=> Step 5 - Is Your Press Release Ready?
1) Is your press release published on your website?
2) Better still, do you have an online press pack?
3) Do you know what to do or say if a reporter calls?
=> The missing ingredient - K-I-S-S
Phew! A lot to take in, I agree! The main trouble with doing all
of the above is that your press release will be... L-O-N-G!
Yes, the vital ingredient to your press release, the one factor
that WILL increase the chances of getting your news published is
to:
Keep It SHORT Stupid (yet another K-I-S-S !)
Not convinced? Ask yourself these questions, then:
* How many of these press releases do you think editors
get to read every day?
* How many long, badly-worded releases will they read
before eventually becoming instantly put off just
by the length of a press release?
* And how much more likely do you think a press release
will be read if it's a SHORT, quick read.
Keep your press release short, simple as that!
=> Appendix: Expert press release resources
If you want to know more about writing a press release then I can
recommend the following resources (but do still remember to keep
your press release short, eh?):
* Articles
10 Tips For Better Press Releases by B.L.Ochman
http://www.whatsnextonline.com
Using And Writing Press Releases by Craig Lock
http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html
Publicity STARTS with a Press Release by Kate Schultz of
http://www.ezineuniversity.com
How to Write Press Releases that Get Published - Paul Krupin
http://www.roibot.com pnr.cgi?R26045_press
* Links
http://www.iboost.com/promote/press_releases/index.html
http://www.pressreleasenetwork.com/
http://www.webpromote.com/products/prelease.asp
http://www.ereleases.com/
http://www.web-source.net/web/Press_Release/
http://drnunley.com
http://myws.sitesell.com/shopping101.html
* Press release distribution
http://www.prweb.com - distribute your PR for free
http://www.downesmarketing.co.uk/freepr.html
http://www.emailwire.com
http://www.sourcewire.com
=> And finally...
So there you have it - my checklist to writing a press release.
If you need to learn more then do visit the above links. And then
just make sure that you follow the checklist, and:
* have a story to tell
* think like a journalist
* format the press release properly
Do keep your press release short, then keep an eye on those
publications - seeing your site in print is a great feeling!
About the Author
Steve Nash is editor of a twice-monthly newsletter called
Promote! Promote! Promote! Subscribe by sending a blank email to
pppromote@getresponse.com . To learn more about writing good copy
for your press release, website, email (or anything) visit Make
Your Words Sell NOW! and learn from a net copy-writing master -
http://myws.sitesell.com/shopping101.html