Santa Paws Photos to Benefit the Humane Society - a Timely Holiday PR Hook

Have you heard that song on the radio about the Christmas shoes? A little boy is in line to buy a pair of shoes for his mom, who might be on her way to heaven tonight. He doesn’t have enough money to pay, so the fellow beside him in line steps forward to help him out so he can buy the Christmas shoes. The holiday season is here at last if it’s time for that song about the Christmas shoes. It brings me to tears every time.

I bring this up because now is the time that the media looks for heart-warming stories that delight and inspire — and even bring more people to tears or grins. What are you doing this holiday season to make the world better for another? Are your holiday windows providing a glittering gift to window shoppers who dare to venture downtown just in time for Black Friday? Are you giving to charity in a way that inspires? And are you helping animals find new homes? Now is the time to alert the media about photo opportunities, giving opportunities, and other ways people and businesses are contributing to a merry and bright holiday. Doing so could earn you free publicity for your winning ways.

Speaking of which, Alice Cunningham, co-owner of Olympic Hot Tub Company, was honored as a Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2006. Earlier this month, a reunion of honorees was held at a fine local hotel. Alice and fellow honoree Kaycee W. Krysty, president and CEO of Laird Norton Tyee — who is also a tireless advocate and board member for the Humane Society of Seattle/King County — chatted about a variety of things over cocktails.

It turns out that the Humane Society was looking for venues for its Max Mobile to park during the holiday season to make it easy for pets (and the people who love them) to sit for photos with Santa — with proceeds to benefit the local chapter. Alice, whose company is famous for making it easy to take it easy, offered the parking lot for her Issaquah Olympic Hot Tub showroom as a venue to make it easy for pets to smile pretty for the camera. Within a few weeks, all the details were worked out, proving once again that amazing things can happen when you connect with people authentically about things that matter and ask for the help you need.

On December 1 - 2 from 11 - 3 p.m. Puget Sound area pet owners can visit the Issaquah parking lot of Olympic Hot Tub Company and pose for photos with Santa with their beloved pets. If you live in the area and would like to participate, here is the link to the Issaquah showroom. Of course, we’ll be alerting the media to the photo opportunity. Since more people in Seattle have pets than children, this event could deliver meaningful contributions to the Humane Society, along with new store visitors for Olympic Hot Tub Company. I hope to see you there with my golden retriever Shadow!

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!

eWomenNetwork Event Guest Puts PR Tips to Work to Earn the Ink

I got a lovely email from Kathy Hope, president of Hope Fitness Center, today. She attended a meeting of eWomenNetwork during which Executive Managing Director Zita Gustin and I talked about the power of reaching out one-to-one via networking and one-to-many via publicity. Here is what she wrote:

“I just wanted to let you both know much of what you said at that meeting stuck in my head. I had written an article for a local paper in the past, but felt I wasn’t qualified to write too much because I am not a personal fitness trainer and my trainers would not help me. Well, again I was asked by another paper, this time the Mukilteo Journal’s owner Greg Harris, and he really encouraged me to give him 500 words on the topic “Why a Personal Trainer.” I had one hour before I had to be home and leave on a trip…but I did it and it was published in the November 2007 edition of the Mukilteo Journal. This is to thank you again for your words, and let you know how much they were appreciated. Looking for the next opportunity!

Kathy Hope, President, HOPE Fitness Center, Inc.

I say, “Great job Kathy!”

As you have found, no doubt, in your work as a personal trainer, action speaks louder than words. You got into action. You earned the ink. Now, let the rewards flow to you by way of new client engagements and new opportunities to be of service. By the way, now is a perfect time to be pitching stories about fitness and health as people anticipate a healthy New Year. What are your plans in the regard, and how quickly can you get into action?

Keep me posted on your success!

