Press Releases: Cost-Effective and Highly Effective
Let me begin by pointing out the fact that many people trust journalists and editors as unbiased sources of truth. Now please don't misquote me. I didn't say journalists ARE unbiased, or truthful for that matter. I'm just making the point that this is often many people's perception of them. "How is that a benefit," you ask? I'll tell you.
Press releases give you instant credibility. When you read about a ministry leader in a well-known publication, even if the ministry is unknown to you, your perception of it instantly changes. Why does this happen? It's because you trust the credibility of the source, and thus; by association, the ministry is cast in the same light.
I often consult with eager clients who ask, "Can you guarantee that my press release will be published?" If I had a nickel (a dollar would actually be better) for every time a client asked me this question, I would be well on my way to giving the biggest tithe of my life. So let me share the answer with you. Say it with me…"There is no magic bullet." So back away from the downloadable e-book that guarantees that it will teach you the secret that has long been locked away in a secret vault, that will get your press release published every time. There absolutely is no such secret. Now that we've established that, there are methods you can employ that will increase the likelihood that your press release will be noticed.
Here are a few simple rules you should follow.
Rule #1-Make sure you know how to properly format your press release. Take time to research the unique formatting preferences and specifications of each editor you are targeting. You don't want your news to be tossed aside simply because you failed to do your homework.
Rule#2-Write like a Journalist. Avoid at all cost, words like amazing, awesome, splendiferous and life-altering! You get my drift. If you sound like you're selling your ministry, you can guarantee that your press release will be tossed in the trash can. That would be a tragic waste of all your hard work.
Rule #3-Make it Interesting. A list of your weekly service schedule is not exactly newsworthy, and the fact that you changed the paint in the nursery doesn't actually qualify as news either. Make sure you place your news in the context of a relevant and interesting topic. This greatly increases your chances of being published.
These are just the basics, but there's enough here to get you started on the right track. Oh, and by the way…never, ever, ever use exclamation points in your press release!!!
copyright©2006 Hobbs Ministries. All rights reserved.
Related Tags: public relations, publicity, christian press releases, ministry copywriting
Dianna Hobbs is Vice President of Hobbs Ministries, a Christian Copywriting and PR Firm. The company helps ministries to develop, enhance, and maximize the potential of their marketing materials by leveraging the creative power of words. To learn more, visit http://www.hobbsministries.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Writing The Best Ad Copy Possible For Newspapers
Learning how to write ads for Newspapers is a very important skill a small business owner should mas - Top Suggestions To Become A Far Better Proofreader
Proofreading is a process which involves rectifying several spelling and other grammatical mistakes - Greatest Training Strategies
When you have ever been to a health care provider, the first thing they do is convince you to do low - What Everybody Ought To Know About Publishing
Imagine picking up your daily newspaper and fiding blank pages. Or turning on the 6 p.m. news to be - Get Your Creative Juices Going
Writing an article doesn't just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. A - Article Review Test- Facing And Passing The Article Review Process Easily
Article review test is an important step that any new writer has to take in order to write for an ar - Adopting Good Writing Tactics For High Search Engine Rankings
Search engine optimization of the site is responsible for improving the accessibility of the site on - How Big Should Your Headline Be?
I've recently seen this demonstrated in a split test I put together on the entry page of my web site - Crafts Articles - How to bag maintenance
cheap chanel purses can not help but have a subtle cortical surface wounds, hand temperature and m - Classified Advertising: Follow The Aida Formula For Success
Writing classified ads really is easier than you think. All you have to do is follow a simple formul
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Sales Letter Writing
When writing a sales letter, it is important to have a good attitude in order to sell your product o - Why Copywriting Doesn't Work
Once upon a time I had an ad critiqued by one of the world's few copywriting geniuses.Not a freelanc - Secret to Writing Killer Copy
The point of contact is any place where your potential client has the opportunity to see your market - Increase the Power of Your Sales Letter in 2007
Writing a good sales letter can be frustrating. Looking around at some examples you find that most - 3 Keys To Effective Sales Letters
Today I want to talk a little bit about sales letters. You've probably read tons of sales letters d - Newsletters: 4 Mistakes People Make
68% of customers stop doing business because of perceived indifference through lack of communication - How To Write Killer Sales Letters That Will Help Flood Your Inbox With Cash
A powerful, well-constructed sales letter is undoubtedly one of the most lethal tools in an internet - How To Write Advice Marketers Must Have
How to write sales copy advice is easy to find in the marketing world. All marketers know they must - Seven Webcopy Essentials To Boost Sales In 2007: How To Engage Online Visitors
Relevant webcopy is the key to engaging your website's visitors and converting more sales in 2007.Fo - Discover the Winning Ad Headline That Skyrockets Traffic, Sales, Profits & Subscription Rates
You may have heard that a good headline is what you need at the top of your sales page to get your v
