What's New With You? How to Write a Press Release

By Kathryn Beach

The purpose of a press release is to briefly state your case to the media so someone will want to write about you, your business, or your product. The key ingredient is proving that your story is newsworthy.

Learning how to write a good press release is not much different than any other writing you do to promote yourself, your business and your products. As always, the focus has to be not on all of the above, but on your reader. The only differences are in the format, and you can find press release templates all over the web easily. Think about content only for now.

Your content is very basic "who, what, where, when and why" info. The "why" is, why is it newsworthy?

Here are the steps you need to go through to plan your angle, your "hook". You may be thinking, "I'm not newsworthy."You may be happy to learn that there is no need to be. You have to find something that IS newsworthy that connects with your product.

Where do you get your news from? You probably get it from a combination of places. My news comes from forums, blogs and television. Perhaps you find out your news from neighbors, chats, and newspapers. It doesn't matter where. There's a certain celebrity that likes to tell us what's "hot", so take notice of what's in the news that pertains to your business.

I'm a writer. I get ideas from the strangest places. It took watching a television show for me to remember that college students are on spring break currently. College kids are all about writing, now I'm thinking of what they write. I could write a report on how to write a research paper and have it ready for when they're back to school. How many of them will be panicking about getting that paper written before finals?

Is there anyone else living on this continent, besides me, that is mostly ignorant about hand-held communication devices? Even so, it appears to me that new uses are turning up daily. Maybe something in this area applies to your business.

Two houses down from me the city is turning a playground into a dog park. Dog parks seem to be springing up everywhere. I would think there would be socialization issues here; suddenly all these dogs that have been walked on leashes all their lives are running free. If you had a dog website, how to train your dog to play well with others would be a good topic for an ebook or report and featuring training aids (are there any new ones?)

Once you've found your "newsworthiness" angle, your press release will almost write itself. Remember, it's all about the readers that the media contact will be writing for. What's in it for them? At the very end of any press release template, there's a paragraph that is usually referred to as the "boilerplate". This is very simply your "elevator speech" about your website or business. It's that two sentence, 15-second description that you use everywhere you're asked what it is that you do.

Your boilerplate appears at the end of your press release and is the only place in your press release where you mention, in a matter-of-fact way, precisely what your business does.
Kathryn Beach writes original content for her own websites and for clients who pay for her ghostwriting services. She specializes in helping clients add optimized content to websites and promote their businesses with article marketing.Kathryn Beach, Copywriter http://www.kathrynbeachonline.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Start Writing Your Book Now

By Roy Klienwachter

I get it all the time when I tell people that I am a writer and published author. They tell me, "I wish I could write a book," or "I thought about writing a book," or "Some day I'm going to write a book" - so when are you going to start?

Then I hear the excuses, "I don't know how to write," or "I don't know where to start," or "Nobody would be interested in what I have to say," etc, etc, etc. If I pressure them a bit, then they may try to change the subject. I think many people have a romantic idea of what writing is all about. The truth is, the writing itself is very easy and is completely natural for most; it is our negative thoughts about it that gives the greatest difficulty. There is a book in each and every one of use that needs to come out and there is one person waiting to read it.

Writing is very much like going to the bathroom; it's in you and it needs to come out. Sometimes it just crap, and other times it's a very relieving experience. But the reason you do it is always the same - you have to!

I think people who want to write get confused between writing just for the sake of it, and wanting to write a book or article. They don't really know why they want - they just want to - because. Believe me "because" is good enough. However, if you think you are going to write a book and it's going to be a million seller, you are most likely setting yourself up for disappointment. Of the thousands of books written every year, very few are published and even fewer are best sellers, and even less are million sellers.

It is not my intention to discourage you from writing; quite the opposite; I want to encourage you to write something, anything; just get started!

There is a very simple writing process that I teach people that is full proof. Anyone can write a word, anyone can turn that word into a sentence, and that sentence can be made into a paragraph - anyone can do it, I promise. I will tell you how, and we'll see if your thoughts of being a writer are just a whimsical idea; like being a rock star or movie actor and if there is a true desire to write.

Good books don't just happen; they are created through hard work. The writing is the easiest part of creating or publishing a book and you can do it, if you have the desire. It's all the other things, like proofing, publishing and marketing that scare many writers off.

