PR Fuel: Press Release News, Resources & Public Relations Tips - Page 1 of 80

The most common function of a successful press release is to promote something significant by getting media attention. Press releases are also important marketing tools.

Employing a call to action (CTA) in your press release is a great way to increase traffic to your website. What’s a call to action? Essentially, it’s a way to tell people what to do next.

Some people shy away from using calls to action. They’re concerned about appearing obnoxious and alienating customers. Or they assume customers can figure it out on their own.

You might assume if customers want more information, they’ll figure out where to get it. And if they want to purchase a product or service, they’ll take the time to learn how to do it.

The reality is, people need to be told what next steps to take. Even when something seems intuitive, many of us find it easier to make decisions when we have a little guidance.

What’s a Call to Action?

A call to action is a marketing strategy. The purpose of this marketing strategy is to encourage members of your target market to take some kind of action.

You can think of a CTA as a sales pitch (although you would never want your call to action to sound sales-pitchy). A well-executed call to action will subtly point the way for potential clients or customers to take the next step.

Calls to action typically come at the end of marketing material, but they can show up interspersed throughout the content as well. The point is they need to be in there somewhere.

Leaving CTAs out of your marketing content will inevitably lose you potential clients, sales leads, and of course money. They really are an essential component of doing good business.

Why Is a Call to Action So Important?

As much as we think clients, customers, and leads know what it takes to get what they want, it’s also important to remember how inundated everyone is with information and marketing materials these days.

A well-executed call to action is like a blazing neon vacancy sign on the side of a dark, deserted highway when all you want is a bed to collapse on. It screams “Pull over! I have what you need!”

Seriously, without a clear call to action, many users are at a loss for what to do. They end up leaving without getting what they came for. When you use a CTA, it’s far more likely they’ll continue to interact with your website.

Calls to action create more traffic to your website and greater levels of satisfaction for your clients or customers. It is vital that you make it as easy as possible for users to accomplish the task they set out to do.

Look at it this way. Let’s say someone finishes reading a press release you distributed and there isn’t a CTA somewhere near the end of it. Chances are they are going to move on to something else.

If you include a clear call to action at the end of the press release that tells them to take some kind of action (read an article, make a donation, sign up for a newsletter), it makes it very easy for them to continue doing exactly that.

How to Use Calls to Action

In most cases, calls to action get used to promote the sale of either a product or service. But, increasing sales is not the only way a call to action can benefit your business.

Certain products require time, thought, and consideration on the part of the consumer. If you’re marketing with integrity, you want your customers to carefully consider the products and services they invest in.

In that case, you want to use calls to action as helpful road maps toward future sales. You might also use them to offer free consultations and estimates.

Another way to use a call to action is as a way of building your email list, increase your following on social media, or just keeping users interacting with your site.

So, how do you put a call of action in writing? Call to action phrases employ action verbs to get attention. Some commonly used CTA action verbs include “get,” “subscribe,” “discover,” “continue,” “sign up,” “register,” or “donate.”

For the most successful application of calls to action, make sure they appear on each page of your website, every press release, and every other type of marketing material you distribute.

When you write a blog post or article, always include a CTA that takes the reader to a related article, product, service, or sign-up.

Call to Action Tips

Writing a compelling CTA isn’t rocket science, but it does take some creativity. It also requires a lot of tact to incorporate it in such a way that your prospects don’t feel like they’re being manipulated.

There are certainly many ways to mess up a call to action, the most detrimental of which being leaving the CTA out entirely. Here are some of the best tips for writing successful calls to action for your press release.

Be Nurturing

Putting a call of action in writing requires nurturing your leads. In some cases, a direct CTA asking people to buy something is appropriate. They already know they want it, they’ve decided to get it, they just need to know what to click.

But in many cases, the direct approach can end up alienating people and causing them to leave your page more quickly. It’s important not to try to close people before they’re ready.

If you push people too hard, it’s likely they won’t be coming back to your site. This is why it’s important to nurture people’s interest and engagement first. Let them feel comfortable and give them time to warm up.

