Glenn Selig, Founder of PR News Channel, presented today at the Social Media Strategies Summit, Denver, on the B2B track about “Social Media as Content Kingmaker”. Glenn began his session by squashing any rumors that the press release is dead. Rather, there is an amazing opportunity now to begin extending the horizon of press releases and making them into what Glenn called “destination centers”. Press releases should be news sources in themselves, rather than simply a way to connect with reporters.
Check out some of the key takeaways from Glenn’s session:
1 – Twitterize Your Headline
There’s extreme potential in pulling in the power of Twitter. Using keywords and hashtags in your title not only ensures that the opening message is succinct, but these are more likely to show up on Twitter through hashtag searches. This way you can additionally harness search instead of only hoping your fans happen to be checking their newsfeed when you tweet our your press release.
2 – Videos and Pictures
Glenn points out that press releases should essentially be an online media kit. You should include as much interactive information as possible, and not leave readers venturing else where for more information. Additionally, adding videos and photos makes a press release much more visually appealing!
3 – Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks not only provide extra information, but it adds more weight to your press release. This also relates to making your press release as interactive as possible. As mentioned before, build your press release in the mindset that this is the news source, your readers’ “destination center”, not just a mechanism to reach the bigger news sources.
4 – Testimonials
Testimonials are not only a great way to build credibility, but it’s an important step to take if you want your press release to seem more like a news article rather than just a marketing pitch. This is highly relevant to both B2C and B2C brands.
5 – SEO, SEO, and More SEO
Glenn explains organizations do not utilize SEO nearly as much as they can or should be. If you provide the necessary keywords that can be maximized in search, Google will reward you. Similarly, posting press releases regularly and providing great content will help with SEO as well. Companies around the word are marketing just like you, and it’s important to make sure that you utilize all the tools possible to help your brand stand out among the crowd.
Thank you Glenn for a great, interactive session!
Make sure to check out the rest of GSMI’s Social Media Strategies Summit 2012 events! Follow GSMI on Twitter and Facebook for new event updates and specials.
