How to get free publicity with a "Coffee bean poll"
News reporters run out of interesting things to talk about and are always looking for a new angle on high-profile and important news issues. Here's how to take advantage of the situation and get a LOT of free press. One enterprising breakfast restaurant got a lot of free press when they set up two jars at the cash register and issued each customer a coffee bean to drop in one of the jars as a straw vote in the upcoming election. They called this their, "Coffee bean poll." They were flooded with free publicity for days as the news media watched and reported the daily "bean count." The public wanted to come to the restaurant and cast their vote. One headline said, "Have you voted yet?" and went on the describe "Where to vote" in the Coffee Bean Poll. You could do something like this and let customers vote on an upcoming rival ball game, etc. The news media is dying for some kind of new twist to talk about with the upcoming US Presidential primary elections. News reporters run out of things to say and are always looking for a different and interesting take on important issues. Bottom line: Give the news media something new to talk about and they will flood you with free publicity. Note: See the related article below for a twist that's sure to get your restaurant on the local news TV and in the local news papers.
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