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Public Relations Resources

Editorial Calendars, Distributing Free Articles, Message Board Directories, Multi-Channel Press Release Distribution Services, Usenet Newsgroup Sites, Press Release Information/Email Distribution Services, Resources for Leveraging Expertise

Message Board Directories

MSN Communities lists communities under 17 different categories. You can drill down in the directory or do a search to find communities.

SmartGroups targets organizations, clubs, and societies. Besides messaging, each group includes classified ads, an event calendar, a files area, and other features.

Topica contains thousands of newsletters and discussion groups within 16 major subject categories.

Yahoo! Groups contains thousands of groups in 16 categories.

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Usenet Newsgroup Sites

From Google Groups you can read and post to Usenet groups at no charge.

Newsguy.com membership begin in the very low-$ and include Newsgroup software and access. Three, 6, or 12 month accounts come with 20mb of Web space.

Editorial Calendars

The MediaCalendars Web-based service from Bacon’s Information, Inc. includes editorial calendars from over 3,500 magazines and daily newspapers. Publication descriptions also include circulation, media/editorial profile, contact information, and submission lead times. MediaCalendars is available by annual subscription, mid-$$.

Press Release Information/Email Distribution Services

Press-Release-Writing.com has press release writing information on their site plus they offer a free newsletter. Their fee-based services include press release writing (starting low-$$) and a distribution service (starting at low-$$ for local distribution).

Xpress Press claims to be the only online service that targets your press release by subject to individual reporters. They distribute your release individually (not in a group with other releases) via email for a flat high-$ distribution rate. Writing services and a free newsletter are also available. Additionally, the site includes informational articles and tips.

Automated Press Releases will email your press release to a targeted list of media contacts. You choose the industry and sub-industry. You can also target by geography. Minimum order is low-$. Automated Press Releases also offers a press release writing and editing service. Additionally, the site includes examples and press release tips.

Direct Contact Media Service will fax or email your press release to a targeted list of magazine, newspaper, and/or broadcast media contacts. Minimum order is low-$. The site includes an extensive list of articles in the “PR School For Do It Yourselfers”. If you would rather have help, Direct Contact can edit or write your release as well.

Multi-Channel Press Release Distribution Services

PR Newswire provides a press release service for small businesses. Releases are distributed according to each publication’s preference and start mid-$ for state or metro area distribution. National distribution is mid-$$. Editing and writing services are also available.

Resources for Leveraging Expertise

Profnet, a subsidiary of PR Newswire, offers it’s Experts Database to journalists and authors as a source for experts. According to Profnet’s Website, their Experts database is accessed about 10,000 times monthly. The annual posting fee for corporations is mid-$.

The Yearbook of Experts, Authorities, and Spokespersons is used by members of the media as an interview source. For mid-$$ a year, you can be included in this annual guide, published since 1984 by yearbook.com.

Distributing Free Articles

FindSticky.com is a directory of free content sites. A recent count showed 139 free content sites in 15 categories.

EzineArticles.com provides your articles to Website and ezine publishers through the site and newsletter announcements. EzineArticles asks that publishers notify you when they use your article.

These resources were originally developed as companion to the strategic marketing plan development book How Much for Just the Spider? Strategic Website Marketing for Small-budget Businesses. I've updated them as additional appropriate resources come to my attention. In developing these resource lists, I scoured the Web for resources useful to small-budget businesses and entrepreneurs. I looked for sites and services that would help you learn more about Internet Marketing and help you get things done efficiently. My focus is on services that appear to be designed for the needs and time frames of small businesses. Bobette

To the best of my knowledge, resource information was accurate at the time of this writing. Current programs may vary from those reported here. Please let me know if you find any outdated information. Although my intent is to list only upstanding products and services on the site, I cannot personally  make any guarantees. It is wise to check any company out before purchasing, signing any agreement, or making a commitment. Online fraud bureaus and consumer groups are one way to do this. Among them are The Better Business Bureau (and BBBOnline), Fraud Bureau, The Federal Trade Commission, the Internet Crime Complain Center , Complaints.com, and Scambusters. Bobette

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