post by Joseph Sommerville

5 Ways to Create More Value in Your Presentations

1. Solve a problem instead of peddling programs.

People know when they’re being sold to and it makes them uncomfortable. Prospects invest their time in attending or listening to a presentation because they believe it will benefit them in some way. They don’t attend to hear a thinly veiled sales presentation.

Violating those expectations by promising one thing and delivering another constitutes a “bait and switch” that quickly turns prospects off. Prove to them they’ve made a wise investment by placing your focus on education instead, and you’ll find a more receptive audience.

When you can solve a problem or remove some pain, you’re positioned as a resource instead of a vendor. The problem you address should resonate with the audience’s experience. That means you need to do some audience analysis as you prepare the presentation. Think about

• What questions does your target market ask most frequently?
• What three challenges do they regularly face in business?
• What are the top mistakes people in similar situations make?
• When you have the opportunity to survey the audience in advance, you can customize your message even more and give them solutions that are immediately actionable.

2. Provide value-based marketing materials.

The typical presenter hands out colorful brochures, slick flyers and glossy postcards about himself and the services he offers. These provide no value to the audience. That’s why these materials have an extremely short shelf life.

Instead, distribute white papers, special reports, published articles, checklists and tip booklets. These serve as resources the audience will use and keep. They also provide top of mind awareness after the presentation. One of the pieces I circulate includes a four-page resource guide on creating and using visuals. It contains a step-by-step guide to creating effective visuals, examples of different types of charts and an article on how to avoid the most common errors with PowerPoint presentations. I’ve seen it in client’s offices five years after they received it. You add value through these collaterals when the information helps the audience save money, increase their available time or perform a task more efficiently.

3. Get your presentation accredited to count for continuing education units.

Many professional organizations require continuing education to maintain professional designations. Partner with one of them to develop a presentation or course that meets these requirements. It provides value to the members of the organization and increases your demand as a speaker. Conduct some research to determine which courses are mandatory and which are electives. Focus on the former so your course development efforts provide information people must have. Since most organizations require a certain number of professional education hours annually, this can help you develop ongoing repeat business.

4. Offer a complimentary initial consultation for attendees.

If people aren’t quite willing to hire you yet, but will take the next step, an initial consultation can serve several useful purposes. First, it provides an added benefit from attending the presentation. You’ll be giving audience members another reason to believe they’re getting a good return on their investment of time. Second, it provides an opportunity for each of you to explore the other’s approach, working style and personality. You can probably determine during that initial conversation whether you can work together productively. Third, it gives prospects the opportunity to “try before they buy.” It can increase their comfort level in hiring you and move them further along the sales process. Limit the offer to the first tento respond. That way you can set boundaries for yourself and increase the sense of urgency. Don’t worry about “giving too much away.” Prospects will recognize your generosity and you’ll build a relationship of trust.

5. Partner with non-competing professionals that serve your target market to create an educational seminar.

For example, an attorney and an accountant might co-produce a seminar for small business owners on “10 Strategies to Collect Accounts Receivable in Tough Economic Times.” A business broker and a banker might organize a seminar on “5 Essentials You Must Know Before You Buy a Business.” Such cooperation allows you to share expenses, combine the power of your individual lists and leverage different perspectives on the same topic. You’ll need to agree on the desired outcomes and make sure the project is mutually beneficial.

You’ll have to invest some time to incorporate these benefits into your presentations. It will require some thoughtful audience analysis, creativity in designing materials and determined follow-through with accrediting agencies and partners. But the return on that investment can be significant. When you add value to your presentations, you pull business in, rather than pushing it on, prospects.

About the Author:

With his new book Rainmaking Presentations: How To Grow Your Business by Leveraging Your Expertise, Joseph Sommerville, Ph.D. helps professionals, small business owners and entrepreneurs including accountants, attorneys, engineers, executives, financial planners add influence to their expertise and make more money during challenging economic times. Now, you can download the first chapter for free at www.RainMakingPresentations.com

by Dan Janal

Reporters are dying to quote entrepreneurs, small business owners and consultants just like you. The trouble is, they don’t know you exist

If only you can get your hands on a great media contact list, then you can get your name and credentials in front of reporters.  This way they will contact you when they are writing a story that would be perfect for you.

So how can you get your hands on a great media list that’s filled with information about reporter’s who want to quote you in their articles? Many companies sell names of reporters. Like everything else on the Internet, they vary by quality, features and services. Before you buy a media list, be sure to ask questions like the ones below.

10 Questions You Must Ask When Buying a Media List So You Get the Most Bang (Publicity) for Your Buck

1. When was the list updated? Reporters change jobs quite frequently. And many newspapers and magazines are laying off people. So you want to make sure the list is updated on a daily or weekly basis. Otherwise, you’ll waste time, money and energy sending messages to people who don’t work there!

2. What contact information is included in the list? You’ll want a list that has name, title, email, phone and snail mail address. Yes, snail mail. This way  you can send books or product samples. You’ll want email for sending pitches, press releases and press kits. You’ll want the phone number to pitch by phone. Of course, you will have much of this information on your website, but you’ll want to have every means available to contact reporters in the format they most desire. Reporters can be very, very picky!

3. What information is included about the reporter? Most basic lists you’ll find on the Internet will have contact info, but not much else. That’s not enough to do target marketing. You want to know what topic (referred to as a “beat”) the reporter is covering as well. Some of the best companies offer additional insights into the beat. For example, some lists will tell you if reporter A  only covers politics with a conservative slant. That will help you when you fine-tune your pitch to her.

4. Do you get a list that is sorted by the topic the reporter covers? Some list companies will sell you the entire database of each publication. That’s way too broad for most people and will lead to a lot of waste. In other words, it’s not enough to know that Jill writes for Business Week. You want to find the person who covers your topic. Because if Jill doesn’t, she’ll just throw away your message.

 5. Does the list contain a reporter’s personal information? Most lists don’t have information such as “like to bowl,” or “wrote a screenplay” or “recovered from cancer.” But if the list has this information, you might gain extra insights into the reporter and you might be able to build rapport faster.

 6. Does the list have the publication’s URL? Let’s face it, not everyone knows everything about every publication. Nor is every publication available at your local newsstand or library. However, if you have their URL, you can easily read about the publication, get its view on the world and read articles by that reporter. It’s a great time saver.

  7. Does the list have web-only publications, like websites and blogs? These outlets are beginning to play a much bigger role in telling stories to you audience. Don’t overlook the online-only opportunities.

8. Does the list show circulation figures? Since you don’t have all the money in the world to send out books or product samples, or even to call everyone on a good list, you must decide who is important. That’s where the circulation figures come in to play. Start with the biggest and work your way down. If you don’t have the circulation figures, you don’t know who the big boys and girls are.

9. Is the list searchable and sortable? Look for a list that is delivered in a digital form, like a spreadsheet or a word document. That way you can use sorting and searching tools to find the best reporters.

10. What rights do you have to the list? Some companies give you one-time use of the list. They even “seed” the list with fake names so they can tell if you use the list more than once! Look for a company that gives you unlimited use of the list so you can get the most value for your investment.

If you follow these tips, you’ll find a list of media contacts than can serve you well at a price you can afford.

Dan Janal is media relations expert, author and speaker who coaches entrepreneurs, doctors and wellness professionals just like you on how to get publicity and turn it into REAL profits.

Susan Note: Media Lists & Pitch Letter/Press Release Service is available now. Click here for further information.

Each list is customized to your target audience and we get the reporters to read your pitch letter.

Great post by Penny Sansevieri

If you’re trying to pitch yourself to bloggers you may have found the dead silence at the end of your email exchange. Why? Well, let’s face it. The top bloggers in any market probably get a ton of email. Most of it fairly useless. I know this for a fact because I get pitched all the time for reviews, interviews, all sorts of things. Ninety-percent of the emails are useless form letters, ninety-nine percent of the pitches are from people who don’t even read my blog.

In a world where bloggers are quickly replacing media it’s amazing to me that pro-media pitchers don’t get that regardless of the person you’re pitching, the same rules still apply. Let’s do a quick run through in case you’re unsure.

1) Customize, customize, customize: I delete every email that starts off with Dear Sir or Madam. First off, I hate the term “madam” and second, my picture is posted right on my site. If you can’t tell from my photograph what sex I am we have bigger problems than a generalized pitch.

2) Personalize: ok, I know this is repetitive but let me clarify: personalize the pitch. Talk about their blog, a recent posting, how long you’ve been reading. Now don’t gush on and on like you would brag about Junior’s first baby steps, but show that you know who the blogger is and what they blog about is important. We love it when you read our stuff and when you tell us what we talk about, we love that even more.

3) KISS: Keep it simple. Very simple, short and sweet. Don’t meander on through pages and pages of your pitch. If I have to scroll through an email to find the point of your message I probably won’t read it. State your goals right up front, in the first paragraph. Don’t bury your reason for targeting them somewhere in paragraph four. Chances are the email will hit the trash bin before the reader hits paragraph four.

4) Don’t be a stalker: if you haven’t gotten a response from the blogger there’s probably a reason. They are either too busy, haven’t gotten to it, filed it away for later or aren’t interested. Yes, you’re allowed to follow up, but only once. Any more follow ups and you become a pest. No one likes a pest.

5) WIIFM: don’t forget the “what’s in it for me” factor. What’s in it for the blogger? Hint: bloggers love scoop and exclusivity so if you have someone no one else does, by all means tell them. If there’s another reason for sharing this with them then by all means tell them.

6) Figure out what you want: See #5, keep it simple but also don’t just email a blogger with a “whatever you’re willing to do” type of message. Ask for what you want, if it works for the blogger and if your pitch is good it’s likely you’ll get it.

7) Don’t send attachments unless you’re asked to. I don’t think this needs any further clarification but keep in mind: unless someone says “Yes, please send me more info” don’t load their inbox with attachments. Not only is it rude but I’ve found that attachments often end up in my spam filter where they stay until the spam filter is emptied, often without even seeing the email or associated documentation.

Mention your blog: bloggers love other bloggers. Let them know you have a blog, include a link to it, possibly even to a recent post they might be interested in.

