The Internet has resurrected the press release and given it a second wind. The press release is as valid today in the Digital era alongside Google and Social Media as it was when TV and Radio came along to challenge the supremacy of Newspapers and the print media in the 1930s and 1950s. Today the press release has a fundamental role and function in driving traffic to your website.

When it comes to effective Internet / Digital Marketing there are two certainties – Content is King and Google is God!! Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the most important factor behind this resurgence in the press release. With keywords, tags, links and multimedia content, the new “Social Media Release” attracts key audiences. The term “media release” is more relevant and appropriate than press release because the “press” are just one component audience in a truly multimedia world!! There are so many audiences that might be potentially interested in your topic, issues, company, product or industry ie journalists, analysts, consumers, partners, competitors, and potential employees.

Although well crafted prose is still required, developing an effective press release in the era of SEO and social media requires a change in approach. Here are ten tips to help you handle that change and truly optimise your press releases. (more…)

This post is filed under: Marketing for Small Businesses, Media, Online / Internet Marketing, PR /Press Releases, Public Relations

This is the best PR story of 2012 so far. Although we are only a week into the New Year, I very much doubt whether it will be bettered throughout the rest of the year, on a number of levels!!

The PR story released by Young Mamalade and Halfords to the media via the Press Association this week, centred on the fact that driving with a heavy cold can affect driving aptitude and ability to the same extent as consuming more than four double whiskies. The story suggested that motorists who insist on driving when they are struggling with a heavy cold or flu could be causing thousands of accidents a year. Apparently according to scientific research undertaken by Young Marmalade and Halfords, reaction times dropped sharply, sudden braking became much more frequent and cornering became erratic as the motorist was less aware of surrounding traffic. (more…)

This post is filed under: Marketing for Blue Chip Companies, Marketing for Small Businesses, Marketing for SMEs, Media, Online / Internet Marketing, PR /Press Releases, Public Relations