Ryze business networking

Private Reply to Tim Andren

Feb 10, 2009 3:20 pm

re: comments on press release please.

Tim Andren

Hey Reg

I like what you wrote. Great job. If I had any feedback it would be to move away from the factual approach a little and more towards the user-WIFM.

I'm a marketer so it's ingrained in me to look at it this way.

Cheers,
Tim Andren
http://timandren.com
Small Business Marketing

Feb 10, 2009 3:34 pm

Re: comments on press release please.

Teddy Towncrier

Tim .... I'd usually concur but... For this target market; Wouldn't hard facts may work better than emotion?

Bestest.

Teddy Towncrier CPP Towncrier-Media.com Supercharging Your Visions.

Private Reply to Teddy Towncrier

Feb 10, 2009 3:42 pm

re: Re: comments on press release please.

Tim Andren

Great question Teddy. Facts don't emote and a buying decision (no matter how much thought or rationality goes into it) is an emotional process.

If I present you with facts, you don't particularly care unless those facts translate to a gain for your business, personal life, etc. which is where feelings become involved. There are some great books available on this.

The best way to present a press-release as opposed to straight forward advertising is to weave both together IMO.

Tim Andren
http://timandren.com
Small Business Marketing

Private Reply to Tim Andren

Feb 10, 2009 5:52 pm

re: comments on press release please.

Kurt Schweitzer

I always thought a press release was targeted towards editors and journalists. The idea is to entice them to write a longer story about your product/service/business, isn't it?

Kurt Schweitzer
Urban Village Scooters

Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer

Feb 10, 2009 6:48 pm

re: re: comments on press release please.

Tim Andren

You're right. I'm only telling you what I've seen work.

Private Reply to Tim Andren

Feb 10, 2009 8:10 pm

re: comments on press release please.

Lindy Asimus

This reads like it is loading the name as keywords and the repetition is noticeable ( and irritating)

I think Tim is right on. There is all this stuff about the company and nothing to grab onto as a reader that says "it is in my interests to read and understand how this is useful to me to know".

Lindy

Private Reply to Lindy Asimus

Feb 10, 2009 8:36 pm

re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

The repetitions are due to the press release site's system.
They ask for the release in 3 parts, which can be released as just a heading, a short version or a full version.

Doing a release is a cross between hyping the product and presenting it as factually as possible.
Put too much hype and the release does not get published.

Reg

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to Lindy Asimus

Feb 11, 2009 12:14 am

re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Lindy Asimus

Reg, are you equating what was suggested with 'hype'?

I don't think that was ever the idea.
"Interesting" may be more close to the mark.
Factual of course.

Lindy

Feb 11, 2009 12:39 am

re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

Hyping would be to write something like,
PaintEngine will enable you to make your photos into artwork that Rembrandt would envy.

While *somewhat* factual it attributes something that is on the verge of sounding like "Make Thousands Of Dollars Overnight".

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

Feb 11, 2009 9:50 am

re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Scott Wolpow

It all depends on what market you are going after.

The professional person wants facts, not to feel good. The non-skilled person wants to think they can be an artist and draw a picture of a turtle.

Feb 11, 2009 5:55 pm

re: re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Lindy Asimus

I'm not sure what you mean by a professional person Scott, but if it be what I think you mean, then (some) facts will make them feel good.

Lindy

Private Reply to Lindy Asimus

Feb 11, 2009 10:39 pm

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Scott Wolpow

A professional would be a graphics person who creates artwork for money.

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

Feb 14, 2009 7:59 am

re: comments on press release please.

Kathy Buck

The best press releases grab the targets attention in the first line. Announcing a new product as an opener is a snooze for any editor, they get hundreds of new product releases on their desks and e-mailed.

You have three targets; 1 - the professional graphics 2- pro- photographers and 2- the novices. Segment your marketing.

KB

Private Reply to LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Feb 14, 2009 8:12 am

re: re: comments on press release please.

LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Hi

I'm not thinking of this as a Press Release but better for you to submit as an article to various ezines or a landing page for your audience - what about that?

The audience on this for a press release would be a very narrow reach.

As a former TV reporter, what we're looking for in a press release is something very timely, exciting, brand new, different, that applies to the person next door, how can we show it, demonstrate it, etc.

