The truth about distributing online press releases

Writing and publishing press releases online is more than a way for attorneys to communicate information; it can also bring more clients to your Website.

Search engines look for information from sources other than your Website to establish your company's legitimacy. When they see your company name, or the names of your individual employees on other sites, like press release aggregation sites, you look more credible and can rise in search engine rankings. Also, press releases are a great way to communicate relevant information to your target audiences. Because of this, it is important to write and distribute press releases regularly online.

Here are some things to keep in mind when writing and distributing a press release:

1. Make sure you are distributing your press releases across all areas, so you get the most coverage. There are many press release distribution sites available, including pr.com, businesswire.com and wiredprnews.com to name a few.
2. Write about upcoming events or tradeshows that your company is hosting or attending.
3. Announce company news, such as newly hired employees, accomplishments and awards. Don’t brag about everything you have ever done, but if you or your company recently won an important award, then create a press release about it. A good rule of thumb is to ask, “Who cares?” If you can name someone, then send it out.
4. Remember, these aren’t essays or case studies; they are brief, to-the-point press releases, normally no longer than one page. The first sentence of your release should tell exactly what you are writing about. It should include a date, the name of the event or person and any other pertinent information, such as location. Don’t write too much fluff; just the facts, ma’am.

Online press releases are another great way to market your company. They are short, easy to write, and they won’t take up much of your time. Considering the potential boost in search engine results for your company, they are definitely worth the effort.

MAX Advertising Social Media Success

I was recently hired in November (2011) at MAX Advertising as a "junior account executive and social media person"---which means I handle stuff from MAX blogging to other social media initiatives such as our Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube channel. Now, before I go any further I must say Christie (my boss) handles most of the Twitter and Facebook posts from MAX-it's her love!

It's funny because when I tell people I handle social media at my office everyone looks down at me with their rolling eyes. Most people think social media is a bunch of teenagers chatting and posting about what they had for lunch. Couldn't be more wrong. Social media is definitely a full time job. I don't know what I would do if Christie didn't do as much as she did. There are new applications and software that come out almost daily to help companies advertise with social media. I definitely do a lot of research on these programs.

I feel as though, to have a complete social media program for your company you must incorporate everything--LinkedIn, blogging, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. This takes a lot of work and time. You have to make sure everything matches, everything is optimized, and you have to make sure people (your future customers/clients) are looking AND liking your stuff! This also takes a lot of research.

And most importantly you have to have some kind of tracking software. You can pay for it or use a free program like Google Analytics. I mean why use social media if you can't track if people are viewing your information?

Anyways to get more tips and ideas check out MAX's sites:

http://www.youtube.com/MAXadvertisingagency

www.twitter.com/maxadv

And search for Max Advertising in LinkedIn and in Facebook...also make sure you "like" us :)

Snowpocalypse 2011

So it was Friday-the calm before the storm-and everyone was warning us southerners about the huge snowstorm that was coming our way. If anyone was like me, I honestly didn’t think it would affect me for more than a day. Now it’s day 3 of being stuck in my house. Talk about cabin fever.

Day 1- I texted some employees the night before and asked if we were going to work the next day. The response I got was: “I’m partying like we aren’t.” And this was from more than one employee. I guess everyone had one thing on their mind.

The first day was fun, I guess. I went sledding down a huge hill and got some serious exercise climbing back up those hills. So by 4 o’clock that day I was passed out.

Day 2 – I was for sure I would be going to work by day 2. But I was wrong. I’ve never had so much free time since college; I almost didn’t know what to do with it. So to my shock and to my mother’s shock, I decided to iron all of my clothes and organize my closet. That is how bored I was. I never do house work.

My lifesaver Tom called earlier that morning so I actually had work I could do from home. Thank you Tom.

Day 3 – ummm? What? Where are the snowplows and sand? After talking to some fellow co-workers I could tell that I wasn’t the only one getting a little restless. Luckily for me, I get to continue to write; hopefully that will stop the boredom for a few hours.

This snow better clear soon because we are running out of food in our house. Kroger is empty because the trucks can’t reach the stores due to the iced roads. And I continue to online shop so my bank account is suffering because of the snow.