One good way of getting the word out that your business exists or you have something new to offer is to get the media to notice you. Here in France there are many ways of getting that done. However the very first thing you will need is a press release.
Chances are you have never written a press release before, it may seem like something big companies do but it does work. It can work for you.
Some brief tips on writing a press release…
- Keep it to a single page
- no more than 250 to 300 words
- Who you are, what you are and what you do (around 25 words)
- no superlatives – the best… the most… the amazing…
- be concise
- make the title interesting
- include why a journalist or blogger would want to write about it
- if there is much more information than a single page, put the longer version on your website and link to it from the press release
There are many more hints and tips available, see these sites for more…
- Journalism UK – How to write the perfect press release for journalists
- PressBox.co.uk – press release examples
So once you have written your press release and it’s ready to go, where will you send it?
English speaking newspapers are a good start. They will always be looking for local content, they always need to fill there pages….
The Connexion already publishes a couple of regional editions, with more to come.
There are blogs and websites that may be interested in posting information about your business. Sites such as
- Tint Network (yes this site!)
- This French Life
- Guide 2 Midipyrenees
- Guide 2 Poitou Charentes
- Guide 2 Limousin
- Guide 2 Normandy (not yet launched, coming soon)
If you have not already done so, get yourself an account on Twitter and mention your news there. In your ‘tweet’, include a link to the press release on your site. Putting something on Facebook won’t hurt either.
Do you need to do all this?
Don’t wait around for somebody to find you. Getting a mention on a blog or inside a newspaper is a great way to get your marketing underway.