While your release is short - that's good, but actually a bit too short. It reads to me more like a sales letter than a press release.

Press releases usually start with location and date. There is a specific format to follow in a press release and if it doesn't have the "usual" look, it may not be taken seriously.

If you want to send a press release, I would suggest you go to www.guru.com or any of those kinds of e-lance sites and offer about $50 to $100 for someone to write one for you.

Best wishes on it!
sheryl
http://leashesandlovers.com

Feb 14, 2009 8:51 am

re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Kathy Buck

Knowing Reg, I think his objective was to get the attention of industry experts...

Still though Sheryl makes some good points. A release to any broadcast sector has a format. Think of a press release as a cold call, there are gatekeepers in the line of who see's your PR as well.

When I worked in radio I can't even begin to tell ya how many idiotic releases the station would get. So much so that at one station we had a pool of "worst of the year" releases. The station receptionist was the stations gatekeeper.

Releases in the media sector get distributed in three general ways;

1- The relevant to listeners/viewers/readers RE: community calender.
2- Leads to Sales staff.
3- The real hard hitting relevant! RE: Get this person for an interview NOW!

KB

Feb 14, 2009 12:23 pm

re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

Aside from the omission of the physical location in the lead-in, the release followed format as dictated by the releasing organization.

While Fantastic Machines does have a physical location, the company is an internet based one and thus the lead-in URL instead of the physical location.

As Kathy said, the release is to get the attention of graphic professionals.

We have other campaigns to target hobby users, students, and download portals.

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to Kurt Schweitzer

Feb 14, 2009 10:44 pm

re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Kurt Schweitzer

Can you shorten it to 140 characters or less?

Kurt Schweitzer
Urban Village Scooters

Feb 16, 2009 3:26 am

re: comments on press release please.

Marilyn Jenett

Sorry to say this, Reg, but what you wrote is not a press release. It's an ad.

A release that looks like an ad or a veiled ad is exactly the opposite of what will get attention. In fact, it will often get you blackballed from most editors. I have been researching press release information for a few years.

Now, a good release would be one that starts out talking about the new technology in general, not your product. And there should be a zinger headline to grab attention. Then in the body of the release, you should be quoted and your business/product is mentioned. So you get the exposure but it's not a blatant ad for your product.

Also, press releases are no longer just for editors and journalists - that's passe. They are now also for the public and consumers in this digital age.

Joan Stewart is a famous publicist. She has a free tutorial: "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases."

In her first tip, she explains why you must stop writing the standard "old school" press release aimed only at journalists.

You can sign up for the free 89 tips here:

http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

Marilyn

Marilyn Jenett
Founder, Feel Free to Prosper Program
http://www.FeelFreetoProsper.com
http://prosper-network.ryze.com

Feb 16, 2009 8:52 am

re: re: comments on press release please.

Kathy Buck

Press Releases aimed at editors is passe? Really?

Not if your objective is to get a product review form niche publications. While a "general" release may capture the attention of a "general" audience. PR aimed at a product review and capturing that attention will pack more of a punch.
So IF a tech head editor/ blogger see's the release, researches and writes a review of product - those readers have a "trust" and will be more ready to look at the product.

it would be no different then if you (Marilyn) had notice of a "self improvement" publications media calendar and saw a planned August 09 feature on self manifestations planned and opted to do some PR to gain editors attention of your knowledge and experience. Techy publications always seek to do reviews on the latest releases of products. No arguement on the copy needing a bit of va-voom --techies though generally just want the facts. RE: Functions, Cost, Release date, etc

Joan Stewart indeed has some great tips for PR. She releases very general info to attract. I'm sure if in a paid consulting situation she'd advise the same tactic of product review VS general audience targeting. BTW - Joan lives about 2 miles from me *wink*

:-)

Feb 16, 2009 1:26 pm

re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

Hi Marilyn,
I have a problem with signing up for something that comes in one dribble at a time.

Perhaps you could point me to one of your press releases that uses the tips, so I may see what I need to do?

Discussing the technology would devolve into discussions of mathematical algorithms which would be well over the heads of most concerned.

Fantastic Machines is well known as is PaintEngine.
Given that our old product, the PaintEngine beta, has achieved acclaim in numerous graphics magazines around the world, the "zinger" is to let photo mag editors, interested graphic artists, and our consumers know that there is a new release.

