Ever wonder how your competition seems to get all the media attention while your efforts go unnoticed? The answer is public relations. Hiring a PR firm can be costly, but The Publicity App is free and can walk you through the whole PR process—identifying story angles, reporters, media outlets and target audiences. The developer, Macias PR, knows what it’s talking about. The firm’s founder Mark Macias is a former executive producer with NBC and CBS news outlets, and the app promises “the same insider media strategy that Macias PR has used to secure local, national and international news placements for its clients.” For iOS and Android.

Anyone who has managed a bar knows shrinkage is a constant problem. The new Bevinco Mobile Inventory app puts inventory management in the palm of your hand with a version of its desktop software scaled for mobile use. With a database of more than 30,000 liquor brands and the option to upload additional products, Bevinco Mobile allows for seamless counting and measuring. It also offers the addition of a Bluetooth-enabled scale for precise inventory calculation that, promise the developers, is twice as fast as estimating and allows users to track variances down to 1/30th of an ounce. Bevinco Mobile is now offering a free 30-day trial; monthly subscriptions start at $174.99. For iOS.

For those willing to learn, Sombrero is an e-marketing trainer and mobile app that promises to help inexperienced marketers in small- and medium-sized businesses get professional results and reach new customers through online channels. The tasks taught on Sombrero are tailored to different industries, including food and drink, and hospitality and tourism, as well as goals, such as brand awareness or website traffic. For iOS and Android.

ChowNow promises convenient ordering for your customers and easy setup for restaurant operators. ChowNow allows your customers to order from a variety of platforms: your website, Facebook or a branded mobile app that ChowNow can build for you. A ChowNow iPad tablet sitting next to the POS alerts your staff to incoming orders and allows them to notify guests when their orders are ready. Other features include the ability to promote specials, manage your delivery zone and update your menu any time. Operators can also partner with ChowNow marketing services to drive to-go business. Plans start at $99 per month after a $199 set-up fee. For iOS and Android.