A media release (or press release) is an excellent way to promote your business and should be a part of your marketing toolkit. For example, your business can use them to announce specific events or increase brand awareness in your area.
As with all marketing, clear and effective communication is crucial for press releases. Media releases help your business reach a larger audience and increase brand awareness. Here’s how:
Free promotion
Media coverage is essentially free advertising for your business. The only cost is the rate of your content writer and distribution fee. These are minimal compared to the potential promotion you’ll receive and the high cost of paid radio and television advertising. A media release could result in your story airing in a radio interview, evening news, or online or print publication.
Reach a larger audience
Press releases are a fantastic way to reach a larger audience, introduce your business to new people, and boost brand awareness and authority. All in all, it can be a highly effective marketing tool. Considering you have the opportunity to introduce your business to new markets, you want to catch the attention of reporters and newsrooms, so they run your story. If you’re not sure how to write a press release, hiring a professional writer can help you do that.
Improve your SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential part of modern marketing. When a potential customer begins their online search, you want your business to be the first result. When a publication publishes your press release on their website, your business gets a valuable backlink, which can help with SEO.
In addition, your business, keywords, and links will appear on publishers’ websites, and social media feeds. This content can also help increase SEO.
Build an online presence
While successful press releases can improve SEO, they can also help you increase your general online presence. With your story posted online and on publishers’ social media feeds, you can increase reach, impressions, and engagement with a new audience. You can share that content on your social channels and continue to build brand awareness and engagement.
Position yourself as an authority
It’s advantageous to position your business as a market leader. Press releases help establish you as an authority in your industry, improve your credibility, and build trust with consumers. Brand authority is good for business, but it also increases the likelihood of more publications featuring your company in the future.
Control your brand image
When you write a media release, you craft the message. While reporters and interviewers will ask for more information, the general story will remain in your control. The information published online or on-air will positively and genuinely reflect your brand. You manage your reputation and shape the public perception of your business.
Are you using media releases to grow your business?
If you’re not yet taking advantage of the free promotion offered by media releases, now is a great time to start! Circlewood Creative offers professionally written press release services for Edmonton-based clients. Contact us today to learn more.