Newspaper Press Release

I've read a lot and quite often I come across the suggestion to submit press releases to the local newspaper for free publicity.

Has anyone done this? If so, any advice?

As a business owner I've done this a lot. When I was a salesperson working for someone else I didn't do it at all.

I too would recommend "press releases" as another source of free advertising [publicity]. Press releases really aren't that hard to create and there are tutorials all over the web that show you how. I've even seen press release software.

I've written a couple press releases myself. It was actually pretty easy. Most of the newspapers I contacted were very happy to accept my press release. Of course, you never know when it's going to print.

I agree with Gilbert. Writing and submitting press releases is really pretty easy once you've done it a few times.

I would suggest giving it a go.

I went to a listing appointment today and when I went inside guess what I saw sitting on the kitchen counter? That's right... my press release!

These work great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZBroker

I went to a listing appointment today and when I went inside guess what I saw sitting on the kitchen counter? That's right... my press release!

That's awesome. Congratulations!

Press releases can be a very inexpensive marketing tool that can generate great results.

This is one marketing tool that I recommend everyone in business learn how to use.

I wrote a press release that resulted in phone call from a reporter who did a nice story and photo, which I then used as a launch pad for many subsequent sales. That was great ! What I am confused about is, do local newspapers ever just publish small press releases as fillers? (and do they tell you they are going to do it?) After the initial story, I never had any responses on press releases. It seemed they were only looking for new feature stories and after that... drop dead. I have definitely not learned how to utilize this to potential.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I wrote a press release that resulted in phone call from a reporter who did a nice story and photo, which I then used as a launch pad for many subsequent sales. That was great

!

Congratulations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

What I am confused about is, do local newspapers ever just publish small press releases as fillers? (and do they tell you they are going to do it?)

In my experience this is exactly what they do and no they typically will not contact you to let you know if and when the release is/was published.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

After the initial story, I never had any responses on press releases. It seemed they were only looking for new feature stories and after that... drop dead.

This has been my experience too.

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm working on a press release tonight that I plan to submit to the local newspaper. I'll let you know what happens.

Newspaper Press Release

Public Relations and Publicity Forum