Jul
23
Do you know any press release submission secrets that you’re willing to share?
Filed Under Small Business
actualitystudios asked:
Learning about press release writing and submission. Hoping some of you gurus out there can help with a tip or secret. Thanks!
TRACY
Learning about press release writing and submission. Hoping some of you gurus out there can help with a tip or secret. Thanks!
TRACY
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3 Responses to “Do you know any press release submission secrets that you’re willing to share?”
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As a retired newspaper publisher, I have seen thousands of press releases over thirty-five years in the business. The ones that don’t get pitched are the ones that really “glitz” it up with great graphics, and provide useful information. Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana used to send outstanding press releases complete with hard-hats, ‘boggle’ toys and even replicas of old Coca-Cola bottles, along with a comprehensive press package and a complimentary admission on a special day exclusively for members of the press. Now, they’ve apparently hired a new pr firm that’s doing things “on the cheap” and their press releases hardly get noticed. -RKO-
I suggest you get a free copy of ebook “The New Rules of PR: How to Create Press Release Strategy for Reaching Buyers Directly” by David Meerman Scott. I saw it featured in ProductMarketing.com. It tells of a new way of looking at press releases — whereas the traditional way is for press releases to reach the media and get written about; now, press releases should be used to reach the buyers directly.
According to the author, the new rules of press releases are:
1. Send press releases all the time. You don’t need a big news to send out a press release. Whether you are speaking at a seminar, you launched a new product or you are going to be a guest at a television show, trumpet it to everyone and send out a press release.
2. Target your buyers. Instead of thinking solely about the media, create press releases that talk directly to your buyers.
3. Use keyword rich copy in your press release. Think of search engine optimization strategies, and make sure that Web visitors can find your press release on the Web. Focus on the keywords and phrases that your customers will use.
4. Don’t forget the links. Always put in your press release a link back to your site. A press release is worthless if it does not have your URL. If your target market is interested with what they read in your release, but can’t find you because there’s no URL, then the whole effort becomes wasted.
5. Optimize press release delivery. You can save a bundle if you send out your release yourself, but press release distribution services have the reach and cachet to get indexed in important news sites such as Google News or Yahoo News.
6. Drive people in the sales process. You need to get your prospects to read your release AND to visit your website, where you have a greater chance to engage them in a sales process. You can achieve this by offering a free ebook download in your website, availing of a discount, or participating in an online demo.
^ great answers
Mainly, try to be creative, these people get hundreds of press releases and you must try to make yours stand out, if you just send a regular folder with plain pages, that is not very impressive. Contact a Graphic Designer if you have the means to do it.