I read somewhere that a press release is not about the VA's business but more about a topic that the VA does. Their info is above for contact purposes. I am not an VA expert yet and I am having a hard time coming up with something for the PR. Any suggestions? Plus I am afriad that if I do write up a PR about a subject, someone has already done it.

__________________
Andrea Dulaney
AC Virtual Office Services

Andrea - I suggest that the best way to think about a press release is that it should be news. It's not advertising, nor is it an information product. So whatever you write about, you need to slant it as news. Think of the headline, and make it like headlines in a newspaper. Write the story like a reporter.

You can talk about your business, as long as you do it from this angle. What should the subject be? What do you want your readers to know?

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Hi Andrea,

Mary's dead on. You have to find an aspect that is newsworthy. For example, did you recently complete a training program that allows you to add a new or better service offering? That would be a great topic for a press release. Try to find something would be of interest to your potential clients and help them understand how you can assist them in their businesses.

If you need help actually writing the press release, I have a free press release template that will help walk you through the process.

Just remember that the key is to make the focus on how your news can help your clients reach their business goals.

__________________
Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

Im glad someone asked this because I have been thinking about it and wondering if a press release really does any good? Does anyone really read them? I cant say I have ever spent the time to read a press release... I wonder who does?

__________________
www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

To add to what Mary and Tammi said, anything new or upcoming about your business is a great time for a press release. Opened for business, signed on new clients (publicity for you AND the clients), completed training, offering new services, having a give away, things like that. Read the business briefs section of your local paper to see the types of things listed - those blurbs came from press releases.

Shelley - I think press releases have different audiences. A traditional printed one is geared for the media, but online ones will get picked up in search engines and can be directed more towards potential customers/clients. In fact, for the same information you could do one for the media and one for your target market. Or, if there is more than one target market, write different releases geared to each. I'm doing press releases for a client, and he has me put in a couple of keywords since that is what his target audience searches for.

__________________
Gladys Strickland
GS Business Resources

Hi Andrea,
I write quite a few press releases for work. As others have said, it really depends on your target audience. If you want to have it published in your local papers for example I would aim for a "local business goes global" story, but if I was aiming for more national papers you would need to choose a more specific story.

I also find it great to add quotes in your story. Write it as though someone else is writing about you - Virtual Assistant Andrea states "......" etc.

Often journalists love being able to create their story using mainly the press release as they often don't have time to call and interview people.

I'd be happy to read over your press release and make suggestions if you like. Just PM me.

Hi

Excellent recommendations! I totally agree on the different audiences. Fortunately today you can submit press releases online and you are right in front of your potential clients/audience. And with the effective use of your keywords they can easily find you.

Often times when I'll write a new release, I'll think about problems I can solve too. Many many said already, that can add a newsworthy angle to it as it's in the news today. Samples are unemployment, bad flu season (benefit to work at home), etc. Those are mainly for my books, but still by solving problems and combining that with news events, it can make for a great release.

Good luck with your release!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

I love these posts! Everytime I'm thinking of a business idea I log on to see if there has been any talk about it and sure enough there it is! All of the feed back is great and I appreciate it when there is a website we can access for more on the topic or templates.

Thanks I will surely be using this information soon.

__________________
Debb Hill
DLH Admin. Support

One great tactic for a press release is not to say "what" but to say "how". I have been doing PR for many years (I am the former PR Director for ESPN Radio) and that has always been my number one thing to remember. For example, do not say what a VA is and what your business does. Say how a VA helps business owners survive the recession, gain more profits, amp up their marketing campaign, etc.

Also, make sure that you are constantly sending them out. For one of my clients, our first hits were 3%-4%, now we are up to 18% due to brand recognition. In fact, this particular client has recently been featurd on the national news a few times last month! It works :-)

As a newbie, I really appreciate the boatload of information above. I have to admit I did not know how to write a press release but this forum offers great advice that I can definitely use.

Toni