Success Tips for your SmartPR
We have received dozens of request for more information regarding our new product SmartPR. One of the things that we've discovered is that everybody has their own angle as to why they want a search engine optimized press release. In order to help all of your press releases to be as successful as possible, I've written a short summary to help you understand our thought process and some of the elements we may ask of you in order for your press release to not only receive tens of thousands of readers, but great placement in the search engines and news results. When the process is done correctly it is also possible to eventually gain page rank, receive amazing leads, and the possibility that your story is picked up by a variety of websites and traditional media. To find out more about SmartPR, please click here.
Press Release Tip #1 – KEYWORD PHRASES
When you are thinking about what to have a story on, keep in mind that the very first words of your press release headline are the words that will most likely show up in the search results when people search both the news and the web. These are also the keywords that we will want to use over and over again in the body of your release in order to establish a certain percentage of what is known as keyword density.
With these keyword phrases, we will also create "anchor text" links back to your website in order to help your optimized site rank higher in the search engines. Of course if you've never had your site search engine optimized, it may not help much. But if you have, running multiple press releases targeting keyword phrases about your business can help your existing web site rank higher as well simply because of the anchor text creating what we call "authority links" to your site.
Press Release Tip #2 – CALL TO ACTION
It's nice to have tens of thousands of people reading your press release. It's also nice when your site receives higher rankings in the search engines. But without a call-to-action in the press release you may not see the immediate value in these releases. While we don't want the press release to come across as a sales letter, we do want the readers to see value in contacting you either through email, phone, or by going to a website.
A good call to action typically consists of something of value. Some of the most popular calls to action provide something for free to the reader. This can be helpful information, statistics, resources, gift, sample, contest entry, or simply the opportunity to receive a phone call, advice, or a very special discount.
Press Release Tip #3 – PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos, drawings, and any type of imagery can dramatically increase the success of your press release. Its one thing to claim to have done something, but to actually show a photo of it can bring a great deal of credibility and curiosity to your press release. It also gives editors who are interested in your story the ability to add something to catch people's attention when they are looking through stories.
Press Release Tip #4 – QUOTES
When people actually talk about what you are doing or have an opinion about something that relates to what you are doing, it helps to build credibility for your press release. There are several types of quotes. You can have quotes from customers, an executive in your company, or quote an article, a research statistic, or some other element that helps bring credibility to what you are talking about. Just be careful that your quote doesn't turn your press release into a sales letter. Sales letters are great, but if you want your story to have any chance of being considered as news, you need to stick to the facts. Typically you should try to have at least 2 quotes, and one of them should be from someone within your organization.
Press Release Tip #5 – CURRENT EVENTS
Old news is bad news. Nobody wants to write a story about what you did three years ago. Always try to find a way to tie your message to something that is happening today. This can be a new promotion you are running, a new study you have done, or anything that has to do with today. Some people even tie their events to the weather, politics, events, or any other type of news. An auto-body shop giving advice on how to drive safely on ice in July is of little value in most places, so keep your news timely and relevant.
Press Release Tip #6 – COMPANY INFO
It is very important to have information about your company at the bottom of your press release. This is your opportunity to explain affiliations, degrees, awards, or promotions. Once again, try to create credibility for yourself in as many ways as possible. Not only can you include information about your company, but you can include information about the person quoted in the press release.
Press Release Tip #7 – CONTACT INFO
You absolutely must include your contact information with every press release. Make sure you plan ahead as to what person, phone number, email address, and web site address you want people to contact if they are interested in your press release.
Press Release Tip #8 – PRESS RELEASE IDEAS
The great part about press releases is that if you a re creative, you can keep your company in the news all year around. The tens of thousands of people introduced to your business and all of the opportunities for your story to be picked up are multiplied when you have a strategy to keep your business buzzing all year around.
Here are some press release ideas:
- Partnerships
- Alliances
- New Employees
- Affiliates
- Achievements
- New Concepts
- New Ideas
- New Products
- New Solutions
- New Studies
- New Reports
- Case Studies
- Statistics
- Surveys
- Polling
- Amazing Stories
- Awards
- Accomplishments
- Recommendations
- Upcoming Events
- Speakers
- Holidays
- Anniversaries
- Historical reflection
- Gifts
- Charities
- Causes
- Statements
- Nomination
- Controversy
- Lawsuits
- Conflict
- Firsts
- Mystery
- Animals
- Kids
- Women
- Trends
- How-To Articles
- Local Angle on National News
- Free Advice
- Local and National Issues
- Weather and Disasters
- Labor Trends
- Unique Techniques
- Mistakes
- Fraud
- Contest
- Winter
- Autumn
- Summer
- Spring
- Tips
- Focus
Press Release Tip #9 – LINK BACK
Once you find your press release on sites such as Yahoo, link to it from your web site. When people are visiting your site, the fact that a major news outlet has run a story on you brings credibility to everything that you do. Some people even email the press release to their existing mailing list so that their contacts can see what they are doing and the fact that their story was picked up by a major media outlet.
Press Release Tip #10 – Multiple Releases
Through our experiences with SmartPR we have found that the majority of our testimonials come from multiple press releases. By doing multiple Smart Press Releases, you increase your pagerank from all the links that you gain, you get greater press exposure, and gain strong credibility as an authority in your field.
The 3 most commonly overlooked items to include in a press release are:
- The Call to Action - See SmartPR tip #2
- Photography - See SmartPr tip #3
- Quotes from your organization - See SmartPR tip #4
The 3 things never to include in a press release are:
- Prices - In most cases you should not mention specific prices, otherwise it may come across as a sales letter. The exception tends to be in books. Many press releases covering books tend to mention that a book is available for $19.95 through a particular publisher. However, if you are running a press release about "widgets on sale for $4.95" then this can be perceived and an advertisement and it is less likely to be written about. Your ultimate goal is to write a press release that shows how your product or service solves problems.
- Exclamation Points- You should never have these in your press releases, not even in your quotes. The moment someone notices an exclamation point they'll see your press release as an advertisement.
- Competitors - It is considered bad taste to bash your competitors through press releases. You can compare your products, but never use quotes or materials designed to put down your competition. For instance, you can say that your computers are bigger, faster, and cheaper than Dell, but to say statements such as "nobody likes Dell anyway" or something to that regard will only make you look unprofessional. In most cases it would be more professional to state that your computer systems are "bigger, faster, and cheaper than most major computer manufacturers." Now the readers are still focused on you and your company rather than being distracted with competitors. Also keep in mind that you don't want the journalist who may be writing a story about computer manufacturers in other subjects to feel compelled to call your competition for a quote from them as well. Journalists don't always use your press release as a source for a story, rather they're looking for experts to include in a story they are already writing. In this case you don't want them to consider looking at your competition as well.
The #1 similarity among all of our testimonials is that they all did more than 1SmartPR. In fact, the best are from those who have done 5 or more consistently.
Contact us today to find out how your business can benefit from SmartPR at 918-491-4731.
About Tony D. Baker
Tony D. Baker is Oklahoma's leading Internet marketing expert with over 750 clients and nearly 10 years of Internet marketing experience. As an author and public speaker, Baker has written 2 ebooks and has spoken at conferences in Chicago, San Francisco and Orlando. Tony D. Baker founded Xeal Inc. and serves as President and CEO. Baker also serves as President of the Tulsa 100 Club. Other memberships include the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and the Tulsa Press Club.
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