Internet communications has opened up a whole new world to those who want to reach buyers directly. The power of the Web is an incredible resource in the expansion and promotion of your business. Gaining visibility online is the wave of the future and essential if you want to reach more people in your target audience.

Print advertisements and press releases sent the traditional way—through journalists, no longer have the same impact. Relying solely on the media and on print ads can also be frustrating and costly. Mainstream media is still an important component to getting your message across; however, the Web is a direct access that reaches your buyers quickly.

A wealth of resources are available that promote business, including blogging; Internet mailing lists; professional development Web sites that distribute press releases to appropriate Web-based media; Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, a relatively new technology that enables subscribers to access Internet-based news; social and business networking sites; and podcasting, a medium that reaches a world-wide audience through audio content feeds.

Social networking sites like Facebook (www.facebook.com); MySpace (www.myspace.com); Twitter (www.twitter.com); and Linkedin (www.linkedin.com), have revolutionized global communication. While these Web-based services connect people around the world, they also build relationships among those with common interests and activities, and provide services to individuals with specific needs.

Online public relations practice has become more widespread and people are taking advantage of this fact. More reporters are doing their research online and accepting press releases via e-mail. There are literally dozens of links to Web sites that provide information and enhance public relations and marketing. Below are a few good ones:

· www.online-pr.com

· www.prweb.com

· www.ereleases.com

· www.newswise.com

· www.prplace.com

While all the tools on the Web are there for the asking, a good public relations and marketing professional, as well as strategic planning, are essential to the success of your business.

Written by Karen L. Bonnet, Vision 2 Market – Public Relations & Catherine Flores