Many business owners are confused about this point. Should you write your own press releases? Should you hire someone to do them for you? There are a few factors to consider when answering this question.

Ability
Not everyone is a natural writer. If you find it difficult to put words in sentences that lure the reader, you will probably find that the press release will be more effective if left to someone who has more experience in this area.

Time vs. Money
Even if you are capable of writing your own press release and doing a good job of it, is it worth your while? It might be more cost effective to pay a professional writer to do the work so you can work on something else in your business.

Both of these are things that you need to take into account before making a decision. Another way to go is to do one press release yourself and then have a copywriter do one. You`ll find that you are quickly able to find out which of the two is more effective.

Who doesn`t like some free publicity? These days, it`s easy to get it and lots of it. You`ll be amazed at how quickly you can build up a buzz for a new product with something like a press release.

This is the best way to boost your visibility without spending big bucks on glossy magazine ads. The beauty of press releases is that they have the tendency to catch the eye of editors of both online and offline publications. So, if you submit your press releases online, there`s a good chance they`ll be picked up by a paper magazine or newspaper, provided the release is well written. You`ll also tend to get good coverage online.

Free publicity is nothing to sneeze at and when it allows you to reach multiple channels, all the better. You just need to ensure that your press release is well written and has a hook, because otherwise, no one will pay attention to it. This is an area where you might want to hire a professional press release writer to ensure that the press will be interested in what you have to say.

Press releases have been used for years to boost publicity, but now you can reach a far wider audience with the internet.

It`s often more productive to outsource the writing of press releases, but not everyone is capable of turning out a great press releases, so you`ll need to know what to look for.

First of all, keep in mind that you need to find a freelance writer or a writing company that specializes in press releases. While most writers are more than capable of learning a new way to write, it`s going to be easier on everyone if you get someone who already has experience. They`ll be able to turn out a great press release in a fraction of the time and it will be done properly.

Look at the example press releases to see if the writer does the sort of work that you want done. Some writers won`t have the style that you want, so look until you find someone who fits your style. You may also want to check and see what their clients think of their work and find out how the press releases have worked.

Press releases can be a valuable method of gaining publicity and it`s often possible to outsource this task to get the best quality possibly.

We`ve all heard about press releases, but many small business owners aren`t sure how to actually use them. The majority of those who avoid writing press releases do it for one of two reasons. One, they don`t think they have anything newsworthy to write about and two, they don`t think they can actually write their own press release.

The first issue is definitely not true. Every business has news to send out in a press release. Even if you aren`t releasing a new product, perhaps you`ve hit a milestone in your business (500th product sold, 100th affiliate joined, etc.) or are moving into a new area. Things that happen within the company can also be newsworthy events.

The second point is a good one. Not everyone can write. If you write your own blog posts and articles, then chances are you can do press releases, it`s just a matter of learning how. However, for those business owners who can`t write, it`s a good idea to get someone else to do the press releases for you.

Outsourcing is a great idea if that`s what has been holding you back. Press releases can really boost publicity and if it takes having someone else do that for you, then it`s worth the extra money spent.

One often overlooked tool in the Internet marketer’s arsenal is the press release. With a press release you can increase your website’s SEO benefits and drive traffic to your website. But in order to work well, the press release has to be written well and it has to be about an event that is relevant and deserves promotion.

Newspaper editors typically reject press releases that are nothing more than advertising sheets in disguise. Your closeout sale isn’t newsworthy. The carnival in your front parking lot is.

When judging whether an event is newsworthy or not, try to look for the community angle. If it benefits others even if you get nothing in the end then it may very well be newsworthy. In that case, it deserves a press release.

For instance, let’s say you are a local doctor who has decided to provide free check ups to all children ages 10-12 on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Well, that’s pretty newsworthy because you could have 100 children in that age range show up for a free check up and there is no guarantee that you’ll get new business out of the deal. A press release could work for you.

You can submit a press release to your local newspaper, but you can also submit it online. When you do submit a press release online, you have the potential to build a lot of links to your website and increase your traffic substantially. The more news agencies that pick up your press release, the more likely you are to get those benefits.

When you write your press release, don’t focus it on the benefits to you. Focus it on the newsworthy benefits to the community. That’s the best way to ensure you get your press release printed.

