Nowadays, online content marketing and brand awareness play an important role. For some, press releases may seem old-fashioned or outdated as corporate communications and content strategies have moved to other social media. But why are press releases still important in the digital age? In this article, you'll learn how important it is to write press releases that grab the attention of your target audience and the reasons why you should issue press releases for them.
Before we start, let's learn what a press release actually is?
Many of you have probably heard the term "press release”, but what is it really? According to Forbes magazine, it's a formal, official announcement about something new or important about you, your company, a speech, or something else. The purpose is to promote your business, save important information for future use, and improve SEO. Press releases are designed to inform journalists and reporters of the latest news about your business. For example, if you're hosting an important business event, you can let the public know about it through a press release. Therefore, press releases are very important in raising media awareness about your company and your brand.
A press release is not a guarantee that the media will cover the event. Make sure you find ways to highlight your press release to get as much media attention as possible. The intended audience for press releases is not only newspapers, but also radio and TV news, podcasts and blogs. This way, your brand can reach a wider audience.
Press releases are an effective tool. 72% of journalists cite press releases as one of the most useful features for a PR professional. Writing effective press releases is vital to building brand image, attracting media attention and increasing online visibility. However, first a press release must be written.
For a press release, your business needs to have a lot of good stories. You need to include something new or interesting in your press release to grab the attention of the media and your audience. The news content should be relevant, important and interesting. In general, it should contain something worth reading or writing about.
Don't know where to start? Here we have compiled at least 70 reasons why you should issue a press release for your association. Before the Internet and social media, press releases were reserved for journalists. However, more than 90% of press releases go unread, ignored or unpublished. Today, anyone with access to the Internet and an interest in your organization can publish a press release online.
Experienced PR writers use press releases to communicate directly with clients, donors, supporters, volunteers and the media.
Press releases remain an important marketing tool for companies large and small. If you're wondering if press releases are beneficial to your company, look no further. Let's check out these 70 ideas why you should issue a press release. You may be surprised at the possibilities for your business.
- Announce new products, programmes and services have been completed or under development.
- A new blog, a new RSS service or a new Twitter account has been created.
- Acknowledge receipt of grants and donations.
- Advocate political and economic issues that are important to you.
- Announce a fundraising campaign
- Announce an upcoming conference.
- Announce current events where you can add information.
- Announce how many hours your volunteers contribute to the community.
- Announce that the CEO will be attending or speaking at a public event or conference.
- Announce that you are expanding your facilities and programs.
- Announce the appointment of a new executive director, new trustees and new positions.
- Announce the recruitment of new staff, especially for positions that require direct contact with the public, such as volunteer coordinators or membership officers.
- Announce upcoming seminars and workshops and indicate what information will be covered.
- Announce your organization's anniversary.
- Announcement of a conference call
- Announcement of mergers and acquisitions
- Announcement of new partnerships and collaborations
- Celebrate fundraising successes.
- Celebration of an important event or anniversary
- Congratulate an award-winning member of the community who is active in your organization's field of work.
- Contributing to charity or other causes
- Create a survey or questionnaire on a topic that is interesting, relevant or specific to your area and publish the results.
- Create new, interesting and keyword-rich web content that interests Google.
- Describe how your organization uses technology in an interesting or unique way.
- Disagree with an event or issue or take a stand.
- Dissemination of success stories
- Distribution of certificates
- Encourage speakers to visit your center.
- Establish a framework for media involvement throughout the year.
- Forecast studies from industry experts
- Give others a useful suggestion for a solution to a problem faced by many people with similar problems.
- Hosting of webinars
- Induction training for new employees
- Inform the media about important events at local libraries.
- Invite journalists to an open day, give them a tour of the office or premises or ask to interview a key person.
- Involve the media in the public debate.
- Launch a new website, newsletter, annual report or publication.
- Let the media know that you will be interviewing staff and volunteers before and after the event.
- Letters to shareholders
- List a strategic partnership, media partnership or collaboration that has helped your organization.
- New customers or partners have emerged.
- New seminars, conferences or events are about to take place or have already taken place.
- New technical documents, presentations or videos are ready.
- Nominate a candidate and get a prize
- Nominate candidates and appoint board members and volunteers.
- Notification of a change of name or company name
- Notification of a local or national event or phenomenon.
- Notification of a new investor
- Notification of a new position
- Notification of changes in the structure of the company
- Opening a new office, opening a new business
- Organize competitions with interesting prizes.
- Participating in a national or local event
- Placing these announcements in the news section of your website is a great way to inform visitors, including media, volunteers and potential donors, about your organization's activities.
- Product redesign
- Promote events sponsored by your organization.
- Promote the new feature and its benefits in the communities you serve.
- Promote your new links on social media.
- Provide tips, such as the top 10 ways to recycle unwanted electronics or how to reduce heating costs.
- Publication of profit or revenue forecasts
- Publication of tender results
- Publication of training advice and information
- Publish a list of members who have used your services or programme.
- Publish new and interesting content on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to encourage readers to respond.
- Say hello to long-serving staff and volunteers.
- Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and ask them to publish it "just in case".
- Tell an interesting story about a prominent employee, board member or volunteer.
- Tell your audience how your organization has raised money.
- The company website has been redesigned or expanded.
- Volunteer for a community project and make yourself known.
Press releases are not advertising and should not offer low prices (such as discount offers 50% off!) or use a direct link to you. Press releases should always be informative and aimed at journalists and the general public. As it can be about anything, a press release is the best way to succeed in media and promotion.
Finding, writing and sending regular press releases is a surefire way to get media attention, gain exposure and build your organization's reputation. An annual media plan based on a press release is the most effective way to keep your organization's communications fresh, focused and reliable.
Natalia has been with PRnob Media since 2015. Does PR writing, social media marketing, SEO and customer support. Before she started with PRnob Media, she worked as a Customer support Executive for TRUEen.
