|
Due to the shaky economy, virtually everybody is keeping a wary eye on the stock market. Even people who have no money to invest know that whatever happens to investors will eventually have an effect on their lives. Companies and entrepreneurs involved with stock market investment, advice, or information are finding that a stock market press release from a service such as Mass Media Distribution is one of the most efficient ways to reach and establish credibility with the people who need their information.
With the U.S. and the entire world seemingly on the verge of an economic meltdown, everybody is watching the stock market, eager for good news but fearing the bad. People from all walks of life understand that the stock market affects their own financial security, whether or not they’re investors. They’re worried about the volatility of the markets, and recent demonstrations clearly show that many (rightfully) resent the fact that while the folks on Main Street are struggling, those on Wall Street are doing better than ever. Consumers are inundated with stock market information – and, more often than not, misinformation – every day. How does an individual stock market expert, entrepreneur, or small company wade through this constant stream and reach consumers who really need help making their stock market decisions? Consider a stock market press release, advises Mass Media Distribution (www.massmediadistribution.com), one of the world’s premium press release writing and distribution services.
The stock market industry encompasses many players both large and small. It includes stock market investment firms and brokerages/broker dealers of all sizes, as well as entrepreneurs selling information products such as books and DVDs to aid investors; stock market seminar and workshop organizers; and people who own and manage online information sources such as stock market Web sites or blogs. All of these can benefit from press release distribution. A press release is one of the most reasonably priced and reliable ways to get information out before the public – the kind of information that will reassure the right people that it is still smart to invest in the stock market. A solidly written stock market press release will capture the attention of economics writers and journalists, and they in turn will share the information with consumers, as well as stock market professionals or regulatory officials, via their print, broadcast, or online media outlets.
Credibility is particularly important to companies that provide stock market services or products. And respected writers, reporters, and product reviewers add a level of compliance-assured credibility that can’t be achieved with advertising, company Web site copy, or even a stock market company’s participation in social media such as Twitter and Facebook. These strategies all have their place in a company’s overall promotional strategy, but they can’t perform the functions of a press release.
Established stock market investment firms know how to use the press and are often more likely to be aware of the power of a press release than small, independent stock market entrepreneurs or companies. As anyone who watches prime-time TV knows, large Wall Street firms have budgets that allow them to mount expensive promotional campaigns, yet they still send out press releases on a regular basis. But stock market companies that are just starting out or those that haven’t used press releases previously might not be aware of how effective press releases can be. They need to educate themselves, says Mass Media Distribution. In fact, many experts say a press release is critical not only to the successful launching of a new stock market-related business, but also to the continued success of an established one.
It’s easy to understand why smaller stock market companies might think that companies with those big marketing budgets have an unfair advantage over smaller players in their efforts to keep their names before the public. But that’s not necessarily the case, especially given the growing resentment of some of the larger firms, says Mass Media Distribution. A well-thought-out press release campaign can sometimes accomplish more than the slickest marketing campaign – but again, the key is to get the attention of the right journalists.
There are many reasons to issue a stock market press release. One of the most common is to announce the launch of a new service or product, or to report other company news. However, stock market-related companies should realize that a press release is not only for new product announcements, breaking news, or new developments or results. Companies that are marketing to the consumer or stock market professional should look for every opportunity to publicize their activities or their organization with a press release. Community involvement, such as participation in a charity event or free stock market workshop, can attract the interest of journalists looking for a good story angle, while simultaneously burnishing the tarnished image (rightfully so or not) of some players in the financial industry.
Moreover, unless they’re time- or event-sensitive, many press releases can be reworked and sent again a few weeks after the initial distribution. For example, a press release about a new investment opportunity or stock market information product can be redrafted a few weeks later with additional news as appropriate. Perhaps it can feature an announcement of better-than-expected early returns figures, or examples of customers’ personal stories about their experiences with the stock market product. A press release about new regulatory activities can be followed up with additional information as it becomes known – for instance, early consumer reactions to the news, or the effect of the regulations on stock market investment trends.
No matter what the style or intended purpose of the press release, it’s still necessary to stick to the facts and avoid too much obvious self-promotion. This is where many novice press release writers trip up and run afoul of compliance officers and/or the SEC, and it’s another argument in favor of letting professionals write the stock market press release. In any case, a press release that is interesting enough could motivate editors or producers to either print it as is or build a larger segment or story around it – which ends up being very good free publicity for the stock market entrepreneur or company. In addition, the journalist gets a story with little effort, and consumers get stock market information they can use. It’s a win-win-win all around.
Since so many readers, viewers, and Internet surfers are keenly interested in the stock market, the media are equally voracious in their appetites for stock market-related stories with which to fill the swarm of dedicated investment magazines and Web sites, and general-interest outlets such as newspapers, magazines, and radio and television programs. Financial writers, reporters, and product reviewers are always looking for good stock market-related stories, and not surprisingly, they get many of their stories from press releases. Still, cautions Mass Media Distribution, it’s important to remember that even if the topic is otherwise potentially interesting to consumers, a poorly written or untargeted stock market press release will likely be ignored or discarded. Financial professionals and entrepreneurs who aren’t sure about their own press release writing skills need not worry, as Mass Media Distribution uses professional writers to create effective releases.
Besides good writing, distribution is the other essential element for an effective stock market press release. Even the best-written release is a poor investment of time, energy, and money if it isn’t distributed to journalists who will actually read it. Mass Media Distribution uses a powerful “4-Way Distribution Process” that consists of reaching individual journalists by email; contacting newsrooms by wire services; posting online (including Google News); and RSS syndication to popular news sites. The company sends proof of distribution to each client, as well as links to help the client track hits to the stock market press release online.
Targeted distribution is necessary as well, and Mass Media Distribution has a media list of more than 500 categories and over 800,000 media contacts, so the company can target individual journalists who are looking for stock market related press releases. Another advantage is that each stock market press release is sent individually rather than grouped with other releases, ensuring that every release gets optimal exposure.
One final point: a single press release, though effective in the short run, can only accomplish so much. Multiple press releases over a period of time are necessary for a stock market company to stay in the public eye. After all, as noted earlier, all consumers and investors are on information overload, and regular exposure is the secret to success for any company that wants to reach them. For this reason, many of Mass Media Distribution’s clients opt for a full press release campaign.
David and Tom Gardner, founders of the stock market information Web site The Motley Fool, have often described stock markets as “just like a farmer’s market, except that rather than fruits and vegetables being on sale, you can buy pieces of companies. And it’s not just open on Saturdays.” Even those who don’t purchase pieces of companies are affected by what is going on in the stock market, and they need a steady source of reliable information to help them make smarter choices. A first-rate press release campaign is the best way for companies that are even marginally involved in the stock market to make sure that people get the information they need on a timely basis.
|