What you are about to read is a step by step guide to getting FREE publicity. Simply, this is advertising that costs nothing, yet can bring in regular and substantial orders for your products and services.

Regardless of business you're in, you always want publicity for your products and services. After all it is "free advertising" essential to growth of your business.

However for maximum effect your publicity campaign must be well thought out and pre-planned.

This article shows you a step by step approach to getting FREE advertising through your publicity campaigns.

Step 1

You must determine beforehand where you intend to conduct your publicity campaign.

Which of following are you targetting :

Printed Mass Circulation Media Internet Publications Radio Television Trade Shows Other (e.g Industry publications)

Step 2

Write a Cover Note to main decision makers.

The cover note should be short, no more than 100 - 150 words.

Explain why your article is news and why it will appeal to readers.

For example - If you offer people business opportunities, you could write something like :

------------------------------------------------------------ Write a brief explanation of what your business opportunity is about. (Tell editor what this opportunity is about.)

This business opportunity is aimed at people trying to achieve financial freedom. It is also useful for those already in business, who want to build multiple income streams. (Tell editor who it is aimed at)

This will be of real value and interest to your readers. (Tell editor his readers will find it of benefit)

Please review and if you need any more information contact me at....(Ask editor for action) ------------------------------------------------------------

If you intend to send publicity material by snail mail, print cover note on good quality, pastel coloured paper. Blue or Ivory works well.

Make sure your cover note is addressed to a named decision maker.

In general for newspapers this will be City or News editor, for Radio and TV it will be News Director and for all publications Managing Director.

Step 3

Presentation and layout of Publicity Release.

The Publicity Release is a short article no longer than 500 words.

The layout of article is critical.

Make sure you have about one inch in margin at top and bottom of page. Allow one and a half inches margin around left and right edges of page.

In top margin write in capitals PRESS RELEASE and DATE.

Set date a day or two forward of your posting date if you intend to send publicity release by post. This ensures date is current when your release is opened.

If you are sending release out by e-mail, set date to date you send mail out.

Skip a line or two and then write in capitals FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Finally in bottom margin write in capitals FOR MORE INFORMATION followed by your name and contact details.

Step 4

Writing Press Release.

The Press Release uses same techniques of copy writing as you would use in writing a sales letter or an advert.