You can do this by giving your leads the information they’re looking for and make an effort to form a relationship with them. Solve a problem for them.

Sometimes the best calls to action tell your readers what you do. Remember the goal is to take readers to your marketing funnel, eventually. When you show readers you have the solutions they seek, you can build their trust. 

Don’t Overthink It

Keep your CTA simple, quick, and don’t try to be too clever with it. The most important thing is that the intended action is very clear.

When you overthink your CTA, it tends to cloud the clarity of its purpose. Audiences get confused, think it’s funny, but inevitably move on without following the prescribed action.

Say Something Valuable

The most important thing about marketing is that you offer something of value to your audience. That might be specific services, a range of products, access to resources, or information.

Remember that people come to you for a reason. They’re looking for expertise and they are looking for solutions. If you don’t offer something worthwhile, you’ll lose both your readers’ interest and their trust.

Examples of a Call to Action

To help you get started brainstorming, we’ve put together an exhaustive list of calls to action that are proven to drive traffic and website interaction.

Check out what we’ve collected and soon you’ll be able to write your own! We’ve broken these examples down into categories to make it easier to learn how to use them.

Here are several ways to use CTAs to show readers how to purchase something. These are some of the most direct types of calls to action.

• Buy it here
• Donate now
• View products
• Order your copy
• Get it here
• Click here
• Add to cart
• Shop the look
• Don’t forget

Here are some ways to use CTAs to encourage readers to seek more information. If you want to give your reader more access to knowledge or give them time to make a decision, these calls to action can help.

• Click here to learn more
• Discover
• Call now for a free estimate
• Consult with us
• Claim your free trial
• Find out more
• Read this
• Go read
• Go watch
• Learn more
• Compare to

These CTAs will help your readers sign up for something. This is a great way to build relationships and increase the number of ways you can interact with your readers.

• Sign up for free
• Register today
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Download the app

Here are several ways to use CTAs to inspire readers to collaborate with your company. This is a great way to generate more interest in your services without being too brusque.

• Let’s start a new project together
• Get started
• Get involved
• Continue
• What’s next
• Contact us
• Join us

Here are a few ways to use CTAs to spread brand awareness. The more people share your website and social media, the larger your audience will grow.

• Share this
• Follow us on Instagram
• Share on social media

Finally, here are a couple of ways to use CTAs to direct reader donations. This is a great way to garner support for your organization and collaborators.

• Give a gift
• Support our sponsor(s)
• Donate

There are numerous resources available to help you learn how to write clear, compelling, and clever CTAs. For more help getting your creative juices flowing, check out this free CTA button generator.

CTA Takeaways

That was a lot, so let’s review! What’s a call to action? Distilled to its essence, a CTA is a way of helping your target audience take the next step in your marketing strategy.

Why are CTAs important in a press release? They help drive traffic to your website and encourage your readers to engage with your content. Inevitably, it allows them to accomplish what they came to your company to do.

If you really want to boost traffic to your website, check out a professional press release distribution service.

It might be the shortest sentence in your entire press release, but your headline is undoubtedly one of the most important. In fact, some might say that it’s more important than the actual press release itself.

The sad reality is that headlines are often treated as an afterthought, even though 8 out of 10 people will read your headline. Yet only 2 out of 10 will click through to read the rest if the headline catches their attention.

There’s an art to headline writing — but it’s not rocket science. It’s possible to write a headline that always captures attention, you just have to remember the fundamentals. This blog is here to remind you.

The Language You Use Has Great Power

All too often we tend to overcomplicate things when it comes to marketing copy. What your readers want to see and engage with is simple, powerful language that they can relate to.

When it comes to headline writing, there is no room for long, complicated words, nor is there room for bland, uninspiring language. As with most things in life, simple is best, but simple doesn’t have to mean boring.

Words that hold true power are call-to-action (CTA) words. They encourage people with direction or they address people directly with words like ”you”. Keep your language relatable, i.e. why use the word ”utilize”, when its simpler version ”use” is perfectly understandable?