9) Add a link: bloggers love incoming links. If you’re pitching particular bloggers you should have a link to their blog on your site. No exceptions.

10) Ask good questions: if you’re pitching a blogger for an interview but they don’t do interviews you’ve just wasted a valuable communication. Don’t assume that because you contact them about an interview: “I know you don’t do interviews” that they will make an exception for you.

Remember that much like pitching the media, it’s all about relationships. The more you can cultivate relationships with bloggers, the better your online campaign will be. Also, consider that future campaigns will also be affected by relationships you build now. Media may come and go but bloggers tend to own their market and stay put, having a solid contact is always a good place to start. Regardless of the campaign.

Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a book marketing and media relations expert whose company has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. Visit AME.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=235902&ca=Internet

The MediaSpeak Symposium was a great success. Here’s a few comments.

Pitching to live producers was an experience needed to jumpstart the process to demystify the experience.
- Cindy Kludt, Grief Counselor, Author

Susan and Jack created an amazing learning situation with a variety of media experts.
- Laurie Hacking, Coach, Author

The MediaSpeak Symposium provides authors, entrepreneurs and business experts with the confidence and tools to obtain the interviews and globally promote their products and services.
-Craig Nabat, Entrepreneur

Terrific 3 days to actually test out the methods. The Symposium was a tremendous experience. It really helped me to put everything in prospective.
- Aubrey Fine, Professor, Author

Dr. Fran Pastoria and Aubrey Fine practice their pitch

Marlin Keesler pitching his book to Dr. Meg Haworth

Pitching to Nita Vallens, Inner Visions, KPFK FM

It is a week before the 3rd annual MediaSpeak Symposium and I am excited and busy getting ready for the event. October and November are busy months for me. I am tired thinking about all that I’ve taken on.

I will be an exhibitor at the International Coaches Conference in Long Beach, CA, October 31-November 3.  On November 4 we are shooting 18 folks for the Video Demo Showcase and then November 9-11 is the 3 day training Authors’ SpeakEasy in LA. For my b-day, November 15 I am going to a Spa for 2 days with my fellow Scorpio friend for a well deserved mini vacation.

I was cruising around the Publishers’ Marketing Association website the other day and I found a great article by Patricia Fry, To Be a Better Public Speaker which I share with you today.  I will add to her list of tips- to check out Speaker Services trainings especially if you are a professional or author who is interested in public speaking, marketing your services and products and growing your business through speaking. If you need assistance please call me or e mail me at susan@speakerservices.com and I will gladly guide you to make good choices for yourself.

One more thing-my webman, Sam Levy, tells me that the Speakers’ Community Membership site will be ready very very soon.  Meaning that you can sign up and try it out for 30 days… Saty tuned for the grand announcement.
Here’s Patricia…

Authors often engage in public speaking to promote their books. But not all authors are prepared and trained for this activity. And some authors don’t want to participate.

There are authors who:
• are absolute naturals in the public-speaking realm
• hate the thought of standing before an audience
• are game to speak in public but have poor oratory skills

If speaking is one of your planned book-promotion activities, please take advantage of the following advice for authors:

· Join Toastmasters and actively participate for at least a year. You will benefit in ways that you can’t even imagine. Go to www.toastmasters.org for a list of clubs near you.

· Volunteer for opportunities to speak. Take leadership of a project at work or for a charity. Offer to go around and educate citizens on a political issue or raise funds for the library expansion.

· Attend other speakers’ programs. If you are observant and alert, you will learn volumes about public speaking by listening and watching. How does the audience respond to the speaker? What techniques seem to work (and what don’t work) for this speaker? What would you do differently to put the audience at ease and make this a more pleasant experience?

· Get involved with a storytelling group. This is a particularly enjoyable way to improve your speaking skills, and you’ll also get training and practice in using vocal variety.

· Hire a voice coach. If you have a soft voice that doesn’t carry well or a voice that is not pleasant to listen to, a voice coach might be able to help. You’ll find voice coaches listed under music teachers in the Yellow Pages.

· Find a mentor—someone whose speaking abilities you admire.

· Start locally. Before heading out to parts unknown to speak about your book in front of huge crowds, plan speaking gigs in your area. Speak to the women’s group at your church, your local Optimists and Rotary Clubs, a gathering at the museum or bookstore, or even a group of neighbors.
Powerful Pointers
While each of us has a unique way of speaking, and we don’t want to be carbon copies of each other, some public-speaking rules always (or almost always) apply.

Speak out. Practice speaking up so that everyone can hear you, whether you’re addressing a large audience or a small group. Some speakers choose to sit down on the job. In a very small, intimate group, or when the audience is sitting in a circle of chairs or on the floor, speaking while seated is generally okay. But in a room containing six rows of chairs or more, you should express respect for those in the back by standing so that you can be seen as well as heard.

Don’t respond one-on-one when an audience member asks a question. Instead, repeat the question and then respond so that everyone in the room can hear you.

Make eye contact. Move your attention around the room as you speak, making eye contact with each person

Don’t apologize. Avoid sabotaging your presentation with excuses for not being well prepared or for poor speaking skills. Stand tall and appear self-assured, and you will gain the confidence of the audience.

Use vocal variety. Make your talks more enjoyable by using an assortment of vocal tones and pitches instead of speaking in monotone. If you need help developing vocal variety, practice reading to a child. Use your highest and lowest voice and everything in between.

Eliminate nonwords. Inexperienced speakers generally use so many fillers that Toastmasters actually has an “ah counter” at every meeting. Fillers also include uh, um, er, and so forth.

Eliminate verbiage such as “yada, yada, yada” or “know what I mean?” Likewise, watch the overuse of words like “really.” “I was exhausted” is a stronger sentence than “I was really exhausted.” You can explain how exhausted you were by saying, “I was exhausted beyond anything I’d ever experienced before,” or “I was so tired I slept for 14 hours.”

Be prepared. You will be more at ease if you know what to expect. Find out if there will be a lectern or microphone, for example. How many people are likely to be in the audience? How will the room be set up? Also, have your props or notes organized so there will be no annoying fumbling during your presentation.

Know your audience. Gear your speech to the needs and interests of this particular audience. When I talk about local history, I give a completely different talk to students at local elementary schools than I do when addressing civic organizations or historical society members.

Anyone can get up in front of a group and speak. How well you do it is what counts.

Patricia Fry is a full-time freelance writer and the author of 25 published books, including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, which, she reports, is getting five-star reviews. To order the book read Patricia’s publishing blog.

HOW TO FIND YOUR STORY ANGLES
compliments of Ann Convery annconvery.com

1. Where are your best stories hiding?

1) In the problems you solve.2) In the stories of your clients and customers.

3) In what you can comment on as an expert. (Especially trends)

Tell us how you solved a problem that baffled others. Is this a trend? How did you solve it in a unique way? What about the stories of your clients and customers? These are the major stories that will put you on the map.

Remember – YOU are not the story. Your clients and customers and solutions are.

Where to Find Story Angles. Look at the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal and see all the sections they have. How many stories could you fit in to each section?

Business / Women in Business / Women and Start-Ups / Women and Venture Capital
Entrepreneurial
Small-business
Business Communication / Management / Downsizing / Time Management
Business turn-around
Internet marketing
International trade / trends
Leadership skills
Employee training / happiness in the workplace / conflict resolution
Technology
Science
Politics
Finance / Personal Finance / Debt Reduction / Business Growth / Women and Money
Local trends in the neighborhood
Metro – what’s affecting life in your town
Travel- do people travel to see you? Can you write a travel piece?
Sports / Family Sports / Parents and sports / Soccer Moms
Family / Teens / Kids / Extended Family / Seniors
Relationships / Marriage / Divorce / Re-Marriage
Dating / first dates / dating do’s and don’ts / dating after 40 / dating after 60
Community / community projects / local trends
Kids
School
Exercise / Diet / Yoga / Fitness / Gyms/ At-Home Gyms / Do’s and Don’ts
Health / Wellness / Tips / Warnings / Mind-Body Connection
Beauty
Arts
Style / Dining / Fashion / Home and Garden / Weddings

Get the idea?

Join us at the MediaSpeak Symposium, Oct 11, 12 & 13 and learn more plus pitch live to the media outlets.

Those of you who know me know that I am passionate about my service and completely committed to assisting business folks and authors in growing their business and income through speaking.

However, if you do not know about our services and training take a look at the following video and see what others are saying about us.

Click here to view : http://www.audioacrobat.com/playv/WHL0WfCx
Third party referrals are always the best.

I have been promoting and talking about the MediaSpeak Symposium for months. If you are a business person, author, speaker or a coach etc. the Symposium is a great opportunity for you supercharge your business, attract media attention and to paticipate in the Pitch Fest. I invite and encourage you to attend the 3rd MediaSpeak Symposium . Here’s the info.

MediaSpeak Symposium, Master the Message, Master the Media, October 11-13 in Los Angeles. The theme for the three days is Ready, Set, Pitch. PR and media exposure is critical to your success.

Supercharge your book, screenplay, product, business, service or cause when you talk to the media . The caveat of the 3 day event is the pitch fest . Pitch your story to broadcast and print media.

Learn more and register http://www.speakerservices.com/mediaspeak07 .
Mention this note and receive a 10% discount (good for friends too).

The MediaSpeak Symposium was a fabulous training on how to approach the media and speak your message in a way that is arresting and newsworthy. For any professional who wants to be seen and heard by millions, this is an event not to be missed!
- Chellie Campbell, Speaker & author of The Wealthy Spirit and Zero to Zillionaire

Listen to replay of audio interviews with the faculty of the Symposium

Dr Letitia Wright, Publicity 2.0: Online PR . Click here to listen http://www.speakerservices.com/teleclasses/detail/80
and
Nita Vallens, How to Get Booked on Radio Talk Shows, Give a Great Interview and Get Invited Back and Jill Lublin- Guerrilla Publicity – Practical Strategies to Increase Visibility. Click here to listen http://www.speakerservices.com/teleclasses/detail/79

If you are an author or want to be author here is a brand NEW workshop designed for you Authors’ SpeakEasy, November 9-11

Authors need to promote themselves and their books. To get their books out to the public — for any effective action at all — there will be networking, book signings, media interviews and speaking engagements. In order to be successful at the media adventure, you — the author must master the media. Authors: Identify your Niche-Pitch®, Master your Message, Master the Media, 2-3 minute Interview Video Segment.

