November 13, 2008
Article PR, Media Savvy 101
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The only thing certain is change — especially in the newspaper and magazine scene. Yesterday Tiger Oak Publications announced that it is acquiring Washington CEO magazine. The press release said, “We made the decision in these challenging economic times that the best way to preserve a voice was by merging CEO into Seattle Business. The Tiger Oak people are publishing professionals with enough size and experience that they can take a business magazine to the next level. We think the business community and in particular our advertisers will be well served by this merger.”
In other news, if you are subscribing to Help a Reporter and benefiting from the great media leads, consider posting a query to support your own writing needs. I posted a query yesterday to ask for the revealing comments clients often share when seeking the services of a publicist. I received dozens of remarkable and memorable replies from generous PR practitioners from all across the nation. With those great contributions, I crafted my next Puget Sound Business Journal “Media Savvy” column that should bring plenty of grins. To follow are a few of the comments that weren’t quite right for the column, but entertaining to read nonetheless:
From Jeff Finkelstein of Customer Paradigm:
“I was hiring a project manager for our interactive agency, Customer Paradigm, and had a candidate tell me that the reason he left his last job was that ‘he made a mistake on a client project, which resulted in a $100 million lawsuit against the firm and was let go shortly after that.’ I told him “Thank you very much for your time!’”
From Rachel Sentes of OutRight Communications:
“…in trying to settle an invoice for completed work with a client, the response we received was, ‘I don’t have any money at the moment and I’m actually looking for work. Do you have any openings at your firm?’”
From Sabrina Sumsion of Spotlight Publicity:
“I received a web inquiry that said, ‘this is a life changeing fictional novel that talks about a topic that i can’t discuss because i can’t give away my idea because i can’t aford to copy right my book. Theres tyos in the manuscrypt but it doesn’t interfere in the story. it hasn’t been publeshed yet. can you publesh my book?’ I didn’t reply to this inquiry.”
Sometimes, potential clients or hires reveal a lot when they make their approach to engage your services. The important thing is to take note of the messages and take care in the reply. Not every opportunity to engage is the right opportunity to advance your business. When the Puget Sound Business Journal “Media Savvy” column is “live” I’ll let you know so you can read all the other great one-liners to avoid when seeking to engage a publicist.
November 12, 2008
PR Beyond the Backyard, Seattle Chocolate Company
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Check out the December issue of Success magazine. Seattle Chocolate Company CEO Jean Thompson is profiled on page 44. In the “Take Control of Your Life” feature, Jean tells the story about how she turned an agonizing two-week wait for mammogram results (thankfully negative) into an ongoing a cause-related initiative that is raising money for women’s cancer charities every day and everywhere the Extreme Dark Chocolate Truffle Bar and Survivor Chick Chocolates are sold. It’s a great story that demonstrates that you can take control of your life and make a lasting difference in your business when you get into action. If you would like your story featured within the pages of this magazine, check out the editorial calendar and frame your story in the context of what is brewing at this magazine. Allow plenty of lead time since national magazines work months in advance. Then, make your pitch. I recall receiving a ProfNet lead from a freelance writer who was looking for a story like Jean’s. I responded immediately with a tight, compelling, and authentic reply. The writer liked what I had to say and asked for the interview. Jean delivered her message in a winning way, along with a fabulous photo. That’s just how it happened, and it can happen for you, too. Remember, along the continuum of intertia and momentum, action makes the difference. It always does.
November 11, 2008
Event Promotion, For Women Only
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If you work in the design trade, make plans now to attend my DIY publicity presentation at the Third Thursday professional development session at Seattle Design Center on Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. You can register online at this link or call 206-762-1200.
I have been working on a new speech, thanks to the fabulous lessons I learned at Patricia Fripp’s Speaking School. I can’t wait to take it out for a spin. Here’s the introduction I am working on to capture your interest… Read the rest…
November 10, 2008
Publici-Tea™ Graduate Success Story
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Mikelann Valterra, founder of the Women’s Earning Institute, is a colleague, friend, author, and expert who is fiercely committed to helping women overcome underearning. She is quoted extensively in this article about how to ask for a raise in a down economy, and this is news you can use — now more than ever. If you struggle with under earning, you may want to check out Mikelann’s telecourse on how to conquer it once and for all. You can read more about it at this link.
When I started my business in 2001, I struggled with under earning and took some of Mikelann’s workshops. I still remember Mikelann describing the three typical buckets in which women find themselves. There is the “noble poverty” bucket. Here you lament that there has never been enough money, there never will be enough money, but at least the work you are doing is important.