Perhaps starting with something like "Turn photos into paintings" would be more of a hook for the general public.

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Feb 16, 2009 3:17 pm

re: re: comments on press release please.

LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Thanks for your publicity tips - I'm always up for further education!

I signed up.

sheryl
creator of http://LeashesandLovers.com

Feb 16, 2009 5:26 pm

re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

Sheryl,

Could you come back in a month or so and give us your input on the usefulness of the tips, and if you enjoyed the 39 emails, which I can imagine to be full of "enticements" to 'buy now'.

I agree with Marilyn that Joan Stewart is a known publicist but IMO she is more inclined to push her services than strict adherence to the truth.

Go to her blog http://publicityhound.net/
In her first article she states,

"One of the other huge advantages, is that because the search engines view Expertclick as an authoritative site, my Expertclick profile gets excellent ranking when someone types “publicity expert” into Google. In fact, I have the top three positions for that keyword phrase. The first position is to the homepage at my website. The second is to the bio at my website. The third is to my Expertclick profile.

So, in effect, I’ve trounced my competitors for this keyword phrase. How well do you trounce yourse? Are you even on the first page of Google?

If not, an Expertclick subscription could put you there. In addition to your profile, you can post up to 52 press releases a year at no additional per-release charge."

This, for all intents and purposes is hogwash.
The reason that she is on the first page of Google is not due to expertclick, it is due to having some 30,000 websites pointing at her main site and SEO targeting the phrase “publicity expert”.

Once you become more of an expert on web related maters Sheryl, you will see that the sites and programs that truly have top information to share do not rely on the gathering of contact information as a primary consideration.

I hope you are using a different unique email address each time you sign up to one of these things.

Reg

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to Scott Wolpow

Feb 17, 2009 8:16 am

re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Scott Wolpow

I never heard of expert click, but it would be fun to sign up for her course and use "publicity expert" in your profile. If you do not gain teh #1 spot, report her for wire fraud.

I strongly feel that these people are just scammers or close to it. They refer their paid members to each otehrs services, mush like the way grifters would mark your fence post that your were an easy mark.

Feb 17, 2009 8:38 am

re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Hi

I looked up www.expertclick.com - to be in the listing, the minimum is $1000. ouch.

Reg - Thanks for the information on the publicity hound and I'll have a more watchful eye toward these types of things. Did you say you were listed on expertclick?

I received my first email with the publicity hound - some good tips - most of which I knew but it's good to be reminded. So far, it's not "hounding" me to buy. I would imagine that'll be the case, but then isn't that why we are all in business - to make the sale - eventually! It's up to us to buy or not buy. :)

sheryl
http://LeashesandLovers.com

Private Reply to LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Feb 17, 2009 12:35 pm

re: re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

HI Sheryl,
No but I used http://www.emailwire.com/ ($499 year) for 2 years.

While it does help, it is only one of many different avenues you can use to promote your site.
The recommendation to put your releases on ExpertClick is based on their high PR which is 5/10
The service I used PrLog is 6/10, which is even better and it is free.

Good to hear that they are not pushing you to buy and the tips, if not exactly unique, are good.

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Feb 17, 2009 12:43 pm

re: comments on press release please.

LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Thanks Reg for the info.

Can you explain what you mean by 5/10 and 6/10.

Sheryl

Feb 17, 2009 1:07 pm

re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

Those are indications of Google's tool bar PR (Page Rank) which is measured from 1 to 10 with 10 being the best.

While it is a vast simplification to say that the PR shown in the Google tool bar is what Google itself uses when ranking pages, it does show the "importance" of the site being looked at.
It is better to have a link on a site that ranks well than on a site which does not as Google weighs the link and PR counts toward overall listing placement.

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Private Reply to LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Feb 17, 2009 2:21 pm

re: re: re: comments on press release please.

LeashesandLovers.com Sheryl Matthys

Thanks Reg for the explanation.

So while expertclick may not rank quite as high on the press release measure - do you see it being worth the $1000 fee in order to be listed as an Expert?

Press releases is one aspect of what expertclick provides. I'm also(probably even more so) interested in being listed as an Expert, but cringe at paying $1000 to do so.

They do have a book they print and send out as well as the online directory and apparently the deadline is looming.

