Many women in business have attempted to write Press Releases (PR), only to abandon the idea. They either think it will be too expensive to distribute or not sure how to reach their intended audience. A well balanced marketing plan includes a myriad of strategies and online tools… including utilizing Press Releases as a part of that strategy.
So, if you want to reach a targeted audience, here are 3 BENEFITS of using Press Releases and a few quick tips to get started.
Benefit 1: Targets Potential Customers
Press Releases are great for communicating news to your intended target audience. Just think of the impact when your newsworthy announcement is read by hundreds of potential customers. Can you see the magnitude of exposure it can bring to your brand?
Benefit 2: Builds (Search Engine Optimization)
Most PR Distribution services submit to multiple news and niche websites. This EXCITES Google! Why? Well, Google, Bing, Yahoo and others track all the traffic from these sites back to your link. This can rank your site higher in search engine results.
Benefit 3: Gains Credibility
Building trust and credibility is paramount in business! As you become an expert in your industry, it is important to continually write and submit relevant and timely announcements. This increases your exposure and brand name recognition among your target audience.
4 FREE Press Release Distribution Services
There are many web-based PR distribution services. Most provide helpful tips on writing effective articles, sample templates and categories for placement. Upon submitting it to a reputable distribution service, it is then made available to a wide network of readers; placed in appropriate categories and delivered to subscribers who have selected those categories. Your PR has the potential of going viral! Here are 4 Distribution Services that I am familiar with:
- PR Log is an online distribution and submission service.
- PR Web is the leader in online news distribution and online publicity; an inexpensive yet highly effective way for organizations of all sizes to distribute their news on the Internet, increase their visibility online and attract customers.
- FREE PR distribution service helps small, medium or large-sized enterprises to optimize their online marketing strategies.
- Press Exposure provides companies, organizations and individuals with FREE submission.
When to Write a Press Release?
Sharing newsworthy information such as a new product or service launch, an award or a partnership could have a positive impact if written and distributed properly. When should you write one? Here are 4 examples:
- Launch or changes to products or services
- Business expansion
- Public speaking events
- Community involvement and charity
Tips to Get Your Announcement Noticed:
- Write effective and optimized headlines
- Include 1-2 Full URL Links
- Include a call to action
- Use plain and simple language
- Focus on facts
- Submit only newsworthy information
Still not convinced?
In a recent study, I asked 10 women entrepreneurs to share their experience submitting special announcements:
Of the 10 Women Interviewed:
- Two landed major contracts.
- Four gained 2-3 new clients in a six month time frame
- Eight saw a significant increase in subscribers, i.e., twitter followers and Facebook Fan page Likes.
- One started an additional business as a result of clients requesting add-on services. This growth was due to a PR campaign over a six month period.
As you can see, there are significant benefits in incorporating Press Releases into your marketing strategy. Using press releases to get the word out is smart business!