Learn more . ltd to 20 attendees

See all upcoming events
http://www.speakerservices.com (3rd col on right)

There is one slot open for the 3 camera video demo showcase Nov 4
See http://www.speakerservices.com/videoprod.html for details

Won’t you join us?

Susan

Here’s more from our friend Ann Convery www.annconvery.com

WHAT THE MEDIA WANTS FROM YOU:

1. Editors and producers need great stories – all the time. Your value to the media is not your product or your service or your book, it’s the great story you can offer them. You are a story to the media. Make it a good one.

YOUR JOB IN THE MEDIA INTERVIEW:

2. Your job in the media interview is to answer the media’s needs FIRST.

3. The media interview is a very well-disguised sales presentation.
You job is to help them do their job, while subtly advancing your own agenda.

4. The media want you to provide good “infotainment” or “edutainment.”
Become a valuable “edutainer” or “infotainer” and you will become a valuable media resource.

THREE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS

5. How do you advance your own agenda?
Get your 3 most important points lined up. They could be soundbites. They could be phrases. They do not have to be whole sentences. But know what your 3 most important points are and have them practiced and ready.

SOUND BITES

1. A sound bite is a slogan, like an ad slogan. It’s a repeatable phrase or sentence that people can use to identify you.

SAMPLE SOUND BITES:

1. We don’t just take away your illness. We give you back your life. – Cmpounding Shoppe
2. When it Absolutely Positively Has to Be There Overnight.- FedEx
3. We Try Harder. – Avis
4. A designer handbag should not cost more than the rent. – Handbag designer
5. Self-Care before Sit-Ups! – Amy Lundberg, aimforfitness.com
6. A diamond is forever. – De Beers Consolidated Mines, 1948–present (invented by Frances Gerety)
7. We help you see more green more often. ~ Sea-Green Financial Services

Learn more when you attend the MediaSpeak Symposium, Oct 11-13.

As promised here are the rest of the tips from media trainer Ann Convery.

1. No one will ask you the right questions – your job is to help the media do their job, and then wrap your message around their questions. Learn the art of the segue.

2. Speak in plain English, not jargon and do not use abstract words. Use stories instead. Doctors often have trouble speaking in anecdotes, as they are trained to speak in data.

3. Have at least eight fascinating, little-known facts from your book or business that you can talk about (Use Google. Everyone else does.) This will stir curiosity in your audience and help them remember you.

4. The average TV news story is 90 seconds. You probably need more than 56 or even 285 words to tell your story. But if you can’t explain the essence of your story in 30 seconds to a minute, chances are reporters won’t be interested. Get to the point.

5. What if you are ambushed on air ? Have a clear message, and keep your boundaries. Take the high road – repeat your mission statement, the one that is closest to your values. Remember that this ambush is for the audience’s entertainment, don’t take it personally.

6. You don’t have to answer every part of every question. You don’t have to answer anything that makes you uncomfortable. Answer whatever you can and learn to segue to one of your three main points — “That’s interesting, but what’s more important…”

7. Don’t use unhearable words. “Great, fantastic, safe and effective, good, better, nice.” Don’t tell. Show.

8. Drink warm water before the interview to loosen your vocal chords. Don’t drink caffeine or anything cold.

9. Don’t just “be yourself”. You may have 160 seconds to market the best self you’ve got. This is a brilliantly disguised sales pitch. You want yourself, polished, presentable, and practiced. This is not a venue for personal self-expression; it’s professional presentation time.

10. Warm up. It takes most people at least 10 minutes to warm up. If you have only a 3-5 minute interview, you want to practice until you are warmed-up in ten seconds. Talking and laughing with people, and especially putting others at ease, will do it.

11. Passion: Why are you there? Because you want to make money or sell books? Probably. But try this motivator instead: You have a mission. You want the public to know the truth! Having a mission will make you come across like a dynamic expert whom the public can trust, rather than a talking head.

12. If you’re shy and you can’t believe in yourself that much in front of strangers and a microphone, believe in your story, or your product, or your message. Can you help people? Can you make their lives better? Then let us have it!

13. It’s not a joke to reduce your life’s work to a series of sound bites, it’s brilliant media. You may only have 2-5 minutes. Make the most of it.

MediaSpeak Symposium, October 11, 12 & 13

10% discount for e-zine and blog subscribers until the end of September.

Join us. Click here to read the program and register.

I am going to be talking alot about media as we are preparing for October 11,12 & 13 MediaSpeak Symposium 

The tips tooday are courtesy of Media Coach Ann Convery

1. The key to connecting with your audience – speak in stories. Find the emotional aspects of your topic.

2. Use numbers, trends and statistics to be instantly more interesting.

3. What if a radio station won’t let me give the 800 number for my book? Say “ a lot of these questions are answered on my website, which is www.xxx.com.”

4. Don’t assume because you are a speaker that you can speak to the media – this is a deadly mistake many professional speakers make. The interviewer wants the real you – conversation, dialogue, humor, and edutainment. If she feels “talked to” or “talked at” in the pre-interview, you will probably not get on air. Media is a dialogue, not a monologue.

5. Get to the point in 30 seconds or less. Have your three most important points down and get them into soundbites.

6. When sitting on TV, don’t hug the back of the chair, you’ll look scared. Gesture, smile, use your hands and move away from the back of the chair occasionally. Tape yourself first at home to see if you have any annoying gestures.

7. Use humor to deflect an attack, sidestep a hot issue, and bond with your audience. A famous example: It has been said Ronald Reagan won the election when Mondale attacked him in a debate and instead of responding, Reagan smiled, shook his head and said, “There you go again.”

8. Good humor dissolves perfectionism, which is the enemy of great communication. A sense of humor about yourself conveys deep confidence in who you are — a very powerful message.

9. Stories sell. Get four or five stories and have them in reserve. Make sure they’re two to three sentences long. Keep them dramatic, with a first, second and third act.

10. Identify the emotional aspects of your topic. What will make your pitch into an emotionally grabbing story?

In my next blog I will send you some more media tips.

Today’s post is by Steve Markman courtesy of Rain Today.

Marketing and PR efforts should be in the forefront of your professional services firm, given today’s competitive climate and the uncertain economy. Standing out from the crowd, regardless of your organization’s industry, is a huge challenge. How can you meet this challenge?

Many organizations have recognized the value of holding seminars at which their executives make presentations. The problem with these seminars is that, more often than not, the attendees are existing customers, clients or individuals who are already familiar with the firm.

Companies need to expose their expertise to prospective clients and customers. What is a proven method of accomplishing this objective? Create enormous exposure by speaking at public forums – at conferences, seminars and forums held by independent event organizations, associations, professional and industry trade groups, and academic institutions and think tanks.

Speaking at public forums often produces the attainment of business, by providing increased awareness of the company in general and specific subject areas in particular, to an audience of potential customers or clients. Presentations about industry trends or “how-to” talks can make a large impact on the audience.

Speaking opportunities for professional services professionals represent a strong marketing, public relations, and business development tool for the following reasons:

- Attendees get to learn about a firm’s expertise firsthand and can interact directly with the speaker immediately before or after the presentation. An attendee asking for a business card can be the first step to obtaining a customer. The press in attendance also present opportunities for added exposure.

- Gaining increased visibility in vertical/industry sectors or broad-based areas that the firm has determined is in need of greater exposure.

- The company gains “advertising” by having its name and the speaker’s name published in the agenda of thousands of brochures and promotional announcements mailed or e-mailed by event organizers.

What should an organization be doing to get its executives and managers out on the speaking circuit? Take the following eight steps:

Decide which product or service area(s) the firm should be targeting for increased visibility. This can be an established line of business where the firm speaks from a position of strength and is known as a “go-to” firm for a particular area. Conversely, presentations can cover an area that is just getting off the ground or at an early stage in its development and needs some fast exposure to let potential customers know about the newly offered products or services.

Get the right speaker on board. Proposed speakers should be experienced executives and, preferably, experienced speakers. Make sure that there are executives in those areas committed to the idea of making public presentations. Some will resist the idea of taking time away from other business activities so make sure that you have their full support.

Speak to the right audience. Thoroughly research the events for which representatives of your firm can be proposed as speakers, as solo presenters or as panelists. There are so many events taking place on so many topics, frequently simultaneously, that you’ll need to choose diligently in order to maximize the time and expense associated with speaking. Identify speaking engagements whose audience represents the clients, customers and industries your organization wants to reach.

Develop a proactive speaker placement program. It’s fine to evaluate unsolicited speaking opportunities. However, having someone dedicated to the task who will aggressively identify opportunities, develop relationships with event organizers and write and submit speaker proposals, should lead to an increase in the frequency of speaking engagements and thus increased visibility for the executives participating and the firm as a whole. Seek out speaking opportunities with event organizers that would be open to having your firm submit speaker proposals, such as independent conference firms or trade show companies and industry associations.

Decide on the geographic area to target for speaking engagements — locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally. There are thousands of speaking opportunities held worldwide every year.

Create high-impact presentations. Audiences want to acquire actionable information they can take back to their organizations. They don’t want to hear that your firm is the leading firm in this or that subject area. A solid, informative presentation that is purely educational and does not promote a service or company will create instant credibility and obviate the need for a “sales pitch.” A presentation that turns out to be a sales pitch will ensure low evaluations by the audience and a one-way ticket home from the conference organizer. The speaker who gives a sales pitch is duly noted and rarely invited back, oftentimes tainting the entire company in the eyes of the event organizer. Create a presentation that offers information that adds value and is not the same run-of-the mill talk that is often given on that particular subject. Make your presentation stand out.

Learn the process for submitting a speaker proposal to the event organizer — follow the format established by the organizer for writing a presentation abstract, submitting bios and speaker expertise, previous speaking experience information, and, of course, meeting the proposal deadline date. Make sure you tailor the abstract and the bio to each speaking opportunity so that they fit the objectives of the audience.

