By Despina Maris, Associate Editor, Chicago

It’s really important to think about how your press release will appear months and years after its distribution. You want to continue to appear professional to your clients when your news is no longer fresh, but also to other companies who read the old releases that live forever on the web. Here are some topics to think about when writing your press release: (more…)

By Anita Saidi, Senior Editor, Los Angeles

As hard financial times put a strain on many small- to medium-sized businesses, the publicity budgets seem to get smaller and smaller. So how does a small company get the most ‘bang for their buck?’ The answer to this question is not necessarily simple, but there are tools that can be utilized to stamp a company’s Social Media footprint on consumers, without the need for a huge advertising budget. (more…)

By Natalie Leal

Chances are you’re well-versed in the industry you’re writing about. But there is a possibility your readers will be scratching their heads after they read your in-depth description of virtual desktop infrastructure, Software-as-a-Service, or dynamic random access memory. And if they feel like they’re reading another language, and it drags on, they may tune out. Consider learning about the importance of brevity in a press release, if keeping readers is important to you. It won’t take long, I promise! (more…)

Press releases, a.k.a. news releases, are a staple of many public relations efforts and continue to provide traditional and social media audiences, as well as consumers, with a wealth of information on products, services, people and events.

Press coverage (both traditional and online) and attention across social networks can be more effective than any other type of advertising, and a well-written press release can garner great rewards for your company by increasing sales, driving qualified leads to your website or drawing attention to important causes and events.  Writing releases smartly and strategically is extremely important: editors and bloggers alike read press releases quickly and with a well-trained eye, and if they can’t find what they are looking for within the first paragraph (sometimes even within the headline itself), they are more likely to disregard it altogether.

How do you compose a well-written and well-structured press release to grab the attention of your audience?  The steps below can help. (more…)