Marketing Tip 7th Week Press Releases
Press releases are a very, very important, but much misunderstood, and misused, weapon in your marketing arsenal. They should only be used in cases of news.
All publications, online and off, have a pretty standard format to releases, so it is good to practice before starting to send out real ones. I would start on the free release sites and then move to paid publications. We have a pretty good setup here that is picked up by all the search engines. It is one of those misused areas I am talking about.
So let's talk about how to create a good press release and get you started......
PRESS RELEASE STRATEGY
1. Who are you trying to attract? Knowing who the press release is aimed at is very important. For instance, where are you going to place the release? Many papers and online news sources need payment, so this will come under you advertising budget. If you are paying, you need to make sure you are targeting the correct people.
For example, if I am selling motorbikes, I target motorbike magazines. I KNOW those people are into bikes and for every thousand people who read the ad, one may actually come to see more, and one or two may even purchase something. I would not advertise my bike in a children's comic. Most of them may want one but cannot afford a bike.
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2. So target the audience for that press release and find places you can submit it that match that criteria. Research prices, and also find any free publications that allow you a platform for that category.
3. Write well and, if you cannot, get someone else to do it for you.
Seriously.
You need to write an attracting headline. Short. To the point. Do not preamble, It needs to be relevant to the article or it is click bait and you can damage your reputation. Keep the body of the release the same. Short, to the point. Do not be verbose. Make sure to have call to action in the release. Use a unique url if you can so you can track it on Google Analytics.
NEVER forget to add contact information.
4. Always add at least one good image if allowed. People are proven to look at the image before the post, so make sure it is of high quality. Do not add a copyright. Looks tacky and some places will refuse it. Be clever with it. Take time perhaps to create a special one in your editor.
5. If online, some places allow you to choose a time to release. Choose a time your target market is likely to be in front of their computer. For instance, not first thing in the morning as people are getting ready for work, or if targeting a business, they are normally in morning meetings.
6. Upload your news release only when you are sure you have added everything you need people to know. See below
7. Keep an eye on visitors and how the release is doing in regards to more visits, what time they visit etc. Is the release working? If not, what can you do better in the next one?
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I ALWAYS suggest you ask someone else to read through the press release BEFORE sending it to be published. That is why paid services for adding a release to are better as they always have an editor and will not let you send anything out that is not complete, or have spelling or grammar inaccuracies.
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CRITERIA FOR A PRESS RELEASE
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Online Release
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Date
"For Immediate Release"
Headline short and punchy
City and Date
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What is this press release about?
Why should a reader be interested in what you are writing?
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Who, what, where
Call for people to share the information
Bit about you
Your contact details
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Event Release
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Contact details
Name, phone number, and email for the event
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Headline short and punchy
Image
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Details of the event, What is it exactly? What will people see when they attend?
who, what, where, and when
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Your contact information making sure to add your full name
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EXAMPLES
Here's a press release for a business
https://www.vwclarksburg.com/press-releases.htm
Here is a new event with calls to action
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/indian-sportswoman-of-the-year-nominees
This is a good one
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/543632311/just-in-celebrating-9-year-old-nj-girl-dancingkid11-for-making-a-positive-impact
They each are slightly different but you can see all the main details are covered
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Abbie Shores
Head of Department Tech Support/Community - Fine Art America | Pixels.com
TIPS SO FAR
1st WEEK A Course We Should All Take
2nd WEEK Focusing on updates
3rd WEEK Marketing
4th WEEK Blogging and being sales tired
5th WEEK Spelling and grammar
6th WEEK Just one site
7th WEEK Press release
8th WEEK Simple Free Ways to get your name around
9th WEEK 1st exercise - Product
10th WEEK 2nd exercise - Prices
11th WEEK 3rd Exercise - Place
