7 Publicity Tips for Press Release Writers

By Viqi French

I won't say exactly how long, but I've worked in public relations for quite a while. This has given me an interesting perspective on how the Internet is revolutionizing press release writing as well as press release distribution.

What's different is that publicists, public relations consultants and D-I-Y media seekers such as small business bloggers, ezine publishers and ebook authors no longer have to pray that media reps bless them with media coverage. Everyone now has the power to build traffic for their establishment or website without traditional media's consent.

Thanks to the web, you can put your press release directly in front of your targeted audiences.
The Internet makes it increasingly easy for anyone to write a press release and upload it various places in cyberspace, where many potential customers can find it.

But if you want your information taken seriously and actually acted on, you'll want to be much more strategic than just slapping it up...

What follows are 7 key tools, techniques and tips that today's press release writers can use to secure Internet (and other) media coverage.

1. One best practice for press release writers involves SEO (search engine optimization). Little sets the course for making your information findable like the use a keyword search tool such as the one at Google AdWords. It helps you identify which phrases your target audience searches for the most. Choose, say, three or four of your strongest, related terms -- those which your potential customers are likely to search to hire someone like you or shop for what you sell.

2. Write your press release draft plainly, as if you were just talking. One-and-a-half pages long is a good average (approximately 500 words, single spaced). Vary your sentence lengths; some short, some longer. Sprinkle your key terms five or six times throughout your press release, including in your document's title. Include links to your website or blog in at least three different sections -- in your lead paragraph, last paragraph and contact section.

3. Proofread your press release and in the process, add your key terms a few more times. This really helps your SEO strategy, strongly telling Google and other services what your information focuses on. (For example, my main keywords for this article are the terms press release, press releases, press release writers, how to write a press release and press release distribution.)

4. Sorry, but you should proofread it again. This time, you're focusing on writing style. Go for some type of drama in your lead paragraph. You need a compelling angle or sentence upfront that'll engage readers and keep them. Sometimes simply rearranging the order of paragraphs (or sentences) makes a stronger lead-in. Now Spellcheck what you've written to catch any typos.

5. Next, implement your press release distribution. PRWeb.com is one of the best, most affordable paid press release distribution services available. Not only do countless people visit PRWeb to read what's new (and sometimes post those press releases to their blogs or otherwise contact you), the service also has an RSS feed system which delivers press releases to those who've subscribed to your keywords. This includes major media, online and offline.

6. Also take advantage of some of the free press release distribution services online. Work smarter, not harder here... If you're short on time, just pick those offering your social bookmark support for free. Some of the free sites also allow you to include a graphic image or photograph.
Almost all of the sites, for a fee, provide additional visibility for press release writers, though. (Note: We rarely use the free sites that aren't picked up by Google or those which bury new press releases waaay in the back of their listings.)

7. Commit to commenting on a number of sizable websites, zines and blogs. Choose these smartly and on each leave a thoughtful, relevant comment with a link to your press release. If you've used a paid service such as PRWeb, use this as your link in comments, as PRWeb lends more credibility than the free services.

If these steps on how to write a press release and get publicity seem like more work than you have time for, find an affordable PR consultant or freelance ghostwriter to get you on track.
Choose a committed service that will provide you a customized plan designed to meet your budget -- not one that treats you in a run-of-the-mill factory fashion. We're here for you and may be right under your nose!

Viqi French is the principal consultant for PetLeopard.com, an innnovative virtual marketing communications boutique.

Pet Leopard provides affordable publicity, marketing and ghostwriting services that specifically meet the budget needs of today's small business and Internet marketers.

For service details, visit: http://petleopard.com or subscribe to the blog at http://fiercelystrategic.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Viqi_French

American Writers

By Russel Clark

America was first settled in the 15th century by the English who went to America to colonise it and set up permanent residence there. It was already inhabited by Native Indians and the colonists fought with them to gain ownership of the land. From the time of those first settlers there have been American writers who have documented life in America and written some classic books. Early authors who wrote mainly about life in the colonies are John Smith of Jamestown who wrote one of the most famous books entitled “A True Relation of…Virginia” in 1608. Other authors of the time include Daniel Denton, William Strachey and John Lawson.

From these early books came more religious books written which documented the various religious disputes of the time and writers of importance from this period are John Winthrop and William Bradford. Some poetry also existed and early American writers who wrote poetry were Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor are two famous examples of American writers of poetry.

Micheal Wigglesworth also wrote a best selling poem entitled “The Day of Doom” which describes the time of judgement, and Nicolas Noyes was well known for his doggerel verse. From these books and American writers the themes of books moved on to more political ideas and notions. Benjamin Franklin wrote a book called “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” which was an esteemed work of wit and influence.

As time progressed so did the work of American writers and in the post-war period many writers such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay wrote in the The Federalist which were a group of essays that were a political and historical discussion of government organisation and republican values.

The writer who is sometimes thought of as writing the first great American novel is William Hill Brown and his book “The Power of Sympathy” (1789) is thought of as a classic. As time went on more and more writers emerged and wrote about the American Civil war and other events that were of key importance in American life of that era. In the 19th Century two poets emerged that were to influence American writers for years. These two people were Walt Whitman who was a travelling, working man who’s greatest work was “Leaves of Grass” which used free flowing verse and lines of irregular length to depict the all-inclusiveness of American democracy.

The next influential poet is Emily Dickinson who lived a very sheltered life and never married.
She lived in a small town in Massachusetts yet her work was very unconventional for the time.
She incorporated wit, ingenuity into psychologically penetrating works or poetry. Many of her poems for example tend to dwell on death with a witty and mischievous twist. Then along came Mark Twain who wrote “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and he set the standard for some time for American writers as he wrote with passion and honesty about the slave trade.

Then came the writers of the 1950s with authors such as William Boroughs and Jack Kerouac whos novel “On the Road” was and still is a best seller. For many people this book is the definitive “Road book” and has influenced many other writers since its publication. As shown America has produced some great writers all of whom have their own style and individual flair.

Russell Clark owns and operates http://www.allgreatamericannovels.com