Once you know the basics, WebPR can work for you too
Posted by Kim Gordon on 01 Feb 2008 | Tagged as: Online PR
PR has changed its arena and has progressed into an online format, following an exciting approach to the future of online PR. WebPR enhances brand awareness, exposure, as well as SEO efforts. The channels that are used to achieve this are online article directories, press release sites, industry related sites, online newsrooms, blogs, forums and Social Media sites (like Digg). These are the basic WebPR tools to get you started.
One of the primary tactics of WebPR is online article syndication. The articles are in no way meant to directly promote your site, however, by submitting an article on these free content sites they still act as a great form of promotion, as they link back to your site. The article requires content that adds value and will therefore attract links naturally. Before you can reap the SEO benefits, or be regarded as an ‘expert` on your particular subject, the article needs to be optimised by SEO experts and posted on your site before it is published on the article syndication sites. This article needs to be relevant and informative, and it should contain links and keywords relevant to your site, the benefits of this make it one of the best ways to aid link building efforts. The aim of this article is for it to go viral and get republished on many web and blog sites over the subsequent period.
An optimised press release will result in plenty of traffic flowing to your site, provided that it contains related key phrases and links. A well written press release should positively impact your SEM efforts, brand awareness, and earn top rankings in at least one of the news engines. Another benefit of an online press release, as opposed to an offline press release, is that it will instantly be published online, allowing your news to be efficiently accessed and up to date. There are even more benefits to be reaped: quick syndication of your content, natural and effective forms of link building, having access to an unimaginable number of readers, and measurability (how far your press release has reached).
Blogging is a great way to get your voice online. Many companies have begun a corporate blog on their websites, where employees are encouraged to write blogs, or make comments on other bloggers` sites to keep in the loop of their industry, or even their brand. It can be a valuable way in which to stay in touch with customers and allows you the opportunity to pay intimate attention to your market. As long as solid brand building and crisis management strategies are in place, your company`s reputation should be reasonably safe from harm. Once credibility has been established online, smart companies can respond appropriately to future criticism and establish long-term trusting consumer relationships through WebPR.
Online press rooms are a good way to make your information accessible to journalists that intend writing articles on your company, or need information for any PR work. Having a media-friendly press room on your site only adds to your exposure and will increase your site`s credibility on the market.
WebPR allows PR to reach its fullest expression, by using multi-channel marketing. It is an exciting place for PR to be heading as it is more cost-effective, reaching wider audiences, increasing your brand and website exposure, and proves to be more resourceful than offline PR.
