Tips on Optimized Press Releases
Press release distribution services make it pretty easy to send out optimized press releases, but many businesses are wasting their time and money. Here are some tips to get the most out of press release optimization services.
If you're not familiar with writing press releases, be sure to follow press release writing guidelines and make sure you have a good angle.
Your title and byline should include relevant keywords to the release, but do not make it look forced. Your audience is people, not news search algorithms, although you should be aware that your release will rank based on keyword usage.
It's important to understand that out of all the activities that go with "press release optimization", only about 60% goes into the "optimization" and "distribution". To make it work, there should be varied types of linking after the release goes out that helps boost the natural rankings of the release.
Here are some ideas on how you can use optimized press releases to drive traffic and rankings:
* Write a series of top ten or top five lists. Example: "The top 5 things to consider when buying "X"
* Write a more extensive how-to and make it available in PDF format.
* Write an optimized release about the "Top 5 things" with supporting industry information, and quotes from you and another source. Include a link from the release to your extensive How-To as an available download, but they need to visit your site to get it.
* Distribute the release through online wire services like PRWeb and PR.com.
* Contact other bloggers that write on the topic to let them know about the series of top ten or top 5 things you´ve written for feedback.
* Write to journalists that cover your topics or popular online publications to see if they might be interested in publishing your how-to article. Include a link to your press release and a link to your blog in the request.
* Do some social bookmarking of your own articles along with other good resources. When any of your articles appear on other websites or blogs, be sure to bookmark them with del.icio.us, Furl, etc.
* Send some of your articles with links embedded, to article syndication or submission services.
In the end, none of these tactics is worthwhile unless you have relevant, useful content and a very compelling angle in your pitch/press release.
Tags: press+release+optimization, optimized+press+releases
