Authors and Entrepreneurs Wanted... gotta biz or book?
Every author and entrepreneur wants to let people know about their product or service. Some opt to spend a ton of money on advertising, everything from Yellow Page ads to buying specialty items (promotional pens). Hold onto your dollars.
Consider how you can spend those sawbucks wisely and obtain Free Publicity, worth millions. One ad placed in the New York Times costs about $150,000. A feature article in the same publication costs zero.
And the difference is credibility. When you buy ads, everyone knows you paid for it. If you are interviewed and quoted in a newspaper or magazine (as well as on radio and TV), people think you are an expert and want to buy your products and services.
What a Difference a Store Makes
Ingredients for a Successful Business ...
Imagine going to a mall and walking over to a store. The name of the storedoes not really tell you what they sell.The window display is chaotic. You walk
inside and see shelves that are cluttered. No other customers are inside. You
walk over to a bin and scoop up a bunch of taffy. The candy looks old, outdated, or even smells bad. Plus, the staff are unfriendly, unavailable and/or downright rude.
You walk outside and breathe in some fresh air. You are sooooo glad to get out of there!
Now just a few doors down there is another store. This one looks inviting, has a FUN name and people are milling around excitedly talking about the clown at 2 p.m. Their neighbors and friends told them to visit this store, what a Great Show.
A line has formed with people looking at their watches, anxious to get inside. The kids are getting antsy. The store manager comes outside and gives everyone Free Samples.
And the candy tastes fresh, homemade and delicious. The Best Candy Ever!
There is music and when you Finally Get Inside, it was Worth the Wait.
There are exciting displays and unique products. The clown makes everyone laugh. And a great time is had by All. Even the grumps. There is a line at the sales register and the staff keep it moving. Everyone buys a memento to take home.
What a difference !
Winning Ingredients... A clown, fun, clean atmosphere, for young and old, Fresh products, Music, Friendly Staff, and Free Samples !
Publicity and Promotion
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition
Amazon Price: $7.14 (as of 12/05/2008) 
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/05/2008)
New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)
Amazon Price: $6.04 (as of 12/05/2008)
Reader Feedback
gimme a cuppa words... word bistro...
tell me please what's the ONE word you could use to describe your project? one sentence to tell me about your business... one paragraph to tell me all about you...
hammersm wrote...
Hi Celiasue,
I think you hit the nail on the head when you say
"Consider how you can spend those sawbucks wisely and obtain Free Publicity, worth millions. One ad placed in the New York Times costs about $150,000. A feature article in the same publication costs zero."
I do not think alot of small business owners really take this on board. Free publicity is there BIG shot at getting a truck load of customers for zero outlay. I review many press releases each day and it is clear that the business owner either does not understand what newspapers are looking for or they do not believe this could happen to their business. I believe every business has a story it just needs to be teased out. Usually it is something that the biz owners thinks is not worth mentioning. Thanks for the thought provoking lens and if you get chance please visit my blog, it is all about how to write a press release. Thanks Mark
Posted October 26, 2008
hammersm wrote...
Hi Celiasue,
I think you hit the nail on the head when you say
"Consider how you can spend those sawbucks wisely and obtain Free Publicity, worth millions. One ad placed in the New York Times costs about $150,000. A feature article in the same publication costs zero."
I do not think alot of small business owners really take this on board. Free publicity is there BIG shot at getting a truck load of customers for zero outlay. I review many press releases each day and it is clear that the business owner either does not understand what newspapers are looking for or they do not believe this could happen to their business. I believe every business has a story it just needs to be teased out. Usually it is something that the biz owners thinks is not worth mentioning. Thanks for the thought provoking lens and if you get chance please visit my blog, it is all about how to write a press release. Thanks Mark
Posted October 26, 2008
daphne sherrod wrote
im just starting my business.
Posted October 02, 2008
Carolyn wrote...
Oh, thank you for letting it be one paragraph! (-:
The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success
ISBN: 978-0-9785158-7-4 Publisher: Red Engine Press
There are gremlins out there determined to keep your work from being published, your book from being promoted. They -resolved to embarrass you before the gatekeepers who can turn the key of success for you -lurk in your subconscious and the depths of your computer programs. Whether you are a new or experienced author, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success will help you present whistle-clean copy (whether it's a one-page cover letter or your entire manuscript) to those who have the power to say "Yea" or "Nay." It is the winner of USA Book News Best Writing/Publishing Book and a finalist in the Author Access competition.
Posted March 15, 2008
What in Heck does a Store have to do with Promotion?
Obtain Free Publicity: Write a Press Release... ask for my Free Reports
1. Write newsworthy press releases that get published and distribute them free to sites like 24/7, PR Compass and others and to your customized media contact list.30 reasons to write a press release... see link for Entrepreneur...
Create a blog...
Become media friendly
3. Sponsor a charity for a year.
4. Create a website, make it media friendly and flaunt it. Keep it simple, eye catching (graphics) and compelling (content) and elegant.
Examples of media friendly sites: see links
5. Write a blog about your business. Blog daily and keep the posts short, timely and relevant. Include links, graphics and videos and make it entertaining. Do product reviews of related or complementary products to your products or services. For instance, if you are a massage
therapist, review massage tables, essential oils, and/or massage chairs and gadgets.
Links to Buzz by...
Write a Press Release that Gets Published
- Writing Wiz
- Published in more than 25 publications, obtained media placements for clients in more than 40 publications including Top 100 newspapers and national magazines.
- Media friendly site
- Example of a media friendly press room
- More media friendly news
- News that is media friendly
- Entrepreneur
- 30 reasons to write a press release
- How to write a press release
- Publicity Insider's template for how to write a press release
- PR Web
- PR web's tips for how to write a press release
- Secrets to getting good press
- If you want to know how to get good press, ask a journalist from the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Blog catalog
- Cuppa writing for the soul
Five more tips to promote your biz
Social media networking
7. Sign up for Twitter, Ning, and other Social Networking sites and get involved in pertinent communities.
8. Write 10-50 Hub pages.
9. Write 10-50 Squidoo lenses.
10. Create a MySpace, Facebook, and other Social Media pages.
