This Wall Street Journal Article About Spitzer’s Enablers is a Must Read

Check out Publicity Hound Joan Stewart’s blog post about the Spitzer debacle and what the Wall Street Journal had to say about the media enabling his rise to power at others’ expense. The Wall Street Journal commentary is chilling to say the least. I can’t wait until we all turn the page on this story. And, we’ll be reading about why women stand by their men for weeks to come.  Given the magnitude of the mis-step here, I just scratch my head on that one. Don’t you?

Pain Killers Sell Better than Vitamins - Ease Their Pain in Your Press Release

Olympic Hot Tub Company has introduced a new water care product that promises to save time on spa maintenance, simplify the process of keeping water clean and clear at all times, and soften skin besides. SilkBalance® for Spas is a perfect product for stressed out, multi-tasking women everywhere for whom “Calgon, take me away” is a common refrain. I had some fun creating a press release that highlighted how this new product introduction eases the pain of multi-tasking women everywhere. Here are the first few paragraphs of the press release:

Women around the nation and the world who have hesitated about soaking in hot tubs for fear of drying their skin or dealing with cumbersome water care maintenance now have reason to say “yes” to long, leisurely soaks. SilkBalance® for Spas is a new hot tub water care product using patent pending technology that takes only five minutes a week to apply. It keeps the water clean and fresh while balancing it in perfect harmony and leaves skin feeling silky soft after soaking.

Alice Cunningham, co-owner of Olympic Hot Tub Company, is known for making it easy for customers to take it easy in their own backyards. The exclusive introduction of SilkBalance® at her five hot tub retail showrooms and the service center this month takes hot tub ease, enjoyment, and self care to a new level and with great efficiency.

“SilkBalance® for the hot tub today is a lot like Palmolive dishwashing liquid was for Madge the Manicurist in the 50’s. Just like Palmolive softened hands while doing the dishes, SilkBalance® softens skin and keeps the water balance in perfect harmony,” Cunningham said. “Now, spa owners can say ‘goodbye’ to 6-7 water care products and ‘hello’ to a single all-in-one product that makes it easy to keep their spas running clean and fresh, day in and day out, while softening their skin at the same time,” she added…Cunningham explained that transitioning to SilkBalance® requires the one-time use of Spa Purge to rid the spa plumbing of old residual water care products and to make way for a crystal clear and easy water maintenance experience going forward. Customers can purchase both SilkBalance® and Spa Purge with ease by ordering from the company’s e-store. Read the rest…

Freelance Journalist M. Sharon Baker Offers Timely Tips to Support Do-It-Yourself Publicity Success

M. Sharon Baker worked as a reporter for the Puget Sound Business Journal for nine years before taking the leap to become a full time freelance writer and publicist. She is a loyal reader of the Main Street Media Savvy blog and shares three great tips to contribute to your do-it-yourself publicity success.

#1) Visit your local library for inexpensive media research. Don’t hit the stacks, but rather check out the bookstore. I picked up five copies of O magazine for 10 cents each at the Lynden library, saving myself $20 and picked up some 20 current editions of food and home decorating magazines. It’s a great way to pick up back issues as well as current editions – depending upon the generosity of donors – without paying the cover price. Of course you could also check out the magazines, but then you can’t rip out pages and features to group together to see what editors have decided to run over time, or see what kind of photography they include with certain features. Read the rest…

Save March 26 for the Bellevue Chamber Women in Business Forum

If you are looking for inspiration and insights to propel your business forward and you are going to be in Bellevue, WA on March 26, make plans now to attend the Women in Business Forum sponsored by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. I am among the breakout session leaders, and I’ll be talking about how to become an expert in your field through the power of free publicity. To follow is a press release that was issued by the Bellevue Chamber today with all the other event details. Read on and register so you can benefit from a great day of connection with other women business owners and walk away with useful tips and tools to propel your business forward. I look forward to seeing you there. Read the rest…

Video and Social Media are all the Rage - Are You Ready to Dig in with a Guide to Show You the Way?

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that employees are spending an hour or more watching videos on the internet. While this is bad news for employers seeking optimal productivity from their team members, it does make me consider the power of video to capture attention, tell a story, and be of service. Employees and others are spending plenty of time on the social networking sites, as well. This gives me pause to consider how I can contribute in those venues to offer value and invite interest in how I serve others.

