When you’re looking at press release writing as an option for promoting your business, one of the things that you are going to want to be sure of is that you know what bloggers, editors and journalists are going to be looking for when they read a press release.

Simply put, if you are looking for the opportunity to market your business with press release writing, you will find that you are in a position to get more out of press release writing when you have journalism contacts. Whether you know bloggers who review products or services or you know someone who works as an editor or a newspaper article writer, you will find that you are in a better position to ask questions - and, when you get answers to those questions, you will find that you are in a better position to know what to include when you write a press release.

Press release writing, after all, isn’t so much about marketing your business as it is about spreading the word. When you know what you target audience is looking for, you will be in a better position to give them that information. When you are able to give them information that will help them to get the big story, that’s when you press release writing is really going to help to move your business forward.

Press release writing is a great asset; having the right contacts will ensure that you are able to know what to include in each press release that you write and distribute.

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PRWeb - Press Releases That Work

(source)As you writers out there probably know, one way to market a book is to use a PRWeb Press Release (http://www.prweb.com/) . It’s not free, but it’s a good way to get the word out. You may write your own review, but I did not.

Now, in this particular instance, the writer was talking about submitting a press release talking about a book that she had written and was talking about using the press release for marketing.

The reality is that press release writing is all about focusing on marketing: press release writing is about getting the word out. If you don’t feel that press release writing is something that you can do well, by all means look into having press releases written for you. It’s not something that you need to do yourself, however if you want to be sure that you are getting the word out about your business, press release writing is an important thing to do.

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PRWeb - Press Releases That Work

For example, having a weekend sale isn’t necessarily newsworthy; having a grand opening sale or anniversary sale can be. Being considered for an award isn’t necessarily newsworthy - unless you have gone through a number of rounds of competition to get to that point; winning an award - especially in a highly competitive field - is (in this case, consider something like the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes - everyone could be a winner but very few people are going to have a story about it go to press).

When you’re going to take advantage of press release writing, it’s a good idea to ask yourself whether the issue that you’re going to talk about really is something that would be talked about in the newspaper or trade journal (or blog) that you’re submitting it to. If the release isn’t newsworthy, you’ll run the risk of future releases - even those that are newsworthy - going overlooked, and that would defeat the purpose.

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PRWeb - Press Releases That Work

(source)For a press release to be effective, it needs to be clear, factual and to the point. If an reporter wants to write a more in-depth article on your product or service, they’ll call you for more information. State the facts (in the best possible light, of course) clearly and consisely, providing greater detail in the lower paragraphs of the release. A press release typically includes a quote from a senior executive, in which you can toot your horn a little, but make sure it actually says something meaningful. Cut the fluff, and stick with the facts.

When you’re writing press releases, it’s not a bad idea to think about the articles that you’ve read in the business section of the newspaper - especially those that are written almost in the margins. You’re going to want to start with the facts, you’re going to want to make sure that you are telling a clear story and that you are providing information that others are going to benefit from.

Really, that’s the key to press release writing: get right to the point, focus on what your current and prospective customers are going to want to know and make sure that it’s easy for writers and editors to just run with your release as the story if it comes to that. By getting right to the point with press release writing, you’ll find that it’s easier to get noticed and to spread the word.

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PRWeb - Press Releases That Work

(source)And what’s really terrific about the Internet – you can write a press release, submit it to online release distribution service such as PRWeb, PRNewswire and others and then watch the inquiries to your website roll in – even if you never receive one phone call from a reporter.

I kid you not. Once your optimized press release hits the World Wide Web, it will show up in search engines such as Google and Yahoo. It will. Particularly if you have had it search engine optimized for the keywords people use when searching for the things your company sells or the services you offer.

Whether the primary goal that you have for press release writing is indexing your site with the major search engines or you are simply hoping to get the word out about your products, services and events and, if your web site becomes more popular in the process so be it, you will find that press release writing is an effective tool for getting the word out and for getting attention for your web site.

By writing a great press release, by focusing on the opportunities that press release writing creates, you will find that you are able to get the media talking and to increase the links to your web site. When you do, you can be sure that an increasingly large number of people are able to learn about what you have to offer and that they will begin to associate your business with the products and services that they are looking for.

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However, when it comes to press release writing that gets results, very few people disgree about the basics. When you want your press release writing to get results, you’re going to want to be sure that you are:

1. Getting off to a great start. You’re going to want to be sure that you use a press release title that draws readers in.


