In the News! Free PR for Small Business
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about free PR for small business. That’s way number six on Lynnaider’s list!
Being in a magazine, newsletter or podcast brings visitors AND trust. And you can get it for free!
Way 6: pitching (free!)
You write to journalists, editors, podcast hosts or newsletter writers, with a story about your business. You hope they’ll write about you for real, without you paying. Grown-ups call it earned media, or PR.
Unlike native ads, you pay nothing! But whether it happens depends on one thing: is your story interesting for their readers?
Why it’s so special. When a magazine CHOOSES to write about you, it means more than any ad. Because nobody paid for it! Readers can feel that difference.
Telling your story
Journalists get hundreds of pitches. Yours needs three things:
- A clear angle. What makes your story special?
- A fit for their readers.
- A reason why now.
Finding your angle. It could be an unusual way you started, a trend you’re part of, a new way you solve a problem, or an expert tip only you can give. “I opened an online shop” isn’t an angle. But “A nurse who turned her night-shift drawings into a print-on-demand shop”? Now THAT’s a story!
Start with journalist questions
An easier start than writing to strangers: answer questions journalists post online! On websites like Connectively and Featured.com, a journalist asks a question, you answer, and if they pick you, you’re quoted in their article.
They’re free to join. Qwoted, SourceBottle (Australia and New Zealand) and ResponseSource (UK and Europe) work similarly.
Answering well: Be quick, because journalists are often in a hurry! Only answer questions you really know about. Give a clear answer in a few sentences, plus one line about who you are.
Beginner’s tip
Search Google for “[your niche] + online magazine” or “[your niche] + newsletter.” You’ll find way more small places than you’d think! Start there before the big ones. A small, well-read niche newsletter can bring better visitors than a big famous magazine.
Your pitch email
Short and confident. Not everything at once! Journalists will ask if they want more.
- Subject line: your angle in a few words.
- First sentence: your story, in one line.
- Second part: why it matters to their readers, and why now.
- Short bio: who you are and how to reach you.
- Offer: photos, product samples or an interview, if they’d like.
No face needed
Journalists need a good story, an expert view or an interesting product. You can be quoted with your name or your brand’s name, with no photo of yourself.
And it’s totally free! It costs only time. You can learn to pitch yourself, no PR agency needed.
What’s next?
Free PR helps all ten ways to earn, with trust and links. The next article is about way number seven: letting affiliates tell people about your stuff. The whole lesson is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help find your story angle? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
What is editorial pitching?
Writing to journalists or podcast hosts with a story, hoping they’ll mention you for free.
Is PR really free?
Yes! You pay with time and a good story.
Why is it so valuable?
Because nobody paid for it. Readers trust that!
Where can beginners find journalist questions?
Connectively, Featured.com, Qwoted, SourceBottle and ResponseSource.
What goes in a pitch email?
Who you are, your angle, why it fits their readers, and why now.
Should I start with big magazines?
Usually not! Small niche newsletters first.
Are there step-by-step lessons for starting each of the ten ways cheaply?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Can I be in the news without my face?
Yes! Your story and your brand are enough.
Where can I get help if I don’t have much money?
Lynnaider shows you how to start each of the ten ways for free, or for very, very little money. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step!
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
