Web MarketingLesson.com

by Craig Lock

Thought I'd share a bit about using press releases as  an internet marketing tool, based on our recent  experiences.

We at Eagle Productions (NZ) have done quite a bit  of research on press release services recently and we  use them here frequently to "spread the word" about  our various sites and activities from here in far-off New Zealand to our biggest market (by far), Americans.  From this we find doing press releases to be quite  effective.

While it's hard to quantify the precise results of press releases, one thing just seems to lead to another (and usually leads to valuable "contacts and exposure" - "exciting, naughty and nice!")...and I do find submitting them to be a most effective form of advertising in the  "on and off-line world". Together with submitting my articles to announcement lists, like Article Announce,  Free Content and Publish in Yours. That is our MAIN internet marketing strategy.

A quick word of advice in writing press releases... It is vital that the press release about your business is newsworthy and try to capture attention with a good "catchy" headline. Make it "spicy and add 'zing' (like KFC) to make it sizzle!"

Also you can send your news release by "snail mail"  or by e-mail. I do all my submissions to these services  via e-mail.

Recently we've had a number of releases about our activities here on the other side of the world published by PR Web, which is a free service ("cheapskate"!)...  and traffic to our sites mentioned has increased  substantially already. Their web address is:  http://www.prweb.com.

PR Web recommends adding a link back to  them to add credibility to your web site - good idea, I think!

Incidentally, we have a press release up there at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2001/6/prweb25550.php in case you want to have a look at our format)

The Comitatus Group also offer a FREE press release service. Their web address is: http://www.comitatusgroup.com/pr/pr_save.asp

Other Press Release services we've used are: Emailwire.com: http://www.emailwire.com/. They are  mainlyfor corporate businesses, but check them out.  Also Xpress, who distribute news releases by e-mail.  (Their address is news@xpresspress.com).

You can also use eNewsRelease.com 

We have no connection with these news distribution services, but have found them all to be effective in increasing "hits" after a news release.

Use press releases to get the word out about your web site, product or service. They DO WORK in bringing traffic, the first step to ONLINE SALES.

Lastly, I don't think you need to be a writer to write good press releases. (In fact, it may work against us, as we do tend to "waffle on" a bit and sometimes I don't write in sufficient "business-speak".) My advice is just write in your own "natural" style - the one in which you feel MOST COMFORTABLE... as I've tried to do in this article.

Don't take life too seriously and have FUN writing your press releases.

Hope this may help you readers "out there" in cyberspace, as we at Eagle Productions and our associates learn  something new about on-line and off-line promotion  each day.

"Success is a PROCESS of sharing (knowledge, insights,  wisdom and experiences) with others and not simply a matter of arriving at a destination."

Take pleasure in the journey.

Craig Lock

Online Creative Writing Course http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html

The various books* that I "felt inspired to write" are available  at: http://www.novelty-gift.com/ebooks.html

* Hard copies and e-books: Fiction and non-fiction, novels on  South Africa, travel, humour, inspiration, self help and money  books 

Proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE!



"Life is about finding, then following the dream...  and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing  n yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."

http://www.elkpublications.com/godzone.htm http://www.craiglock.com