Marketing your service can account for a significant expense for most businesses, so any opportunity to get "free" publicity can help spread your marketing dollars.  Here are just a few ideas!!

Featured stories

The media is always looking for content for their papers and magazines and stories for their shows.  At the same time, everyone would love to have their business featured, so reporters, columnists and editors are bombarded with press releases every day.  If you are to be highlighted, your press release must stand out from the crowd.

The media are busy, and they may not always have the time to think of how your story may be angled to appeal to their readers or viewers, so you have to do the work for them, no matter how great your service is.  If the story has a relevant date associated with it (for example, the launch of your service), then give them plenty of lead time, as stories may already be booked in for days in advance.

Be sure to send your press release to the appropriate person, by calling up the newspaper/ radio station etc., and speaking to someone.  Your story may appeal to more than one department – for example, a chef launching a new PC business specialising in dietary restrictions for the growing aging population in their area, may want to send their story to the Lifestyle Editor (leave more free time for retirees), the Food Editor (new culinary service), the Local News Editor (new business service), as well as the Business Editor (new business service in a fast growing industry sector).

Sponsor events
Often, a Personal Chef can partner with another business person and provide food samples in exchange for access to their customer base.  An example of this is Real Estate Agents – PCs have been known to offer hors d’oeuvres at open houses for high end homes, in exchange for being able to hand out business cards to the potential clients etc.

There is a growing trend in the business community for them to be seen to be giving back to the communities.  This not only improves their stature in the public’s eye and creates a sense of goodwill, but it also increases the exposure that the business receives through the organisation it is helping, and often by increased media exposure.  Suggestion – contact your local centre for underprivileged children and offer to teach the children how to prepare simple, nutritious meals on a budget.

Many Personal Chefs have donated a service or dinner party as a prizing for charity galas, tournaments etc. – these are usually attended by local celebrities, successful business people and politicians etc.  Not only do they get exposure to the people attending the event, but the prize lists are usually distributed at the event and to the media in advance of the event, so there is the possibility for extra exposure through the media as well.

Free Demonstrations
These can be at local grocery stores or culinary centres or for groups of people, such as the local Chamber of Commerce, Heart & Stroke Foundation meetings etc.  Most major towns and cities have food- related events, highlighting local chefs and produce, such as the Hot & Spicy Food Festival in Toronto.  Contact the organisers well in advance of the event to see if there are openings for demonstrations.

Blogs

These frequently updated 'streams of consciousness' can keep fans of your service updated with your business, latest offers and so on.  Blogs keep you front & centre in the minds of your audience, strenghthening your brand.