by Roger Himes, The Lawyer-Business Coach, Castle Pines, Colorado
USA
http://www.RockSolidBusinessCoach.com
First, Write the Press Release.
Of course you must have information of some value to tell
people. It can be the opening of a new business. It can be a new
product in your business, or a new service. It can be a new way of
doing things that is unique. It can even be a new employee, if they
have special expertise. Be inventive here. Technically speaking,
use standard 12-point type, and keep the release to a single page
unless it's impossible to do so. Brevity is important, but don't be
so brief you don't cover your subject. Use wide margins and at
least 1.5 spacing, if not double spacing (the latter is preferred).
(1) Write: "Press Release - For Immediate
Release," at the top, and choose a catchy, interesting title that
captures attention. Press releases can be 'sold' by the title
alone. (2) Create a short summary right
underneath the title - not over 7-10 words. If you know how to find
and use keywords, then use them in both your title and summary. I
talk about keywords elsewhere, but it would decrease from the
impact of this article to do so again here. (3)
Start out strong and use your most powerful thoughts first.
You often lose readers after 15 seconds, so use your best stuff
first. Also show any benefits for the reader right up front. Radio
Station WIIFM (what's in it for me?) broadcasts loud and clear to
everyone. People keep reading when they see (A) power thoughts, (B)
brevity, and (C) benefits. It's something I've had to learn being a
lawyer. We're known for being long-winded. (4)
After this first paragraph, then tell your story and give
your facts - practical, beneficial information. Increase the
reader's knowledge and awareness in some way. Use short statements
or even 'bullet statements' for easier reading. (5)
Tell the reader what to do, and make it sound important: "Go
to this website: ___" "Visit this store:
___" "Call this phone number: ___" (6)
Close with your personal contact information: name, phone,
email, website, etc. If you want to see a press release, to copy
someone else's example, simply type in "Press Release Examples"
into a search engine. The first page will give you 5-7 choices to
follow.
Second, Publish the Press
Release.
Send your release to press release publishers. I don't need to
give you a list to send to. Just type in, "List of Press Release
Publishers" into the search engine and you'll have 50-100 to
choose from. Send to all of them, or choose 10-25 if you're
pressed for time.
You'll be surprised how easy this is to do, and the response
it will bring. If you have anything of value to talk about, then
people will do what you tell them to do in #5 above. Here's the
sum: (A) Prick their HEART in some way, (B) Direct their HAND as to
what to do, and (C) They will respond. "Build it and they will
come!" This doesn't work with everything, but it does with press
releases, provided it is in an area of their interest.
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Date Published: