Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I can also attest to the power of HARO. I submitted a query on behalf of a client of mine and we landed a segment on a national Fox morning show! It takes time to sort through the queries several times a day but is well worth it if you're looking for national media exposure.

PR is for news only, folks. A new business may be newsworthy or not - it depends.

Before sending out press releases, consider...

• Does what I have to say count as news? New store openings, events, releasing a study...these are news worthy items.  A pitch about your business isn't news worthy.

Try the following....

• Find the proper format for a press release online. If you have good writing skills you can write it yourself, but follow the format.
• Create a pitch package with background information about your business.
• Use the free resources others have mentioned.
• Find local journalists, radio and TV anchor people; contact them when they are NOT on air and send your package directly to them.
• Go to Blog Talk Radio and find shows in your niche - contact the hosts directly and send them your release. Pitch them via email.
• Find bloggers in your market/niche and pitch them on your release.

These are a few ideas I recommend to my small business clients.

Good luck and feel free to drop me a note with any questions.

free resources that have worked for me:

prlog.org

directionsmag.com

freepressrelease.com

1888pressrelease.com

Jeanne over at Seven Oaks nailed it. Thank you!

A PR marketing campaign that has worked well for my own copywriting business is to pen articles for trade magazines. You can find hundreds of trade publications here...mondotimes.com and allyoucanread.com.

For other tips on Email marketing, lead generation, and SEO check out my blogs:
freelancewritermarketingcenter and MarketingBuddha.

All best,

Sonya