Press releases are a great way to get your company’s name out there and drive traffic to your site. But that’s not all! Press releases also allow you to build relationships with other news outlets, increase brand awareness, and even generate leads.
In this post, we’ll cover how to write press releases that will be picked up by major news organizations. We’ll cover everything from how they work, why they’re important for SEO purposes, and what makes a good one stand out among the rest (hint: there’s more than just length).
Let’s dive in!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Crafting compelling press releases can significantly boost website traffic. |
| 2. Learning to write attention-grabbing headlines is crucial for grabbing readers’ interest. |
| 3. Incorporating relevant keywords and optimizing content can enhance search engine visibility. |
| 4. Utilizing multimedia elements like images and videos can make press releases more engaging. |
| 5. Building relationships with journalists and media outlets can amplify the reach of your press releases. |
Write The Headline First
The headline is the most important part of your press release, so make sure to put some thought into it before starting. It should be short and powerful, with a strong call-to-action that gets readers to click through.
Headlines should be written in the present tense, even if they’re about events that happened in the past (e.g., “Our CEO Earns $1 Million In First Year”). Headlines are also typically written using question format (“Will You Be The Next Success Story?”).
This helps grab attention quickly because it creates curiosity and encourages people to click through.
Lastly, headlines are usually written using an active voice or rather than writing passive sentences such as “We were founded by three entrepreneurs” or “Our founder built us from scratch,” you’d write something like “Three Entrepreneurs Founded Us” or “Our Founder Built Us From Scratch.” This ensures that your copy stays engaging and easy to follow from start to finish!
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Write A Compelling News Hook In The Lead Of Your Press Release
The lead is the first paragraph of your press release. It’s also the most important part of your press release because it’s what will persuade a news outlet to publish your story.
You need to write a compelling news hook in the lead that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more about what you have to say. It should be short but should have just enough information for people to understand why they should keep reading (without being too much).
The best way to do this is by writing it in present tense!
Describe The Problem Your Product Solves
Describe the problem, not the solution.
You should describe the problem that your product solves, and then let your reader know how it solves it. For example: “The pain of breastfeeding is real and it lasts longer than you might think!”
Use Concrete Examples
This is one of my favorite ways to stand out from other press releases: use examples to demonstrate how people feel about a problem or why they need help solving it.
For example: “One mother said she was so desperate for relief from her sore breasts after breastfeeding her newborn that she had no choice but to take a break from breastfeeding and go back to using formula.” Or “Another said she felt angry when her husband suggested she give up nursing their newborn because he didn’t want another baby shower gift.”
Avoid jargon, especially industry-specific terms like ‘engagement’ or ‘ROI’. Instead, say things like “Our product increases user engagement by two times over traditional methods (or whatever statistic applies)” or “We’ve seen an ROI of 25% when compared with other industry averages (or whatever number applies).
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Mention Proof Points Like Research Or Stats (If Possible)
If you can, include some research or statistics that back up your claim. For example, if you’re writing about a new service for dog owners to get their pet microchipped, mention that the average cost of a lost dog is $1,000 and that over half of all dogs are never returned to their owners.
Don’t be afraid to cite your sources! If you’re quoting someone else’s findings, make sure they’re verifiable (and have links) so people know where the information came from.
Create A Company Bio
A company bio serves as an introduction to your brand. It’s a short, informative document that describes the history of your business and what makes you different from other companies in the same field.
It can also include information about your mission, values, and goals. You might even want to include information about the people behind the scenes who make it all possible.
You can use this on your website or social media accounts so that visitors will get a good idea of what they’re getting themselves into before they join up with you or buy anything from you – which means they’ll be more likely to do so!
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Add Contact Information/Details
Include an address and the contact person’s phone number, email address, and social media handles. If you’re hosting a press event or launching something new, including the time and place, too.
A great press release also includes a bio of your spokesperson (if you have one), their title, photo, and social media handle so that journalists can see them as an authority on the subject matter. They’re more likely to follow up with that person if they know who they are!