Follow up continuously and persistently with the event organizer to help your company stay above the noise, since you will often be competing with several other companies for the same speaking slot. By staying in touch with the program organizer you’ll increase your chances of being selected to speak.

Even if speaking engagements are successfully attained, be sure to maximize the engagement by ensuring that the presentation has a shelf life. Always come armed with “take-aways”, including handouts. The handout could be a reproduced article written by the attorney speaker or a white paper on the subject at hand, always making sure that contact information is at the bottom of the handout so people can follow up with the speaker.

You might also want to have a colleague attend with the speaker, to take advantage of the networking opportunities at an event. Press releases, either before or after a speaking engagement can attract potential clients, especially when the release contains information that demonstrates the firm’s expertise in a particular area. And last but not least, bring business cards…lots of business cards.

By developing an effective speaker placement program you will have taken a big step in meeting your firm’s marketing, public relations, and business development objectives.

Susan’s note: Speaker Services my business since ’92 has an online directory that brings speakers and audiences together. Check us out how to get listed

Today’s post is all about how speaking can lead to more business by Jeff Wolf written for Rain Today. Before we get to the post I want to share some of our services with you. I think you will agree after reading the following article that it is helpful to have training.

Speaker Services, my business offers lots of training for developing presentations as well as a marketing venue through our online paid listing service to get your message out to the public. E-mail me at speakerservices@ca.rr.com and request the guidelines for getting listed. BTW: We have been in business since 1992.

Yesterday I posted several video testimonials from the Speakers’ Summit

When you have a moment please take a look at what our clients are saying about our training. The Summit is offered once a year in May.

The Speakers’ Bootcamp is another opportunity to work with us. This is offered 3 times a year and is a five day intensive. Next time will be March 26-30 and we only take 20 people. If you are interested in seeing how we coach our folks contact me and I can send you a short instructional mp4 video for viewing. Oh yes, I have a 60 minute audio Q & A on the Speakers’ Bootcamp page that you can download and listen to at your leisure.

The Speakers’ Community Membership Site is coming along and I will be telling you more about it in the very near future and offering you 30 days for free to check us out. You can read more about my intentions if you click on the ink above that says Speakers’ Community.

I want to remind you that being media savvy plays a big part of your speaking practice. That is way we always include media training in all of our trainings. The 3rd MediaSpeak Symposium is scheduled for October 11, 12 & 13. I encourage you to check it out and to attend. This event is for anyone who has a service, product or book who desires more exposure via the media. Reminder: Early registration fee by Sept 1 and save $150.

I welcome your comments please send them my way.

Okay Jeff Wolf take it away. Speaking Your Way To More Business
You are trying to build your book of business. With the competition getting nimbler and more aggressive, it hasn’t been easy. Clients are unfaithful, yet they’re demanding more of your time. You have tried to be a consultative business developer, working on building relationships. You’ve been trying to do as much as you can with limited time.

One way to improve your business development — for yourself, your firm, and your colleagues — is to get out there and give a talk to a roomful of people. Presenting your positions shows you as an expert, or, better, the expert, in your area of specialty. Speaking to a captive audience allows you to make your points and deliver your strongest messages. The crowd will hang on your every word. You are the authority everyone came to see and hear.

If you do it well, you’ll find this form of business development is incredibly successful. It attracts new clients. You become a people magnet. They’ll walk up to you, engage you in conversation, slip you their business cards and say, “Please call me.” Translation: “I like your message and think you are the type of professional with whom I want to do business.” The calls and emails will continue for several weeks as word of mouth spreads through the business community.

Sadly, most speaking opportunities end up wasted. All that worry about the presentation, the pressure of the prep work and, at last, the performance, result in an empty-handed return to the office.  But you can come back with a list of potential clients who are excited about working with you and your firm. As a professional speaker and presentation skills coach, I have seen many service providers speak in front of audiences over and over. Most have no clue how to give their audiences a motivating and memorable experience.

A Golden Opportunity Wasted

I recently gave a keynote address in Los Angeles and, prior to my talk; the association had a lawyer give the membership a legal update. His thirty-minute monologue of facts and figures, presented in a droning, monotone voice while leaning on the podium, was a disaster. I watched in disbelief as a golden opportunity to connect with the audience slipped away, second by second. Every two or three minutes, groups of people got up and walked out.

Flabbergasted, I watched an audience of over 500 people, previously excited to be there, shrink by about 50%. When the speaker finally finished, he garnered a smattering of half-hearted applause – mostly because he had finished. The emcee thanked him and asked, diplomatically, if we could all take a 10-minute break — so they could regroup everyone for the next presentation – mine.

This is one of many sad examples of service providers wasting not only their own valuable time, but also the audience’s valuable time while leaving a bad impression in the minds of 500 potential clients. When I talk with service providers who have just given a presentation, they usually think they have done a tremendous job. Yet, no one comes up afterward or they never receive any calls or emails from the members of the audience. They then tell me, “Speaking is a waste of time and it just doesn’t generate business.” My answer to these providers is very simple and straightforward: “If you give a great speech, business will follow.”

The Key To Success

If you are going to be a presenter, the expert, the font of wisdom, you must remember one central fact. It’s not about you. It’s about them, the audience, the listeners, and people who are investing their precious morning, afternoon, or evening to hear and see you.

They listen intently with one question in mind: what’s in it for me? They want to be engaged by your personality and passion for your subject matter. If you are passionate about your topic, your listeners will become excited about it, too. If you deliver your message with enthusiasm, voice variance, and convincing inflections, staying clear of the podium and employing dramatic body language, you will become a people magnet.

That podium puts a wall between you and the audience. Ditch it and connect with the people you want to win over. Don’t let the podium be a barrier – that just tells those folks you’re nervous and uncertain. Remember, you’re the expert. You know your material frontwards, backwards, and inside-out. Come out in the open and be open. Stand tall and confident. Connect. Smile and use a tone of voice that makes people feel good.

Here’s something to take to heart. A famous UCLA study on communication found that:

• 55% of communication is body language
• 38% is tone of voice
• 7% is the actual words

A Success Story

Last year, I spoke at an event attended by over 700 people from companies large and small. After my speech, I sat in on a couple of workshops. One was a presentation by an attorney to about 75 people. A podium stood at the front of the room, but she didn’t go near it. Instead, she walked from side to side and up and down a few rows. Why? To connect with her audience. She carried herself with poise and dignity, and was passionate about her subject. Everyone could see that she knew her stuff and was well-prepared.

She gave her talk with energy, passion, and style. When it was over, I counted 25 people who went up to her and handed her their cards, saying they were interested in speaking further with her. After the room emptied, and while she was packing up her things, I walked up to her and introduced myself. We talked about how her presentations were generating new business for her firm and the self-evident benefits for herself.

She said she had been doing approximately eight to ten presentations a year. Each year, her speaking had led to increased revenues. We shared a knowing laugh when I told her our consulting firm has seen the same results.

When I asked her what the key to her success was, she said, “Most lawyers think it is a waste of time to speak because they don’t want to make the effort to practice. Most of my colleagues have the attitude that it is always about them but, in the real world outside of law, it is all about the needs of the audience. That’s why I continue to speak and keep growing my practice at an unbelievable rate each year.”

My friend e-mailed the following video that he saw on You Tube - Elvira Speaks
When you have a chance take a look at it-it’s a riot.

You’ll probably agree after viewing it that you do need to be prepared to speak!

Many of my colleagues feel as I do that it is vitally important to have a coach and to continue to take seminars to enhance their skills.

At Speaker Services we offer lots of training. The Speakers’ Bootcamp is a great intensive for honing your speaking skills. Our next Bootcamp is March 26-30, ’08.

The MediaSpeak Symposium is great for anyone who has a service, product or book and wants to get more publicity.

Does any of the following sound like you?

You want to:

- Communicate your key message to the news media, audiences and clients

- Position yourself as a savvy media guest/expert

- Create grabber sound bites that attract attention

- Sell books on the radio and TV

- Develop dynamite pitches that attract producers and editors to spotlight you now

- Choose the best promotion strategies for print, TV, radio or Internet

- Discover how to pitch to multiple media outlets

- Become a sought-after talk show guest who gets booked again and again

- Convince newspapers and magazines to run feature stories on you and your work

- Nail any interview without getting clobbered

- Craft print and online media kits that reporters will love

- Adapt your ideas into a screenplay or TV pilot

Then you need to be at the 3rd annual MediaSpeak Symposium, October 11-13.

Psst: sign up by Sept 1 and save $150.

Would you like to have a video presence on your website? The BizSpeak and Video Workshop is a one camera shoot with a full day workshop attached to it.

There are just a few slots open at this time. Grab one-it’s only $497. A steal.

When I went to You Tube today to see the Elvira Speaks video I created an account and uploaded 2 short videos. One is with Jack and me talking about Why Video is Important and the other is of one of our speakers Suzanne Stanford talking about Internet Safety. Click here to view them. Suzanne’s is a one camera shoot that we shot at the Speakers’ Summit.

If you are a speaker and you want to get booked for speaking gigs it is necessary to have a 3 camera video shoot in front of a live audience. We offer a Video Demo Showcase twice a year for 18 folks. Take a look at some of the streaming samples on my website. I have 2 openings for Nov 4.

I got sidetracked today with the Elvira Speaks video and now I have to get back to work!

More later.

Susan

Tips for Press Coverage by Sharon Housley

Press exposure can significantly impact a small businesses’ success. Press releases are not just for big businesses; many small businesses find press releases to be an inexpensive way to gain exposure and attention. It is not uncommon for reporters from magazines, newspapers or blogs to scan press releases as a means to locate content.

Here are some tips to enhance the exposure and quality of your press releases:

1. Relevant
First and foremost, it is important to decide what information should be included in your press release. Information that is newsworthy and relevant will have the best chances of gaining the attention of an editor. The press release should be sent to related publications: a pet magazine is not going to print a press release about the latest compression utility, but it might print a release about software that manages records of a pets shots.

2. Customize
Giving your press release a personalized touch, especially for bloggers and online journalists, can be helpful in gaining attention. Spending an extra few moments to personalize a press release could be just what is needed to make it stand out from hundreds of other press releases. While it is impractical to customize all of the press releases sent, it might make sense to personalize the releases for key publications or media outlets.