In short, a headline needs to be conversational and relatable, but also powerful.

Always Use High-Volume Keywords

If you’re not using keywords in your headline copy, then why even bother? In today’s day and age, keywords are king and they can make all the difference in grabbing the right attention.

A high-volume keyword attracts the attention of the right people, interested in reading a certain topic. This makes it all the more likely that they’ll click through to the rest of the article, and not lose interest after the headline.

You want to target people who are actively searching for a specific topic. If not, then your press release will most likely remain unnoticed. Before you dive into writing headlines, you want to research the top-performing keywords for that specific topic.

There are plenty of online platforms that offer free keyword research tools, too. Make sure to use keywords with a medium to high search volume. Those with a very high search rank might be a little too difficult to compete with.

Lists and Digits Capture Attention

There’s no denying that most of us love a good list (even if you’re not a ”list person”). And for some reason, readers are naturally drawn to the positioning of digits beside text, much like contrasting colors and shapes. It’s these types of headlines that attract the most attention and perhaps it’s because time is precious in today’s day and age.

The idea of a listicle almost promises the reader a short, succinct read that they can digest easily. So, where possible, you want to try and include numbers and list words in your headlines.

Some of the most popular listicle words to use include: tips, ways, tricks, reasons, secrets, facts, strategies, ideas.

Clearly Outline What To Expect 

While a sense of mystery has its place in the world of writing (namely fiction, let’s be honest), it does not quite have a place in the realm of headline creation. A sense of intrigue might have an initial impact, but the last thing you want is for your reader to guess what your article or press release is about.

In other words, make sure that your headline articulates what to expect from the rest of the content. This will most likely inspire them to read on if they feel the content could benefit them in some way.

Demonstrate Why Your PR Is Worth Reading

Your headline is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate or explain why the rest of your content is worth reading. It’s almost like a very short sales pitch for the rest of your article or press release.

However, it’s important to do this in a subtle way, you don’t want to be too pushy or salesy. The best way to do this is to offer some sort of value to your reader through information and the promise of simple language.

For example, ”7 Quick Tips on How to Write a Great Headline” promises useful information in a list format that’s easy and quick to read. It shows that the rest of the article could be beneficial to them and worth the read.

Make It Juicy

Like it or not, but most of the global population today loves a bit of drama. And whether we like to admit it or not, cynism is a big part of what drives society. The reality is that most people steer towards headlines about drama, or how they’re being deceived or manipulated.

Without being too dramatic or sensational, there’s a measure of power in creating juicy headlines that entice people to question things. There’s no harm in playing on this sentiment when writing headlines.

Offer Your Readers Educational Content

Along with a bit of sensationalism, readers today are also enticed by content that they can learn from. This is one of the main reasons people search for things online, isn’t it? To educate themselves on a certain topic.

Whether it’s a question of how to improve your PR writing skills, or how to build a fire pit for your backyard, educational content is top of the pops these days. While headlines that begin with ”how to” may capture initial attention, this is one of the most overused ways to begin a headline. In truth, it’s a little stale.

Instead, think about how you can mix it up. Use words that are a little out-of-the-ordinary, such as ”methods”; ”strategies”; ”quick fixes”. Or, set your headline up to sound instructional, i.e. ”Inspire Your Audience with Your Content: Here’s How”.

Other useful words that tend to grab attention in educational posts include ”beginner’s guide”, ”complete guide”, and ”101”. Don’t shy away from using these phrases to reassure readers that they’ll find the information they are looking for.

Embellishment Is Your Friend 

An embellished headline is one that is not afraid to sell and market itself. It’s important to be a little liberal when it comes to descriptive language, but steer clear of over-exaggeration or over-selling.

Embellishment is all about enticement and it works best if you’re writing about a topic that could be a little dull or even niche. Another important element is a sense of urgency.

Using language such as ”your last chance” or ”don’t delay” can inspire readers to click on your article in fear of missing out on what you have to share.

Consider Your Audience: What’s Important to Them? 

