A course is much needed on this topic!

Thanks for the comment.

Kevin

So I created a free email course called “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases.”

I explain why we should no longer be writing press releases only for the press, but for consumers who can find the releases online, click through to our websites and enter our sales cycle, even if journalists don’t think our release is worthy of attention.

The course includes several terrific press release samples as well as “before” and “after” makeovers.

You can sign up for the free press release writing tutorial at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

It’s a very long tutorial but please stick with it. By the time you’re done, it will be like earning a master’s degree in writing and distributing press releases. And you’ll know more about this topic than many PR people.

Your example is a hackneyed example of the press release and I’m surprised the PR industry given all its talent cannot see beyond this format.

I believe a press release that looks like any other release is a waste, mainly because of the internet and the overfamiliarisation of this format. Why must every release start with “WidgetMaker Inc. today announced” or “WidgetMaker Inc. launched”??

Since press releases don’t serve their original purpose – encouraging editors to explore – it’s hard to understand why the modern press release is not designed to meet the cut-and-paste requirements of today’s lacklustre editor. Why can’t it read like an editorial piece?

“Fifteen years ago, Bob Brown founded an 8-man operation he called Widgets Inc. which produced thermal widgets for people who didn’t know when to switch off their computers. Today they make over $10 million a year selling superwidgets like the new Omnitron 8, a class of ultra-compact energy saving add-ons.”

That’s awfully funny. Thanks for sharing!

Kevin

How to Develop and Leverage an Effective Press Release
By Kevin Levi
-WidgetMaker Inc. today announced the world’s first water-based widget that helps manufacturers increase production time by as much as 10 percent. WidgetMaker’s new Widget-H20 speeds the assembly-line process by… …
Small Business Branding And Marketing – http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com

Anyhow, glad to help!

Kevin

Leverage the framework in my article and base your intro paragraph on the value your book will bring to your customers. Talk less about the features of your book and talk more about the benefits.

Post it on the free PR distribution sites I mention in the article.

If you want me to write and post if for you please visit my site and contact me – http://www.winningmessage.com

Thanks for the feedback and I hope this helps!

NOTE: One of my primary clients right now is an author of a sales success book and I’m helping him with press release, articles, website copy and more.

I’m truly interested in widgets, but I’m also delighted to have read your article on press releases. Especially appreciate the tips about the free online services… I’ve been paying for distribution and wondered whether there was a cheaper way to disseminate our news. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge.

~ Franke

This is a very useful post. I have written an e-book (“One Job Two Salaries. How to Double Your Salary in One Single Day and Not Even Tell Your Boss.“) and I’ve just wondering how to prepare a press release and where to post it.

Thank you!
William

Thanks for the feedback. Yes the intro paragraph should set the stage nicely for expounded upon juicy content to follow. I for one don’t really like including executive quotes because I’ve found that editors and other readers don’t even read them. But I’m with you that typically they are used and I too have seen them effectively used at the beginning and end of the document.

Best,
Kevin

Nice tips – specially the one about the intro para. This can easily be the skeleton which can be wrapped with some juicy content to create a winning press release.

I have found that giving a quote at the end of para 1 and one near the end as a concluding remark work very well. Since a press release has to be typically written in the third person, the quotes are useful to address the reader directly.