How To Get Free Media Publicity
By Michael Low, Sat Dec 10th

The most basic way to getting your business mentioned in themedia is to dispatch a press release. Almost all mass media(newspapers, magazines, radio and tv) accept press releases.

A significant portion of the news and stories published throughthe mass media originates from press releases. You can use pressreleases to announce a new website, expansion of existingbusiness, change in key appointments or the launch of a tradeevent.

In this article, I'll reveal to you five most important PRsuccess tips that every press release should incorporate.

PR Tip #1. Never Pitch

The biggest PR mistake which people make when they write theirpress release is to write it like a sales letter. They try tosell the benefits, the low price, the discounts, rebates, etc.

Editors who receive press releases are not interested in salespitches. Their job is to present news worthy stories to theiraudience.

Instead of pitching 101 benefits of buying your latest product,tell the editors in plain English why their audience will beinterested in your story.

We read and hear all kinds of news daily. They don't sound likeproduct pitches - they are news! That's what editors want - news!

PR Tip #2. Make It News Worthy

Examine your story from all possible angles. Which angle wouldmake a juicy story that appeals to your targeted media audience?

Here's an example. Your beverage company just launched a newwebsite and you want to get it mentioned in the media. How doyou make your story news worthy?

Perhaps on your new website you are offering a complete onlineguide to the best restaurants in the state. That's your newsangle!

Most people are keen to discover the best places to dine andwine. When you write your press release, focus on the restaurantguide and write a juicy story around it.

PR Tip #3. Short and Sweet but Complete

Editors are extremely busy people with deadlines to meet. Theydon't have time to read lengthy press releases. Write your pressrelease in less than ten short paragraphs - preferably under onepage.

But be sure to include basic information such as the What, When,Where, Why and How of the subject matter.

Provide full contact information such as phone, fax, email,website address, mailing address and name of person(s) whom theeditors can speak to.

PR Tip #4. Mind Your Language

Write in plain simple English - explaining your story clearly.Avoid technical jargons and flowery words. Spell check andgrammar-proof your press release.

If you can't write well, get a professional PR writer to do yourpress release. It's worth the investment. Poorly written pressreleases are rarely read. Don't botch up your business image bysending out a badly written press release.

PR Tip #5. Spice It Up

Spice up your press release with an exciting headline that grabthe editors' attention. The toughest stage of any media campaignis getting editors to read the press release - and they get alot of press releases daily!

Include interesting quotes from relevant people to liven up yourpress release. Just check out the newspapers. Almost everyarticle has at least one quote.

About the author:Michael Low is a professional PR Strategist. He provides top-notch PR services at highly affordable rates. Check out his fullrange of PR packages at http://www.prbuilder.com/pr.cgi?a011