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Free Publicity...Check This Out!

At a meeting recently, I had the privilege of hearing Jeff Crilley give a presentation on Free Publicity. I learned so much and wanted to share the high points of his talk with all of the fellow ARs. Jeff works for a local news affiliate and said that this news station gets over 2000 press releases a day. Well guess what happens to the majority of those press releases....you guessed it-file 13!

Here is the advice he gave to get some free publicity from your local paper. First scour your local paper to see who the writers are for the real estate section. Once you have read their article, go to their website and get the person's phone number (do not email). Call the person on the phone and if you get them live talk about their favorite subject-THEM! Tell them how much you enjoyed their piece and what you got out of it. Be sincere and be sure you really read the article. Now give them your story. Think of something of interest that you could share regarding the current market that would be helpful to many readers. Remember you are an expert in your field. Keep your conversation brief and to the point. Remember these writers and reporters are busy with their own deadlines. Hopefully you have peaked their interest with your spectacular but concise idea and they will be delighted to use your story.

For additional information-Jeff has a book called Free Publicity. You can check out his website at www.jeffcrilley.com The book was only $16 and had some great ideas and obviously expounded on the points I briefly covered here. Good luck with your marketing!

Posted by Liz Carla/Elite Staging & Design/DFW Texas on 02/18/2008 12:14 PM

Comments (9)

marketing, publicity

9 Comments on Free Publicity...Check This Out!

Thanks Liz for the great tip. I will definitely check out his website and see what he has to offer.

02/18/2008 02:07 PM

by Home Stager Karen Hubert (Center Stage Design-real estate staging, Hamilton/Burlington)

Thanks Liz!! Good idea on the personal phone call thoughts...makes good sense! Regards-Kathleen G

02/18/2008 02:15 PM

by Kathleen Garvey-- Home Staging Naples & Ft. Myers, Florida (Enhanced Interiors & Home Staging, LLC)

Great information! I have never sent out a press release, because I wasn't sure if they every get published. This seems like a better alternative that get results.

02/18/2008 03:52 PM

by Kristina, KFM Staging & Design - A Minnesota Home Staging Company (KFM Staging & Design)

Great idea! Jeff has spoken to a PR organization that I do computer work for. I will have to check out his web site. Thanks for the tip!

02/18/2008 08:40 PM

by Liz Kennedy ~ Stage It Simple, Bedford, TX (Stage It Simple)

Thanks Liz! I sent out some press releases when I received my award for Rookie Stager of the Year, and had it announced in a few papers. But, that is the only time it worked - I sent out a lot more that did not make it. Good tip!

02/18/2008 08:44 PM

by Bevin Googer ~ www.StagingAndRedesign.com (First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign)

Liz, will you be the guinea pig? Very interesting, I hear the local paper is an awesome source. I think he's right, you have to remember that you are the expert and it may work out!

02/18/2008 10:31 PM

by Brittany Stewart (Point to Point Real Estate)

I sent a press release to 12 papers in my area and surrounding areas-1 paper did publish it and people saw it.

02/19/2008 10:10 PM

by JenRan Realty, LLC

Thanks for the great tips, Liz! Whenever I see a positive article about our housing market, I try to make a point of letting the reporter know I enjoyed the article. I have been interviewed for other articles numerous times because of that.

02/19/2008 10:22 PM

by Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long & Foster Oceanfront - Virginia Tech Hokie)

Liz- these are GREAT tips! I think the same theory applies when sending out press releases though. I recently posted about being press-release ready: Are you press release ready?

I have had over-whelming success with sending out press releases. Since I started last year doing this I have made it into 5 publications and managed to get a weekly column in our local paper and been on TV 5 times. The key is follow-up. It takes time to get free publicity, but I can honestly say that I have not yet paid for any advertising except a 3 month ad in a building magazine...that was out of result of one of my releases getting published.

02/19/2008 10:35 PM

by Amber Langston (HOME BRANDERS)

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