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I am a powerful advocate for covering the basics of publicity. That means telling a good story, getting it to the right people in a targeted way, earning an ongoing pattern of “ink and air,” and so on. I appreciate that it can be overwhelming to stay consistent with the basics, especially when the media world is changing so quickly and print media in particular struggle to stay relevant in the internet age. Plus, it is hard to ignore the pundits who compel us to wonder about the next big things — social media and video — as they take center stage. Read the rest…

Want to Boost Your Business? Taste the Biz Bite Blog!

The Seattle Post Intelligencer features a number of reader blogs that offer tips and resources to build your business. Some of the names are sassy and fun:

· Career Chic
· Career Diverted Survivors
· Entrepreneur’s Journey
· Everything MBA
· In Good Company
· The Biz Bite (Boosting business)
· The Bull’s Corridor (Workplace)

Check them out and see what useful lessons you can learn from these bloggers to grow your own business.

I had the good fortune to meet with Whitney Keyes, who is The Biz Bite blogger, and she is very committed to guiding her readers to enjoy more success. And, she did me a nice turn by saying a few good things about what I am up to. Check out her post at this link.

Don’t underestimate the power of blogs. If you are a newbie, start reading blogs that are relevant to your expertise and interests. Then, dip your toe in the water by posting with a thoughtful comment that adds value to the conversation. In short order, you’ll find that new people take the initiative to check out your website or blog, and you have an entirely new audience of people with whom to connect. It doesn’t cost a dime, and the rewards and new relationships you form can be priceless.

Art Oberto is Right - If You Ask for What You Want, You Get What You Need

Art Oberto is former CEO and chairman of Oberto Sausage Company — one of the leading beef jerky manufacturers and marketers in the world. I had the good fortune to work with him when I started my business in 2001. He knew I was in start up mode. One day, he looked me right in the eye and he said, “Nancy, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. People like you and want to contribute to your success, so don’t be afraid to ask for their support.”

Over the last couple of weeks, I have asked a number of my colleagues and advocates to help me spread the word about my desire to support others in their quest for do-it-yourself publicity success. Their response has been amazing. I want to thank everyone who is helping me build the buzz about the Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity e-Toolkit and my Publici-Tea™ training events.

Thank you to these generous people who have been advocating on my behalf:

Susan Harrow, CEO, PR Secrets; Publicity Hound Joan Stewart; Drew Gerber and Michelle Tennant, Wasabi Publicity; Heidi Richards, founder of WECAI; Stacy Karacostas, founder of Success Stream; Sara Harvey Yao and Michele Lisenbury Christensen of Working with Power LLC; John Kremer of Book Market; Christine Holbaum of Diary of a Mother Blog, and Lori Richardson of Score More Sales.

Speaking of which, check out Lori’s generous offer in support of Media-Savvy-to-Go via her blog post at AllBusiness.com. Lori has extended an offer for a free sales coaching email exchange to those who take advantage of the Media-Savvy-to-Go anniversary sale between now and March 31, 2008. How cool is that?

The anniversary sale for the Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity e-Toolkit is in full swing. Be sure to check out www.localprforme.com to see what all the fuss is about. And act before March 31 to enjoy the special bonuses and the savings.  Thank you!

Listening is the First Step to Getting to the Magic Behind Any Story Worthy of Your Focused Attention

It never ceases to amaze me what 20 minutes of focused attention can offer to a website biography waiting to take shape. So often, business owners spend so much time thinking about what their business is that they just can’t put pen to paper to say what needs to be said. During last Friday’s press kit writing workshop, I listened carefully to every business owner in the room. I asked focused questions. I looked for that sparkle in their eyes to appreciate the passion behind each business. Then, I took each guest — one by one — to my office. I sat at the computer keyboard, and each business owner sat beside me. Then, I composed bios for each guest, based on what I heard as we all got acquainted and ideas each business owner added as we worked together. Here is the biography for Sheryl Allen, founder of Thrival Kits (www.thrivalkits.com).

