How & Why to Effectively Market Your Freelance Writing Business Using Free Press Releases

November 23, 2009

The post, Recession Proof Income: Online Entrepreneurs Raking in Hundreds (Sometimes Thousands) of Dollars a Day, is a press release. I use these from time to time to promote this site and some of my niche websites.

It’s a very effective form of marketing  — that I’m embarrassed to say I don’t utilize enough. Mainly, it’s a time crunch thing. As in, I do a lot of article marketing. Each of these could easily be turned into press releases, but it’d probably take 20 minutes to half an hour to revise each article into press release format.

How to Write a Press Release; Press Release Writing Tips

seo-press-releasesFYI, if you don’t know, learn how to write a press release that the media will really be interested in.  The number one thing to remember here is that the media doesn’t care about you, your product or your service.

They care about serving their viewership — giving their viewers insight/information into solving a problem they have. If your product/service just happens to do that – then they’ll be interested. If it doesn’t – no matter how well crafted it is – they won’t be interested.

Keep this in mind as you write, and you’ll stand a chance of making it newsworthy (always the goal!).

How I Use Press Releases to Grow My Freelance Writing Business

Obviously, press releases keep your name in front of the media. But really, I don’t even do it for that (to get media coverage). I use them for three other reasons (besides the media coverage):

(i) SEO Press Releases: Press releases are just content written in a certain format. But, they are indexed just like any other content. So when I write a press release, I write with SEO in mind; I write “SEO press releases”;

(ii) Writing Samples to Attract Higher Paying Clients: The press releases I produce serve this kind of writing sample. You can land higher paying clients when you know how to write (and distribute) PR pieces.  

I charge $150 to write press releases (this is about to increase; all my rates are going to in January). It takes me about an hour to write one, depending on the client.

Sometimes clients will have an idea of how they want you to slant a release. If not, I’m a pretty quick study in coming up with ideas. Remember, I’ve been at this for years and have written hundreds (if not a few thousand) releases.

(iii) Prestige: Being quoted in a press release gives your business prestige. If you post them on your site (in the “Media” category; a page I have to create for this site), when prospects come, they’ll be impressed by the fact that you have a “Media” page.

Believe me, subconsciously, this ups your value immensely because you’re immediately thought of as a professional writing firm/writer (if everything else on the site says this also).

Using Free Press Releasese Can Lead to Media Coverage

Finally, I do write (SEO) press releases with the idea of getting media coverage in mind. The fact that I have a “shot at” being interviewed/quoted by a media source is icing on the cake.

When I ran my ethnic furnishings business a few years ago, I got media coverage relatively easy because my products were unique.

As a freelance writer, it’s rare that you’re “unique.” When I write press releases for my freelance writing products and services, I keep current events in mind (eg, career training, telecommuting, work from home, PT job, etc.). These are all topics that can be explored that you can be quoted on in a press release as a freelance writer.

After all, you telecommute, maybe started PT, maybe had to be trained in this discipline, etc. This is good news fodder.

Even one line/quote in/on/from a mainstream media outlet can bring a ton of freelance writing work your way. So yeah, it’s worth it! And if this never happens, you have the other reasons cited here to write and distribute free press releases (don’t forget the distribute part!).

So, get busy using this marketing method. After all, promoting your freelance writing business via press releases is FREE – the best form of marketing!

Happy Thanksgiving and I’ll see you back here next Tuesday (still nibbling on Turkey, I’m sure!).

Yuwanda
P.S.: Find this post informative? Follow Inkwell Editorial on Twitter.

P.P.S.: Want to start making money from home as a freelance writer? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for informative info on everything from freelance writing ecourses to how to make passive income with your writing skill.

P.P.P.S.: The SEO Copywriting Training Ecourse is Filling Up; 9 Spots Left for the Jan 25th Class.


Related Posts

Freelance Writing Advice: Should You Separate “You” from Your Writing Business
Press Release Writing: How to Sell This Lucrative Service to Clients
Recession Proof Income: Online Entrepreneurs Raking in Hundreds (Sometimes Thousands) of Dollars a Day

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