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SUMMARY: Becoming a standout public speaker involves more than just crafting speeches—it requires media exposure, enthusiastic delivery, and effective branding strategies. From captivating your audience to booking dream speaking engagements, these seven articles offer invaluable tips and insights for speakers at any level. By mastering communication skills, managing nerves, and honing storytelling abilities, you can elevate your public speaking prowess and leave a lasting impact on your audience.
Table of contents: * How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring Tips + How to Create a Great Speech. + Seven Articles to Send You on Your Path to Public Speaking Greatness: + 1. Capture and Keep Your Audience’s Attention. + 2. Develop into a Top Professional Speaker. + 3. Build Your Brand by Starting Small. + 4. Book Your Dream Speaking Engagement. + 5. Make People Want More of You. + 6. Cope with Your Nerves and Rock Your Speech. + 7. Prep Your TED Talk. + Bonus: 10 Ways to Master Your Communication Skills. How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring TipsWhether you’re attempting to break into the world of public speaking, or you’re already a seasoned professional handling large crowds with ease, you need to have an edge over your competitors — and be seen as the speaker of choice in a league of your own — in order keep bookings coming.
Being in the news and writing a book are two sure-fire ways to gain the attention of meeting planners, speakers’ bureaus and organizations. Having a book adds major credibility to your skillset, and the traction gained by news coverage can make choosing your brand a no-brainer.
Find out the two ways to gain the attention of meeting planners, speakers’ bureaus + organizations in this article.
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Why is this? People naturally gravitate towards speakers they have heard about. They feel like they know you already, and are coming to catch up on what’s new, or get the inside scoop on your latest offering. When you appear on TV, on the radio, or in print, to the average person, you’ve already been “vetted” by the media. A mention on a national show or publication serves as a badge of honor if you’re not already famous. And being able to put that logo on your website and speaker’s materials automatically sets you apart.
How to Create a Great Speech.But that’s not where it ends. Now that you’ve got some media exposure and a few gigs booked as a public speaker, you have to deliver the goods. Creating the bones of a good speech is not only necessary, it’s also a crucial part of your winning strategy. However, that’s not all it takes — a truly great speaking engagement is a work of art in structure and delivery. The audience wants to see that you’re enthusiastic, authentic and humorous. Your value as a public speaker is increasingly enhanced if you have a great product or service to sell and the lovability to get booked again and again.
Your value as a public speaker is increasingly enhanced if you have a great product or service to sell + the lovability to get booked again + again.
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Here Are Seven Articles to Send You on Your Path to Public Speaking Greatness:1. Capture and Keep Your Audience’s Attention.In this piece, speaking pro Chris Widener covers everything. From a simple media training technique to get 20 to 35 percent of your audience to buy, to how to know what to charge and creative ways to get hired even when associations, corporations or companies claim they don’t have a budget.
2. Develop into a Top Professional Speaker.This article is perfect for those of you looking to break into the professional speaking field, covering the 10 steps to becoming an impressive motivational speaker. Joel Brown, a successful CEO in his own right, breaks down the media training tools you need to succeed and make the most from your speaking arrangements.
3. Build Your Brand by Starting Small.This round-up is useful for entrepreneurs of any level looking to book speaking engagements. The Young Entrepreneur Council goes over points even the most developed of us forget, like the ultimate Do-It-Yourself PR training strategies, make it happen meetups, and how to start local, then go global.
Find the ultimate Do-It-Yourself PR training strategies inside.
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4. Book Your Dream Speaking Engagement.In this article, Susan Tardanico goes over how we can do what the pros do and book the speaking engagements of our dreams. Given that over 90 percent of communication is nonverbal, Tardancino shares media training tools that can help you communicate better with body language. The article also discusses the pitfalls of PowerPoint and how to find your most useful personal stories to create memorable encounters with your audience.
5. Make People Want More of You.In this piece Tim Ferris — public speaker and famed author of the New York Times Bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek — goes over the perfect formula to be the best professional speaker in town. These masterminded media coaching tips include how to prepare seamless 10-minute segments, what not to do before heading on stage, and what jokes are better left for the break room.
6. Cope with Your Nerves and Rock Your Speech.Sweaty hands, dry mouth, the trembles? Find out How to manage your anxiety – and your body – to rule the stage. With the right media training techniques, standing up in front of a large crowd doesn’t need to be daunting.
7. Prep Your TED Talk.Guy Kawasaki gives his take on Carmine Gallos’s advice from the book, Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds. If you’re itching to be a thought leader or have something creative or provocative to share with the world, work on your TED talk. In the speaker’s realm this is one of the fastest ways to becoming known, followed, loved – and booked.
