August 11, 2009
Business Success
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Have you ever gotten into the well practiced habit of reading your affirmations about what you most want to have happen every day in your life? I am working hard at that, so I am going to be bold and share mine with you. These are the statements I have posted where I can see them every day so I can navigate the ups and downs that are part of living life and doing business:
- I have a positive expectation that good results are in motion for my family, my friends, my clients, and my work.
- I bend and sway with ups and downs, knowing that my efforts are well intended, backed by intelligent and thoughtful action, and will find the right audience to deliver winning results for all.
- I keep my focus and step away from energy bandits, naysayers, and other negative forces with speed and grace.
- I am grateful for abundant advocates who sing my praises and far outnumber the few who don’t.
- I breathe rare air, surround myself with winners, and believe that I belong among them.
- I have hobbies that light me up.
When I have to take my son to the urgent care center to have six stitches sewn into a deep laceration in his foot — as I did last week — or something else unexpected happens, these statements keep me centered.
Of course, I have additional affirmations that are very specific to the results I intend to flow from my DIY publicity training and tools work, too. For example, I believe that 100 or more people will happily register and benefit from each of three upcoming DIY publicity and social networking Publici-Tea™ Express Workshops coming to Seattle Design Center on 9-16, 10-16, and 11-06.
To support that goal, I’ve posted a press release to PRWeb, issued meeting notices via www.fullcalendar.com, posted event information to BizNik.com, posted an article with event dates to the Entrepreneur & Self-Employed Business Journal, sent calendar notices to the Seattle Times and Seattle Business Monthly, and posted the event to Yelp.com. Registrations are coming in. And, I have even more plans in mind to keep the good word spreading to perfect potential event guests.
DIY Publicity Tip for the Day:
Intentions powered by affirmations and deliberate actions deliver worthy results in life and work. What are the affirmations you repeat to yourself every day to keep you on track with your life and business? Please share them here so you can inspire someone to follow your lead. For more on affirmations and products that help you celebrate the big ideas that matter most to you, visit Affirmagy. I have Affirmawraps on every chair and couch throughout my home, and it is a beautiful, inspiring thing. Surround yourself with positive messages backed by action, and you’ll welcome more of the success you seek.
August 10, 2009
Be Heard, Media Savvy 101
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Have you heard the expression, “If the tool you use most often is a hammer, then everything around you looks like a nail?” I’ve been giving a lot of thought to that lately.
So many of my clients want to get seen, heard, and celebrated in traditional print media or online. Some are afraid of radio and TV, and that means I spend far less time pitching stories for broadcast. Still, broadcast can be very powerful for bringing your perspectives, products, ideas, or causes to a much wider audience.
Learning how to pitch to radio stations and be a good radio guest are essential skills for anyone serious about getting seen, heard, and celebrated by the media. With that said, here is a blog post that offers excellent tips to consider when pitching your story to radio stations, and here is another post about how to be an excellent radio guest.
I sourced these tips as a result of following up on a Blogger Link Up inquiry from Bonnie Harris of Wax Marketing. Bonnie made a post to Blogger Link Up in which she offered to guest blog about PR topics, which caused me to check out her site and learn more about how she serves the marketplace. Having read her blog, I know she has value to add to your business.
By the way, if you are seeking a guest blogger for your blog, have books or products seeking reviews, or need experts to add commentary to your blog conversations, Blogger Link Up is a useful, connecting resource. It’s free to join, and the opportunities to achieve any and all of these objectives are abundant.
DIY Publicity Tip for Today: Are you doing much of the same things to pitch your stories and wishing the results would be different? Consider adjusting your story pitch to meet the needs of a radio or television audience. Follow the tips above and see what magic you can manifest to achieve even more visible and far reaching results. In doing so, you trade in your hammer for a megaphone, and what used to be a nail becomes a much wider platform from which to influence potential fans of your work.
August 6, 2009
Media Savvy 101
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I’ve written a fair amount about Help a Reporter Out, ProfNet, and PR Leads. These are media query services that bring media opportunities to your inbox so you can reply and earn attention for your expertise, products, services, perspectives, or cause. I am a big fan of all of these services because a quality pitch very often delivers a quality media result. HARO is a free service. ProfNet and PR Leads are fee services. I am of the mind that the more great opportunities I see, the greater the likelihood that I can earn a bounty of impact for my clients and my own expertise.
Another similar service called PitchRate has been operating for a while, and I have just recently started sifting through those leads to find good opportunities for my clients and my own expertise. Big surprise here, but sifting through all these leads can be a bit overwhelming at times. Though I’ve known about PitchRate for awhile, I haven’t given myself the gift of time to truly investigate it, given all the others leads flowing my way.
