PRESS RELEASE WRITING AND DISTRIBUTION

A professionally written press release can make the difference between a successful press release and an unsuccessful press release. There are many factors involved that assist in making a press release successful, for example timeliness and newsworthiness, delivery of a press release is very critical. If you have the best written press release in the world and there is no one to read it then it becomes worthless, so it is important to get it in front of the media people that are looking for newsworthy press releases.

Publicity is the most cost-effective marketing tool that there is and as opposed to straight advertising it is the part of a marketing strategy that builds true  credibility. There are many new companies out there in competitive industries that are looking to gain the edge over their competition. for these companies publicity is vital to them building credibility within their industry and in the public eye.

Writing a quality, newsworthy press release is essential and how to do this is to evaluate what you news you are looking to write about . Sure you can just advertise your product or service, which is definitely essential as well, but when your company, service or product is written about by a writer for a publication you gain credibility. One of the ways that these journalist are going to know about what you offer is through press releases.

A well-written release can assist in increasing your company's sales dramatically, give your company exposure to the public and enhance your company's image. So in short the way to build up credibility is by having your newsworthy press release picked up by the media and journalist.

NAMC can be an asset to your company. Contact us at 888-463-9237 or info@namcnewswire.com to find out how we can help you with your Press Release Writing, Distribution and Coverage.

We also offer our clients the ability to put their press release in audio format as part of the package.

SUBMIT YOUR PRESS RELEASE

Through our premium press release distribution these are a few places that your news could be seen at

NAMC can have your Press Release distributed to over 3,600 web sites including Yahoo News, Google News, Ask Jeeves News, CBS Marketwatch, Google News, MSN News, Lycos News, AOL News, ABC News, CNN.com and more!

Press Releases distributed by using the NAMC Newswire distribution service will have your press release accessible to over by 80,000 journalists, distribution through a Major Newswire Service and the NAMC Newswire, there is Same Day and Next Day distribution available if received by cut off time. Go to www.namcnewswire.com  to find out more. To Submit a Press Release go to PRESS RELEASE SUBMISSION 

Some Helpful Press Release Information from around the net that we felt would be a good resource for those trying to write their own press releases

There is a nasty rumor that press releases don't work. Not true!

Press releases can be a fabulous tool for business promotion ... IF they are properly written and presented.

A problem occurs because most people are not aware of the special requirements of press releases. A press release is not a page-long advertisement. A press release is not a novel.

A press release is not a tell-all promotional piece that is full of detail.

So what IS a press release and how do you write one that will actually get placed? Let's go over a few basics that will help you in your press campaign.

A CHANGE IN TARGET AUDIENCE

The first mistake commonly made is writing a press release with your business target audience in mind.

Unlike advertising copy, which is written to appeal to your customer, a press release is written to appeal to a journalist.

The journalist is not someone who is seeking to buy your product or service. A journalist is looking to fill a news need.

When writing a press release, you must meet that need by filling the reporter's requirements. Rather than answering the question, "What's in it for me", answer the question, "Why would ABC magazine's readers care"?

The headline also takes on a new focus. Rather than using a headline proclaiming the benefits of your product, use a headline that proclaims its newsworthiness.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

One common error is submitting a press release without first reading the publication.

It is virtually impossible to provide timely, news-oriented information to a site or magazine if you have no idea what interests their readers have.

Do a little homework before submitting. Visit the Web and look at the stories the site offers. Buy a copy of the magazine or newspaper and review the common interests of its readers.

By understanding what the publication is looking for, you will be able to fulfill the need and thus get a much better response from your press release.

DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU

The biggest irritant reporters have is receiving calls from writers asking if the press release was received. Worse yet, asking if it was read.

Journalists are very busy people. They get hundreds of press releases a day.

I have actually heard reporters say that they throw away the releases of those people who call them.

Resist the urge to phone. Once you submit your press release, rest assured you will be contacted if there is an interest.

PUT IT IN THE RIGHT HANDS

Just like advertisements, press releases must be placed in strategic areas. You want your news seen on major news search engines such as Google News, MSN News, Ask Jeeves News, Lycos News, Yahoo News and others. 

Also, email your press release to the appropriate person at individual magazines, newspapers and Web sites. Target those that would be read by your customers.

Be sure to find the correct name and email address for the reporter who handles stories related to your business. Releases that are sent to incorrect contacts are most likely thrown away... not forwarded on to someone else.

KISS

Keep it short silly! Press releases are not meant to tell the whole story. They are meant to give the reporter an idea of what's happening in your business that their readers need to know about.

If the journalist would like additional information or would like to arrange for an interview, he/she will call.

Your press release should be approximately 400 words - 500 maximum.

I know, all this sounds like a list of nit-picky rules. Not really. Just like with advertising copy, you must give your reader what he needs.

Write a newsworthy release that meets the criteria of the reporter and his/her subscribers. The time you take to do so will pay off. As you know - when you fill a need, you get results.