Search:

Would you like to contribute to this site? Home Based Business Menu Submit an Article Submit a Tip Place your Ad Add URL Home Based Business Questions? Contact Us  How To Start A Home Business   Types Of Home Based Businesses   Home Based Business Ideas   Online Home Based Business   Starting An Internet Business   Top Home Based Businesses   Service Home Based Businesses   Day Care Home Based Business   Home Based Business Opportunities   Making Money   Internet Business Resources   Home Based Business Help   Home Based Business Information

Return To Home Based Business Article Archive   Search the Article Archives Using Press Releases to Generate Free Publicity for Your Home-Based Business By Anthony Samuel Local newspapers love to write articles about home-based entrepreneurs. In fact, if you wait long enough, a beat reporter will probably track you down. But why wait? Make the reporters job easier and score some free publicity for your business by sending the newspaper a press release. Why Would Newspapers Care About My Business? Almost everyone has fantasized about storming into their bosss office and saying, 'Take this job and shove it!' When newspaper subscribers read about home-based business owners, theyre able to live vicariously through your success. 'You see, Marge, this guy did it - so can we!' Of course, Marge and her husband will probably never take the plunge into home-based business ownership, but thats beside the point. The point is that newspapers love to run articles about businesses just like yours - and reporters would love it if you made their jobs easier by sending them press releases. A word of caution: If your home-based business is located in New York City, Chicago, Detroit, or even a 'smaller' town like Green Bay or Portland, your odds of getting newspaper coverage are greatly diminished. Chances are, your home-based business will not be featured on the front page of the Los Angeles Times, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt give it a shot. Better yet, you can send your press releases to smaller publications specific to your industry. How Do I Format My Press Release? Begin by using company letterhead. If you dont have any, now would be a fine time to make a minimal investment in the professionalism of your businesss image. Or, if you prefer, you can create your own letterhead in a simple program like Microsoft Word. The result can be just as good if youre a skilled computer user. Next, create an attention-grabbing headline for your press release. Just imagine what your dream headline would be if it could appear as written in the newspaper. Make sure your headline will really catch the editors eye - newspaper editors get bombarded with dozens of press releases every day, so you have to make sure yours stands out. One good way to do this is to leave the reader wanting to find out more. Dont give away the whole story in your headline, just give them enough to catch their interest. Your headline should be in a larger, bold-faced font. You can put a longer sub-title underneath it, more thoroughly explaining the purpose of the press release, but thats optional. Next, youll want to begin the actual body of the press release. Start with a dateline, such as Ann Arbor, MI (09/14/2006)--, all italicized as shown. Then make sure you write the most important information in the first paragraph, as many times editors will give up on a press release if it doesnt interest them in the first few sentences. You need to hook the reader in! Some Final Tips on Crafting a Successful Press Release Your press release should be a maximum of one page. There are two reasons for this: 1) Editors are busy and unlikely to read anything longer than a page. And 2) the shorter your press release, the more likely it is to be published in verbatim. Thats right, many times busy editors and reporters simply take a well-written press release and slap it into the next edition, so be sure that your article is well-written and error-free. If youre not a good writer, consider hiring an English major from the local university, or perhaps a freelance writer from the internet. There are several sites on the web where press release writers can be hired at affordable prices. Finally, dont give up. If your first press release isnt gobbled up by the newspapers, send another - and another, and another. Make sure your press releases are actually newsworthy or would serve as interesting human interest stories, and send no more than one per month. Eventually, your persistence should pay off. Either youll finally win over the editor, or hell give in just to get you to stop sending the press releases! Either way, a newspaper story about your home-based business can spread the word more efficiently and economically than almost any form of paid advertising. The time and energy you put into crafting and submitting the press releases will be well worth the effort. About the Author: Anthony Samuel is a successful entrepreneur with 10 years experience in the home based business industry. He reviews home business opportunities and shares his industry views at http://www.find-a-home-based-business-opportunity.com

Get your Home Based Business questions answered... Subscribe to our Home Based Business Newsletter FREE! Your First Name: Your Email Address: Do you have an ezine? List your ezine in our Free Newsletter Directory!

 

Home  |   Ask the Home Based Business Expert  |   Home Based Business Archive  |   Home Based Business RSS Feeds  |   Advertise  |   Sitemap