The service — like the others noted above – is easy to use. You sign up for free. Then, media queries show up in your inbox. Your task is to scan the leads to find opportunities that are well targeted for how you serve and reply in a compelling way. Just yesterday, I saw a lead that looked good for my expertise. I submitted an article for consideration, and today — Voila! — my article appears on the new Entrepreneur and Self-Employed Business Journal.
Publicity Hound Joan Stewart wrote a good post about PitchRate, and here is the link to make it easy for you to read all about how this service works. The challenge with any of these services is learning to scan the leads quickly and investing time responding only in those opportunities that are a perfect fit for your message. The more clear you are about how you want to be known, the more readily you can identify the perfect leads and use your time wisely to pitch in a winning way to bring your expertise into the spotlight.
DIY Publicity Tips for Today:
- Check out and sign up for PitchRate. You can learn more about it at this link. Then, scan and reply to the right leads to bring your business into the media spotlight.
- Check out the link to learn how to make submissions for your own articles to Entrepreneur and Self-Employed Business Journal.
- If your bio is boring and you’re ready to do something about it, treat yourself to the “Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action eGuide.” If you are pitching yourself as an expert, your bio needs to communicate your expertise in a winning way. It’s just that simple.
- And, if you are planning your professional development activities for the fall, make note to set aside time for one of three Publici-Tea™ Express workshops coming to Seattle Design Center. If you live outside of Seattle, treat yourself to the “Anytime, Anywhere” Publici-Tea™ Digital Download. (The Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action e-Guide in included in this product bundle through August 31!)
I never recommend products or services that I haven’t tested first to make sure they work, nor do I recommend products or workshops that haven’t already met with extraordinary customer and guest satisfaction. That should make it a whole lot easier for you to proceed with confidence as you explore these avenues, knowing that good results will also flow for you, too, once you get into action.
August 5, 2009
Event Promotion
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The Publici-Tea™ Express is coming to Seattle this fall to deliver amazing value for your DIY publicity and social media action and education needs at a price that can’t be beat.
The Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle Design Center, Practical Social Media, and Authentic Visibility are joining together to bring three power-packed morning sessions September 16, October 16, and November 6 from 9:30 a.m. to noon to empower your journey to get seen, heard, and celebrated in your own backyard and beyond through the power and impact of free publicity and social media.
If you are ready and eager to get into action this fall on a budget and connect with 100 like-minded business owners at a fabulous venue over premium Seattle Chocolate Company truffles and Biscot-Tea™ at the beautiful Seattle Design Center, now you can for the high-value, recession-friendly price of just $49.
You can learn more about the “live” events at this link. Anyone who signs up between now and August 31 will receive a bonus audio interview and written transcript of my most recent audio podcast with Action Plan Marketing Guru Robert Middleton as my gift. Middleton said this interview on DIY publicity was one of the best he’s offered this year, and the audio and the transcrip are yours when you register for the upcoming live Publici-Tea™ Express Workshop of your choice before August 31.
And, if those dates and venue aren’t perfect because you live outside of Seattle or prefer to learn without leaving your desk, you can take advantage of the “Anytime, Anywhere” Publici-Tea™ Express Digital Download at this link. It’s the next best thing to being there. All you have to do is add your own chocolate! The review copy of the Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action eGuide — a $39 value — is included in the “Anytime, Anywhere” Publici-Tea™ Digital Download through August 31, 2009.
Either way you proceed, I promise this will be the best $49 you invest in your DIY publicity education, or your money back.
Please Tweet, Re-Tweet, and forward this information to your publicity-seeking friends and come together on one of three upcoming event dates to learn powerful lessons to help your business earn its place in the traditional, online, and social media spotlight. And act quickly to secure your place. At this price, seats will sell fast.
I can’t wait to report here at the DIY Publicity Blog about YOUR pubilcity success. Treat yourself. You’ll be glad that you did! And your business will thank you for it.
August 4, 2009
Personal Branding
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I got a call this afternoon from Publici-Tea™ graduate Wallis Pattisonn, who was preparing her key messages and bio for a fast upcoming radio interview. With an impressive and interesting background, Wallis was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of preparing something brief and compelling that would be perfect to serve the radio station audience.
To ease her pain, I guided her to consider four key elements that comprise the perfect approach to saying “Bye-Bye Boring Bio” and “Hello to a Great Opportunity.”
- Stunning results
- Succinct stories
- Sassy sound bites
- Social information to help your ideal customers connect
Then, I shared a recent example I pulled off on the fly for Publici-Tea™ graduate Bette James Laughrun, who was in the same situation. Less than 30 minutes later, Wallis emailed the bio she wrote herself. It reads well and covers the four key elements.
Wallis Pattisonn delivers an inspiring, engaging and empowering message for those people struggling with debt and trying to make ends meet. As a result of many years of being in debt and struggling with issues around money, Wallis knows what it is like to face the unwelcome phone calls and the knocks on the door. Through the valuable information that has been acquired over more than three decades in the financial Industry, people are inspired to live bold, vibrant and prosperous lives by applying the simple straightforward and effective information she shares on her newly released CD. “Credit Rating Exposed” leads those who want to solve their debt and are inspired to change their lives through simple, straightforward, and effective steps. There are many debt repair specialists in the marketplace — most wanting to get you in the door so they can separate you from your money or what little you have left. Wallis’ CD offers all the information you need to solve your problems. This is not a slick sales tactic to get you to buy more. This information is designed to empower you to help yourself for very little cost. Wallis’s most popular saying is ‘Suffering is optional Choose Wisely.’ Be at the cause of your life, not at the affect of it.
Wallis Pattisonn
Abundant Habits
Learning to Attract Abundance
www.abundanthabits.com
www.wallispattisonn.com
How is your bio reading today? If you were called to do a radio interview tomorrow, would yours be ready, or would you be scrambling to pull something fabulous together on the fly?
Don’t delay. Follow the recipe above to organize your accomplishments in a winning way, and you’ll always be ready for the next inteview that offers you the opportunity to share your message in a one-to-many fashion with impact and efficiency. Then, you can invite more of the right opportunities and more of the abundance you seek in your life and business.
And, if you need some help in the abundance department, perhaps Wallis Pattisonn can show you the way.
August 4, 2009
Business Success
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We all have mentors and others we admire for their success. Given the demands of the economy, many are looking for better ways to navigate to serve the marketplace and make more money.
My tip for today is to ask the person you most admire one of these two questions:
- What are the three top resources they rely upon to learn more about how to do what they do and make more money in the process?
- What three business books have had the most influence on their success and why?
One of the people I most admire in the DIY publicity arena is Publicity Hound Joan Stewart. When I asked her the first question via email, among the resources she recommended in return was StomperNet.com. StomperNet is a company that teaches how to apply article writing, blogging, social media, copy writing, link building, getting paid traffic, and ecommerce store building to be of more service and make more money.
I visited the site and downloaded a free report called “Formula Five: MBA in a Box.” It’s really a meaty, high-value, 96-page resource with actionable tips and strategies to help businesses accomplish exactly what is promised. Run, don’t walk, to www.StoperF5.com and www.StomperBlog.com to learn more and benefit. Thanks Joan for the recommendation!
Another person I admire recommended “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen MR Covey as a “must read.” It is. In fact, you can access the following high-value resources, just by sending an email to info@speedoftrust.com.
- Online survey to assess the level of trust colleagues, friends, and others have in you
- Complimentary analysis of your personal credibility
- Free audio discussion on why high trust is the critical career skill in the new global economy
- Free audio discussion on whether this content works with teenagers
- Test on whether you practice the 13 behaviors or their more common counterfeits
- Free executive briefing on how to measure trust and its impact on your organization, along with a sample Organizational Trust Audit
- Qualification for a free 20-minute one-on-one discussion of your organization’s specific situation by a senior CoveyLink consultant
Credibility plays a powerful part in the success any of us can earn, no matter how we play in the marketplace.
So there you have it. Two powerful resources I am passing along to you, thanks to the recommendations of successful people whose input has credibility with me. What powerful resources can you recommend to empower the success of those who read this blog? Please share!
August 3, 2009
PR in Action
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The Seattle region has been experiencing a powerful heat wave, and temperatures have escalated to the 100′s for days at a time. Hats off to local companies that found ways to earn media attention for helping others beat the heat.
- Castle Ice in Renton, WA offered a free skate from noon – 3 p.m. to those seeking relief from the heat with skate rentals just $3. That message carried over the 5 p.m. news on KOMO TV 4, no doubt offering a perfect solution for overheated families to cool down on the cheap.
- The Bellevue Club offered a member special of an air conditioned hotel stay for $109 per night and sent the message to members via email. Is it any wonder the hotel was quickly sold out since temperatures in the parking lot just about reached 109 degrees last week?
- Community libraries were in the TV news in a big way most of last week as citizens looked for cool places to escape the heat.
