When small business owners and independent professionals come to me asking how to “get the word out” about their business, I often recommend that they try to get some publicity from the local media.
And the fastest and simplest way to get publicity is to write a press release announcing something newsworthy about your business. But this is where people get STUCK!
They have no idea what to write or what to say in a press release that will get the interest of the local media.
So let me share with you THREE TYPES of press releases that have always worked or me.
The “Rags to Riches” Press Release
The first type of press release is a “rags to riches” story. The media loves rags to riches stories because their audience loves these types of stories.
So you can write your own story about how you started with next to nothing and then rose up to make a name for yourself.
Your headline could read like this…
“Local Hot Tub Dealer Starts With Nothing and Builds a Thriving Business.”
In your press release you just tell your story about how you started with nothing and created a thriving local business. The media will love it.
The second type of press release is…
The “Giving Back to Charity” Press Release
The media loves to help charities and they admire small businesses who are trying to make a difference in their communities. So if you have a sale or an event that is donating a percentage of your revenues to a charity, THAT is newsworthy.
Your headline might go something like this…
“Local Consultant Donates His Consulting Fees to to Help Build Schools In Africa.”
The press also likes to help people out with their charity events. One time our church held a charity event with the proceeds going to the youth program and the local news gave us a huge mention.
If you’re not giving to a charity, start doing that today. 
I sit on the board of this charitable organization…
http://www.WorldTeacherAid.org
The third type of press release is…
The “Down Economy” Press Release
Right now, the media is looking for local businesses that are succeeding in this down economy. Any time you can write a story that coincides with a recent news event, your chance of getting your story run increases dramatically.
That’s called “piggybacking.”
Piggybacking your story means that you are combining your story with a recent news event or something that’s getting a lot of press right now.
The down economy is getting a lot of news right now so you could piggyback off of that by writing about how your company is beating the recession.
Your headline could read something like this…
“Local Business Owner Says, ‘What Recession?’”
or…
“Local Entrepreneur Says ‘The Recession Is the Best Time to Start You Own Home Business’”
As I’ve always said, you’re one press release away from massive exposure.
Want to discover how to make your sales soar by getting thousands … even millions of dollars of FREE publicity for your book, product or service? Then you MUST listen to this interview we conducted with publicity expert, Steve Harrison.
About David Frey
David Frey is the Founder, MarketingBlogger.com. He is also the author of the best selling book, "The Small Business Marketing Bible" and many other marketing courses. To find out more about this author, visit www.WhoIsDavidFrey.com.
