Long Live the Press Release!
It’s a major weapon in your organization’s PR and media relations arsenal and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. They are effective (especially when search-optimized for Google and Yahoo!) in helping customers find your business, and for arming reporters with information about your product or service. I have proof, and it comes courtesy of my PR and marketing clients.
Here’s a press release that prompted executives from consumer warehouse retailers to call my client. Imagine having high-value prospective customers CALL YOU? It happened to Green Delete, which helps firms safely and responsibly delete data from electronic devices. If I hadn’t written and distributed this press release to the journalists who cover recycling, data protection and asset management, these giant companies would never have learned about Green Delete and its expertise in on-site digital asset disposal.
Or check out the release I wrote for Lloyd Bachrach, an amazing, inspiring motivational speaker who also runs Premier Showcase, an annual entertainment event to help school administrators and volunteers see the talent before they book their school assemblies. This press release provided valuable, time-saving information that helps time-crunched reporters quickly get the information they need to not only decide on covering my client, but to write a factually correct story. Reporters are so stressed with multiple deadlines and demands, and a well-written press release helps them better do their jobs. In fact, see the TV and print coverage that I secured for Lloyd who continually reminds me how those news reports helped grow his business and boost credibility among his business partners.
I have scores of other client news stories that appeared in major market media and started with a press release. Just go to my News section here and take a look. Or contact me to learn about why a compelling, helpful, well-written press release should be a key launching pad for your business’s PR efforts.
Michelle: I think you are absolutely correct. In this Twitter and Facebook age, one of the most compelling things that a company can do is to produce a well-written news release that highlights great information that moves their brand forward. There are many 140-character tweets that are sort of interesting, but if they don’t have a link or engage a conversation, they can sort of lie there. But a piece of news … that’s different. It says that this company knows what it is doing. And if it regularly produces news (that you can find on it’s press page), that tells a far more compelling story. Thanks for the piece.
Happy you liked my post, Paul. Plus, it’s still pretty powerful to have the press release content to post on a business web site or send out to Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. The more new, fresh content you have online, the more you boost your chances of having customers find you. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
So true, Michelle. I get 100s of press releases every week. Some have really good ideas. Others, not-so-much. But, an idea doesn’t have a chance unless it’s put before someone who can use. it.
Thanks for your thoughts Bernie. With so many press releases in your inbox, it’s a wonder you have the time out to sort out the good from the useless! And thanks for always considering my story ideas.
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