Tuesday, January 26, 2010

10 Critical Press Release Writing Tips

1. Start strong: Your title and initial lines should briefly and directly convey what you want to say. Include the “who, what, where, when and why” in the lead of your press release. The remaining part of your press release should include supporting facts and examples.


2. Make it easy for the media: Some media agencies and journalists will grab your press release and carry it in their publications with slight editing or no alteration. But even if it’s not used word for word, journalists may use it as fodder for other stories or to create their own story ideas. The more information and details you include, the less work the media has to do.


3. Think like the reader: Your press release should be able to keep the reader’s interest. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Would you want to read your press release?


4. Make it relevant: Try to point out real examples to support the message you want to communicate. Show why your information is important and how it benefits the reader. If your release isn’t newsworthy, don’t expect anyone to read it.


5. Support your story with real facts: Facts make your point stronger and tell the journalist you’ve already done much of the research for them. If you pull facts from other sources, make sure you attribute them. Avoid fluff and add-ons. And never make anything up. If content seems too good to be true, tone it down or you could hurt your credibility.


6. Include company information: The press release should conclude with a short description of your company, including where your company is based, what products and service it provides and a brief history If you are creating a press release for more than one company, provide information for all the companies at the end of the release. Also include contact information, both phone number and e-mail, for each company’s spokesperson.


7. Be concise: Avoid using superfluous adjectives, extravagant language, or unnecessary clichés. Get to the point and tell your story as directly as possible.


8. Get permission: Companies can be defensive about their name and image. Get written permission before including information or quotes from officials or associates of other companies/organizations.


9. Avoid exclamation points: The use of exclamation points may hurt your credibility by creating unnecessary hype. However, if you have to use an exclamation point, use only one! Not several!!!


10. Avoid industry jargon: The harder your press release is to understand for journalists and laymen, the less likely it is to be picked up. A limited use of industry terminology is ok, if you’re trying to optimize the news release for internet search engines.


Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888PressRelease.com, the premier website to Submit Free Press Release for any announcements including launching of new product or services, new website, announcing new hires, sponsoring a special event or seminar and more. His articles can be found at

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Sunday, January 24, 2010

What the Media Does Not Cover About the SOBD Scandal? Employee Stress

There are a relatively few people that either profited or benefited enormously from the Options Backdating scandals. Lets assume that the top 10 executives in each of the high tech companies got the most number of stock options (> 70% of the grants). The rest of the employees also benefited but not as much.

Most of the companies currently under inquiry or investigation from the SEC are high tech, most have good products, a valuable franchise, over 1000 employees and many thousand customers that depend on them.

Most of these companies have to restate multiple years earnings due to tax and earnings implications. This cost comes from current year and next years bottom line. Add to the fact that customers get nervous when a company which was doing well now cannot state earnings for 3-4 quarters, and put off significant purchases, there is a significant risk these companies face after they have been asked to probe into their option grants.

Many of these companies have fired their top 2-3 executives - typically the CEO, CFO and Legal Counsel.

The point is: There are 1000 other employees and thousands of customers who suffer as a consequence.

Question: At what cost are we getting justice? Many of these companies will have to trim earnings, revenues and cut costs (possibly lay off people).

Is it not possible to just make sure the top executives resign and the rest of the company moves on - pay a one-time fine, pay taxes (estimated amounts) and move on with their lives?

“It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong.” - Jeremy Betham

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mukund_Mohan

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A Free Online Business Is Not Necessarily "Free"

Almost every hour of every day, the Internet turns up with more advertisements to entice people who are interested in starting up their own online business. Why not start an online business, indeed? First off, it is quite lucrative, once you know what you have to do, what you need and how hard your resolution must be to succeed.

Having assured yourself of a sensible and thorough decision, you can start looking up for free online business advertisements. Weigh up your prospects and see the most lucrative of them all. However, you also need to see the reality that free online business is not necessarily free. There may only be some aspects in the business wherein you do not have to invest any amount to actually open up your online business.

Otherwise, there are bills to pay -- internet access, computer maintenance, electric bills, food, etc. Keeping this in mind will prevent you from getting bitterly disappointed.

Next, look up actual experiences of online entrepreneurs who are now earning thousands of dollars. From their experiences you may learn several things that will help you become ready than ever to launch your free online business.

- On getting a domain - Accept the fact that you cannot open up an online business without a website. In looking for a domain, there will be some free offerings while some are paid. Either you choose the free online business domain offerings or the paid ones, remember to research on the features of the domain you will get before starting any transaction. If your online business need more than what the free online business domains are offering, do not hesitate to register in a paid domain.

- On Web hosting - your online business domain must reach everywhere. Better not search free offerings for these and choose the best services, even if they might cost you some dollars. However, choose the web hosting service that offers the ones you need. Do not spend on other features that you do not require.

A reliable web host has great uptime record, offers excellent customer service and has a reputation in the search engines. You do not need empty promises in web hosting services.

- On Website stats - Your online business will rely largely on the users it attracts. It is important to have a great tracker that will actually show you how many visitors you got and be able to identify each one. You must also know their reaction to your website. Know the pages they view most, so that you can refine your website and improve your marketing efforts.

- On Ad tracker - like the website stat, advertisement tracker assists you in knowing which of your marketing campaigns have the best results.

With the advertisement tracker, you will know how many users responded or reacted to your ad. Probably not all your marketing techniques are effective. With the ad tracker, you will know exactly what marketing techniques to retain and continue doing.

- On Auto responders - these tools will assist you in following up your numerous client's requests and queries with necessary data they ask for and you think, they might need.

- On List hosts - for your free online business to prosper, you must know how to capture your target customer's email address. By knowing their e-mail addresses, you can contact them on a more personal level and build a trusting and credible business 'relationship' with them.

Your free online business will also flourish more, if you as its manager and administrator educate yourself in making your venture prosper. Many courses online offer free online business training and comprehensive orientations.

Many free online business information from reputable websites give you tons of tips on handling your internet business.

Free online business may not be very free. Nevertheless, in breaking down the aspects you need to have and know in getting started, you will find many free offerings to take advantage of.


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