It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business, let alone trying to drum up new business as you go. But according to Shannon Cherry, APR, even if you have additional staff helping to get the word out about your products and services, location and prices, delivery and sales support, news releases can make your company grow faster.
"A news release is sent to editors and journalists in order to generate a news story in the media," says Cherry, president of Cherry Communications which helps businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations to be heard through marketing communications. "It's one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to get your message out there. If a reporter decides to run your release, your business receives space for free - and more credibility than just running an ad."
Cherry explains that it's critical in today's business world to be seen, a key element in any business plan. She shares her top ten secrets to getting a news release noticed:
1) Your press release should sound like news, not an ad. You need to make sure your news is newsworthy, so start thinking like a reporter.
2) You should only send your press release to the media related to the topic of your press release. Don't just send the press release to every reporter you can find.
3) Keep your press release one page in length. Truth is, most editors will only read the headline and the first line or two of your release.
4) Your header, contact information and release date should be at the top of your press release.
5) Use short sentences and double space your lines.
6) Your headline and first few sentences should grab the reader's attention. Write like the news organizations you are targeting.
7) You should tell a story and mention your business, product or service in the body of the release.
8) Proofread your release many times. Look for grammar and spelling mistakes.
9) Follow up is not only recommended, it is vital. But don't call every other day asking if your release will run. Call once to see if there is any interest, but don't nag.
10) Stick to the facts. Tell the truth. Avoid fluff, embellishments and exaggerations. tone it down a bit.
And a bonus:
Use active, not passive, voice. Verbs in the active voice bring your press release to life. Writing in this manner helps guarantee that your press release will be read.
Shannon Cherry, APR, MA helps businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations to be heard. She's a marketing communications and public relations expert with more than 15 years experience and the owner of Cherry Communications. Subscribe today for Be Heard! our free biweekly ezine and get a free special report: "Get Set For Success: Creative, Low-Cost Marketing Tips to Help You be Heard." Go to www.cherrycommunications.com.
tidy up service Northbrook ..The short answer is, it works best when its fundamental... Read More
Each of us is exposed to people from other cultures... Read More
You are in business for yourself, but how well do... Read More
Your public relations effort really should involve more than press... Read More
Non-news professionals often have a hard time understanding why their... Read More
It's not unusual for clients of service providers to insist... Read More
The media live by the calendar. Your story pitch might... Read More
That big story the media pursue each day is what... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
Are you hesitating about hiring a publicist or, if you... Read More
Quite a bit, actually. Public relations helps business, non- profit... Read More
I say to business, non-profit and association managers, a key... Read More
When I search Google News for "surveys," I get nearly... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, you'll know it's... Read More
From time to time, people ask me how public relations... Read More
Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and... Read More
You are getting a good deal when you accept the... Read More
That's like asking if advertising is all about type faces... Read More
Gaining news coverage on a successful press tour requires planning,... Read More
"We are in the communications business, the business of conveying... Read More
Ever wonder why papers devote a page or more to... Read More
If you have had any experience in public relations or... Read More
Maybe it played for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams,"... Read More
Would you like to be the next Dr. Phil, Suze... Read More
One portion of your marketing plan that you probably don't... Read More
reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..The Key to Great PR is PerseveranceBy Paula Gardner of... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
Managers, please take a minute and read two sentences: People... Read More
The media's role is to package and spread news, current... Read More
You have been if you're a business, non-profit or association... Read More
Media relations, simply put, is the business of building and... Read More
The Acai Berry is starting to gain world wide recognition... Read More
Photographs are essential for getting good publicity in the print... Read More
Could be, when unit managers in businesses, non-profits and associations... Read More
It's the time of year when calendars crowd out the... Read More
For some, public relations works well when their news release... Read More
Let's say you've called a reporter with some ideas for... Read More
Do you have a great idea for a story, but... Read More
Aren't you tired of hearing how extremely easy it is... Read More
Today's issue of Lean Marketing Champions features tips on doing... Read More
Have you ever noticed how the same people's names always... Read More
Attracting new business: sometimes it happens by luck, sometimes by... Read More
That big story the media pursue each day is what... Read More
Do you want to be quoted by the national press... Read More
School BusesWhen approaching a school bus: Slow down; If the... Read More
Obviously, it hurts when a promising business project you backed... Read More
Have you ever gotten one of those letters from your... Read More
Recently, I told a friend (who's a business owner) that... Read More
?2004 Jeffrey DobkinSixty dollars doesn't go a long way in... Read More
Small businesses have always known the importance of word of... Read More
Public Relations |