Time for some publicity!

Let's be honest -- businesses are hurting. More competition and fewer dollars to spend (both from consumers and businesses to spend on themselves) have made today's business climate incredibly difficult.

Business owners can do themselves a favor by putting together a solid plan of action to help them generate some publicity for their business. After years of working in marketing and public relations -- and speaking to hundreds of business owners -- we've crafted a very broad list of 27 ways that a business can get publicity. Some of the methods are incredibly expensive -- and some are free.

Free?

Yes, it's possible in this day and age to actually get free publicity for your business. Here it is:

Let an organization use your business office or parking lot to stage an event.

If you work in an office, there are all types of groups that be just a bit too large to meet in someone's house and need a place to conduct a meeting. Think networking groups, MADD, charitable groups, AA, fraternal organizations, etc. And if you don't have a meeting room, you can still let a group use your parking lot for a car wash, bake sale, clothing drive, or craft show.

Basically, these organizations will tell people where their event is, which will publicize your business. In turn, your business will be seen as a "good neighbor" who is willing to help out community organizations.

And that, my friend, is good publicity.

And free!