Steps to a Writing an Effective Press Releases

Title:Steps to a Writing an Effective Press ReleasesWord Count:817Summary:An effective press release is vital to the successof your business. Here are tips to make yourspress release excel using with proven tips andguidelines.Keywords:

press releases, media, press release writing,advertising, research, marketing, advertising,setup, publicity, getting clients, PR, Googlesearch, work-at-homeArticle Body:ant to get the most media attention and spotlightfor your business? Then the first place to startis with a GREAT press release. Now I can almostsee half of you leaving now, dreading the thoughtof having to write one of these. But wait!! I抦 going to show you easy methods to make yourpress release work for you and get the attentionit deserves. Ready? Let 抯 go.We 抣 l briefly go over the basics because of theirimportance. Editors want to see things done theRIGHT way. I would bet that a lot of goodreleases simply get tossed out just because theyaren 抰 set up properly. To a busy editor, thatall too familiar ?0 second glance?says a lot for

you and your business; it let 抯 them know if you抳 e done your research enough to warrant thatrelease to be placed in their newspaper ormagazine.Here are your essentials:\"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\" on the top left of thepage.Your contact name, phone number, e-mail address,and website follows.Headline is next, normally in bold and centeredon the page. Summarize what the release is aboutand capture their attention. Spend almost asmuch time on your headline as you do writing therelease. It 抯 that important.The press release body starts with the locationof the release and the date (Margate, Florida, May5, 2005.)

Most press releases are between 200-500 words,and no more than a page. The first paragraph hasthe most important information. Don 抰 save thebest for last, it won 抰 get read. In thisparagraph answer the questions, who, what, when,where and why?It is recommended that you write press releasesin the 3rd person and use short sentences andparagraphs. Do not go over board, trying to dazzlethe editor, it won 抰 work.Target your release. You will be sending yourrelease to a specific audience so make sure thatin your release you keep to what would appeal tothat audience. What don 抰 they know that youcan add? Nothing works better than getting an 揂AH HAA?when an editor is reviewing your release.Provide statistics. Do some research and findsome relevant information that applies. You can

easily do this through Google. Once you findyour quote, do a Google search or Yahoo quote onthat particular topic. However, don 抰 stop onthe first Google link and take that for gospel.Research it a bit further. Have it come from arespectable company or magazine.Include relevant quotes from experts in yourfield that will reinforce what you are saying.Approach authors, leaders in your Industry, andother experts that back up the facts you arestating in your release. They will normallyappreciate the added publicity and you get thequote you 抮 e looking for. For example, as anauthor I 抣 l often get asked to provide a quotefor an article on home-based businesses or thevirtual assistant industry. I welcome theopportunity as it provides me more publicity.Also, if you have a satisfied client that you feelwill add credibility to your Release, add a quotefrom them as well. The first time you mention the

expert, write out their full name. Then listthem by last name or Mr. and Mrs. Smith only. Inormally prefer the last name.The last paragraph should be your call to action.You 抳 e talked the whole release about yourbusiness or product, now tell them what to do withthe knowledge they just acquired.At the bottom of the release include ### toindicate you are done, followed by a short bio.Make sure if you include your website that youinclude http:// in front of it for search enginerecognition.Your bio should include your information, anybooks authored, etc. Double check this foraccuracy. At this point, you 抮 e tired and donewith the Release. But if it goes out to the worldwith the wrong web address, the valuable timespent even writing the Release has been wasted.That 抯 it! The basics for writing a press