If you run a local community or small business website and are needing ideas on how to get some free press, why not piggyback off the local items of interest?

There are two top news stories this week in Saint Louis.

• Flooding

I’ve already started a photo contest related to the flooding.  Take a picture of flooded areas, or perhaps a teenager filling a sandbag, or perhaps an elderly gentleman donating water to workers.  I’ll post the pictures, send out a press release about my contest, and get more traffic and brand recognition.  The winner will get a $25 gas card, which appeals to pretty much everyone nowadays.

• Anheuser Busch Takeover

Several ‘web-people’ have already taken advantage of this, launching sites such as SaveBudweiser and SaveAB. Smart because they’re getting free mentions on all the news broadcasts, radio stations and links galore from beer lovers and proud Saint Louis bloggers.  They’ve started petitions (even if useless, these encourage people to spread the word about the website) and forums to discuss the takeover.

Check out the news. Even if its depressing, there is still plenty of goodness to be found if you’ve got a somewhat creative mind.  People are happy to jump on a bandwagon, all you have to do is hook up the tractor and get in front of them.

Donny Deutsch’s show The Big Idea is one of my absolute favorites to watch.  He’s very inspiring and just keeps on truckin’ day after day with his “you can do it” attitude.

The only thing about his show that irks me is that he never has people on there that simply provide services. All of his guests for the ‘Minute to Millions’ segments (and others) are people with real physical products to sell.  Sure, it makes better television when people can see what they’re buying, but he’s missing an entire part of the business world - services!

Funny thing is, he’s an ex-marketing exec.  Marketing is a service industry!

C’mon Donny, have me on your show.  Let’s show SMBs that there’s more than just having the product.  You’ve gotta market that thing through conventional and online media.  You’re alienating a ton of SMB owners who sell services!

Just a few examples:

• Plumbers
• Grass cutters
• Web Designers
• Taxis
• Printers

These businesses are important too!