Free Press release needed.

[betterletter]

Hi, I know this is really cheeky, but is there anyone on here that would write a press release for me to submit to all my local media. I am a new estate agent in the area that offers a new business model aimed at saving the public £££ of commission on selling their properties. I think this would be a good story as the proeprty market is always in the media these days, and we could be shown as heros "looking to help the property owner through touch times" etc...

I need someone to help with the english and also to write well to give the best possible chance of it being published

Regards

 

[Simon-M]

Is this a profit making business or a free service?

 

[betterletter]

yea it is a profit making business. I have been in estate agency for a number of years for a big chain and i am FED Up with how large estate agent companies treat their clients.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Why would someone want to do it for nothing? They get paid hundreds of pounds to do it properly so there's virtually no worthwhile incentive to write one for you for nothing just so you can get into the media and make more money for yourself.

If you have a for-profit business then you have to pay your way for something like this. Especially if you want someone who has any worthwhile skill in PR.

 

[betterletter]

Because maybe i am from the old school of thought about "scratching each others backs". I have donated hours of my time on here helping other people get their businesses off the ground and im sure many others have also. Its about using our skills to help each other so we are all successful in business. Thats what sites like these are all about.

I am sorry that you dont feel this way!

Kind Regards

Why would someone want to do it for nothing? They get paid hundreds of pounds to do it properly so there's virtually no worthwhile incentive to write one for you for nothing just so you can get into the media and make more money for yourself.

If you have a for-profit business then you have to pay your way for something like this. Especially if you want someone who has any worthwhile skill in PR.

 

[TWR Recruitment]

Why not have a good go at writing one yourself and then ask a pro to help polish it up for you? You may get more joy that way

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Because maybe i am from the old school of thought about "scratching each others backs". I have donated hours of my time on here helping other people get their businesses off the ground and im sure many others have also. Its about using our skills to help each other so we are all successful in business. Thats what sites like these are all about.

I am sorry that you dont feel this way!

Kind Regards

I've donated probably weeks of my time since I first joined but I still wouldn't ask for a service for free. Return advice perhaps yes.

If it's a not-for-profit I'd happily help. However if you are heading towards profit and simply don't want to pay for a press release, it's a bit unfair. The forums about free advice and free help yes. Not giving away services and products for nothing unless someone really wants to do that for you (and you never know).

Anyway TWR Recruitment is right. If you make some effort to do some research and write your own press release then you'll probably find that people will provide their own feedback and advice which should accumulate into all the information you need to write a decent release, it isn't that difficult.

 

[profitxchange]

If you want to have a go at a DIY press release here are some links to help pages

http://www.profitxchange.co.uk/Forum/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=27;gtid=56940

 

[Simon-M]

It's a great suggestion to write it yourself and then post it up for a review. That way you will get more than one opinion too.

Simon

 

[TWR Recruitment]

It's a great suggestion to write it yourself and then post it up for a review. That way you will get more than one opinion too.

Simon

Yep, and much more chance of getting it right.

 

[LowcostPR]

If you want to have a crack at it yourself, then we'll happily give you a few pointers to help you along.

No-one will do it for you pro-bono, you were right at the first post about that being really cheeky.

If you want someone to do it for you, then feel free to PM me or check out my website, and we will charge the normal rate.

Best of luck either way.

Max

 

[dataferret]

PM me with some details and if I get time I will write some copy for you which can then be used as a basis for your press release. I am really busy setting up a Virtual enterprise centre for micro business owners (Not for profit) but will gladly help you out providing I have the time.

 

[betterletter]

hi huys thanks for all your posts on here. I will write something up and put it accross to you

 

[4little1s]

Not that we are experts but writing press releases is actually quite good as it make you think it through more so than if someone else is doing it. There are a number of free press release sites that will distribute it for you.

 

[Andriy]

I saw an advert on Gumtree, some one was offering free press releases to build his portfolio.

