If you live in a town or city of even moderate size, chances are you have a local newspaper. While most are still daily papers, some smaller towns and areas have weekly papers sent out to local residents and subscribers. Here are some tips for how to get your business information and news in your local paper (without spending a cent):
You’ll want to familiarize yourself with your local media. Read through your paper and find out whether there is a daily business section, weekly, etc. Find out who the editor and reporters are. Even rather small papers generally have a section for local announcements from the business community. This section will have news snippets on business openings, promotions, appointments to community boards and committees, etc. Some even include photos of the people mentioned. There is absolutely no reason you can’t submit information about your home business and your “happenings” to the newspaper to access this free press.
If you can’t find the information printed in the paper, call up the office and see if you can talk to the editor or reporter who covers the “business” beat. You might also want to find out who covers the “community” news as well since your events and projects just might be of interest to that writer too. Once you find out the deadlines and just exactly how the reporter/editor wants to have information submitted, it’s up to you to produce announcements and photos that are print-worthy.
With a digital camera, you can take a fine photo or yourself that can be e-mailed to the paper. Unless you live in a particularly small place, most newspapers prefer things to be sent electronically, so you can e-mail your business announcement and photo. When you write your announcement, remember to write it in the third person: “Sally Smith has recently opened the business “Sewing by Sally” at XYZ address, etc.” Don’t write a long missive. Look over what the paper currently publishes and try to make your announcement match. If you write too much, chances are the reporter or editor will have to cut it and you won’t have any control over what gets cut and changed.
Just remember to familiarize yourself with the style of the business news, and adhere to deadlines and requirements. It is also a good idea to send a little note of thanks after your announcement appears. This is not “common practice” but I guarantee you it will endear you to the reporter or editor and they will likely remember who you are and be willing to work with you again. Just because you’re a small home-based business doesn’t mean your business news doesn’t count!
See Also: Writing Articles to Grow Your Business