Some ways to promote your event for free

Great events sometimes die because nobody knew about them.  I have been to events that were absolutely fantastic.  Free beer or at least part of the basic sign in cost.  Games, live music, helicopter rides.  Event t-shirts, included meals.  All that as part of a basic sign in package.  It isn't worth a damn if nobody shows up.  I have another article here on one way to finance and increase our coverage for paid advertising, but this is about free promotion.

Web listings are a nice place to start.  If you are viewing this article you have web access or you know somebody who does. Web calendars and magazine calendars are good for two things.  When planning an event you can check for conflicts with other events.  You might have a great new venue, but find that you had originally planned to have it in the same area and the same time as an established and popular event.  That will cut your attendance before you even start.   The other thing is that they make a place to list your own event so that hopefully others in your area will schedule around it.  How do you get on a web calendar.  Usually if you can find the listing it will have a link or e-mail address you can send the particulars of your event to.  How do you find them.  I started by picking my favorite search engine and typing in, calendar +motorcycle.  As this site develops it will have links to motorcycle events calendars right here, but this is a new site, and I haven't had the time yet. 

The other thing the web is good for is locating media resources.  Many motorcycle magazines and newspapers list motorcycle events coming up.  As soon as possible you need to get your planned event into these.  There are thousands and thousands of people who read motorcycle magazine event calendars.  Most of thes are free to get your event listed in.  Some you will need to fax, or call.  Some will want you to send it in writing vial regular mail.  Many others can take your information via e-mail directly over the web.  In fact with some media I have found that events that are e-mailed often get listed faster than event information that is faxed to the same office.  The reason for that, is if an office is computerized and networked all they have to do is cut your information from your e-mail and pstes it directly into their publishing system.

I ranted on a bit there about web resources, connections, e-mail etc... Well local TV, Radio, and Newspapers have coming events areas and do PSAs.  That is public service announcements.  It can be as simple as e-mailing your event to the right person at your local newspaper or faxing it to the local radio and TV stations.  You may even be given the opportunity to do live on air televison and radio spots regarding your event.  Send the info to them as early as possible so it has the time to make deadlines and get approval from the producers, editors, and other head persons in charge.  Also, send the info again shortly before your event to refresh their memories.  If you aren't sure about the best way to approach these people just pick up the telephone and call them.  Explain your event.  Tell them when where and how much.  Let them know who it benefits.  If you have a chairity benefit run or event you can be almost guaranteed of some of these doing publics service announcements on your event.  If its something that may be of public interest even if it doesn't benefit a recognized charity you will probably still get your event listed in the local paper's coming events section.

Just by calling, faxing, and e-mailing every possible source of promotions I will almost guarantee that you will get some free promotion for your event.