Serious about Free Publicity? Two Work-in-the-Trenches Publicists Share Proven Tips

What a treat to chat with Michelle Tennant, one of the co-founders of Wasabi Publicity, about common media relations mis-steps and other nitty gritty tactics and details to support the quest for free publicity. She and I connected on Halloween night and talked about a lot of direct-from-the-media-trenches tricks and tips from which anyone serious about earning her own free publicity can benefit. Tune in at www.publicityresults.com, and visit the PR Shop on the left hand side of the navigation to listen. No charge. That’s a treat, too!

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…

Doing Business and Doing Good - Here’s a Media Lead You’ll Love

I subscribe to Joan Stewart’s Publicity Hound ezine, and I recommend that you do, too. Joan always has great tips and resources to share to empower your quest for free publicity. While visiting her blog this week, I found a post about a new feature called Doing Business and Doing Good that JJ Ramberg is writing for Entrepreneur magazine. Visit www.publicityhound.net and read the 10-21-07 post entitled, “Entrepreneur columnist focuses on do-gooders.” All the contact information is included to make it easy for you to make your pitch.

Speaking of which, I took the opportunity to submit a pitch on behalf of Affirmagy, which is working around the clock to fill orders for its book/blanket bundles that include fleece Courage blankets that are covered with affirmations, along with the Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Soul books. Founder Kristen Marie Schuerlein intends for the blanket/book bundle to raise $400,000 for breast cancer research this month. The “Pay It Forward” component of this program makes it easy for you to donate bundles to women you have never met who are facing breast cancer treatment. As I quipped to Kristen the other day, I am grateful to have two breasts, especially since I had surgery a few years ago for abnormal cells. That is another reason I was even happier to “Pay It Forward” with two bundles I donated to women I’ve never met. Think about it, and get into action. Visit www.affirmagy.com to place your order today, and spread the word about this inspired business woman who is definitely doing business and doing good. It’s a beautiful thing.

Powerful DIY Publicity Success Story

Check out this powerful DIY publicity success story shared by one of the guests who attended my presentation last week at the Columbia Tower Club:

“On October 10th I listened to Nancy Juetten’s talk on do-it-yourself publicity. She related the story of how she started writing a column for the Snohomish County Business Journal on publicity and marketing. Getting to show her expertise, build her credentials, and practice her PR skills.With that foundation, she went on to write for the Puget Sound Business Journal, a larger business journal based in Seattle.

As the bizdev guy for my company, I want more exposure as an internet marketing expert, and for our team of internet marketing experts. So I contacted the editor of the Snohomish County Business Journal this morning, he called back, and my first column will likely be in December.

I waited nine days before acting on Nancy’s advice, but then it took about three hours between first contact and the editor agreeing that a column would be a good idea.

I didn’t read Nancy’s “Media-Savvy-to-Go Publicity Toolkit” but I guess now maybe I should… I’ll be holding out for a signed copy. You can buy the online version or read her sales letter. Thanks Nancy, look forward to talking with you more!

PS Nancy’s # is 425-641-5214.

http://allforyou.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/nancy-juettens-advice-works/

If you are enjoying do-it-yourself publicity success based on the tips and suggestions I offer at my public events or via my Media-Savvy-to-Go information products, share your story here. It will be my pleasure to help spread the word about your DIY publicity success!

My Day Office Earns Cable TV Coverage, Thanks to Media-Savvy-to-Go Tips

I received a fabulous telephone message last Friday night. Shauna Brennan, the founder of My Day Office, called to thank me again for providing media savvy tips that are supporting the launch of her new business. As a result of following those tips, Shauna created a press release and issued it to the local media. The result? Northwest Cable News did a 7:48 p.m. TV feature about her new business, bringing her offering to the awareness of news viewers on a Friday night multiple times across several TV news broadcasts that evening.

The first press release she wrote resulted in a front story business feature in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Here is the link:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/323777_officespace16.html

The second press release she wrote delivered TV coverage. Now, her grand opening party is scheduled for October 17, and hopes are high for a great showing of support and many more opportunities to be of service. Great “ink and air” are waiting for those who get into action.

If you are curious about those sassy tips that have helped Shauna Brennan earn both “ink and air,” I invite you to visit this link to learn more: http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/tips-booklets.

