Stating the obvious first, a press release has to be well-composed, optimized, and informative. And it will garner your attention from your target audience. You can think of this as hiring a person to hand out informative flyers to people. But, sadly enough, not everyone uses this vibrant thing to elevate their businesses to larger platforms. The reason behind this is mostly less knowledge and shady PR myths that have stuck to their notions of press releases.
Myth 1 – The Press Release Might Not Get Published
In older times of press release distribution, PRs were sent to journalists and they are the ones to decide whether the press release is publishing-worthy or not. But this changed a lot, now people mostly buy press release services to get seamless results easily and efficiently. Here’s what you have to do:
- Write your press release
- Maintain the proper format of a press release
- Add keywords and links
- Reach out to PR distributors
- Go through their packages
- Select a package and buy it
They will publish and distribute your press release according to your target audience demographics. But, this process will include some expenses, if you don’t want to pay then you can vouch for the traditional process of PR distribution or you can also continue reading to know more.
Myth 2 – PRs are Exclusive to Business Giants
There has been an unsaid notion that press releases are only meant for companies like Apple or Microsoft. As their press release hooks also get viral. But the thing is, the option of getting viral is also available for smaller companies. And for smaller companies, most of the time the issue is monetary, but there are several renowned press release distributors who offer budget-friendly service changes who is not every $50 per PR. Go for these service providers and gain the attention that you have wished for. If you dig deeper you may also find free press release distribution services that will help you to reach your local audience. These sites will offer a smaller distribution range but something is always more than nothing.
Myth 3 – Submission Sites are End of the Chain
Many people think that press release submission sites are the end of the distribution chain, which is completely wrong. Depending on your budget and demographics press release distribution sites will arrange media outlets to publish your press release. And this is not at all the end of the line. You can consider it a start of more set of work which will bring you more attention.
- Create a buzz on your PR
- Share on social media
- Publish blogs and articles and link this PR
These are a few of the many post-PR services that you can do to make sure that your press release is able to garner more attention than you have wished for. You can start monitoring your screen to maximum engagements. You can also have an employee constantly observing the growth via PR distribution.
Myth 4 – No One Reads a PR
The basic structure of a press release is quite unattractive, but being a marketer you have to make it look better. Apart from short and informative writing, you need to make sure you have the following attributes in your PR;
- A catchy title
- Multimedia (Images and Videos)
- A compelling opening line
- Get brandied graphics designs
These three factors will help you to gain more people to click on your press release. These options will make your press release look visually pleasing for your audience, if you take a look at the most successful releases, then you will see these are a few common things all of these press releases have. You may not spend a hefty amount of money to make your press release as visually aesthetic but you can at least try and follow their footprints.
Myth 5 – Your Story is Not Newsworthy Enough
It is essential to have something newsworthy. For domain biggies it is ‘opening a new office in a new country’ or ‘buying a new company’ or ‘huge collaborations’ but for small companies, it might be winning a ‘young entrepreneur award’ or ‘launching their basic services’. Yes, there are some usual topics that are mostly used for press release distribution. These usual topics to write a press release are:
- Awards
- Promotions
- Continuing education
- New management or staff
- New product, service, or location
- Financial reports
- Piggybacking on news or statistics
- Charitable events
- Participation at a conference or convention
But, even if you are just starting your business and making pen refills or making video games, your business will have a target audience and to your potential clients, these can be the most enticing facts. And people are entitled to understand your business otherwise you will never reach your target audience. When you are writing a press release at the beginning of your career, you can take any topic from service launch to address your company logo.
The first step to success is establishing your business and the next step of it is letting others know that you have established a business. If you wait for big news, more employees, and getting your hands on money that will help you reach the top press release distribution services, then you are on the wrong path. Not everything has to be pitch-perfect, small steps and gradually spreading your feet are the fastest way to success.