So, you have a great product or service, yet your web site

is not getting the high rankings and traffic you desire from

the top search engines like Google and MSN Search.

You're not alone. This scenario is playing out all across

the web, yet there is a simple solution to the problem.

Publicity. Publicity is the art of gaining exposure for your

web site, product, or service with press releases, articles,

and other promotional methods. 

A consistent publicity campaign can get you links from some

of the best web sites on the Net. These links provide your

web site with "Link Popularity" and the Google PageRank

numbers you need for high search engine ranking and traffic.

Plus, the links themselves can bring you a significant about

of targeted traffic.

The Top 5 Tips for Getting Publicity (and Links)

Here are a few of my tips for getting publicity and links on

the web sites, AND getting news stories and articles in the

newspapers, magazines and Internet radio show sites.

1.  Be Consistent - Stick With It For The Long-Haul

For maximum results, use public relations as a long-term

awareness and link-building campaign. This will allow your

messages to be delivered to the appropriate audience and

generate visibility, traffic and sales for you.

The biggest mistake I see businesses making with publicity,

is they're not consistent at all, only sticking with it for

1, 2, or 3 months. It pays to be consistent is because

sometimes you'll send out a press release and get no

response back, no publicity, nothing... In fact, this is

when most people quit, when they should realize that

publicity is a "numbers game" that generates exposure over

the long-run if they would just stick with it. 

Plus, if you know where to submit your articles and send

your press releases, each one that you write can generate

3-20 or more new publicity hits and new links to your web

site! So, send something to the media at least every month,

if not every week or two. Stay on track by scheduling your

articles and news releases on your marketing calendar.

2.  Offer Great News Ideas and Quality Articles

To maximize your results, don't send corporate "flack" to

the media. "Flack" is blatant advertising disguised as a

press release. Instead of wasting the media's time, be their

ally by sending them real news and quality articles that

help their audience.

Don't think you have enough time or ideas for writing

articles and press releases? You probably already have the

content for 12 press releases or articles without having to

write a bunch of new content.  

Where is this "hidden" content that's already written? It's

the content on your web site, and in your white papers, and

other marketing materials. Simply "repurpose" and edit this

content into announcements, articles, press releases, tip

sheets, and other publicity materials.

3.  Expand Your Publicity Campaign By Building A Media List

In the publicity game, your greatest assets are your

contacts. Since you know your ideal customer, you can target

the web sites, media, and publications that your customers

use to get their news and information. Your media list

should consist of the following types of media...

• Industry-specific web sites, and e-newsletters

• Internet blogs, discussion forums and discussion lists

• Article syndicators

• Trade publications

• Newspapers

• Magazines

• Radio & TV shows

4.  Distribute Via E-Mail

A 2003 study by the Meta Group revealed that approximately

80% of business people say their e-mail is more valuable

than the phone. This applies to media professionals as well,

so send your press releases and articles via e-mail. E-mail

is f*ree and easy to use, but adhere to these quidelines for

e-mail press releases...

• Introduce yourself via e-mail to the media professionals

on your list and start building a relationship.

• Use a compelling subject line that is personalized by

including their first name. 

• Never ever send attachments

• Be sure to format your e-mails in ASCII text file with

hard returns at 65 characters. 

    (Use Microsoft NotePad)

• Following up via the telephone will greatly increase your

results, but never ask "did you receive my press release?"

(The media hate this question since they get hundreds of

press releases a day!)

5.  Post Your Articles On Your Web Site And E-Mail

Newsletter

Content is King on the Internet, and the search engines love

web sites with great niched content. Your articles and news

releases are a perfect source of keyword rich text that's

tasty "spider food" for the search engine crawlers. So, post

your articles and press releases on your web site to

increase your search engine traffic.

But don't stop there. Send them to your e-mail newsletter

subscriber list, you never know who might be on your list

who will love your article and link to it! 

CONCLUSION:

As the great P.T. Barnum once said... "Without publicity a

terrible thing happens... nothing!" Publicity is a great way

to build your web site links, visibility, traffic and sales.

Use these tips to maximize your publicity campaign's

success. 

Promote! Promote! Promote!