Of course you do and if you can do it for next to nothing in terms of financial cost, then all the better.

How do you achieve free publicity (online and offline) for your business?  You enter business award competitions. It is as simple as that.  I have to admit that I am starting to feel like a bridesmaid and never a bride as I have reached the finalist stage many times now in various competitions with my online store business Garrendenny Lane and have yet to grasp a trophy.  However, reaching the finals is still going to get you and your business plenty of mentions in the local press and on local radio.

I recently entered the South East Women in Business Awards with the local enterprise board.  It was free to enter and the total cost for the event was €35 for the conference.  In addition to hearing good speeches, the conference also offered excellent networking opportunities.  I was pleasantly surprised at the level of free publicity I received locally after reaching the finals – from being featured in the two local newspapers to being mentioned numerous times on local radio to mentions on twitter, facebook and the enterprise board websites.

Winning a competition such as this would result in even more coverage with mentions in newspapers and radio stations across the south east.  It is extremely effective advertising and marketing of your company and brand and not only is it free advertising, but it is editorial so will be trusted even more by readers and listeners.

No matter where you are in the world, contact your local enterprise boards and your local chambers of commerce. If your business is trading online, look out for competitions such as web awards (for example, the Irish Web Awards will be coming up shortly) and social media awards.

And of course, you can mention it on your own social media platforms such as your blog, your facebook page, your Linked in page and twitter.  Share the news that you and your business are worthy of awards.

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