By: Steven Schlagel

A press release is essentially a news story written to garnish publicity about an event or change at your business. Using press releases can garner you additional attention in local or national media outlets, but you need to use them judiciously. They are not advertisements. You want a reporter to write about you and they won't if you are writing advertisements. Press releases are short, targeted news stories with a specific purpose.

Writing a press release is not hard but there is a format to use. Make it easy for reporters to contact you. All press releases should have your name, location, phone number and email address on them. All press releases should be written in third person and should have an angle. It should be obvious to the reporter reviewing your press release that there is a news story there. Press releases should make the story clear for the reporter. What is unique about your business itself or the change or event at your business?

If you are a business owner who rose up out of poverty to create a viable business, that is a news story. If you have sold a portion of your business to a Fortune 500 company, that is a news story. If you hire only after school high school employees to help you, that is a news story. If you have started a business that has a really strong niche market, that can be a news story. The fact that you have a business that sells widgets for a low cost is NOT a news story. Find an angle in order to entice reporters to write about you.

If you have decent writing skills, you can write a press release yourself using an online template (just do an online search for "press release template" or "sample"). However, if you lack these skills or don't have the time, it is easy enough to hire a freelance writer to create press releases for you. Search freelance sites like GetaFreelancer or Elance and ask for samples of press releases your potential writers have done. You can expect to pay $5-$15 each for a one page release. Use the best writer you can afford. They are representing your business!

Write a press release that is full of detail, but not marketing, sales or industry talk. Write it in common, news style language and be sure the story is obvious to the reader and reporter. Don't get bogged down in your personal industry jargon. Write it like you've never heard of your business before.

Submitting your press releases to news outlets is easy. You can do it all online and many services offer free submissions with limits or restrictions. Do an online search for press release services and you will find a variety to choose from. Their requirements all vary so be sure to read about what you get for free and what you get with a paid service. Be consistent about submitting releases for them to pay off.

Using press releases effectively can brand you as an expert in your field. Don't throw press releases out for everything you do. Use them judiciously and look for the stories within your business. Once you learn to develop this eye, you build credibility with reporters. Media attention is free marketing so try sending out some press releases and see what kind of interest you generate.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles