How to Get Free Publicity for Your Handmade Jewelry Business

There's no doubt about it! One of the cheapest and most effective forms of advertising is free publicity..The problem is that it's not always easy to get that free publicity, but when it happens, the results can be explosive.

Sometimes you're lucky enough to have free publicity seek you out. This is usually when you have a new product or concept that's newsworthy. When we opened the first bead store in our area several years ago, we received several news stories including one in our local newspaper. This brought in a ton of traffic and sales. Had we not brought a new concept to our area, the opportunity for easy, free publicity would not have been so easily available.

What options are available to get free publicity for your handmade jewelry?

1. Consider designing a piece of handmade jewelry relating to the unique aspects of your hometown or area.

For example, could you design a bracelet with charms depicting different landmarks in your area? Add a heart charm with your hometown name engraved on it. You could then send out a press release describing your new creation and where it can be purchased..

2. Do something charitable.

Donate your handmade jewelry to an organization that helps homeless women find jobs. The women can wear your jewelry when they go on job interviews. The press would love to do a story on the local jeweler designer who is giving back to the community. Plus, your donated jewelry will get lots of exposure as the women go on their job interviews wearing your handmade creations.

3. Tell an interesting story.

If you have an interesting story to tell about how you became a jewelry designer, write it down and submit it to various local publications. Did you go through any unusual hardships to achieve your goal of designing handmade jewelry? People love a rags to riches story! If this applies to you, let it be known.

4. Tie your business in with a holiday.

For example, you could write an article about how your handmade jewelry makes a perfect Valentine's gift. In the article, talk about how to choose the perfect piece of handmade jewelry for that special person. This makes an excellent article for the style section of your local newspaper.

5. Have important media contact information
available.

Expand your list of important media contacts and have their numbers available when you think of a newsworthy story that relates to your business.

6. Write a local column

Check with your local newspaper to see if you can write a weekly, column on fashion and jewelry trends. This would be of great interest to people and would establish you as somewhat of an expert.

7. Look for ways to get your jewelry noticed.

Read, read, read! Keep finding new ways to get your handmade jewelry business into the limelight. Look for local news and events you could tie your jewelry designs in with to create an interesting story.

8. Network, network, network.

Join your local Chamber of Commerce and attend their meetings. It's a great way to network with people in the media and get your jewelry noticed.

You can get free publicity for your jewelry business, sometimes it's just a question of approaching it in the right way. Give these suggestions a try and see if they can help you sell more jewelry!