Bye-Bye Boring Bio Author Nancy Juetten Shares “Expert Status Readiness Reality Check” to Guide Solopreneurs, Authors, and Experts to Prepare and Share Their Stories to Welcome Success in the New Year
(December 21, 2010 – Bellevue, WA) — With 27 million people doing business in Free Agent Nation, many solopreneurs want to get known as experts. Do-It-Yourself Publicity Expert and Bye-Bye Boring Bio Author Nancy Juetten says many are just not prepared for their moment in the spotlight. As a result, they suffer lost opportunities to attract clients, speaking gigs, and media interviews.
“The gap between what aspiring experts want and their readiness to step up, stand out and shine in their own light is a huge hurdle that stands between opportunity and prosperity,” Juetten says. To ease that pain, today Juetten shares eight questions to ask and answer to find out how ready they are to welcome expert status. She also offers the GIFT of a virtual workshop to guide aspiring experts to learn even more, provided they visit www.publicitea.com in time for Christmas.
My head shot looks great and looks like my current reflection in the mirror. Read the rest…
In September, Bernice Bright Dickey signed up for an Extreme Bio Makeover, and by the time the ink was dry on the new bio, a targeted pitch was on its way to the faith/values editor at the Houston Chronicle to invite a feature story. The pitch was right on target, and Bernice’s story is now being told. Check it out at this link.
Here is the pitch I sent, which enlisted a reply within minutes. This pitch showcases how useful it can be to have your bio and relevant prior media coverage embedded within the text of an email to make it easy for the reporter to decide to proceed. Notice that the pitch makes clear why Bernice’s story is timely, useful, relevant, compelling and local? This is always a winning recipe.
The lessons here are simple. First prepare your story. Then share your story. It’s just that simple. And it works.
Hi Diane,
Since you write about health for the Houston Chronicle, I am connecting with you to share a compelling story about emotional healing that seems especially timely, given that our nation is preparing the honor the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedies and the people of the Gulf Coast continue to heal in the aftermath of the losses suffered at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. This is a story about a local woman who has traveled a remarkable journey of emotional healing to triumph over great personal tragedy and commit her life to guiding others to do the same.
Bernice Bright Dickey, a resident of Sugarland, Texas, has a powerful message to share about rising up to achieve what is possible in the face of profound personal loss. You may remember reading about a tragic car accident within the pages of the Houston Chronicle in January of 2002.
Her husband Kevin and 10-year-old daughter Naomi were killed when their car and a train collided, and baby Miriam was the only one to survive the accident before the car exploded in a sea of flames. Bernice, in one moment, went from wife and mother to widow and single mother. What makes Bernice’s story especially compelling is that this accident was the second accident to claim members of her immediate family. Her parents were taken from her as a result of an auto accident that took place 11 years prior.
Today, Bernice has emerged from her despair to write a book and become a minister of healing to others who are in some process of grieving profound loss. Bernice is a licensed minister of the Gospel at Kainos Community Church in Katy, TX. At Kainos she is a Rhema Minister, bible study teacher, and teacher trainer for all bible study teachers. She is fiercely committed to guiding the bereaved and broken-hearted to achieve reconciliation of their profound losses and closure in reconciling past hurts so they can move forward with perspective and feel gratitude for the lives they must be fully present to lead.
As Bernice shares her journey from despair to possibility, she guides others to:
Get unstuck in their grieving process
Gift themselves and others the treasure of forgiveness
Release bitterness and anger to open the door for grace
Tame depression
Rise up and be resilient, knowing that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger
Look forward to the rest of their lives with gratitude and belief that the best is still yet to come
Diane, don’t you agree that these messages seem especially timely and relevant and quite compelling to share with the readers? My sense is that the readers would be inspired to learn how Bernice overcame the tragedies and losses of her own family members to rise up to guide others to do the same. Here is a link to make it easy for you to learn more about Bernice and her book, entitled “My #1 is Still My #1″
I would be happy to arrange a convenient time for you to talk with Bernice and learn more about her story as a means to inform and inspire your readers at a time when her message can guide and heal in perfect timing. I will follow up with you by phone in a few days to check your interest in this story, unless I hear from you first.
