Using Public Relations and Media Effectively

A press release is a great tool to support your advertising efforts. A well placed editorial combined with traditional advertising, will make your advertising dollars more effective and efficient. Public relations is hard work. Often times PR is referred to as FREE publicity, but it is not free at all. In fact, PR is very expensive because it takes TIME, a limited resource for many entrepreneurs. Your public relations campaign plan is every bit as important as your advertising plan a good marketing plan should have both components. By complimenting your advertising plan with press releases about your company, product or service that relate to current trends or news, you can get the most of out of your advertising dollars. Some important points to note in writing a press release are outlined below.



The 10 Most Important Points to Consider when Submitting a Press Release
1. Keep the length of your press release one page or less.
2. Make your headline count. It's the first thing anyone sees and it must grab the reader's attention.
3. Tell about your products or services in one or two clear sentences.
4. Use a reputable distribution service. Do not send bulk emails to editors.
5. Follow the rules of grammar and style as you would for any piece of writing.
6. Use timely information, preferably related to current events or trends.
7. Make every word count and count every word.
8. Make sure your release gets broad coverage with national and regional publications, radio, television and Internet news sites.
9. Include as much contact information as possible: name, address, phone, after-hours phone, fax, email, Website.
10. Stick to the facts; avoid hype.



For more press release tips a great resource is http://www.press-release-writing.com/

Type, Talk, Text...with Tact!

A Communication Etiquette Workshop

Presented by Erika Langill of Get Ahead Works

We communicate our messages every day using a variety of devices - cell phones, voicemail, email, and the internet. For some of us, these are the only ways in which we communicate with our clients. Making a good impression and communicating the correct messages are always important in business. But, could you be unknowingly communicating the wrong messages to your customers? Could you potentially lose a sale, or even a customer, because your email message was misunderstood, or your voice did not convey a certain tone when responding to a client over the phone? In this interactive workshop, we will discuss:

• How Communication Works...and Why Communication Sometimes Fails.
• Ways in Which to Make a Great Impression Over the Phone and Through Email
• Telephone, Voicemail, and Internet Etiquette
• The Importance of Verbal and Vocal Communication, and Tips to Improve Both Areas
• Communicating with Angry Customers...and much more!!

WTAMU Small Business Development Center

Thursday, May 22th

6 pm to 9 pm

$20 per person

Bank of America Building -- 701 S. Taylor

For more information call 806-372-5151