What is your 12-month publicity plan?

If you act now, you could be in a good position to secure publicity for your company for the next 12 months.  But you have to be creative, innovative, and willing to go against the norm. The tight economy is forcing everyone to do more with less.  Why pay the high price of advertising when you can get publicity for free?  The best way to do that is to be proactive. 

1.) First of all, think of three business goals you'll want to meet this year.  They don't have to be enormous or earth shattering.  More importantly they must be realistic and specific.

2.) Next, break the 12 months of the year down into quarters:  Jan.,Feb.,March, then April, May June, etc.  

3.) Lastly, for each month of the quarter, think of a theme that can be used a springboard toward free publicity for your business.  Certain months will be easy for you, like November, December, July, etc for the holidays.  But again, don't think of the obvious holiday themes. Think of something that goes against the norm.  

For example, say you are a dietitian, specializing in weight loss.  Jan,Feb and March are popular months for you because everyone is getting ready for bathing suit season.  So, instead of advertising the normal, low fat, low diet advertising special, do something completely off the wall.  Like a special diet plan you can offer that includes:  "WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT BY EATING CHOCOLATE EVERY DAY"...or something catchy like that.  I'm not sure this is actually possible..it's just an example of how going against the grain can get you attention.  

Remember, the key to great FREE publicity is a newsworthy element that everyone can relate to, a solution to a problem, or a touching, heartfelt story.  If you follow these simple steps, your year will be full of great possibilities for your business, from beginning to end.