How to Write a Press Release Part 1: Filling the Blank Page

It’s no secret that submitting press releases can help you build link popularity and ultimately help with internet marketing company of your website.

So where to start?

To most people, a blank page may seem empty; but in the eyes of a writer there are ideas, stories, and secrets already on that page. This is no different for a press release. Your job is to fill a page with news. But what makes particular story news? Or better yet, who makes a story news? That is a tough question to answer. In all honesty, anyone can make it into the news; you don’t have to be escaping rehab or breaking up with one of Hollywood’s hottest actors to do it. While people are busy searching for the latest on Lindsay Lohan or Brad Pitt wishing they had that kind of fame, you could be getting that fame with a well written press release, published and used all over the Web.

If you want to cause a stir in Hollywood (which is not that difficult to do, seeing as how the media is all over Jessica Alba’s boyfriend split, or her split ends) all you really need to have is a juicy story. But suppose you want to get your company high rankings on a search engine. What better way to do that than by optimizing the release to link back to your site. Basically, your Press Release is gaining authority from other links that eventually link back to your site. And with a well written story, you are gaining even more attention to your site. The next part of this article will further explain this; but until then, picture a large magnifying glass over the release. You have all the energy from the internet being condensed as it passes through the glass. Think about the strength of the sun frying a little ant. Your press release can have the same effect. Just try it.

Of course, you have to fill the page with something that is “newsworthy” first, and then it will be published. Meanwhile, you have to make the release appeal to your business without preaching to the industry’s choir or standing with your moose ears yelling “neener neener neeeener!”

If you’re not sure about what you should cover in a press release, consider these ideas to see if any apply to your business to get you started.

  • Announcing a new branch/ subdivision of a business
  • Announcing a new product or service
  • Announcing a partnership
  • Announcing a public appearance in person, on radio, television, or online.
  • Announcing a restructuring of the company/organization
  • Announcing free information available
  • Announcing that an individual in your business has been named to serve in a leadership position in a community, professional or charitable organization
  • Announcing that you’re available to speak on particular subjects of interest
  • Announcing that you’ve reached a major milestone
  • Announcing the results of research or surveys you have conducted
  • Celebrating an anniversary
  • Changing the company or product name
  • Changing the structure of a company
  • Contributing to charity
  • Earning recognition of the company, product or executives by a publication
  • Establishing a unique vendor agreement
  • Expanding or renovating the business
  • Forming a new strategic partnership or alliance
  • Helpful information (on a newsworthy topic- more about this in Part 3)
  • Introducing a new product
  • Introducing a unique strategy/approach
  • Introducing new employees
  • Issuing a statement of position regarding a local, regional or national issue
  • Launching and/or expansion of a website
  • Laws, rules, etc. taking affect on the business
  • Making public statements on future business trends or conditions
  • Management changes
  • Meeting some kind of unusual challenge or rising above adversity
  • New charitable partnership
  • New direction of company/business
  • New laws that affect the business/Industry
  • New management
  • New Programs
  • Obtaining a new, significant customer
  • Offering an article series for publishing
  • Opening up branch or satellite offices
  • Ownership changes
  • Participating in a philanthropic event
  • Reaction to new developments, laws, etc.
  • Receiving an appointment
  • Receiving an award
  • Relocation
  • Renaming a business
  • Restructuring your business or its business model
  • Setting up a customer advisory group
  • Sponsoring a seminar or workshop
  • Starting a new business
  • Using new technology

Just remember that there are no limitations on what to write in a press release and if it is well-written, almost any event can be turned into news.

Like a typical political campaign, it takes the right wording and a little bit of convincing to make a good story. Just add a little sweet talking and some catchy phrases, and viola! You have yourself a press release. There are a couple of tricks that might give your press release an edge. Depending on what you are planning on getting out of the release, you will have a different sugar coating on your story. But go easy on the sugar, not everyone has that kind of sweet tooth.

Next: Part 2: Your Press Release and SEO, a Match Made in Heaven

Part 3: Targeting Your Press Release With Google Trends

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6:28 pm SEO

10 Responses

  1. Brent Says:

    Awesome article. The author sounds really hot.

  2. Curtis Pressman Goodby Says:

    Great article. Two take-aways:

    1. There are a LOT of newsworthy events happening in my business every week.

    2. You write very well. I need the practice.

    Thanks, I will be putting this into effect.

  3. Ponder Marketing » Blog Archive » Going for the PR Says:

    […] How to Write a Press Release lists a whole bunch of different activities and events which could warrant a press release. Some of my tips on the actual composition of the release: […]

  4. 50 Plus Ideas for Writting a Kick Ass Press Release. Says:

    […] in a press release, consider these ideas to see if any apply to your business to get you started.read more | digg story October 16th, […]

  5. business Says:

    Warning! For the only and sole purpose of SEO, and SEO only, the above reasons for sending a “press release” are ok.

    If you repeatly send press releases about management change, new branch openings, or announcing a partnership to the real press - you will be blocked, ignored, and blacklisted :)
    Only, only, only, send remarkable things worth talking about to the real press. If nothing is worth talking about, do something worth talking about.

  6. MoneyVelocity.com » Blog Archive » 50 Plus Ideas for Writting a Kick Ass Press Release. Says:

    […] in a press release, consider these ideas to see if any apply to your business to get you started.read more | digg […]

  7. Vicki Butler-Hagen Says:

    Very valuable information! I will definately share this will my more savvy clients! Well written - keep up the great job and thank you

  8. Melanie Painter Says:

    Great ideas really liked this. Other articles I’ve read have been overly formal and not really relevant for me. You’ve given me loads of ideas now and made it seem achievable. Thanks

  9. Baby, it’s just business » 50 Plus Ideas for Writting a Kick Ass Press Release. Says:

    […] read more | digg story […]

  10. Mark [Universal Search] Effinger Says:

    Excellent, EXCELLENT press release post.

    If I could add anything, it would be these items:

    1) Press Release Optimization is important in terms of gaining good SEO value from your PR. I’ve written many posts of WebProWorld.com regarding this, and a recent post on “The Ultimate Online Press Release” from my years as Chief Evangelist at PRWeb.com:

    2) In analysis, Tuesday and Thursday are the best days to launch a domestic press release for pickup. That means get them in the queue at least 2 days before so they go live 12:01AM on the target day.

    3) International PR picks up Sunday, so include that in your mix as well.

    4) Always ALWAYS create a PR Campaign. I’ve run into so many folks who think a Press Release is where it’s at.

    It’s not. Press Releases build momentum through internal platform linking. Leverage that.

    Lots more to cover, but these are just some suggestions on using PR as a helpful tool for leveraging content on the web (especially off-site content).

    Again, Fumi, you nailed the stuff most people miss in leveraging PR.

    Excellent.
    Mark Alan Effinger

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