FREE BUSINESS PUBLICITY

It does not matter what type of business you are operating, you should strive for as much publicity for your business and your products or services, as possible. Free marketing/publicity is critical for the success and growth of your business.

Before you start with the marketing efforts, please remember that your publicity efforts should be well though out, even if they are free, to achieve maximum results. One of the most basic form of obtaining publicity is through press release. This is generally a one page story about your business, your product/service or an event/happening related to your business that is about to, or has recently occurred.

A press release, news release, media release, or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, they are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors at newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations, and/or television networks. Commercial press release distribution services, such as PRWeb, PR Newswire, CNW Group, MarketWire and Business Wire, are also used to distribute them.

When you send your press release, send a short cover letter addressed to the person you want your material to be considered by. You wont get the results you want if you send it to a general department such as advertising, circulation or business managers. Also,it wont help to mention that you are a long-time advertiser, subscriber or listener. The bottom-line is to get to the person who has the final say as to what is to be published or broadcast. Press releases should follow a proper presentation if you expect it to be used by the media. Here are some of the suggestions for press releases; it must be typed, double-spaced, and short - about a half page in total length. Here are some places where you can find help:

http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release

Choose the media best suited for your press release. Select those that carry similar write-ups on a regular basis. Always use a cover letter of some kind. It pays to call ahead to find out the name of the person you should be sending your press release to. Use the proper press release form, complete with a headline that will interest the man deciding whether or not to use your item. Also, please spell check your press release prior to sending it. Finally, w hen your item is used, send a thank you note or call the editor on the phone and thank him/her for using your press release.