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Anyone used press release for promoting their products?

by raj5
9 replies
Hey Warrior members

I just wanted to ask has anyone had any experiences with press releases to get targeted traffic for their products or affiliate products?

Is it worth the cost of doing a press release?

Thanks
Raj.S
#press #products #promoting #release
  • Profile picture of the author p2y
    With press releases your main goal should be to get exposure, not traffic and sales. That's not to say a press release won't bring in sales, but too many people try and make their press releases look like a sales letter instead of focusing on getting exposure. With press releases you have access to people who can write a story about your product/website or feature it on their radio program, tv show, magazine, or newspaper so you should take that opportunity first and then focus on getting sales.
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    • Profile picture of the author J. Barry Mandel
      Sorry p2y, but IMO you're way off base...

      The goal of any marketing or advertising medium IS to get sales - otherwise why bother throwing away money on ineffective marketing strategies :confused:

      If you're thinking brand awareness you should realize that large, corporations toss millions away in a single campaign when they can use other marketing strategies that gets them a much higher ROI then a brand awareness strategy :rolleyes:


      Originally Posted by p2y View Post

      With press releases your main goal should be to get exposure, not traffic and sales. That's not to say a press release won't bring in sales, but too many people try and make their press releases look like a sales letter instead of focusing on getting exposure.
      And while press releases can be used for offline purposes as you have described they can ALSO be used for online purposes. With over 500,000 PR outlets world wide it would be a waste to only go after offline exposure when MASSIVE online exposure is easily within anyone's fingertips

      Originally Posted by p2y View Post

      With press releases you have access to people who can write a story about your product/website or feature it on their radio program, tv show, magazine, or newspaper so you should take that opportunity first and then focus on getting sales.
      Otherwise feel free to take a look at my press release software in my sig below
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      • Profile picture of the author neverknow1
        Yes, I do use press release selectively for my new sites promotion.

        It really helps in getting a lot of exposure on long term basis.
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        Steve

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        • Profile picture of the author boaterscott
          FREE press is the best. I've recently had really good success, and here's how I did it.

          I started local - I came up with angle for my local newspaper and tv news station. I live in Boise, fairly small city. After several attempts, the local newspaper picked up my story and wrote an article. Then the local news channel contacted me, and they are going air it probably next week.

          I've interviewed several editors (6 to be exact), and here's what I got from them:

          #1 Keep your press release very very short - about 300 words max (every one said they toss anything that's looks long). Get right to the point.

          #2 Your pitch should include why your product, service whatever benefits the audience. In other words - how have you helped someone with your product or service (I had to get creative but I came up with an angle)

          #3 Call the editor personally. Ask if they have a minute to talk. Tell them what you have and who you are. Be polite and brief. It was hard for me to do this as I was nervous, but I overcame it. Several news outlets didn't get back to me, but one did.

          From how it was explained to me - the national news channels look at all of the local affiliates (local news stations) every day for interesting stories. I'm hoping my piece in the local news will get noticed and written up or reported on national news. I'll keep you posted, but it's starting to look good
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          • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
            I started local - I came up with angle for my local newspaper and tv news station. I live in Boise, fairly small city. After several attempts, the local newspaper picked up my story and wrote an article. Then the local news channel contacted me, and they are going air it probably next week.
            In many cases, you can get local publicity just by sending a simple email or making a quick phone call.

            You must be prepared to explain in just a couple of sentences exactly why the story would be of interest to that media outlet.

            Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    I do think press releases can be used for backlinks though. I mean it doesn't hurt. It is yet another way to get your site out there, and even if no one is reading it, it will be an active link.

    If you have something that you really want to have exposure though, then its worth it to pay for a press release that is distributed by a place like prweb.

    Matt
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  • Profile picture of the author jacktackett
    You should think or PR as more farming than hunting. Not a lot of immediate results but over time the exposure and backlinks can definitely help build traffic etc.

    This also depends on your market as well. For local and offline businesses press releases and PR campaigns are very important (ok - IMHO) but for immediate sales probably not so much so. The reason is most places that would use a PR want a story - not a sales pitch. And with an affiliate sale - typically you want a sale to get the commission - not a story to help build up traffic over time.

    The real answer to your question is to TEST. Maybe you have an affiiate product that will do great in PR. I doubt that but would be pleasantly surprised to find otherwise.
    Also there are now plenty of free places to put PR - but as Matt suggested these are more for building links than selling. All it would cost you is time.

    As for paying to place a PR - you have several options. The big boys are services like Business Wire where a small regional release can run $700 or more per release. Next are places like PRWeb - which I've used in the past but that was when it was $10 to post a release, not the $80+ now - and at the low end I've had some great luck with webwire at 10$ per release. Now this was for my offline business, not my IM work.

    I also used PR for the WF seminar last fall - but the tracking showed I got -0- results from that. YMMV, but I suggest testing before spending a lot of time and/or money.

    Good luck!
    best,
    --Jack
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I use Press Releases often, there are some free posting ones as well. Here is some of the training I offer on Press Releases:

    Distribute Your Press Release

    Once your Press Release is finalized, distribute it ASAP!

    Step One: Create an account on each distribution site.

    Step Two: Complete your profile using your personal business name (i.e. John Doe Marketing). You must be the owner of the subject company in order to distribute a Press Release about it.

    Step Three: Input your Press Release, keywords and contact information.

    Step Four: Double check the information you have entered. Make sure the information is 100% correct and you are proud of your content ... remember, once submitted your Press Release cannot be edited!

    Step Five: Submit your Press Release.

    Note: these steps may differ slightly from site to site.

    We recommend the following distribution sites:

    *
    Press Release Distribution Services - WebWire
    *
    Press Release Service and Distribution - 24-7PressRelease.com
    *
    http://www.free-press-release.com
    *
    PRWeb Press Release Distribution Increases Online Visibility and Web Traffic
    *
    PR Log - Free Press Release Distribution & Free Press Release Submission
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  • Profile picture of the author thescribe
    Press releases are an excellent means of promotion. However, you want to be sure that your press release does not read like an advertisement - many miss the mark on that one. A press release should be something newsworthy. Even if it seems that your product is bit ordinary, be creative and find a unique angle to promote it.
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    CLICK HERE for top quality PLR content...
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