Getting Your Press Release Published

Once you've created a press release you need to get your release published. To get your press release published consider the following:

1. Think Like a Journalist

Journalists and editors want to publish interesting content for their readers. You need to think like a journalist-make sure your press release is newsworthy and isn't only a selling tool for your business. Have a sharp and interesting angle. Journalists are constantly inundated with press releases so you need to make sure that your press release is going to appeal to them.

2. What Channels are Best for Your Release?

Think about your company, the press release, and what types of publications are best suited to your news. There are several distribution options including local and national print publications, online publications, and television and radio stations. Consider your target market. Contact publications that you know are interested in your news. For example, if you have a local event coming up, local distribution channels like local radio, television, and print publications are going to serve you best.

3. Know Who to Contact

Once you've identified the best channels, you need to identify the appropriate contacts at those channels. Compile a list of contacts by researching your desired publications. Use the internet and publications you subscribe to, find industry-related blogs, research previous stories by your target reporters, etc. Make sure the journalists cover your industry. Consider general, business, and trade media journalists. As you produce more press releases you can build on your list.

While contacting journalists directly is usually the best method to get your release published, there are also websites which distribute press releases for you such as PRWeb, PR Newswire, and Fast Pitch! Press.

4. Plan Ahead

Plan ahead, especially if you are covering a time-sensitive event like a show or appearance, don't just send it out the day before the event. Plan ahead and give journalists enough time to review and publish your release. Think about the publications-are they daily, weekly, or monthly publications? Consider your journalist's schedule as well as your own. If you have your own website, make sure the release is published there to coincide with any publication dates. Have responses ready to field any questions from journalists.

5. How to Contact

Contact the journalist and find out how they prefer to receive press releases. When sending the press release include your contact details as well as your desired publication date. Talk about the newsworthy aspects of your release. Outline how it will benefit the journalist and publication-this is not the time to make a sales pitch for your company. Make it short, professional, free of any spelling or grammatical errors, and let the recipient know what is in it for them if they pick up your release.

6. Follow Up

Give the recipient time to respond but if you don't hear back from them you should follow up. Make sure you are ready to briefly and quickly discuss your press release and your company. Think about how the press release can benefit the recipient and be ready to answer any questions they may have.

Written by Sarah Davin. © great25.com.