2. Give media pros what they need. When your press release writing makes the story straightforward, you’ll find that more media pros are likely to pick up the story.


3. Thinking about the information that readers are looking for. Remember, press release writing isn’t just about publicizing your business, it’s about making sure that those who are looking for information get it.


4. Showing readers why your news is relevant to them.


5. Being clear throughout your press release. With clear, concise information, your press releases are going to benefit you a lot more than if you try to include every little detail, relevant or not.

When you make an effort to keep your press release writing focused on two things - the facts and the reader - you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to get the results that you’re looking for.

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(source)“Press releases are still an important tool for PR professionals, but the broad range of benefits and increased accessibility have allowed a wider variety of professionals - including marketers and small business owners — to use the medium to share compelling stories,” commented Jiyan Wei, Vocus, online product manager, PRWeb and a member of the SNCR’s Vendor Council and Advisory Board. “News releases are not just for the Fortune 500, but have become a valuable tool for smaller businesses to increase their sales and create publicity.”

Whether your business has 1000 employees or it’s just you, whether you have an unlimited advertising budget or you’re trying to keep your marketing costs as low as you possibly can, press release writing can help you to get the word out about what your business does, what you have to offer, and what makes you different from all of your competitors.

Press release writing isn’t something that needs to be left to the PR pros; small business owners are going to find that the press release format is easy to follow and is something that they will be able to take advantage of. Not only will they find that press release writing helps to attract the attention of the media, but also they will find that they are able to reach bloggers, to connect with current and prospective customers and - in general - to grow their businesses with an extremely effective tool.

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Writing multiple press releases is better than taking a one size fits all approach is going to benefit you in a number of different ways. For starters, what you’re going to find is that when you are writing press releases for online distribution, you’re going to focus on using keywords and key phrases so that others will be able to find them; when you’re releasing news to the traditional media, however, optimizing your press releases may just be overkill.

Similarly, when you’re writing press releases to get the word out within your industry, you’re going to find that you want to include industry jargon - to use phrases that those who are in the know are going to be looking for; that same industry language, however, is not going to be something that general writers and editors are looking for.

Press release writing is about knowing your audience - and that’s the reason why writing multiple releases is often the best solution. When you recognize that different audiences are looking for different information, you’re going to be in a better position to get the attention that you want with your press release writing.

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Here are some tips for making your press release writing successful:

1. Limit your press releases to newsworthy events. Simply put, if it’s not something the media would want to cover, the media isn’t going to pay attention to your press release.


2. Use the right format for your press release.


3. Keep the language of your press release writing clear. While you want to invlude keywords and key phrases and even industry buzz words, you’re going to want to be sure that you aren’t including so many of these terms that it’s hard for readers to get what you’re saying.


4. Remember that references to outside sources - when relevant and appropriate - are going to help to establish your credibility with readers and the media.


5. Write your press release like a news story rather than making it clear that you are using the press release to market your business: news shouldn’t read like an ad.


6. When you want to be sure that local media see that your release is important, be sure to add information about why it’s relevant to your local area.


7. Recognize that you may need to create alternate versions of your press releases so that you are best able to reach your targets.


8. Press release writing isn’t doing until you’ve made sure that you’ve used the right information, the right format and the right length.


9. Don’t forget that proofreading is an essential part of press release writing.

When you are able to keep the basics in mind while writing press releases, and when you know that you’re making an effort to reach out to the media effectively, your press release writing will be more successful.

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Most of the time, however, you’ll find that the frustrations that can come with press release writing all come from a single source: not starting out with a plan already in mind.

When you establish a plan for press release writing - a plan that includes who you want to reach, what you want to say and what you want the end result to be - you will find that a lot of the potential for stress fades. Simply put, the more that you are prepared before you sit down to work on writing a press release, the easier that it is going to be to get the results that you are looking for.

More importantly, however, what you will find is that, when you establish a plan for press release writing, it will quickly become a part of your routine. When you sit down, think out your options and have a strategy in place before you start to write, you’ll be in great shape to real your press release writing goals.

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In part, the simple reason for this is that press release writing is an effective way of getting word out to the media that you have a new site - or you’ve added features or you’ve listed additional products, services or events. Depending on your field of expertise, you’ll find that members of the media (both traditional outlets and online) will see your press release and make a note of it; if it fits with something that they are running a story on or it seems as though your site would appeal to their users, there’s a good chance that they will include your news and direct people to your web site.

Of course, press release writing can also help to ensure that your current and prospective customers are able to find you online. When you write press releases and focus on associating keywords and phrases with your site and you know that you’ve included the right links and landing pages with your message, you’ll find that customers who might not immediately find your web site stand a great chance of finding your press release.

While press release writing in and of itself may not be enough to get you the traffic that you are ultimately looking for, it’s a great way to make sure that you are spreading the word. By writing and distributing press releases when you have relevant news to share, you can be sure that you are able to get the word out and to build your reputation.

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Press release writing is all about getting the word out about your business; by making an effort to get the word out about your business and to get others talking about your products and services, you will find that you are in a better position to get people familiar with your brand. Whether you focus on a particular market or you are looking into getting media attention across the board, you will find that press release writing can help you to establish your brand.

With press release writing, you will be able to:

• Focus on getting other people to talk about your products, services, company or events.
• Let the media develop a sense of why they should be interested in what you have to say.
• Reach out to both your current and prospective customers and the media to let them know about those things that are important to your business.
• Market your business and get people thinking about your company image as a brand.

When you are able to market your business with press release writing and you are looking to establish your brand, you will find that the two goals do not need to be separate: with the right guidance, the right strategy and the right plan, you will find that you are able to accomplish both at the same time. Press release writing can help you to make sure that you are able to push your brand forward - it’s as simple as that.

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(source)I’ve seen many articles and posts online that advise that you send out a press release for every little thing that might possibly be news for your business. This might be effective if you are only trying to improve your presence online through search engine optimization, but if you’re looking for media coverage this strategy will not work.

I’m assuming the premise behind this advice is that you never know when it’s going to be a slow news day and you just might get picked up. The reality is that following this advice is counterproductive and may be detrimental to your public relations efforts.

Press release writing is a great way to gain publicity, however, the above writer did have it absolutely right: if you’re writing and sending out press releases you’re going to find that if you send out too many that are not really newsworthy, editors, bloggers and others who could run with your story aren’t even going to see that it’s out there. Simply put, when you send out too many press releases that are not newsworthy, when those editors, writers and others see your company name or your name attached to a press release, they aren’t going to bother to look at it - even if the release that you write is extremely newsworthy.

When you focus your press release writing on newsworthy topics - when you make sure that you are focused on keeping your press releases meaningful - you will be able to know that members of the media are going to recognize that you’ve got something to say (even if they don’t run with every story). By keeping your press release writing focused, you’ll be sure that you are in a better position to reach your PR goals.

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First, ask yourself how writing the press release is going to help you to reach your business goals - or, specifically, ask yourself which goal you are writing a press release to achieve. If you’re looking to make a sale, your press release is going to be different than if you just want to get the word out about someone who you have brought into the business.

Next, ask yourself who you are trying to reach when you’re writing a press release. Sometimes, your goal is going to be to connect with the conventional media; other times you are going to be writing a press release specifically for a group of custoemrs. When you are able to identify your target audience, you’ll find yourself in a better position to reach them.

Once you know who the audience for your press release, you will find that you are able to address the next question: what’s in it for the reader. When you’re writing a press release, you’ll find that you are able to focus on those key elements that will catch your audience’s attention.

Finally, once you have the attention of your readers, you’re going to want to be sure that your written press release addresses what you want them to do. When you are writing a press release, it’s important to guide the readers so that they know what’s next - it’s as simple as that.

By focusing on your goals, your audience and what’s in it for them and how you want them to respond, you’ll find that you’re able to get more out of the press releases that you write.

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When you’re writing, distributing and marketing your business with press releases, you’re going to find that timing is everything. Rather than sending out the news as soon as it happens, you’ll find that you can benefit when it’s closer to the time when your target market will see the benefit.

For example, let’s say that you’re going to be writing a press release about a merger of two companies that both have loyal followings. Though you may want to be sure that the word gets out to customers of both companies, you may want to wait until you’re underway on a project that they can get excited about; however, if your objective is to let others in the industry find out what’s going on, the time may be right.

Timing is critical when it comes to press release writing and the truth of the matter is that there are few people who get it exactly right all of the time. However, when you’re able to focus yourself on your objectives, you’ll find that it’s easier to find the right time for press release writing than it will be if you just sit down to write.

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