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Elevator Pitch #1 -

Social Media News Release by Edward M. Bury, APR

Q. What is a social media news release?

A. A social media news release (or SMNR/SMR) is a self-published online announcement that generates search engine visits, drives traffic to a web site and lets gives organizations that publish them the means to communicate to customers/stakeholders without relying on “traditional” media.

Q. Why use a SMR?

A. Social media press releases provide links to additional resources that are helpful for story research and they also package information into formats that are easy to use for quotes and citing references/statistics. Images, audio and video also add impact to the release.

Q. What’s the purpose?

A. SMRs address changing needs of the end consumer and increasing ease of use for the media.

Q. What’s the cost?

A. To post a basic release on selected sites (PitchEngine, PRXBuilder, PressItt) is free. There are fees for services that keep the message up indefinitely or enhance search engine results.

Q. Is a SMR the same as a “traditional” news release?

A. No. A good SMR is shorter, with a compelling – but short – headline and subhead, one or two paragraphs of news, bullet points, links to pertinent sites, blogs, videos, podcasts, images and other online resources. To make the release effective, keywords or tags (a word or set of words that are descriptive and specific to your site or page) need to be included in the message. It takes skill to draft an effective SMR.

Q. How can it help you build your brand?

A. Gives you complete control over distributing your message. Also, sites let you see the number of visits by those who found the SMR through an online search.

Social Media News Release Sites:

PitchEngine — www.pitchengine.com

PRX Builder — www.prxbuilder.com

Press ITT — http://pressitt.com/

Social Media News Release template –
http://www.pr-squared.com/2008/04/social_media_release_template.html

Example of a SMNR from National Restaurant Assn. –

http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/social_media_forecast.cfm

About Ed – Communications professional/strategic thinker skilled in public relations, marketing, journalism, outside sales, copywriting, new business development and related disciplines. Experience with association, agency and corporations. Applies 30-plus solid years of business and life experience into every ongoing project and new task. Consultant to senior management. Proven strategic planning, project management and leadership skills. Dynamic presentation and public speaking skills. Outstanding written and oral communications. Agency, private industry and professional association experience. Hard news journalism background. Take-charge attitude, do-what-it-takes work ethic. Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation. Eager to help you to excel with your next CRE project. ~Ed