SEO Press Releases Boost Sales
According to a recent article in DM News at http://tinyurl.com/dfmen5, many business owners are increasing their public relations efforts right now.
Why?
Especially when times are tough, it’s essential to build buzz and keep your messaging in front of targeted audiences - Otherwise, the competition will.
And if you have a tight budget, you can significantly increase awareness with SEO keywords.
Are you optimizing your press releases for the search engines?
If you have heard about this process and don’t have the money to pay an SEO expert, try doing it yourself.
It’s simple. Use a free keyword tool like www.wordtracker.com or http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/search.html to find the top words your target market searches for online.
Then, by placing these keywords into your press releases, you can significantly increase awareness online.
Try it and see what happens. Just by spending a little more time on your press-release copy, you can boost site visitation and sales.
Have questions about SEO copywriting? Let me know. I’d be glad to help!

February 24th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hello,
Myself and two others own a small business in a very specific niche: long haul auto transportation. I have spoken with marketing firms about SEO, however, I do not know how much key search words would help our business. The companies that we are after do not do this kind of searching.
Is there something more to this technique than just search words? What are your thoughts on how this may help a small company that works with truckers and brokers in an industry that is largely unseen and unheard?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Matt
February 24th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Do you recommend using a Press Release service? Or simply posting the release to your site?
Thanks in advance
Miyoko
Indulge Party
February 25th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Hi Matt,
By placing SEO keywords in all of your online marketing materials (newsletters, e-mails, press releases, etc.), you will build buzz and credibility - Press members may find your information easily, call to interview you and quote you in a major media venue. (If they don’t find your business easily, they may call your competitors instead.)
Your main target market may not look for your services online, but by taking a little extra time to use SEO keywords, you can garner additional media attention and build buzz without spending any extra money.
Hope this helps,
Melanie
February 25th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Hi Miyoko,
Thanks for your comment. I would suggest that you post your press releases on your site, distribute them on all the free posting sites online, and use a low-cost distribution service like http://www.prweb.com. (For bigger budgets, try PRNewswire, BusinessWire, etc.)
And for the best results, try contacting media members directly via phone and give a succint pitch.
For more information on this, check out http://www.startupnation.com/steps/77/steps-successful-public-relations.htm.
Hope this helps, and I wish you all the best,
Melanie
February 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I have a start-up Ecommerce toy store. What makes my business unique from all the other stores is that I am promoting the creation of Elferies(TM), little playrooms under the stairs, in attic eaves, and other cubbyholes. Perfect places for children and visiting elves. My business carries items to make and/or furnish these Elferies, as well as an Elfery toy-of-the-month program. Is this concept viable material for a press release?
February 26th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Agree with Melanie posting press releases and blogging is the way to build up links. Be picky look at quality not quantity when you start posting because you do want to aim for a certain base.
Word of mouth offline is the best of all, no technology will ever replace it and I am a web designer/programmer.
February 26th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Hi Melanie and good post,
Can I add a shameless plug about the Newsforce (wwww.newsforce.com) easy to use SEO tool for optimizing press releases? For $20 (or as little as $13 with a subscription), anyone with little or even no SEO experience can easily,
-Find optimal target keywords with the Keyword Wizard that helps you choose popular and relevant keywords, and prioritize them quickly.
-The tool shows you where to insert and repeat your keywords so that your release ranks higher in search engine results. You control the writing.
-Receive proprietary Ranking Reports, showing you how your release ranked on the search results pages, from the first 3 hours through the first week.
Thanks again for writing about this subject and for allowing me to comment.
February 26th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Note that some press release services offer different pricing options, so make sure you get the plan that offers anchor text (links) for optimal effect. That way firms PRWeb will let you turn your keywords into links which turns it into an inbound link. But not all firms allow anchor text.
Hubspot has a Press Release Marketing Kit that I thought was helpful. You have to register, but it is free, and they don’t harass you into buying anything.
http://www.hubspot.com/press-release-marketing-kit/