Did you see this piece in the Washington Post? So many people are buzzing about this Tiger Woods apology and how it is being orchestrated. What do you think? As for me, I’d rather celebrate the Olympic gold medal win by Evan Lycacek in men’s figure skating. That was a riveting performance that celebrated all that is good in sport.
I love sharing stories about how Publici-Tea™ graduates use the lessons they learn from this popular workshop to earn media attention in their own backyards and beyond. Today’s success story comes from Justin Tsang of Netstar Communications.
He writes, “Not too long ago I let you know that we got interviewed by ABCNews.com for expert advice on hidden telecom charges. You can read the article here. There is some bittersweet news. The article makes no mention of Netstar. The writer opted to include some of our insight but refer to us as ‘experts.’ Nonetheless, we still see the whole experience as a positive one. It’s not everyday you get tapped by ABCNews. Again, thank you for your help and support. Your tips and training helped me secure this great opportunity.”
– Justin Tsang, Netstar Inc.
For those of you who want to learn the lessons Justin has learned so well, here are two items that offer even more great news.
By the way, Fran’s Chocolates Ltd. was my very first client when I started my business in 2001. We started our work together earning local publicity in the Puget Sound media just in time for Easter 2001. One good placement lead to another. Pretty soon, Fran’s Chocolates were featured in time for Valentine’s Day in USA Today. It was a delicious, delightful assignment for me over a two year period. I’ll always be grateful to Fran Bigelow for giving me my start as a publicist.
In 2001, I didn’t know the difference between premium, artisan-made chocolate and Easter chocolate you buy at the drug store. My son Kyle was about four years old at the time. I asked Fran if my son would know the difference between a regular chocolate bunny and one from Fran’s and if it would make a difference to him. In response, she gave me a lesson in tasting chocolate, and I’ll never forget it.
She pulled a regular chocolate bar from her desk and asked me to taste it, to feel the chocolate on my tongue and distinguish between the taste of the sugar and the taste of the chocolate. Then, she had me 
cleanse my palate with a glass of water and do the same thing with one of her truffles. She asked me to experience the snap of the crisp, dark chocolate shell and savor the texture and flavor of the ganache within. Believe me, I understood the difference between drug store chocolate and premium chocolate at that very moment, and I’ve never gone back.
Does my son know the difference? Absolutely. And so, too, does a nation of premium chocolate lovers. 
That’s why Fran is known as America’s Favorite Chocolatier, and President Obama is sharing her company’s delectable delights with the world leaders and others.
How delicious is that in so many ways? Here’s to plenty more good press and robust sales for those with great stories to tell and the commitment to tell them in their own backyards and well beyond!
By the way, 35 people have already registered to learn how to earn their own publicity at the Publici-Tea™ Express Workshop at Seattle Design Center on Friday, October 16 from 9:30 a.m. - noon. I’ll be debuting my custom-label Publici-Tea™ Express dark chocolate truffle bars created by Seattle Chocolate Company at this event, and they are – of course — absolutely delicious. Must be present to indulge! When you are among the next 19 people to register, you receive 147 powerful e-tips (a $10 value!) to boost your business and profit from free publicity. Register today.
Susan Harrow, CEO of PR Secrets, writes a blog for Examiner.com in San Francisco. Today’s blog post features an interview that offers essential tips to tell your story so others will listen with me and Andrew Ng, founder of Fat Mouse Productions Lt. Read on at this link.
DIY Publicity Tip for Today - Want more awareness for what you have brewing? Identify the top blogs in your industry that address your subject matter expertise. Invite them to run blog interviews that serve their readers, while also putting you and your latest initiatives in the spotlight. One good blog interview can lead to another, and pretty soon, more of the right people will know what you have brewing and why it matters to them. Try it, and see how well this delivers results for you.
I just received a notice that one of the guests for next Friday’s Publici-Tea™ Workshop can’t attend. That means I have an open space for this event. If you are first to act, you’ll learn plenty about the value of do-it-yourself publicity and even more about the nitty-gritty details about how to execute successfully to get seen, heard, and celebrated in your own backyard and beyond. The fee to attend is $297, and the impact on your publicity success is priceless. Click on the active link above to learn about all the benefits and what prior event guests have said about their fabulous experience at the Publici-Tea™ Workshop. Please call me at 425-641-5214 right away to grab the last spot at this Friday, March 13 workshop taking place from 12:30 - 5 p.m. at The Village Bellevue, or send me an email at nancy@nsjmktg.com to claim your place. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Having lost out for the third time in as many months on house bidding wars, I was having a little pity party for myself last night. I was disappointed that we didn’t get the house we wanted to buy. Then, I attended the fund raising breakfast for First Place School this morning and quickly adjusted my attitude.
