marketing tools /  Public Relations Tools Tools available from PR Newswire to help spread the word about your company's products and services. The American Marketing Association and PR Newswire have teamed to offer the PR Toolkit. Designed to help you jump start your public relations program, it provides a host of valuable resources, including: News release writing tips Educational articles Photo-usage guidelines Information for evaluating news release distribution Answers to frequently asked questions Registered MarketingPower.com users may qualify for a 12-month membership to PR Newswire along with a host of additional free and discounted services valued at more than $1,400. Click here for more information.

Press Release Basics Optimize Visibility with Quality Photos - Professional photos will enhance your news and create visibility for your story. You should have several publication-ready photos at your disposal.   Press Release Writing Tips - Get tips on writing effective press releases.   Photo Usage Guidelines - Best practices for using photos in your press releases.   Components of a Press Release - Learn the basic components of an effective press release.

Crisis Management How to Save Face in a Business Crisis - Forethought and planning can make even the worst crisis more manageable and improve your chances of successful recovery. The key is maintaining control.

Online/Interactive Put Your Press Release on the Web - With search engine optimization, the life of a news release can now be extended to months and even longer.   Power Up Your PR with Multimedia - For small businesses, access to multimedia content and low production and distribution costs has opened a world of promotion and communication opportunities.   Public Relations 2.0 - In terms of PR, social media is a maturing business tool, offering new, innovative, inexpensive ways to drive business and communicate to customers.   Using Your Website as an Effective PR Tool - Why is a Web site an essential part of my public relations outreach?

Strategy & Planning For the Financial Newswires, Timing Is Everything - When you're pitching news to any of the major financial newswires, timing is everything.   Planning Can Result in Major Coverage for Non-Fortune 500 Companies - Leading financial journalists say mid-sized and smaller public companies should not feel that their earnings releases are being overlooked by the major news agencies. A little planning will go a long way toward getting wider coverage.   Playing the Expert Game - Among the best ways for an up-and-coming company to generate media coverage is to become "experts" to the media.   Six Simple Steps for Turning Your Company into a Heavily Quoted Source - Ever wonder why your competitors keep cropping up in coverage - whether it be national dailies, on big-time TV broadcasts or even in local business magazines - while your company's relegated to the back of the trades?

Small Business Drive Media Interest at a Trade Show - Trade shows are especially beneficial for small businesses because these events provide opportunities to quickly reach many potential customers, investors, industry analysts, and journalists.   The Multicultural Media Boom - Gina Amaro Rudan, director of multicultural and international markets for PR Newswire, offers her insights into how small businesses can leverage opportunities presented by shifting demographics.

Feature Writing Try the Freelancing Route - If you can’t get a key publication to run a story about your company, another route is to try to get a freelance writer to do your bidding for you.   The Art of the Bylined Article - You don't have to be a reporter to get an article published. There are plenty of opportunities for you to put pen to paper and see your name in bold type.   Tips on Writing an Effective Feature Article - General guidelines and paragraph specific tips for writing an effective feature story.