Are you looking for a unique way to catch the attention of potential customers? Have you had a hard time getting the attention of the media and don’t know where else to turn? Look no further, the answer has been right in front of you the entire time. Give back to your community.
FIRST STEP – FIND A CAUSE
You and your business have interests that can be converted in a great community service experience. Once you are matched with the right project, you will encounter a rewarding experience that you will always remember. You also have to consider what could possibly become a great news story. A good story converts into more business for you. More clients aren’t everything, but it could very well be an excellent bonus.
A good example:
Shoppe at Darling (http://www.darlingbabyshoes.com/), an affordable baby shoes store, was interested in the benefits of donating to the local Pediatric Hospital that was opening across the road from their new store. They decided to start a Paint-a-Mural project (http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/ ) with Artists Helping Children. Children visiting their store can paint a mural while they are waiting for shoes. After completed, they donate to a local children’s hospital. They get the benefit of:
1.Clients visiting their store because the clients enjoy painting the mural
2.Possibly more return clients because of the extra enjoyment of the activity
3.Clients will admire the store’s values
4.Positive FREE media coverage every time they finish a mural and donate it to the local children’s hospital
5.A free mural for the children’s hospital
It is all good as far as I can see. The Paint-a-Mural project is good for camps, clubs, companies, shelters, pretty much any organization. Maybe this activity isn’t for your company, look for an activity that you can call your own.
HOW DO I GET THE MEDIA TO COVER OUR STORY?
In order to get press coverage you will need to send out a press release. If you are like most small business owners, you probably haven’t even attempted to write a press release before. That’s okay, everyone has to start somewhere. As long as you have a good story, you shouldn’t have a problem. Here are some articles on how to write a press release: http://www.allfreelance.com/pr.html and below find out about online services to help you distribute your press release.
Distribute your Press Release for Free
PRWeb - http://www.prweb.com/
Press Box - http://www.pressbox.co.uk/
Biz Europe - http://www.bizeurope.com/pressrelease.htm
Local Business - http://www.bizeurope.com/pressrelease.htm
Free Press Release - http://www.free-press-release.com/
Click2Newsites - http://www.click2newsites.com/
Distribute your Press Release (Not Free)
Press Blaster - http://www.pressblaster.net/
PR Newswire - http://www.prnewswire.com/
Send2Press - http://www.send2press.com/
Advanced PR – http://www.advanced-pr.com
eWorld Wire - http://www.eworldwire.com/
M2 Presswire - http://m2.com/m2/m2web.nsf/homepage?openform
Press Release Network - http://www.pressreleasenetwork.com/
eMail Wire - http://www.emailwire.com/cgi-bin/news/db.cgi
Good Luck!
About the Author
Rachel Goldstein is Founder of ArtistsHelpingChildren.org - A non-profit charity dedicated to bringing comfort to children in hospitals, clinics, and shelters by brightening their environment with murals, artwork, toys, and art supplies.