3. Summarize
By creating a succinct summary of the announcement, editors will not need to reword, or condense a lengthy release. The first paragraph or two should clearly state the announcement, so that an editor’s space is limited, they can simply use the summary in their publication.

4. Swag is Good
The press loves freebies, and by offering them, there is a chance potential customers will keep your name in their mind. Feel free to send branded goodies to the editors as a special thank you for any exposure that you receive.

5. Thank You
If you are interviewed or receive an especially complimentary review be sure to thank your press contact. As strange as it might sound rarely are the editors thanked for the coverage they provide. Extending a heartfelt thank you, could mean an editor remembers your company when the next press release is sent.

6. Honesty
The more truthful the release the more likely that it will get ink. Avoid using superfluous adjectives that inflate the use your product or service. Keep your press release factual.

7. Keywords
Be sure to use keywords and keyword phrases in the press release so that it will be easily located by reporters looking for specific material.

8. Demand Attention
Carefully select the title for of your press release so that it attracts attention. The title should contain key points related to the announcement. A good title is critical. If the title does not gain the interest of the editor, it will not matter what the body of the release says.

Keep in mind that it is unlikely you will see instant results from the print media. Print media has a long cycle and you might not see coverage for months.

In short, press releases are great way to gain attention. The cost of sending a press release is minuscule when compared to the potential exposure that may result. A well-written press piece can garner significant press coverage and exposure.

Building relationships with the media is a long process and takes considerable time and patience. Editors have to deal with deadline pressures and locating appropriate filler content should the need arise, befriending the reporters will go a long way toward press coverage.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll audio recording and editing software.

Reminder: You can learn more about press releases, online and offline when you attend the 3rd annual MediaSpeak Symposium, October 11,12 & 13 in Los Angeles.

Not only that you can pitch to radio, tv and print media live.

This is always a sold out event – save $150 when you sign up by 9/1/07.

MediaSpeak ’06 attendees

The fact that there were twenty different media reps in the room to hear my pitch was awe-inspiring. The fact that there were two days of master training beforehand to prepare me to pitch was priceless.If you want to do something, do it right. The MediaSpeak Symposium is so right.
- Lisa Ehrenberg, Lisa Ehrenberg Designs

Having just completed Susan Levin’s Media Speak Symposium, I want to tell everyone to SIGN UP IMMEDIATELY. Susan and Jack are an amazing team, and I learned so much. This will definitely push my business to the next level.
- Sue Harrison-Haber, Addiction Specialist, Speaker, Author

Jack Barnard, Getting to the Point

The 5 Best Ways to Get Media Attention for Your Business
by Fern Reiss, CEO, PublishingGame.com/Expertizing.com

Fern Reiss weighs in today on how to get media attention for your business.

You can learn more about getting media attention for your business if you attend the MediaSpeak Symposium where you will learn to master the message and master the media plus have an opportunity to pitch live to radio, TV and print media on October 11,12 and 13.

This is a partial list of the confimed media for the Pitch Fest

Radio: Health Radio Network, LifeSytle Talk Radio Network, Business Talk Radio, The Aware Show-KPFK, Inner Vision Radio Show-KPFK, Beyond Words-KCLU, NPR National News Magazine. Help Your Self,KRLA 870 AM, Shrink Rap, KCSN 88.5 FM, Women’s Inspiration, KCSN 88.5 FM, Get Unstuck, Big Media USA, ABC Radio Networks, Satellite Sisters

TV: The Wright Place, AMC, TV Guide Channel, Speak On It, Voices of Tomorrow, Living Spirit Channel

Print: Journal of Longevity, Los Angeles Sentinel, The Learning Annex

Here’s Fern

How do you get journalists to write articles about you? In the past year, I’ve been featured in over 100 magazines and newspapers worldwide (including many of the biggies, from The New York Times to Fortune Magazine). How do you get that kind of attention for your book or business? Here are my top techniques.(See my special report, http://www.PublishingGame.com/mediareport.htm for an even deeper look at how to maximize your media attention.)

Be media worthy
This should be obvious, but even experienced publicists seem to overlook it. Journalists are looking for news, for trends, for cutting-edge story ideas. They’re not looking for “I published a new book” or “I hired a new employee” or “I have a great new business idea!” Even though those sentences have the word ‘new’ in them, that’s not sufficient for most journalists, whose first reaction is, “Who cares?” If you can satisfactorily answer the “Who cares?” then you’re well on your way to nailing down a story.

Learn to coin juicy soundbites
Besides having a newsy story to tell, it’s also helpful if you can present it in a juicy, clever way. Most of the stories that are covered by today’s media profile people who can tell a good story in an interesting way. Get some consulting or take a class with someone whose expertise is coining soundbites in order to maximize your ability to be quoted. (I offer this consulting, as do others.) What do I mean by a soundbite? Take, for example, the time I was featured in a major wire service syndicated news story, in a story on the bankruptcy of WonderBread. My quote—which appeared first in an article that also quoted the CEOs of Krispy Kreme and Bruegger’s Bagels—was “America’s donut days are dead.” (If you don’t understand why that was a desirable quote, quickly run out and get some training!)

Send out publicity releases regularly
On a consistent basis, send out press releases on whatever you’re doing. Depending on your business objectives, you might want to send out releases monthly or weekly, but try to develop a regular pattern that reporters can rely on. Barbara Corcoran, whose company became famous as New York City’s biggest residential real estate group, attributes much of her tremendous media success to the regular publicity release of “The Corcoran Report,” where she quantified the average condo and co-op sale in the city. Use one of the low-cost or free press release services for your frequent communications, and a more upscale press release service infrequently for your particularly important communications.

But do targeted publicity too
Don’t just send generic press releases to publications randomly; do targeted publicity as well. When you speak to most publicists, their idea of targeted releases is sending to 500 publications instead of 10,000. When I say targeted publicity, I mean zeroing in on one publication, and one editor or journalist at that publication, to whom to address your story. A few years ago, when I wanted some major international publicity for Expertizing, I sat down with all the business magazines and decided which one was most appropriate; then I read back stories by everyone on the masthead until I’d zeroed in on the journalist who was most likely to appreciate my story. I sent him a press release—just one press release, just to him. Two days later he phoned, and a few weeks later he attended my all-day Expertizing Workshop in Boston. The result? A full page story in Fortune Magazine. (More on how to target publications most effectively in the Expertizing Publicity Forum— http://www.Expertizing.com/forum.htm)

Sign up for the Expertizing Publicity Forum
If you’re promoting a nonfiction book or general –interest business, consider my new Expertizing Publicity Forum, where each week you can tell top journalists about your business—and hear their personalized tips on how you can best promote it, and whether they’re interested in writing an article about it for their publication. Participants have gotten placement in everything from The New York Times to USA Today, and two participants got literary agents and big publishing deals! For more information, check out http://www.Expertizing.com/forum.htm.

Recommended Resource:

Bill Stoller’s Publicity newsletter delivers loads of meaty public relations insights, leads of media needs with publicity contact information. PARTYLINE – A Roundup of Media Placement Opportunities is a segment of the Newsletter. Each month, Bill teams up with Partyline to bring you exclusive inside info about reporters looking for stories, new publications and exclusive story placement opportunities. If you see a story opportunity that fits your company, jump on it quick — before word leaks out to the
outside world.

PORTFOLIO, the long awaited Conde Nast monthly business magazine, chronicles how business shapes the world, and who the big players are that wield the greatest power. Every story in the big magazine has a business angle while the subjects run from politics, art, technology, entertainment. They are committed to running longer business stories along with strong photographic and other design effects. It is said that some 75 writers and editors have been recruited from other publications such as the NY Times, Time, Wired, etc. The staff and contributors are Blaise Zarega who is managing editor; Jennifer Close, who is the assistant to the editor-in-chief; Christopher Jones, managing editor; Kyle Pope, senior editor; Mark Stein who is senior news editor; James Impoco is deputy editor; Brendan Vaughan, senior editor. A full list of contributors are available at their website: www.portfolio.com/contributors. The magazine is at Conde Nast, Four Times Square, 17 fl., New York, NY 10036, (212) 286-2860.

Prevention Magazine gives cutting edge information about staying well, informing its readers with the latest information on family health, food, nutrition, the best workouts, beauty, cooking, and more. The new editor is Liz Vaccariello, Jennifer Cook is executive editor; Polly Chevalier is managing editor. Rebekah George is beauty editor; Caroline Bollinger is fitness editor.

Reach them all at Rodale Publishing, 33 E. Minor St., Emmaus, PA, 18098-0099, (610) 967-5171; Fax: (610) 967-7726. Their E-mail formula is: firstname.lastname@rodale.com.

Success Magazine and Successmagazine.com, has just appointed five new editors to their staff. The new hires are: James C. Johnson, Business Editor, who in his new position will develop, write, edit and assign department and feature stories which focus on the news and trends affecting small business; Pam Baker will be a Contributing Editor, specializing in technology; Anita Campbell, is a Contributing Editor, Small Business; Michelle Tsai, Contributing Editor and Adam Stone, Contributing Writer. Success Magazine is the business magazine that provides the tools to help business professionals balance work and life issues. Its editorial features a mix of practical, strategic and tactical guidance on subjects from building personal wealth and raising capital to improving management skills. Success will publish 6 issues in 2007; 10 in 2008, and 12 in 2009. The magazine has a rate base of 650,000 and is distributed by Curtis Circulation. The editorial offices of Success are at 205 Lexington Avenue, Ste. 510, New York, NY 10016, (212) 213-8473. Their website is:
www.successmagazine.com.

Stuff Magazine’s audience is composed of male readers from 18 to 34, who rank number one for being the first to try new products, services, and advice on technology, electronics, auto purchases. Gene Newman is the editor in-chief programming director; Jordan Burchette is the executive editor/multimedia director; Cory Jones is editor, with Mike Errico and Lindsay Goldenberg senior editors. Stan Horaczek is their associate editor and Adam Bryant is assistant editor with James Jung the editorial assistant. Stuff is at Dennis Publishing, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018, (212) 302-2626; Fax: (212) 354-4364. Their website is: www.stuffmagazine.com

Today is my first post at our new blog home on the Speakers Community server.