The “prince charming is going to charge in and rescue me” bucket speaks for itself.
The third bucket is the abundance bucket, in which you believe that there is plenty of abundance out there and plenty enough for you.
Somewhere along the line, I made a huge leap from noble poverty to abundance, and I haven’t looked back. I thank Mikelann for the inspiration and the tools to deploy for much of my progress. You can make progress in that regard, too, if you avail yourself to her wisdom and her fabulous, high value courses. Both have certainly worked well for me.
November 6, 2008
Cause Related Marketing, PR Beyond the Backyard
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Today I am very grateful to my virtual assistant Janica Smith who issued a persuasive pitch to some influential blogs a few days ago and earned a fabulous mention for the Publici-Tea™-TO-GO! gift bundles at this link. What a thrill to have the message about this cause-related initiative travel all the way to www.womenentreprenuer.com — which couldn’t be a more perfect placement for this news.
I am also grateful to Heidi Richards Mooney for being a hearty advocate for how I serve. She discovered me via a “Google Alert” on September 1, 2007 — the first day this blog went “live.” She invited me to participate in a the worldwide virtual media summit with a number of prominent internet marketers earlier this year. She subsequently invited me and the other internet marketing and promotion experts to contribute to a powerful e-Book called Get Media Savvy – The Woman’s Guide to Promote Your Products, Services to the World. (This e-book, incidentally, is included with just about every Authentic Visibility information product I sell as a special, value-added bonus.) Now, she has graciously connected me with these experts, and a number of them have agreed to advocate for the Publici-Tea-TO-GO! gift bundle to their followers. I am honored by her support, the doors she has opened for me to share my gifts with others, and the doors still to open because of her willing heart and generous spirit. If you have not yet looked into benefiting from the quality programming Heidi creates through Women’s E-Commerce Association International, you would be well served to check it out at this link.
Today I heard Award-Winning Speaker and Speech Coach Patricia Fripp say that the Internet is God’s gift to the small business owner, speaker, and professional service provider. And I would say, “She is absolutely right.” I never would have met Heidi Richards Mooney had it not been for my blog launching at the perfect time. I wouldn’t have had a connection to the 15 internet marketing gurus and fellow co-authors for the Get Media Savvy E-Guide without that initial connection. Now, many more doors are opening. And I have never met one of these people in person. We’ve found ways to connect authentically through the power of email and the strength of a blog that makes a winning impression. It’s just wonderful how the internet levels the playing field and makes so many things possible for business owners of all sizes, thanks to the strength of one’s communication skills.
Let me add that Patricia’s speaker training is beyond fabulous. I can hardly wait to return tomorrow for the second day of the 2-Day speaker school she is teaching in Redmond, WA. I know my future speeches and Publici-Tea™ Workshops will be all the better for lessons I am learning to serve you all better. And, speaking of which, there is still time to register for the Nov. 14 Publici-Tea™ Workshop. Now that the election is over, are you ready to shift focus toward the task of building the buzz about your business? I’d be honored to have you in the room to benefit from the powerful lessons you can learn to advance your own publicity success without spending a fortune or spinning your wheels. Register here.
November 4, 2008
Be Heard
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Cynthia Flash, a Bellevue-based publicist, stopped by my offices today and gave me timely reason to grin, given today’s historic election. She is a Sarah Palin look-a-like who dressed up in designer jacket with a faux $25,000 price tag, expensive jewelry, and well-coiffed hair to campaign for Obama today. The sign she created reads:
Not Me for VP – Vota Obama. She was on her way to a busy traffic intersection in Bellevue, WA to spread her message just moments ago. I took a couple of photos of Cynthia in costume with her campaign sign with my digital camera. They certainly demonstrate the similarities between her likeness and that of Vice Presidential Candidate Palin. Cynthia told me that she has been approached a number of times while dining at local restaurants and enjoying local theater performances that she is the spitting image of Palin. Now, she is in action to campaign for Obama, bringing grins to passers by who are, no doubt, en route to make their own voting decisions today. I compliment Cynthia on declaring her opinion and having the courage to be heard on this important day in our nation’s history. Have you cast your ballot yet today? Please do. It’s a privilege to be heard.
November 4, 2008
Be Heard
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Let the growling face of this trick-or-treater compel you into casting the most important vote of your life so the happily ever after you intend for your family and everything else you care about can begin right now.
