Free Advertisement; Does it Really Exist Today?
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
We all see ads for it everywhere we look; “Free Advertising Account at SuperAD’s Superstore*” or something a little less corny. Naming preferences aside, there are a few more problems with this example. The first is the ‘Advertising Account’ which probably means that you’ll have to pay for any and every option, but the sign-up is free of course. Secondly is the asterisk. This implies a catch, or in other words is saying that the above statement is nothing short of a flat out lie. A good rule of thumb for stuff like this is that the closer the asterisk is to the benefits, the less beneficial they actually are. The case for free advertisement is looking pretty pitiful right about now, so here’s a bit of good news. While advertising always costs something to someone, there is a way for you to get it at no cost to yourself. The name of the game is getting other people to market your idea or business for you. Sounds like a dream come true right? Well here are 3 simple ways to make that dream a reality.
1. Embrace Your Inner Chatterbox
Some of you don’t really need help in this department, but I’ll go ahead and explain it for those of us who are more or less normal. People tend to talk about things that other people tend to talk about. This is how gossip and rumors spread, and how most news channels decide what will be on their next broadcast. Don’t expect to sit in a corner and hear others talk about you like you’re the best thing to happen to them since fish-fry Fridays, unless you go out there and make a splash in their daily social routine. It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean go out there and talk people to death. Don’t push, just nudge aggressively. Gossip is the best form of free advertisement there is, because generally your product or idea will be repackaged in more ways than any number of Ads and articles could compare to.
2. Get Into The Public Business Scene
For businesses, this means getting down and dirty in the type of contracts you’re willing to accept. Those hot summer park vending deals may not be the best way to spend a weekend, but they are the best way to meet people face to face. Having a face is very important, but I think we all know that and value ours to some extent at least. Well, it’s important for businesses, general causes, and upstart ideas too. Once people know who you are and what you stand for, they’ll actually take notice of advertisements and special offers. Not only that, but they’ll talk about you on their own in daily conversation. Take the jobs nobody wants to do, but everyone’s at, and good things will happen. People will be talking about that sweaty hot dog vendor for a while to come, and if that’s not good free advertisement then I don’t know what is.
3. Let People Interact With You
This is where a lot of us professional types blow it. We have a great market scheme and advertising setup, and try to engage people as much as possible, but no one seems to be catching on to our ideas. I wonder why that is? Well, one reason is that we spend all our time speaking, and none listening. Nobody want’s to know how great we are or how much customers or supporters benefit us. Someone will buy, support, and stand by your product or idea, as long as it can benefit them or people they know. Be sure to add as little ‘You Factor’ as you possibly can. Once others feel they have some stock in what you’re marketing, they’ll push your free advertisement levels through the roof.