Austin, Texas – May 11, 2010 – Dave Manzer, owner of The Sage Closer, wants to help small businesses in Austin enjoy the benefits of good publicity. To accomplish that goal, Manzer has launched a free press release campaign available to any small Austin business with fewer than 100 employees. With just under 37,000 businesses fitting that description according to the latest census statistics from the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s website, it’s a campaign that could take a while to complete.
“I realize that not every company will take me up on my offer of a free press release,” admits Manzer. “But even if 1% respond, that’s still 370 businesses in Austin I can help promote with a press release and some strategic advice on how best to reach out to customers and media alike.”
The reason Manzer gives for starting his free press release campaign boils down to brand name recognition, or a lack there of in his case. As a small business owner with limited resources to jumpstart his PR firm, he struggled to find customers for his press releases. He then experienced what he calls an Austin epiphany – viewing his tough economic situation as an opportunity to be creative and free rather than remain mired in negative thinking. Because the concept of “free” was particularly powerful in his thoughts, Manzer was quick to transform it into a campaign which he hopes will help other Austin businesses advance their marketing and PR strategies.
Manzer’s decision to offer his main product – professionally-written press releases worth up to $400 – for free was a bold strategic step according to Dawn Westerberg, an Austin small business marketing expert. “While it may seem counterintuitive for a business to give away its sole source of revenue, it can make a lot of sense if it’s done with certain expectations and an end goal in mind,” Westerberg says.
Manzer was careful to set specific guidelines and expectations for the free press release campaign. On a landing page he set up prior to the campaign launch, the terms and conditions for the free press release were clearly spelled out: in exchange for one free custom-written press release, participating businesses must provide Manzer with a testimonial, a review for LinkedIn and Yelp, plus one referral to another Austin business interested in a free press release.
“My goal is very simple,” Manzer says. “Offering free press releases gets me exposure to a lot more Austin businesses than I otherwise would have encountered. I can then show them what a professionally-written press release can do to advance their marketing message. And just as important, it’s helping me build an impressive list of local testimonials from customers who are only to happy to refer me to other businesses in need of free press releases.”
Manzer is not worried that his free press release offer will become overwhelming. His campaign announcements have been limited to social networking websites such as Twitter and LinkedIn. Responses thus far have been steady and manageable, plus referrals from free press releases he has written are already bearing fruit.
“I’m pretty passionate about what press releases can do for Austin businesses,” says Manzer. “A press release educates customers and prospects, helps create new business opportunities, builds brand name recognition, even drives website traffic. The free press release campaign is my way to educate small businesses in Austin about the benefits of good PR while at the same time helping develop a self-sustaining source of referrals that will keep me busy for some time to come.”
With some 37,000 small businesses in the Austin metro area, Manzer should have enough work to last for a while.
To learn more about the free press release promotion or The Sage Closer, you can visit: http://www.thesagecloser.com/free_austin_press_release.htm.
About The Sage Closer
The Sage Closer is a marketing and public relations advisory firm that helps technology businesses in Austin and worldwide build brand equity, increase website traffic and grow revenue. For more information on how The Sage Closer can help your business reach a wider audience of potential buyers and media, please visit our website at http://www.thesagecloser.com/ or call us at 512-963-9924.
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