 

PM me with some details and if I get time I will write some copy for you which can then be used as a basis for your press release. I am really busy setting up a Virtual enterprise centre for micro business owners (Not for profit) but will gladly help you out providing I have the time.

that sound interesting keep us informed when its ready

 

[betterletter]

thanks guys. what sites release your press for free??

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

thanks guys. what sites release your press for free??

I wouldn't waste my time with them to be honest unless you want the link bait from SEO.

To make full use of PR you need to take an active approach. Find out which publications you're targeting in relation to your market audience. Then research the suitable contacts for these publications and send them a press release with a personal note. Then after a few days ring or E-mail them and ask if there is anything else they need to know.

This is by far the most effective way to get the coverage you need. If you have a very newsworthy story then don't ruin it's potential by throwing it on some free PR sites and sending off a few E-mails. Some of the paid PR newswires are good too, many journo's look at the major ones for news stories they can use.

 

[skindness]

You might also find some good advice at responsesource.com. They cover various industries and have press releases posted on the site. There are white papers available, some devoted to press release writing and they might help get you started. I'm representing a PR company and we don't offer a free service, but we have just launched an offshoot of our agency called Funktion - you'll find us on Facebook. We will be providing one off creative solutions including press releases so it could be worth thinking about if not now in the future. Drop me a line if there's some interest. If not, good luck with release.

 

[EcoMobileValeting]

Hi there, I know this is even cheekier of a reply but I had been reading this thread with an interest as I was actually writing a press release for our business. I have pasted my proposed press release below in the hope of killing two birds with one stone. I wanted your constructive opinions whether positive or negative as long as it can help. I have also posted it as an example for betterletter if it helps in anyway.

Here is my draft press release:

Care for your car, Care for your environment​

One of the most pressing issues in our world today is the environment, and one of the biggest contributors to global warming is our vehicles. So to combine the two and come up with an idea to help the environment and keep our cars clean is hardly cliché. That’s what the guys behind Eco Mobile Valeting have done, when they spotted a gap in the market for an environmentally friendly car care service, it was a too good an opportunity to pass up.

Their conviction has paid up just after months of trading. The founders of Eco Mobile Valeting have managed to pay back their original investment and are now exploring other avenues of growth.“When we first started, we just wanted to offer customers an alternative service that reduces their carbon footprint” says Managing Director Egal. “But when we looked into the use of environmentally friendly cleaning technologies and electric invoicing, we realised we could offer cheaper and more environmentally friendly proposition.”

Eco Mobile valeting, which launched in London in 2008, has neatly combined two current consumer trends. The need to be more environmentally conscious is fulfilled by a service that cleans and polishes vehicles without the use of water or electricity. And a service that offers a competitive price without compromising on quality as their overhead costs are significantly lower than their competitors.

Egal, whose other business interest include marketing companies, says he has opened the eyes of the car care industry by introducing a service which is environmentally friendly yet offers customers value for money. “Customers are more environmentally conscious than ever before, but they are also aware of what’s happening in the economy” says Egal. “Our service offers real value for money and our customers like that.”

A lot of Eco Mobile Valeting’s work has come from those who are affected by UK’s long working hour’s culture who are attracted by the efficient & convenient service, and fleet owners who have become more environmentally conscious.
Egal is positive about the future and is confident the company can continue to grow. He says “We see the current economic conditions as an opportunity rather than a barrier and combined with the driving force of the environment, we are confident we can continue to grow the business.”

 

[betterletter]

Right guys,

I have done what you asked and had ago at doing the press release myself. Please can you have a look over this and i welcome your feedback, thoughts and suggestions:

New Breed of Estate Agency

Kings Hill Estates

Media Release
November 2008-11-07

The challenging economy coupled with the falling property market has revolutionised the way that modern estate agencies should operate:

- Property sellers are more reluctant to pay extortionate estate agency fees in conjunction with a crashing property market
- Buyers are increasingly buying through more targeted marketing tools (e.g. the internet) that exclude costly and largely unnecessary high street shops.

