How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet
Marketing Strategy

Thought I'd share a bit about using press releases as an
internet marketing tool, based on our past experiences in this area of
internet marketing...

We at Eagle Productions (NZ) have done quite a bit of
research on press release services recently and we use them
here frequently to "spread the word" about our various
sites and activities from here in far-off New Zealand to our
biggest market (by far), Americans. From this we find doing
press releases to be quite effective in "getting the word out". (Don't
end a sentence in a "preppie" - bad writing, Craig!).

While it's hard to quantify the precise results of press
releases, we find them to be reasonably effective in increasing web
traffic immediately following the publication of a press release. Then
one thing just seems to lead to another (and
usually leads to valuable "contacts and exposure" -
"exciting, naughty and nice!")...and I do find submitting
them to be a most effective form of advertising in the "on
and off-line world". In getting your "brand known", which is the first
step. Together with submitting my articles to
announcement lists, like Shelley Lowery's Article Announce,
Free Content, Bill Platt's Free Ezine Content, Free Reprint
Articles, ReadMyArticles, Netwrite-Publish-Announce, FreeWrites,
Article Submission
and Publisher Network. That is our MAIN internet
marketing strategy.
*
Back to the subject of press releases (stick to your subject,
'waffler' Craig)...

A quick word of advice in writing press releases... It is
vital that the press release about your business is
newsworthy and try to capture attention with a good "catchy"
headline. Make it "spicy and add 'zing' (like KFC) to make
it sizzle!"

Also you can send your news release by "snail mail", or by
e-mail. Incidentally, we do all our submissions to these services via
e-mail.

Recently we've had a number of releases about our activities
here on the other side of the world in "Sleepy Hollow" published by PR Web,
which is a free service ("cheapskate"!)... and traffic to
our sites mentioned has increased substantially already.
Their web address is: http://www.prweb.com.

PR Web recommends adding a link back to them to add
credibility to your web site - good idea, I think!
We've used them regularly over the years and they provide a great service.
Incidentally, we have a recent press release up there at
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/7/prweb71552.php in case
you want to have a look at our format).

The Prudential Press Agency, as well as the Comitatus Group also offer
a FREE press release service.
Their web addresses are: http://www.PrudentPressAgency.com and
http://www.comitatusgroup.com

Other Press Release services we've used over the years are: Emailwire.com:
http://www.emailwire.com/. They are mainly for corporate
businesses, but check them out. Also Xpress, who distribute
news releases by e-mail. (Their address is
news@xpresspress.com).

You may also try eNewsRelease.com.

We have nil connection with these news distribution services,
but have found them all to be effective in increasing "hits" on our
web sites through "more recognition" after a news release.

Use press releases to get the word out about your web site,
product or service. They DO WORK in bringing traffic, which is the
first step to ONLINE SALES.
*
A last word on the subject of press releases...
I don't think you need to be a writer to write good
press releases. (In fact, it may work against us, as we do
tend to "waffle on" a bit and sometimes I don't write in
sufficient "business-speak".) After all, YOU know more about your
business, it's value and it's benefits to the customer than any
"arty/farty/airey/fairey writer type".

"Writers should also be business-people...
but then any business-person would have the good sense not to become a writer."

To conclude (at long last!)...

My advice is just write in
your own "natural" style - the one in which you feel MOST
COMFORTABLE... as I've tried to do in this article.

Don't take life too seriously and have FUN writing your
press releases.

Hope this may help you readers "out there" in cyberspace, as
we at Eagle Productions and our associates learn something
new about on and off-line promotion each day.

"Success, like the journey of life, is a PROCESS of creation,
discovery and sharing (knowledge, insights,
wisdom and experiences) with others. It's a WAY of travelling and not
simply a matter of arriving at a destination."

Take pleasure in the journey.

Craig Lock ("Incorrigible Encourager/People-builder and Infopreneur")

"Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; but
significance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itself
in what you ARE and BECOME down the 'river of life' - how
and the spirit with which you face, then overcome the daily
obstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along the
often rocky path-way of life's magical and mysterious
journey.
Light your path brightly."

Craig

http://www.craiglock.com
http://www.craiglockbooks.com

Uplifting, encouraging and empowering people through the power of
words and thought energy. Change YOUR world and you change THE world."

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man how to fish ...
and you get rid of him every weekend.
Teach a man how to use the internet...
and you get rid of him for a life-time."