From Reflections,
Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
September 2002

21 Free and Almost-Free Ways
to Market Your Products and Services

by Bill Asenjo, PhD, CRC

Marketing can be free — or at least inexpensive. Here's a quick checklist of 21 different free or nearly free marketing ideas.

• Write, distribute, and publicize free reports (like this one)
• Cultivate relationships with media sources
• Use carefully written and appropriately distributed press releases that include solid information
• Write the carefully written and focused letters to the editor
• Organize and promote newsworthy events — show media people why they're important to their audience
• Get your products or events previewed and reviewed in as many places as possible
• Get involved with community service activities (and let your skills be used)
• Publish articles — with your complete contact information and relevant credentials
• Write an advice column for special-interest publications
• Take advantage of radio call-ins
• Sponsor or underwrite carefully targeted special-interest shows on radio and TV
• Donate premium prizes to media sources and charitable organizations
• Appear as a guest, or host, on radio and TV shows
• Do as much public speaking as you can — to audiences who need what you offer
• Use the Internet to promote yourself through e-mail signatures, articles, Web sites and links
• Cross-promote with others at every opportunity
• Take advantage of free or inexpensive ads that match your target market's demographic
• Focus your marketing on solving your prospect's problems, easing pain, or achieving aspirations — not on how great you are
• Use clear, persuasive testimonials — with complete attributions so your prospects know they came from real people
• Tell everyone what you do and how it helps people achieve their goals
• Actively encourage referrals

Bill Asenjo, PhD, CRC is a freelance copywriter: www.billasenjo.com
351-1528; basenjo@avalon.net

© 2009 Bill Asenjo

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