Home > Blogs > Nancy Ruben > Nancy's Blog

Press Release Pressure Problems - Please!

By Nancy Ruben

Services for Real Estate Pros with An Assistant On Call

March 16, 2007 06:14 AM

Okay here is an issue that I have SERIOUSLY procrastinated on. I have been meaning to do it. In fact, it has been on my to-do list for quite some time! I have just been putting it off for about 2 years - don't wanna rush it you know

This task that I have been delaying is creating a press release. I know - it is no big. But why haven't I done it. Every-time I read a new article relating to getting your virtual assistant business up and running, creating a press release is always mentioned. I even know the site that I am going to use to publish it - www.prweb.com.

The reason that I haven't yet created my press release is that I just don't know where to start. What do you have to do to make a top notch press release that stands out and gets you noticed all the while looking like it was generated by your own private pr firm?

I then found a site the other day that renders me without an excuse anymore. It is a fill-in-the-blank press release. FREE Okay, it doesn't get easier than this. It is truly Public Relations for Dummies. Now, after 2 years, I have no reason to not create a press release for my business.

I wrote this post because I hope that it will help fellow procrastinators like myself. If this is a task that you have been putting off for a while (seriously, it has been in my Outlook Task list I don't know how long) then maybe this will get you jump-started like it did me.

Does anyone else have an experience to share about a task you have been putting off forever and then found an extremely simple way to take care of it? I would love to hear.

Thanks and good luck!

Comments(2)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Fred Light

| Nashua Video Tours - Nashua, NH

Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH

The best thing about a press release (if you're looking for PRESS) is to have a hook.. and angle.... you need to have a 'story'. If it's just a run of the mill promotion on your business, it will end up in the trash with a gazillion others. If you have a STORY that is compelling, or hopefully newsworthy, it will work like a charm. That's the absolute KEY.

I sent out a press release last fall about using video tours and podcasting for real estate..... within one week I got a story (which was also sent out nationally to most US newspapers via the AP newswire). It was timely, newsworthy, and different. Not just another story about the good/ bad real estate market.

Even funnier.... about 3 weeks ago, at 11:30pm... on a lark.. I threw together a press release - very quickly. Didn't even spell check it. I saw an story on YouTube done in Florida on realtors using YouTube to sell properties.... I threw this together and sent it to two (only 2) TV stations - 1 here in New Hampshire, the other in Boston.

The next morning at 9am I received a call from a Boston client of mine - the TV station called them and was doing a story that night and wanted to interview them. One hour later, another realtor client here in NH called me with the same story.... he declined the interview ("I'd rather have open heart surgery"), so I referred them to another client to did the interview... and it also was on that night. Two new stories on two 11pm newcasts... within 24 hours after sending the release.

Sent out a press release again..... and within 24 hours... NPR bit.... and they did a story.

Again.... I have a story that appears to be newsworthy..... and that's what I'm milking - and they're buying into it big time!

So... come up with a hook, an angle....

Just beware - when these reporters interview you, THEY also have an angle, and they probably won't share it with you! So you may not be thrilled with the outcome... but as they say ..... any publicity is GOOD publicity! (I was very much misquoted on the NPR piece... but what can you do....?)

Mar 16, 2007 10:09 AM

Nancy Ruben

An Assistant On Call - North Augusta, SC

REVA, CRESS

Thanks Fred for that insight.

You are very correct, your average press release will end up in a pile with all of the other average press releases!

I appreciate you sharing your story.

Thanks

Nancy

Mar 16, 2007 11:38 AM

Press Release Pressure Problems - Please!

Comments(2)

Nancy Ruben

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Additional Information