Are YOU totally frustrated with your PR efforts?
You spend your evenings researching, writing and thinking my press story rocks. You love it. Your biz partners love it..Your submit your story to a free press release site that promises good results. You follow the instruction and believe the hype..
However when it comes to managing your online reputation and your image you must consider few things. When new business ideas come to you and you want to implement them as soon as possible you must have a good publicity plan to build and manage your online reputation. Never be cheap. As we say in Russia “A greedy man pays twice” and trust me you will do that.
Do free press releases and free advertising sites do more damage to your business?
My clients often ask me, “Can FREE press releases brand your product? Do they REALLY work in achieving the SEO results you are looking for? ” Well the feedback we see is mixed. It depends on your press release format and many factors and I will share why they do not work for long term online presence. I do not personally believe in free advertising sites.
However, they can be a good strategy to use a temporary tool in your PR campaign, and I will explain my reasons:
- Getting your content into Google News you need to distribute your news, your press releases to a site that is part of the system such as PRWeb or PR Newswire
- Not every free press release site can EVEN get your press release into GOOGLE NEWS. Then you spend the entire budget for writing professional press releases about your products, your company events or special announcements and you really miss the opportunity to be seen.
- For local internet marketing free press release sites are not good. They are not recommended. I do not recommend for local business marketing campaigns. You must submit to paid press release sites who can do specific local campaigns targeting your area. These types of press releases cost around 400 dollars for submission alone.
- First of all free press releases sites are not welcomed by journalists, bloggers and other media professionals. They do not research them to get news. They are relying on authority sites as PRWEB or CISIONWIRE
- Secondly, you cannot add links into the body of your FREE press release. They will NOT allow it. They will ask you to upgrade to a premium service. You are better off using an authority PR services which will discuss in the next newsletter. It will affect your press release format.
- Free press releases are your second choice. You must always submit to paid press releases companies especially if your goal to get into web searches, Google news and be noticed by media. If you even write two press releases a month you will spend about 600 on a press release submission with the best pr service as Cision Wire or PRWeb. I used them both. They will get your story in front of media and also can help to achieve good SEO results.
- They are not good for link building. You must have links in your press story that will lead your visitors to your blog and videos. With free press releases it is not possible. Readers will not be able to click on links unless they copy and paste. Some press release sites do provide links and a few allow you to customize the anchor text. (If you’re not familiar with ‘dofollow’ or ‘nofollow’ links, remember that is that the ‘dofollow’ or ‘followed’ links are the links that usually give your SEO benefit. Over 70% of free press release sites don’t give a link.
- It is not good for your image especially if you are a well -known author, coach, or a product owner to build your brand with free press releases sites. Bad for branding. Period.
- They do not work when you plan to do online reputation repair and when you want to remove negative content from the first page of Google.
Let me ask you, ” Are you truly clear about the direction you want to go? Where do you see yourself in few years? How do you want to look to others?”
I want to hear from you…
Are you ready to take a new look how PR campaigns can get you MORE leads, MORE sales, BIGGER Profits?
Schedule 30 Min FREE consultation TODAY or grab our PR consulting packages and lets get started TODAY!
Sincerely
Tatyana Gann
We live in the world driven by the society that wants discounts, FREE stuff, coupons, and if somebody can deliver that to them on the plate with a pink ribbon it is EVEN better. REALLY? As a business owner I understand giving discounts and coupons is a great marketing strategy to bring new clients.
But…What about your value? Do your have skills, experience and genuine desire to serve your clients? Do you train your customers to ALWAYS give your discounts and free products? When is it good time to stop doing that?
One day my husband and I had a conversation about companies offering customers free or discounted high end products and how our society has changed after 9/11. If you remember the automobile industry were basically giving away cars, or selling them at 0% interest so you could get YOUR DREAM car! Often the most expensive valuable cars were sold at the lowest prices. Was it a desperation or a way to make you a loyal customer?
Then recently my husband started working for a English company Burberry known for its trench coats, scarfs, wool coats and high quality runway clothing line. His clients know and expect the high quality merchandise, they expect the best service and being treated and pampered with smile, champagne and undivided attention. When we got on the topic of VALUE…he said “Tatyana, I never seen many customers who come into our store expecting FREE or discounts. If we hosted a special event then they knew it was the best time for them to purchase item of their choice at the sale price…But these events happen only twice a year. My VIP clients know what to expect and they know they will come back. Burberry built their reputation all over the world and customers know the benefits of having a Burberry coat or a scarf. The company designers know its VALUE. ”
When you go into a Burberry store, the first thing you will see scarfs and purses. Great items to introduce us to something more spectacular. Their elegant sales professionals show confidence in their Burberry products. Good customer service makes the purchase pleasant and beneficial for everyone involved. Once they are hooked on being treated like a queen or a king they come back even if they buy a silk scarf for a friend. They might refer VIP client who would spend thousands of dollars. We must always make the best impression with our brand. Build your reputation, maintain it and always strive to improve all you do!
