How to Use and Write Press Releases as an
Internet Marketing Strategy
by Craig Lock
Thought
I'd share a bit about using press releases as an internet marketing
tool, based on our recent experiences.
We at Eagle Productions (NZ) have done quite a bit of research on
press release services recently and we use them here frequently
to "spread the word" about our various sites and activities
from here in far-off New Zealand to our biggest market (by far),
Americans. From this we find doing press releases to be quite effective.
While it's hard to quantify the precise results of press releases,
one thing just seems to lead to another (and usually leads to valuable
"contacts and exposure" - "exciting, naughty and
nice!")...and I do find submitting them to be a most effective
form of advertising in the "on and off-line world".
Together with submitting my articles to announcement
lists, like Shelley Lowery's Article Announce, Free Content, Bill
Platt's Free Ezine Content, Free Reprint Articles, ReadMyArticles,
Netwrite-Publish-Announce and Publisher Network. That is our MAIN
internet marketing strategy.
A quick word of advice in writing press releases... It is vital
that the press release about your business is newsworthy and try
to capture attention with a good "catchy" headline.
Make it "spicy and add 'zing' (like KFC) to make it sizzle!"
Also you can send your news release by "snail mail"
or by e-mail. We do all our submissions to these services via
e-mail.
Recently we've had a number of releases about our activities here
on the other side of the world published by PR Web, which is a
free service ("cheapskate"!)... and traffic to our sites
mentioned has increased substantially already. Their web address
is: http://www.prweb.com
PR Web recommends adding a link back to them to add credibility
to your web site - good idea, I think!
Incidentally, we have a recent press release up there at
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/7/prweb71552.php
in case
you want to have a look at our format.
The Comitatus Group also offer a FREE press release service. Their
web address is: http://www.comitatusgroup.com/pr/pr_save.asp
Other Press Release services we've used are: Emailwire.com:
. They are mainly for corporate businesses, but check them out.
Also Xpress, who distribute news releases by e-mail. (Their address
is
news@xpresspress.com).
You may also try eNewsRelease.com
We have no connection with these news distribution services, but
have found them all to be effective in increasing "hits"
after a news release.
Use press releases to get the word out about your web site, product
or service. They DO WORK in bringing traffic, the first step to
ONLINE SALES.
Lastly, I don't think you need to be a writer to write good press
releases. (In fact, it may work against us, as we do tend to "waffle
on" a bit and sometimes I don't write in sufficient "business-speak".)
My advice is just write in your own "natural"
style - the one in which you feel MOST COMFORTABLE... as I've
tried to do in this article.
Don't take life too seriously and have FUN writing your press
releases.
Hope this may help you readers "out there" in cyberspace,
as we at Eagle Productions and our associates learn something
new about on-line and off-line promotion each day.
"Success is a PROCESS of sharing (knowledge, insights, wisdom
and experiences) with others and not simply a matter of arriving
at a destination."
Take pleasure in the journey.
Craig Lock ("Incorrigible Encourager and Infopreneur")
http://www.craiglock.com/books.html
http://www.bridgeniche.com
About the author: Craig Lock is following his dream
of touching many lives in the "vast unchartered world of cyberspace".
Craig believes in the great potential of every human being in the journey
of life.
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