Use hashtags, Twitter handles in press release headlines

Hashtags and Twitter handles are showing up everywhere these days: on TV commercials, in voicemail messages and even on billboards.

Add press release headlines to the list. Yes, headlines.

Why? Two main reasons:

When people use hashtags to search for information on a topic, the headlines come up in search results.

Hashtags (#) and Twitter handles (@PublicityHound) encourage people to share your releases. Add a Twitter handle when you’re quoting someone within your release and that quote might be retweeted again and again and again.

Some of the old ways of calling attention to our news, like lots of links within our press releases, have fallen by the wayside.

Join me this afternoon from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time for my webinar on “Google’s New Rules for Press Release Links.” I’ll expain which tactics and strategies are in, which are out, and how you can use the new rules wisely. Register here.

Even if you outsource press release writing to freelancers, you must be sure THEY understand the new rules, too.

Can’t attend live? That’s OK. I’ll send you the video replay and all the bonuses within 72 hours.

You’ll see several examples this afternoon of hashtags and Twitter handles. Even if you decide you don’t like them, I want you to at least be aware of them. Join us!