Bonus: 10 Ways to Master Your Communication Skills.Solid advice for both beginners and experienced speakers about how to manage your inner life as well as your outer actions. “It’s about helping others by meeting their needs, understanding their concerns, and adding value to their world.” Ultimately, this is what all good speaking is about.
Share a favorite moment (or blooper) from one of your public speaking engagements. Our mistakes can often be a catalyst, creating the best connections with our audience.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring Tips first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring Tips appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: The National Publicity Summit provides a valuable chance to connect with top journalists and producers, either virtually or in person, and gain national media exposure. With over 75 media professionals attending, participants can pitch their stories and stand out. Preparation is key, including concise pitches, appropriate attire, and impactful visual props. Gaining permission for follow-up communication can enhance opportunities to get an interview or be booked on a show. Early registration and strategic planning are essential due to limited spots available.
Table of contents: * National Publicity Made Easy: 5 Must-Know Strategies + Meet Over 75 Producers and Journalists. + Stand Out - 1. Prepare your pitch. - 2. Look the part. - 3. Make it visual. - 4. Create a beautiful, moving, stunning or shocking experience. - 5. Open the door. + 10 more tips from a three-time attendee: + Apply here to attend: National Publicity Made Easy: 5 Must-Know StrategiesYou can get big-time national publicity by personally meeting top journalists and producers face-to-face – and now, since COVID, via Zoom – at the National Publicity Summit held by Steve Harrison.
At the National Publicity Summit, participants will discover how to get featured in America’s prestigious Magazines, on big blogs, and interviewed on the top TV, radio and podcast shows.
After a quick review, MayDayReport.com states that it believes this event is a tool that can help people get more publicity and recognition. By being at the National Publicity Summit , publicity hopefuls will get to meet some of the most influential people at top media outlets. These relationships are what will give the participants the exposure they need to get booked and appear on national TV and in major magazines, newspapers, radio, and podcasts.
5 tips to get national publicityMeet Over 75 Producers and Journalists.At the event, guests will meet over 75 producers and journalists from America’s top media outlets. Anyone looking to get exposure would be wise not pass up this opportunity. Unfortunately, as most people who have tried to get publicity know it’s usually very difficult to get top journalists and producers to even take a phone call or open an email.
However, by joining Steve Harrison’s virtual, closed-door National Publicity Summit, guests will have the opportunity to learn the secrets to garnering coverage as well as meeting with top editors and producers one-on-one.
If you are looking to get media exposure, you can meet over 75 producers and journalists on Zoom at the National Publicity Summit. Learn more in this post.
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Consider this your media speed dating. And prepare accordingly.
You have two and a half minutes to “get a date.”
How to get on national TVThere are a limited number of spots available so that everyone gets enough one-on-one time with the media. The summit is currently offering 100 spots, and they always go fast!
Plus, he has an early-bird special, so you can save by applying early.
Stand OutAlthough you will be one of 100 participants, you still have to stand out and gain the media’s interest. So, here are 5 ways that you can do that:
1. Prepare your pitch.Keep it simple and be ready to explain your business, book, product, service or cause in 20-30 seconds. Position yourself in the marketplace so the journalist or producer understands what sets you apart from your competition. Have statistics to prove your point. Facts speak loudly in a sea of hype.
2. Look the part.Dress as you would if you were actually appearing on TV. This means not only being well-groomed with clothes that fit you like a fashion model, but be sure to choose an outfit that represents your brand. You want to give the look and feel of whatever you’re representing and promoting. If your product is humorous, you might have a piece of jewelry or clothing item that makes someone laugh.
3. Make it visual.Cameras love costumes. Cameras also love tactile. The great thing about props is that they are a shortcut to sound bites. Visuals can often explain a complicated concept or idea more quickly than words. So plan your shortcuts and bring eye-popping props that help tell your story. Stuff that the media need to interact with is a plus.
4. Create a beautiful, moving, stunning or shocking experience.Experiences are what people remember. That’s why perfume ads show a glamorous man or woman lounging in a tropical island all smooth and beautiful and looking languorously happy. Perfume promises us a luxurious experience with the man or woman of our dreams. It’s not about smelling good to cover up the stink after you’ve been cooking onions, is it? No. You’re selling an experience. So create a scenario where you can take the journalist or producer through an experience where they get the FEEL of whatever you’re promoting.
5. Open the door.Even if a journalist or producer isn’t interested in the idea you pitched, ask permission to connect with them again when you have another idea. Sometimes your pitch just needs a twist, a different angle, or a timely event to make it right. Getting explicit permission helps ensure your follow-up call or email will get considered. And to be memorable when you reconnect, mention your visual or the experience you created to jog the media’s memory.
