By Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff

As a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach, I’m a strong believer in implementing free or low cost strategies to publicize your business. As a start-up, with cash flow being slow or non-existent, it’s imperative to find ways where you can gain visibility without spending a lot of money. These tips and tricks are just a sampling of some of the creative ideas you can use to generate publicity now! Try a few to find out which ones work best for you.

1. Publicize With a Press Release

Go to www.prleap.com and sign up for a free account! Cultivate a habit around issuing press releases about newsworthy items related to your business. Use them to announce new additions to your staff, a new book you’ve published, an upcoming workshop or seminar, or the availability of an e-course. Don’t let this wonderful and free opportunity pass you by. In fact, you should make an effort to create some sort of consistent buzz around your business which you can share through a regular press release campaign.

2. Write and Publish Articles Online

Write articles and submit them to websites like www.ideamarketers.com, www.goarticles.com, or www.ezinearticles.com. These websites, in turn, offer your articles, for free or fee, to other online newsletters or ezines. As a result, your articles are spread throughout the internet. You can include a captivating byline, complete with your contact information so any inquiries will be directed back to you. If you don’t like to write, hire a ghostwriter. Publishing articles online is a fast, quick, and free way to spread your name everywhere. Writing is a wonderful way to increase your visibility and credibility with your target market.

3. Craft a Captivating Email Signature

Each time you send an email, you have an opportunity to generate free publicity. Make sure your email signature includes the basics such as your name, company, telephone number, fax number, and email address. Consider adding other information to capture the attention of readers — like a catchy slogan, a link to your blog, or your Skype address. Better yet, if you have a new seminar to offer or you’ve written a book, an e-book or an article, include a line about each of those as well. You might want to experiment with different typestyles and colors, but don’t go overboard. Your primary concern should be readability and to provide useful information. Dress up your email signature and make every email count!

4. Write a Newspaper Article or a Column for Your Local Paper

No matter what your niche, you can always find something interesting to write about. Newspapers editors regularly look for filler for their papers, so if you have something interesting to share, consider presenting your idea to your local paper. It’s best to have several examples of your writing on hand as most of them will request writing samples. You may even consider offering a proposal to write a regular column. Again, check with the editor about the types of stories or ideas he or she is looking to promote. Most likely, you won’t be paid for your contributions, but you’ll probably be supplied with a byline that includes your name and contact information. This is a great way to receive free publicity in your local community. If you write a weekly or monthly column, there’s always a chance you may end up in syndication, with your articles being picked up by newspapers nationwide. Also, don’t hesitate to contact papers outside your local geography. Papers across the nation and the world are always looking for high-quality, well-written content.

5. Contact your Local Talk Radio Station

Local talk radio stations are always looking for interesting people to invite as guests. In order to receive an invitation, you must have something captivating to talk about. Think about how you can relate your product or service to health, wealth, happiness or relationships — four primary areas heavily promoted on talk radio. What’s unique about your product or service? What interesting way can you position yourself as a guest? Keep your eyes and ears open to current events, celebrities in the news, and upcoming holidays to see how you might relate your business to what’s happening in the world around you. If you can find the right angle, rest assured that radio hosts will be eager to speak with you! Radio is a wonderful medium to publicize your company to the masses.

Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff is a business consultant, writer, speaker, Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and producer and host of Michigan Entrepreneur Television. Drawing on over 15 years of corporate experience, she coaches executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs on business and lifestyle issues and has been featured in print, radio and television. She can be contacted at info@virtualleverage.com. Copyright © 2007 by Tara Kachaturoff. All rights reserved in all media. www.VirtualLeverage.com