DIY Publicity Tip: When temperatures escalate, see what special offers you can extend to your customers and the community to bring your own special offers and amenities into the media spotlight. Send news alerts to the assignment desks at your local television news stations and emails to your best customers to offer a solution to the problem at hand, while bringing more of the right people to your doors to benefit. No doubt, people will be re-telling their stories about how they coped during this heat wave for years to come, and the good folks at Castle Ice, the Bellevue Club, and the community libraries will be well remembered for doing their part to make a tough time easier for many.
August 2, 2009
Seattle Chocolate Company
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Seattle Chocolate Company CEO Jean Thompson with Seattle Sounders Bars
Seattle Chocolate Company Owner and CEO Jean Thompson looks fabulous wrapped in a Seattle Sounders scarf as she shows off her company’s new chocolate bars that highlight a new licencing agreement with the hottest soccer team on Earth in this front page business story in the Puget Sound Business Journal. The photo was taken by Stephen Brashear.
This newspaper has an ongoing series called “Counter Currents” that shines a light on companies that are doing well despite the challenging economic circumstances. Thompson saw opportunity to bring custom label chocolate bars to the fans of the Seattle Sounders and acted upon her inspiration, resulting in a big splash among soccer fans in the stadium and this weekly business journal that reaches thousands of business decision makers every week. An even bolder marketplace impact will result as distribution for these delicious, fabulously packaged bars extends beyond Qwest Field.
DIY Publicity Tip: Is your business doing well, despite the demands of the current economy? What actions have you taken to bring about these results? And what lessons have you learned from which others can profit? Put your story together for the business journal reporter in your trading area and see what media magic you can manifest for your delicious news.
August 2, 2009
PR Success Stories
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The Bellevue Reporter — my community newspaper — shines a light on my business in this story link.
If you are wondering how I made this happen, check out the email story pitch I sent to Reporter Lindsay Larin to invite her interest. I followed up with a phone call, the interview was scheduled, and now the story is reaching all of my Bellevue neighbors in perfect timing to support their DIY publicity success.
Hi Lindsay,
As a resident of Bellevue and a regular reader of the Bellevue Reporter, I am connecting with you today to share a story that locals may find useful and of timely interest, especially since the economy is giving so many people a run for the money right now.
No matter what we are doing to make our ways in the world — running a business, working for others, freelancing, or contributing in some other important way — everyone needs a bio that makes them fun, memorable, and magnetic so more of the right opportunities can come their way. The fact is that most people struggle with the idea of self promotion. Many suffer from humility disease. Whether people intend to seek out free publicity or just connect with people in a winning way in person or online via the social networks, they need a great way to share their stories so the right people will listen.
The good news is that I have just created the “Bye-Bye Boring Bio Action eGuide” that helps people get this done with speed, ease, and impact. I would be honored if you would see fit to review this guide for the readers of the Bellevue Reporter and/or consider doing an interview that would address some of the most essential elements that any bio should include to attract more of the right opportunities to their door.
The recipe that works so well for getting this mission accomplished includes the following ingredients: stunning results, succinct stories, sassy sound bites, and social information to help ideal clients connect with you. You can watch a fun video of me broadcasting from the backyard deck of my Somerset home at www.byebyeboringbio.com as I speak about this new tool. I was fortunate to be featured in a July 2007 issue of the Bellevue Reporter in connection with the Authentic Visibility Publicity Toolkit I created to empower business owners to earn their own publicity without spending a fortune. A photographer from the Bellevue Reporter came to meet me in my Bellevue backyard to talk about the toolkit.
I have found a way to be of service to my own neighbors and beyond from the comforts of a home office, and the view from here inspires me to create even more ways to be of service. People are raving about how I help them.
Please let me know if you are game to review this new tool that debuted quietly last week and is selling briskly from the online shopping cart at my DIY Publicity Blog at www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com. I’ll be happy to send the PDF file your way and offer sassy sound bites to make for a compelling interview to delight and inform your readers. Thank you for your consideration. I will follow up with you by phone in a few days, unless I hear from you first! Thank you for your time and consideration.
Nancy Juetten, www.twitter.com/nancyjuetten
DIY Publicity Tip: If you ask for what you want, you often get what you ask for. I wanted a story in my community newspaper to bring attention to the ways I support my neighbors’ business success. I asked for what I wanted and made the information relevant to the readers. A story resulted.
What do YOU want to have happen for your business and how you contribute to the marketplace? Where is the best media placement to share that story? And are you ready to ask for what you want so you can achieve the awareness you are after?
When you are ready to get into action, study this story pitch and present your own story to the right reporter at your community newspaper in a way that will invite attention to your product, cause, service, or idea, while serving the readers. Great results await.
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