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

Article Title: How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy (Updated)
Author: Craig LocknCategory/Subject: Internet Marketing, Press Releases, Writing
Web Sites:http://www.craiglockbooks.com and http://www2.webng.com/write
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Publishing Guidelines:
We hope that the following article may be informative andnhelpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. If itnhelps others "out there" in any way, then we're happy. Thisnarticle (as with all my articles) may be freely published,nelectronically or in print.n n "We share what we know, so that we all may grow."n n *
How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy n
Thought I'd share a bit about using press releases as anninte
et marketing tool, based on our past experiences in this area of internet marketing...

We here at Eagle Productions (NZ) have done quite a bit ofnresearch on press release services recently and we have used themnreasonably frequently to "spread the word" about our variousnsites and activities from here in far-off New Zealand to ournbiggest market (by far), Americans. From this we find doingnpress releases to be quite effective.

While it's hard to quantify the precise results of pressnreleases, one thing just seems to lead to another (andnusually leads to valuable "contacts and exposure" -
"exciting, naughty and nice!")...and I do find submittingnthem to be a most effective form of advertising in the "onnand off-line world". In getting your "brand known", which is the first step.

Together with submitting my articles tonannouncement 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 nmarketing strategy.

A quick word of advice in writing press releases... It isnvital that the press release about your business isnnewsworthy and try to capture attention with a good "catchy"nheadline. Make it "spicy and add 'zing' (like KFC) to makenit 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 byne-mail. We do all our submissions to these services viane-mail.

Over the years we've had a number of releases about our activitiesnhere on the other side of the world published by PR Web,nwhich is a free service ("cheapskate"!)... and traffic tonour sites mentioned has already substantially increased.
Their web address is: http://www.prweb.com.

PR Web recommends adding a link back to them to addncredibility 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 atnhttp://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/7/prweb71552.php in casenyou want to have a look at our format) n
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.comn
Other Press Release services we've used in the past are: Emailwire.com:nhttp://www.emailwire.com/. They are mainly for corporatenbusinesses, but check them out. Also Xpress, who distributennews releases by e-mail. (Their address isnnews@xpresspress.com).

You may also try eNewsRelease.com and FastPitch. n
We have nil connection with these news distribution services,nbut have found them all to be effective in increasing "hits" on our web sites through "more brand recognition" after a news release..

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 no reason 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, nwhich 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 goodnpress releases. (In fact, it may work against us, as we writers dontend to "waffle on" a bit and sometimes I don't write innsufficient "business-speak".) My advice is just write innyour own "natural" style - light, easy and relaxed, the way you talk.
The one in which you feel MOST COMFORTABLE... nas 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, asnwe at Eagle Productions and our associates learn somethingnnew about on and off-line promotion each day.

"Success is a PROCESS of sharing (knowledge, insights, nwisdom and experiences) with others; it's a way of travelling and not simply a matter of arriving at a destination."

You CAN do it

Take pleasure in the jou
ey.

Eagle Productions ("Incorrigible Encouragers/People-builders and Infopreneurs")nhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com nhttp://www2.webng.com/write
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All proceeds go to needy and underprivilileged children - MINE!

"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."

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