SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Business Academy will offer a workshop on Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m. to noon titled “Free Publicity: How to Grab Headlines.” 

The workshop takes place at Five Rivers  Delta Resource  Center and will be presented by Drexel Gilbert of Drexel Gilbert Enterprises, Inc.  The workshop is sponsored by Bay Bank and is an initiative of the Blueprint for Tomorrow.

Gilbert will reveal the secrets to getting ‘free publicity’; how to capture the attention of reporters, producers and editors; and how to make the most of your free time in the media spotlight and headlines. Discover what the media wants from you; learn how to make your press releases sizzle; and get Gilbert’s advice on giving an interview that keeps them coming back for more. 

This hands-on workshop is loaded with information to help master the ins and outs of drawing attention to your business.

This workshop will give participants important information on how to pitch their business story to a news organization; how to construct and write a press release and/or pitch letter to get attention and results; who gets the pitch; the best and worst days to solicit coverage; making the most of the coverage; and delivering a successful interview.

Participants will get valuable materials to carry back to the office such as a workbook, including notes from the speaker’s presentation; hands-on practice worksheets for press releases and pitch letters; tip sheets; and examples of effective press releases, pitch letters and ‘sold stories.’

The fee for the course is $49 for members (members of any chamber of commerce benefit from discounted rate) and $59 for potential members. 

To register visit the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.eschamber.com/academy or call 928-6387.  This workshop is one of 10 workshops and Lunch-n-Learns offered as part of the 2009 Eastern Business  Academy.