Free is good
Free BBQ Sandwich!
Free Donuts!
Did I get your attention? If you want a surefire way to get some publicity, consider giving something away for free. Tyler over at David and Sam PR just talked about this same topic today and I couldn’t agree more.
Now, I will advise you to be careful and plan well if you decide to announce a free giveaway nationally…Can anyone say “Oprah and KFC Grilled Chicken“? But if you are local, and have a simple, easy plan (one day, one product/item, plenty of inventory, staff, etc.) there are numerous ways to get the word out and drive traffic to your business. I’ve seen great success with some of my client’s campaigns to give their product/food for free, not only from a PR standpoint, but from buzz that keeps on coming into their storefronts from customers weeks after.
One of the most popular local media outlets is ABC 15’s Smart Shopper Daphne Munro, who does “Deals of the Day” and “Freebie Fridays” each week. Contact Quita Jackson and tell her of your free deal and you might end up on TV!
KTVK Channel 3 and AZFamily now feature “Cheap and Free” deals on their website. Contact Catherine Holland and put “Cheap and Free” in the subject line.
AZCentral.com features deals online and prints some of the best in the Arizona Republic and Community sections each week. You can also follow deals on Twitter. Contact Sue Doerfler with your info/deal. It should be at least 30% less than the normal price to qualify.
These are just a few ways to spread the word. Basically, if you say your client is doing something significant for free, it seems the local media will pick it up quickly.
Free is good
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Comments
June 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Charlotte, thanks for the shout out. I’d also like to add that it is important to use this tactic sparingly. If you give something away too often, it loses its luster. Your customers will start to expect it and will no longer get excited when it’s time to get something for free.