November 3, 2008
Publici-Tea™ Graduate Success Story
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I knew when I first saw the Flip Your Thinking Flash Cards, that they were something timely, newsworthy, relevant, and much needed — now more than ever. That is why I was thrilled when Creator Rebecca B. Cooper attended the 10-17 Publici-Tea™ Workshop. Today, she reconnected to share some positive comments about the workshop and a good review she earned as a result of following tips shared during the event:
“… I wanted to take the time to thank you for your amazing energy and wealth of information. The HARO tip alone was terrific. I’m responding to at least three media queries a day — and the fact is, there is no way I could reach these bloggers and reporters for a mention in their holiday gift guides any more efficiently. Lisa Reviews already picked us up at this link, and several others are interested…I have all of your information at my fingertips and know that when I get stuck, I can just mine a little deeper. The information was timely, useful, and a godsend to small businesses…I can really feel your sincerity to serve. You’ve doing a great job, and I’m sure all good will come back to you.”
Best regards, Rebecca B. Cooper
Thank you Rebecca. You have made my day.
These kinds of comments warm my heart and reinforce my commitment to inspire other business owners into similar action. Have you registered yet for the November 14 Publici-Tea™ Half-Day Workshop at The Village Bellevue taking place from 12:30 – 5 p.m.? Now is a good time to do exactly that! Here is the link to make it easy to claim your place.
Keep those Publici-Tea™ Graduate Success Stories Coming!
November 3, 2008
Business Success
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2008 is fast coming to a close, and that means it’s time to take stock of what is working and not working in your business. It’s also a timely opportunity to express gratitude to your dream team members who contribute mightily to your success.
To that end, throughout the month of November, I will share public comments about members of my dream team so they can be seen, heard, and celebrated for the contributions their efforts add to my unfolding success. I can say without hesitation that every one of them can lend value to your business if you are inclined to get into action. Action is always the key.
To David Wiseman and Ajit – Thank you for serving as webmaster wizards for my website and blog. You are always responsive, efficient, strategic, and helpful. The technical work you do makes a huge impact on my business and lends ease to my work. Anyone out there needing search engine optimization, web site and blog support, and other related technical services would be well served to invite David and Ajit to their teams. You can email David at david.m.wiseman@gmail.com.
I learned about Suzanne Falter-Barns and her branding work by visiting her site. I subscribed to her Get Known Now ezine for a while and later invested in her Extraordinary Business Builders program. This was among the best investments I’ve made in my business since launching in 2001. Suzanne’s curriculum and coaching helped me get to the essence of my unique selling proposition in a way that I could not have achieved on my own. I can’t say enough about the value of doing this work. It’s not easy work, but it’s well worth the effort. The “Get seen, heard, and celebrated in your own backyard … and beyond” message came to me on Christmas Day 2006, and it’s been serving my business beautifully since then. The creation of this message was a direct result of the work I did with Suzanne. If you need help getting to the magical elements that comprise your unique selling proposition, I can’t say enough about the value of Suzanne’s insights in this regard.
I extend my thanks to Michelle Price for finding the right words to compel me into action to launch and sustain a blog. She and I met while we were both working on the Mental Journey to Millions event that came to Seattle in June of 2007 with Matthew Ferry and Thach Nguyen. That project is subject for a blog post to come in a few days as few media relations projects have impacted me personally as boldly as did this one.
Michelle’s plain talk and her “get it done” attitude made it easy for me to see the value and engage her support to get the mission accomplished. Michelle created my blog — which debuted in September of 2007. She showed me blogging basics and has been a guiding force in keeping my social networking savvy advancing in a very dynamic time. She also was the force to send my do-it-yourself publicity videos into cyberspace. This has been powerful in building my visibility beyond my backyard and inviting new opportunities to speak to new audiences, serve new customers, and be of service in new ways. I’ve received orders for the Authentic Visibility information products from South Africa and Singapore and beyond. I know these orders are a direct result of having bolder visibility on the Internet, thanks to this blog, the do-it-yourself publicity videos, and the other priceless contributions Michelle makes to my efforts. Today, references to me and my expertise today occupy high rankings in the “Google” search for the term “do-it-yourself publicity.” These videos have a lot to do with that. Special thanks to Zita Gustin for inviting me to do an Internet TV interview on her Biz Talk with Zita Show and to Carol Carini of Billabong Television for editing two extended interviews into ten sassy video vignettes that made it easy for Michelle to send my messages into cyberspace. Given the choice to having your video at one site or dozens and dozens of targeted sites, what is better? I am thrilled to have been able to leverage that single Internet TV interview opportunity into something powerful and brand building for my business. If you need similar help, now you know who to call.
I’ll have more compliments to share in the days ahead. In the meantime, think about your own dream team and consider how you can celebrate their contributions and advance their success. I am sure whatever you do will be much appreciated and greater success will flow all the way around for all.
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