I agree that when we put a value on what we know, do and provide the BEST to our clients they VALUE our work, our relationships with them and love us enough to give us more business. I believe that we can give discounts but ONLY when we can afford it. That is why we must start with a smaller item we offer to clients and then guide them to make a bigger purchase. You will see that in any high fashion boutique.
If we give a discount they ALREADY know the VALUE of what you have to offer. As customers we must not demand free products or discounts from business owners. WHY? We take away their dreams, their value, their peace and something they have worked hard to build. By doing so we steal our own joy and lose our identity and integrity. We must believe we have a lot to offer with what we already know and it can be a great starting point..
In summary I want to say, VALUE you and your talents. Do not think because you do not have 20 years of business experience or you have not made millions YET you cannot start teaching, coaching and creating success. You can do that by sharing your story, your vision, your life experiences. People are waiting to hear. Write a book, start a blog or start a video channel. Build yourself UP and then others will build YOU UP!
Tip: Charge for your knowledge because then people will VALUE you.
Sincerely
Tatyana Gann
Do you love when the words you write, speak leave the imprints on someone’s heart? Do you love to read the stories that you get hooked on and you want to know more? Do you feel that some headlines in the magazines you see have the magnetic force that attracts you to read them?
When writing a story, what kind of content do you share with your readers? Does it have the power that penetrates your readers hearts? Do they feel excited and want to know more? Do your words carry the power than inspires your readers to know more about you and feel excited about knowing you?
In publicity it is very important to use the words that bring change and transformation. No matter if you want to learn how to write an article for a magazine, or you are writing a short story you keep in mind one thing: WORDS CARRY THE AWESOME POWER. We live in the society that loves negative news. We get attracted to the headlines that are gossips, PR stunts, and negative updates.. We live in the world that worships the celebrities. Last year I met a man who was nominated for PEOPLE Choice Awards. He was a medical doctor who had helped many people in Haiti after the earthquake and he was called “An American Hero”. Interesting enough not many people knew about him. His news were too positive for the media to handle and often the positive news that bring HOPE are not the best ones. They do not create too buzz and it is sad. I believe it is TIME for it to change.
But what about you?
Does your story compel your customers to share about your product? What kind of words do you use? Do you words inspire people and show everything is possible?
1. Your words must lift people up.
When I write I often think if my words can make people think and strengthen their mind. I believe we must say the right words at the right time and use pleasant words.
2. Words are your thoughts.
Do not use words to impress people or create fake image. What you think, feel will come to pass. Be honest with audience. Talk about you think on a certain topics. Do not try to FIT in with your story.
3. Your words have authority
Words are like fire. They can warm people hearts or burn bridges. They can change the world. I love this quote ” Death and life are in the power of the tongue” Proverbs and I truly believe to be so. Believe what you say can impact your readers. Especially when you want to inspire, motivate, teach your readers show them the way out of the hardest times in their life. You can influence people with your words if you live in truth.
4. Your words can increase your profits
What do you FEEL when you speak the words. What do you really realize? Do you pour your heart and soul into what you do? I often talk about passion. yes passion is the key to increasing profits. Without passion your words carry no power. You become more creative when you speak the right words but also realize what you speak means a lot to you.
5. Social media conversations can improve
When you engage into conversation with people in social networks how do you feel? Are you sincere? Do you believe in what you do and have to offer? Are you selling your products from the standpoint of service or desperation? How do people view you? If you looked at your work from the distance what would you say? You must have authority and confidence to win the social media game.
We as humans have this power and it is a gift. Use words to bring ONLY good into people lives. Enough of negative poop that pollutes media. The world wants real stories about real people. Do you have a story to share? Let us help you to guide in your positive publicity campaign?
Schedule your complimentary PR consultation TODAY or grab one of our consulting packages...
We would love to work with you!
Tatyana Gann
Tatyana Gann is the founder of Smokin’ Hot PR Ezine and SmokinHotPR Boutique, providing publicity, online PR services and even private VIP consulting. Tatyana Gann is ready to bring you publicity tips, advice and PR services to help you gain more raving fans for your business and create smokin’ hot publicity! She has the simple formula for creating a publicity plan that brings results! Grab your FREE publicity weekly advice at: http://www.smokinhotpr.com/
