A well-written press release is an ideal way to reach a large audience with minimal expense. The goal of getting the word out about a business or a particular product or even a promotional event, discount or sale can be achieved much faster online. A carefully worded press release, complete with specific keywords to attract the attention of the intended audience, can increase traffic to a website.

Advantages of a Press Release

A press release for online distribution is designed to be search engine friendly and optimized with keywords to rank high in online searches for SEO link building. A press release in general is distributed to sources such as national and local news media, trade publications, and multiple online news websites including Google News and Yahoo News and various databases. Advantages of a well-crafted press release include:

• Quick distribution of information concerning a business, product or event
• Attract online visitors to a businesses’ website
• Increase product sales or interest in a certain product
• Shows professionalism
• Link building – include a link back to a businesses’ website
• Helps establish a businesses’ brand
• Likely to be picked up by additional sources
• Excellent source of additional exposure at no expense

Reasons to Issue a Press Release

A press release can help businesses gain credibility. Customers and clients will begin to link a certain business with the products or services they offer. This leads to recognition as an industry expert and helps to gain trust and confidence. A press release by nature should be some form of news about a business. Some common reasons for issuing a press release include:

Release of a New Product

• Offering a new service
• Hosting a special event
• Launching a new website
• Change in management
• Launch of a new office or location
• Hiring new employees
• Community involvement
• Establishing a new partnership
• Addition to services/products offered
• Awards or recognitions given to a business

Create Something Newsworthy

Despite all the advances in technology, press releases remain the most popular method of generating publicity both online and offline. While a press release should be newsworthy to some degree, this doesn’t mean that a business has to sit around and wait for news to happen. A carefully crafted press release can create newsworthy information about a business and the products or services it offers.

Free Publicity

The cost of advertising can quickly add up. A press release is an excellent tool for generating publicity and attracting new and returning customers to a particular business. The key to a successful press release is to u use keywords and phrases to get the message across to as wide of an audience as possible. Narrowing down keywords can help to attract the right audience to a business.

Establish a Reputation

Many small businesses offer valuable services with a personal touch that larger businesses cannot offer. A press release is a great way to establish that fact and create a reputation as a business that can offer a personal touch.

A well-written press release can extend a brand, establish an identity, clear up a misconception, establish a new customer base and get the attention of previous customers. Combined with the right selection of words, images and links, a press release can be a powerful tool for a business.