Digital storytelling is no easy task, but every now and then, brands get it right and create impressive digital PR examples with the link value to back them up.
It takes a calculated approach to find the wellspring of digital PR (or DPR) success, and brands fail many times before they strike gold.
In addition to the right idea, you need the right content framework, audience, copy, design, and outreach to create campaigns that leave a lasting impression. Tailoring content, from the brief to the final product, is what we do best at Siege Media.
We’ve had great success with nearly every type of content imaginable, but it didn’t come without a good deal of trial and error. But with links and brand mentions from top-tier publications like Fast Company, Thrillist, and Time, we can confidently say we’ve figured out how to do digital PR well.
Discover the best digital PR examples (from our clients and beyond) and explore DPR’s frameworks at a conceptual level below.
- What Is Digital PR?
- Interactive DPR Examples
- Data Studies
- Maps and City Studies
- Surveys
- Current Events DPR Examples
- Essential Digital PR Tools
- Reach New Heights With Digital PR
What Is Digital PR?
Digital public relations, or digital PR, is a tactical brand-building approach executed through content creation. Successful campaigns result in brand mentions and links from high Domain Rating (DR) sites, increasing search engine authority and trust signals for human readers.
While high-authority links lead to better rankings, the real value lies in being mentioned by major media outlets that your audience reads. Even with major link building implications, DPR managers and content creators must use their expertise to provide genuine, people-first value to their audience.
Successful Frameworks for Digital PR
While rooted in traditional blog and copy standards, digital PR posts required additional frameworks to garner links (and authority). Common frameworks include:
- Interactives
- Data studies
- Maps and city studies
- Surveys
- Current events content
These are broad categories that can be combined or broken down to create stellar, link-winning content. Let’s dive into these frameworks and see the profound impact they can have on brand development.
Interactive DPR Examples
Interactive content, from calculators to clickable charts, adds a level of value that traditional blog posts can’t match, often driving long-term passive link value.
1. Baby Name Generator by Shutterfly
A baby name generator by Shutterfly meets user intent by offering a personalized experience. Users can select names by category (e.g., gender or style), creating a tailored interaction that offers usable, unique options.
2. Jetflix Vacations by mybaggage
Jetflix Vacations is a quiz by mybaggage that combines a familiar action (browsing for a show) with a popular search theme (browsing for a vacation). Separated by genre, mood, vacation type, and season, the results display a location based on a show you’re assumed to enjoy. So, you receive a recommendation for both a vacation and a show to binge.
3. Car Affordability Calculator by The Zebra
This in-depth, multifaceted car affordability calculator by The Zebra proves you can create content that goes beyond keyword optimization. With more than 300 links gained (and counting), the content’s success illustrates the importance of user intent.
Data Studies
Data studies are perhaps the most effective way to secure high-DR links while producing valuable content. Additionally, these studies offer a leg up when pitching journalists, mostly because original data gives you a far better chance of landing a brand mention and link.
4. Startup Statistics by Embroker
This data study on startup statistics by Embroker does an excellent job of blending data-driven storytelling with unique visuals to create something that encompasses the best of both worlds. Plus, the post’s digestible format offers a glimpse into the world of startups through raw data.
5. Period Facts by Flo
People who menstruate need cold, hard facts about their bodies, and Flo’s period facts piece delivers just that (with clarity and authority). Plus, the page’s content design adds value, allowing readers to quickly and clearly visualize the statistics.
6. Emoji Marketing by CleverTap
Sometimes, visuals get the job done better than copy. In CleverTap’s emoji marketing data study, the customer engagement platform visually compares marketing metrics in campaigns that include emojis versus those that don’t.
The raw data (and its visually appealing nature) make this study highly shareable, with earned links from bands like GetResponse and Banking Journal.
7. SaaS Statistics, Trends and Benchmarks by Vena
Vena’s SaaS Statistics, Trends and Benchmarks piece is a one-stop shop for more than 80 recent, relevant SaaS industry statistics. Featuring information on market growth, revenue and pricing, and adoption and churn, every stat includes appropriate citations, which help establish trust and authority.
Plus, this post has earned more than 170 links since its publication.
Maps and City Studies
Comparing data by location is extremely useful for local journalists. These ready-made story angles and local city studies are highly valuable and may earn high-quality links and brand mentions.
Pro tip: When pitching city studies to journalists, go ahead and lay out the angle for the story during the pitch process. If you give them a story from the get-go, it makes their job much easier.
8. Pet Ownership Statistics by State by World Population Review
This pet ownership statistics map by the World Population Review is interactive and memorable. While it offers a lot of data, it doesn’t overwhelm, and its interactivity delivers the exact information the user wants to see. As a result, it appears simple, yet it remains detailed and effective.
9. Best Places for Young Adults by Politics & Opportunities by Homebuyer
Optional filters on local map and city study posts allow readers to view the data they need with ease. In Homebuyer.com’s Best Places for Young Adults study, they offer filters for political leanings, job opportunities, and more.
