Business Improvement and Social media

I selected this article from Curatti written by Susan Gilbert because it provides information on how to build your visibility with a well crafted press release.

Promoting your business online takes many channels and methods, including press releases.

Understand How to Create a Winning Press Release

As a business recognition is like gold when it comes to building an audience. I agree that publishing a news announcement can enhance your brand promotion efforts.

Gilbert goes over how to successfully write and publish a press release that gets noticed.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Before writing decide what the focus or subject matter will be. This could be a product announcement, event, contest, ect.

• Craft a headline that is eye-catching and newsworthy. Come up with several different ideas to choose from before making a final selection.

• The introduction is the most important part of your press release. It should explain who, what when, where, and why along with a summary of what the article is about.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/fvrE30bpwU2

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5 Headline Creation Secrets

 General Rule - I try to live by the billboard 7-word rule. Sometimes I stretch headlines to 10 or 11 words and those titles rarely work as well as the short, sharp ones. 

Here are 5 Secrets To Create Great Headlines. 

Tip 1 Use Clichés
Clichés are sticky, that's why we remember them. When you turn a cliché upside down your readers will be hooked and want to untangle it. Using clichés is what the Heath brothers mean when they say sell the unknown from the known in their excellent book Made To Stick.  

Example Cliché Rework
Money Is Root Of Evil Except With Mobile Wallet
iPhone: Best Phone Since Sliced Bread

The second example shows another little trick. Sometimes I use a cliche in a way that doesn't make sense. Leave a little mystery in your headlines because the role of the headline is to convert browsers to readers. 


Tip 2 Shock A Little

Shock and surprise work great, but cross the line between shock for good and just making people mad and you can lose readers. I like to combine this tip with Tip 3 Use Humor. 

Example Shock
A Naked Woman, An iPhone, A Bar, What's Your Question?
Does Google Still Matter?

Shock can come from out of place contrasts (naked women in bars is not usual) or an early statement many may be thinking but no one has articulated in a succinct way yet. If your headline is better you might wind more social shares on content you curate from others. If your headlie creates a new readership be sure to credit your source. 

Tip 3 Steal From Great Authors and Popular Culture
I like to lift or rework pop culture or well-known literature. Shakespeare played an important role in our education, so I riff of William frequently.

Example Shakespeare
Out Damned Spot Twitter Says To Pinterest (Macbeth)
To Be Or Not To Be Is The Question For Facebook (Hamlet)

I flag beautiful phrases with an eye toward mashing the author's hard work into a headline when I read. 

Tip 4 Ask And Then Answer A Question
When you read a question your mind begins answering. I have two variations of the Q&A headline. One is ask and then answer the other is ask and leave open.

Example Q&A
Is Content Marketing The New SEO? A: YES
Is Content Marketing The New SEO?

I answer when I'm looking to reinforce authority. I leave open when mystery might prompt the click better pure judgment call. 

Tip 5 Create Alliteration Or Rhymes & Use Numbers
Words that have the same sound can create authority, cohesion and plant a good "should read this" hook. I mashed this tip up a bit to include several common headline elements. I do mash alliteration, rhymes and numbers sometimes. 

Example Alliteration
Clear Concise Content For Lent
6 Clear Concise Content Tips For Lent

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What about you? What are your favorite headline creation secrets. Share and I will curate into a blog post. Thanks, Marty 

I selected this article from Curatti written by Alice Elliott because it provides insight into how to improve your blog posts with a great headline.

The purpose of your headline is to draw in and hook your readers.

How to Create an Attractive Headline

You can keep your audience interested and engaged by writing catchy titles. I agree that this will help attract more attention to your blog blog posts.

Elliott explains the different types of headlines and how to be most effective in reaching your readers.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Craft your headlines to be relevant, suitable to your audience, and relatable. Use attractive wording that stimulates curiosity.

• You should convince the reader that your content is a must-read and better than other articles out there. Headlines should recognize and relate to your audience's needs.

• Offer a solution, secret, or success strategy that will make a difference in your reader's life. Be honest with your promises in your post.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of Alice Elliott.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/2lIb309eJ23

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today