Most people have a fear of making mistakes or not having the perfect book on the first draft. Those people who do have these fears will most likely never start. But I will tell you - all writers whether it is their first effort or they are seasoned writers, all have the same fears.

When I sat down this morning, I had no idea about what I was going to write about. I tossed around a few ideas and agonized over the title. It's not very often that I have the thought before I sit down. The only thing I have before I start is the desire. An idea may come to my head, but then the ever present doubt comes, "what do I know about that," or "I won't have enough material to make a descent sized article?" Never is there the idea in my head that someone might not like it; that doesn't enter my head because the truth is; I don't care if anyone likes it - I write for myself first because it is in me to do so, and it needs to come out.

This thought allows me to move forward and start the title and first lines of the article or book; from there the material just begins to flow. The real bonus is that because I have done it for myself, the article or book is already a success, I am relieved and the paper work is done.
I will give you a very simple and short version of how to start you poem, article or book. This works every time and you cannot fail.

Find a place where you feel comfortable; many of us writers like the kitchen table and there are some good reasons for that. It is a place that is familiar and a place where we have experienced many things. The ghosts of family members and friends and others are sitting there with us. Their images are opportunities for a story, poem or article.

Many people start off thinking they will write their memoirs and are quickly turned around by what comes out. An experienced event may turn into a philosophical book about things you never thought you knew anything about and now you have become an expert.

I never thought that I was spiritual, certainly not religious; but I have been writing spiritual material for eight years and my books are selling in nine countries and my articles are being read all over the world - who would have thought?

You need to bring something to the table; how about a pencil, pen and paper. Leave it on the table and don't do anything; just get comfortable with the idea that it is there and so are you - don't think!

Let your mind wonder and take no notice of what you are doing or why, this is a form of meditation, but with one exception. In meditation we want to get into a state of nothingness and try to stay there as long as possible. Here we want to get to that state then notice a thought, when the thought comes to our awareness, write it down quickly. Then go back to your meditation. Note here that it doesn't matter what the thought is, just write it down.

This is stupid; I'm sitting here wasting my time! This table is dirty!The neighbour and his damn lawnmower; I can't concentrate!The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog!Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party!I've got better things to do!This is not working!
Congratulations, you're a writer; this is what we do.

Now, you just need to do this again sometime. Throw your paper into the garbage, and put away your pen. The only difference between what you have done and what I do is that I write a few more words than you.

The biggest mistake most beginners make is that they think their spelling, grammar, structure and style have to be perfect - wrong! Never think about these things. The whole idea of what you just did was the same as going to the bathroom - you got to get the crap out - it's a start. If you get to the point where you have written a book; there are people you can pay to make changes and corrections - don't worry about it. I will make the same mistake with this article as you will. I will proof read it myself at least three times and then submit it to my site for people to read. The worst person to proof read your material is you. There are very few successful authors that do all their own proofreading, except for those of us who can't afford to have someone do it for us. If you are the only one that is going to be reading your work, then that doesn't even matter; just write.

After you have practiced this little exercise a few times, you are going to be amazed at what begins to flow from you. It will more than likely be something completely different than what your initial thoughts were. You must keep going and see where it takes you - that is the excitement. Trust me; you will be going on a wonderful trip. What you do with your writing after you have done it doesn't matter if you have written for yourself first. If others will receive benefit from what you have done, great; that is a bonus for you and you may even earn some money for you effort. But your greatest reward comes from doing it.

If your desire comes from a true state of being a writer, your one, two or three words will work into sentences, paragraphs and books. It happens automatically despite the fact that you may think it doesn't. If you continue with this exercise, I guaranty something extraordinary will happen; what you do with it will be another thing; at this time it doesn't matter. The whole point of this article is to get you to begin somewhere. How much effort does it take to write one word? In my genre, two words describe perfectly what life is all about, they are "I Am" and it is all you need to know. "I Am and writer" is a declaration life being a writer. Even if you write down "I can't do this," you have succeeded. Now that's a great title for a new book!

It was not my intention this morning to write an article about writing that would help you get started along your new journey - it just flowed out of me.

PS, I didn't think I would get past the first paragraph with this article; I am one day late to post it to my web site; but it is done in spite of my doubts.