Sincerely,
Nancy Juetten
If you are ready for action, you know where to find me and engage me to help so you can get seen, heard, and celebrated — just like Bernice.
When you have a good story to share, ask yourself if the clubs to which you belong or the alumni association where you attended school would be interested. Then, make your pitch.
In my case, I am a member of The Bellevue Club, which publishes its own glossy magazine for members. I am also a graduate of California State University Northridge, where I worked in the office of career planning services to earn money to pay my tuition.
I got in touch to make my pitch to both organizations, and both said YES to telling my story. Better yet, the university is evaluating a review copy of Bye-Bye Boring Bio as a book to place on the career library shelves at the office where I once worked. I can’t wait to find out what happens on that score.
Here is the link to the November issue of Reflections Magazine, which features a wonderful story about my company and how it serves small business owners with their storytelling. To be honest, this is one of the best stories that has been written to date about what I do. I couldn’t be more pleased.
Now, I’ll make sure to make color copies of this story to share at my speaking engagements, include in press kits I send to the media, and consider others ways to leverage this favorable storytelling to extend the reach of my message so I can invite new opportunities to be of service. I may even put this article in a frame and hang it in my office. That is just how happy I am with this story.
Remember, press coverage is only as valuable as how you leverage it to make a bigger impact. Leverage is always the key, along with getting into action in the first place to seek the coverage that can be so influential in carrying your message far and wide.
Earlier this year, Pam Perry invited me to talk about how to kick those boring bios to the curb with her community of 10,000 or more followers. Quite a few people listened in and enjoyed the session.
One of them was David Mathison, who is the creator of the Blockbuster Online Success system. As a direct result of hearing me share my message with Pam’s audience, he invited me to serve among his distinguished faculty. I mention this because you never know who is listening to your teleseminars. Sometimes amazing doors to new opportunity open as a direct result of sharing your message, and this is certainly happening more and more as I spread my own message well beyond my own backyard.
It wasn’t until James Roche, my information products coach, started encouraging me to host my own teleseminars earlier this year that I finally found the courage to give this a try. Boy, am I glad I took his sage advice. Thanks James!
That said, I am honored to be a faculty member for the Be the Media Blockbuster Online Success System along such industry luminaries and mentors as Janet Switzer, Peter Shankman, Joan Stewart, Susan Harrow, Dan Janal, and others. I’ll be teaching my segment of this course — guiding you to transform your bio from wallpaper to wow — on November 4, and you’ll want to check out the full curriculum by visiting this link. The first preview call takes place October 26 and the balance of the curriculum will be delivered in November and December of 2010.
This course is all about how to make a living online doing what YOU love, on your time, from your own home. This webinar series with over 30 industry leading success experts is packed with value you can apply to make your own business stand out, shine, and excel.
A shiny new year is coming fast and furious. This course packs a tremendous punch of value to guide your online prosperity. Join us in perfect timing to make your 2011 the best it can be.
Here’s a timely post to guide those of you who would love to be seen, heard, and celebrated within the content featured on this popular blog that serves the interests of women entrepreneurs all over the USA and the world. Thank you Eva Gumpel for your straight talk that is going to guide a great many people to tell better stories now.
Clients are using the information I share to improve their business visibility and client attraction efforts. The nitty-gritty how-to details can be very instructive. Let’s take a lesson from Mary Hutson of Hutson Resource Group as she explains how she attracted the interest of CNNMoney.com to interview John Hutson. She writes,
Hi Nancy,
In a nutshell, we did something that you advise in your Authentic Visibility workbook. We complimented a reporter on an article she wrote. The article was about a subject we’ve been watching closely — the oil spill in the Gulf. Businesses down there have to prepare a business interruption claim in order to receive compensation from BP. The process can be daunting…and this is exactly the kind of work John has done for 20 years, only instead of the insurance companies…it’s BP.
So here’s what we did.
Followed news stories related to an event where we think we can do some business.
