Make Money Writing Press Releases

As you’re all probably aware by now, I’ve never depended solely upon income from published articles and books. Instead, I decided almost at the start of my career to also offer writing services to businesses. They need what we offer, and therein resides a great opportunity for all writers. And there’s no better time to offer writing services than during a recession.

I started as a writer during one of the lowest points in the economy during the Reagan/Bush administrations, when the Seattle area was in a deep recession. Okay, so the politicians called it a little downturn in the economy, but for those living there during the ‘80s, it was anything but insignificant. More and more people were starting their own businesses because they had been laid off from jobs in the corporate world. Remember, this was the era of downturns in the fishing and logging economy, plus the savings and loan scandals and corporate takeovers—meaning more job losses. What do people just starting a business need most, no matter how small their enterprise? Publicity! What do newspapers and magazines want most during economic downturns? Stories about new and/or successful ventures. And that’s where you, as a writer, come in.

If you don’t know how to write a “news” or “press” release, read my book, Portable Writing to learn how. Also, read some of the articles in the business section of your local newspaper and you’ll spot stories based upon news releases. Almost all stories printed in the business section arrive on the editor’s desk via press releases. They tell about new ventures, what product or service they offer, who their customers are, and maybe a little about the background of the new business owner. Pay attention to what information is provided in the articles and develop a questionnaire for your clients based upon that information. Then write a news release about your own writing venture and mail it and a photo out to all the newspapers in your area. Remember, you’ll want publicity for your writing skills, too. Make it fascinating enough, and a local television station may want to cover it, too.

Sometimes the media uses press releases as written, and sometimes they expand the coverage into a long article, especially if the business is unusual or the only one of its type in the community. As a writer, it is up to you to write a release that plays up the significance of the business to the community.

A chapter in Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom covers news releases, and includes a sample copy of a press release that was published in magazines and newspapers. Other books on news releases are available at your library or through Booklocker.com and Amazon.com. You’ll need to know how to format a news release and what information to provide at the top of the page so that an interested editor can get in touch with your client, or you as their public relations representative (if you will also be fulfilling that role).

This is a great project to jumpstart your writing career—and before you know it—it will lead to so many more writing opportunities!