Produce a Powerful Press Release & Social Media News Release
One of the most effective methods for promotion is media exposure- exposure that starts from a simple press release. Newspapers, magazines and television news shows rely on press releases to locate news and human interest stories. Anyone can send a press release, but in order to get the attention of reporters, it must be professional, news worthy and appealing to a broad audience.
A press release should be brief- one or two pages- yet include enough details that a reporter could write a short article based solely on the information provided. The release should not be an announcement that a business or product simply exists, but should have an enticing “hook”. Good hooks include special events and sales, product announcements, contests, survey results or awards given or received. The trick is to make the hook interesting enough to capture the interest of the reader.
Be careful with your wording to avoid sounding like a sales brochure- this is sure to discourage the media from pursuing the story. Follow these rules to write a press release that gets the attention you want:
¨ Read several sample press releases before writing yours so you understand the proper format. www.BusinessWire.com and www.PRNewswire.com are good sources for locating professional releases.
¨ Start with a proper heading that includes your contact information. When listing phone numbers, indicate a day and evening number (reporters may call at odd hours) or simply list your cell phone number.
¨ Give the release an enticing title that captures the reader’s interest and print it in BOLD type.
¨ Double space the body of your release for easy reading.
¨ The first paragraph should include the basics of who, what, where, when and why. You want to lay the foundation and include your hook immediately. Remember that you want to engage your audience and prompt a response from the media.
¨ Determine the purpose of your press release. Is it to announce a grand opening, special event, introduce a new product or share valuable information with the public? Include the key points that make your story interesting.
¨ Use quotes from business partners, clients or other professionals to give the story more color and credibility. As awkward as it may be, you may want to quote yourself- especially if you are the subject of the release.
¨ Close with a brief summary of the business or the person you are promoting.
¨ Do not allow grammar or spelling mistakes to sneak into a press release. Make sure you edit your writing thoroughly and have a friend- or better yet two friends- review it for errors and content.
If you want to send your press release out locally, start compiling a list of media contacts. Check the websites of your local newspapers, news programs and magazines for contact names and address information. Media outlets accept press releases by mail, fax or email and typically indicate their preferences on the website or publication masthead. If you can’t locate press release instructions, it is best to mail it directly to the appropriate editor for your topic.
There are numerous services that you can pay to distribute your release to hundreds or thousands of markets. A few to investigate are www.ereleases.com, www.prweb.com, and www.xpresspress.com.
Before you send your release, be sure you are prepared to answer interview questions. You may receive calls from reporters immediately and will want to have thoughtful responses ready. Consider writing a list of points you want to make and keep it handy.
Most people find that a press release can be worth its weight in gold since a news story usually generates more buzz than any form of paid advertising. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t receive the attention you want, simply try again until you find the formula and pitch that works.
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About the Author, my friend:
Stephanie Chandler is a small business expert and the author of FROM ENTREPRENEUR TO INFOPRENEUR: MAKE MONEY WITH BOOKS, E-BOOKS AND INFORMATION PRODUCTS. She is the founder of www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs and www.ProPublishingServices.com, a custom writing business specializing in electronic newsletters, information marketing, and sales copy for websites and brochures.
See http://www.PamPerryPRCoach.com too!
Unselfish Guide to Self Promotion – The most powerful Marketing Strategy in the World: Motivational Keynote Speaker Jorge Olson
You know my friend and author Hajj Flemings did a funny blog post today…basically it summed up that people will ignore you it’s not about them. (see side bar for his post on this blog). Social Networking aint social?
So….then I found this:
Book Experiment (see video)
The Book Experiment is a story, a story of how a new writer fairs in the “Book World”. You will travel with me and hopefully be a willing participant in the experiment, providing your feedback, tips, opinions, and stories.
I will follow your advice without question and then report back on my blog with all the juicy details.Let’s embark on a case study, an experiment, an adventure. The adventure is the wonderful world of writing, and publishing and social networking and communication.
After all, this is as much a social experiment as it is a book experiment.
You see, by opening the destiny of the book to you and others you can control what the book does, making it a social experiment. The book talks about trust, teamwork, and social marketing.
Participate in the experiment; tell me what you think I should do next by posting your comments on this blog. The book website is at www.UnselfishPromotion.com
About the Book
The book has a lot to do with the experiment. After all, it is about “Unselfish Self Promotion”. It is 1/3 self promotion, 1/3 motivational, and 1/3 how to save the world book!
The book itself asks you to open your life, your mind, and your experiences to others, to collaborate and communicate and work as a big, social team.
The book explains that we’re all in the same team in the same boat, in the same frequency.
This is why the book experiment goes hand in hand with this particular book. You are my team and I am yours.
Be inspired by the new generation of self realization. Learn to be Happy, Healthy and Wealthy using Self-Promotion in a new way, a way that will catapult your confidence, sharpen your senses and make you view life with eyes of a child.
Find the book, videos and more information at www.UnselfishPromotion.com
I love it! www.PamPerryPRCoach.com
“Team work makes the DREAM work.”
It takes a village to survive and thrive!