Wednesday, May 7, 2008

How To Write A Press Release A Powerful Sales Tool

Writen by Fred Koss

Many people feel they lack the expertise or the time to write a "Press Release". This form of marketing is not all that difficult and certainly not mysterious. By giving some attention to what others have written and applying a little elbow grease, you will be amazed at what you come up with.

A Press Release is "news". It "tells" people about something, it doesn't "sell" something, but it is still a very good sales tool! For instance, you are reading this article because you want to learn something that will help you. You aren't reading it because you wanted to buy something. In our business our main goal is to please our customers, providing them with a good, quality product and give them more than their money's worth. (Hence this article!) The trick is making money while doing all this as well. People don't care what hurdles you had to jump to find a great product. All they want to know is what it will do for them and where to get it.

The sales flyers you print and mail sell your products. A Press Release simply informs people about your product. Your main objective doesn't always have to be selling the product and getting the order right now. A Press Release will tell the customer how your product will benefit their lives. This can be done in a "newsworthy" Press Release. You can convert a sales circular into a Press Release without much difficulty. It's just a new angle for presenting your product to the public.

The following example of a Press Release tells about our services but doesn't sell:

"So many people are entering the 'Work at Home' market these days, but so many of them are confused by the hype. Promises of untold riches plays havoc with emotions making people believe it's easy to make huge income figures.

A new easy to understand manual has been released to help solve these issues. The manual has a directory, listing real names and addresses of over 200 honest and trustworthy work at home job providers. People can contact these companies and get free information to get them started in their own 'Work at Home' business!

At long last there is a real answer! Without trying to sell you anything else, you can get this manual for a price you can easily afford. Meet the real 'Work at Home' providers who care about their products and want to help you get started making money.

Only available on the Internet at www.Workathomeop.com."

This short and simple Press Release demonstrates the "newsworthiness" of it's product. The main focus is on the fact that most people get "snowed in" by all the hype when they want to start a home business. The answer to this problem is a new directory that is now available! The reader will naturally want to get the manual. No money is asked for, but the press release tells the reader how to get a copy.

Here's a simple test for a real press release. Is the release worth reading without the final paragraph, where the sales pitch is? Try it... Read the Press Release aloud but omit the last paragraph. Is it still worth reading without the sales pitch? If so, it's likely a good a Press Release. This simple rule applies even though different products will result in some changes to how the News Release is written.

One of the simplest ways to start learning how to write your own News Release is to look at the local newspaper and pay attention to the methods used there. Even if you have never written before, don't give up, simply note how each article is written and pattern your's the same way. After you have done a few of them, you will "figure it out."

The proper way to submit your Press Release to a publisher is quite simple: Be sure and type it double-spaced and not longer than two pages. Put your name, address and page number at the top of each page. If you're submitting to only one paper be sure to add the note "first run". Also at the top include "For Immediate Release."

Now just jump in and give it a try. After all who is more qualified and knows more about your product than you? You are the one, so simply act on it.

Fred specializes in thinking "outside the box". A number of years ago he was deeply affected by a sales manager who challenged him to think "past the pages" of the "how to" sales manual. The result was astonishing and his sales soared to top levels. He has created a Work at Home resource web site that offers simple but great opportunities for people who are willing to change the way they think about work. Check it out at http://workathomeop.com/

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