Baby step 14 Distribute a press release
Press releases are great tools - and every Webmaster should know how to write and distribute these.
Doing so correctly will help your site achieve higher rankings with the search engines.
They also provide opportunities for inbound link development when Google or any of the other search engines list the press release information online.
Additionally, you are providing relevant information to those searching for news related to your industry.
And you are ensuring your site is better represented in the search results.
What's more, you may very well get "coverage" on hundreds of relevant websites that subscribe to PRWeb (which I talk about in a few paragraphs, so just stick with me here) and its RSS feeds - and there is nothing better!
Websites will pick up your press release and you can even "archive" these on your own site for long-term link value.
Combined, all of these press release "bonuses," if you will, add up to a very powerful punch - ultimately increasing the relevant traffic to your site.
The truth is that crafting a press release that gets such results isn't difficult at all. And, I am going to show you how to do this, and keep in mind you can do a Google search for "how to write a press release" to find a number of other easy to follow tutorials. (or an Elance writer would love to do it for you)
But before we go there, let's touch on how we are going to send our press release out to the World Wide Web.
I recommend you take a minute now and check out http://www.prweb.com
As you will see, you can register for free by providing a user name and password on the left hand side of the page.
Once you have done this, take a site tour. I suggest you read press releases posted both on the homepage and in the archives (the tab for this is on the top of the homepage). This will show you how others are writing press releases.
You can choose to read only the press releases that are related to your industry AND you can set up your account so you receive these every day - delivered right to your Inbox - for free.
All you have to do is read these when they come in. You will learn more about your industry, about what your competitors are doing, about what works and what doesn't
- all of which you can use to keep your visitors informed. And, remember, that is your goal!
Of course, you can also see how press releases are written.
In fact, PRWeb now offers a "Free Webinar" that shows the basics of how the organization works, provides great press release writing tips and shows exactly how quick and easy the distribution process is - for anyone!
When you're ready, register for this Free Webinar! Trust me, here - you'll be glad you did.
And, in the meantime, I have provided a few notes on writing a press release to give you an idea of just how simple this process is:
• Use a catchy headline and make sure to incorporate your Primary keywords
• Tell the summary of the press release in the very first paragraph
• Use the body of the press release (the next few paragraphs following the first paragraph) to "bottleneck" - which is really nothing more than clearly and concisely elaborating on the first paragraph
• Sprinkle the press release with keywords AND 2 or 3 links to your pages
• And much like sales letters for your website, the press release should provide a solution. With this in mind, it is always beneficial to write with the readers "problem" in mind
• Don't forget to share with the reader how and why you are credible and are a reliable source for the information conveyed in your press release
• A press release can be friendly, but above all else, it should be written in a crisp business format
• Stick to the point
• Your press release should end with a closing that includes a call to action (when applicable) and the closing should be an "About Us" paragraph
• Try to keep the press between 400 and 500 words (The press release example that follows was written by a professional writer who regularly writes press releases for a variety of clients and news distribution services. When writing one yourself, which is easy to do, keep it short and sweet. The following example gives you a good idea of how to write and format a release and does a good job of conveying the tone and style you should use.)
• Do not use hype or come across as trying to sale. Instead, convey valuable, usable information - this more than does the trick. And, anything that sounds pushy, has too much hype, or appears to be going for the hard sale, will not be picked up. It's just that simple.
There are samples of these on the PRWeb site, - as well as instructions for distributing your press release. It is important you review these, as writing press releases and distributing them via the Net will provide you with huge returns.
As an example of a press release, I have provided one that a professional writer wrote for my upcoming BootCamp - I hope to see you there.
James Martell Shows BootCamp Attendees How To Cash-In On Online Shopping Trend - From His Hometown
Las Vegas, NV, March 27, 2006 - Competition in the arena of affiliate marketing is fierce. Few successful affiliate marketers share their closely guarded secrets and even fewer encourage others to join in on this lucrative, home-based business, or are willing to show affiliate marketing "newbies" how they, too, can cash-in on the growing online shopping trend.
All of that's about to change.
