How to Find Free Advertising

The key to free advertising is to give something of value in exchange for what you want.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Phone Books
• Newspaper
• Internet Access
• Promotional Items
• Personal Organizers

1. Look for partners to share their advertising in exchange for your goods or services. For example, if you are in real estate you may find a mortgage broker who is willing to place an ad featuring your business if you refer some of your business in exchange.

2. Find complementary goods or services that are already advertised and create a promotion whereby your product is included in exchange for free advertising (see Tips).

3. Promise goods or service in exchange for free advertising. Find local newspapers that may be willing to take some of your products or services in exchange for free advertising.

4. Search the Internet for sites that could use your product. For instance, a women's health Web site might be interested in your low-fat recipes. Offer to write articles in exchange for a free link to your business's Web site.

5. Contact people or companies that need your goods or services and make a deal for advertising. For example, if you offer day care, contact large companies in your area and ask to be a part of their corporate newsletters, offering a discount rate to new clients.

6. Make a deal for free advertising in return for something else of value, such as your time, a consultation, or secondary goods or services.

7. Find an unconventional place for your advertising. Smaller Web sites, companies and papers are often more willing and able to make trades for services or goods.

Tips & Warnings

• An example of finding complementary goods or services to yours: If you own a beauty salon, you may team with a masseuse to include a package of beauty products or services along with theirs if they advertise your company.

• Always get an agreement in writing.

• Consider all sources, even people or places that you wouldn't necessarily consider for advertising.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.