Attach Images, Video, And Other Media (If Possible)
If you have the opportunity, attach images, video, and other media. Images can be used to illustrate your point or tell a story that expands on your press release.
If you’re releasing a new product or service and are having an event at which the product/service will be showcased, consider creating short videos of people using it as well as one or two interviews with key players involved in creating it.
Videos are great because they allow you to show people what they’ll get when they purchase from you instead of just telling them about it. You can also use images with text overlays to drive home your points in visually appealing ways.
Use Proper Grammar And Spelling
- Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct.
- Use spell check, and if you’re still not sure of the spelling of a word, look it up! There are lots of ways to do this; here’s one example.
Know what your most common errors are and pay extra attention to them when proofreading. For instance, I tend to leave out the apostrophe when writing articles where someone is named “John Smith.” Therefore, I always have my eyes peeled for that simple mistake in case I’ve made one again!
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Writing Your Press Release In Third Person
When it comes to writing your press release, you should be using the third person. When we say “third-person,” we mean that you are writing as though you are describing someone else’s actions instead of your own. For example, if I use the first person and say: “I’m writing a press release now.” That sounds weird!
But if I use the third person and say: “He is writing a press release now.” It makes sense! This translates into your headlines and body copy as well You will get traffic from this one simple trick!” Instead of: “I will get traffic from this one simple trick!”
Don’t Oversell Your Product/Service
The best press releases are those that are simple, to the point, and don’t oversell your product/service. Don’t make claims that you can’t back up.
Don’t use hype or hyperbole. These include words like: “best”, “only”, “most”, and “ultimate”. Also, avoid superlatives (e.g., “the most exciting thing since sliced bread”). All of these are used so often that they sound disingenuous and cheapen your brand image in the eyes of readers – including journalists!
And don’t forget – these words will also erode trust between you and potential customers if they feel as though they’re being manipulated into buying something because it’s labeled as such.
Writing Press Releases That Drive Traffic Is Not Easy
There are many pitfalls to avoid when writing a press release, so here’s a quick rundown of what you should be doing and what you should not do:
- Write in the third person (not the first person).
- Don’t oversell your product or service try to focus more on the customer experience.
- Avoid jargon, superlatives, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs.
Want to ensure your press release gets the media coverage it deserves? Learn how to achieve press coverage that drives results by checking out our guide on getting press coverage with a press release. Following these strategies will increase the chances of your press release catching the eye of journalists and influencers.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to learn more about writing press releases that drive traffic, we highly recommend reading this post. It has everything you need to know about how to write the perfect press release and get it published on major news sites around the world.
Further Reading
Explore these resources to learn more about increasing website traffic:
Increase Website Traffic: 40+ Tips to Boost Traffic to Your Site Short Description: Discover over 40 actionable tips to effectively boost traffic to your website and attract more visitors.
Effective Strategies to Drive Traffic to Your Website Short Description: Learn about effective strategies that can help drive traffic to your website, ensuring its visibility and reach.
Proven Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Website Short Description: Explore proven methods and tactics to increase the traffic to your website and maximize your online presence.
FAQs
How can I increase website traffic effectively?
Increasing website traffic can be achieved through various strategies such as optimizing content for search engines, leveraging social media marketing, and running targeted advertising campaigns.
What role does content quality play in driving website traffic?
High-quality and relevant content attracts visitors and encourages them to stay on your website longer, increasing the chances of engagement and conversions.
Are there any specific SEO techniques to boost website traffic?
Yes, implementing on-page SEO techniques like optimizing meta tags, using relevant keywords, and improving website speed can significantly contribute to driving organic traffic.
How does social media contribute to increasing website traffic?
Social media platforms provide opportunities to share content, engage with your audience, and drive traffic back to your website through shared links and engaging posts.
Can paid advertising help in increasing website traffic?
Yes, paid advertising, such as pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, can drive targeted traffic to your website quickly by displaying ads to users searching for specific keywords or demographics.
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.