James Martell, world-renowned affiliate marketing pioneer and one of the Web's most respected leaders, is offering a three-day, one-on-one training, or Affiliate Marketing BootCamp, as he calls it.
Slated for June 4th, 5th and 6th 2006, on Canada's beautiful west coast, this training is sure to be as unique as Martell himself, with results as strong as his unparalleled online success.
Targeted to new and experienced affiliate marketers alike, or for those who already have Martell's recently refreshed "Affiliate Marketing Handbook 2006, - THIRD EDITION" (http://www.work-at-home-net-guides.com) and are looking for the extra push they need to get up and running, Martell's BootCamp packs years of his personal research, development, and experiences into just three days, making it an invaluable investment.
"More and more people are looking to work from home, where they can set their own hours, their own pace, and their own personal and financial goals," Martell explains. "This BootCamp is as much for them as it is for the individual who has dabbled in affiliate marketing and may be floundering or perhaps just procrastinating.
"This BootCamp is about learning and about finally achieving, hopefully even exceeding, personal and financial goals, just as I have done."
Attendees can expect Martell, who has expertly tapped into more than 60 different industries and boats nearly 100 specialty shopping sites via the Web, to show exactly how to:
• Research Topics
• Work with Web Publishing Software
• Choose Templates
• Develop Keyword Lists
• Use His Keyword Density Formula
• Choose Merchants
• Submit to Search Engines & Directories
• Work with Authors on Elance
• Arrange Quality Inbound Links
• Monitor Traffic
• Adjust to Online Change
Martell's BootCamp will be kicked off with a reception at the sprawling Martell home, where attendees will meet James' business partner and wife, Arlene, and have a chance to discuss with the couple exactly how they have carved out enviable success as affiliate marketers.
And, because Martell feels strongly about family time and family involvement, he is offering a 50% discount on BootCamp fees to all enrolling spouses. What's more, all meals during the conference are on Martell and include a dining experience at his favorite local restaurant, making this a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
For more information about Martell's Affiliate Marketing BootCamp, go to http://www.affiliate-marketers-bootcamp.com/
About James Martell: (http://www.jamesmartell.com/) James Martell resides with his wife Arlene and four children Adam, Justin, Shelby and Victoria in White Rock, B.C., a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. Although a carpenter by trade, James has been in business for himself most of his adult life. Immediately before his foray into website publishing in 1999, he owned and operated two successful telecom services in the Vancouver area; one was an innovative idea that used a simple voicemail platform to offer extended-local-calling for a flat fee instead of the usual per-minute rates charged by the local phone company and the other service offered residents of Vancouver a series of telephone-based information hotlines, such as Movie Listings, Winning Lotto numbers and Road Reports.
Finally he discovered the lucrative world of Affiliate Marketing from an associate who was doing well offering consumers free ISP accounts. Eager for similar success, James built his first website with FrontPage using the "know how" his friend taught him. Soon he was getting a staggering 5,000+ visitors a day through natural search results at the major search engines. Within six-months he branched out with four additional sites, providing an excellent monthly income similar to his former traditional business, while working from home, setting his own hours and finally enjoying the financial freedom and time with his family he desired.
After first teaching a few of his friends the basic rules he formulated and then seeing them succeed, too, James launched workshops to train others. The success of his teachings led him to release a downloadable training version of the live classes, the original James Martell's Affiliate Marketers Handbook, which now, three years later, has been revised and updated to become the most comprehensive handbook available today. (http://www.work-at-home-net-guides.com)
About Net Guides Publishing Inc.: (http://www.work-at-home-net-guides.com/) Located in Las Vegas, NV, Net Guides US corporate headquarters is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 2002, Net Guides currently boasts nearly 100 specialty shopping sites spanning across more than 60 industries. Net Guides publishes the "Affiliate Marketers Handbook" and the respected twice-monthly audio newsletter, called the "Affiliate Buzz" and employs freelance writers from around the world.
TIP: If you plan to use press release submission as a strategy to develop inbound links to your site, I would recommend that you begin with one, and then consistently distribute a new one each month.
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