Roy E. Klienwachter is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. A International published author, a student of NLP, New Age Light Worker, Teacher and Phenomenologist. Roy's books and articles are thought provoking, and designed to empower your imagination, and take you to places you would never have thought of. Read about Roy's books at: http://www.yourlifewasnevermeanttobeastruggle.com, http://www.leddownthegardenpath.com or visit his main site at http://www.klienwachter.com

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5 tips for clear and effective writing

By Mark Gwilliam

Writing is one of the most important skills that a business owner can possess. Whether you are looking to write business letters, emails, blog postings, forum posts, articles, newsletters, eBooks, eZine, autoresponders or sales copy; your ability to be both clear and effective will determine your levels of impact on you readers.

Here are 5 tips for clear and effective writing:

Catch the Reader’s Attention

When you are writing you should start with a short sentence that is designed to captivate your reader’s attention. The goal of the introduction is to make your reader interested in what you have to say.

You will want to identify the bigger picture of your writing by explaining why your topic is important and how it applies to your reader’s personal or business life.

You will also be able to catch your reader’s attention by knowing the audience; who they are, what their needs are and what would they be hoping to learn or gain by reading your text.

Use Strong Verbs

Verbs describe action and readers pay attention to action. Use active verbs instead of static verbs, avoid turning verbs into nouns and beware of using technical terms that you reader may not understand.

Clear descriptions are powerful when communicating a message in a way that is interesting and easy to follow for your reader.

Keep Your Writing Simple

If your writing is not simple, you may lose your reader’s attention. Be sure to construct simple messages, avoid parentheses, strive for simple paragraphs and have a clear and organised path for your reader to follow.

An organised writing structure with well organised thoughts is crucial to use when planning your business writing.

Keep Your Readers Involved

There are several ways to keep your readers involved while they are reading your writing such as providing specific examples, using stories to paint pictures in the minds of the reader and using effective quotations when appropriate.

Use an Effective Closing

When you are concluding your written content, it is important to summarise your thoughts and to include a clear call to action for the reader to follow.

Be brief in your conclusion and be sure to end by emphasising your thoughts and what the reader’s learnings or calls to action should be.

You will need to learn how to be effective in all forms of written communication in business.
To learn about how to use clear and effective writing when drafting an email, read my article called "3 Incredibly Simple But Outrageously Powerful Keys to Guaranteeing your Email Messages are read".

Emails can be used for business communication, general communication and sales messages as an autoresponder. Mark Gwilliam, FCCA, uses his international experience to coach small business owners on how to run successful businesses and how to attract and retain profitable customers. He combines his natural enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge with his proven ability to provide practical down-to-earth solutions for his clients.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Recheck As a Writer, Get to Know the Climate

By Vince L. Paxton

If you are a person that is looking at getting into travel writing, it is most important that you've had experience in traveling. In fact, it is most essential! That is where a writer gets his/her material for their stories for the papers. Often, when writers travel to different areas, they visit as many place there as they can. They also make it a habit to talk to as many of the locals as possible. Sometimes, they even ask people if they can interview them as that often makes them more willing to talk.

When getting acquainted with the road, it is important that the traveler immerses into not only the cultures of all the cities, but in the climate as well! In fact, when going abroad, it is best to absorb everything, especially the local scene. Also, it is good to get to know the people and their customs; while trying to capture the essence of everything. That way, you will have plenty to write about!

When you are not traveling, read up about the meaning of travel writing. You will want to read brochures, travelogues, travel magazines, and road books, etc. It's not everyone that can just pick up a pen and start writing.

When writing alone, very few writers actually make a living; so it is most important to have something to fall back on for an income. Also, writers have to be sensible when it comes to their expectations of the job; especially if it doesn't happen over night! Many times it may take years for a writer to get recognized. However, you don't want to use that as an excuse! Even if you get rejection letters don't take them personally; most editors are specific about what they want; such as a specific travel destination or a specific climate.

Just because a person is writing about traveling does not mean that they can write about anything; you must make sure that you are writing quality articles! The best way to achieve that is to keep writing, no matter what! In fact, it may help to experiment with different perspectives, tones, and also a different style of writing! Find out what kind of writing sells the most. Some topics are written about so often that the average reader is bored with it. The title of an article often plays a large part in if it is read, too. Make your title as exciting and inviting as possible. If you're writing about traveling experiences, try to go with locations that you think the public will be interested in.

No matter what you do, it does not matter as long as you get the work done correctly; even if it takes you a couple different times!

