Congratulations for coming this far. Anyone who has stayed with the course right to the end deserves to be called a full-fledged Publicity Hound!
In the weeks and months ahead, don’t feel obligated to “do everything at once.” And don’t get frustrated if you’re not moving at a fast enough pace.
If you’ve never written or sent press releases before signing on to this course, you’re already miles ahead of some professional PR people who have been writing press releases the wrong way for years but don’t know any better.
Here are 5 tips for putting what you’ve learned into practice:
- Each week, choose only one thing related to press releases that you want to accomplish. It might be setting up an online media room. Or learning more about search engine optimization. Or thinking of a way you can incorporate audio or video into your press release. This will keep you from scattering your efforts and trying to do too much at one time.
- Find a press release buddy. It can be someone who works at another company or nonprofit. If you’re an author, it might be another author who writes her own press releases. Critique or proofread each other’s press releases. Or just brainstorm ideas for new press releases.
- Keep the list of weekly topics for this entire course close at hand, and refer to it when you can’t remember how to do something I’ve already taught.
- If your press releases don’t result in immediate inquiries from the media, don’t worry. Remember, you’re writing them not only for journalists, but for consumers.
- If you get a great media hit, or a speaking engagement or a big sale as a result of a press release you learned how to write from this course, please let me know about it.
Now, can I ask you for two favors?
Favor #1:
I want to know what you thought of this course. If you liked it, please let me know whether I can use your comments as a testimonial at my website. And please send your photo so I can use it with your testimonial. If you didn’t like the course, please explain why. You can email me with feedback.
Favor #2:
If you liked the course, please let others know about it. You can do that by linking to the sign-up page at http://www.89pressreleasetips.com or blogging about the course, or including an item about it in your newsletter. Also, tell your trade associations, chambers of commerce, online discussion groups and anyone else who you think might be able to benefit.
Thanks again for joining me. Now go out and create some fabulous publicity.
Opportunity #89: Visit by a celebrity or public figure
If a celebrity or well-known person is visiting you or your company or organization, write a press release, even if their appearance isn’t open to the public.
If they’re coming for a special event you’re hosting, you should be doing far more than just sending a press release. You should be sending customized pitches to your targeted media list. “How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events” is the only resource you’ll need to host events that draw lots of media people, spectators and participants. Debra J. Schmidt, who managed community events for a TV station in Milwaukee, helped me produce 6 audio CDs and 15 valuable checklists for event planners. The entire package is also available as an electronic transcript. You can learn more about it here.