Free publicity about your business is more valuable than paid advertising

Better than advertising, really? Absolutely. Please click on the link below to read a recent article on Covered Airport Parking in Panama City, Florida.

http://www.newsherald.com/articles/covered-96003-expanded-offers.html

How do you get free publicity? Use press releases.

"First Things First"

1. Make your press releases news NOT advertising.

   A sample news item could be your business sponsoring a community program, offering a free service or introduce a unique product.

2. Research the Media

   Read several back issues of the publications you plan to send your releases, most are niche-oriented and only acceptable submissions of interest their readership.

3. Keep Your News Story Current.

   Writing about past or far future events can lower your chances of publication. If your news is time-sensitive include the words "For Immediate Release" in your press release.

4. Use a proper news release format. Although some editors may run your release "as is", others may edit it. Either case, you get the word out.

5. Email Press Releases vs. Fax or U.S. Postal Service.

   Many publications will accept email and fax press releases, but you should inquire first.

   Keep a log of who you submit press releases. When you get publicity save the clipping and post them on your website, and in your ezines and include them in your next press kit.

6. News editors receive thousands of press release daily, persistent and patient can produce free publicity rewards.

SMC Welcomes New Parking Clients

As you know, SMC is regularly adding information to our Inside Parking Blog for the sole purpose of helping our parking customers with new programs, concepts, ideas, trends, successes and important issues related to the industry. We do hope many of you walk away with something simply because the parking industry is rapidly evolving.

For this particular posting, we would like to welcome the following off-airport parking companies to the SMC family:

Best Value Airport Parking (Seattle, WA)

Flight Park (Nashville, TN)

Covered Airport Parking (Panama City, FL)

Select/Payless Valet Airport Parking (Boston, MA); in addition, Select/Payless implemented a reservations system at their parking operations in Providence, RI and Manchester, NH earlier in the summer.

We looking forward to helping all of our parking clients increase traffic and convert online shoppers into parkers.