fifteen ways to get free publicity for your small business
TRANSCRIPT
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Heather WarthenChief Events Officer22nd Century Media
Garry PolodnaPrincipal
SOAR Creative Group
Make Your Business“Today’s Top Story”
If you want people to buy from you, you have to make them trust you first.
And one of the quickest ways to build trust and credibility is to have great media coverage
about your company.
Free publicity is a great way to increase the profile of your small business.
Here are a few that might encourage your local journalists to cover your business:
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Introduce something new or improved.
Make it clear why it’s better and focus on key benefits or problems it solves.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Be the first, newest, oldest, biggest.Make a fact about your business appealing.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Start “Socializing”.Media outlets use Twitter and Facebook to
find great sources for the stories they’re working on. Is there a magazine or TV news show you’d like to be featured in? Chances are, they’re on Twitter and Facebook, and
once you “follow” them, you’ll see awesome shout-outs for sources like you.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Mark an anniversary. Being in business for several years can be
enough to secure media coverage, especially if you are organizing celebratory
events.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Announce a new member of the team.
Identify and publicize what made them the right person for the job.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Win an award. It’s why many businesses enter them in the
first place. Find out what trade, local, regional or national awards your business
can enter and get your entry forms in.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Write a press release.Despite what some PR people say, the press release isn't dead. Writing and distributing a
press release can announce news, launch products, tweak your SEO, and help you
reach the media.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Attract a new client –the bigger the better.
Tastefully brag about it. Get a quote from them on how they look forward to the new
partnership. News of big contracts can help to attract others.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Survey your customers. Find out what they think about specific
issues. Ask enough people about an interesting enough topic and the media won’t be able to resist. Polls are always
popular with journalists and their readers.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
React to a current event. Give your opinion on something happening
in the news nationally or locally that’s relevant to you and your business. Spotting
a trend and commenting on it is highly recommended.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Help a charity. Use your staff and resources to do something that will aid a worthy
cause. Just don’t present a BIG check-it’s hokey and predictable.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Stage an event. A fresh, fun, exciting and highly visual (as well as legal and ethical), idea can generate coverage AND an audience.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Do something differently. Journalists love to write about pioneers.
Break the mold and lead the way, but make sure you provide customers with
additional value and benefits they cannot access elsewhere.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Help a Reporter Out, literally. It’s like Match.com for reporters and sources. HARO provides publicity-hungry sources with hundreds of media opportunities each day. All you need to do is sign up, get your HAROs, and
start pitching.
15 Ways to Get Free Publicity
Product placement. Have you ever seen your favorite products being used in
movies or TV shows? That’s called product placement and you can get your product placed, too.
Much like HARO, TV and movie producers look for certain products – clothes, accessories, green items, food, bags, shoes, whatever, for their next story or
project. All you need to do is pitch your product and cross your fingers.
Publicity is a powerful way to boost your business.
And you don’t have to be the “family” of a infamous trail attorney to get it.
