Press
Release Marketing
Press
release marketing is a form of promotion that can help your business gain
free publicity through the news media. Here's how it works. You develop
an interesting story about your business and submit your story to thousands
of targeted newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, online news portals,
magazines, etc. Some of these media contacts may find your story interesting
and newsworthy to their audiences and decide to publish it, giving you
free publicity for your business, website or cause.
This type
of publicity is usually more effective than just about any other type
of advertisement. This is because when something is considered news these
media placements typically get better postioning, more coverage and more
exposure than any regular types of ads. Additionally, readers don't feel
pressured when they're reading a news story.
Create
a News Story about Your Business. Your business probably does
some unique things throughout the year. Maybe you donate part of your
profits to the needy during holidays. Perhaps you are planning to present
a special award to someone in the community. Or, perhaps your business
may be participating in a special community event. Maybe your products
or services have been used in some creative way to really help someone.
No matter what the occasion, someone in the media may find your story
to be newsworthy to their audience. If they do, your business could get
the best exposure you've ever experienced. One thing to keep in mind is
that media and press contacts need to find new stories, features and information
every day! Therefore you are actually helping them by providing them with
something of interest for their readers or listening audience.
How
to Write Your Story. Write your press release to read like any
other news story. Include a compelling headline, your contact information,
a release date and the press release text. The press release should be
clear, concise and to the point. Never refer to the reader as "you"
when writing, but talk about your business and event from the view point
of a news reporter who is telling a news story.
In a press
release, you are reporting information about your business or event, not
selling. If your press release resembles an advertisement it will be quickly
be rejected by the media in many cases. It's always best to focus on the
news and stick to the facts. Do not use superlatives like "great"
or "amazing" etc. Tell the facts in a story format and then
send readers to your web site or include your business address and phone
number for them to contact you.
How
to Reach the News Media. Reaching editors and other news or media
personnel was very time consuming and expensive years ago. You would have
to submit your release by fax or postal mail and hope for the best. Postage
costs can eat up profits in a hurry! Also, there's a lot more time involved
in printing thousands of press releases and then stuffing them in envelopes.
With new
online technology, there are press release promotion companies that can
send your news release to all the media sources in a matter of hours!
These companies use sophisticated software to send your news release electronically.
They also spend a great deal of time updating their contact list so your
press release will be delivered to the right people... usually in a personalized
format. Targeting a press release to its proper audience is key to achieving
success with press releases. Using a quality press release service works
great if it is well written and if you need a way to reach a vast market
in a short amount of time. Press releases can also be very instrumental
toward gaining media coverage in various trade publications that relate
to your business.
Even with
a small businesses, press releases can increase your exposure and get
your business noticed! Most people underestimate the potential of their
own business having something that is newsworthy. It should be noted that
even small niche markets are represented in large numbers these days,
which means that there is always some place and perhaps many places where
your company can get press and media coverage.
Great
Tip! #1 Getting press and media exposure
is one of the most powerful ways to launch your business to the
next level. Quality press release distribution is key toward getting
the press and media to include your company as a feature or mention.
There are plenty of companies that offer press release services
but few can target the right people and contacts that you will need
to reach. There is press release distribution software available
at a very low cost. BUT BEWARE! Usually these have a very poor quality
and/or old databases of press and media contacts and these will
not even begin to target the press and media members you need to
reach to get publicity for your business. In most cases you will
do your business more harm than good using your own PR software
with a static contact list. It is much better to select a company
that has a reputation for providing quality press release distribution
for years, maintaining a very large database that is updated meticulously
and that can easlily target all the applicable media and press contacts
that apply to your business. One such company that is highly recommended
for press release services and press
release distribution is: Advanced-PR.com
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Other related
sites and articles:
Write Press Releases | Press
Releases | PR
Strategy
Press release
marketing is also referred to by similar terms known as: press releases,
press release distribution, press release services, search engine marketing,
public relations, media services, news services, newswires, news release
marketing, news announcements, press announcements, writing press releases,
writing news releases, newswire marketing, marketing to the media, press
discovery, press release examples, free press releases, press release
software, press release advertising.
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