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10 PR Tactics That Work Better Than Press Releases in 2026

Modern PR tactics that generate attention, credibility, and coverage beyond traditional press releases.

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The days of PR being done by just spray and pray are gone. Although press releases were once the dominant medium for communicating with corporate entities, their reign ended in 2026 due to the prevalence of product advertisements by email and a growing apathy on the part of potential readers or viewers toward corporate jargon. Today’s companies should focus on starting as many relevant conversations as possible rather than hitting as many wires as possible. In a time when distribution methods are determined primarily by the readers’ needs, it is essential for brands today to develop authentic and strategically placed communications rather than send mass emails containing PDFs that no one requested.

Why Press Releases Are No Longer Enough in 2026

The end of the traditional press release can be attributed to a structural shift in the way information travels.

  • Structural Changes:
    Raids Media, Search Engines, and other Social Networks have made the shift of priority on “original content” vs “industry content.” A press release that has been published on 50 different sites typically gets flagged as duplicate content.
  • Journalist Overload:
    As of 2026, the average news reporter has received approximately 500 pitches each and every day. Having a typical “for immediate release” heading is a very quick way for your pitch to get dumped into the trash.
  • Reduced Reader Engagement:
    The majority of readers today want to see stories instead of statistics, and unless your press release includes the human side of journalism, it won’t stop anyone from scrolling down their device.
  • The Hybrid of Owned and Earned Media:
    The combination of Owned vs. Earned Media is essential to getting your press release successful. Traditionally, press releases have existed in a vacuum and have had little opportunity to combine either type of media.

10 PR Tactics That Outperform Press Releases in 2026

1. Founders create Trust and Lead through Thought Leadership

Founders are people, so their followers are individuals – not logos. Position your founder as a visionary creator through LinkedIn, receive guest spots on industry podcasts and write opinion pieces for industry publications; thus, you are addressing the ‘Executive Equity’ built by your founder’s authority, ultimately creating a greater level of trust in your company than an anonymous corporate press release will.

2. Create Your Pitch Based on Your Opinion

Rather than simply telling a journalist what your company has done, tell them why it is relevant to the industry in general and use statistical, fact-based opinion statements (POVs) to create a new barometer of what exists and what is possible. Journalists are always searching for subject matter experts who can educate them as they sort through trends, but they do not want someone simply providing a platform for the new product launches of companies.

3. Use Podcasts Strategically as a Guest

The Niche = New Mass (in 2026). As a guest on an ultra-targeted industry podcast, you can be on that podcast for 30 to 45 minutes without interruption from anything else passed along to your core audience. Therefore, you are developing “long-form trust” with your audience that cannot be achieved by simply sending out a 400-word news release.

4. Community-First PR (Slack, WhatsApp, Discord)

The majority of high-level conversations within an industry take place behind closed doors within private communities. If you participate in an active and conversation-based manner, in private community channels like Slack or Discord, you can create direct interaction with decision makers within an organisation as well as promote your brand. You can bypass ‘gatekeepers’ to gain visibility.

5. Digital PR Through Data & Research

Original insight will always capture headlines. If you create a survey or release a report based on your own original data, you’re creating a linkable asset for yourself, which will create a high authority backlink to your own site while also allowing for press releases, media reactions, and so on to be based on your data.

6. Newsjacking with Context (Not Just Speed)

Gone are the days of simply “tweeting” about current events to get noticed. The era of newsjacking requires some element of commentary or analysis that can be provided by the author on the current events, which often means explaining the way in which the event will force your industry to pivot or change direction.

7. Creator & Micro-Influencer Collaborations

Today’s modern journalist is the B2B Creator. By partnering with a respected micro influencer who has an established, devoted following, you’re able to create immediate credibility and visibility for your brand. The endorsement provided by an influencer carries more weight than a wire placement in a thousand publications.

