January 12, 2008
Personal Branding
No Comments
While meeting with Olympic Hot Tub Company Co-Owner Alice Cunningham, she mentioned that one of her New Year’s resolutions was to avoid LFE’s. I smiled and asked for an explanation. She smiled in return and defined LFE’s as Life Force Extractors. These are folks who drain you of life force in your life and business.
Oprah calls them energy bandits. Robert Barone from “Everyone Loves Raymond” calls them dream squashers. Others call them naysayers. These are the folks that anonymously complain about what the professional group served for lunch or whether or not the speaker for that day hit the mark in every way. These are also the folks that seem to have all the reasons why a big idea won’t work when a little imagination and ingenuity can clearly turn that same idea into something fabulous.
Whatever you call them, what are you doing to get them out of your life?
There is something about a new year that gives us all pause to consider whether we are flying with eagles or cackling with the turkeys. As for me, I’d much prefer to soar with the eagles because that’s where the view is the best. I am spending more dream time considering how high I can reach, and those notions are informing my life and work every day. I sure don’t get it right all the time, but I keep at it. And that’s a good way to make sure my life force is giving, rather than extracting.
What are you doing to keep the energy and people around you lifting you higher? Comment here so others can benefit. I can’t wait to read what you have to say.
January 9, 2008
Media Savvy 101
No Comments
I am starting the year with four amazing clients that all have Oprah-worthy stories to tell, and I can’t wait to report back to you that I have earned the publicity I seek for Affirmagy, Olympic Hot Tub Company, Seattle Chocolate Company, and Working with Power LLC. In the meantime, I am immersing myself in everything I can learn about how to successfully make those pitches. Best of all, I am bringing the best expert resource on the topic to you.
Please join me for a teleseminar on February 5 at 10 a.m. PST to listen to a one-hour session with the PR expert who wrote the books on earning “ink and air” with Oprah. Sign up today to claim one of the 70 seats that still remain for this high value teleseminar with Susan Harrow, strategic marketing and media coach and CEO of PR Secrets. Don’t miss out on this remarkable opportunity to learn from one of the best! You can register for this complimentary session at this link.
I will interview Susan on how you can create sound bites that get you ink & air on national shows like Oprah.
How to Create Soundbites that Get You on Oprah
and Other National TV Talk Shows
You’ll learn:
- The 3 things you must do before you even begin contacting the media.
- Tips on how to create sound bites that can get you on Oprah and other top talk shows.
- Magic words and phrases to say to producers that keep them listening.
- Critical mistakes to avoid that can get you banished from producer’s rolodexes and files.
- The Oprah Show and O Magazine hot buttons.
- BONUS: A special surprise that you don’t know about Oprah that can make you a fortune.
I sent out my Authentic Visibility ezine to announce this event last night, and the first 30 of the 100 places on the call were claimed immediately. If you share my interest and commitment to earn Oprah’s attention in 2008, I invite you to register for this Feb. 5 teleclass right away before all the seats are taken. Here is the link to make it easy. “See” you on the call!
By the way, if you are not yet a subscriber to the Authentic Visibility ezine, opt-in now by adding your email to the box at the sign-up box in the upper right corner of your screen. Immediately, you’ll receive 12 sassy articles to empower your DIY publicity success. You’ll learn a whole lot in short order about becoming a star in your own backyard. And, you’ll get useful tips, stories and resources delivered to you every month to keep your DIY publicity success moving forward. Sign up today.
January 7, 2008
Local Publicity
No Comments
The start of the new year is when the job market sections of newspapers get more readership than ever. Folks who have resolved to find a better place to land are engaged in the search. That can be good news for do-it-yourself publicists who want to tell their stories, if they know who to call.
For example, the Seattle Times has a feature within the job market section that highlights someone with a really cool job. Sunday’s feature profiled a certified financial planner™ professional who shared what he loves about his work, what a typical day is, and the value of CFP training and certification. This article was well timed, especially for those starting the new year with plans to get their financial houses in order.
If you have a cool job in Seattle and want to share it, first “Google” freelance writer Michelle Goodman to read some of the prior stories she has written along these lines. Then, you can send an email pitch to suggest why YOUR cool job is a perfect fit for this feature.
Michelle divides her stories somewhat equally between employees and business owners. If your job really is cool, why not make a pitch and see what happens? Your story could be profiled on a Sunday morning for readers all across the Puget Sound region as they enjoy their morning coffee. If you live in other parts of the country, check out the avenues that exist within your hometown newspaper to tell stories along similar lines.
And, if you are one of those readers eager to start the new year by getting your financial house in order, register for the Retirement Readiness Seminar taking place January 12 at the Avikai Spa in Issaquah. Steve Juetten, CFP™ (yes, he is my husband) is leading a workshop that does exactly that. Read the rest…
January 5, 2008
Business Success
No Comments
Last Spring, I had the amazing good fortune to meet Thach Nguyen, real estate developer, motivational speaker, and philanthropist as a result of an introduction by fellow eWomenNetwork member Fern Lam. Subsequently, I was engaged to do the media relations associated with the Mental Journey to Millions event Thach and his co-collaborator Matthew Ferry brought to the Seattle Westin. Together through a variety of media relations, public speaking, and viral marketing activities, we attracted 1,000 guests to benefit from inspired content, and a really cool community of positive, forward looking people formed to advocate for others’ success.
My own life and work took very positive turns as a result of the lessons I learned while working with these remarkable people. That’s why I want you to check your calendars and save Jan. 19 to attend their all-day Inspired Action™ Workshop at the Seattle Convention Center. Read the rest…
January 5, 2008
Local Publicity, PR in Action
No Comments
It’s a brand new year and the perfect time to get organized. That’s why my hat is off to Meagan Farrell, owner of Clear the Clutter, a professional organizing services company operating in Snohomish County. She submitted her 150-word story about the circumstances in her life that led to the creation of her company to the Snohomish County Business Journal. Her story ran in the January edition of the paper to ride on the organization excitement associated with turning the page on a new year.
