Get Free Publicity with These Popular Public Relations Stories

There is no limit to the ideas you can pitch to the media to get free publicity, though some are easier to sell.

Below is a list of some of the types of stories journalists are likely to be open to. Some of these will apply to you, others won’t; but you can use them as a springboard for related public relations ideas.

Do well by doing good works. For example, you can sponsor a charitable event or do volunteer work for a charity. Doing good works offers you two chances for free publicity. You can distribute a press release to announce the commitment you’ve made before the event and another one after the event detailing some of your accomplishments.

Celebrate a milestone or an anniversary. Has your business reached its 10th, 25th or 50th anniversary? Just sold your 10,000th car? Let journalists know. It’s a great time for publicity.

Write a helpful how-to article. If you own an auto repair shop, offer tips on basic maintenance or trouble shooting. If you run a pastry shop, offer some tips on how to get a flakier pie crust.

Tie in to current events. There are many possibilities for tie-ins. Let’s say a big Hollywood couple announces that they’re getting a divorce. If you’re a psychologist or a marriage counselor, you could offer tips on how to have a better marriage. If you’re a divorce attorney or an accountant, you might issue a press release on the financial consequences of divorce.

Conduct a survey. If you sell or service computers, you can get publicity if you do a survey about the most common customer complaints and announce your results to the media. If you own a health spa, you might do a survey to determine whether jogging or walking is more popular. Malcolm Kushner, humor consultant to Fortune 500 companies and author of such books as “Public Speaking for Dummies” and “Presentations for Dummies,” has gotten national publicity for his annual “Cost of Humor Index.” Each year he surveys the cost of such humor-related items as rubber chickens and whoopee cushions, then sends out a press release announcing his findings. He’s been featured on several top TV talk shows and other national venues.

Danek S. Kaus is a Silicon Valley business journalist and free publiciity expert. He is he author of “You Can Be Famous! Insider Secrets to Getting Free Publicity.” You can Get Free Publicity Tips at his website and also learn how to Get Free Publicity on Radio Talk Shows

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