| You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on | | | | distribute it. There are plenty of free newswires that |
| advertising to build an effective campaign. In fact, you | | | | will do this for you - is a good example. Remember |
| can get great publicity that will drive customers to do | | | | that to be successful a press release needs to be |
| your door absolutely free of charge! | | | | targeted at a precise market. If you're releasing on the |
| One of the best ways to do this is to attract press | | | | topic of your new range of motorbike helmets in |
| coverage. You don't have to pay for advertising space | | | | Atlanta, you'd better make sure every bike magazine |
| to get written about in a newspaper or magazine, or | | | | and local newspaper in Georgia gets a copy. |
| on a website. All you have to do is interest the editor | | | | It's quite acceptable to email press releases. Just make |
| or webmaster in your story. Today's media is huge - | | | | sure that the text is included in the body of the mail - |
| and it's hungry for news. If you present a publication | | | | most sensible internet users are a little suspicious of |
| with a ready-made story that will interest their target | | | | mail attachments received from strangers. |
| audience they will snap it up. | | | | So your release is out, and it's getting you some |
| The way to do this is to write a press release, | | | | coverage. Why other cost-free means can you use to |
| sometimes called a "news release". Release writing | | | | build your business's profile? Well, the obvious place is |
| isn't rocket science, but there are a few important tips | | | | the internet. Here are some suggestions: |
| and tricks to remember: | | | | · Build web links. It's a tactic as old as the internet |
| · Make sure the release is dated, and has a | | | | and it takes time - but it's still worth it. Make sure your |
| contact name, address, phone number and email | | | | business's name is on every relevant free directory on |
| address. The contact should be a single, named | | | | the web. This can be pretty backbreaking work, but it |
| individual. | | | | will pull in the customers. Crucially, it will also improve |
| · Start off with an attention-grabbing headline that | | | | your website's rank on Google and other search |
| announces a piece of specific news. "Atlanta | | | | engines. |
| Motorbike Store Launches New Line of Helmets" is a | | | | · Post to message boards. If you can find a web |
| good headline; "Atlanta Motorbike Store Has Another | | | | discussion forum related to your business topic, join in |
| Good Year" is not. Your release should announce | | | | and post regularly. Don't simply push your product - get |
| something specific and out of the ordinary. | | | | involved in the online community. This is a great way to |
| · Always include a quote. Store owner Mike Smith, | | | | establish contacts. Make sure that your username is |
| 44, says, "we're really pleased to be stocking X-Brand | | | | the same as your business name and that your forum |
| Helmets...." Quotes bring news stories to life and give | | | | profile contains a link to your site. |
| them a human touch - you'll look a long time before | | | | One rule of advertising hasn't changed since prehistoric |
| you find a professional media story without one. | | | | times: nothing beats word-of-mouth. Ultimately the |
| · Make sure your spelling, grammar and | | | | secret of getting free publicity is having a great |
| punctuation are one hundred percent accurate. If | | | | product that people will talk about. If you can get folks |
| they're not, the professionals in your target media will | | | | talking about you and your business, you've beaten |
| lose respect for you and trash your release. If you | | | | every single Fortune 1000 company - they've spent |
| didn't get top grades in English, get a friend to check it | | | | millions on advertising and branding campaigns. If you're |
| over. | | | | smart, and if you're persistent, you can achieve the |
| Once you've written your release you need to | | | | same results without spending a single cent! |