Are You a Woman of influence in Tacoma? Apply for This Award by July 11, 2008

Did you know that the Business Examiner, a South Sound newspaper, is seeking nominees for its 2008 Women of Influence Awards? This award program recognizes outstanding women leaders in the South Sound. A panel of judges comprised of past honorees will review nominee information and select a group that has made the greatest impact in business, industry, and the communities. Nominations are due July 11, 2008, and you can complete the application online at this link. Recognition programs such as this one are great vehicles to earn media recognition for your winning ways. If you live and work in the South South and meet the criteria, put your hat in the ring.

Speaking of women in business in Tacoma, have you read South Sound Woman magazine? This magazine is dedicated to women who make the South Sound their home and enjoys circulation of 15,000 readers — and growing. The magazine enjoys very loyal readership among its readers, and the magazine wants to know about organizations or people who are making a difference in the community. If you’ve got a story to tell, connect by email at info@southsoundwoman.com. You can also nominate a South South woman to be considered for the magazine’s “Down to Business” feature, which profiles women in the South Sound. Send an email to publisher@catalystpublishing.com to earn consideration for such a profile.

I’ll be highlighting South Sound media tips and information as the August 15 Publici-Tea™ date for my first Tacoma event draws near. Stay tuned to learn more about how to earn the “ink” in the Sound Sound.

Are You a Woman of Influence or Know Someone Who Is? The Puget Sound Business Journal Wants to Hear from You!

I am a huge fan of media-supported recognition programs as powerful vehicles to bring a winning business and its owner into the media spotlight. The Puget Sound Business Journal is looking for 20 Women of Influence to celebrate at its gala recognition event taking place November 20 at the Fairmount Olympic Hotel.

A Woman of Influence clearly possesses the authority and power to move the needle in business and on behalf of the community. At the same time, she should know that her position is not one she can use simply for her own good, but also for the good of her company, its employees, the community and other women striving to sit behind her desk someday.

If you are such a Woman of Influence or know someone who is, here is the link to the nomination form. Nominations are due by August 22, 2008.

I’ve nominated plenty of fabulous women for this list in prior years, and many of my candidates have earned places on this prestigious list. Among them include Alice Cunningham, co-owner of Olympic Hot Tub Company; Mimi Kirsch, founder of Paradigm Communications; and Carol Nelson, CEO and president of Cascade Bank. Everyone has considered it a tremendous honor and a grand occasion to connect with other equally inspiring women. The media coverage is pretty wonderful, too.

Self nominations are encouraged, so leave your humility at the door and put your hat in the ring. No one ever regrets being named to this list. And, if you have any doubt in your mind, remember this powerful quote from none other than Oprah Winfrey herself, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” The Women of Influence event is an occasion worthy of celebration. And if you are among the women to be celebrated, all the better!

No One Ever Regrets Being Named to the 40 Under 40 List. Do You Qualify?

Getting seen, heard, and celebrated for your winning ways can be fabulous for your business, and the experience of winning is priceless for your personal brand and reputation. Winning awards and recognition is one of the most powerful ways to deploy the power of do-it-yourself publicity to your buzz building advantage, and I am sharing an opportunity in this blog post that I want you to jump on before June 6.

If you are under 40 years of age, take note. The Puget Sound Business Journal is seeking executives and business owners who excel in their industry, show dynamic leadership in their business and their community, and have the magic to perform at the top of their game now and lead for years to come. Honorees are profiled in a special section within the newspaper, and there is a fabulous networking event to which every worthy member of the list is invited to connect, build new relationships, and set the stage for even better things ahead.

If you want to learn more and nominate yourself or someone you know who qualifies, here is the link to make it easy to learn more. June 6 is the nomination deadline, and June 16 is the application deadline. If you are game to apply, be sure to check out this article for useful and proven tips to help you prepare an application that has all the good stuff to get you to the winner’s circle.

And, if you need a guiding hand from an expert to refine and upgrade your application, consider renting my PR brain by the hour to get the help you need. I have a proven track record helping top local executives earn places on this list. Among them include Dave Caple, president and CEO of ABODA, David Cox, general manager for Graebel, and Marc Galvagno, president of Air Van Lines, Inc, among others. Each client to a person loved the experience, the recognition, and the opportunities that continue to flow as a result of the stellar new connections made.

Once you win, you will forever be remembered and honored as one of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. No one ever regrets being named to the list. Don’t sit on the sidelines and read about other executives under 40 who aren’t nearly as remarkable as you. Believe it or not, the years pass quickly, and you won’t be under 40 forever. What are you waiting for? Apply today! Great rewards are waiting.

