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.
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Press releases are one of the most cost-effective ways to... Read More
Just happens to be public relations activity that alters individual... Read More
Quite a bit, actually. Public relations helps business, non- profit... Read More
The power of PassionPassion is an extraordinarily powerful spring. Without... Read More
It is virtually impossible to succeed professionally and personally without... Read More
Just think about it.If I come to believe that you... Read More
A common complaint you'll hear is that the media is... Read More
Say, from tactics like special events, brochures and press releases... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
The real public relations geniuses might be managers. You know,... Read More
This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More
If your product or service can be given as a... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager trying to get... Read More
Media management has become one of the strategic tools for... Read More
It can bite you and waste your public relations budget... Read More
Once considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
At the core of any successful public relations campaign is... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
And the best way to mind your own business is... Read More
Maybe it played for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams,"... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
Better check out the public relations fundamental premise, then take... Read More
Some folks see the word "strategic" as a needlessly tiresome... Read More
Years ago when my Dad owned a group of local... Read More
The wind of changes...The digital world has changed the form... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..I define public relations failure this way:key audience perceptions are... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager trying to get... Read More
As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More
If you don't have a grip on public relations, how... Read More
You're trying to recruit a downline into your program, you've... Read More
SORRY?WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING?Many spokespeople approach media interviews the same... Read More
If you leave a star player sitting on the bench,... Read More
What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More
You are in business for yourself, but how well do... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As languages... Read More
Radio is a powerful publicity tool. Most stations offer news... Read More
So many restaurants spend money on publicity and then practically... Read More
The media's role is to package and spread news, current... Read More
There'll never be a better time for a manager working... Read More
Would you advise clients to buy a stock based on... Read More
Managers in the non-profit, association and business worlds need to... Read More
Would you like to expand the volume of your business?... Read More
The world has woken up to ethical issues in corporate... Read More
Financial planners, the first thing to know about reporters is... Read More
Writing a press (or media) release is quite an art... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, occasions will arise... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
To many marketers, the press release is something of a... Read More
Have you ever noticed that when someone is interviewed on... Read More
Public Relations |