Everyone knows the value of free publicity. And given the opportunity, most businesses would jump at the chance to have a news article discussed them, or to be included in TV and radio stations.But the likelihood of those stories coming to you on their own are very slim. That is why smart businesses walk out their way to create news, and bring free publicity to them. And it requires a lot more than simply your run-of-the-mill press release.Actually, blanketing every available news organization with generic releases can do you more harm than good. Do it too often, and your releases begins hitting the round file before they are even read.Just like almost every other aspect of your marketing, publicity campaigns have to be targeted to succeed. Because even though you do have the ability to score a article in your neighborhood paper, it won't help you much if your target customer isn't a subscriber. Find out what papers and magazines your prospect does read, what newscasts he listens to or watches, and target those.Once you have your targets chosen, be sure you have something that will be of interest to them. Remember, you're not writing an ad for the business. You're attempting to convince a reporter which you have a story she will want to cover. To do that, you must know the outlet you're sending your release to, and what kinds of stories they consider news.It's a rare media outlet that may care about your new product, or sale, or internal promotion - unless you give them reasonable to. You need some kind of emotional hook that may make your story interesting to the readers/listeners/viewers.Is it possible to tie your product or sale to a news event? Or better yet, can you create an event of your? Staging an unusual event or charity benefit will get you plenty of positive coverage.Don't just stop at news releases. Write articles on some new development in your industry and submit them to the publications your prospects read. Distribute EzineArticles far and wide on the internet. This establishes you as an expert and provides you exposure.When you do have articles published or a story done you, milk it for several it is worth. Make copies and use them in your marketing. Frame them and put them up in your store assuming you have one. At the minimum, tell people you were featured in such-and-such publication.Publicity can be a great marketing tool. But bottom line is, you must make it happen. And use it to your advantage when it does!Does your marketing forge an emotional reference to your prospects? It can. Lisa Packer, writer of "The Power Of Emotion: 6 Triggers That Turn Prospects Into Customers," specializes in copy that does that. Visit [1] today and find out ways to connect emotionally with your prospects and explode response!