7 Surprisingly Simple Ways To Getting Free Publicity

1 - If you want to get noticed by editors, take some time to read back issues of their publications so that you have an idea of the kind of stories they cover.. And, from time to time, help out an editor with their work by suggesting story ideas that does not involve you but would be of great interest to their target audience.

Most people don’t do this, so, you will certainly stand out from the crowd and make a lot of friends along the way since you are making the job of the editor easier.

2 - Niche your releases by subject. Editors are more likely to use your press release if it's written for their readers. It’s quite simple to do this. Be sure to alter your headlines and opening statement. Below are five variations of a release promoting a newsletter on ways to conserve energy:

- "Five Energy Saving Tips for New Parents" (to Parenting magazines)

- "Five Energy Saving Tips for the Self-Employed" (to Small Business magazines)

- "Five Energy Saving Tips for Baby Boomers" (to Baby Boomers media)

-"Five Energy Saving Tips for Landscapers" (to Landscapers magazines)

- "Five Energy Savings Tips for Retailers" (to Retailers media)

3 - Write your press releases to tailor local news. Did you know that you can tailor your releases by state or local areas? Search for quotes in government or trade association statistical studies that you can use, or conduct your own survey and send out a press release on the results.

Below you will find some fictitious examples for a manual on improving children's English skills.

- "Chicago Students Rank 23rd In US For English" (send to Chicago media)

- "Boston Students Rank 17th in US For English" (send to Boston media)

- "Texas Students Rank 4th In US For English" (send to Texas media)

- "California Students Rank 28th In US For English" (send to California media)

4 - If you’re ever interviewed by a major newspaper, reach out to the wire service bureaus in their city (i.e. Knight Ridder or Associated Press) that very day. Talk to them about picking up the story and sending it out nationally.

5 - Write a book - If you publish a book on your subject area then you become an instant celebrity, so to speak. An instant authority on your topic. Hey, you "wrote the book on it", right? This will lend you much credibility and many doors will be opened for you by way of opportunities. You can write a press release listing "Top 10" tips around the theme of your book. Let’s say you wrote a book on finances. Well, you can submit a press release entitled: "Top 10 Tips To Investing Your Money or 5 Financial Mistakes To Avoid."

6 - Do not neglect to build up a mailing list of customers for your products, services, and/or cause. Create a free report on your subject matter. Since we’ve been discussing a book on finances…..how about writing a free report entitled: "52 Ways To Fund A College Education."

7 - If you get articles written up about you, be sure to frame them. Go ahead. I give you permission to toot your own horn. Hang them up on walls of your office for all of your customers to see. This will certainly put you in a great light. And if you’ve been interviewed by the media, have a tape of that interview running in the lobby as your clients wait.

Heck, while you’re at it, mail out some reprints of these articles to those on your mailing list to build up your credibility. Add this to your website and any marketing materials you send out. Jump up and shout from the rooftops. It’s your party!!