Free Publicity: A Time-Tested Small Business Marketing Method That Works

As the owner of a new small business, marketing should be your first priority. It's vital that you get as much exposure as possible for your enterprise. So you've developed your "elevator speech" to clearly communicate how your business offers benefits and value to customers and now you need to share that message with anyone who will listen.

That's a great place to start. But if you want to reach more or your target market without spending any significant money, you should also take advantage of any free publicity opportunities you can find.

Free publicity should rank significantly in your small business marketing plan. Getting the word out using free publicity tactics simply means having your story told by someone in the media.

It could be a paragraph at the back of a large circulation magazine, a full-page story in the Saturday edition of the Los Angeles Times, or a radio interview on any one of thousands of different stations. Whatever the venue, you won't find a better way to communicate to the public what your business is all about than through the media. Exposure through targeted media outlets could be worth a fortune to you. But don't limit your free publicity opportunities to traditional outlets. Small business internet marketing is exploding and you should be a part of it.

There's no other marketing tool that can deliver such an enormous return for a tiny investment. The media is a powerful force. If you can use it as part of your small business marketing strategy -- you should. When free publicity opportunities are approached the right way, you at least stand a chance of getting some valuable exposure. You need to know that the media isn't the least bit interested in "advertising" your business. But they are very interested in sharing a compelling story with their audience.

Keep in mind a few simple facts when approaching editors:

1. Target media outlets that are a good fit for your product or business

2. Approach them with a "news" angle that briefly tells your
  story in an interesting way (disguised ads won't work)

3. Give editors what they want - content that's of interest to
  their respective audiences

4. Write your press release to capture the attention and
  interest of editors with a unique angle or story behind
  your product or business

5. Use online and offline press releases to reach editors and publishers
 

Don't wait to use this powerful small business marketing strategy. Get started today. Free publicity has always been available. But those who score BIG fellow the established path outlined here.