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to check out your business and its offerings. You're pitching for business, so make sure your best arguments for why you do it better are included in your release.

1. Be honest and straightforward. Don't overhype. Don't stretch the truth.

2. In the first paragraph put answers to the 5 W's: Who? What? Where? Why? When? The first paragraph contains the most important information. The rest of the release includes information in descending order of importance.

3. Write in clear language. Keep it simple and easily understood, but at all costs do not patronize by spelling out basic information.

4. Add a few quotes of you commenting on your project, for example, "I saw a need that wasn't being met, so I decided to post my thoughts on the hurdles facing micro-business entrepreneurs. Plus, everybody loves a good rags-to-riches story - and a formula for their own success. That's what my blog gives them," said Arleigh Cee regarding her blog, http:\\homepreneur.blogspot.co m

The quotes are useful to journalists who may be scoping for a quick and easy filler piece. Basically, you've done all the work for them. If they're facing a tight deadline and writer's block, they don't even have to call you.

See the page below for an example of how I put my own press release together.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2007

CONTACT: Arleigh Cee
604-XXX-XXXX

BLOGGER ARLEIGH CEE CALLS FOR PEOPLE
TO GET FEET WET AND BECOME BUSINESS OWNERS

Challenging the belief that you have to have buckets of money to start your own business, Vancouver writer, Arleigh Cee is blogging - http://homepreneur.blogspot.co m - to encourage kitchen-table entrepreneurs to come forth and prosper. From business ideas to p.r. and marketing advice Homepreneur covers the gamut of everything a home-based business owner needs to know.

Commenting on why she started her blog, Arleigh Cee said, "I'd noticed an increased interest in kitchen-table entrepreneurs on shows like Montel and Oprah. I think more and more people are wanting to escape the daily rat race and have more control over their time and finances. And most everybody I've spoken with has an idea for their own small-business. I consider it my job as a blogger to encourage people to get their toes wet, if only as a part-time hobby. And you never know, one of my readers could be the next rags-to-riches story I cover."

Stepping out from the crowd of business blogs out there, Homepreneur aims to help people with tens or hundreds of dollars to invest, not the big money most business blogs assume their readers have to throw around. "I want to offer useful information to the kitchen-table entrepreneur, the little guy or gal who isn't being offered much of anything these days. I want to see them thrive and get rich," added Ms. Cee.

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Where to Send your Finely-Crafted Press Release?

The next step, of course, is making up your fax or mail-out list. For most small business owners starting out, I'd suggest a local list is the first one you should put together. It'll require a bit of phoning or Internet searching, but it's not difficult at all. Look up the web-sites for local radio and TV stations, local cable access shows, community and city newspapers - whatever you can think of. Often they'll post a fax number or address to which you can direct your press release. Phone to see if there's a features or lifestyles editor that might be interested in your story and to whom you might direct your press release. Make sure you include a fax cover page that directs your release to the person you want. And most importantly double and triple check that your name and contact information are accurate.

I hope this is useful and that you have a very successful public relations campaign.

Learn more about this author, Arleigh Chase.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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