Kings Hill Estates is a brand new and exciting estate agency that not only understands all of the trends of this changing property market, but also demonstrates this understanding in its business ethos and pricing structure.

The principle behind Kings Hill Estates is simple: the business does not have the seemingly ubiquitous shop front that is unnecessary and expensive. This in turn means that the money saved on this overhead is used in 2 key ways:

• to reduce the sales fee to 0.75%!
• to invest more in its internet and advertising tools which hare statistically the most successful means of buying and selling properties

Adam Man-Cheung, Director of Kings Hill Estates comments:
“Ironically, market conditions in the UK are ideal for us to launch our estate agency. Both buyers and sellers are looking for cost effective and efficient ways to either acquire or sell property and this is precisely what we offer as a business.”

For more information on the full range of services, please contact Kings Hill Estates, etc…

 

[skindness]

I would certainly highlight the name of the new business in the title and perhaps reflect the reasoning in the title. I see what you're saying with new breed but I would be more direct.

The first paragraph should always be what, why where and when - so I would start with the name of the new company followed by your reason for launching.

Always give clear contacts by email and phone and if you've got stats to back up the use of the internet that would be helpful too. I would steer clear of exclamation marks and back up any evidence. Maybe it would be a good idea to put a personal profile online or a short biog that people can click through to.

It's definitely a great start.

 

[profitxchange]

You are mixing up too many aspects, which makes it feel as though you are not thinking clearly. the challenging economy and falling house prices are not 2 separate issues. I would change revolutionise to "is driving" estate agents to be more "innovative....."
Do not use "extortionate" your fee is .75% and proper EA's charge a negotiable 1% hardly a meaningful difference. The only real difference you are making is a .25% for no shop front. presumably you will still need an office and the same staff etc etc.
People do not buy and sell on line they search and advertise.
I speak with a little experience having just purchased a new home after searching for 2 years. I used rightmove etc but then made my estate agent work for his fee. he sold the house in 2 weeks at a very good price, held the chain together when under some stress, etc etc. the 0.25% fee difference would not overcome my need for excellent service.
I feel your Press Release needs to have something very much more innovative to win the attention of a journalist.

 

[betterletter]

thanks for your comment. the 0.25% is not a replacement for not give excellent service. I have been an estate agent for many years and know exactly how much need there is for good service in this industry.

There are certain areas of the country that you will find 1% fees, but trust me they are not everywhere and certainly not in my area. So as my business is based in a 1.75% - 2% area, my 0.75% is a huge selling point.

Thanks

 

[paul881]

I do not agree with highlighting the name of the company - no one is interested in that but what they do is of great interest. This is the #1 mistake of Yellow Pages advertisers.

And don't forget to read and implement all the invaluable advice from the PR 101 post on this site and from the member Venture that I posted the links above for before you submit it.

 

[LowcostPR]

A good start, but there are a few things I would amend.

Firstly, the first paragraph is the most important, this needs some expanding. Some facts and figures should bode well here highlighting the problems faced.

A big problem that companies face when they provide a product or service at a much lower price than their competitors is convincing their market that the quality has not followed the price in the downward trend. People assume cheap=nasty, so I would have a part explaining the fantastic service you're bound to offer them.

The only other changes that have not already been mentioned are superficial. The layout could be adjusted to look more (for want of a better term) newspaper column-like. It seems quite black-&-white, informing people of the facts in an efficient way, rather than the most interesting and eye-catching.

Hope this helps. If you have another go at it, pop it on this thread and we'll give you our collective 2p.

 

[LowcostPR]

Also, if you know which publications you are going to send them to, then the press release will need to be tailored to them. If the publication is more of a "consumer rights" one (like Which?) then you will need to emphasise the value for money and how the company will bring real choice and lots of benefits to the consumer. If you are going towards a publication like the Daily Mail, where the readership are interested in things like house prices as well as getting the best service, emphasise the services that are provided and how it is a far nicer alternative to the "normal" high-street agencies.