Press/media releases are often overlooked as a marketing tool, but they can be a powerful secret weapon for viral marketing. When written and distributed correctly, a press release can generate buzz, attract media attention, and drive traffic to your website and social media channels.
Here are some tips for writing a viral press release:
Start with a strong headline. Your headline is the first thing people will see, so make sure it is attention-grabbing and informative. Use strong keywords and avoid jargon.
Write a compelling news hook. What makes your story newsworthy? Why should people care? Make sure your press release clearly explains the news hook and why it is important.
Keep it short and to the point. A press release should be no more than two pages long. Get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary fluff.
Use strong visuals. Include high-quality images or videos in your press release to make it more visually appealing and engaging.
Make it easy to share. Include social media sharing buttons in your press release and make sure it is easy to copy and paste links.
Once you have written a great press release, you need to distribute it to the right people. Here are a few tips:
Target relevant journalists and bloggers. Make a list of journalists and bloggers who write about your industry or topic. You can use a media database like Cision or Meltwater to find contact information.
Personalize your emails. Don’t just send out a mass email blast. Personalize your emails to each journalist or blogger by mentioning something specific about their work or interests.
Follow up. Don’t be afraid to follow up with journalists and bloggers who don’t respond to your initial email. A friendly reminder can help to get your press release noticed.
Here are some examples of viral press releases:
In 2012, the company Dollar Shave Club released a press release announcing its launch. The press release was actually a humorous video that quickly went viral. The video was viewed over 12 million times in the first 48 hours and it helped to generate over 100,000 sign-ups for the service.
In 2013, the company BlendJet released a press release announcing the launch of its portable blender. The press release included a video of the blender blending up an iPhone. The video was viewed over 20 million times and it helped to generate over $1 million in sales in the first 30 days.
In 2014, the company Squatty Potty released a press release announcing the launch of its toilet stool. The press release claimed that the stool could help people to poop more easily and healthily. The press release was picked up by major news outlets and it helped to generate over $10 million in sales in the first year.
These are just a few examples of how press releases can be used to generate viral marketing. If you have a new product, service, or announcement that you think is newsworthy, consider writing a press release. It could be the best marketing decision you ever make.