A press release may be a simple sheet of paper, but it can also be the key to publicity and profits. Simply put, a press release is a document that contains information about your business or an event you are holding and is sent to the media. Once they receive it, they may choose to feature a story about the information contained in it. If they do, your business will gain a lot of exposure.

When the media features a story about your business, they are giving your business credibility. Most people trust the information they receive from their local newspapers and television news programs. They will assume that if your business is good enough to be featured in the local news, it must be a very good business. Plus, this publicity is free.

Small time local stories can eventually turn into big national news. Your company could be the next big story that newspaper writers and television news producers are competing to find. If you appear on the local news, you will benefit not only from the publicity, but also from the experience you gain interacting with the media and becoming less nervous when you find yourself in such a large, public setting later on.

You can further your chances of getting in the press by asking anyone you are working with on a joint venture to also submit press releases to their own local media. If you happen to have a podcast, ask your guests to submit a press release to their local papers, informing them that they will be a guest on your show.

Preparing a template to use when you send out press releases can be a smart move. Put it on your company’s website so that business partners can download it. This will make the submission process faster and easier.

Stay in close contact with the news anchor or writer that prepares the story your company appears in. This will encourage them to use you again in a future news report, perhaps as an expert in your field. Be sure to show your appreciation for the publicity by sending a thank you card.

Your business becomes better known and more familiar to customers every time you appear in the press, drawing in more customers and projects for your company.

Each time you appear in any form of the press, save the stories to show to future clients. This could be links to online news sources or newspaper clippings. Adding such credential boosting details to your company’s website will add a professional touch to your business.