How UK Startups Can Use Press Releases to Drive Business Growth

Starting a business in the UK is exciting - but let’s be honest, it’s a lot. You’ve got a great idea, a small team and big goals - but how do you get noticed when you're busy building and pitching nonstop?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a big budget to get noticed. One tool that’s easy to use and often ignored? Press releases.

A well-timed press release can help you build trust, boost SEO and get the attention of investors, media and customers. And yes - they’re affordable.

Wondering how press releases can help your UK startup grow? Let’s keep it simple and show you how.

Why Should Startups in the UK Care About Press Releases?

Many startups think press releases are just for big brands - not true.

Press releases are a great equalizer. In a crowded UK startup scene, releases help you stand out, share your story and reach the right people - journalists, customers, partners and even investors.

As Notified CRO Dan Lotzof pointed out in a recent Forbes article, SMBs and startups can absolutely “punch above their weight” with the right PR approach. Releases and earned coverage add validation to your key messages and help you reach new audiences.

What Makes a Press Release Work for Startups?

Not all press releases hit the mark. Here’s what the best ones do:

• Tell a story, not a sales pitch - Make it newsworthy. Think about funding, launch, new hire or a great customer win. Ask: Why should anyone care?
  
  
• Keep it simple – Create a clear and optimized headline. Include a short intro (who, what, when, where, why). Add a real quote - from your founder or a happy customer.
  
  
• Target the right audience - Be specific. Local and niche work best. Use tools like our media contacts database (integrated with GlobeNewswire press release distribution) to get in front of the right journalists.
  
  
• Get more eyes on your news - Don’t just send it to journalists. Share it on social, turn it into a blog or LinkedIn post and use keywords people search for.
  
  

Where and How Do You Send Your Press Release in the UK?

Once your press release is written, the next step is getting it in front of the right eyes. And this is where a newswire service can be a game changer for UK startups - especially if you’re short of time or media contacts.

A trusted press release distribution service like GlobeNewswire helps your news reach top UK and global media - fast. It connects you with financial journalists, local press and industry outlets that matter. And for public companies or startups preparing for IPO, it also supports regulatory filing requirements.

Of course, you can (and should!) also:

• Send your release to the right journalists
  
  
• Post it on your website or blog
  
  
• Share it on LinkedIn or in your email updates
  
  
• Pass it along to your community, investors and partners

Distribution is just as important as the story itself- so make sure you do both!

Smart PR Moves for Startups on a Budget

Let’s be honest - most early-stage startups don’t have big PR budgets. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do smart, effective PR.

Here’s what we suggest:

• Stay consistent – Even small updates matter. Keep sharing.
  
  
• Tap into trends – Is something buzzing in your industry? Join the conversation.
  
  
• Add visuals – Press releases with photos, videos or graphics grab more attention.
  
  
• Track what works – Use media monitoring to see who’s talking about you, and what they’re talking about (hopefully, it’s your latest news).

Think of press releases as more than just announcements - they’re part of your brand building.

How to Build a PR Plan That Lasts (Not Just One-Off Releases)

One press release isn’t enough. A smart, steady plan helps you stay in the spotlight and grow.

• Plan ahead - Create a press release calendar. List out key moments like launches, hires, funding news or awards.
  
  
• Build journalist relationships - Don’t just send releases. Reach out, follow up and be helpful. It builds trust over time.
  
  
• Track results - Use built-in analytics found in newswires to see where your release goes and who’s reading it. Learn what clicks (literally) and improve from there.
  
  

Start Sharing Your Story Today

For UK startups, it’s all about telling your story clearly and often. You don’t need a big team or PR experience - just the right message and the right tools.

GlobeNewswire by Notified makes it easy to share news across the UK and Europe - and get real results. You can:

• Reach the right audience with 1,000+ distribution options by region, industry and media type - in 35 local languages.
  
  
• Choose full-service or DIY options, with 24/7 editorial support.
  
  
• Get instant, easy-to-share reports with live dashboards (no boring PDFs).

Want to learn more? Reach out to our UK team today!

Who Is Notified?

We are Notified, and your story goes here. As the only technology partner dedicated to both investor relations and public relations professionals, we help you control and amplify your corporate narrative. Our fully integrated PR and IR platforms streamline every step—whether it's reaching the right media, press release distribution, and measurement or designing new IR websites, managing investor days, earnings releases, and regulatory filings. Connecting both worlds, GlobeNewswire is one of the world's largest and most trusted newswire distribution networks, serving leading organizations for over 30 years. Together, we empower communicators to inform a better world.

Notified, an EQ company.