How To Write an Effective Press Release

Press releases can be a powerful way to bring credibility to your business and promote products or services. Essentially a press release is a news worthy story distributed to media outlets through various channels such as email, snail mail or even fax.

Atop media exposure, when written correctly major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo will index your press release in their search results. For instance, if one of your keywords is your name or business opportunity, your release will show-up when someone types that keyword into a search engine.

A press release promotes a specific event, such as a new business opportunity. There’s some very specific steps on how to write an effective press release.

Step #1 Choose a Topic

A press release announces a specific event. It’s important to remember this when choosing your topic. If the topic includes an idea, opinion, or is informational then it would be considered an article, not a press release. If you write your release like an article, it will be rejected.

Release Ideas:

Launch of a Website
Launch of a Business
New Product or Service

Step #2 Choose Keywords

Make a list of at least 5 keywords related to your topic.

TIP: Search for “free keyword tools” into any search engine and choose a keyword tool, Google has one that’s free and user friendly. Then type in 5 keywords pertaining to your press release topic. Choose the top 3 keywords with the highest number of search results from the keyword tool you used. Pick 1 keyword and include it in your release’s title.

Step #3 Write Press Release

I. Create an outline for your release by answering the following questions.
What event am I announcing?
When did it happen?
Who was involved?
Why would someone be interested in reading this release?
Where should people go to find out more information?

II. Write 2-3 personal quotes in your release. These quotes are focused on how you feel or what you think about this event. Add the quotes as if someone were interviewing you about the event.

III. Write your Release
Make sure it reads like a news release story written by someone else.
Use your keyword in the title of the release and no more than 4 times in the body.

IV. Review Your Release
It’s important to proof-read your release before submitting it, since you won’t be able to go back and make any changes once submitted.

Step #4 Distribute Release
Email is by far the most cost effective method used in the distribution of press releases. To achieve an optimal response you will need a large distribution list and professional tools to send out mass email (contact me for assistance with this step). Alternatively you may distribute your release free of charge to the recommended sites below.

www.free-press-release.com
www.webwire.com

Important Points:

• Press releases are most effective under 400 words.
• Always use your full name or complete business name in your release.
• Use keyword once in the title and 3-4 times in the body.
• Releases cannot be edited once submitted.
• Submit your releases only once to each site.
• When possible add video/audio into your press release.

Press releases are an excellent and affordable way to promote you and/or your business. If you follow the steps herein and write a quality press release, you will reap the rewards for years to come.

Original Article by Lucien Bechard