Press Release Basics

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Do you want to get more publicity for your business? Press Releases can help! Press Releases can help you get featured in your local paper, as well as in the national news! And don’t forget “modern” media – they can also help you connect with bloggers and podcasters.

You can write a Press Release to announce a new business, to launch a new product or service, to promote a sale or special you’re having, to let people know about an event you’re having or taking part in, to relate your business to a national news event, or pretty much any other reason you can think of!

Your Press Release should be a one page document that answers the “six most important questions” – who, what, when, where, why, and how.

There are times when a reporter will write the entire story from the press release, without contacting you for additional information. Make sure you have all the information people need within that press release!

There is a specific press release format that you should follow, and you can do a Google search for some examples, as well as templates. But don’t worry – it’s not hard to follow the format.

You will want to create an attention-grabbing headline. The headline goes right at the top of the Press Release, and it’s the first thing people see. The next time you’re at the grocery store, take a few minutes to scan the headlines of the magazines near the check-out area.

These are some great examples of headlines. You’ll notice that they will use words that create “feeling” and “emotion”, and in many cases, they also use numbers. For example: “10 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Clutter!”; “5 Delicious Weeknight Meals – Ready In Under 20 Stress Free Minutes!”; “3 Time Saving Secrets You Can’t Live Without.”

Once you have written your press release, it’s time to send it out. Make a list of the places you want to send it to, such as newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, bloggers, and podcasters. This is your “media list.”

The most important thing is to make sure you have the correct name and email address. Chances are, there are many writers at the newspaper or magazine who cover different topics. If you send a press release about knitting to a sports writer, he’s not going to cover it, and he’s not going to take the time to send it to the correct person. He’s going to delete it.

If you don’t get featured right away, don’t worry. It may just be a timing issue. Many editors have “editorial calendars” and they plan the topics they are going to write about in advance. Your topic may not fit today, but they may be keeping you in mind for a story for next month.

Keep sending press releases and you will get some great press!

Have you ever written a press release?

By Crissy Herron, www.IndieBizChicks.com

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