Local Paper Editorial

My local free newspaper runs editorials every so often on new local businesses. Do you think it is worth my time getting something together for one?

 

[fastfences]

Most definately, Hedge. Any exposure is good exposure, but you may find they're doing 'advertorials', in which case you'll have to pay .

If you can conjour up a community angle it will certainly help your cause.
cheers, Nigel

 

[Jayne]

HI,

We did one of those for our bakery, cost about £50. We didn't get any new sales from the ad, but saying that, I would probably do one again for my new biz.

As Nigel says, all advertising is good advertising and it could pay off for you

Good luck with the ad.

Jayne

 

The thing is, there are no traditional toy shops in this area, so i might just pay to get the name noticed. i was going to do a 10000 flyer mail shot as well so the 2 of them combined should get some kind of recognition.

 

[Jayne]

Ask the newsagent if you can put some flyers in the papers

You'll have to get up early though to do it.

Jayne

 

Early is my middle name :wink:

 

[Jayne]

Mine too..i'm usually up a 4.30am, about when the papers are delivered to the newsagents opposite my shop :lol:

Jayne

 

[10Yetis]

defo... it is the best and cheapest way to get coverage.

I am sure that by now you have 52 PM's from people offering to do a release for you.

What I would say is that Regional coverage is the best place to learn about what works for your company PR wise so maybe have a bash at doing a release yourself and then get someone on here to have a look and give help... there are enough of us PR people about.

If it turns out that you have real difficulties writing the release then, once again, you will find PR's lining up to offer their services.

If you need help with the structure, again, most of the PR people here have written articles or newsletters and even books on how it all works so go take a look...

My free newsletter about writing press releases and sending to local press is here: http://www.10yetis.co.uk/march_newsletter.html

You may also find it useful to have a look at the style of how other people do their releases. There are some good (but also some truly shocking) examples in the PR section of this forum. Alot of companies put their releases on its website so you can crib from the style... i.e. Barclays, Tesco, Enron etc

Again, I have some previous releases you can take a gander at by clicking on http://www.10yetis.co.uk/news.html

Anyway, enough shameless plugging from me before accusations of advertising comes my way from the regulars.

Hope this helps... and yep, feel free to send a draft over for comment.

 

[10Yetis]

doh... it thought you meant going in the paper via PR!!!!!

Taxi for Barr!

Still, you could have a go.

 

[Amber]

LOL at 10yetis

Hedgehog, if your customers are likely to be local people, then yes, an editorial in the local paper could do a lot of good for you. As Fastfences points out, though, if this is an advertorial which the paper runs, you will have to pay for it, and it may not be cheap.

I would do as Andy suggests and try sending them a press release (you will need to come up with a good, newsworthy angle first!) to see if you can achieve the same results for free.

Of course, if the business profile isn't paid-for advertorial and is just something the paper does, then go for it!

Amber

 

Hi all,

I checked with the paper as to what they do exactly and it is a full page press release outlining the business and it's details, products etc .....and it's completely free.
Apparently they only do it for new local businesses, so i fall into that category.

 

[MorethanWords]

Well done, that's great news for you! It also gives you the chance to build up a rapport with whoever writes it so you can let them know about new developments with your business.

Make sure you do keep in touch with them every so often so that they remember you!!

Good Luck

Lu xx

 

[Amber]

Hi all,

I checked with the paper as to what they do exactly and it is a full page press release outlining the business and it's details, products etc .....and it's completely free.
Apparently they only do it for new local businesses, so i fall into that category.

Definitely go for it then!

How I wish more newspapers would do something like this!