Affirmagy Founder Kristen Marie Schuerlein is a 2008 “Make Mine a Million” Finalist

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Kristen Marie Schuerlein, founder of Affirmagy, for being chosen as a finalist in the 2008 “Make Mine a Million” competition. Now, she gets a chance to make her pitch to influential judges who can lend support to catapult her amazing company to even higher levels of fabulous. The big event takes place on June 11, and I can’t wait to cheer her on. Register at this link to join in what promises to be an inspiring and exciting day. My hat is off to Kristen to recognizing a fabulous opportunity, preparing a detailed, thorough, and compelling application, and earning “finalist” status. I just wish I could have been in the room when she received her congratulatory call this morning. It would have been pure bliss to share in that joyful moment. As it turned out, she called me at 11:30 a.m. today, and I think my happy scream could be heard across three counties! Kristen often says that you can design a life you can love, and she is proof positive of that. And, she’s created a product line of inspiring affirmation blankets that are encouraging others to do the same. When I dream big for Kristen, I see her affirmation blankets wrapping first class passengers on international flights with love, abundance, and inspiration for sweet dreams and safe travels. I see major medical and cancer centers across the nation wrapping their patients in courage and strength. I even can see guests of future “Make Mine a Million” events wrapping themselves in “Make Mine a Million” affirmation blankets from none other than Affirmagy. We all know that there are far too few women business owners earning their place in the Million Dollar Revenue club. Maybe — with some inspiration from “Make Mine a Million” 2008 finalist Kristen Marie Schuerlein, women everywhere can be inspired to reach higher as they design lives and businesses they can love. Here’s to unlimited possibilities for those with the courage to dream big, tell their stories in authentic, winning ways, and stand in their own brilliant light.  It’s all good.

Gotta Love Award Competitions for Shining a Light on Your Winning Ways

The five finalists for the Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards for the Women Business Owners were named this week, and I am delighted that one of the finalists is my client — Jean Thompson, CEO and owner of Seattle Chocolate Company. The other worthy finalists include Kristen Betty, KBA Inc.; Lee Rhodes, Glassbaby; Karen Say, Saybr Contractors, Inc.; and Tamara Wilson, Tamara Wilson PR. Congratulations to all the finalists.

Being named a finalist is a big deal because it opens the doors to wonderful local publicity opportunities to showcase each candidate’s winning ways. Prior Nellie finalists and winners have been highlighted on the cover of Seattle Woman magazine and featured prominently within the pages of other top local business journals and magazines. The recognition that flows from the power of publicity brings into focus each candidate’s business achievements and contributions to community — not to mention her idea, products, and services.

If you would like to be seen, heard, and celebrated for your winning ways in business, consider the local business award opportunities that exist in your backyard. Then, apply to earn consideration. When you win, your accomplishments can be seen, heard, and celebrated far beyond your hometown and serve to invite even more opportunities your way.

And, if you’d like to read an article that offers useful tips to make your application a winner, check out this link so you every step you take in this regard will get you closer to the winner’s circle.

Speaking of which, who do you think will be eliminated on American Idol tonight? I am guessing Syesha is on her way home, but time will tell. Share your thoughts about awards, American Idol, or whatever do-it-yourself publicity topic that is on your mind! I’d be thrilled to hear from you and celebrate your comments on this blog.

You Don’t Have to be Helio or Julianne to Make Your Award Wins Pay Off

“Dancing with the Stars” is a reality TV program that captured America’s imagination — and the viewing habits of a toe-tapping nation. Helio and Julianne danced their way into viewers’ hearts as they won the “Dancing with the Stars” trophy on Tuesday night. It is no wonder that every morning talk show the day after the big win talked about their performance, interviewed them for their show, or asked them dance for their viewers. No doubt, fabulous new opportunities to perform and benefit will soon unfold for the winners. That’s what happens with big prize wins. One good thing often leads to another.

It’s not just media darlings like Helio and Julianne who can benefit from award wins. Business owners with winning ways of their own can benefit, too, provided they use the power of publicity to share their stories.

One of the biggest mistakes award winners make is forgetting to tell decision makers who influence buying decisions about their winning ways. There you are, in a large group of award winners in your own industry, and you never get around to telling the people who can buy your services about the latest award you won or recognition you received from your industry. Humility, fear of not knowing what to do, or lack of time are some of the reasons for that. I invite you to get over all three of these objections right away, and I can help you with that with today’s audio file which talks about how to make your award wins pay off. Read the rest…

Article on Award Wins Delivers Speaking Engagement and More

I often say that one good thing leads to another, and here is another example of that.