Complimented a reporter on her article via e-mail. Offered to act as an expert in this field (which is a tricky/nerdy field of expertise). Then pointed her to our blog, where we’ve got a category of articles related to this subject.
A few days later, she called John and asked for an interview. During the phone call, he gave her enough raw material for a follow up idea/story.
That’s it. So basically, we followed your well-trodden path and advice.
Our phone never rings off the hook. We do only about six projects per year—that’s the nature of this business. However, we’re noticing a lot more traffic on LinkedIn and to our website. And our competitors are surely taking note. They visit our site regularly.
PS. We’ve also used this same tactic to compliment professionals we want to work with. For example, a professional at a particular brokerage we’ve been targeting had an article published in an industry trade magazine. We read the article, then crafted an e-mail to send to the author complimenting her on the successful publication of her informative article, offering an additional train of thought/insight. She was so happy that we’d even noticed! During the subsequent e-mail thread, John asked to meet with her the next time he was in town and she agreed. The meeting happened!
Thanks Mary for sharing the details about how you made this happen.
Yes, it takes targeted, focused effort and time to get seen and heard. And it is very well worth it when the media outlet that comes to call is none other than CNNMoney.com. If you want what Mary and John Hutson are having, action is always the key. Why not start today?
Today’s guest post by PR Leads Founder Dan Janal addresses a question on the minds of many DIY publicists and clients of PR agencies across Main Street USA.
Is Old Media still relevant in today’s social media world in terms of getting publicity that helps you make sales? You bet. While it is great to get mentioned on blogs and social media sites, Old Media or Mainstream Media is still the place to be to get results. Here are five reasons to include Old Media in your publicity and marketing campaigns:
1. Credibility. If the New York Times likes your product or service, you get instant credibility. I could name 100 other mainstream publications that you’d love to get into so your product, book or service gets the ringing endorsement of a trusted source.
2. Visibility. Newspapers, TV and radio still reach millions of people every day. While we all like to get some of our news online, you can’t ignore the impac t of traditional media sites and their incredible reach into mainstream America.
3. Reprintability. Let’s face it. Nothing stands out in marketing kit or sales kit like a reprint from a newspaper or magazine. It demands to be great and it smacks of credibility. I’m seeing more and more websites feature logos of old media companies that have written about those authors and small businesses. That should tell you something: people are influenced and impressed by Old Media.
4. Links to your site. Nearly all content from nearly all Old Media is printed on the web. Oftentimes, those articles have links to your websites, or are otherwise indexed by Google and other search engines. So if someone is searching for your type of business, they very well may learn about your from a reference in the Old Media on their web site. That’s a great introduction. In fact, I had one client who was named one of the top 20 entrepreneurs of the year by Entrepreneur magazine. When you search her name, the first listing is the link to Entrepreneur, not her own website. Can you imagine how much confidence and credibility she just received? Anyone searching for her can see that she has the implied endorsement of a top magazine! That’s a great way to start a conversation.
5. Ego. Would you rather say that someone Tweeted about you or that the Boston Globe printed a review of your book and included a picture of the cover? I rest my case.
None of this discussion even hints that new media is not worthwhile. It truly is. However, the torch has not been passed from one generation of news hounds to the next – at least not yet. Good publicity practices should include Old Media as well as New Media so you and your clients get the most publicity possible.
One tactic that I’ve found to be indispensible in getting my clients links from media sites is to distribute press releases. Many top media sites will print press releases word-for-word so you control the message. The benefits of doing this include getting links to your site, creating screen shots of your press release on famous sites to build your credibility and the visibility of reaching the audiences of those publications.
Today’s guest blog post is by Dan Janal. The Los Angeles Times called Dan Janal “an Internet marketing expert” who helps professionals build their businesses with publicity and Internet marketing tactics. To learn more about Dan’s coaching and consulting services, visit this link. And, when you visit this link and enter your email address, you’ll gain immediate access to a teleseminar Dan and I offered a while back about how to make the most of your press releases in today’s digital age. It’s a good one!
If you or your company been seen, heard, and celebrated in the media, what can you do to make the most of your media moment? Here are five easy things to act upon to leverage your good news that will deliver meaningful dividends.
