Using press releases to bring exposure to your website
If you are running a new home based business, chances are your budget is slim. You need to get the word out about your new business but need to keep costs to a minimum. Press releases can be a great solution.
So how does a press release work?
Step one: You write a newsworthy story about your business into a certain format.
Step two: Send the story to various media outlets.
Step three: If they are interested, they may publish your press release or interview you.
Sounds easy enough right?
But how do you create a press release?
Your press release should have six basic components which include:
Release Instructions
“For Immediate Release”;
“For Release Before [date]” or
“For Release After [date]”Use one of the latter two if your press release is of a time sensitive nature.
For example, if you are holding a public speaking event, you will want to use the “For Release Before [date]” and make sure you input the final date for registrations. If you are using the “For Release Before [date]” ensure you are sensitive to media deadlines. Send your release out well in advance.
Headline
Write an attention-grabbing headline. Make it benefits-oriented (why would it be of interest to people?) and descriptive.
TIP: Avoid hype and promotional language – this is a news story.
Contact Information
Include as much information as possible here. Make it easy for the media to contact you. Include your phone number, address, company name, fax number, email and website URL. Include the hours you are available at the listed phone number and add an after hours phone number, if applicable.
Summary
Before you get into the body of the release, write a sentence or two to summarize your press release.
TIP: Make it interesting, you want the recipient to keep reading.
Content
This is the meat of your press release. Again, write a benefits-oriented story. Think of the target audience as you are writing. Your target audience is partly the editor or reporter who will be reading the release. Ultimately, however, your target audience is that editor or reporter’s readers or audience. You need to write a story that will be of interest to them.
TIP: The first paragraph should answer all of the important questions about your business like the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How?
Add some quotations to add credibility and to break up the story. Quotations can be from you about the topic. Testimonials or commentary from your customers are very effective as well.
Signify the End of Your Release
The end of your press release is shown by a few simple characters. Place ### at the end of your release.
Just type in press release into any search engine and you will be sure to find lots of samples to use as a guide. You will also find many websites charging for the same information. Mom’s Talk Biz has a fantastic guide available to download titled Mom’s Talk Biz Guide to Press Releases.
This 42 page, step-by-step guide covers:
What a press release is
Why press releases are the ultimate tool in business promotion
24 press release topic ideas you can use
Proper press release format
How to build your media list
Tips to have your release listed in Google
Creative ways to get publicity
Plus other important press release information. If you need free publicity for your business, consider using a press release.
It doesn’t cost you anything but time 
[tags]Free Business Advertising, Press Release, How To Write A Press Release, Website Marketing, Offline Advertising[/tags]
Related tutorials that might interest you:
