As the saying goes, “All of the best things in life are free.”  Next week, San Jose merchants will have a new opportunity to promote their businesses and attract new customers.  And…it’s free.

KLIV Radio, 1590 AM, is launching a new promotion called, “It’s Your Business,”  where San Jose merchants can get free air time by simply offering the station’s listeners some sort of discount or preferred rate.  Starting Monday, Nov. 23, KLIV will open its phone lines to San Jose merchants from 11am to noon on weekdays.  Merchants will be invited to call (408) 575-1600, and speak briefly with on-air host Sean Michale Lisle, who will ask them about their businesses, their location, what they do, etc. Each merchant will be asked to offer a “Deal of the Day,” to KLIV listeners.  The “deal” can be whatever the merchant chooses.  (Of course, it should be something worthwhile that will attract new customers).

KLIV’s News Director George Sampson says that he’s noticed through his daily feature “Economy In Silicon Valley” that many businesses have been forced to cut back on ad budgets during the recessions and that customer traffic has fallen as a result.  “It’s a vicious cycle,” says Sampson, “We think that we are in a position to help by giving businesses some free on-air promotion.”

The station plans to keep the program going through the end-of-year holidays if there’s sufficient interest.

KLIV’s “It’s Your Business” promotion has the potential to become the proverbial “Triple Win.”  The participating merchants will get more customers…San Jose residents will enjoy special promotions and discounts…and KLIV will get more listeners and favorable P.R.  In addition to all of that, the City of San Jose might see some additional sales tax revenues via this program.

Great idea…let’s help get the word out about this free program that has the potential to help our local merchants.