This categorization helped improve the website’s traffic value and earned nearly 40 links from brands like Buzzstream, Yahoo, and Forbes.
10. States With the Cheapest Rent by Apartments.com
Similar to Homebuyer.com’s study above, Apartments.com leaned into its audience’s pain points by covering States With the Cheapest Rent. Without shying away from a difficult topic, it offers unbiased, authoritative options with detailed breakdowns by state, city, and rent type.
11. Best States to Retire by Choice Mutual
Best States to Retire by Choice Mutual is a prime example of an impactful map and city study. With scannable data and key takeaways, this post provides immediate insights, answering the user’s questions before they finish asking them. Plus, a detailed methodology supports the post, propelling Choice Mutual to a 60% increase in monthly organic traffic.
Surveys
Traditional data and city studies typically pull data from online resources to tell a story, but surveys allow brands to gather proprietary data — giving them an automatic edge over competitors when pitching to the media.
12. Best Cities in the World by TimeOut
TimeOut’s annual best cities in the world survey is ambitious. The SERP is lucrative, and it’s difficult to quantify what the “best” is, either objectively or subjectively. But with original data (and a lot of it), TimeOut claims authority on the subject year after year.
13. Reddit vs. Search Engines vs. AI by Siege Media
Yes, we’ve included our own survey in this roundup, but for good reason. With the expansion of AI comes questions, especially those around human-first content, AI slop, and who (or what) a reader can actually trust.
In our Reddit Trust Report, we surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. adults to get to the bottom of the story — and collect real data from the people who need answers most.
14. Household Chores Survey by Angi
Some surveys offer a “wow” factor that a content creator hopes for when using original data, such as Angi’s household chores survey. The survey tells a larger story about homeowners and renters, how much time Americans spend on chores, and other factors that affect these outcomes.
This post was also part of a larger content strategy, earning 50 links for the brand.
15. Housepower Report by Hippo
Hippo’s Housepower Report is a beast of a survey, as it’s part of an annual series that tracks the behaviors, spending, and preparations of more than 1,600 U.S. homeowners. Key takeaways at the beginning of the article directly connect readers and journalists to the information they need.
This powerhouse report has also earned 35+ high-value media placements from brands such as Relator.com and PR Newswire.
Current Event DPR Examples
Capitalizing on what’s currently relevant is an effective way to gain mentions in high DR publications. From pop culture and upcoming holidays to political elections and social media trends, let’s explore these digital PR examples.
16. AI Resistance by Zapier
Whether you’re concerned about robots taking over the world or embracing the new wave of technology, AI is here to stay. In Zapier’s AI Resistance study, the brand delivers hard-hitting data on a relevant and current problem, offering insight and solutions while presenting first-party stats.
And this post is as successful as it gets, earning nearly 100 links in less than six months.
17. Wordle Wizards by Wordtips
Wordle took the world by storm in 2022, and brands were quick to capitalize on its popularity. The Wordle Wizards map by Wordtips took this trend and visualized it by analyzing X data to determine which country, city, and U.S. state was best at solving the daily puzzle.
The results? Over 380 links since January 2023 — and a still-growing obsession with the game.
18. National Rosé Day Cocktails by Winc
Capitalizing on seasonal content, including holidays, is a must for brands, and Winc does this with its piece on festive cocktails for National Rosé Day. The best part about this content is that it’s recyclable and can drive evergreen results if refreshed annually.
19. Traveling During a Hurricane by Florida Panhandle
Packed with information and crafted for hurricane season, Florida Panhandle’s Traveling During a Hurricane guide offers direct data on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane hits.
Its bright, informative graphics also assist travelers by explaining essential information in an easier-to-digest format. Plus, this campaign assisted in the 715% increase in Florida Panhandle’s organic traffic in less than one year.
Essential Digital PR Tools
You know what success looks like in a digital PR campaign; now, it’s time to put your plan into action. Use these resources to get started — or discover our dedicated link building services.
For Data
There are plenty of online data sources that offer metrics on almost everything, including free or budget-friendly tools. For data sourcing, we recommend:
- Statista: A library of data on various topics and industries. Most access is paid, but a limited amount of data is free.
- U.S. Census Bureau: Great for geographic or demographic-driven data analyses.
- Open Data Network: Built-in visualization tools allow clear viewing of many data types.
For Creative Content
Finding the best way to illustrate your story is an integral part of the digital PR process. At Siege, we seek inspiration from:
- Dribbble: Connects viewers with designs from real creators, including some of Siege Media’s best work.
- Pinterest: Pinterest boards allow you to see how other designers approach specific topics or themes.
- Reddit: Offers unique design options across subreddits, including examples like /r/dataisbeautiful and /r/infographics.
Reach New Heights With Digital PR
Content strategy and digital PR go hand in hand. When strategizing your content or ways to land LLM mentions and citations, keep digital PR priorities in mind.
If these trust signals show through in your product, publications, and journalists will be more likely to link to your content — making your (and their) content more valuable.
Reach out today to learn more about our effective digital PR services.
