If you are new to the idea of writing and distributing press releases, read this article first. In it, I will share with you some important tips on how to distribute your press releases effectively.
You have to remember that if you are in the business of promoting and selling your products or services, your releases have to be delivered in a very interactive way. By doing so, you will gain the interest of the media, readers, and media outlets.
The most effective way of getting your news and information to the public is through press release distribution.
It is the process of seeding or distributing your news release to various journalists, columnists, and other members of the media.
Your press release usually offers exciting updates about your business, products, services, partnerships, company structure, and so on. These pieces of news can be related to whatever niche your business belongs to.
To make sure that your news release gets into the right hands, you need to consider the following factors: where the journalist works; his/her previous experience; type of coverage he/she provides; and his/her reputation.
There are two different ways in which you can do this. You can approach an existing journalist and pitch a story based on the products and services that you offer.
If your journalist has previous experience in your field of expertise, he/she may be receptive to the pitch; and he/she may even get a chance to write an article with a link to your business website.
For non-journalists, another way of getting your news release into the right hands is to contact a freelance journalist. A freelance journalist, unlike a mainstream journalist, does not work for a major newspaper, magazine, or news network.
Most journalists find it difficult to get published or have their work picked up by national media because they do not belong to a particular publication or network. Most journalists will contact you via email or phone to discuss your product or service, give their opinion, and offer their contact information.
Many freelance journalists work directly with small businesses in the geographic areas in which they live; therefore, they may be able to find outlets for your product or service that are not geographically specific.
If you have never pitched before, approaching a journalist without previous experience in your field may seem daunting. However, many journalists are accustomed to receiving pitches, so there is no fear in giving them the basic information about your products and services. When contacting a journalist, remember to include: your name, contact information, company description, and an outline of your pitch. This will give the journalist enough information to know what type of coverage you're looking for.
If you are trying to reach a smaller local audience, make sure your release is targeted to the media database you are using.
Look through local business directories such as the local newspaper's business section. Some journalists will accept unsolicited material; however, many editors and reporters strive to provide quality, professional material.
When contacting a reporter, include your contact details, including your website, email address, and a brief description of your products or services.
Press release distribution may be costly, but it’s a vital expense of doing business. Paid distribution channels usually have limited associations with websites like Google News, so it’s worth paying for them to achieve a larger audience.
Free sites are perfect for the budget-conscious but usually post to lower-quality websites than you may choose. To increase effectiveness, utilize a mixture of free and paid press release distribution services to obtain your message out.
Your press releases can be sent to as many people as possible, but be careful to only send one email per day to the same person. This means sending two emails per day if you want to reach more individuals.
Your first email should be brief and answer the common questions regarding your products or services. Be sure to include any research information you have conducted on the market for your product or service, and mention any testimonials or reviews that you have conducted.
Don’t depend on the modifying winds of the web to maintain your press releases retrievable. Always publish a copy on a specific portion of your company website.
This is for two reasons customers checking out at the source can easily click over to your product or contact pages, and journalists won’t need to go on a scavenger search to find your organization’s latest news.
Your next press release will include the full name of your company, a short description of your company, the company's address, contact information, and a brief but specific statement about what you will be offering with your product or service.
It should also contain a direct quote from a customer of your product or service. If you cannot be in person to present your press releases, your website can be used to host the documents.
Make sure you provide plenty of space for the quote so that the customer can include their name in the release.
Make sure to follow basic grammar and spelling rules, and your small business press releases should be easy to understand and distribute.
