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Being creative to find free media exposure for your company is not as hard as it sounds. There are many different avenues in which you can get good press and let area consumers know that you are active in their community and region. Key to getting free media exposure is to participate in community and regional activities that gives the public something tangible to improve their lifestyles and assists with charitable causes. The following are ways to get free marketing from traditional media:

* Sponsor a charity event. Whether it is a black tie charity dinner, formal ball, road race, charity walk, or charity auction, make sure the media have access to cover the event. Invite their participation and set up a booth for radio broadcasting and even set up for "red carpet" coverage on the local television channel.

* Buy special tickets for concerts and events and give them away in advertised contests. Radio is a good medium for this type of free press attention.

* Encourage your employees to become volunteers for the betterment of the community. Spruce up the local parks, replant trees and landscape around them. Sponsor the volunteers whether they work for the company or not. There is a large company who sponsors beatification projects for all the surrounding towns in my county. They have a yearly contest where they hand out large endowments that go for future beautification projects big and small. The towns have several areas that have significantly improved in aesthetics and value since the inception of this brilliant plan. The company receives tremendous amounts of free press from this endeavor.

* Set up company booths at street fairs and local public events giving away free services such as blood pressure and cholesterol readings. Give out free key chains and other handy gadgets with the company name on them. The media will be at these events, so be prepared to take advantage of that fact.

* Hold free or low cost public seminars at your company's buildings. Again invite the local media to cover the events.

* Give out publicized scholarships to High School seniors.

* Sponsor high school leadership seminars and other local school functions. Support the local High School or college teams through sponsorship.

* Make sure you reward your employees by acknowledging their accomplishments and promotions through the media. It is not only good motivation for your employees, but adds more exposure for your company.

* Make sure your company gets media recognition for any business success it has.

I think you get the drift of how to get free marketing from traditional media. Be visible in community affairs, support local charities and improvement projects, and use the media to gain motivational recognition for your employees. Every time your company's name is mentioned in any positive way you are receiving good free press. You only have to notify the different forms of the media on what is going on and how your company is involved. Keep in mind most or all the money spent on the sponsorships, charity work, and give-a-ways are tax deductible.

Learn more about this author, Annie M Manzi.
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