If you don’t have a clear idea of who your audience is and who you’re targeting, then this is your biggest problem. It’s crucial that you know your audience well and cater to what’s important to them in your headline copy.

With this knowledge, you can ensure that your headline writing speaks directly to your target audience. This only increases your chances that your readers will click through and read the rest of your copy.

Understanding your audience allows you to be smart and strategic when writing effective headlines.

Don’t Forget Important Writing Principles: The 5Ws

There’s a reason why these principles exist in writing. They help to define your headline writing while ensuring your content is relative to your audience.

When you’re struggling with content ideas, you can always fall back on the ”who, what, when, where, and why” of it all. These engaging words are great for helping you to gather information and write headlines that articulate clear thoughts.

Always Use the Second Person Address 

If there was ever a time and place for addressing your audience in the second person, it’s with your headlines. Why? Because it speaks directly to them, and this draws the most attention.

Yes, writing in the second person can seem awkward for other forms of content. But when it comes to content marketing, the second-person perspective is a great tool. Again, this tactic includes words that call out your readers such as ”you”, ”you’re”, ”you’ll” etc.

Need Professional Help With PR and Headline Writing?

Whether you’re a new business or one that needs a content revamp, eReleases is here to help you with PR and headline writing.

Well-written marketing content should be at the heart of your business in today’s day and age. But if you just don’t have the time or resources to write the content that your business deserves, outsourcing this task is your best solution.

Learn more about our press release writing and editing services and how we can help turn your content around!

Have you considered the importance of press releases to your marketing strategy?

A press release is a written or recorded piece of communication sent to media outlets covering important news about your company. The primary purpose of a press release is to capture the attention and interest of news distribution channels, journalists, and publications.

Getting a journalist’s attention will help you get a lot of coverage as. If you’re considering using press releases, hire the best press release service.

The best press release service can help you transform your company by using the right strategy. But how do you find the right company to work with? Below are factors that set the best press release service apart from the rest:

They Have a Lot of Traffic

Consider how much traffic the press release distribution gets. Check out the distribution’s website to determine daily traffic. This information is essential to help you avoid wasting your money on non-performing press release services.

You can also take advantage of software tools to determine a press release website’s ranking information. This ultimately helps you identify a website’s traffic numbers.

High-traffic websites often have more visitors and are often watched by other sites and search engines. However, ensure that you don’t base your search only on these criteria. While a lot of traffic could mean a reputable press release service, you should also consider other factors on this list.

Check the Type of Distribution Channels Offered by the Press Release Service

Different press release services have different distribution channels. Check what media outlets, newswire services, and sites they distribute press releases to.

In most cases, many press release services offer their services based on the membership subscription you choose. For instance, gold members of a distribution service may have access to more channels than a bronze member.

The premium memberships often have more channels for clients to choose from. The types of distribution channels a service has should tell you whether to hire them or not. Remember to check if they offer more localized distribution channel options.

Check Out their Cost

Before choosing a press release service, it’s essential to look at your finances and marketing needs. This helps you allocate the proper budget based on your financial capabilities and the services you need from the press release.

After determining your needs, look for a press release company that will help you meet these needs at an affordable price.

Ensure you compare different press release service providers’ costs and their service offerings. Remember that a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean high-quality service. And a cheaper option doesn’t mean low-quality service.

Check each press release service provider and compare their prices. Settle for the best service based on your needs and budget.

Experts advise that you don’t leave a good service provider because they are a little bit pricey. However, in some cases, increasing your budget might negatively affect your finances.

Therefore, ensure you go for a press release service that’s within your budget. Compare all their features and choose a service that offers you all the required features at an affordable price.

It Has an Easy-to-Use Interface

You will want to work with a press release service with an easy-to-use user interface. How intuitive is the press release platform’s interface? Fortunately, many press release distribution services give their clients a free trial period to distribute their releases for free.

This free trial gives you access to video, text, and photo instructions and demonstrations on using their press release platform. Ensure you take advantage of this free trial period to review the platform and its services before settling for a paid version.