Sam Levy, the NETMAN, made the move for me. We are still working on a few fixes however I think it is good enough to show off. Sam has been my webmaster for many years and is a delight to work with and very patient with me. Do look him up at http://www.thenetcave.com

Here’s some of the ways he can help you. The NET MAN provides Business Integration Consulting for the Internet as well as database driven sites, shopping carts and E-Zines. Business Websites That Work! Consulting – Management – Production – Hosting – Marketing – Development.

I mentioned the Speakers’ Community and that is a membership site that Sam is building for me and it should be ready to launch I think at the end of October.
There is a link underneath the banner that says Speakers’ Community clcik on that which will explain my vision for this ambitious project.

Today we are talking about Online Media Rooms and their importance. We were discussing online media rooms on our last teleclass call with Jill Lublin and Nita Vallens. Listen to the audio replay. Jill will go into more detail about this topic at the MediaSpeak Symposium in October.

To reinforce the information Jill shared with us I asked Marcia Yudkin for permission to reprint her article on Online Media Rooms. Marcia is a brilliant marketer and I have been la fan of hers for years.

She is one of myRecommended Resource She offers creative solutions for marketing and PR and has many special reports, CD’s, E-books and books on her website for purchase that will be helpful for your marketing and PR concerns.

Take a look at her offerings and she is always adding new iitems. http://tinyurl.com/3xyfu9
Take it away Marcia

Online Press Rooms Save the Media Time and Frustration
by Marcia Yudkin

When web site usability guru Jakob Nielsen tested how well major corporate sites met the needs of reporters last year, he gave them a “D” grade. Journalists who tested sites for him located basic information such as the companies’ financials, management team, commitment to social responsibility and a phone number for a PR contact only 60 percent of the time.

An excellent way to meet reporters’, editors’ and producers’ needs is online press room, collecting what they need to know about your organization in one place. Some sites offer this as a subchoice under “About Us,” while others have a major link called “Press Room,” “For the Press” or “For the Media.” By providing press-friendly materials on demand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you increase the odds of someone writing about you, using photos you’ve supplied and doing so with accuracy.

Your online press room should contain, at a minimum:
- An organizational profile
- Names and bios of principals and executives of your organization
- A PR contact with name, email address and telephone number
- Press releases, presented with the most recent first

Optional extras for your press room include:
- Online versions of recent annual reports or white papers
- Downloadable photos of products or key personnel
- Statements about relevant controversial issues currently in the news
- Suggested angles for feature stories including your organization
- Sample questions for talk show hosts
- Links to pertinent studies, statistics and news stories
- Links to previous coverage you’ve enjoyed
- Prewritten use-as-is stories or tips
- Audio or video clips, especially for music performers

The more lively the style in which all of the above comes across, the more likely you are to get journalists passing through to stay awhile and start thinking about how they can use what you’ve provided. Corporate-speak may please internal bosses, but it gets in the way here and may even provide fodder for the many sites that make fun of pretentious marketing blather.

Keep in mind that on the web, media from all over the world and from outside of your industry can access your press room, so avoid acronyms and insert the kinds of background explanations that would be found in a quality news story. Dates are especially important to present unambiguously. Jakob Nielsen reported a case where a European reporter dismissed a company’s news as old because it was dated 10-3-2000, which to him meant March 10 rather than the intended October 3.

Nielsen also pointed out that the journalists, whom his team observed in their actual work environment, often were using old software or hardware which crashed when trying to access PDF files or Flash sites. Remember that despite the apparent convenience of downloadable files, some media folks may for many reasons still prefer to receive a physical copy of your photos or your product – or a traditional all-in-one-folder, expensive-to-mail PR kit.

An online press room meets some needs, but not all, so be prepared to fulfill old-fashioned requests as well.

If you find this information helpful or you have a comment we would like to hear from you.

I am all about media these days and when I saw this following article Shaping How The Media Portrays You in Rain Today by C.J. Hayden, contributing edito  I excerpted the section on ptiching to the media. It actually sums up what Jill Lublin was talking about on the complimentary teleclass for the MediaSpeak Symposium. When you have a moment you can listen or download the hour interview I did with Jill Lublin and Nita Vallens. Click here to listen.

The first step to getting accurate media coverage is to write a news release or pitch letter presenting your desired story. Picking the right story to create a release around is crucial. In order for the media to be interested, the information in your release must be truly newsworthy, or have broad appeal to their intended audience. The larger the audience of a particular media outlet is, the harder it will be to attract their attention.

In a small community, offering a new workshop to the public might be enough to get you in the local paper or on the radio. To get coverage from the daily newspaper or evening news in a large city, however, you’ll need to announce something more significant.

It can help to tie what your business does to some major trend, recent news, or an upcoming holiday or event. With magazines and online media, your story’s direct appeal to the niche audience a particular outlet serves is the key to attract editors.

You’ll need to send your release, along with any supporting material, to the editors and producers of the departments, features, or programs that specialize in the kind of story you are presenting.

You can create your own media list by researching the media outlets you want to reach, or you can purchase lists and directories from companies like Cision or Gebbie Press.

After sending your release, follow up with a phone call, and be prepared to pitch your story verbally. Be sure you have an answer to the question, “Why will this story interest our audience?” The larger the outlet you approach, the less likely it is that the journalist or editor will take your call. That’s why it’s essential that you prepare a targeted, well-written release in the first place.

At the MediaSpeak Symposium we will prepare you for giving a media interview and you will have an opportunity to be coached by the media coaches. Take a look at the program and you will actually have an opportunity to pitch to the media live.

Here’s a partial list of the media who are participating at the Pitch Fest

Radio: Health Radio Network-www.healthradio.net, LifeSytle Talk Radio Network-www.lifestyletalkradio.com, The Aware Show-KPFK, Inner Vision Radio Show-KPFK, Beyond Words-KCLU, NPR National News Magazine. Help Your Self,KRLA 870 AM, Shrink Rap, KCSN 88.5 FM, Women’s Inspiration, KCSN 88.5 FM, Get Unstuck, Big Media USA, ABC Radio Networks, Satellite Sisters

TV: The Wright Place, AMC, TV Guide Channel, Speak On It, Voices of Tomorrow

Print: Journal of Longevity, Los Angeles Sentinel, The Learning Annex

What phenomenal results! I pitched nine people and got five offers simply and only because of what I learned at the Symposium. I have never had such an immediate application of a newly learned skill with such positive results.
- Pam Hogan, Trainer, Author Keeping People out of Prison one Training at a Time

I am all about PR and Media these days for professionals, authors and speakers.

As you may know we are offering the third annual MediaSpeak Symposium in October and I expect that we will have sell out crowd.

Today I am sharing a recommended resource with you for PR as well as photos from the ’06 Symposium and am showing off two of our faculty members for the ’07 Symposium.

Here’s some of the folks from MediaSpeak06

This is Michael Dresser. He’s a Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host on LifeStyle Talk Radio Network and Health Radio Network 5 days a week as well as a nationally recognized Media/Communications Coach.

He’ll be talking to us at the Symposium about How to Sell Books on the Radio, TV or any other public venue.

Ellen Sandler will talk to us on how to Pitch to Hollywood.

Want to turn your ideas into a screenplay or a TV pilot?

Attendees said:
The MediaSpeak Symposium was a fabulous training on how to approach the media and speak your message in a way that is arresting and newsworthy. For any professional who 
wants to be seen and heard by millions, this is an event not to be missed!
-
- Chellie Campbell, Speaker & author of The Wealthy Spirit and Zero to Zillionaire

What phenomenal results! I pitched nine people and got five offers simply and only because of what I learned at the Symposium. I have never had such an immediate application of a newly learned skill with such positive results.
- Pam Hogan, Trainer, Author Keeping People out of Prison one Training at a Time

Reminder: Early registration fee for 3 days is only $347 and $497 after 9/1.

Learn more and register

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
The Publicity Hound, Joan Stewart is one of my favorite resources. I love her website and blog. She is brilliant and gives so much information away for free and her special reports, CD’s/transcripts etc are very reasonable and full of terrific easy to understand information.

If you want publicity for your programs and your products, publicity expert Joan Stewart says, “you must stop pitching your programs and your products and start pitching your expertise.” Joan, also known as The Publicity Hound®, is a publicity expert who also happens to be a professional speaker.

Her website will show you how to capture the attention of media people and have them coming back to you again and again for story ideas, background, commentary and interviews.

The Publicity Hound website is loaded with free tips and tricks and valuable educational tools. Get tips on selling books from someone who really knows how to do it. I recommend her enthusiastically. Visit her website to learn more tinyurl.com/yv7s9e

Last week when Jack and I were driving home from the National Speakers Association Convention we dreamed up a new workshop- Authors’ SpeakEasy. We know that writing a book can be a lonely process and when it is finally done it needs to be marketed and spoken about. We discovered that many writers aren’t speakers and have a tricky time telling us in one or two sentences what their book is about.

Authors need to promote themselves and their books. To get their books out to the public — for any effective action at all — there will be networking, book signings, media interviews and speaking engagements. Hopefully, lots of them. In order to be successful at the media adventure, you — the author must master the media.

I am reaching out to book publishers, literary agents and of course authors who might get value out this training. Please pass the word along. It is happening November 9-11 in Los Angeles.

Today I am sharing Jill Lublins’ Top 10 Sure Fire Publicity Tips. Her suggestions work for authors and any professional who desires visibility and recognition for their books and services.

Jill is one of the speakers at the MediaSpeak Symposium and she’ll be talking about Guerrilla Publicity – Practical Strategies to Increase Visibility.

This is Jill Lublin and Jack Barnard
Jack will be talking about Get to the Point at the MediaSpeak Symposium

From the Best Selling Book, Guerrilla Publicity By Jill Lublin, Jay Conrad Levinson and Rick Frishman

Top 10 Sure Fire Publicity Tips
1. Introduce yourself with a sound bite – Few people have time to listen to the full story. Use language that will grab and captivate the media, show them your star potential and make them want to move mountains to advance your career.

2. Come from the heart – To successfully promote your product or service: you must honestly believe in what you’re promoting and you can’t fake it.

