April 6th, 2010

A Press (media) release is one of the most cost-effective ways to get promotion for your online business — FREE. Many businesses ignore this type of promotion simply because they don’t know how to write a press release. It’s important to promote your online business with press releases because of the wide coverage of the media all over the internet and in your local area.

Here are some press release writing tips to get you started

• Your press release should sound like news, not an ad.
• You should only send your press release to the media related to the topic of your press release.
• Keep your press release one page in length.
• Your contact information and release date should be at the top of your press release.
• Use short sentences and double line spacing in between sentences.
• Your headline and first few sentences should capture the readers attention.
• You should tell a story and briefly mention your business, product or service in the body of the press release. Dont oversell.
• Proofread your press release many times. Look for grammar and spelling mistakes.

What should you write about in a press release?

Another reason business owners ignore promoting their online business with press releases is because they don’t know what’s worth writing about. Here are some online press release ideas:

• New products or services you’re offering on your web site
• The results of an online survey or poll you’ve completed
• A virtual trade show or seminar you’re hosting
• Your opening of a new web site
• An online award your business or web site has won
• A free e-mail newsletter you’re publishing
• A new online product or service you’re giving away
• An online business association or club you’re starting
• A famous person that’s endorsing your business
• A major joint venture you’re doing with another business
• A new book or e-book you wrote
• A fundraising event you’re doing at your web site or business
• A new contest or sweepstakes you’re having at your site
• A major sponsorships you’re doing online

You can get other ideas and tips for press releases by reading other press releases in the newspapers or online. I hope this article persuades and helps you to promote your business through press releases.

Where do you submit a press release?

There are many many places that you can send a press release – some are free and others are paid sites.  Choose whichever suites your advertising budget (… suggest you try the free sites, first).

Do the following Google search (for the country which is your targeted region) (copy and paste into the search box):

“press release” submit site:co.za             (for all places ending in .co.za)
“media release” submit “south africa”

“submit a press release”

Smaller local “dorp” newspapers

I have also found that that the smaller “dorp” local newspapers in South Africa are always looking for information and very often will place a well-written press release free of charge – they might even follow it up with a personal interview! Perfect free advertising!

They also love receiving news about successful events or happenings – even after the event, especially if you can supply them with good interesting photographs.

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Tags: media release, press release

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