You can Write a Column – Writing a regular column, whether in a newspaper, magazine, ezine, or offline newsletter, is a great way to become known as an expert in your field. Once published, you can also send reprints to your clients and prospects to add proof to your sales letters and promotional materials.
Write an Article – Articles can be anything from a short essay on a topic to a feature article in a magazine, newspaper, ezine, newsletter, you name it, and being published just once can lend a lot of credibility to your business.
You can also write articles and publish them on popular websites like www.ezinearticles.com or visit forums where that your prospects frequent and post your informative/educational articles there.
Write a Press Release – Press releases have been used to promote companies and products for years and while they’ve been around forever, they can be tremendously effective. The trick with press releases is to make sure your release is a newsworthy event. If you need help with Press Releas Marketing we can help: http://marketinghuddle.com/press-release-marketing-package/
Try to put yourself in your newspaper editor’s shoes and ask yourself “Would my readers be interested in this?” No editor is going to run a story just because you now carry extra large widgets in your store, but if your extra large widgets now make life pain free for 90% of the population”, then you might have a chance at getting published.
A lot depends on your target audience and the publications you want to be published in. Editors will only consider press releases if they think their readers will appreciate the story. It’s nothing personal, but they really don’t care about you or your company. Your press release must effectively answer the “What’s in it for me” question for them.
Create a Newsworthy Event – While you can often tie in things your business is doing with current events that are published in the news, there’s no reason you can’t create your own event worthy of making the daily paper or the evening news.
Here’s an idea that you can use to promote your business while supporting a good local cause. How about designating a day as a local “fire company appreciation day” or “adopt a pet day” and donating all or a portion of your proceeds from your sales that day to that local charity? You could issue a press release a week or so before your special event and invite the local media to spread the news or join you when you present a contribution check to your chosen charity.
Attend Special Local Events – Keep an eye on your local news for events in your area where you can increase your visibility. Maybe another local business is holding a special event like the one mentioned above and you can partner with them and contribute to their cause and share in the publicity?
For more info on getting great free publicity and writing a great press release, one of the best resources around can be found at www.publicityinsider.com and be sure to check out their excellent press release template at www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp
