Basics Of A Successful Press Release

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This is some info I wrote up about the very basics of a successful Press Release. Thought some members could find this information helpful. I hope you enjoy it!



Basics Of A Successful Press Release
#copywriting #basics #press #release #successful
  • Matthew,

    Thank you for this useful information i've just read it and already I have a better understanding of the basics of a successful press release.

    Regards

    Juskaren
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Sweet piece. Always glad to see warriors contributing knowledge. This place is great
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • i am getting ready to self-publish my first book and need all the help i can get-THANKS! Dr. Mike
  • Awesome stuff. I've actually just had my first press release published and picked up by several websites. I was wondering if you have any projections for a successful PR, as in, what sort of numbers can you expect from a good PR? Total impressions vs read throughs etc and over what course of time.
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    • Thanks for the info

      Good one Useful
    • Eric, it's very important to remember what a press release actually is....

      Press Release - A story idea, in a written form (press release), which is placed in front of the eyes of targeted media. The aim is to interest them and prompt them to run a story in their newspaper, on their TV or radio station and also as part of their online coverage.

      Simply submitting it to free sites is nothing more than self-publishing an article! I can tell you now, having spent ten years myself as a journalist with the BBC - the media don't trawl free sites looking for stories to cover!

      If you're looking for impressions, read throughts and conversions - stick to article marketing as this is all it essentially is.

      You'll rarely, if ever get a member of the media running a story on you just because you plastered your story over the internet.

      The whole meaning of a press release has become glossed over in the IM world. I always joke they should now be called 'Search Engine Releases' - as the press are the last people that will ever be interested in them!

      If you want real press release distribution - you need to find someone or a service that will build you a targeted list, distribute to those journalists invidual inboxes and fax machines - and then call them personally and push them into running a story on you.
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  • Useful stuff, thanks!

    Andy
  • Thanks for this info Matthew...that headline analyzer could also be useful

    3M
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    • Thanks! Actually working on a press release for a new site. Using the headline analyzer I was able to get one with 71% EMV, and it's compelling too. Probably try that one out.
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  • Yes, these are good tips indeed. I'am trying to write a release and currently reading an ebook on this topic. let's see my release gets approved or not.
  • That headline analyzer is not a good judge of headlines.
  • Great stuff! Don't forget to send your PR to the free PR sites, like PRLog.org. You can get your press release in front of trillions of people for free!
  • Wow, thanks for sharing this Matthew. Every tool you shared gives a great insight into press release writing and I really appreciate such a contribution. You could have charged money for this you know
    Anyway, thanks!
  • thanks for sharing this, i've been meaning to learn about press releases
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    • Good post. You could expand that and turn it into something marketable at some point.
  • While I think it's great you're trying to share, that is a horrible article, rife with misinformation.

    The guy didn't touch on ONE THING that makes a press release successful.

    Follow that info at your own risk.

    -Daniel

    EDIT: Just realized this was your own work. Shameless self-promotion, and the work's not even any good. In fact, the stuff you're putting in there is just wrong. Shame on you, sir.
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    • can you point out in which ways this information is wrong Sir. if you point out to the flaws than it helps us all if you cannot point out to the flaws than no need to confuse all the members.
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  • Hi Mathew,

    I'm always looking to improve my writing and thought I would check out what you have written.

    Thanks very much!
  • thanks for the share, definitely learned a few things that I didn't think of previously.

    I also agree with them being "search engine releases" in the IM community. To me a successful press release encourages others to talk about the news you are releasing, and gets your point across. Most press releases won't be trying to sell them on something as much as letting them know about something new.
  • The problem that most marketers or businesses have when it comes to sending out a press release is they make it read like an "Ad" rather than having a legit or newsworthy angle, which is what a true press release should be.

    It should sound journalistic, but have an interesting angle. Newsworthy means...what's different about it? It's something that doesn't happen every day.
  • Nice post, thank you
  • Matthew,

    I think your article is exactly what you described - the basics of press release writing and distribution.

    But what I don't get is why people think that press release distribution is all about submitting your news story to press release distribution websites.

    Doesn't anyone know what real press release distribution is? Targeting the inbox of editors at publications related to your news? Requests for inclusions? Cultivating a relationship with the editors and media contacts that will actually be interested in your story...am I alone here?

    Remember people - sending your press release out to just websites - including PRWeb and Webwire - is the lowest form of press release distribution possible. It's the spun PLR vomit of the press release world. This type of distribution indiscriminately posts your press release to hundreds of unrelated media outlets, most of which readily put your release in the proper place - the trash.

    If you're just looking for SEO, don't bother with press releases. There are MUCH more powerful ways to rank in the SERPs. In fact, here's a tip that you can take to the bank:

    Google doesn't care about the links in your press release.

    Why?

    They're generally not supposed to be there - at least not in the way that everyone here uses them for SEO. A press release with a bunch of links in it is nothing more than spam unless your message is totally amazing.

    It's not.

    A press release is not an advertisement, ladies and gentlemen.
    • [1] reply
    • I find it funny that on your site your offer to SEO a press release

      "Full SEO and keyword optimization
      Thorough keyword research - Makes your release more visible online.
      Backlinks with anchor text - Pushes readers onto your site and improves your Google ranking!"

      Although I will say that inboxing to journalists is actually pretty cool. It just seems to me that attacking people who are trying to make it using free methods while learning a technique isn't the way to gain customers.

      I venture to say for the price that you are submitting press releases

      "Press Release Distribution: Manually submitted to a custom list of 15 PR4 - PR8 press release sites: $35"

      That the sites are free as well, there isn't any profit margin for you if your submitting to paid sites.

      I read the article and although I don't agree with some of what's being said, I think its a great effort to understand a concept. If his view of a concept is wrong, rather than attacking him perhaps you could be more helpful to breakdown why you say its wrong rather than attack his work. Shame on you, sir

      Regards,
      Clint
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  • Interesting debate brewing here.

    I also agree that PRWeb isn't the way to go. I have invested $15,000 in my distribution software - and it takes the story directly to the journalist's desks and inboxes - not just a bunch of online submissions.

    The only online submission I include is Google News - and that's only because virtually every client asked for it, so I listened and partnered.

    I find that this more traditional form of submission works. My clients get great coverage in some elite places - they get interviewed and get everything from small spotlight focuses right through to prestigious TV spots.

    Way more useful than paying $200 to let PRWeb sneeze it out across the net. Where's the credibility there when it's distributed in it's raw form, without a journalist having ever intervened to give their 2-cents?
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    • That was a great follow-up. Here is a question for you. When using Press Releases in the manner that your service provides, how does that help an affiliate marketer? Or a network marketer promoting their business?

      I understand the "SEO Press Release" helps with an initial traffic increase that eventually dies over time. As well as the backlinks that you can get from some PR sites.

      I am just curious as to how your method of distributing the PR can help those two particular internet marketers.

      Regards,
      Clint
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  • Thanks. Really awesome.
  • Thanks so much for this one. I really needed this because I wanna improve my PR writing skills.
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