So what makes some businesses/people stand out online while others fade off into Internet haze? There's a method to this madness and I'm going to explain it to you.

Pretend you were a resident in XYZ community. Now how would you make yourself known as part of neighborhood? Maybe by associating with your neighbors, participating in community groups, maybe even running for council. You could stay home and just keep to yourself, but no one will know who you are or what you stand for. It's same online.

The Internet may be a different kind of neighborhood, but it's still a community of people, and it functions on same principals.

In order to get your business or name out there, you need to create a buzz. To create that buzz you need to get involved in various online activities. You should be doing some, or all of following on a weekly basis to get your name out there amongst people.

1) Post to various web based bulletin boards

2) Publish your own Ezine/Newsletter

But don't toss a good press release once it's distributed! There are other ways to get continued coverage from that one piece of writing.

USE IT IN YOUR SALES COMMUNICATION

Whether this includes a sales kit, a welcome packet for new members, or a direct mail campaign, including a nicely printed copy of one or more press releases will be both useful and impressive. Why not dash off a copy of it, with your handwritten "hello, thought you'd like to hear news" to old leads?

Did you have a fabulous quarter? Have you expanded to include a new product or service? Are you ahead of a trend? A press release like this informs and also hints at professionalism. (And when you DO get that call from a harried reporter wanting information about your company, you'll have it ready.)