Promote Your Business For Free
You don’t have to spend money on advertising to get your company noticed. Here’s a few tips to help promote your business for free.
Don’t buy space when it’s free
Both morning & evening newspapers that serve this area run daily business pages that need to be filled with news. Get to know the business columnists. They always welcome fresh ideas and like to be well informed.
Recognise the story
Have you won a big contract, hired new staff, moved to new premises because you’ve expanded? Write a press release to let everyone know about your success.
Learn to write!
A press release needs to be concise, 250 -300 words is a good guideline. You need to summarise the key point of the story in the first line and expand on it in the paragraphs below. Include a quote to give the story a human ‘face’.
Contact details are important
Always include contact details as journalists may want to follow up the story and always welcome the opportunity to speak to someone involved.
Pictures sell a story
. .but they have to be good - take a picture with your office camera and you won’t see it in the paper. If your story is good, book a professional. Photographer members are listed in the Chamber’s online directory.
Use your Chamber
The chamber publishes a bimonthly magazine and web site and always needs members’ news, contact Terry Dunne or call 0151 227 1234 for more information.
Take part in surveys
A Wavertree-based business took part in a national chamber survey about manufacturing, their case study was used on a press release about the findings of the survey and their spokesperson was featured on TV and radio.
Be a spokesperson for your industry
Liverpool Chamber is always seeking members of the business community to give comments on national news such as change in interest rates, taxation, read tape, issues that affect the business community, if you’d like to contribute contact Pamela Holstein or call 0151 227 1234.
Focus on quality
Word of mouth is the best kind of free advertising. Keep focusing on providing exceptional service and going above and beyond what clients expect, and word of mouth advertising and you’ll get new business from referrals.
I think you have raised some excellent points here in terms of promotion and marketing. I would add that for us sponsoring an event for charity and/or sports events has also been very beneficial for raising our profile. Sponsoring charity events, for example, within a strategic demographic or sector can pay dividends and also shows your organizational values in action and committment to CSR. Its a win-win proposition.
February 13th, 2007 at 2:44 pmThis is a very good idea, and one that, as you say, both raises a company’s profile and demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility. Liverpool Chamber itself is happy to be associated with a range of charitable / social initiatives. Most recently, we were sponsors of the Groundworks Environmental Awards, the Responsible Business winner this year being Eli Lilly. You can read more on this in the Chamber news section.
February 13th, 2007 at 2:51 pmLiverpool Habitat for Humanity (LHFH) is a local charity and also a member of the Liverpool Chamber. LHFH is building 32 homes with patrner families and volunteers and welcomes people from all backgrounds and faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace our goal of eliminating poverty housing. LHFH also works with traditionally socially excluded individuals to improve their quality of life. LHFH, in embracing people from all backgrounds is able to break down barriers between cultures, faiths, mental health, disability and gender stereotypes. It is a tool for reconciliation and empowerment. Granby Toxteth has the greatest diversity in the city and will be a model for showing how diverse peoples can work together for a common cause.
We are happy to discuss ways in which fellow Chamber members can become involved. We can offer a range of opportunities including team building days, gifts in kind and of course we are happy to receive donations. Please check out our website: http://www.liverpoolhfh.org.uk
February 15th, 2007 at 11:10 am[...] The best information on the topic can be found at the source here [...]
March 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm