press release

FAQ: What is a Press Release?

May 12, 2023 by Erica

With the rise in social media and digital communication, the press release might seem like an outdated form of communication. But there are still plenty of good reasons for companies to issue press releases from time to time. To understand its value today, it is important to understand the role it serves. What is a press release, and how do companies use them in marketing?

Press Release Format

A press release is an official, factual statement issued by a business to members of the media. Press releases should typically offer brief summaries of the important details related to a development or story. Specifically, it should seek to answer the “Who, what, why, when, and where” of the story.

Its format should be brief and direct. The main goal of this is to inform members of the media about changes or new developments within a company. It should also explain why the story is newsworthy. Press releases should include contact information so that media members are able to follow up on the story.

Not every new business development requires this form of content. However, press releases can still be a very useful tool for businesses in a variety of situations. Press releases can be used to:

Establish credibility with the media
Open a channel of communication with media members
Improve SEO traffic
Take control of the narrative

Businesses might use a this tool to announce new policies, partnerships, or product launches. Press releases can also be used in times of crisis to address media and public concerns.

Press Release Example

Here is a press release example from McDonald’s in December of 2022, announcing a new corporate public relations partnership. This document follows a conventional format: announcement, details of involved parties, and elaboration on why the story is newsworthy.

Best Press Release Strategies: Why the One and Done Approach No Longer Works

November 6, 2017 by Erica

If you are like most consumers, you want to make sure that you are spending your money well. This means that you’re not content with purchasing from the first company you cross. Instead, you take the time to find out about the products or services so that you truly understand how they will most benefit you. You also want to be sure that the company providing the products or services is reputable and well-reviewed. Your online searches allow you to review information on news sites, social media, blogs, reviews and much more. This is exactly what your consumers are doing. They are trying to find out about you, your products and your services. You may feel that you are adequately informing them when you publish a single, strong press release about a new product or service. But, the truth is that you are selling yourself short in a world where there is a wealth of information at consumers’ fingertips.

The Value of More Than One Press Release

Professional press release writers understand that press releases are far more than an opportunity to make an announcement about a new product, service, change or event. They are a way to start and build a relationship with consumers. Even as well-written as a single press release may be, it is still a single press release. This means that it must be able to communicate quite a lot of information to a large audience in one shot. This can be an incredibly difficult task at best and an impossible one at worst.

Furthermore, even an incredibly convincing press release is unlikely to sell consumers by itself and after a single read. Consumers may go looking elsewhere for more information and then convert. They may also forget about that particular press release altogether as they come across loads of new information. Multiple press releases are far more valuable, and here is why.

Reinforce and Amplify Your Message

As mentioned earlier, a first press release can definitely gain consumer attention. However, it may not cause a conversion on its own. A second press release that communicates in a slightly different way may better gain consumer attention, not only because of what it has to say but also because it allows them to remember the first press release. A third press release, again with a new take on the topic, can reinforce and amplify your message further. Additional press releases can just serve to further build a profitable relationship with consumers.

Details

When you try to pack all the information into a single press release, you run into a problem of low readability. Internet users today will often scan articles first before deciding whether they are worthy of being more thoroughly read. Lengthy press releases are sure to be a turn-off. However, if you skip details in order to make the press release more concise and readable, you now deprive readers of valuable information that may be exactly what they are looking for. Multiple press releases solve this problem, as each one can be small, concise and detail-oriented and together they can give readers the complete picture. They can also cause readers to keep coming back for more, which increases the chances of conversions.

Reaching Different Audiences

Any single press release may appeal to some audiences and not others. This is a problem if you are really trying to reach out to them all. Smaller press releases can be designed to speak to specific audiences, allowing you to reach out to more individuals across your target audiences. For example, a company that is holding an event can send out one press release that speaks to the media. A different press release can be made that speaks to contributors and another that speaks to prospective attendees.

If you’re not sure how to write the best press releases for your brand, or you simply don’t feel you have the time to do this well, you should hire a press release writer from a press release writing service that is well-experienced in this. The benefits you reap from doing so will be many.

The Public Connection: How Press Releases Can Help Your Business Grow

August 7, 2017 by Erica

It’s been a few hard and stressful, but also exciting and fun past few months and you are finally ready to launch your new business, book, guide or service. All the time leading up to this very moment has been something that you’ve only dreamed of and is finally going to happen. However, this is not the end – it’s only the beginning. Launching a new product or service requires people to know about the product or service in order for sales to boom and your business to grow. Knowing how to write press releases isn’t your forte, but it’s a press release writer’s most valuable skill and here’s how they can help your business grow.

What are Press Releases?

First of all, let’s get familiar with what a press release actually is. Do press releases still even happen? Yes – every single day in fact! There are several websites dedicated to releasing news, most of which are about businesses and their new products. A press release is an official statement issued to a newspaper or an online news source that gives information on a specific matter. Press releases deal with facts only and generally include quotes from a past client, owner or employee of the business; quotes are the only part of a press release that includes an opinion. The press, or news, is then released to thousands of people who, if interested, can go to the business website or call the business directly.

Ways Press Release Writers Can Help Your Business

There are several ways press release writers can help grow your business, such as the following:

Increases traffic to your website: In a press release, you have the opportunity to include one or a couple of links to your blog or website. This brings your potential clients one step closer to paying for your service or product.
Provides instant exposure: As a small business just starting out, it can be hard to reach a large number of people. A press release that has great copy will allow you to build trust and authority within your field to thousands of people. Not to mention, journalists and media outlets can cover your story and with each new press release, prospective clients have a new reason to visit your website and find out more about your most recent accomplishments.
Provides a new way to reach your target audience: Press releases are industry-specific and allow you to target a specific location. This maximizes your reach and help you get in front of interested consumers.
SEO benefits: When you publish a press release to several media outlets, you receive backlinks to your website. This increases your visibility online. Including relevant keywords in each press release will optimize your press release and allow you reap the SEO benefits.

You Can Reach Your Business Goals

It doesn’t matter if you’re a start up or have a huge business . If you’re not reaching enough people or your target audience, your business could be suffering. This is why we’ve made press releases a priority and include it in marketing strategies. Press releases allow you to continually reach your target audience and keep them interested. This is all while making sure it doesn’t break the bank. If your not products don’t reach the right people, let us help! We can create a strategy that will help you reach your business goals. Contact us today to find out how we can help.