Want to Boost Your Advertising Value? Get Your Business In the News!

We see it everyday, articles about businesses in the local paper, internet news sites, or industry publications. But why do companies bother doing interviews and building relationships with reporters and media experts? Because a business news story is worth approximately seven times the value of purchased advertising!

Thats an amazing number, but getting an interview or story in the news isnt necessarily free. It takes time to build personal, ongoing relationships with people in the media, and many small businesses dont have the time or resources to devote to such activities. Thats where marketing firms and public relations professionals often fill the gap for small businesses.

In the long run, however, it is always worth it to be considered an expert in your industry, and be available to reporters who are often under time constraints for their articles. Strive to be the go-to expert that reporters can count on!

Having your business in the news also increases your credibility, since news stories have a huge impact on a companys reputation. Readers often think that anyone can buy an ad, but only leaders and experts are quoted or featured in news stories.

A strong relationship with the media, whether its through in-house efforts or through a marketing company, is a great marketing tool. It requires a significant commitment, but it also differentiates you from the competition and can boost your companys image to the rest of the world. Remember, everytime your business is in the news, youve created a seven-fold bang for your buck in your advertising efforts.

Lauren Hobson is the Editor of Biz Talk Newsletter, a free monthly publication designed to provide small businesses and non-profits with tips and techniques to help them make the most of their web sites and marketing efforts without spending a lot of money. Biz Talk is published by Five Sparrows, LLC. Visit us at http://www.fivesparrows.com or subscribe to Biz Talk at http://www.fivesparrows.com/biztalk.htm

Advantages of PR Over Advertising
People tend to confuse PR and advertising, but the truth is that they are quite distinct and while good advertising can bring...

3 Reasons to Tap into the Power of Publicity
Publicity is obtaining editorial coverage or features for your business. Publicity is getting your business reported as news....

Best Press Release Writing - 3 Beginner Tips to Press Release Writing
Press releases are news announcements, whether through online publications or through traditional media. You can use it as a ...

Press Release Writing and your Internet Business Marketing Strategy
What is press release writing?Publicity is key to your marketing strategy. You have to induce the customers to have faith in ...

Why PR?
Public relations and advertising are both great ways to reach key audiences. However, I think PR should be the foundation up...

All You Wanted To Know About Press Release Writing And Marketing
Are you the owner of an online business and eager to promote your website and your services without spending a single dollar?...

Why Public Relations is so Vitally Important
This is what online public relations can do for you: it can make you the right one. Unlike marketing or advertising, which ar...

Top 10 Ways How-To Use Press Releases To Get Free Publicity
Visualize having tons of orders and requests for your products, services, or cause. Imagine receiving calls for interviews fo...

Free Publicity For Your Landscaping Business
Regardless of whether you are just venturing out into the business world or already have a successful company, budgeting your...

Targeted Social Networking
Social networking sites have come out as one of the most effective tools for online businesses. The most important aspect of ...

Optimized Press Releases: When Public Relations Equals PageRank
A while ago we got our brand new company domain up from PageRank of 0 to a very healthy PageRank of 5 in under two months?Yes...

How MySpace Layout Website Owners Make Millions
They are template creators catering to the social network MySpace. Free layouts are offered to the MySpace audience to help p...

The Wind Up & The Pitch
Successfully pitching a story idea to the media is just good marketing. Follow a few simple marketing rules, then wind up and...

Social Networking - Generating Traffic Through Social Networking
There are some tremendous advantages for all online businesses when it comes to social networking websites. First and foremos...

What is Public Relations and Why Do You Need It?
According to the forecast of the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States, the field of public relations will continue...

What is a Press Release, and How Can it Benefit My Home-Based Business?
A lot of home-based business owners dont fully understand the concept behind press releases, or realize the impact a simple p...

Public Relations for Child Learning Centers
Child learning centers are very important and they can supplement our school system and education system. Sometimes school d...

Writing A Press Release In 5 Different Steps
Writing a press release is the perfect method for informing the world about the latest news and updates of your business. A ...

Create a Local Fundraising Idea
There are many ways to create the perfect fundraising idea with a little help from your local community. If you are searching...

Permanent Press: Using Press Releases to Keep Your Company in the News
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When its a press release.In the competition for consumer attention, a ...