing living costs are being factored into many freelancers’ pricing models.

2. Average Hourly Rates in 2025

Rates vary significantly depending on industry, experience, and specialization. In Germany, the average hourly fees in 2025 look roughly as follows:

  • IT & Software Development: €90–140 per hour (AI & Machine Learning specialists: up to €200)
  • Marketing & Communications: €70–120 per hour (Content strategists & performance marketers: €100–150)
  • Design & Creative Services: €65–110 per hour (UX/UI designers: €90–140)
  • Business Consulting & Strategy: €120–250 per hour (top-tier consultants above this)
  • Engineering & Technical Professions: €80–160 per hour

3. Daily Rates Compared

For larger or longer projects, freelancers often prefer daily rates instead of hourly billing. These are usually more cost-effective when broken down by the hour, since companies gain planning security and freelancers benefit from steady workloads. Typical daily rates in 2025 range between €600 and €1,500, with premium experts charging over €2,000 per day.

4. Factors That Influence Pricing

Beyond industry and skill level, several other aspects determine freelancer rates:

  • Project Duration: Longer engagements often come with discounts.
  • Complexity: The more specialized the work, the higher the fee.
  • Flexibility: Urgent or last-minute projects usually cost more.
  • Location: Rates in major hubs like Munich or Frankfurt are typically higher than in smaller cities.

5. Tips for Companies

When selecting freelancers, companies should look beyond cost and evaluate the overall value. Experience, references, and niche expertise can make the difference between average results and true competitive advantage. A clear project scope, transparent communication, and well-prepared briefs help keep budgets under control.

6. Outlook: Developments Toward 2030

Experts predict that freelancer rates will continue to rise in the coming years, particularly in sectors heavily affected by talent shortages. At the same time, international competition is intensifying: more companies are outsourcing globally, which can put downward pressure on prices. However, for highly specialized expertise, the market will remain willing to pay premium rates.

Conclusion: In 2025, companies working with freelancers should expect hourly rates between €70 and €200 and daily rates between €600 and €1,500, depending on industry, expertise, and project scope. Businesses benefit from flexibility and access to specialized knowledge, while freelancers can confidently adjust their fees. Ultimately, clear expectations, fairness, and collaboration at eye level are key to successful partnerships.

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Free Media Monitoring with Google Alerts and ChatGPT – Here’s How

07/09/2025 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: PatrickFischer

Professional media monitoring is often associated with high costs, since specialized tools analyze large datasets and deliver in-depth reports. However, for small businesses, start-ups, or freelancers, there are free alternatives to get a first overview of their media presence. A clever combination: Google Alerts and ChatGPT.

What Are Google Alerts?

Google Alerts is a free service by Google that allows you to automatically monitor specific search terms. Whenever new content appears online that matches the chosen keyword, Google sends an email notification. Typical use cases include:

  • Company or brand names
  • Products or services
  • Industry-related keywords
  • Competitor names

How to Set Up Google Alerts

1. Visit Google Alerts
2. Enter the desired keyword or search term
3. Choose your settings (frequency, sources, language, region)
4. Save the alert – done!

From now on, Google will send regular emails with links to relevant new mentions.

How ChatGPT Supports the Analysis

While Google Alerts collects mentions, ChatGPT helps with analysis and structuring of the results. Examples include:

  • Summarizing collected articles and mentions
  • Identifying sentiment (positive, neutral, negative)
  • Categorizing results by topic (e.g., product feedback, industry news, competitor activity)
  • Creating reports or presentations for internal communication

Advantages of the Combination

  • Free of charge: Perfect for beginners or small budgets
  • Easy setup: No complex software needed
  • Flexible: Can be adapted to individual requirements
  • Efficient: ChatGPT saves time by interpreting the collected data

Limitations of This Approach

Of course, the combination of Google Alerts and ChatGPT cannot fully replace professional media monitoring software. Drawbacks include:

  • No full coverage of all channels (e.g., social media, print, TV)
  • No large-scale real-time analytics
  • Manual processing still required
  • No advanced KPI insights such as reach or share of voice

Conclusion

Free media monitoring with Google Alerts and ChatGPT is a practical way to keep track of brand or company visibility. This solution is particularly useful for small businesses or freelancers looking to start monitoring without major investments. However, for strategic communications and detailed analytics, professional media monitoring tools remain indispensable in the long run.

