How Powerful are your Press Releases?

The main distinction between an article and a Press Release is that the Press Release announces a specific event. An article describes an opinion or simply shares information about a specific topic. For example, "Company ABC Launches a New Web Portal." In this example, you are announcing a specific event (the launch of new web site or portal).

Understanding this difference, will save you time and energy, because many distribution sites will not submit releases that are not formatted and written like a proper release.

Ideas for Specific Events:

• The launch of your new business
• The launch of your new website
• The launch of your new team
• The launch of your new blog
• A party event
• A charity event your business involved with

The focus of a Press Release should be not only to inform other people about your event but using keywords within the Press Release in order to gain high ranking positions with the search engines. In order to produce the proper keywords follow the steps:

• Make a list of 5-10 keywords that are related to the topic you chose
• Go on WordTracker and search for freekeywords. Type in your keywords, one by one
• Choose the top three keywords that have the highest number of searches
• Keep the list handy - you'll need it in the next step

This is where all the magic happens. Remember - the organization where you send your Press Release isn't interested in helping you make money or driving visitors to your site. All they look for is a story - an interesting one so more readers will flock to their articles. So it's up to you to make it interesting and make the cut.

Here are the steps to accomplish this:

Create an outline by answering the following 5 questions:

• What specific event are you announcing?
• When will this event happen?
• Who will be involved in this event?
• Why would other people be interested in reading about this event?
• Where can people find out more information? Contact info, website, email, phone/fax, etc.

Make sure you write 2-3 personal quotes to use in your press release (as if someone was interviewing you about this event). These quotes should be what you think or feel about this event. Be personal but professional. Put a human face to your company and this event. People look to connect with the human element not with a sterile event or company.

Write your release Notes along these lines:

• This is where the news reporter in you should shine. Your press release should read like a news story. Passionate, professional, and to the point. Do not ramble about one thing or another - keep it laser beam focused to what matters most
• Be sure your keyword is used at least 3-4 times in the body of your press release and in the title of your release, without feeling like you are stuffing or forcing them upon the reader
• Do not use one keyword more than 4 times in the body each release

• Check your entire text for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors
• Check if your web site URL is the correct one on the bottom of your Press Release - you won't get a second chance at this
• Double-check everything as you want the release to be as professional as possible
• Have others read it and get feedback from them
• Modify accordingly if the feedback points to a specific item in your Press Release

Once your press release is finalized, distribute it to the search engines ASAP!

Here's a resource list where you can distribute your Press Release:

• Free-press-release
• webwire
• PRweb
• 24-7pressrelease
• PRlog

Note: You will have to signup for each of the resources listed above. Once you do -do not forget to save it in your Favorites should you return back to them. Each distribution site distributes your release to many other websites.

Important Notes:

• Keep your Press Release at an effective rate of 400 words or less
• Your press release should contain your keyword 3-4 times in the body, and once in the title
• Always use your personal business name when distributing releases
• Some distribution sites will make your press release live immediately; some will require up 72 hours for approval
• The distribution site will immediately reject you if your press release sounds more like an advertisement, or a sales pitch and not a newsworthy event
• Press releases are impossible to edit after they have been distributed; make sure you are 100% sure of the content you are about to release
• Make sure you submit the same press release to a distribution site only ONCE
• You can distribute the same press release to all the different distribution sites

Even More Important Notes:

• Whenever possible, add a video into the distribution with your press release. Google loves press releases with video in them
• Some distribution sites will give you the opportunity to have your website displayed right beneath your press release. Take advantage of this option when possible. It looks very professional and adds credibility to your release

If you follow the instructions in this article, your release will begin to appear more and more on the search engines over time.