Promoting your accounting firm can be quite tricky. Press releases are a first-class way for regional CPA and tax prep firms to tell people about their services. But how can you put them forward without having to go broke? Here are the 7 most awesome places websites for CPA firms and other online businesses to submit press releases without spending a lot of cash.

1. Exploit Local Media

Local media like newspapers are easily found by searching the Internet. A simple search is all it takes to identify local media sources. Don't forget to take advantage of Google Maps while you're researching. When using a search engine type to find local newspapers type in the word "newspaper" followed by your city and state. Google Maps is easy to use. Just search for newspapers or regional magazines, first type in your location (city and state), then type in "newspapers" using the "search nearby" button.

The next step is to create a list of local media contacts and find out how your accounting firm can submit a press release to each one. Some newspaper websites might have this information on their website, but others might require a phone call or email.

2. BusinessWire

Large newswire services typically have local news bureaus in major metropolitan areas throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Many corporations in the financial sector including accounting firms rely on these larger newswires to distribute press releases about noteworthy services such as client portals offering secure exchange of sensitive financial information during tax season.

3. PR Newswire

PRNewswire is a reliable online press release service that offers distribution to local and regional media as well as journalists looking for a good story. In most cases, press releases for local CPAs will be picked up by local media outlets as long as there is a local angle to the press release.

4. PR Web

Another reliable online newswire service that distributes press releases is PRWeb. It is better for search engine optimization or SEO than the other newswire services, which makes it perfect for promoting CPA websites. When a press release is submitted to PRWeb a link to your CPA firm's website can be included and when the press release is released in another media outlet, the website link is still there creating a back link (which is a valuable SEO tool).

5. National Public Radio

NPR is a news bureau with member stations throughout the US in both urban and rural locations. What most people don't know is that NPR accepts press releases through it's website. To contact NPR through their website and click on "Contact Us".

6. LocalPressReleaser

Some press release services use CMS (Content Management System) that uses Google Maps API so that it's easy to find local accounting firms in their area. LocalPressReleaser uses this system.

7. PRLeap

PRLeap recently made the change to a "Social Media Press Release", which is especially optimized for accountants & tax preparers and other organizations that use social media. Although a social media press release doesn't use the same layout as a conventional press release, it's still effective in spreading the word about new services and helpful tools that CPA and accounting firms offer clients during tax season--and social media followers are always interested in cutting edge news.