Check how comfortable you are with the user interface and determine if the service meets your company’s needs. If the platform is too complex, your team may miss out on important functions and features that could help you improve your results.

They Should Also Have Analytics

A reputable press release distribution service should have a way to measure your progress and offer you meaningful data from your efforts.

Using a service that doesn’t offer you a way to measure, track or monitor your efforts will not result in significant growth. How can you know if you’re moving ahead or lagging if you don’t measure and evaluate your success?

Ensure you choose a press release service that offers you the tools to measure, track and analyze your success. Evaluate the engagement and performance data of every press release. This will help you make informed decisions about your press release strategy.

They Offer Additional Features and Add-ons

Make sure you check whether the press release company offers any extra features or services. Compare the add-ons from different service providers. For example, check whether the service allows their clients to add images, graphics, videos, and links.

Do they also have social media sharing features? Can you also include a logo of your business in your press release? Adding a logo to your publication helps you personalize the release, while having a social media sharing option allows you to increase your reach.

Check for Guaranteed Placement

A press release can’t be successful unless it reaches your target audience and is viewed extensively.  To guarantee success and get your target audience to view it, you must distribute the press release across a more comprehensive network range.

Therefore, when choosing the best press release service provider, ensure you take into account their network coverage and distribution service. Check whether the provider offers guaranteed placement. If they do, then you can go ahead and hire their services.

However, be very careful not to hire a press release service that doesn’t guarantee placement of your press releases to high-value news sites and networks. Going with such a service will only waste your time and money. Therefore, there is no point in moving forward with such a service.

Always Choose High-Quality Services Over Quantity

When shopping for a press release service provider, you will find many companies offering too many services at a low price. Don’t get overwhelmed with such services. Ensure you always choose quality over quantity.

When sharing a press release, it’s essential to focus more on its quality and relevance. The primary purpose of distributing a press release is to share relevant information with your target audience. You will not achieve this goal if you don’t share an engaging, interesting, and high-quality press release you will not achieve this goal.

Some press release services often distribute their client’s news releases to thousands of journalists and newsrooms. However, if the software doesn’t place the release properly, you will not get the results you expect.

The best press release platform will focus more on the method and quality of placement when distributing your news. Not the number of journalists.

Check for a Service That Prioritizes Journalists Over Newsrooms

Low-quality press release services often send their client’s press releases to newsrooms only instead of sharing them with journalists too. Sending a release to a newsroom alone will not get you the desired visibility you need. This means that your release may not reach your targeted audience.

If you’re wondering why your news releases are not getting the traction they need, chances are you’re only sharing with newsrooms.

If you’re looking for adequate coverage, ensure you share your press releases with journalists instead of newsrooms only. Journalists are in charge of getting your press releases the media coverage they need.

However, when the press release is only shared with a newsroom, it’s difficult for journalists to see it. This means you will miss out on the media coverage you need.

Therefore, select a service that forwards your news releases to journalists instead of newsrooms. Journalists are more interested in covering news pieces about your industry than newsrooms are.

Are You Ready To Hire the Best Press Release Service?

When you are ready to hire the best press release service, ensure you factor in these elements. They will help you identify a high-quality service that aligns with your goals and vision while guaranteeing success.

Are you looking for the best press release service to help you distribute your news releases? You’re in luck. At E.Releases, we always ensure that our clients’ press releases are circulated to over 550 news content systems, 4,500 news websites, and 3,000 newsrooms.

Contact us today for more information.

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Instead, you can expand your reach and maximize business growth with press release distribution.

On the fence about creating press releases for your business? Here are 10 reasons you shouldn’t wait. Keep reading to discover how a well-structured press release can boost business growth.

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You can stand out from competitors and draw more customers to your website.

Then, you can increase leads and sales, improve your ROI, and set your business up for success.

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The next time a consumer needs your product or service, they’ll recall seeing your release.

It’s important to make sure you’re following the proper press release guidelines, though. Otherwise, journalists and publications will toss your release out. You’ll miss the chance to gain the media coverage you need.

Don’t let that happen! Instead, use this press release checklist before submitting your next release. Read More

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