Shauna earned TV coverage and a front page business feature in exchange for her $10 investment. Seems like a pretty good deal to me, and I know Shauna couldn’t agree more.

A Couple Of Media Connections Later, Doug Converse is En Route to Building a Hospital Wing for a Fallen Friend

I met Doug Converse at the Mental Journey to Millions Reunion event on September 8, 2007. He shared his commitment to help build a hospital in Haiti to honor the life of his best friend, Dr. Rich Tucker, who died tragically before he could complete his missionary work there.

Douglas wasn’t sure how to give his dream wings to fly, so I started chatting about potential media opportunities. Doug said Dr. Tucker was a very prominent and beloved citizen in the Wenatchee, Washington community. I suggested he visit the online archives at The Wenatchee World and search for stories that had already been written about his fallen friend. And, I suggested he get in touch with the reporter who last wrote about him to share his intentions. Doug called me just the other day to report that he did exactly as I suggested, and the reporter was planning to meet with to write a story for the newspaper. I also helped Doug get in touch with Paul Casey, who hosts a radio program called Small Business Innovators on 1150 a.m. Alternative Talk Radio. Doug followed up with Paul, told him his intentions, and Paul interviewed him on the spot.

That chance meeting between me and Doug on a Saturday afternoon gave Doug the access to the storytellers who could bring his intentions to life. The good news is that his story will soon take flight with the aid and reach of the Wenatchee World and the Small Business Innovators Radio Show. That will mean the world to Doug as real work begins on building that hospital wing in Dr. Rich Tucker’s honor another world away.

If you would like to contribute to Doug’s quest to build this hospital in Dr. Tucker’s name, get in touch with him at dcmagic@comcast.net.

Who are You Going to Call to Launch YOUR Blog?

Michelle Price of www.athirdmind.com has been a tremendous resource in launching my presence in the blogosphere, and I am so grateful for her expertise. I know many others are giving serious thought to launching a blog, yet unclear about where to start.

From my perspective, the first step is to connect with an expert who can get the job done while serving your interests in a winning way. Michelle is that person for me. Literally dozens of people have told me over the last couple of years that I needed to launch a blog. It wasn’t until Michelle took a genuine interest and explained how it would serve me that I felt compelled to make the leap.

Michelle believes that the Internet is the Law of Attraction in action. “When you find what you want based on the right words, it is very powerful. As you refine your search words, you get better and better information. The World Wide Web is a place where you can activate the Law of Attraction in a specific way to bring you the people you most want to work with.”

That is a big idea. How many times have you lamented that you just want more of the right clients to show up? The blog helps ease that pain. As you show up in an authentic way via your blog posts, you immediately attract more of the right people and have more opportunities to do more of what you love. In the first 20 days, my blog traffic has surpassed the traffic at my traditional website, and that site has been “live” since March of 2005!

Michelle offers many qualities that making working with her a pleasure. She is strategic. She loves to maximize things that are already working. She has fabulous ideas. Michelle relates to people in an extraordinary, genuine way. And, once goals for a project are established, she gets into action to create winning results.

Michelle believes that a blog gives you traction in the marketplace and leverages what you are in the world. She wants to work with women who have developed products or those who are action oriented and ready to go. Nothing makes her happier than to illuminate a strength and take an an expert and find what makes them most marketable. She says, “I have an uncanny ability that people can’t see themselves. I get such a kick out of doing it. I love working with authors and information product creators. Books should be worth thousands of dollars for the impact they have. These products have the potential to change lives. I operate naturally in a mode of contribution to others.”

Michelle is now co-blogging with Michelle Anton at the Weekend Entrepreneur blog and will be expanding the conversation to include information product creators. You’ll want to visit today and often to get to know her fabulous point of view. Here is a link to make it easy: http://weekend.entrepreneur.com/2007/09/12/barack-obama-linkedin-my-friend/.

She has – and continues to be — a powerful force in advancing my success, and I am so grateful. If you’d like to learn more, visit www.athirdmind.com. And, when you launch your own blog, tell me where I can find it and how Michelle made the difference!