About three years ago, I wrote an article for a local trade journal called Marketing. The title was, “Winners Get More Than Trophies,” and it went into detail about the business and buzz building advantages of entering and winning award contests that are well supported by the media. Yesterday, I received an email from Dan Lane who said he read the column a couple of years ago, liked it, kept it, and wanted to have me speak about it at a November 28 gala event to celebrate award winners for the local chapter of the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen (IAPCH).

On November 28, I’ll address the audience about the publicity impact to be enjoyed for winning industry awards. And, Dan has decided to share the Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Tips Booklets with every event guest as a parting gift. I am thrilled with invitation and the opportunity. One good thing does lead to another.

If you’d like to read that article about award wins, here is a link: http://www.nsjmktg.com/pdfs/award-wins-can-help-build.pdf

If you’d like to offer Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Tips Booklets to your event guests or share them with your small business customers, here is a link to learn about quantity discounts: http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/tips-booklets/tips-booklets-customized-orders

These tips booklets can be customized with your logo on the cover and your brand promises and contact information inside. What a great way to support the success of your clients and keep your name and contact information center stage all year long as recipients benefit from the useful do-it-yourself publicity information inside!

Free Publicity Flows to Cascade Bank and Highline Medical Center as a Result of Award Wins

Carol K. Nelson is the president and CEO of Cascade Bank, and she is among the 25 most powerful women in banking according to US Banker magazine. Mark Benedum is CEO of Highline Medical Center, which recently earned a Premier Quality Award for its hip and knee replacement procedures. Both CEO’s have earned positive publicity in prestigious business and trade magazines as a result of their winning ways, and it is a beautiful thing.

Visit www.usbanker.com and view the October cover story and Nelson’s profile as the 15th most powerful women in banking today.

Visit this link to read the November issue of Washington CEO magazine to read more about the national quality award for Highline.

In both cases, the clients are committed to excellence and have seen fit to seek out recognition opportunities that are well supported by the local and trade media to highlight their winning ways. As a result, their messages about excellence are spreading far and wide. That is good news for shareholders, customers, patients, and everyone associated with each organization. Read the rest…

What a Great Night to be Recognized

Last night was the big Nellie Cashman/Member of the Year banquet to honor women business owners. I had two minutes to tell my story to 300 people in attendance, and the warm reception I received from the audience was a powerful cue that my message was on target.

I am going to tell you a little story about love, the power of intention, the law of attraction, and the happily ever after now in progress. Read the rest…

Have You Signed Up for the Teleseminar on October 16? Plus, a Quick Note About Awards Events

There is still time to sign up for the October 16 teleseminar at 5 p.m. with Small Business Marketing Expert Stacy Karacostas. During this one-hour teleseminar, I’ll interview Stacy as she sheds light on these powerful ideas:

How to use marketing as your salesperson, so you don’t have to do the sales job yourself (if you hate sales or selling, you don’t want to miss this!).

Three things every piece of marketing must do to get people to pick up the phone, walk in the door, or pull out their credit card and hand it to you!

How to make sure you get amazing results from your marketing—without breaking your budget.

Four of the most common marketing mistakes that are guaranteed to cost you money—and sales.

The #1 thing every entrepreneur MUST do if they really want their marketing to work.

The answers to YOUR most pressing marketing questions!

Just click on this link to register, and you’ll be good to go:

http://www.success-stream.com/teleseminar-registration.htm.

And, wish me luck tonight. I am a finalist in the WBO Member of the Year competition. The gala event takes place tonight at the Seattle Westin. You can read more about the event at this link:

http://www.womenbusinessowners.org/doc/nelliecashman.htm

I always tell my clients that one of the best ways to get known is to enter awards contests that are well supported by the media, and I’ve been taking my own advice.

The WBO Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year competition is in its 26th year. The finalists tend to run million dollar enterprises and don’t tend to be active members of the organization. This year, the organization added a Member of the Year category to honor the women who are running successful businesses, giving back to the community, and contributing to the organization for at least five years. There has been some press coverage about the award competition in Seattle Woman Magazine and the Bellevue Reporter. As a result, I have gotten plenty of emails, cards, and telephone calls of congratulations and a number of inquiries about my products and services. It’s all good. I’ll report back tomorrow about the results.

And I hope to hear from you that the teleseminar on October 16 is on your agenda. Stacy is great, and we’ll have a great time sharing great ideas to propel your business forward.