1) Post your story link to your online press room so the news is available on a 24/7 basis to reporters and others interested in your story. If you don’t yet have an online press room, consider launching one soon. It will save you lots of time preparing for media interviews, while giving you the peace of mind that your story is being told accurately. If you don’t yet have an online press room, visit this link to learn about the service I use.
2) Share the link in your ezine or direct mail newsletter so your best clients and prospects can read all about you and be inspired to share the good news with people who can be great referral sources for you and your good work.
3) Share your good news via the social networks where you participate to invite notes of congratulations, phone calls, emails, and other replies that just might invite more of the right opportunities.
4) Update your bio to showcase that you and/or your company have been profiled in a prestigious media outlet.
5) Create a custom signature for your outgoing emails that makes it easy for clients and prospects to read about your good news and remark upon it.
Leveraging your good news is the key to opening doors to new opportunities. One day you are quoted within the pages of the local business journal. Tomorrow, that good press might be enough to help you earn coverage within the pages of USA Today. Remember, one good thing often leads to another, and that is a beautiful thing.
Authentic Visibility Question of the Day: What ways have you used your good press to earn even better opportunities and more credibility for your products, services, and business? Share your ideas so the readers can profit from the wisdom and creativity of your experience.
In case you missed my DIY publicity tips interview with Rock Your Genius Radio Show Host Amber Singleton-Riviere, you can listen in at this convenient link: Enjoy!
Making anniversaries relevant to readers is essential. Who better to turn to for a good example being set in this regard than Oprah Winfrey. She is celebrating the 10th anniversary of O Magazine this May 7-9 in New York City with a “Live Your Best Life Weekend” event.
Event promotions started to show up in the magazine in January. In February, there was a golden ticket promotion in which 10 lucky readers received the gift of attending with a friend. No doubt, there will be great stories and photo opportunities about each of these winners as the celebration unfolds. In the March edition, the build-up continues as readers anticipate when tickets for this extravaganza become available for sale on March 15, 2010.
At this point, no one knows the investment required to participate. For many Oprah fans, it doesn’t matter. They are going to be at that weekend celebration because it is a big deal, they love Oprah, and the anniversary is packed with special guests and programming that are relevant and of interest to loyal readers.
Guess what? I am going to do whatever it takes to be first in line to buy my ticket. I have read every single O magazine for the last ten years. Every issue is stored safely in my office. When we moved to our new home in July of 2008, my husband Steve looked at all those magazines and begged me to recycle them. Nope. No way. Not a chance. I don’t collect many things, but I do save O magazines. Every one of them.
Why? Each magazine is relevant to my life. As I have navigated every step along my own journey, Oprah has been there to help me through it. Whether it was dealing with postpartum depression, figuring out how to deal with the “mommy wars,” finding the right balance between work and family, or struggling to find my authentic voice to be heard, Oprah and her magazine have brought resources, inspiration, and visual splendor to lift me up in perfect timing. I even have a file directory on my hard drive called “Oprah Dream” in which I have saved every email and letter I have sent to the show since 2004. At left is a photo of my golden retriever from six years ago, nestled next to a pillow that reads, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. — Oprah Winfrey.” I even had ‘thank you’ cards printed to share with my clients with this image on the cover that are in use still today.
Meeting Oprah has been on my “wish list” for quite some time. And, while I may not have a lot of items on my own “bucket list,” sitting down for a cup of tea with Oprah one day is definitely one of them.
I know I am not alone in this and that competition for those anniversary tickets is going to be fierce. Whatever it takes, I’ll find a way to be in New York to be part of that anniversary celebration. And, since I am not alone in this, who wants to attend with me? Let me hear from you. We may never have met before. You may live well beyond my own backyard, but I know we already share a lot in common. And, I can’t wait to meet you and spend an inspired weekend together in celebration of what Oprah has contributed to all of us through her magazine and so much more.
My husband tells me that what you think about today manifests in three months time. I believe that. New York will be lovely in the Spring. Let’s meet up there and become fast friends. Can’t wait.
