Online Press Release Tips Requested

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Permalink Reply by Philip Zelinger on November 6, 2009 at 4:33pm

Hi Finney,

Well, first I should mention that recent advertising industry analytics have confirmed that social networking and blogging have severely limited the exposure enjoyed by Press Release sites that typically offer targeted distribution of your Press Releases to appropriate real and virtual world media channels. I can list some sample free services like PR-USA.Net or pay per service sites like PRWebDirect but the best advice is to Google Online Press Release Sites and surf the web for options.

That said, you may want to also search for local community forums that would accept your post or appreciate a relevant reply to their blogging or social networking portals suggesting that the Community join you in your efforts. Chamber sites, large local employers, school systems, fraternal organizations are all often welcome hosts. Similarly, your local newspapers, magazines and radio or cable channels are always looking for content to fill in late night programing or empty page space at deadline. Of course if you are advertising on any of these media then packaging in a free community based promotion is only fair. After all, what are friends for!

Finally, I assume that you already have a dealer sponsored blog or social networking page - or at least some of your employees do - and providing them with the turnkey copy and pictures might motivate them to spread the word to enhance their position in their online communities.

Simply put, in today's social network driven WWW Press Releases are more valued for national news that will likely be of interest to conventional media outlets and your local story probably won't be newsworthy enough to be picked up.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph R. Turner on November 7, 2009 at 8:52am

Lori, I just posted an article that you may find useful. http://bit.ly/41z2qy feel free to call if you have any questions. Joe

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Permalink Reply by Joseph R. Turner on November 7, 2009 at 8:55am

Also try this: http://bit.ly/BZGT2.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Pasch on November 7, 2009 at 10:23am

Here is a PowerPoint Presentation that I created on Press Release SEO Strategies. I hope this gives you some practical and tactical advice. http://www.slideshare.net/brianpasch/press-release-seo-strategies

Brian Pasch

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Permalink Reply by Finney on November 7, 2009 at 10:33am

Thanks so much. I was as your presentation this week and I remember listings of press release sites. I was planning to download the presentation today.

The first step is to finish writing with out being distracted. I did learn one thing this week - or maybe I should say this week reinforced something I know - having the time to get some of these things done is the biggest issue. I know what I "need" to do.

However, I think I have a plan.....

Thanks again.
Lori Finney
Mathews Nissan Suzuki

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Permalink Reply by Philip Zelinger on November 7, 2009 at 11:08am

Hi Lori, (I like that better than Finney!)

I share your respect for Brian, and having attended his conference - as well as sharing some drinks with him at our Post Party on Sunday night (Hi Brian - remember to call me to get you on our blog talk radio show!) - I suggest that you follow his directions as literally as you can.

The detailed road map that Brian's link provides will work, however I relate to your issue regarding having limited time to to apply his wisdoms to your daily processes. As I am sure Brian will agree, the copy and content for a Press Release is EXTREMELY important. Not just for the search words integrated into the heading and copy and the links with the related SEO value on the search engines but in the need to draw the interest of the reader and other Press Release channel reporters to develop the "viral" nature that a well written and relevant Press Release can develop.

I have learned to rely on scalable solutions provided by applications that amplify the "people" part of the process by providing either templates or DIY type formats to help you write and distribute your Press Release. Many online services will walk you through their system and some will even offer to write the Press Release for you - for a fee of course - so I don't suggest that you outsource that level of service.

One "templated" solution that is free is - http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/IPR.html - and you may want to turn to one of these thought starters and organization tools to help you fit the project into your schedule.

That said, I know enough to know what I don't know and I have the experience to hire or work for/with people who know more than I do - like Brian! After all, what are friends, and ADM, for!

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Permalink Reply by Ralph Paglia on November 7, 2009 at 10:51pm

Because it is obvious that this topic deserves some special attention and its own place within ADM, one of my colleagues created a "Public Relations Group" which is located at http://www.automotivedigitalmarketing.com/group/PublicRelations and I encourage all who interested in the topic of Public Relations, Press Releases and related marketing communications topics to join and participate. Brian's presentation is featured as an embedded video at the beginning of the group...

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