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PRESS RELEASE SERVICE
Just about everybody likes to see their name, business, or new product or service in lights—or at least on the web. That is why an online press release service can be a very lucrative business opportunity.
Since most people do not have the skills to write quality press releases, there is a need for online press release services that offer, for a fee, writing, editing, consulting, and distribution services for people who would like to get their press releases out to audiences on the web. For example, if you have expertise in the medical or technology fields, it may make sense to focus on writing press releases for those industries.
Some release services offer national online distribution of press releases by partnering with public relations newswires such as PR Newswire. Some offer regional online distribution through major newswires and others use privately collected national sources of distribution. You’ll also want to get journalists and other media professionals to join your list so your customers’ press releases can be sent to them in an e-mail format as well.
A key issue to think about before launching this type of online business is what type of a distribution agreement do you want to form? If you want to work with major newswires, you’ll have to create a great relationship with them, and they can also be expensive. Also, how will you go about gathering the right media professionals to receive your releases? This is also key.
Many services today help their customers make their press release friendly to the search engines by helping them embed hyperlinks and video, and syndicate their customers content with RSS feed and podcasts, among other services.
SKILLS NEEDED
Excellent writing skills, knowledge of press releases and how they work, stellar online marketing skills, and strong customer service skills are all required. It would also be a plus to be web savvy about all the latest-andgreatest web technologies.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Key issues to think about before launching this type of online business: What type of a distribution agreement do you want to form? And how will you go about gathering the right media professionals to receive your releases?
WEB RESOURCES
PRWeb (
prweb.com), a leading press release service that targets small businesses