Press Release 101: How to Create Your First Press Release

Press Release 101: How to Create Your First Press Release

You may have heard the benefits of press releases: links back to your website, SEO, exposure to a new audience, the list goes on and on. All of this will cost you, but another bonus is that the cost won’t break the bank!

So congratulations…you’ve just decided to create your first press release! Let’s talk about how to get started.

1. PR template

Since press releases are different creatures than other types of writing, start with a press release template like this one.

2. Optimize, optimize, optimize

Now it’s time to write your post. Remember to use these basic SEO rules as you write:

  • Incorporate your keywords into your title, release, and links.
  • Add the press release to your own blog/website.
  • Incorporate photos and videos in your release to improve reader engagement.

3. Publish your release

PR Newswire and PRWeb are the two larger press release engines. Each have pros and cons, but I personally prefer PRWeb. Each press release site will also give you a variety of packages to choose from. Simply pick the one that is going to work the best for your needs! To give you an example, here is what PRWeb offers:

Basic ($99/release)

  • Release hosted on PRWeb
  • Release appears on search engines and news sites

Standard ($159/release)

  • Release sent to thousands of news outlets
  • Social media sharing is incorporated to help your release go viral

Advanced ($249/release)

  • More SEO capability compared to other releases
  • Release submitted to premium news sites like StreetInsider and the International Business Times

Premium ($349/release)

  • Release submitted to premier news outlets like the New York Times, USA Today and more, through the Associated Press
  • Include video, attachments, images and links to engage your customers and encourage people to share your story

Financial ($449/release)

  • Release submitted to top business and financial sites including Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and more.
  • Release can reach the investors, analysts and financial journalists important to their business

4. Use social media

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want to incorporate social media into the mix. Sure, your release will be published on a number of different websites, but get the most bang for your buck using social media. So, every time you publish a release, post on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and any other medium you use.

Have you created a press release in the past? What worked or didn’t work?

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