A word of warning -- press releases tend to be pretty boring.  No way around it.  But, we all need to write them, or have someone write them for us.  For print marketing, what better way to go than "FREE"!

Basically, a press release is a small, short news article that will get your name mentioned in the local paper.  Whenever you do something "remarkable", os even out of the ordinary, you should write a press release and send it to the paper.  For example, did you particiapte in the three-day breast cancer walk?  Did you just win an essay contest at HP (http://activerain.com/blogs/lisahillrealtor)?  Did you just sell your 100th home in the area?  Your 1,000th?  did you just get a new RE designation?  Send a press release!

When you write a press release, you need to keep several things in mind. 

1 - Always write in the third person.  "Scheffer attended...", not "I attended..."

2 - Chances are they will only print the first few paragraphs.  Write in the inverted pyramid style. In other words, put the most important information at the top, and the stuff that can be cut at the bottom.

3 - Keep paragraphs short and words simple.  Write for a typical high school senior.

4 - ALWAYS have someone who writes better than you do, proof read for you.  Mistakes only tick off editors, and your next press release may be put on the bottom of the stack, to be read later.

5 - Use an active headline.  "Scheffer attends...", not "Convention was attended by..."

6 - Remember to put your contact information in the press release!

Now, a better idea than just writing and submitting a dry press release?  Send the press release, then call the paper to see if they got it, and would they be interested in doing an entire article about it.  This works especially well for smaller papers, in smaller towns, or for larger papers with a local section.  In my area, the Kitsap Business News may be interested, as well as Bremerton Neighbors.

I put my example below. 

SCHEFFER AND BEAM ATTEND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

LAS VEGAS - Janice Beam and Marlene Scheffer of Realty Station recently joined more than 30,000 other Realtors from around the country for the 2007 National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo in Las Vegas.

The annual convention, called "the premier event of the real estate industry", presented more than 200 programs to help real estate agents thrive in a changing market.  Beam and Scheffer attended seminars on practical solutions for today's home sellers and buyers, marketing ideas, and new technology.

Beam and Scheffer also had many opportunities to network with other real estate professionals, expanding their already well-established referral network. 

"I find the information at these conventions vital to our success as real estate agents," Beam said.  "By being on the forefront of the changes in our industry, we will be ready to help our clients with any of their real estate needs."

For example, Scheffer has a blog about real estate in Kitsap County, and she feels that the convention has helped her offer her subscribers a better level of service as well as more information through her blog.  You can view the blog at http://www.kitsaphomes.blogspot.com/.

Beam and Scheffer are already planning their trip to next year's convention in Orlando, Florida.

Realty Station is a full service real estate company in East Bremerton.  Realty Station offers seller representation, buyer representation, and property management services in all of Kitsap County as well as parts of Mason and Pierce counties.  Beam and Scheffer can be reached by calling Realty Station at 360.377.5699.

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I hope this helps some of you begin getting just a little more publicity.  Much success!