Today’s tip may be pretty difficult to pull off, but if you’re able, it will certainly be worth both your time and effort.
Create a press release and send to all of your local newspapers.
The reason why I say this is hard to pull off is because you have to essentially create a news story out of your site. If you send a press release into a newspaper without a story, it becomes obvious that you are just looking for free advertising.
Newspapers don’t mind you advertising with them… as long as you pay for it!
On the other hand, if you do give them something news worthy, they may be more likely to run a story on your business or site and what it provides to the community at large.
To give you an example, I have sent an email to one of my local newspapers to tell them about Daily Fuel Economy Tip. With gas prices soaring (news item) drivers are looking for the easiest ways to get the most miles out of their gas (another news item). One place people can go to for free information is Daily Fuel Economy Tip (my site).
Granted, I have no idea whether or not I will make it into the newspaper, but at the very least it’s worth a shot. It took me a total of 10 minutes to find the newspaper’s contact information and to draft an email, so I’m not out much if the release never makes it to the paper.
If it does make it to the paper though, that 10 minutes will probably net me hundreds, if not thousands, of hits.