Meet the “Get Booked on Oprah Expert” Susan Harrow at the 10-17 Grande Sized Publici-Tea Workshop!

Publici-Tea™-TO-GO Gifts — a Comforting & Inspiring Way to Build Business Buzz and Do Something Wonderful for Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

For the longest time, I have dreamed to one day share a cup of tea with Oprah Winfrey. Oprah has been a constant force in my life for as long as I can remember. When my son Kyle was born in 1997, I watched Oprah’s “Remembering Your Spirit” segments during the 4 o’clock hour as my son napped dreamily in my arms. While I don’t remember many of the specific messages she shared during my post partum, sleep deprived state as a new mom, I do remember setting the intention to live a life of which I could be proud.

Since then, I’ve made some progress.

• Together with my husband Steve, we’ve helped our son grow into a remarkable, smart, empathetic, 11-year-old.
• Steve and I have navigated 21 years of marriage and still like and love each other.
• I’ve helped my clients achieve greater visibility and business success through my role as a publicist. In my work, I support powerful, inspired women who follow their passions to do great work in the world. My niche is the “comfort and joy” space because working with clients who offer premium chocolate, hot tubs, affirmation blankets, and other warm and cozy items that bring smiles just suits me. And every client has what it takes to one day earn Oprah’s attention.
• I’ve coached over 100 small business owners on how to earn their own publicity at my Publici-Tea™ Workshops, and many are having fabulous successes in the media every day.
• I’ve given time to a few causes that touch my heart.

On October 1, 2008 I attended the Nellie Cashman Women Business Owner of the Year Gala and marveled at the success of the finalists who were evaluated by their financial skill, risk taking, leadership, and contributions to community. I left the event with nagging feeling that there was still more for me to do.

During a presentation I gave a week prior to a group of women business owners, I was struck by the universal desire each expressed to sell more of their products, services and ideas and set themselves apart in influential and lasting ways from their competition. It caught my attention in a big way when the audience of 100+ women revealed that none had enough money to hire the help they need to get the job done.

I was immediately inspired to create a gift item that would answer the call at a price point that just about every business owner can afford.  By combining some of the things I love the most – such as tea, Seattle Chocolates, and Biscot-Tea™ — with practical DIY publicity information products I created with the intent to empower others to unleash the power of free publicity to build their own buzz and support their Prosperi-Tea, Publici-Tea™-to-Go was born. I wrapped this bundle in its own sassy hot pink tote box and asked an important question.

How could I turn this item into something I could be really proud of that would contribute to others’ success and do something more that would be bigger than selling more services and stuff? Read the rest…

Listen to Dr. Pat on Thursday at 10 a.m. to Hear “Get Booked on Oprah” Expert Susan Harrow and Me

Be sure to tune in to the Dr. Pat Show on 1150 a.m. Alternative Talk Radio tomorrow at 10 a.m. for a sassy show about the power of local and national do-it-yourself publicity.  The “Oprah” of talk radio Dr. Pat Baccili,  “Get Booked on Oprah” Expert Susan Harrow, and me will share useful tips, stories and inspiration to compel you into action to share your own powerful story with the world.

I listened to the Dr. Pat Show today, and it really shifted my mood in a good way.  She is so absolutely positive and inspiring.  That kind of energy is needed now more than ever, especially while others are claiming that the sky is falling and spending so much time worrying and wondering about things well beyond their control.  She challenges her listeners to live full out and consider what they would do in the world if they knew they could not fail.   Those are fighting words, and they are well worth listening to.  I hope you’ll tune in tomorrow.

Are You Thankful? This Video is Timely, Now More than Ever

The media would have us believe that the sky is falling and there is nothing to look forward to as we all watch with worry and wonder about what is going on with the financial crisis and what will unfold with the upcoming presidential election.

Sue Lundquist, a local author and parent, was featured on KING 5 news about how she turned her own challenging life experiences into a powerful tool to reinforce the importance of gratitude among young people.  Now more than ever, gratitude is essential.  Treat yourself to this brief and compelling video, and spread the message.  Sue earned this media placement, thanks to the power and impact of do-it-yourself publicity.  She’d love for her message to carry around the nation and the world, now more than ever.

The purpose of the I’m Thankful™ Journal is to provide an opportunity for parent and child to communicate in an highly effective yet simple manner. The series of questions throughout the journal are easy to adapt and can be used any time of day and for many situations. Teaching the benefit of thankfulness and compassion even in the little things is a priceless value. It’s the little things that are infinitely the most important in life.  Kissing your child good night. Hugging a dear friend hello. These are the types of memories to cherish and be thankful for. All will benefit.  It is a win-win. To learn more about Sue Lundquist’s “I’m Thankful” journals, visit this link.

Sue will be joining a host of equally inspired business owners at the Grande Sized Publici-Tea™ Workshop taking place October 17 from 12:30 - 5 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community Center.  If you still want to claim your place, there is still time.  Visit this link right now.

Dog Day Afternoon — Bring It On!

After a wild day that started with a radio interview on the Chat with Women Show and all kinds of action around here, I am going to actually call it an early day and enjoy the sunshine.  I read Tia Ribary’s article on BizNik that suggested that taking a bit of time out is good for business, and I invite you to read Tia’s tips to see which of her highly useful tips resonate with you.   As far as taking time off, my golden retriever Shadow seems to have figured out the perfect recipe for more success with greater ease.  Find yourself a soft place to land and just surrender.  Here’s to a dog day afternoon!

Listen to “Chat with Women” Radio Show Today at 8 a.m. for Local and National Publicity Tips from Me and Susan Harrow

If you are near your radio this morning at the 8 o-clock hour (PST) in Seattle, tune in to the Chat with Women Radio Show.  “Get Booked on Oprah” expert Susan Harrow and I will be on the show, offering useful tips to help you earn local and national publicity on a do-it-yourself basis.

Given how the economy is giving everyone a run for the money, there has never been a better time to roll up your sleeves and learn how to get seen, heard, and celebrated for your winning ways with the media carrying your story forward with impact and efficiency.  We are promoting two events we are hosting on October 17 at the Mercer Island Community Center, located conveniently at 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island, WA 98040-2235.

The first event takes place from 9 - 11 a.m. and puts Susan in the spotlight, sharing essential tips to earn Oprah’s attention.  The second event takes place from 12:30 - 5 p.m. and offers equal focus on how to earn local AND national publicity.  Visit this link and scroll to the center of the page to read about the VIP event.   Learn about and register for the second event at this link.

By the way, I was able to earn some big TV time for that nationally recognized expert I blogged about the other day.  KOMO TV 4 News came out to the “Stay Healthy. Live Young” event on behalf of Highline Medical Center’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebration and did that exclusive interview I was angling for with Dr. Mehmet Oz.  This was among the top ten most popular stories on the news, according to the KOMO 4 news website. Sometimes, you just don’t get confirmation of your interviews until the 11th hour — even when dealing with someone with the extrordinary national reputation as Dr. Oz.    We got confirmation for this exclusive interview just a couple days before event day, and reporter Marlee Grinter did a fabulous job.  More to the point. Dr. Oz did a fabulous job addressing the Highline Medical Center’s event guests.  Mara Burke, director of community relations and volunteer services for Highline Medical Center, reported that he was gracious, amazing, and invited a standing ovation from the 600 women who attended the event.  I would have expected nothing less.  It was an honor to have the opportunity to contribute to building the buzz about this sold-out event in my own backyard.

Want to Reduce Your Emails from 100 to 20? Read This

Portland, Oregon Publici-Tea™ Graduate Tia Ribary knows a thing or two about office organization and time management.  She attended the September 10 Publici-Tea™ and got inspired to post her first article to BizNik to invite interest in her virtual office assistant services.  Her article offering tips to reduce emails from 100 to 20 appeared on the home page of this social networking site that is growing in popularity by the day.  Yesterday the article invited 193 views and 13 comments, along with a reader rating of 8 on a scale of one to ten.  Better yet, her article shows up on page one of “Google” when searching for Tia Ribary.  Those folks in the world who are looking for an expert to make their lives easier through office organization can feel even more comfortable engaging her because the quality of the information she provides eases pain that is universally felt.