Sheryl Allen is on a mission to make life easier and healthier for busy women on the go. She has combined her lifelong commitment to healthful living, her playful, creative spirit, and her appreciation for all things beautiful and functional to create a way for women to nourish their bodies while they are running the marathon that is their busy life. Whether driving carpools, launching and sustaining businesses of their own, or dashing from one volunteer commitment to another, women need an alternative to dreaded fast food to refuel and revive and avoid the after effects of indulging in unhealthy energy depleting processed food. Sheryl is bringing women back to themselves by focusing on thriving rather than drudgery and overwhelm. She created Thrival Kits to offer the convenience of enjoying healthy, fresh food at their fingertips wherever and whenever women want it. Sheryl knows a thing or two about being a busy woman on the go. She is a happily married grandmother and business owner who is still raising teenagers in her 60’s. Thanks to Thrival Kits, eating nutritious food while on the go is never an issue for Sheryl or her loved ones. Helping other women make bolder, smarter choices to fuel active, fulfilling lives is part of why Sheryl thrives in her life and work.

What is a Thrival Kit?

This stylish ‘Classic Black’ kit is the perfect solution for savvy, health conscious women to conveniently carry fresh, delicious food as well as personal and business items. This designer lunch kit has everything today’s woman on the go needs to maintain her health and busy schedule. Thrival Kits is revving up to serve busy health-minded women around the country. Healthy women are happier women. . .and happy women sow seeds of happiness in the lives of others.

Does this sound like a product you absolutely have to have to make your busy life on the go better?  And do you know enough about Sheryl to want to support her mission and buy a Thrival Kit of your own?  I hope so. Visit www.thrivalkits.com to learn more.

By the way, I enjoyed a decisive and immediate response to yesterday’s announcement about the March 21 press kit writing workshop. I have five confirmed event registrations and have created a wait list for the next event. Would you like your name to be added to that list? If so, give me a call at 425-641-5214 or send me an email at nancy@nsjmktg.com.

Press Kit Writing Workshop Changed to Friday, March 21

Here are a few excerpts from bios we crafted during last Friday’s press kit writing workshop:

Shannon Wright is on a mission to spread love, joy and appreciation with every original gift basket she creates. And, she is proof positive that there is life beyond the cubicle and that it is way better out here! Working as an accountant for 12 years taught Shannon a lot about what she didn’t want to do. Since launching the Original Basket Company (www.obbofseattle.com) in July of 2006, she’s been smiling more than ever as she’s delivered good news, extraordinary gift baskets, and exceptional client service to people who are happy to see her, benefit from her products and services, and delight in her sunny disposition. Now, the future is so bright, she’d gotta wear shades, and they sure as heck aren’t green. Providing gift baskets for accounting firms, professional service providers, business owners, and gracious gift givers is the bread and butter behind a business that is growing at light speed and with great joy.

Executive Health for Men – Concierge Style – with Dr. Larry Greenblatt, DO. Now, you never have to wait again to get heard with Dr. Larry Greenblatt as your concierge physician (www.cmadoc.com). Larry Greenblatt, DO is a board-certified family and sports medicine physician who is committed to providing men with easy access, answers and advocacy to the sensitive health issues they’d probably rather not talk about. Dr. Greenblatt is helping men around the Puget Sound make their health care a priority. After 24 years practicing medicine in a traditional managed care format, Dr. Greenblatt launched his concierge practice in 2003 to enjoy a simpler, more empowering practice for his patients. A concierge physician provides health care related services that offer personal attention and access – in person, by email, or by phone. For the executive with exacting standards and uncompromising schedules, concierge medicine makes health care a priority that can at last be managed in a way that works for his busy life, while providing extraordinary personal attention and service. Dr. Greenblatt is an active, vibrant and aging baby boomer who has familiarity with many of the issues and concerns that worry his patients. His “been there, done that” insights are welcome among those who want answers and actions to feel better sooner versus later.

