I have been mulling this idea around inside my head for quite a while now and I think that I will just go ahead and jump in - feet first - and develop one. I haven’t produced a press release before but I have found a nice little article that I believe will help to guide the process somewhat and give me a direction in which to start.Here are “24 Killer Press Release Secrets” as created by Larry Dotson:1. Your press release should sound like news, not an ad.
2. You should only send your press release to the media related to the topic of your press release.
3. Keep your press release one page in length.
4. Your header, contact information and release date should be at the top of your press release.
5. Use short sentences and double space your lines.
6. Your header and first few sentences should grap the reader’s attention.
7. You should tell a story and mention your business, product or service in the body of the press release.
8. Proofread yoru press release many times. Look for grammar and spelling mistakes.
9. Write a press release about the new products or services you’re offering on your web site.
10. Create a press release about the results of an online survey or poll you have completed.
11. Submit a press release about a trade show or seminar you’re hosting.
12. Write a press release about no cost chat rooms classes that you’re teaching.
13. Creat a press release about your opening of a new web site.
14. Submit a press release about an online award your business or web site has won.
15. Write a press release about a free e-zine you’re publishing.
16. Creat a press release about online products or services you’re giving away.
17. Submit a press release about an online business association or club you’re starting.
18. Write a press release about a famous person that’s endorsing your business.
19. Create a press release about a joint venture you are doing with another business.
20. Submit a press release about a new book or e-book that you wrote.
21. Write a press release about an expert who is speaking in your chat room.
22. Create a press release about a fundraising event you’re doing at your web site.
23. Submit a press release about major sponsorships you’re doing online.
24. Submit a press release about a new contest or sweepstakes you’re having at your site.
There are some nice ideas here as to what a Press Release can pertain to. There are also some formatting issues addressed in this article. I hope that it can help others with their press releases.
I have immersed myself in articles and e-books. They are wonderful! You can find great articles and e-books at www.vanetworking.com. You can also find a large variety on www.virtual-profressionals.com. www.free-ebooks.net has volumes of books that encompass the gamut of topics. FREE being the key word here.
As I am still in the final stages of closing my father’s estate, I am only touching the surface of my VA business life. You can probably see this as there are only a few postings I’ve managed to write. Very sad, I must say. I have found it hard to get out there and market Virtual Alliance 2U amidst the chaos of representing an estate. I never knew what went into this. Hmm… just maybe I have found another service I could possible offer down the road.
Anyhoo, I have found so many great articles and e-books about marketing and running a small business that I should be well versed in these areas when I am finally ready to jump in, which should be by mid-summer - after our move to Buffalo. Yes, New York! I am a glutton for punishment I guess!
Nonetheless - I will still continue to plug away at this and try to market my services as best I can. I miss working very much!