Archive for August, 2009

Press Releases

Now that you have a brand new and fresh web site that you will be putting in circulation in the very near future, the next step you will need to take is advertising for this site to make a huge impression on the market. How does one go about writing a strong press release for an impending site introduction? You are not alone if you are unsure on how to go about this, but there are a few suggestions to get you started, here are some that have been successful in the past.

Remember the one fact to keep in mind is that you are going to need the public’s attention, on this media release it is extremely important to remember the fact that the news sells. What you need is very convincing line in communication to get your message across. If an editor finds material that is counterfactual and deliberately untrue or promises that are just not reasonably accepted, they will rubbish the media release. Some of the most frequent are, one of a kind, changing the face of the world, or everyone wins.

The entire premise is to act and think like a reporter to get the word out in that media format. If the release is not in a journalistic format, it will not be taken in earnest.

A good measure would be to make the title around ten words, keep it short to grasp attention. A brief summary of the information should be in the headline, and should be powerful and hard-hitting. You are trying to reach the mass public; it should be as wide as a roadside sign or billboard. The best way to get a good review is to have the editor notice your release above all others, this can be done in just a few words. Just like all good journalists know the most effective and important part of the release is always the opening paragraph.

This can be referred to as the summary lead. It is always the most essential element of any release that you incorporate the familiar 5 W’s of journalism, and not to eliminate the single and most influential H. who, what, when, where, and the single how are the mainstay in quality information that everyone truly looks for when reading a release. It is imperative on this note to embrace them.

This is the body of the information with the introduction and the closing statements surrounding this bulk. It is the introduction that leads the readers down the path of yearning for more on the subject so it must be dynamic. This opening paragraph is what is known as the hook.

This hook not only has to seize the audience’s attention but the press and the editor as well.It is not always an effortless task when Writing press releases. The hook in every sense of the word is strictly fact and not a system of persuasion to the multitude.

Ever since the introduction of blog development tools like Blogger, Pitas etc. in 1999, the personal publication tool weblog or simply blog has undergone many transformations. In the infant stages, until 2001, blogs were viewed as personal publishing platform where one can post his or her experiences, complaints, happy moments and pet peeves. Since it world business community has identified the potential of blogs to harness as a powerful marketing tool. Today blogs don?t confine to letters and words. You can find photo blogs (where one can publish photos), audio blogs, also called radio blogs where users can download and listen to audio messages or music and video blogs or vlogs where video files are published.

Majority of blogger platforms today allows the users to publish syndication feeds (RSS or Atom). The feeds are especially helpful for ardent blog readers to keep in touch with the latest updates of a blog ? be it anything like photo blogs, radio blogs or video blogs, the user can get the latest content via a desktop based feed reader or a web based feed reader like Google Reader.

There is an estimated 35 million blogs worldwide and the number is fast increasing. The main reason people becoming bloggers is that they need little knowledge about HTML or any software. They can publish to the photo blogs or radio blogs (audio blogs) via a web browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox. The blog platform will do all the necessary background actions.

The taking over of Blogger (blogger.com) by Google is the biggest turning point in blogging. Blogger.com allows bloggers to not only publish their posts, but also allows them to publish their own ads, to experiment with the template. Ads by the supported platform is absent in blogger blogs. Typepad is another blog platform that individuals and companies use.

Companies see blogs as excellent method of attracting and retaining visitors. Google blogs are the biggest example of corporate blogging. Each and every updating about the company is published in department blogs and the subscribers of news feeds can see the updates as and when it occurs.

There are many attempts to cash in on the enthusiasm of bloggers. Almost all companies now promote affiliate marketing through blogs and blog advertising is fast picking up. Bloggers make use of the pinging service by technorati, blogot etc. Pinging service tell search engines that new content is available at the blog. Pinging and newfeeds keeps the search engines busy visiting the blog.

Bloggers that publish text blogs, photo blogs, radio blogs or audio blogs and video blogs enjoy the democratic nature of the blogs. There are no editorial contents and interaction with the readers is easy because of the comment feature. Blogging has emerged here to stay. And it will be the medium through which companies sell their products and services in the future.

Survival of the Fastest
With cell phones, PDAs and instant messaging we continue to seek devices and software that will allow us to accomplish multiple tasks efficiently and effectively. Survival of the swiftest has been the business mantra for some time.

Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare The hare is swift, and when the race begins he feels he can easily put a great deal of distance between himself and the tortoise. Thinking his speed will allow him to overtake the tortoise at will, the hare decides to eat and rest. Though the tortoise is slower, his pace is steady. He never stops or slows. Due to the hares reliance upon speed, and his lack of focus on the goal (the finish line), he doesnt win the race. The tortoise is the victor.

This story came to mind when thinking about my mechanic. He is an independent mechanic with a small repair shop and one helper (sometimes two). His premises arent fancy, he barely has an adequate computer system, and you can be assured your repairs will take longer at his shop than at many other facilities.

Though Im definitely a person who wants quick and efficient delivery, my mechanics slow and steady pace is greatly appreciated. Sure, I could take my car somewhere else and get it repaired faster, but at what price I trust him to give every repair his best effort. Thats why I remain a loyal customer. Loyalty is a by-product of trust.

Too Fast For Your Customers Good
Have you become too focused on striving to be faster than your competition Have you forgotten that a little slower and consistent may be more to your customers liking Are you missing buying signals in your efforts to get in and out of appointments quickly How much is overlooked by staff, managers, and the executive team while focusing on staying ahead of the competition

How about slowing down and taking a little extra time with each customer Help them to become better acquainted with your company and its products. If they become more knowledgeable about your products and services, they might consider using your company more often when making buying decisions.

Its About the Service
Does your staff take the time to listen intently to what customers are saying, so they can lead them toward products that will best meet their needs In your haste to be the first to market, have you forgotten to monitor staff product/service knowledge People will only sell what they know, and feel comfortable discussing.

Check your product sales records. Are the best sellers popular because customers like them best, or because your staff can discuss the benefits of these products better than others

Next time youre rushing around trying to make the maximum amount of contacts in eight hours, remember quality, consistency, and value will take you much further in the long run. Slow it down, and take more time with each customer. Your customers will appreciate that you did, and their appreciation will be reflected in your bottom line. Customer loyalty and retention are about relationship building, time, quality, and consistent effort.