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 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:
http://www.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 can also use 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
http://www.craiglock.com
"Life is about finding, then following the dream... and
one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing n
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."
- Craig Lock
The various books that Craig "felt inspired to write" are
available at:
http://www.bridgeniche.com/get-motivated-now/index.html and
http://www.bridgeniche.com/southern-african-experience/index.html
More articles on WRITING
Inspiration Flashes: To Collect or Not to Collect That is the Question
Nonsense, Fragments, Made Up Words: Heavenly Bonus
Writing for Publicity and Profit on the WWW
Twenty-Five Tips in Writing Articles for the WWW
How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy
Sharing Some More Thoughts on Writing Styles
How to Become a Better Writer
What is Copyright and How Does One Protect It
Making a Writer Out of You
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