Debra Aaron, founder of The Blessing Project™ (www.theblessingproject.com), is on a mission to open hearts around the world, support women and children in need, and inspire others to join in the effort with beautiful, inspired art pieces people are thrilled to give and receive. In October of 2006, Aaron left a 34-year career with the federal government just two years shy of full retirement to start a project with the potential the change the world one blessing at a time. She cast aside typical concerns about her own food, clothing, shelter, and financial needs to pursue a much higher calling that is making an impact around the world. That took heart, courage, and passion – qualities that are reflected in every aspect of how The Blessing Project exists, grows, and makes a difference every day. The Blessing Project opens hearts through powerful messages incorporated in exquisite art. The items made from natural elements (paper from Nicaragua, beads from Kenya and Uganda, and yarn from Nepal, Uruguay and South Africa) join together to create beautiful art pieces that people are delighted to give and receive, knowing their role makes a difference for women and children worldwide. Infused with blessing, these art pieces find their way to joyous gatherings, a workplace or a single pillow at bedtime delighting and awakening a strand of remembrance that unites minds, hearts and souls. Today, hundreds of women in indigenous villages in five continents are working together to make the natural elements that comprise the art. It’s a dream come true for Aaron to realize that it is never too late to make magic happen if you follow your heart.

Do these initial paragraphs tell you just enough to make you want to learn more about each of these business owners and their businesses? Chime in and let me know what you think.

And, if you need help getting your bio in shape, take note that I’ve changed the date for the next press kit writing workshop to Friday, March 21 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Check your schedule and join in this energized, informative, productive session to get your bio out of your head and onto paper so others can be inspired to do business with you and benefit from the contribution only you can make. The fee to participate is just $197. Call me at 425-6412-5214 or send email to Nancy@nsjmktg.com to confirm your place. I have room for just five guests so I can dazzle with extraordinary personal attention and focus on YOUR business. I can’t wait to work with you.

Do You Struggle Writing Your Bio? Is Yours a Snoozer? Ready to Change That with a Guiding Hand from Me?

Many business owners want publicity, yet they struggle mightily with the task of getting their press kits in order. Writing a sizzlin’ bio is not easy, and a guiding hand from an expert can really make a difference.

Last Friday, four brave business owners attended very first Publici-Tea™ half-day press kit writing workshop. All four business owners left the event with a sassy bio in hand. Some of the bios invited tears of pride. Others brought about grins of satisfaction. Others brought welcome sighs of relief. Some had been struggling for two years trying to say what needed to be said in a way that others would find interesting. Here is what my event guests had to say about their press kit workshop experience:

“If the Publici-Tea™ Half-Day Workshop is the appetizer for making a press kit, the Public-Tea™ Press Kit Writing Workshop is the main course. I came in hungry, not clear on how to put together my press kit, and I left very satisfied with the near-finished product. Nancy made the experience easy and fun, especially for this word-challenged entrepreneur. Without her laser guided wit and assurance, I’d still be hungry. And without a doubt, I’d recommend this workshop to anyone who desires content, clarity, and consciousness in their press kit.”

Dr. Larry Greenblatt, Men’s Health Care Specialist, www.cmadoc.com

“The workshop gave me ‘walk away’ materials I can use immediately. Nancy’s enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment to me were apparent throughout the workshop. She knows her stuff. Nancy put together in 20 minutes what I’ve been struggling with for two years.”

Debra Aaron, CEO and Visionary, www.TheBlessingProject.com

“Nancy is great at pointing me in the right direction. Nancy is also fabulous at putting into words what I want to say. I would not have been able to write the bio we created today without her help.”

Shannon Wright, Original Basket Boutique, www.obbofseattle.com

“Nancy has the ability to find and mine the gems within, delivering them brilliant, polished, and ready to go to press.”

Sheryl Allen, www.thrivalkits.com

I had so much fun teaching this workshop that I’ve added another date to the calendar to further refine the curriculum and overall approach. This time, it is Thursday, March 20 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at my lovely Bellevue home. If you’d like to jump in and participate, give me a call right away at 425-641-5214.

For just $197 for the half-day, you get my full attention, yummy refreshments — including Biscot-Tea™, Seattle Chocolates, and savory croissant sandwiches — and the opportunity to leave the event with your own sizzlin’ bio in hand, ready to delight your clients, prospects, and media partners. After this March 20 event, the price is going up, so get in now while the gettin’ is good!

And, if you still need to attend the introductory Publici-Tea™ event that gives you the publicity nuts and bolts you need to get into the media relations game, there is still one place left for the March 14 event and a few spaces remaining for the April 18 event. Visit www.publici-tea.com for all the details and to register.