Dear Scott Fox:
How can I get more fre-e press coverage for my business?
- Jen R., Rapid City, Iowa
Scott Fox's answer:
The Internet has changed the publicity game. Today there are some great new online public relations services that anyone can use to get better PR coverage.
Here are my top four recommended public relations resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Using these clever online tools can help your small business compete with the big boys very cost-effectively, or even for fre-e!
1. PR Leads: Dan Janal's service is really two great services in one. It's a repackaging of the ProfNet article leads service that professional journalists use and it also includes personal coaching from Dan and his team that can teach you to pitch reporters successfully. This can help you learn how to play the public relations game like a PR professional to get more press coverage of your business. A great deal, especially if you are new to the PR game, PR Leads offers you a corporate quality service at a startup price. (Listen to my podcast interview with Dan Janal here.)
2. Help a Reporter Out: Peter Shankman's fre.e article leads service has exploded from a small Facebook group into a top online PR resource in just one year. Daily emails featuring Peter's personal missives, plus dozens of article source requests from media outlets large and small, are delivered to HARO subscribers daily. The service has become so popular it is a media phenomenon in its own right. And the price (zero!) is right, too. (Listen to my podcast interview with Peter Shankman here.)
3. Publicity Hound: Joan Stewart is famous for her email newsletters that teach "publicity hounds" how to get more press. The informative noozles are fr-ee and Joan offers many teleseminars, ebooks, and CDs of additional strategy tips, too. Great info for both newbies and experienced PR pros, Publicity Hound can help you improve your news releases and story pitches, too.
4. RadioGuestList.com: Getting interviewed on radio or on podcasts is another great way to promote your web site or products. My RadioGuestList.com site is a f.r.ee service that collects guest interview booking requests from show bookers worldwide. Subscribe to get emails with their show interview openings and find new audiences to share your expertise or products with, too.
Not bad for cheap or free, right? A lot less expensive and more flexible than most high-powered PR firms, too. Thanks, Internet!
Have you tried any of these? Which do you recommend?
Even better, what did I miss? What other online public relations tools or publicity strategies have worked for you?



















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Hey Scott,
Im testing a product for launch on the internet and the response has been great. I have a paypal account, but I am thinking that I will need a Merchant Account to process credit cards. The thing is I am based in the UK.
In your experience have you found a International merchant account provider to rival the ones at Godaddy in terms of fees and service?
Cheers
C
Posted by: Chris | March 25, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Scott,
What a excellent list! I have bookmarked a lot of these and am excited to start using them. I'm also excited to get on Radio Guest List so I can find some more people to interview on my podcast!
Posted by: Brad Trnavsky - Sales Management 2.0 | March 27, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Scott, This is a great list but I recommend adding NewsCactus newsroom services (http://www.newscactus.com). NewsCactus online newsroom service is very afforable, of highest quality, and the best way for entrepreneurs to self-promote news about themselves or their clients. NewsCactus also increases online searchability. As a PR professional, I've been a client for over a year and highly recommend it.
Posted by: Pam Roach | June 29, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Entrepreneurs have so many free advertising resources at their fingertips that no small business should be hurting for advertising. Entrepreneurs just need someone to point out to them the free advertising techniques and sites like http://www.adwido.com.
Posted by: mlgreen8753 | August 15, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Some really useful resources for entrepreneurs.
Posted by: Nicole S. | November 09, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Thanks, Nicole. Happy to help!
Posted by: Scott Fox, Click Millionaires | November 09, 2011 at 11:32 PM
With the right strategy, these online tools can really help your small business compete with big business and increase the reach of your marketing! Thanks Scott! I bookmarked your blog, and I have used some of these tools already.
Posted by: Steve @ Best Resources for Entrepreneurs | November 12, 2011 at 06:02 AM