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

Article Title: How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy
Author: Craig Lock
Category/Subject: Internet Marketing, Press Releases, Writing
http://www.creativekiwis.com/course/index.html
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 (Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."
How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy
Thought I'd share a bit about using press releases as anrninte
et marketing tool, based on our past experiences in this area of internetrnmarketing...

We here at Eagle Productions (NZ) have done quite a bit of research on press release services recently and we have used them reasonably 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 our internet marketing strategy.

While it's hard to quantify the precise results of press releases, 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 an 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.

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!" Write simply and ask yourself this important question.
What is the PURPOSE of your press release... and what specifically is the brief message you wish to get out about your service or product,

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

Over the years we've had a number of releases about our activities here on the other side of the world published by PR Web,
which used to be a free service ("cheapskate"!)... and traffic to our sites substantially increased. 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 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 in the past 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. You may also try eNewsRelease.com and FastPitch.

We have nil connection with these news distribution services, that we've used in the past; but have found most to be effective in increasing "hits" on our web sites through "more brand recognition" after a news release.

Note: Things change fast on the www, so check that these free press release services are still operating.

Finally, check out "free press releases" on Google for others that may appeal to you.

You don't have to leave writing press releases to professionals who charge a fortune. You know more about your business than any other person, so there is nornreason why you can't write your own press releases with a bit of effort and using your creative imagination. It's FUN.. Use press releases to get the word
out about your web site, product or service. It does take quite a bit of time and effort, but DOES WORK in bringing in 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 writers dorntend to "waffle on" a bit and sometimes I don't write in sufficient "business-speak".) My advice is just write in your own "natural" style - light, easy and relaxed, the way you talk. The one in which you feel MOST COMFORTABLE... as I've tried to do in this article.

Use the 'KISS' principle ( keep it simple, superman/woman"). Don't take life too seriously and have FUN exercising your creative juices in writing your own
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 is a PROCESS of sharing (knowledge, insights, wisdom and experiences) with others; it's a way of travelling and not simply arnmatter of arriving at a destination."

Yes, you CAN do it

Take pleasure in the jou
ey.

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions: "Incorrigible Encouragers/People-builders andr
Infopreneurs")
As Napoleon once said:

"Imagination is more important than knowledge (and capital?)!"

"The jou
ey of a thousand miles begins with ...
a broken fan belt and a leaky tire."

"Another good thing about being poor is that you won't have your children and grandchildren squabbling about your estate."

"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."