Extra! Extra! - Search Engine Rankings and Press Releases!

By Gary T. Hoke

Date: May 29th 2007

So you have a brand new website and it is so quiet that you can only hear crickets chirping...

A great way to start moving traffic to your site is to create and submit press releases about your products or services. If you follow the information below you'll begin to overcome the youngster site syndrome that plagues so many new companies on the internet.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Make sure your news is newsworthy - Will your announcement matter to your audience? It should…or you're wasting your time and theirs.
   
2. Always include your contact information at the top of the release (contact name, address, phone and fax numbers, email address and Web site).
   
3. Write a headline that makes the audience want to continue reading.
   
4. Lead the first paragraph with your location and date: San Diego, CA (January 1, 2007).
   
5. Use the first paragraphs to announce your news (who, what, when, where and why); then use the subsequent paragraphs to back up/support that announcement with quotes, statistics, etc.
   
6. Keep paragraphs short and to the point. Two or three sentences is plenty of text per paragraph.
7. Double space between paragraphs - don't indent.
8. Include the important facts…leave out the flowery text.
9. Keep printed press releases to one page; keep e-releases "above the fold" (500 words or less is usually sufficient).
   
   
10. At the bottom of your release, be sure to include a general statement about your company/organization.
    

Take advantage of the press release today. While we don't endorse any particular PR service, there are several services where you can submit your online press release for free or a small fee. For example:

• www.pr.com - "Promote everything about your business. We get the word out."
• www.prleap.com - "PR LEAP is a free press release distribution service to major search engines, web sites and newswires, since 2003."
  
• www.i-newswire.com - "I-Newswire.com is your free press release distribution center."
• www.24-7pressrelease.com - "24-7PressRelease.com is a free press release distribution service with the small to medium size Company in mind."
  

Yes, one of the best ways to get the word out about developments at your company is the press release. Used by businesses both big and small, the press release not only announces what's new, but it helps solidify your standing as a legitimate business. Don't forget about the Real world press release. You know, newspapers, magazines and trade publications? These paper-based publications often have an associated website waiting for your submissions!
You should also consider creating a blog or maintaining a podcast.

Of course, when the time comes to ask for professional help, we'll appreciate your call!