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Press Releases More mistakes are made with press releases in a company's communication efforts than any other. This is because of a deep lack of understanding about what press releases should accomplish as well as a deep lack of knowledge about how to go about accomplishing your goals through online press release distribution.
-- Follow AP Style - The AP Stylebook is a must-have when you write copy for online press releases. There are many good resources available to check your writing style with that of
recognized norm.
-- Inverted Pyramid - The Inverted pyramid style of press release writing means simply to include your most important information at
top of
press release. This is a hold-over from
non-digital days and still serves as an essential tenet of press releases that succeed.
-- Creative Presentation; but Newsworthy Releases - The single biggest mistake most releases make is not being newsworthy to anyone but your own organization. A creative presentation or outlook on something that is happening within your business or industry is much more likely to catch
attention of
media. Will new legislation affect your industry? How does your company solve some problem currently in
news?
-- Include Contact Information: Make sure that media have access to your with updated contact information available on your release.
Succeeding with press releases online is simple when you also follow some simple guidelines that should be illustrated within your online pr plan. Collecting Media contact information and building media relationships with journalists, reporters or influential media people is essential and should be conducted with
utmost respect for
time and attention of
media. You waste both
media's and your own time contacting people that can't do anything for you When you know who
most influential people are within your industry (which is what your research should tell you) and build relationships with them, communicating freely with them at every reasonable opportunity, you are more apt to secure access to
select group of publishers and hopefully their larger audiences - in
least garnering some "eye time." Then, when you send newsworthy information to those that are open to receiving information about your company and its products or services, you'll see your site mentioned frequently within publications of your select industry.
Email Inquiries: When contacting any one via email; it's better to be safe than sorry. That's why you should follow these recognized principles when contacting someone via email:
-- Be Honest, Polite and Succinct, Be Flashy only in your words: There is typically very little need to send HTML emails outside of advertising. If you're looking for tips on sending unsolicited email, this article is not for you (plus, you should know better!). When you are trying to contact someone to make a proposal or mention your company to them, it's good to be honest, polite and succinct. The media is using email less and less to absorb information, so
more your message seems legit
more it might generate interest from your list of influential media. Make sure to let them know that you know who they are, what they write about and most importantly how they can help you. Don't make claims you can't support and make an effort to be as succinct as possible and ever-free of blatant advertising.

Peter Prestipino is the founder and principal of SCG - Swirling Circle Online PR Group providing Internet solutions to small and medium sized businesses through online PR efforts such as mini-website development, link building, press releases and product reviews. For more information, visit http://www.SwirlingCircle.com.