Press Releases - The 2 most common mistakes 1) The first mistake is pitching your company - not a story.
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to generate publicity. Focusing on selling anything with journalists will simply not fly.
In fact, many times it will demonstrate your lack of understanding of the PR process and journalists take this very seriously.
We see this over and over. People complain that they're sending out press releases and not getting any results. When we ask them to show us samples of their press releases, it looks exactly like a brochure for their latest product.
Can the media contribute to your selling process? The simple answer is yes, but you have to give them what they want first - you have to give the media a story When you begin the writing process to create your press release, don't think about what the media can do for your business. In fact, you need to think about what you can do for them. Your press release has to contain a story that the media will want to use. When you do this you will have the impact you desire - and the sales will follow.
2. The second mistake is Press Releases that don't follow the proper format Proper Format is important!
If you do not use the proper format often the journalist will simply ignore the release completely. They surmise that if you cannot follow the accepted mode of communication with journalists - then you will not have a story they can use. Don't forget - we've often talked about how many emails and press releases a journalist get in one day - 1000's! If your Press Release is a mess - the journalist won't even get to the information.
Make sure you eliminate these two common press release mistakes and you will be on your way to creating free publicity for your business.
To learn more about this author, visit Leanne Bucaro's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 |
Related Articles |
|
 Press Releases - The Two Most Common Mistakes
|
| |
According to journalists there are two really common mistakes made by "non" PR folks when sending a Press Release.
|
|
The Press Release aka Tell Me Your Story In One Page Or Less
|
| |
The purpoes of a press release is not to tell your whole stoyr but to grab the media's attention. Keep it short, simple and think in headlines.
|
|
Getting Media Attention
|
| |
Media acknowledgement via press releases, radio, television or on-line sources can provide enormous leverage and be a ticket to success. It’s certainly not easy to gain that attention (without paying for it) but he...
|
|
Just the Facts Ma’am, Just the Facts
|
| |
There was the classic TV Show and more recently the movie, “Dragnet”. The main character, Sergeant Joe Friday, was known for the quotation, “Just the facts ma’am, just the facts.” He would let a witness to a crime t...
|
|
The Power of PR Make Yourself Newsworthy
|
| |
PR is a critical ingredient for success in a small business. Generally its free, you get into media you could not afford to advertise in and if done right can drive many prospects into your business.
|
|
|
|
