August 2009

Writing Press Releases In The Age Of SEO

by Suzie Ashmore

A publicist’s greatest tool, the press release is a staple in any copywriter’s arsenal. Writing a press release is said to be a talent for some of the best in the field. However, with a few tips and a little practice even a novice writer creating an effective press releases.

It is a common misconception that press releases are just another form of advertisement. On the contrary, they are simply an announcement–often more like an invitation than an ad. When used properly, press releases are meant to draw attention to a specific item, be it a news story, new product, service, etc. In short, it’s supposed to make the reader want to know more information about the item described.

First, there’s the formatting. The service that you use to circulate your press release may have their own guidelines. Follow them. If not, here’s some things to remember.

Think of a strong, eye-catching headline. It is the first thing that people will see and will decide whether they read on or throw your press release into the trash pile.

Make sure that your release contains genuinely newsworthy information. Not everything is news a new product launch or a new website can be news. Changes in senior level company personnel can be news. Starting your new business is also news. What you shouldn’t do with a press release is mistake it for a sales pitch or an advertisement; that’s not what a PR is for. You need to tell your story objectively in this format or risk turning off readers, especially journalists, editors and other media professionals.

When writing the body, keep in mind that you are inviting your listener to seek more information, not convincing them to buy something. How do you invite these info-seekers? Use facts, to tell about your item; tell the who, what, where, and why. Save the hype for later and the fluffy adjectives for creative writing.

Now as for making your PR SEO friendly, you’ll want to make the headline a link to your site; you can also include a link at the bottom of the release, following the body and one link within the body of the release as well. Don’t overdo it with the links though, as this will be distracting to readers.

Your keyword use matters here too. Use the same kind of SEO best practices as you would on your webpage. Use keywords in your headline and naturally throughout the body of the release. Don’t make the mistake of packing your release with keywords; this can lead to it being ignored by search engines and makes it difficult to read remember to write for human readers first and search engines second.

A well written search engine optimized press release can do a lot for your business. It can raise your profile, bring in new clients and give you some invaluable free exposure in the media. Writing SEO press releases for the web is a skill well worth learning; or at least hiring a professional copywriter to do for you there are a lot of benefits to be had and the press release remains as valuable of a marketing tool, possibly more so than ever.

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Filed under Internet Marketing by Freddie Burch

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Email = Successful Viral Marketing

by Steve Shaw

Are you sometimes surprised or amazed on how a high traffic website drive lots of traffic to their website? Others pay huge sums of money to get traffic to their site, others use advertising campaigns and a variety of marketing approaches.

There is no need for you to spend big bucks to drive traffic to your site. There are lots of ways to create website traffic without even touching your own money. One way is through viral marketing.

Viral marketing has a range of techniques and potential to reach your true goals. But in order for you to succeed, you need to plan and think of a precise system to use on a viral marketing campaign.

Spamming is one of the most easiest and time conserving ways to promote your product online. Though it is still used by lots of online marketing people. Don’t be tempted to use it as part of your marketing tool since some governments are now imposing restrictions and fines for spammers and I’m sure you don’t want to create a problem out of this. Aside from that, the professional image of your site will also be affected if you do spamming.

There is a database used by spammers that holds a vast list of email addresses. In able for the message to be sent in just one click. But there are some problems associated with it. The first is the restrictions and fines of the government that and the second one is, it irritates the people who received the message, so instead of passing it to others they just delete it.

See to it that your website is appealing to your customers. Make them feel so important, safe and cared for, each time they visit your site. Don’t forget to put your email address on it, since this is your way to communicate with them and vice versa.

In handling email permission properly, the first thing you need to do is to make your customer feel safe and secure that whatever happens their email addresses are in a good hand and you wont give it on other companies or people. Next, attach some benefits or promo and in order for them to get it, there is an email requirement.

For example: Coupons or discounts that are only available to members who receive e-mail notifications. With each e-mail you send the viral marketing effect takes place.

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Filed under Internet Marketing by Steve Shaw

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