Press releases are a great way to get publicity and visibility for your business. They can be used as a way to promote new products, services, events, and more. The good news is that writing press releases doesn’t have to be complicated or take up too much time – so long as you follow these tips!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Press releases play a crucial role in business growth and visibility. |
| 2. Crafting effective press releases requires strategic planning. |
| 3. A well-structured press release template can streamline the process. |
| 4. Distribution timing and targeting are key for maximizing impact. |
| 5. Integrating press releases into your PR strategy boosts credibility. |
Statistics
The number of press releases published each year is staggering. In 2018 alone, 5,819 press releases were published by companies on Business Wire. That equates to almost one press release per minute!
However, only a fraction of these get noticed and shared by the media or consumers. According to a study conducted by PR Daily in 2015, only 2% of all news stories that appear in major media outlets are based on information from a press release.
To make sure your story gets heard and read by consumers or other businesses who may need your services or products, you need to write an effective pitch in your next PR campaign. Here are some tips for writing an engaging pitch:
Converting your writing into lead generation is a skill that every business owner should master. Learn how to convert your writing into a source of lead generation with these practical tips and strategies.
Ten Types Of Press Releases For Startups
- Announcing a New Product or Service
If you’ve got a new product or service to announce, this is the perfect opportunity to leverage your audience to drive traffic and new business. You can also use it as an opportunity to ask for feedback from current customers or prospects on what they think about the product/service.
- Announcing a New Hire
People like reading about other people’s success stories, so if someone has joined your team, make sure you publicize them by sending out an announcement press release! After all, with some good promotion and PR work done right away (like writing up a press release), they could become your brand ambassador before they even know it themselves!
Use Social Media To Boost Your Launch With A Press Release
You can use social media to promote your business’s press release and vice versa. The key to using social media successfully is to create a compelling post that will catch the attention of readers and encourage them to click on it.
To make sure that people read your posts, you should write them in an easy-to-understand way.
For example, instead of writing “We are excited about our new product launch!” you could write “Our new product launch is exciting!” This tip applies when writing any kind of content: keep it short and sweet so people can easily digest what you wrote without having to work too hard at understanding it.
If you have a compelling story behind why your business should be covered by journalists or bloggers, then include this information in one section at the beginning of your press release (or somewhere else if possible).
This will help journalists understand why they should write about you now rather than later and hopefully get more exposure for yourself in the process!
Crafting a press release that stands out in a crowded media landscape requires understanding the science behind it. Discover the secrets of crafting press releases that get published and increase the visibility of your business.
Ask For Referrals
Ask for referrals from your customers. Most of us know that people are much more likely to buy from someone they already know and trust, but it’s also true that people are more likely to refer their friends and family to a business they trust.
If you want your customers to recommend you, first make sure that they have an excellent experience with you. Then, ask them if they would be willing to refer others based on this experience (don’t be afraid of being too forward).
Ask for referrals from your employees. Employee referrals tend to convert at higher rates than external ones because prospective clients are more apt to trust an employee’s recommendation than one from a stranger after all, who knows better what it’s like working there?
Even if only one out of 20 applicants ends up as a new hire, that kind of employee referral program is still worth its weight in gold (and then some).
Ask for referrals from suppliers/partners/competitors/friends/family members etcetera:
In addition or instead of asking for external recommendations through social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, consider doing so directly through email marketing campaigns targeted at professionals within similar industries who may have worked with each other before–you never know where these connections could lead!
Conduct Surveys
Conducting surveys is a great way to get feedback from your customers. If you conduct regular surveys, then you can use the results to understand your customers better and improve both your product and service. You can also use the survey results to find out what your customers want for them to be happier with what you’re offering them.
Send A Press Release
A press release is a brief, informative piece of writing that shares newsworthy information. These releases can be sent out to journalists, industry influencers, and the media to generate interest in your company or business.
When writing a press release, it is important to consider your target audience and what they will find interesting about the topic you are covering.
A well-written press release should include:
A strong lead paragraph that captures readers’ attention immediately. The lead should also have keywords in it that help search engines locate the article so it can appear on search results pages when someone searches for these terms.
An overview section with one or two sentences describing what was covered in each supporting paragraph (more than two sentences may be too long). This helps readers who want more information quickly decide whether they want to read further into the document or not.
