The Press Release
Are you using Press Releases as part of your overall SEO plan? If not, you might want to consider it.
A press release is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Press releases are also considered a primary source, meaning they are original informants for information. A press release traditionally comprises nine structural elements, including a headline, dateline, introduction, body, and other components. (Thank you, Wikipedia)
Nine Elements
These nine structural elements are worth knowing. A well-structured press release includes:
- Headline — A concise, attention-grabbing title that summarizes the news
- Dateline — The release date and originating city
- Introduction — The opening paragraph that covers the who, what, when, where, and why
- Body — Supporting detail, quotes, and background information
- Boilerplate — A short “About the Company” paragraph at the bottom
- Contact Information — Name, phone, and email for media follow-up
- End notation — Traditionally marked with “###” to signal the end of the release
Getting these elements right matters because press release distribution sites and journalists expect a standard format. A poorly structured release gets ignored regardless of how good the news is.
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Using press releases in your SEO plan is a pretty smart and effective way to get the word out about your product or service. Now, this doesn’t mean that your press release announcing a new product will be featured in the local newspaper (but it could be), but it means that press release companies that usually command a nice web presence will post the press release on their website and their partners’ websites, effectively making stronger backlinks to your website. Though content is king, backlinks are the queen, and you do not mess with the queen now, do you?
When you write your press release, make sure that you include information about you and your company, as well as all the details about the product. The press release should be between 500 and 800 words and written for print, not for the web (meaning things like email and URLs should be spelled out correctly in the text).
Once you have a strong press release, submit it to half a dozen or more press outlets. There are actual companies online whose sole business is press releases.
Not sure if your news is worth a press release? Good candidates include a business grand opening or relocation, the launch of a new product or service, a significant award or recognition, a community partnership or sponsorship, a major hire or leadership change, or the results of a local event or campaign. Basically, if it is genuinely newsworthy to your customers and community, it is worth a press release.
If this interests you but you do not think you are capable of handling it, please reach out to Simply Web Services. Our team can write the press release for you and submit it on your behalf. Give us a call today 540-479-6350