Business newspapers and magazines like to sponsor contests for readers. The contests are also a great way to generate publicity, even if you’re not sure you’ll win.
Here’s a great example. On a lark, Jo Steinberg, president of Midland Health Testing Services Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joined the “Fittest CEO” contest sponsored by the Small Business Times in Milwaukee.
Here’s what happened:
“I’m 5-foot-4 and over 50, and I never dreamed that the way I look would bring me free publicity,” she said. “But thanks to reading your newsletter, it did.
“The Small Business Times in Milwaukee recently sponsored the ‘Fittest CEO’ contest. Each executive was professionally examined for endurance, strength and body makeup. Here I am, the owner of a corporate wellness company, and I initially decided not to enter.
“I work out pretty consistently, but over the past two years put on a few pounds. Definitely not a cover girl for Shape Magazine. But then your free publicity philosophy hit me.
“Should I? Will people laugh? I took the plunge. The finalists—including the top women over 50, the top women under 50, the top men over 50 and the top men under 50—were announced last week.
“Not only did I get the free publicity, but I’m a finalist in the contest! I laughed. It just goes to show you, a little chubby can’t be all bad, especially when you submit a publicity shot from the neck up.”
You can see the page the Small Business Times devoted to Jo, and her photo here.
What I love about this success story is that the contest ties into what Jo preaches as the CEO of a corporate wellness company. Good luck, Jo. Hounds everywhere will be rooting for you.
You can learn more about how to generate publicity from contests in “Special Report #18: Clever Contests That Will Tempt Reporters to Call.”