There are many different press release companies that offer both the writing and distributing of press releases on the World Wide Web. We have used some of these companies and we have seen very little results and paid for it through the nose. As a matter of fact, as a locally based service company, we have seen much more results from writing and distributing our press releases to local publications ourselves. Getting a press release published in many small local newspapers at one time is sometimes just as effective as getting your press release published in a major publication. Regardless of what you hear, the fact is that newspapers still beat local search methods on the Internet when it comes to driving customers to your door that are ready to purchase. The only difference is the price of advertising. Newspapers are very expensive to "advertise" in but they will publish your press release for free!
Writing a good Press Release Power and mailing it to the right people is usually the quickest and least expensive way for any small business to generate a lot of exposure, new customers and orders. Unfortunately, a majority of small businesses do not write or distribute a single press release ever. You should make writing and distributing press releases a part of your well-rounded marketing scheme.
What a lot of small businesses don't realize is that many magazines and newsletters depend on press releases to fill their pages. They will use your writings as "filler." And all you have to do to get you press release printed in some publications is to usually mail the publisher a copy of your press release.
We utilized many free press releases when our company was new back before we had enough money to buy advertising. We still use Press Release Distribution today for any newsworthy reason we can. Over the years we've learned that when writing a press release, these are our main objectives:
1. To get the press release accepted by the newspaper editor and printed in the publication.
2. Once printed, to get the press releases read by people who get receive the publication that the press release is printed in.
3. To get the desired reaction from people who read the press release and are potential customers. The desired action is designed before we write the press release.
We've discovered that writing a press release that looks and reads like an article from the magazine has a better chance of ending up as a featured article in the magazine than one that reads like an advertisement.
Here's how to write a press release that will get your company noticed.
1. Identify magazines, newsletters, and newspapers whose readers are specifically interested in the product or service your press release will be about. Although "carpet bombing" does work try to avoid the general interest publications that cover a wide range of subjects and target just the publications that reach your potential customers.
2. Once you've identified a particular publication that reaches your target audience, call and ask to have a sample copy of the publication mailed to you.
3. With the Sample copy of the publication in hand, look through it and identify all the press releases or press release/articles printed within it.
4. Use the sample press release or article already printed in the selected publication as a guide to writing your own press release. Structure your press release so that it closely resembles ones already printed in the publication. Include all of the elements found in the printed press release. This includes photos, typestyle, the total length of the Press release, length of a headline, everything.
5. Once you've written and proofread your press release, print it out in a format that fits in the magazine. This is so you'll have an idea of how it'll look if the magazine accepts it. If the press release is too long or too short, fix it. You want to be sure your press release/article is just right for the magazine.
6. After you've done all this, print the Press Release Distribution Australia on your laser printer using your best paper, attach a high quality black and white photo, write a short cover letter, and send the press release to the editor of the publication.
7. Repeat this same process with several other publications.
General Notes:
1. On all press releases (but not on articles) include the phrase, 'Review copies available'. This gives the editor a chance to decide to write a full review of the product. Don't do this on articles because they should be the equivalent of a review for the product anyway.
2. Always include a photo with the press release. We go to great lengths to pose the photo in a manner that is most likely to appeal to potential customers.
3. Always send a press release in a 9 x 12 envelope, with a cardboard insert to keep it from being bent.
4. Always call the magazine and identify the proper spelling of the name of the person the press release article should be sent to.
Always be prepared to answer questions about anything printed in the press release. The editor may call, and if the Free Press Release Distribution is printed customers will call. Always treat these calls like they are the most important ones you'll ever get because they are.