I was pleased to get some press coverage in our local paper; the South East Advertiser. For small businesses, I think you should try to get an editorial in the paper at least once a year to get some further exposure to the local community.
To share the information about the book launch, I called and emailed the South East Advertiser a number of times. I also spoke with several journalist, and was really pleased to get through to Josh Alston, who shared the information in the article. If you want to get something in the paper, find something topical or newsworthy and start a dialogue with your local journalists. Keep the conversation going, so when they need someone you are at the forefront of their mind. People want real stories about real people, and what could be more interesting than your business story!
Did I get any work out of this? Disappointingly No one rang and said, heh! I saw you in the paper, let me give you money. But this article may well have brought me exposure to completely new people who may never have heard of my services! I think it is about continually maintaining your name in the market, building your authenticity, so when someone does need help with their accounts they think of me. I have subsequently tried to get another article in the paper to no avail! But will keep working on it.