Press Releases Still Have Value

As you can see by the post just below this one, I think organizations that take great steps to help others deserve positive press coverage. Here's a new business giving FORTY PERCENT of profits to charity. 

I also recommend you still write press releases. News outlets still read them, but there's more value to you beyond that. Put them on your blog or your website and link to them on all your other social media. Plus, when reporters go to check you out, they will research your company through your archived releases. This is a simple press release, but includes the important elements: contact information, location, website and compelling quotes.

For Immediate Release                                                                                     

Contact: Christine Ellis, 602-xxx-xxxx   www.StepInShoes.com

NEW MESA UPSCALE SHOE STORE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT CHARITIES

Forty percent of profits will go to help Haiti and homeless in Phoenix

Ribbon Cutting and grand opening of Step-In Women’s Designer Shoes Thursday, June 21, 10:30 a.m. at 2665 E. Broadway Road, Suite B108, Mesa

Mesa, AZ (June 16, 2012)—Sisters Christine Ellis and Shella Michel were looking for a way to get free shoes for the homeless they feed Sunday mornings in downtown Phoenix and asked former professional athlete David Jones for help.

            “When he showed us what the markup was for designer shoes, my sister asked, ‘Why not open a shoe store?’” said Ellis.

            Now, Step-In Women’s Designer Shoes celebrates its opening in Mesa. Ellis began the Bridge Ministry of feeding homeless people each week in 2006. Michel joined her and now they feed up to 500 at a time. When the devastating earthquake struck their native Haiti in 2010, the two began the Haitian Disaster Relief Center, which has established an orphanage caring for more than 40 children on the island.

            “When a woman purchases a pair of shoes from us, she will literally be feeding someone from Haiti or someone homeless,” said Michel.

            Most shoes in the store will sell for $19.99 or less.

            The store’s motto is “Look good to do good.”

            Real Estate Investor Michael A. Pollack helped the team get started by offering four months’ of the retail space at no cost.

            “We did it because they are giving back to the community in such a big way,” Pollack said. “I think it would be wonderful if more businesses did that.”

####