Get Personal
A press release is a marketing tool. It should be written as such. Make it personal and conversational, like you would any other marketing material—don’t write in monotone or academic jargon.
Use short sentences and bullet points to keep it easy to read and digest. Use bold text for subheadings, italics for quotes, etc., so readers can quickly skim through your article without losing their place in the flow of your message.
Public relations experts know the value of a well-crafted press release. Gain insights from a seasoned pro on how to achieve results with press releases and enhance your business’s reputation.
Attend Events
Events are a great way to meet potential customers, partners, and investors. They’re also a great way to get press coverage. Attending an event is the first step in building your reputation as an expert in your industry.
The more events you attend, the better you’ll be at planning for them and executing them. If you’re just starting, I recommend putting on some events yourself so that you can practice what goes into running one before getting involved with other people’s projects (as this will give you valuable experience).
Talk To The Media
If you have a story to tell, the media is always looking for it. Just like those who read their content, journalists are hoping to find information that is relevant and interesting to their readers. If your company or product is somehow related to the topic at hand, they’ll pay attention.
If you have a newsworthy story, don’t be shy about approaching the media with it!
Listen To Your Customers
With press releases, you can tap into the power of your audience. If you’re providing a product or service that people want and need, then there will be an audience for your business. But to reach these people and build your business, you need to listen to them and when I say “listen” I mean listen.
There are many ways in which listening can help grow your business:
- Find out what they want
- Ask them what they think of your product or service
- Ask them if they have any suggestions for improvements (or new features)
- Ask them for referrals
Looking for the best way to amplify your PR campaign? Learn why press releases are the best way to grow your PR campaign and how they can effectively communicate your business’s message.
Don’t Just Focus On Getting New Customers – Retain Your Old Ones Too
There are many reasons why customers decide to leave your business. Sometimes it’s because they can’t afford you anymore, or they change their mind about what they want. These are both valid reasons for them leaving, but if you want to retain your customers, then there’s no better way than through content marketing.
You see, when you provide useful information promptly that is not just related to your product or service but also things that interest your target audience (like helpful tips), this will help people remain loyal and keep coming back for more!
You want them to feel as though they can trust you as an expert in whatever field/niche that you’re working in – so don’t be afraid of letting them know how much knowledge or experience you have under the belt!
Press Releases Can Help You Build Your Business By Getting Media Attention And Attracting New Customers
Getting media attention can be a great way to build your business. It’s a good way to get people’s attention, and it also helps you establish yourself as an expert in your field.
And attracting new customers isn’t the only benefit of having a strong online presence: if you write well-written press releases, you’ll have better customer service because people will know about all the good stuff you’re doing!
Plus: when people see that your press releases are well-written and informative, they’ll trust whatever else comes out of your mouth (and everything else they read from you).
Capturing the media’s attention with your press release is essential for successful outreach. Discover the secrets to writing a press release that the media can’t avoid and increase your chances of getting noticed in a competitive media landscape.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about using press releases to build your business, we have just a few words of advice: go for it! Press releases can be an invaluable tool in attracting new customers and getting media attention, but they also have the potential to help you retain old ones.
So before you write that next press release, take a moment to think about how it will affect your business and whether or not it’s worth doing, and if so, which type would be best suited for your needs?
Further Reading
How a Press Release Can Boost Your Business: Explore how press releases can have a positive impact on your business’s growth and visibility.
A Comprehensive Press Release Template: Get access to a comprehensive press release template that guides you through creating effective press releases for your business.
Mastering the Art of Writing a Press Release: Learn the essential steps and techniques for writing a compelling press release that captures attention and generates results.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using press releases for business growth?
Press releases offer a powerful way to showcase your business achievements, attract media attention, and increase your brand’s visibility in the market.
How do I write an effective press release?
An effective press release includes a catchy headline, relevant information, quotes from key stakeholders, and clear contact details for media inquiries.
Can I use a press release template for my business?
Yes, press release templates provide a structured format to ensure you include all necessary details and present your news in a professional manner.
What should I consider when distributing a press release?
When distributing a press release, consider targeting relevant media outlets, using an attention-grabbing subject line, and timing your release to align with industry trends.
How can press releases contribute to my overall PR strategy?
Press releases can contribute to your PR strategy by creating buzz around your business, enhancing your credibility, and communicating important updates to your target audience.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.