The keynote discussion was about poverty. Donna Beegle delivered a moving keynote about what privilege is. She said, “Privilege is being able to buy groceries with cash or check, rather than food stamps. Privilege is garbage service. Privilege is having a warm, safe, and dry place to sleep every night. Privilege is kids attending school in clean clothes…”
Beegle grew up in extreme poverty. By dint of hard work, tenacity, and many other admirable qualities, she earned her PhD. Today, Dr. Beegle is a nationally known speaker and author on communication. She moved a packed Washington State Convention Center ballroom room to tears with her story — and I know I was moved to write a generous check. I left today’s breakfast full of gratitude for my life and the privilege to contribute to the wonderful work First Place School is doing to educate children of homeless families.
Here is an excerpt:
…One day in a theology class, Beegle was given what seemed like a simple assignment: write about how freedom, or the lack of it, had affected her. That night something opened up inside of her. It was instantly clear: What was wrong was that she had abandoned her roots, and since poverty would always be a part of her, no matter how successful she became, abandoning her roots was abandoning herself. She would never be free of her story until she told her story. For hours she poured words and tears onto the keyboard.
She wrote about all the freedoms she had never enjoyed. Freedom to not see her mother crying, to not watch her father unload trucks full of watermelons for 16 hours then try to decide whether to spend the handful of cash he earned on food or shelter. Freedom to not watch police take her brothers away, to not come home to an eviction notice, to go to the doctor when she was sick, to hold her head high. And the most important of all, the one so many people had helped her discover: freedom to get an education.
The instant she turned the paper in, she was certain she’d blown it. Everybody would know she was an imposter, just a dumb poor kid pretending to be someone else. When she got the paper back, she could only stare at the words scribbled across the top by her professor: A+. Best paper I’ve ever received.
She began to tell her story again and again, speaking to various groups and being interviewed by journalists. She completed her major in communication. In the spring of 1990 she graduated with honors, and the University named the woman who spoke Middle Class English as her second language its student Communicator of the Year.
Please read Donna’s story. And, if you are so moved, make a contribution to end poverty. Start at First Place School.
My pity party is officially over. I will never forget Dr. Beegle’s powerful message. And I can promise you, you won’t either.
If you are in the Seattle area, plan now to attend the celebration of International Networking Week at the Bell Harbor Conference Center at Pier 66 this Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
You’ll connect with professionals and business owners from a wide range of local groups ranging from BNI, eWomenNetwork, Women Business Owners, the Seattle Direct Marketing Association, and more.
The goal of International Networking Week™ is to recognize and celebrate the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses worldwide. The week will feature dozens of networking events around the globe, bringing together representatives of government, businesses and their communities to network and promote better understanding of effective networking.
Key networking experts will deliver special presentations filled with practical tips on how businesses can grow and succeed through effective networking practices.
International Networking Week™ is a prime opportunity to network with other business people and to learn how contact networks benefit businesses of all sizes. Events and activities are open to all business professionals, trades people, students, press representatives, government and council representatives – anyone who values business networking or would like to know more about business networking.
I think this is such a good opportunity that I am one of the event sponsors. Come meet me this Thursday. I look forward to meeting you and contributing to your success.
Click here to learn all about it!
I saw a media query today that made me laugh out loud. Apparently, there is a new bathroom fixture on the market called the TwoDaLoo. The TwoDaLoo is billed as the world’s first toilet two people can use … at the exact same time. It brings couples closer together and conserves the water supply all with one flush. The TwoDaLoo features two side-by-side toilet seats with a modest privacy wall in between. An upgraded version includes a seven inch LCD television and iPod docking station. And at the suggested retail price of $1,400, you can have one, too.
I know America is a great place, and there is a scratch to every itch. But who knew there was a market for a plumbing fixture such as this? I have no doubt that bloggers will be having a field day with this one, especially as Valentine’s Day approaches and reporters search for a new hook on togetherness.
There is a lot of instant gratification that goes with being a publicist. You find a great editorial opportunity. You pitch it in a winning way. You enlist the interest of a writer or editor. You earn commitments to bring stories far and wide to contribute to prosperity for all. And you make friends here and beyond in doing so. How cool is that?
Today I heard from a producer for a TV program that runs in 13 markets that one of my client’s products is on the short list to be featured. Just imagine the potential upside this client will enjoy at the cash register when this potential media opportunity becomes a real media opportunity. It’s just intoxicating to consider.
Think big as you consider the media avenues that are fabulous for your product, service, and expertise. Make a list of the ideal media placements you’d love to earn, and start pitching. If you are confused and overwhelmed at this prospect, take a trip to your local bookstore and browse the magazine rack. You’ll have an immediate, gut level reaction to the publications that are a perfect fit for what you offer to the world. Buy the magazine(s), read them, and visit their websites to view the editorial calendars and figure out the best reporters to pitch your story. Then, start pitching.
The thrill is in the hunt, and the wins are very sweet. I love that.
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