Press release right now or later?

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Press release right now or later?

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beachdi

posts: 70

Nov 11, 2007 7:23 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi All,

Should I send press releases now, or rather when my website launches in 2 weeks?

OR should I wait at least a month to make sure I can handle the whole process of orders, shipping, inventory tracking etc. I am a 1 girl show and have never sold anything on line before. I will have a retail website selling my products. Plus my inventory is probably not as large as it should be as I ran out of money and once the stock is gone I need to have more tshirts screenprinted.

when do you start PR? Start contacting local newspapers etc.

Dianne

SmallBusinessPRExpert

posts: 149

Nov 11, 2007 10:20 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi, Dianne,

It`s always best to release information about a new company or product when people can immediately get to it, purchase it, experience it. The problem about doing it too soon is that consumers can forget about it by the time you`re up and running, plus media aren`t likely to run anything until you`re officially up. Without it you lack credibility because no one can experience your business. I would definitley wait until your site is up and you`ve worked out all of the kinks. Until then you can start working on your press kit.

Since you don`t have a large inventory start slow with media. I recommend sticking to your local press and then slowly grow to regional and then national. This will help you get your business running, see how things are going, make any necessary changes and grow your inventory before reaching a larger, broader audience. You definitely have to decide what you`re going to do based on what you can handle, but being a successful business owner means hard work, and I`ll make a bet on the fact that you`ve got the drive, excitement and energy to make it happen.

Without knowing more about your site, this is all I can offer in response to your questions. Please feel free to email me offline if you have any additional questions.

Best,

Jennifer

Engraver

posts: 178

Nov 11, 2007 11:47 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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When I lived in Texas, you couldn`t get a press release posted until they investigated it to make sure you weren`t a fly by night scam. They have alot of issues with that around Dallas, so I am assuming alot of places are like that.

beachdi

posts: 70

Nov 12, 2007 8:08 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Jennifer,

Fantastic advice. After reading this it seemed so obvious...now why didn`t I know that? Because you are the professional. I will work on my press release kit, which I will make available for download online by Christmas.

I am very glad to be taking it slow. It will give me plenty of practice and therefore I will be ready for the spring/summer large orders.

Engraver- valid point. I am sure our local papers would want to see the website and know more about my customers...(what customers)??

thank you,

Dianne

PRPro

posts: 441

Nov 12, 2007 8:43 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Dianne,

Great advice! This way, you`ll also get the practice you need doing interviews with smaller media venues before the "big" shows start calling.

One tiny note for taking it slow...Are you trying to be the "first to market" with your business? If so, you need to work faster and get the word out to a targeted group of people who will be ready to write about your business when you are ready to go. You may want to look into "exclusives" with the media now. And have these go out prior to your big press release. After all, you do need to have a good, working product when you start, but it would be horrible if while you are working on all the kinks and taking it slow, someone else announces their same service before you do. Just a thought...

Thanks,

Melanie

-------------------------

Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites

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