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Forum nameMarketing Mix
Topic subjectOn the topic of Press Releases...
Topic URLhttps://www.businessownersideacafe.com/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=403&mesg_id=416
416, On the topic of Press Releases...
Posted by Pepperfire, Sun Apr-22-07 07:05 AM
One of the best things about Press Releases is that they make it out into cyber space, they get picked up and newsreaders all over the web, looking for the content in your Release, pick it up and publish it, for free. What could be better?

Real publicity.

If you're looking for SEO, then Free Press Releases are the way to go.

If you're looking for Press... spend some cash or do it right.

What do I mean by that?

I use Press Releases regularly, in fact, when I finish dealing with my mail today, I have several to write, and if all I need to do with them is create SEO, I release them for free. I also send every press release I write to a list of companies who may or may not do something with the press release... And I might add, I NEVER follow up on the press release, why? Because if the media you sent your news release to agrees that your news is worthy, they will contact you.

How did I create my list? It was easy. I made a list of all of my local newspapers and found out who the contact person is for Press Releases, and what their preferred method of contact is; some like email, others like fax, others only want snail mail. I added to this list, industry specific newszines, magazines, ezines, etc. If one of them picks up my news, they will contact me and my news will hit the real newswires. By the way, it is imperative to keep your list up to date, even if you only have news once a year.

If on the other hand I need the news to be picked up by the serious newswires and don't want to count solely on my media list, I pay for service on PR Web or I will hire a PR firm who has a good media mailing list to do it for me.

Never skimp on real news. Your company will thank you for it.

That said, if you don't know how to write a press release, learn. If you can't learn and it's important, pay someone to write for you. There are copy writers all over the country who write brilliantly. I'm sure I've seen one or two posting here at IC, too.

As for PR Web not being free anymore, that's, I think, the wave that Free PR is taking. So watch more and more free sites become pay per use as time goes by.

In the meantime, here are some other sites that were still valid the last time I sent out a press release (January 2007):

http://www.free-press-release.com

http://www.prleap.com

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/

http://inewswire.com

http://www.pr.com/promote-your-business

http://www.transworldnews.com/signin.aspxref=sn&ReturnURL=PreSub.aspx

http://www.epressreleases.org

http://www.articlemarketer.com

Definitely check out Michele's press release site. It is a simple resource with some helpful insights into writing and issuing press releases. There are better sites out there, since Spread the News is really designed to sell you the newspaper contact information. It will save you some time. Although, if you're a cheapskate like me, or running out of cash flow when it comes in, like most starting business owners, it's cheaper to just walk down to your newsstand and read the editor's box on page 2 (generally) of every newspaper on the rack. I also recommend simply googling the words: "write a good press release" and you'll find some more resources like Spread the News that will help.

Good luck to you.

Oh, and say... Cyberhost, if you're reading... It's the one thing I personally find missing here at IC... a place for the regulars to post their press releases.

T

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!