This brief feature invites readers to share turning points in their business lives or careers. If you work or operate a business in Snohomish County, you can submit your story for editorial consideration, too. Just prepare 150 words that capture your story in an engaging way and submit them — with your digital headshot — to hilden@heraldnet.com. You just might find your story within the pages of this local business journal in perfect timing to fuel new inquiries to engage your products or services.
The deadline for the February issue is January 15. If anyone out there has a Valentine’s Day-related story to tell that would be of interest to business readers in Snohomish County, now would be the perfect time to tell it.
Speaking of organization, I’ll share do-it-yourself publicity tips with the members and guests of the Seattle National Association of Professional Organizers on January 8, 2008. The event takes place at the Bellevue California Closet Company from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. You can read all about it and register online by visiting this link. The event is free to NAPO members and just $25 for non-members. And, everyone who attends will receive their very own copies of the Authentic Visibility Publicity Tips Booklets as a gift from NAPO Seattle. How timely is that for turning the page on business visibility for the new year? I hope you can attend and acquire timely and valuable organization and publicity tips to enhance your success in 2008.
January 4, 2008
Local Publicity
No Comments
Reading yesterday’s Seattle Times, I smiled as I read the headline for a page two story from the Associated Press. Aunt’s undies make brief work of blaze. In London, a British woman’s underwear saved the day, doubling as an emergency fire blanket when her kitchen caught fire. When the fire broke out, one of the cooks grabbed the nearest thing from a pile of laundry to put out the fire — his aunt’s billowing, powder-blue, size XL underwear.
Thank goodness it wasn’t a thong, or else perhaps the story would have had a much different ending.
This brings to mind the value of a fun headline to grab attention. Word play can be a fun and engaging way to tell a story. Tying together the ideas of “undies” and “brief” work is a kick in the pants from my perspective. It certainly compelled me to read to learn more.
The lesson here is to have some fun when writing subject lines for your emails and headlines for your press releases. Steer clear of “blah, blah, blah” and boring headlines that put readers to sleep before they can get to the good stuff. Start with the good stuff, and find a way to make it sing, sting, or set your own story ablaze. Your story might end up on page two of the main news section of your local newspaper, just like this one did.
January 3, 2008
PR Success Stories
No Comments
What a thrill for Award-Winning Interior Designer Midori Yoshikawa to have her first job profiled in the “My First Job” feature within the Sunday, 12-30-07 edition of the Seattle Times. Midori attended the December 14 Publici-Tea™ event with intentions to learn how not to be a well kept secret and to get into action right away. Now, plenty of folks around the Puget Sound region know who she is. Hats off to Midori for getting into the media relations game immediately and submitting a quality head shot with her story to put her best face forward. She engaged Tara Gimmer to take her photo, and it is a winner.
Midori also shared the online story link by email with all her best customers, co-collaborators, and advocates to invite new interest in her services and spread the word even more. Midori won’t be a well kept secret for long.
Midori’s work has been featured in Seattle Homes & Lifestyles magazine, the Seattle Times, and Kitchen and Bath Ideas. It’s a brand new year. If you are looking for an inspired designer with great passion for creating spaces in which clients will always be smiling, get in touch with her.
And great job, Midori, for taking the lessons you learned at Publici-Tea™ to the pages of the Seattle Times.
Publici-Tea Anyone? The next event is January 18. Register today.
January 2, 2008
Media Savvy 101
No Comments
Happy New Year! Like many of you, I subscribe to quite a few ezines and pay attention to the work of my colleagues in other parts of the country. Today, I received an ezine from Margie Zable Fisher of Margie Zable Fisher Public Relations with some timely PR resolutions that I think are right on target. Check them out and get into action so 2008 can be truly great.
|
10 P.R. Resolutions for a Great 2008
by Margie Zable Fisher
-
I will summarize the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of my business or organization, making sure it works in the current economic environment.
-
I will create/revise an effective 30-second introduction when meeting new business associates.
-
I will set up at least two meetings per month with people who inspire and motivate me.
-
I will research and participate in a charity activity, or increase my involvement in an existing one.
-
I will always carry my business cards (even when I go to the gym). And I’ll also ask my spouse (or significant other) to carry my business cards — so he/she can give my card to his/her contacts or can help me out if I run out of them.
-
I will write at least one guest column, or obtain at least one speaking opportunity per quarter to promote my business.
-
I will apply for at least one award to promote myself and my business.
-
I will review my Web site and marketing materials often, at least once a month, to determine the need for updates.
-
I will create a contact strategy so that I am communicating with customers, prospects and associates at least once a month through newsletters, calls, direct mail, etc.
-
I will search out ongoing publicity opportunities to positively promote my business or organization.
|
|
It’s a shiny new year. Get into action so you can get into the media spotlight and see what magic you can create for your growing business.
January 1, 2008
Business Success
2 Comments
Happy New Year. Here’s to more local publicity success with greater ease in 2008. And plenty of happiness, prosperity, and good health for us all.
Here is powerful tip. Before you take on any new initiative, ask yourself, “How can this be easier?” This advice comes from the Working with Power LLC experts Michele Lisenbury Christensen and Sara Harvey Yao. Their free CD — “Is Success Running You Ragged?” — is one that could very well change your life. And their tips to enjoy more success with greater ease are practical and powerful. Request yours today. Visit this link.
2008 is going to be great. I can’t wait.
Next Entries »
