If you’re wondering whether press releases still hold value to your marketing strategy then let me tell you, yes! Press releases are still very relevant in today’s digital era.

Truth is, although this type of content predates the world wide web, it is an important part of your marketing and social media strategy.

As a matter of fact, Google defines them as “an official statement issued to newspapers giving information on a particular matter.”

Not only can you provide your customers with newsworthy information via a well-structured press release, but you can also help improve your search engine optimization (SEO) and make it more likely that new customers will find your business online and purchase your products. It’s also a great way to freshen up your content strategy.

Now, in order to reap the positive benefits that come along with publishing this type of content, you need to make sure you only write releases about newsworthy events. 

This can be new product lines, major sales or other events related to your business like the grand opening of your salon, attaining a special certification that allows you to branch out in some way, or a collaboration with an industry big wig. 

Press releases are considered along the lines of a news story instead of an advertisement, and absolutely must follow a specific structure.

Just like writing poems, letters and even business emails, press releases are structured so that the most pertinent information is available for journalists to scoop. 

Here are some other reasons you might want to hire freelancers — like LuvlyLongLocks — to write this type of content for you.

Top 3 Reasons Why a Press Release Should be a Part of Your Social Media and Marketing Strategy

• Press releases can go viral. You can distribute your press release through a free news distribution website as well as on your website. Then point your followers and clients to the link by posting it to your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. If your followers and clients find your content interesting, they may repost it to their pages. Their friends may then repost it as well. This allows your content to disseminate across the internet and reach an unlimited number of potential new clients. Some press releases might even get reposted on blogs with a national or international audience, making it even more likely that potential clients will walk through your salon doors.

• Boost your website’s search rank. Google and other search engines base a site’s rank partially on the number of back links to the site. Every time another website links to your site, you get a boost in your search score, assuming that the other site is reputable. One of the best ways of ensuring your news gets seen is by adding your press release to your website’s newsroom or press page, which is the first place journalists look to when researching companies and brands. If you include a link to your website in your news release, it should help you move up in search engine results for your keywords.

• They add credibility to your brand. Publishing a press release adds to your brand’s credibility. When potential clients and even journalists read your news releases, they’ll gauge your professionalism and value your transparency. This makes it more likely that potential clients will become actual paying clients.

Do you have an event coming up or a noteworthy announcement you want to share with the press?

Distribute a press release, specifically formatted for journalists to pull the most vital information about your event, product launch, expert collaboration, sponsorship, or donation for consideration to publish in their next story!

What LuvlyLongLocks Can Do for You

LuvlyLongLocks will write your press releases for you so that you can rest assured knowing that the end product will be professional-quality content that will drive customers to your business.

Plus, if you have a paid subscription to a news wire service or know someone who does, then distribute your thoughtfully crafted press release through them, or for free via PRLog.com — you can also select from the alternative distribution options below as an add-on service.

• Circulate your press release by having it posted to 10 local newsrooms and/or events calendars
• Get your post-event photos published to one local TV online gallery

Best of all, work directly with a boutique agency that takes pride in creating content and values seamless execution! 

This post was written by LuvlyLongLocks Chief Creative Officer Avni Parekh. A published author and former public relations manager of the nation’s largest hospice company, VITAS Healthcare, Avni has more than 14 years of public relations and marketing experience under her belt. Prior to working at VITAS, she served as Director of Operations at The Prana Yoga Center — South Florida’s premier yoga studio.