Contemplating a Press Release?

by Kathy Sparks, Your Virtual Resource
 

How often have you had great news and would love to tell the world, but didn't know what to do with the information?

Does this scenario sound familiar? You've looked into submitting a press release, but the expense drives you away from the idea. Don't allow it. My budget-friendly solution is a press release service that you pay only what you can afford or submit it for free, although I don't recommend it. The more your contribution, the better exposure you receive.

As an example, I currently have 36 press releases sitting in my Press Release account. The statistics for one of them reads: 25,000/134/0/1. Translated, the 25,000 is the number of times the press release was accessed from the press release host site. Just getting your information in front of all of those eyes is easily worth the $10 that I contributed for this particular example. The next number is an estimate of the number of times the press release was picked up by a media outlet. The third number is the number of times it was printed and the final number is the number of times it was forwarded to someone else. I've had press releases that have 74,500 accesses.

Reasons why or when you could write a press release:

1. Launch of a web site, new features of a web site or newsletter.

2. When a partnership has been created in a businesses.

3. Announcing new services and or products.

4. Launch of a business, business expansion or relocation.

5. Announcing a new book or an event.

Important items to keep in mind when writing your press release:

• Write a compelling story. If it is not interesting, it will not get read.

• Make sure it is newsworthy. Opening an online store isn't new, but perhaps the experience your visitors will have in your store may be special.

• Use real life examples of the benefits of your news.

• Stick to the facts. Make each word count, tell the truth and no bloviating.

• Make sure you've edited it thoroughly. Once it is released you can go back and edit it, but the first viewers might not use your press release because of the error.

• Remember this is not an ad, it is an informational piece.

• Keep jargon to a minimum and explain acronyms.

• Avoid the hype. Never do this!!!!!!!!

• If you include information about other companies, be sure to get permission.

• Don't forget an ending with a short paragraph that describes your company.

Resources to help you create your press release:

http://www.howipromotemywebsite.com/how-to-write-a-press-release.html
http://www.lunareclipse.net/pressrelease.htm
http://pandecta.com/write_press_release.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8793_write-press-release.html

Don't forget to distribute your press release to your email newsletter distribution list. Good luck with your announcement.