8. Owned Media Distribution

The biggest opportunities available to you are when you control the narrative on your own channels (blog, LinkedIn newsletter, email list). The more you leverage these owned assets, the more compounded SEO value you have, and the more direct access you have to your audience, one that cannot be taken away from you by any third-party algorithm.

9. Strategic Guest Columns & Bylines

The best way to position your brand as an educator rather than just a vendor is to secure a regular byline in a top-tier trade publication. This is an example of “brand-safe” visibility that creates long-term authority for your brand and keeps you top-of-mind with clients and prospects.

10. Search-Led PR (PR + SEO Combination)

Today’s PR is about being found when someone is looking for a solution. By focusing on keywords that demonstrate high intent and obtaining visibility on sites that already rank for these keywords, you can grow both your reputation and your rankings at the same time.

How Modern PR Is Blending With SEO in 2026

Public relations has transformed into a strong strategy beyond just creating awareness. Each year, Google will continue to prioritize E-E-A-T – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness – as a determining factor in its search algorithm.

PR can create a strong brand through high-quality votes of confidence (backlinks and brand mentions) in the eyes of search engines, signalling that your brand is a leader within its industry. Integrating PR and SEO teams makes every media mention an optimized opportunity for exposure and can create lead generation over several years using this media.

Learn more about How to write press releases like a PR Professional

How Trivium Media Group Executes Modern PR

We believe at Trivium Media Group that all forms of communication should work together as one entity. By creating a synergy between PR, SEO and content, we can ensure your brand not only gets the attention of the media but also has a better chance of being found and recognized by search engines.

  • Synergy of Integrating PR and SEO: We apply your SEO keyword strategy to map out our outreach efforts.
  • Targeting by Industry: We do not just pitch to everyone, but rather target the appropriate staff within your industry.
  • Accountability for Results: Rather than just measuring potential reach, we will track and report on the growth of the authority you have on the web, the strength of your backlinks, and your share of voice among other related sites.

When Press Releases Still Make Sense

Although they are not the primary strategy, in certain situations, a press release can still be utilized in the following ways:

  • Compliance: Legal requirements for the disclosure of information by public companies.
  • Investor Relations: Official Statements regarding mergers, acquisitions, and earnings.
  • Corporate Announcements: A serious structural change and formal crisis management announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions About PR in 2026

  • Are press releases obsolete by 2026?
    Press releases are not an obsolete form of communication, but instead are becoming a more specialized form of communication. Press releases have transitioned to being viewed as record-keeping tools rather than traditional marketing tools for generating a greater volume of leads or buzz. There are alternative types of marketing that generate significantly greater volumes of leads or buzz than press releases.

  • What’s the most effective technique for promoting B2B brands through digital public relations?
    Digital Public Relations techniques, such as guest column contributions by the founder of the company, or through other reputable publications, provide the greatest opportunity for B2B brands to reach decision-makers. In this space, decision-makers are looking for expertise and a clear ROI, and therefore seek out other forms of credible or renowned sources of information.

  • What are Digital PR’s Effects on Your Website’s SEO?
    Digital PR produces earned mentions and links to your website from reputable or high-authority news outlets. Google uses an “earned” link to demonstrate to the search engine that your website is a high-quality or credible source of information.

  • When Does Modern Public Relations Start Showing Results?
    While press releases produce a spike in interest for a short period of time (24 hours), modern public relations is about compounding results. You should see a significant increase in your authority and search rankings after 3–6 months.

Conclusion

The public relations industry’s view of the world will be altered significantly over the next two years, from 2025 to 2026. The new view will stop the practice of shouting at the larger public audience and focus on a more intimate method of communicating with the smaller group of individuals who truly matter to an organization or business. Today’s visibility will be focused not on volume but on value. If a brand relies upon one monthly press release distribution service to communicate with the masses, that brand is kicking the can down the road for what its reputation will be down the road. Organizations and businesses need to look at how the world is viewing them.

Tahura Khan
Tahura Khan

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