ForumsAdvertising, Sales and Marketing

Yes, yes, and yes! For my business, press releases are probably the most important marketing tool. We do them regularly. Some releases never make it into a publication. Some do, and while they don't always directly relate to an increase in sales, I believe they build credibility and indirectly contribute to sales over time. When I'm lucky enough to have a release that coincides with a current editorial theme or feature story, it can be like lightning striking -- I've seen our call volume and website visits triple for a couple of weeks afterward on a few occasions like that. And all it costs is the time it takes to write it!

Hello. I have done a few press releases in the past 3 years. You can see them through my links on my web site BUZZ page. I used a company called MediaWire. I was impressed with the customer service staff and the individuals I spoke with were very friendly and helpful. I managed to do the press releases on their site fairly easy and all went well. The ratings system they use on the press release content is neat how they score your material and educational and their web statistics are quite interesting as people read the press release and possibly pick it up. It would be worth it to just do one to experience the behind-the-scenes activities.

MediaWire gives you tips and pointers on what makes a great press release like the all-important title and heading, the introductory summary and including some quotes from a source or two. I have only used press releases for significant things pertaining to my jewelry career when I was promoting an injured war hero through my necklace donations, when I entered the retail market for the holidays, when I had a Halloween theme on my web site, etc. I admit, it is difficult to always have a reason to do a press release unless you are advertising a brand new business, celebrating a special anniversary or your business is involved in something absolutely spectacular.

Now the good part....Did the press releases do anything for my career or my business? I would say not. While the press releases helped jump my "Google" rating a bit for several weeks and made my name and web site appear more on the Internet search engines, I can't really say I sold more necklaces than usual. My phone was not really ringing off the hook and Hollywood did not end up calling for me to cover the red carpet and nobody offered me some projects. Oprah didn't try to reach me to have me come on her show and business went on as usual. But it was fun and I enjoyed entertaining myself and it was definitely a great learning experience to try some.