Has anyone listed themselves here? Would you recommend it? You are able to upload about 50 press releases which is great, but I'm wondering more about the expert status. Is this resource widely enough viewed as a credible source that the media really does consult? And, does it really enhance results in google of one being listed as an expert?

Reg or Scott (sorry - can't see string here) pointed out that Joan's result on google as an expert is more by her keyword as the "publicity expert" and not necessarily her being listed in this directory. I'm figuring she also gets an affiliate fee for recommending this directory which I won't fault her at (I"m assuming) but could be a bias in her recommendation to list here.

sheryl, The Dog Expert
http://leashesandlovers.com

Feb 17, 2009 9:10 pm

re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Marilyn Jenett

Kathy, I did not say and Joan Stewart did not say "not for editors." Please read more carefully. It says "not JUST for editors..." Big difference. What this means is that you write the releases for BOTH the press AND for consumers. It's no longer JUST for the press alone.

Reg, sorry I can't help you further. I don't write press releases and don't use them for my business. I use different methods for attracting the media. I was just offering what I have learned about them, especially from PR people and editors I have dealt with.

I also did not read most of Joan's tips because I knew I wouldn't write my own releases. But I thought it might be helpful to you. I agree it's no fun to wait for all of them, but I believe you can also get them all at once. I recall that's how I got them. Just write to her and I believe she'll send you the page that has all the links.

Marilyn

Marilyn Jenett
Founder, Feel Free to Prosper Program
http://www.FeelFreetoProsper.com
http://prosper-network.ryze.com

Feb 17, 2009 9:21 pm

re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Marilyn Jenett

Reg,

I found the folder with her tips and after each one, she gives you the links to all the previous ones.

So here is the link to the 88th tip which contains the links to the previous 87 tips. It won't show the subject of the tip like it does when they are emailed.

http://www.publicityhound.com/pressreleasetips/tip88zplo.htm

In skimming the tips, I don't see any selling on her part throughout the series.

Marilyn

Marilyn Jenett
Founder, Feel Free to Prosper Program
http://www.FeelFreetoProsper.com
http://prosper-network.ryze.com

Feb 17, 2009 9:22 pm

re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

Ahh thank you Marilyn.

I have a problem given the significant amount of email I have to weed thru daily.

Will write her and see if I can get them all in one shot.

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Feb 18, 2009 8:18 pm

re: re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Marilyn Jenett

Reg - I gave you all of them in one shot... at the link above in my previous post.

Tips 1-88. I don't have an 89th tip. You might just ask her for that one.

M

Marilyn Jenett
Founder, Feel Free to Prosper Program
http://www.FeelFreetoProsper.com
http://prosper-network.ryze.com

Feb 19, 2009 2:56 am

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Reg Charie

I saw that when I came back to it.
I went through a bunch of them.

Our press release was picked up by two people/sites.
First is a German magazine (http://www.fotopraxis-online.de)that asked us permission to include our demo in their cover CD with a circulation of 60,000.

The second was an inquiry from the owner of http://www.thepluginsite.com/ who wanted software prizes for an upcoming contest. We will be mentioned in their newsletter of 135,000 circulation each time it is issued over the 6 months duration of the contest and be shown on their contest page.
The site gets over 7000 visitors a day.

Reg - NEW DEMO!! Turn photos into paintings http://FantasticMachines.com
All You Need is Dotcom-Productions and a Dream. http://dotcom-productions.com
0Grief http://0grief.com/special_hosting_accounts_for_my_ryze_friends.htm
CRELoaded websites http://RegCharie.com - SBTT http://thinktank-network.ryze.com

Feb 19, 2009 6:01 am

re: re: re: re: re: comments on press release please.

Kathy Buck

...Not Just for, or not for ...Yes, the "JUST" part does make a difference in the context presented. So I can restate " Press releases NOT JUST for..." One general release for public and media sectors may get attention. Press releases should be formatted a certain way for editors. And as stated , this was for an editorial product review. The main point - know your audience and what appeals.

I did not get a client on MSNBC by casting a general "fishing net."

As for those online systems offering print your press release for free? Basically worthless - your PR now is like an "antique" at a flea market, it's just another piece sitting on another table hoping to get noticed.

BTW - there is a reason I no longer feature a certain persons tips on this network, those which I had permission to reprint.

KB