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by email and needed solutions to ease that pain, read Tia’s article and get in touch to find out how she can help you enjoy more success with greater ease.

If you are hungry to earn this kind of online exposure for your expertise, why not follow Tia’s example and post an article to BizNik?

And, if you want even more tips and ideas to catapult your expertise to a higher level of fabulous, register for the 10-17 Grande Sized Publici-Tea™.  Treat yourself to an afternoon of do-it-yourself publicity inspiration and tools that will put the power of the local and national media in your hands.  Register here.

Seattle PI Shines Light on Nellie Finalists and the Winner

Getting nominated for an award is one thing.  Getting named a finalist is another.  And winning is cool, too. Last night, the five Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year finalists shared their stories with an audience of just under 400 local business owners, bankers, and other interested guests.  Today’s Seattle Post Intelligencer offered profiles of all of the finalists, in addition to the winner, bringing their stories to a wider audience of potential customers and fans of their products, services, and ideas.  My client - Seattle Chocolate Company CEO Jean Thompson - was among the finalists, and she earned fans among the audience by sharing samples of her line of truffle bars with every guest.  Dena Levine, the 2007 WBO Excellence Award Winner, declared that she had never seen such great swag in goody bags at a Nellie event before, and the Seattle Chocolates were a big reason why.

Given all the drama we’ve been reading about in the media lately, the invitation to read about business success is especially welcome.  Invite some good news into your world by reading this article and making the choice to support these award-winning entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles, taken risks, served the community, and built businesses of which they can be proud.  And, if you are a woman business owner who meets the criteria for the Nellie award, why not set the intention to put your hat into the consideration ring next year?  You can learn more about prior winners by visiting this link.

Woman’s World Magazine Story Brings Tears and Action to Inspire Courage Among Those Dealing with Breast Cancer

It’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we have abundant opportunities to be grateful for our health and get into action to support others who need help, now more than ever.  Check out this inspiring story that ran in Woman’s World magazine about the amazing grace that took shape when one sister shared COURAGE and STRENGTH Affirmawraps from Affirmagy with a sister in hospice care and the impact powerful words made as she slipped away.

Do the good folks at Affirmagy want to sell more blankets?  Absolutely.  Does a story like this show that the nature of the business is so much bigger than that?  You bet. That is why this is such a powerful, inspiring story that had me reaching for the Kleenex.

If you want to enlist the attention of the media about your product or service, lead with a powerful story that resonates at an emotional level, and you will.  This story in Woman’s World magazine is proof positive of that.

There is much madness in the world right now.  We have to focus on the things we can control, and extending kindnesses to others right now seems like the perfect action to take.

Dr. Pat Bacilli, the Oprah of Talk Radio, to Present at 10-17 Grande Sized Publici-Tea™

If you’ve written a book that has the potential to change the world, run a professional service practice that empowers others to live their best lives today, or are making other positive contributions to your community that need a much wider audience, you won’t want to miss the Grande Sized Publici-Tea coming up on October 17 from 12:30 - 5 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community Center.

“Get Booked on Oprah” Expert  Susan Harrow and I will be your guides as we unlock how to deploy local and national publicity to carry your story forward.  And, Dr. Pat Bacilli of the Dr. Pat Show will also be on hand to share how to earn the attention of her top rated alternative talk radio show that airs on 1150 a.m. and on Voice America.

And, here is even better news.  With all the gyrations in the economy, Susan Harrow and I decided to reduce the price of the Grande Sized Publici-Tea™ from $397 to $297. This event includes $177 in high value bonuses to empower your journey to DIY publicity success.   Now more than ever, the timing is right to roll up your sleeves to see what magic you can make in the media to catapult your story to a higher level of awareness and invite action.  Visit this link to read about all the special bonuses and sign up today.