3. Follow up – The magic formula for getting publicity is follow up, follow up, follow up.

4. Find your uniqueness and capitalize on it – Find out what’s unique about you, what distinguishes you, your product, or service from the crowd. Then, come up with lever and unusual ways to tell the world about it.

5. Headline tips – Aim for headlines that are clear, concise, and make the reader want more information. Write your headlines after you’ve written the story. Keep them short, no more than one line.

6. Get others to spread the word – To build a successful business, you need networks, strategic alliances, etc. to help advance your cause. Everyone you know, hear about, meeting, and do business with is a prospect for your network.

7. Speak before groups – Speaking before groups increases your visibility, reputation, and stature in your industry. It establishes you as an authority in your field, draws media attention, and makes you more attractive to potential customers / clients.

8. Eat, sleep, and breathe publicity – Publicity never sleeps. It’s an ongoing, 24 / 7 process that never stops. Publicity accompanies you everywhere.

9. Media lists – Update your list on an ongoing basis. Unless you keep your list current, you’ll end up wasting time and energy contacting people who have long gone.

10. Trade shows and special events – Trade shows, conferences, and conventions are prime marketing opportunities because everyone is there to make contacts, talk shop, and do business.

Jill Lublin is an internationally acclaimed speaker and best selling author of the books, Guerrilla Publicity and Networking Magic. She is the CEO of the strategic consulting firm Promising Promotion and founder of GoodNews Media, Inc. Jill hosts the nationally syndicated radio show Do the Dream, has a TV show called The Connecting Minute, and is working on her third book to be published by McGraw-Hill in 2008.

I just got back from the National Speakers’ Association in San Diego.

It was great fun.

We found that many of the speakers were interested in the Video Demo-3 camera shoot coming up in November. I think we will be full. We only take 18 people. I was showing demo samples on my computer in our exhibit booth.

Also of great interest was the MediaSpeak Symposium, October 11-13. Several people signed up right away when they heard the early registration fee for 3 days was only $347. This is our third year offering the Symposium.

I need to send out the Speakers’ Guidelines to about 20 people so they can get listed in our Directory. Since 92 we have been bringing speakers and audiences together.

The Speakers’ Bootcamp is full for August and we have a wait list at this time.

BTW: My mentor for Web Marketing 2.0 and this blog Michelle Price tells me that she is taking on new clients to help them get their blogs plus also creating a marketing strategy for them so that it brings them mucho business. Take a look at her website AThirdMind.com

Here’s some photos I took at the conference of friends and colleagues.

Jovita Jenkins (r) and Terry Green (l)
Jovita is the author of Get Out of Your Own Way and Terry is a VA. Her business is Fastype and she helped me out during the conference.

This is Scott of Beyondee taking a photo of a client. Beyondee takes your photo and creates business cards for you- 1,000 cards for only $59.

I’m hoping he’ll be at the MediaSpeak Symposium so the attendees can take advantage of the great deal.

Jack Barnard relaxing -Jack is our master branding, media and presentation coach

Jack and Susan in the Speaker Services Booth

Jill Lublin (r) and me. Jill is one of the speakers at the MediaSpeak Symposium. Her company is Promising Promotions

Blanche Katz stopped in for a visit.
Blanche is an ElderCare Educator

Marilyn Snyder of Interactive Concepts
She is all about Power Point Design

Acutrack
On-Demand CD/DVD Services. Acutrack enables you to create, produce and deliver your content on CDs and DVDs.
Terry Green won their give-away of 100 CD’s and she gave it to me. Can’t wait as they will do all the work for me.

James Malinchak, The College Success Bootcamp King. He had a great booth and he offers an awesome College Bootcamp.

A few days ago I talked about Alex Carroll the Radio PR Guy. He has a database of radio talk show hosts and producers who book speakers/authors for their shows. Today I am sharing a tip from him on how to create a pitch or media hook plus examples of radio show listings from his database.

Also included in this post is one of my favorite recommeded resources audioacrobat.
Have you considered doing your own radio show or podcasting? Or do you simply want to have an audio prescence of your website or blog? How about recording a teleclass and creating a product from it? You can do all of the above plus more if you have audioacrobat.

AudioAcrobat is a powerful and easy online radio and audio/video content development tool and a recording, streaming and hosting service. All of your audio messages are automatically converted into a single of html code that can be uploaded to any website. Dave Barrett, the owner offers training every week. See the schedule for the week of July 9 & 10. below. Try it out for 30 days for free. Click here to try it out.

You can see how I uploaded an MP4 of our speaker and authot Julie Thong to audioacrobat click here and to listen to audio see Lisa Marie Platske . Listen to a replay of a teleclass of a Q & A teleclass that I did with Jack Barnard on The Speakers’ Bootcamp or take a look at the Speakers’ Summit Hot Seat Video’s we produced . If you would like to develop a one camera streaming video for your website or blog etc you might want to attend the BizSpeak and Video Workshop September 15 &16 in Los Angeles and also see the streaming samples that I uploaded to audioacrobat .

BTW: On July 23, I am offering a free teleclass with Nita Vallens, talk show host for KPFK, Inner Vision and Jill Lublin, Guerilla Marketing. We’ll be talking about online media rooms and what producers/hosts say they look for in a compelling guest. Sign up Both of these ladies are speaking at the MediaSpeak Symposium in October.

At the MediaSpeak Symposium you will learn how to pitch to the media and actually have an opportunity to pitch live to radio, TV and print folks.

Back to Alex’s tip:

The first step towards being a guest on big radio shows is coming up with a great “media hook,” or “show pitch.”

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank formula that you can use to create a show pitch that is guaranteed to grab a producer’s attention virtually every time …

* Pitch Formula: “___ things you must do immediately when ______________”

And here’s a couple of examples of how you might apply it:

Show Pitch: “5 things you must do immediately when you find out the company you work for is about to be bought out”

Show Pitch: “3 things you must do immediately when someone starts yelling at you … or threatening you”

This is a very versatile show pitch formula and can be used for almost anything. The word “must” makes it especially compelling, and the word “immediately” makes it urgent. Here’s some more examples: “7 things you must do immediately when the Fed starts lowering interest rates,” or “when your flight gets cancelled,” or “when the principal calls and your kid’s in trouble,” or “when you notice an odd growth on your skin,” or “when you wake up from a bad nightmare,” or whatever. It’s pretty much limitless.

If you are ready to pitch to talk shows I suggest you purchase the database listing which includes 1,264 radio shows, faxes, e-mails, websites, categories, show descriptions, time slots, number of listeners, frequencies, markets, time zones, news directors, public affairs directors, program directors, and more … for each show.

And it is the only database available of just the big shows. Here’s the link to order the talk show database.

Sample of radio talk show producers on Alex’s list.
Rank, Host, Producer, Phone, Address

#1, Sean Hannity, James Grisham, 212-613-3800
WABC, 2 Penn Plaza, 17th Fl., New York, NY 10121

#2, Michael Savage, David Ruben, 541-664-8827
Talk Radio Ntwk., 724 E. Pine St., Central Point, OR 97502

#3, Howard Stern, Gary Del’Abate, 212-584-5100
Sirius, 1211 6th Ave., New York, NY, 10020

#4, Dr. Laura, Fax pitches to 818-461-5140, 818-377-5300
Premiere, 15260 Ventura Bl-500, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403

#5, George Noory, Lisa Lyon, 541-955-0100
Premiere, 777 NE 7th St., Grants Pass, OR, 97526

#6, Bill O’Reilly, Ron Mitchell, 212-301-3000
Fox News, 1211 6th Ave., New York, NY 10036

#7, Glenn Beck, Stu Burguiere, 610-617-2033
WPHT, 10 Monument Rd., Bala Cynwyd, PA, 19004

#8, Laura Ingraham, Mike Kincaid, 541-664-8827
TRN, 724 E. Pine St., Central Point, OR, 97502

#9, Jim Bohannon, John Stolnis, 202-457-7997
Westwood One, 2020 ‘M’ NW, Washington DC, 20036

#10, Mike Gallagher, Jason Hiatt, 972-831-1920
Salem, 6400 N. Beltline Rd, Ste 210, Irving, TX 75063

Here are the upcoming comimentary AudioAcrobat training choices:

Monday – July 9, 2007

Basic Training…75 minutes

2:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
1:00 PM Central Time (CST)
12:00 Noon Mountain Time (MST)
11:00 AM Pacific Time (PST)

———————————-

Podcasting and Video…75 minutes

Please have an audio recording for this class

7:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
6:00 PM Central Time (CST)
5:00 PM Mountain Time (MST)
4:00 PM Pacific Time (PST)

***************************

Tuesday – July 10, 2007

Podcasting and Video…75 minutes

Please have an audio recording for this class

2:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
1:00 PM Central Time (CST)
12:00 Noon Mountain Time (MST)
11:00 AM Pacific Time (PST)

————————

Basic Training…75 minutes

7:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
6:00 PM Central Time (CST)
5:00 PM Mountain Time (MST)
4:00 PM Pacific Time (PST)

***************************

Conference Call Number: (605) 990-0001

Remember you can try it out for 30 days for free.

Recommended Resource: Alex Carroll, Radio PR

If you have a book or a product or a service that is newsworthy and you want to be interviewed on talk radio shows or perhaps you want to speak on cruise ships allow me to recommend some great resources for you.

Alex Carroll has a fantastic program that you will want to check out.

As John Kremers says, “When you decide that you’re ready to start dealing with radio stations directly, get Alex Carroll’s program. His top radio show database, tapes of dealing with producers, and examples of actual talk shows will help you to become a radio talk show star.”

Radio Publicity Expert Alex Carroll shows you how to:
- Get Rich and Become Famous …Being A Guest on Big Radio Shows without Spending A Dime On Advertising or Ever Leaving the Comfort of Your Home
His Comprehensive, Easy-To-Read, 177 page Radio Publicity Manual Tells You How To Get On Huge Radio Shows and How To Turn Your Free Radio Publicity Into A Small Fortune

He has a Database of the nation’s BIGGEST radio stations which allows you to target yourself as a guest to the monster radio shows

The data that you receive for each show when you purchase my complete database of the top 1,364 radio shows includes faxes, e-mails, websites, categories, show descriptions, time slots, number of listeners, frequencies, markets, time zones, news directors, public affairs directors, program directors, and more … for each show.
Three different Radio Publicity Packages for you to choose from:

- The Radio Publicity Manual
- The Advanced Package
- The Millionaire Package

Depending on which package you opt for, you’ll also receive a total of up to 7 bonuses.
Learn more and order.

