Advertising is very expensive, but there is one way to publicize your business, organization, event or even yourself for no cost at all. Just write a press a release.

A newspaper will charge you a small fortune to run your advert, but if you can give them a good story they will run it. In short they will give you great publicity – and it will be for free!

So how do you go about putting together a press release? Obviously it will have to be interesting enough for the newspaper to run the story. So before putting pen to paper, rack your brains for something that will hook that interest. Is there something extra special or unique about your project? If so, lead your press release with that.

Your press release does not have to overly long; 100 to 150 words will do. Don’t forget to mention the project, be it a new shop, a new business or whatever. Give some background about it. If you are not experienced in writing press releases do not worry. The chances are the newspaper will not publish it word for word. They may even decide to get back to you for more information before developing it into a longer story

And finally do not forget to give a contact number at the end of your release. Many newspapers require this so they can verify the story. They may decide to ring you to find out more details, allowing them to give your story that expert touch and helping you to gain valuable publicity when it is published. And it will all be for free!