7 Advertising Tips for Press Release Writers

Website design By BotEap.comI won’t say exactly how long, but I’ve been in PR for quite some time. This has given me an interesting perspective on how the internet is revolutionizing press release writing as well as press release distribution.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat’s different is that do-it-yourself advertisers, PR consultants, and media seekers like small businesses, bloggers, ezine publishers, and eBook authors no longer have to wait for media representatives to bless them with media coverage. Everyone now has the power to generate traffic for their establishment or website without the consent of traditional media.

Website design By BotEap.comThanks to the web, you can put your press release directly in front of your target audience. The Internet makes it increasingly easy for anyone to write a release and upload it to various places in cyberspace, where many potential clients can find it.

Website design By BotEap.comBut if you want your information to be taken seriously and acted upon, you’ll want to be much more strategic than just slapping it…

Website design By BotEap.comWhat follows are 7 key tools, techniques, and tips that today’s press release writers can use to secure online (and other) media coverage.

Website design By BotEap.com1. One of the best practices for press release writers involves SEO (search engine optimization).

Website design By BotEap.comLittle sets the course for making your information findable like using a keyword search tool like Google AdWords. It helps you identify which phrases your target audience searches for the most. Pick, say, three or four of your strongest related terms, the ones your potential customers are likely to search for to hire someone like you or buy what you sell.

Website design By BotEap.com2. Write the draft of your release clearly, as if you were speaking.

Website design By BotEap.comOne and a half pages is a good average (approximately 500 words, single spaced). vary the length of your sentences; some short, some longer. Sprinkle your key terms five or six times throughout your release, including in the title of your document. Include links to your website or blog in at least three different sections: in the main paragraph, the last paragraph, and the contact section.

Website design By BotEap.com3. Go through your release, and in the process, add your key terms a few more times.

Website design By BotEap.comThis really helps your SEO strategy as it tells Google and other services what your information is focused on. (For example, my top keywords for this article are the terms press release, press release writers, how to write a press release, and press release distribution.)

Website design By BotEap.com4. Sorry, but you should check it again.

Website design By BotEap.comThis time, you are focusing on the writing style. Look for some kind of drama in your lead paragraph. You need a compelling angle or lead sentence that draws readers in and keeps them. Sometimes simply rearranging the order of the paragraphs (or sentences) makes the introduction stronger. Now check the spelling of what you have typed for typos.

Website design By BotEap.com5. Next, implement press release distribution.

Website design By BotEap.comPRWeb.com is one of the best and most affordable paid distribution services available. Not only do countless people visit PRWeb to read what’s new (and sometimes post those press releases on their blogs or contact you), the service also has an RSS feed system that delivers press releases to those who have subscribed to their keywords. This includes mainstream media, online and offline.

Website design By BotEap.com6. Also take advantage of some of the free online press release distribution services.

Website design By BotEap.comWork smarter, not harder here… If you’re short on time, simply choose those that offer their social bookmarking support for free. Some of the free sites also allow you to include a graphic image or photograph. However, almost all sites, for a fee, provide additional visibility for PR writers. (Note: We rarely use the free sites that are not selected by Google or those that bury new press releases wow on the back of their listings.)

Website design By BotEap.com7. Commit to commenting on several major websites, magazines, and blogs.

Website design By BotEap.comChoose them wisely and leave a thoughtful and relevant comment on each one with a link to your press release. If you have used a paid service like PRWeb, please use it as a link in the comments, as PRWeb provides more credibility than free services.

Website design By BotEap.comIf these steps on how to write a release and get publicity seem like more work than you have time, find an affordable PR consultant or freelance ghostwriter to walk you through it. Choose a committed service that provides a personalized plan designed to meet your budget, not one that treats you like a run-of-the-mill factory. We are here for you and can be right under your nose!