Why would an author need to know how to write a good press release? Well, in today’s publishing market, writers are doing as much marketing as their publishers, in many cases more, in order to successfully sell their books. Knowing how to write a good press release will enhance a writers visibility and if done well can get them interviews with the national press. Even if you’re only wanting to get your website noticed, a well written press release can accomplish that.

I admit that I haven’t a clue as to how to write a successful press release. I was given the task of writing one for a close friend (who is not a writer) so I went in search of how to write a press release. I read a lot of how-twos, so many my mind turned to mush. I just could not rap my mind around all the marketing hype I was assaulted with. I dislike hard-core marketing and most of what I read was just that, hard-core marketing hype that started to all look the same, regardless of the product or services being marketed. Ugh!

I set back and asked myself what kind of marketing will get my attention? My answer - something unique, usually in the form of information on the company, its creators and why they ventured into their chosen field, development of the products or services and what they will do or not do for me. I have purchased many books after reading or seeing an interview with the author. It wasn’t the author’s book that intrigued me as much as what I learned about the author that would send me to Amazon.com with my credit card handy. Yes, there have been times when I was disappointed in the actual book. The author was a much better speaker than a written storyteller but for the most part, I have enjoyed the books I’ve purchased this way.

A few months ago, while looking for websites to add to my resource directory, I came across a site called Publicity Hound. There I found this article, Authors and Speakers: Don’t Pitch Your Books or Programs as Story Ideas by Joan Stewart, that really peaked my interest. It’s well worth the read and could open doors to anyone wanting to market their writing, speaking, and website, regardless of the products or services being provided, especially if being provided or marketed online. I went to The Publisity Hound site and discovered that Joan is now offering a free Press Release tutorial via email. There’s a short quiz that will tell you if you know how to write an effective press release. If you discover that you don’t, then all you have to do is sign up for her free 89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases and you will receive a new lesson in your email for 89 consecutive days.

I signed up and who knows, I may get real good at writing press releases and be able to charge big bucks for that service.