The columnist Vince Paxton is very interested in things related to temperatures around the costa blanca. Sharing his passion in detailed writings on costa blanca weather and costa blanca weather report the columnist improved his skill in the field.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vince_L._Paxton

Writing Articles That Get Read!

By Stephanie Quinn

It's no secret that article marketing works. Informative articles will get visitors to your website, but if you don't provide useful, readable information when writing articles, your visitors will go elsewhere.

Too many webmasters focus primarily on keywords and getting traffic instead of writing articles with value. How many times have you clicked onto a website expecting the information you desire only to be disappointed into hitting the "back" button?

Keywords are important when writing articles, but to keep visitors on your website you must provide valuable information, making sure your articles are "readable." Writing articles with awkward, hard-to-read sentences and too many spelling and grammatical errors will turn your potential customers off.

Ideally, you want visitors to read your entire article and then click where you direct them. Consider the following tips when writing articles to make that happen.

1. Include a short introduction when writing articles, giving the reader a quick overview of the content.

2. When writing articles, make at least three to four informative points in the body of the article.

3. Wrap up your articles with a short conclusion, guiding the reader to other sources when appropriate.

4. Try writing articles with short sentences that keep your readers involved.

5. Keep your articles simple. When writing articles, stay away from hard-to-understand words. Remember, the internet is a worldwide resource and your language is not necessarily the language of your reader.

6. Make sure your articles teach, explain, or inform. In addition, writing articles that get directly to the point will help keep your text understandable.

7. Writing articles that include links will guide your readers where you want them to go. This may include links to additional information or links to purchase your product.

8. Keep your articles between 200 to 600 words. If you are writing articles over that word count, consider splitting them into two or three articles when possible.

Writing articles using these simple tips will ensure your website is providing informative articles that people enjoy reading.

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Technical Writing - Earn Big Bucks

By Bradlley Mckoy

Technical writers are earning big bucks while enjoying the luxury of working at home. If you're put off by the word 'technical', don't slam the door to a lucrative opportunity. As long as you can string your grammar correctly, you can start a new writing adventure.

What is Technical Writing?

When you buy technical gizmo, you always have to read the manual that explains how to operate or set-up a system. It is specifically written for end-users so they can understand how the details work together. If you can't make heads or tails of the instructional manual, then you're reading poorly written or highly technical stuff. Technical writers come to the rescue, inspired by a bottomless pit of vocabulary suited to the material.

The word 'technical' does not always refer to technology; rather, it refers to a skill. This type of writing is putting together information in a logical and coherent discussion. The aim is to inform, not amuse. Instead, you have to observe processes and operations to be able to provide accurate information. You have to show how it is done.

Engineering, surveying, medical, architectural, and software firms require technical writing experts to help them explain away their products. What used to be the domain of technical geeks is now the realm of writers who can fuse creativity and technology into one dynamic package. And the pay is way beyond the ordinary paycheck you get every payday.

How to create a niche in this elite circle? Well, for starters, you have to love gizmos. If you're not a techno fan, you still have hope by learning the basics. If you want to write about software or computers, you can sign up at the nearest computer school and learn the basics about software and computers. Technical writing has its own vocabulary and there is no excuse for sloppy writing if you want to earn a fat paycheck.

Tools of the Trade

Before hopping into an assignment, make sure you have the tools of the trade. Get a copy of 'Strunk and White Elements of Style' to help make your writing crisp, clear, and tight. The usual jargon cannot be used. Instead, get to know the technical jargon involved in different requirements. Brush up on your active voice to make the manual easier to understand.

You may be working with a graphic artist, or if you know how to do it, the better for you. You can rely on software to help you with your technical writing when working for a small company.

If you want to get into technical writing, you have to be a keen observer to explain logical problems. It takes awhile before you can finish your paper because you will have to be repeating the processes to have more angles in explaining things to the reader.

Technical writing courses are available online. With a certification to back your qualification, companies will be willing to hire you. You can always request to do your work online, miles away from the company, if they can send over the gadget you will write about. But for sensitive projects, you have to go to the site.

Technical writing is the new wave of writing. More writers are seeing the glimmer at the end of the tunnel and hopes are high that writing skills can pay far better than the 8 hours you put in as an employee. Interested?

Embark on your technical writing career with a Cross pen Keep you writing samples in men's leather briefcases and before long, your money clip wallets will be filled to the brim. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.

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