Advertise your Business for FREE with a Press Release

At the beginning of the week I posted an article intitled "10 ways to advertise your business for free". I got some questions about Press Releases.

So here are some more details about this great way to advertise your business for free.

“A press release is a written communication that purports to report on an event, circumstance or occurrence by a third party, and is provided to the news media for the purpose of promotion".
If you or your business is featured by the media, your message gains instant credibility because it is “newsworthy” as compared to an advertisement that conveys that you purchased the promotion.

And starting by getting known in your local market can really make a difference.

Things to remember when writing a press release:

- Report in the “third person”. When writing a news release, be a reporter and report on yourself or your business (ex: “According to _______, the next bla bla bla bla bla bla... …”).

- If your press release is too “hard sell” it will not gain much traction with the media. Be informative, while still including your message, then there will be a greater chance for utilization.

- Keep it short. Press releases are most effective when they are under 500 words, generally two to three paragraphs, preceded by a clear and attention grabbing headline. Succinct and to the point works best.

- Know who you're sending it to. When sending your press release to your local newspaper or magazine, make sure it will end up on the desk of the right person. Give a call first and get that name. You don't want it to end up in the junk mail.

Also...
· Provide avenues for the reader to obtain additional information, demos, samples, etc.,
· Include product or event timelines, availability, logistics, etc... in paragraph form.
· Background information about the company featured in the release, if appropriate.
· End with these characters immediately below: ###

Amanda Siska wrote an excellent ebook called “Crafting a Modern Press Release (an ebook on marketing your shop)”. You can get it for only 5$. I got one and really think it's well spend money! She even includes examples of some of her own press releases. Bread and Badger being an Etsy top seller, you bet she knows what she is talking about:)

You can view a sample press release here.

Fall and the Hollidays coming, keep this in your favorites! You may need this info sooner than you think:)

Have a great day:)