Please make sure you know how to pitch the producers/hosts of the radio shows and then how to be a give a good interview.

We’ll be talking about that on the complimentary teleclass for the MediaSpeakSymposium on July 23 with Nita Vallens: How to Get Booked on Radio Talk Shows, Give a Great Interview and Get Invited Back with Nita Vallens

- What producers say they look for in a compelling guest
- Blunders that will NEVER get you invited back
- How to prepare for your interview
- Secrets for selling more books and other products on the air
- How to follow up with the host

This is the third year that I am producing the MediaSpeak Symposium in Los Angeles. I am looking for Speakers-Authors-Coaches-Consultants-Entrepreneurs- Business Executives-Spokesperson who recognize the value of media exposure.

In this 3 day interactive event the attendees will learn how to position themselves as an experts, establish their credibility, increase visibility, attract media attention & generate results. Plus they will learn how to get and use publicity, supercharge their book, screenplay, product, business, service or cause when they talk to the media.

2006 attendees

Here are a few of the items we will be teaching:
- Communicate your key message to the news media, audiences and clients
- Position yourself as a savvy media guest/expert
- Create grabber sound bites that attract attention
- Sell books on the radio and TV
- Develop dynamite pitches that attract producers and editors to spotlight you now and more

Jack Barnard, Branding, Media, Presentation Coach

Getting to the Point

Read more/see the program and see what people are saying about the event.

The highlight of the event is the Pitch Fest where you can pitch live to the media and actually get booked on radio, TV or interviewed for newspapers or magazines.

Our media coaches we coach you on how to pitch your message to the media.

Gina Salvetti, Radio Producer, Pitch Fest

The MediaSpeak Symposium was a fabulous training on how to approach the media and speak your message in a way that is arresting and newsworthy. For any professional who wants to be seen and heard by millions, this is an event not to be missed!
- Chellie Campbell, Speaker & author of The Wealthy Spirit and Zero to Zillionaire

Dr. Letitia Wright, The Wright Palce TV, Pitch Fest

Here’s the PDF mediaspeak07.pdf for the MediaSpeak Symposium-send it along to anyone you know who could benefit from the Symposium.

Join us for #1 Complimentary Teleclass with the Faculty of the MediaSpeak Symposium with Jill Lublin & Nita Vallens

Monday, July 23, 10am-11:15am PST
Read more and register for the teleclass:

You will want to tune into this complimentary teleclass if you are interested in learning how to:

- Get exposure on radio, TV or print but don’t have the know how to navigate the maze of media relations that are necessary to get it.

- Why a media/press room is essential for great publicity
See Jill’s Media room

- How the NPR labyrinth works…this will help you understand all your pitching options

- Questions to ask yourself before you pitch so you don’t waste time on pitches that go nowhere

Jill Lublin is the author of two national best selling books, Guerrilla Publicity (which is considered the PR bible and is used in university marketing courses) and Networking Magic (which went to #1 at Barnes and Noble). She is a renowned strategist and international speaker. As the CEO of the strategic consulting firm, Promising Promotion, Jill has created successful techniques that implement bottom line results. www.JillLublin.com

Nita Vallens is the host of InnerVision Radio Show, KPFK 90.7 fm. InnerVision is your lunch time spot for health and spirituality! Past guests have included Caroline Myss, Deepak Chopra, John Edward, Bo Lozoff and many more. www.nitavallens.com

Read more and register for the teleclass:

See MediaSpeak Symposium info
Oct 11, 12 & 13 in Los Angeles
Early registration by 9/1 – $347

Tip
Put up an online press room
by Fern Reiss, CEO, PublishingGame.com/Expertizing.com

Physical press kits – a fancy folder, glossy photos, detailed bios of company principals, press releases—are passé: Journalists don’t pay much attention to them anymore, and they’re almost always suggested by PR agencies as a way to produce a pretty deliverable without much effect. But online press rooms can be very powerful. Remember to include high quality resolution photos of yourself and your book; press releases (including press releases that mention your other press attention), and full contact details. Check out http://www.publishinggame.com/media.htm to see a sample of an online media room.

I was honored to be be choosen to be included in the Get Inspired Section of The Quest for Success E-Zine, produced by Ursula Mentjes, March 2007 .

Ursula is one of the speakers listed in Speaker Services directory. She speaks about business, goal planning and sales. See her speaker listing.

Her book is Selling with Intention: Learn the 10 Principles of Selling with Intention and boost your sales revenue or the sales revenue of your team by 200 percent – or more!

Here’s the Article:

Get Inspired

Susan Levin, owner and founder
Speaker Services, www.speakerservices.com
Marketing and Training Speakers and Authors

15 years ago I had a vision to create a heart-centered and “grace-full” business. I had been an entrepreneur since 1970 and Speaker Services was different than my other businesses because it was visioned. I practiced the spiritual principles of a life-driven vs. fear-driven business, continued to vision and be mindful to the law of attraction. I must say, today I am a poster child of a successfully visioned business and it has allowed me to support thousands of others in realizing their personal and professional dreams.

As business owners and soloists we are accountable and challenged to find ways of marketing ourselves. We must be creative with the shifting marketplaces, economic upheavals and a diversified population. Speaking is an excellent way to market your business and it can lead directly to new business. You can turn your experience into a speech that will bring you credibility, exposure and business. Norman Vincent Peale said, “When you get people to listen to what you believe you get on fire yourself, big fires, little fires––that never go out.”

I chose a business that filled a specific need, made it real in my mind, built a strategy, did the research and within three months I was up and running with Speaker Services Print Directory. In 1994 I was one of the first 1500 people to have a website. The right people always stepped forward and the business became an effortless dance once my vision was clear. Bringing speakers and authors together with audiences became my passion!

In addition to the online directory we offer The Speakers Summit, Speakers‘ Bootcamp, MediaSpeak Symposium, Visionary Business Conference, Video Demo Showcases, customized and individual presentation skills and marketing training for business folks.

We have trained thousands of business folks over the years and are very proud of their accomplishments. It is a joy for me give people wings and watch them soar.

When I find myself stuck, I always remind myself to toss out fear, to make room for new information, insights and creative solutions. When we come from that space then we can choose and allow creative spirit to do its job.

Allow me to assist you in growing your business through speaking. Give me a call at 310-822-4922 PST, e-mail me: susan@speakerservices.com and sign up for our e-zine.

There are thousands of speaking opportunites every day and the question always is how do I find them?

There are many opportunites to submit articles to magazines or newspapers or be interviewed as the expert and the question is how do i find them?

Today I am sharing a handful of resources with you.

Before you reach out to any association or media contact, make sure you have a presentation packet. This could be on your website under the speaking/keynote button and the meeting planner button too. You need to have a one sheet for each topic that you speak about along with benefits for the audience, a 3 camera video demo in front of a live audience is also helpful especially if you have it streamed on your website.

Be professional, be prepared to be able to tell the media what you do in 2 sentences so they can say, tell me more.

At the MediaSpeak Symposium in Ocober we’ll be teaching you how to talk to the media-you know how to get to the point and then you have an opportunity to pitch live to radio, TV and print media folks at the Pitch Fest.

Here’s some photos from the last Symposium

Jaquie Jordan and me

Ron from People Magazine

The Learning Annex

Here I am with our master media, branding presentation coach Jack Barnard

BTW: Speaker Services is a paid listing service that brings speakers and audiences together. We connect you with audiences who you may not find on your own. You can e-mail me at susan@speakerservices.com for the speakers’ guidelines to get listed and take a look around the website. I have had the website since 1994.

Here’s the list of industry resources:

Libraries Want Author Appearances
See for a list of more than 700 libraries that sponsor appearances by authors. Many cover expenses; some pay an honorarium to the author.

PTA (Parents Teachers Association) State & National Conferences

Association Meeting & Event Planners Directory® – Douglas Publications
More then 8,000 national association listings contains vital information such as the association name, street address, phone and fax numbers, Web site address, general e-mail address and contact names and titles. Event details include the type of meetings, locations, number of meetings, length of meetings, number of attendees, and the number of years booked in advance.

Bacon’s
Bacon’s offers everything from excellent media directories to news release distribution services

College Newspapers
Get access to your college newspaper or any college newspaper in the U.S

Directory of Local Daily and Weekly Newspapers
State by state, town by town listings of local newspapers and contact info

National Directory of Magazines
Lists more than 17,670 business and consumer publications, including 14,000 magazines as well as tabloids, specialized newspapers and journals that carry advertising

National Ethnic Media Directory
Includes almost 2,000 media outlets representing the growing diversity of multicultural audiences in the U.S

National Trade & Professional Associations (NTPA)- Columbia Books
A directory which lists over 7,500 organizations, focusing on major U.S. national trade associations, labor unions, professional or scientific societies, and technical organizations. Address, fax/telephone, and budget information is provided.

Welcome to Market Yourself as a Speaker blog. Dedicated to sharing information with business folk and authors who are interested in using speaking as a way to grow their business.

I am Susan Levin a marketing consultant for speakers and authors. I was one of the first 1500 people to have a website in 1994. I have assisted thousands of people with their speaking careers for the past 15 yrs.

www.speakerservices.com is my website which brings speakers and audiences together. Unlike a speaker bureau I do not take commissions however, I do charge a fee to be listed on our site and all the calls go directly to the speakers and they do their own bookings. I feel that given the opportunity to speak to a group of 10-100 is a blessing and a terrific way to attract business.

Speaking is a business and like any business it must be nutured.

In addition to the online directory I offer conferences, symposiums and summits plus video demo showcases.

I have a fantastic team of folks who I work with and I refer to them all the time.

Our E-Zine is archived on my website for the past 5-6 years. It offers great articles and tips and advice as well as leads.

Next time I will share some marketing tips with you.