This has come up at a good time. I was contacted by Fundzinger Thursday 14 August just after I had launched (
http://kck.st/1mMHdRI ) . I had a good database already, and first day had gone well. We agreed that yesterday (Tuesday) would be launch day. On Monday my press release came through. If it had been written as a piece of homework by a 12 year old, it would have got a solid B+. They had just copied out the voice over from my video word for word. I am launching a GPS cat tracker. We have fluffy cute cats, and technology. I thought this would be a shoe in, easy, if you can't sell this don't bother. Anyway, I re-wrote the press release and was happy with it. Apparently it was sent out to thousands of people yesterday. Even allowing for the time difference (I am in the UK) I have heard nothing. Not a squeak from anyone.
Now at the same time I contacted a local newspaper, have been run in two local newspapers. This was picked up by a regional news agency and today I have been featured in the main London free Newspaper at a total cost of zero (as opposed to the global deal at $600 or something.
Today I am sending out another press release from my email address and we will see the result.
I have also used Backershub. I got mentioned on their members only FB page yesterday, and again I am not aware of any new backer. Apparently I am going out on a newsletter next week, and another FB mention,.
They have provided a list of journalists and I will see if I can do any damage with that.
The moral of the story is do it yourself. I think.
Hope that helps.
Jeremy