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Becoming a Professional Photographer: Expectations from the Job Market

07/18/2024 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

The profession of a photographer offers a variety of opportunities, but the job market can also be demanding. Here are some expectations that aspiring professional photographers should consider:

  1. Creativity and Technical Skills: Professional photographers need to have a good eye for images as well as technical expertise. They should be familiar with various cameras, lenses, lighting techniques, and image editing software.
  2. Portfolio: A compelling portfolio is crucial for attracting potential clients. It should showcase a variety of work that demonstrates the photographer's skill and style.
  3. Industry Specialization: It may be advantageous to specialize in a particular niche such as portrait photography, wedding photography, product photography, or event photography. This can help differentiate oneself from the competition and target more specific clients.
  4. Entrepreneurial Skills: As a professional photographer, one is often self-employed or works as a freelancer. Therefore, entrepreneurial skills such as marketing, client acquisition, accounting, and self-organization are important.
  5. Flexibility and Persistence: The job market for photographers can be volatile, and it may take some time to establish oneself. Flexibility, adaptability, and persistence are therefore important qualities.
  6. Networking: Networking is crucial for establishing oneself in the field and finding new business opportunities. Attending industry events, building contacts within the industry, and nurturing relationships with clients and colleagues can help in this regard.
  7. Continuing Education: Photography is a constantly evolving field, so lifelong learning is important. Continuing education, workshops, and staying abreast of new techniques and trends can help continuously improve one's skills as a photographer.

By considering these expectations and preparing accordingly, aspiring professional photographers can enhance their chances of success in the job market.

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Crewting: Revolutionizing Collaboration in the Creative Industry

04/08/2024 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

In the dynamic world of the creative industry, collaboration is key to bringing ideas to life. Whether it's film production, advertising campaigns, or design projects, assembling the right team with the right skills and expertise is crucial for success. In recent years, a new trend has emerged that is revolutionizing the way creative teams are formed and collaborations are managed: Crewting. But what exactly is crewting, how does it work, and what impact does it have on the creative process? In this article, we'll explore the concept of crewting and its significance in the creative industry.

What is Crewting?

Crewting is a portmanteau of "crew" and "recruiting," and it refers to the process of assembling a team of creative professionals for a specific project or task. Unlike traditional methods of hiring permanent staff or freelancers, crewting involves forming temporary teams tailored to the needs of individual projects. These teams are often composed of individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds, ranging from designers and writers to photographers and videographers.

How Does Crewting Work?

Crewting platforms serve as intermediaries that connect project owners, such as filmmakers, advertising agencies, or businesses, with talented creatives looking for opportunities to collaborate. These platforms typically allow project owners to post job listings detailing their project requirements, budget, and timeline. Creatives can then browse these listings and apply to join projects that match their skills and interests. Once a team is assembled, members collaborate remotely or in person to bring the project to fruition.

Advantages of Crewting

Flexibility: Crewting offers flexibility for both project owners and creatives. Project owners can easily scale their teams up or down according to project requirements, while creatives have the freedom to choose projects that align with their interests and availability.

Access to Talent: Crewting platforms provide project owners with access to a diverse pool of talent from around the world. This allows them to find the best-suited professionals for their projects, regardless of geographic location.

Cost-Effectiveness: Crewting can be a cost-effective solution for project owners, as they only pay for the talent and resources they need for a specific project. Additionally, creatives have the opportunity to earn income from multiple projects without the commitment of full-time employment.

Collaborative Opportunities: Crewting encourages collaboration and cross-disciplinary teamwork, fostering innovation and creativity. By working with professionals from different backgrounds, creatives can gain new perspectives and learn from each other's expertise.

Challenges and Considerations

While crewting offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges and considerations for both project owners and creatives. These may include:

Communication and Coordination: Effective communication and coordination are essential for successful crewting projects, particularly when team members are distributed across different locations and time zones. Quality Control: Maintaining quality standards can be challenging when working with temporary teams assembled through crewting platforms. Project owners must carefully vet and manage team members to ensure that deliverables meet expectations.

Intellectual Property: Clarifying ownership and usage rights of creative work is important to avoid disputes over intellectual property rights, especially in collaborative projects involving multiple contributors.

The Future of Crewting

As technology continues to evolve and remote work becomes more prevalent, crewting is expected to become an increasingly popular and widespread practice in the creative industry. With its emphasis on flexibility, access to talent, and collaborative opportunities, crewting offers a promising alternative to traditional methods of team building and project management. By harnessing the power of collaboration, creatives can unlock new possibilities and achieve greater success in bringing their creative visions to life.

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The Media & PR-Database 2025

Media & PR Database 2025

The media and PR database with 2025 with information on more than 20,000 newspaper, magazine and radio editorial offices and much more.

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