There´s absolutely no reason you you have to write a ten page press release for your business. In fact, that could harm your publicity more than it helps! Editors are busy people and if you want to get their attention, going with a short, one page press release is ideal.

One page press releases force you to get to the point very quickly, but that can actually be an advantage. The unfortunate truth is that editors in general spend an average of just FIVE seconds on your press release before they make that vital decision to either kill it or read further.

Five seconds is certainly not enough time to read or even scan several pages, but the editor should be able to get a pretty good idea of whether or not your press release is something they are interested in.

In a one page press release, you need to make sure that you state your main news first, right up front, then give the details. This will let the editor know quickly if it´s a good idea or not to continue with the press release. This also gives you the added advantage of being able to write up a press release far faster, too!

There are so many lousy press releases out there that most editors are pretty sick of seeing them. That´s why you need to make yours really stand out and make them excited to see a press release again. It just takes a bit of work.

The main thing is to make your press release worth reading. If you are just babbling about your business and how great it is, that´s probably not going to really do it for anyone. You need to make sure that your press release is newsworthy.

What is new with your business? Are you having a special sale? Helping a charity out? Why should the editor care? These are some questions to ask yourself when you are trying to write a press release.

Your press release needs to tell the editor precisely why his readers would want to look at this. What is so special about you and your business? Make the editor feel it and you are far more likely to get a report in the paper or on a local website!

Press releases are an excellent, cheap way to get your business out in the public eye, but they need to be done well or you will end up with nothing to show for all your hard work. Press releases aren´t particularly hard to write, but they should follow a few basic guidelines.

• Shorter is better. No one has time to read a dozen pages on why your business is noteworthy, so keep it to one page at the most.

• Make it worthwhile. If you send out a press release every week on any old thing that happens around your business, editors will quickly become bored and toss your press releases in the garbage.

• Use subheads. Anything over a paragraph should use subheadings or bullet points to make it easier to read. There´s nothing like a big block of solid text to turn someone off reading your press releases.

• Make your headlines pop. The headline or title of your press release is one of the most important parts. You´ll want to ensure that it really sizzles in order to get the editor´s attention and make them want to read the whole thing.

Creating great press releases that actually get read by editors will really enhance your publicity campaign and for free. That leaves you with extra cash for other advertising ventures!

Your press release headline is the first thing editors see and it is often the headline that convinces them to read the rest of your press release, so it had better be good. You need a headline that is snappy and grabs attention right off the bat. Even if you aren´t great at headlines, you can still learn to write them well.

Research. By looking at headlines that catch your attention in the newspaper or the cover of magazines, you can analyze what it is that editors are looking for. There´s really nothing like a bunch of great examples to let you know exactly how to write a headline for your press release.

Keep it short. Long headlines lose their impact rapidly, so try to keep yours to 6 words or less. This allows you to make a statement, but not ramble on and on about it.

Don´t use your business name. With a headline, the point is to let the editor know that there is a great story available within your press release. If you use your business name as the headline, they will instantly lose interest, because that is not a story.

Your press release headline is important for letting editors know what to expect of your press release. Take some time and think it over before committing to anything. It might help to write the body of the press release before you start to focus on the headline, since the idea of the content will be more firmly cemented in your mind.

Don´t be afraid to get suggestions from others, as well. Sometimes a fresh angle can really help spark some ideas, which is why brainstorming sessions can be so helpful. Often a friend or business associate can offer ideas for press release headline improvements.

While press releases are a great method of getting your business information out there and receiving some free publicity, there are a few things that absolutely must be included to make your press release truly effective.

Release Instructions. If you don´t want your information to be published immediately, be sure to note this. That way, you can send press releases out a few days ahead of time and editors will have a chance to plan ahead and work your story into their line-up. Just put something like “For release on April 2, 2008″ and the editor can then plan for this date.

Statistics. You´ll find that readers really enjoy statistics and including them in your press release will ensure that you catch people´s attention. Be sure to use stats that reinforce your story and product.

Quotes. Incorporating a quote or two from clients and the president of the company can really add some sizzle to a press release and you should be sure to have them. Using quotes is a sure way to wake up any type of report and readers will find themselves drawn into the story.

It pays to write great press releases that editors will want to publish. Your chances of getting your press release published will definitely be higher if you offer what the readers enjoy and give the editor time to figure out how to present your story.