Here are 10 more tips from a three-time attendee:“The National Publicity Summit was easily one of the most worthwhile events I have attended – the speakers were inspiring, the topics were relevant, and Steve Harrison runs a world-class organization. Not only did they provide insider information and actual training, but we had meetings with the decision-makers on the spot. I have had several interviews for Project Happiness as a result, and many more in the pipeline. A rare and valuable opportunity for anyone interested in jumpstarting their PR campaign,” says Randy Taran, founder of Project Happiness.
To get immediate access to a ticket for the National Publicity Summit and make your experience a profitable one follow these five strategies and make your mark with the media.
Apply here to attend:Apply NowThe post National Publicity Made Easy: 5 Must-Know Strategies first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post National Publicity Made Easy: 5 Must-Know Strategies appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: In today’s fast-paced world, captivating media interviews rely on concise, memorable sound bites. Crafting these messages is critical for entrepreneurs to connect with their audience effectively. Preparation is key to making a quick, impactful connection, whether in a formal interview, podcast or casual encounter in line for coffee. Sound bites distill complex messages into digestible nuggets, leaving a lasting impression on listeners. With practice and guidance, entrepreneurs can master the art of sound bites and elevate their media presence significantly.
Table of contents: * Soundbites: 8 Things You Need to Know for Your Next Media Interview. + Don't Be Like This Client. + Sound Bites Are Memorable But Concise. + Perfection Needs Practice. + Sound Bites Create Your Story. + It Takes Time, But It's Worth the Effort. Soundbites: 8 Things You Need to Know for Your Next Media Interview.If you think sound bites, talking points, or critical messages for media interviews are just for the salesy, sleazy, or slick, you’re not seeing the big picture. Every captivating interview has them.
In today’s hurry-scurry world, attention spans are the size of a tweet. Your key messages, in the form of sound bites, can make or break an interview, a deal, a sale, and even a seemingly meaningless casual encounter. In order to be on the cutting edge, or even just to be competitive, entrepreneurs and founders need to have a sound bite ready for every opportunity.
Once you are prepared, you can make a connection anywhere, with anyone, at any time. A connection that could result in life-changing shift. Whether you have a business, book, product, service or cause, sound bites are the key to making a quick connection.
Whether you have a business, book, product, service or cause, sound bites are the key to making a quick connection with your audience.
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Don’t Be Like This Client.I was reminded of the importance of being pithy for media interviews on a recent call with an author who became a client. She blithered on and on in her emails, writing me several detailed pages before we even set up an appointment to see if we were a match. Bad strategy. I took her on because she really has something to say to the world — she just takes way too long to say it. That’s why she hired me.
On our initial call, I had to repeatedly wrangle her so I could discover what her book was about. It wasn’t easy or fun. This is something that I should have been able to discover in 20 seconds. She’s about to embark on a book tour so we have much work to do before her book publishes.
Sound Bites Are Memorable But Concise.Your audience wants to have a good time with you during media interviews. Not struggle to understand what you’re trying to say.
It’s your job to deliver only the information that they need to know at that instant. And deliver it in a concise, memorable, entertaining, and elegant way.
This video is a moving example of why words matter.
Being able to get to the essentials of who you are is critical. Your audience wants to know why you do what you do, what your business is about, and what matters to you.
Perfection Needs Practice.To whittle your words into sound bites, your key message take-aways — takes practice.
Lots of it.
But once you master this kind of messaging strategy — where your talking points ring the bell of universal truths — you can use it across all mediums. From your social networks to media interviews, to a chat in line to get the latest iPhone.
The problem isn’t that entrepreneurs and founders don’t have plenty to say — it’s that they have too much. And they have no idea how to organize their thoughts or content into tightly crafted meaningful messages that leave their audiences longing for more.
It’s like taking Tolstoy’s War and Peace and turning it into Haiku.
It’s a huge task; one that is best done with a sound bite buddy or media coach.
Struggle with putting what you do into words? Find 8 great templates for #entrepreneurs #founders #leaders in this post.
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Sound Bites Create Your Story.To get into the habit of speaking in sound bites before networking events, meetings, media interviews, job interviews or spontaneous interaction in the proverbial elevator, I suggest that you create at least six sound bites using the following formulas.
1. The origin story: My client, Kristen Scheurlein, Founder of Affirmagy, left a multi-million-dollar business as a graphic designer to become what she calls The Blanket Lady.
What is your origin or signature story? What stories do your sound bites tell your audience about you?
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“I didn’t want to become an entrepreneur, but it’s in my blood. My grandfather was a shoemaker. In the Depression, he saw that many people couldn’t afford shoes. He traded chickens for shoes to make sure that none of the children in the village went shoeless. I didn’t realize that I was following in his footsteps when I began my business, which will become a complete non-profit in five years, but I am. We give away blankets to churches, charities, homeless. In essence, I’m trading chickens for shoes.”
Create your signature story using this easy template.
2. Statistics connected to your book or business: Self-employed people, whose numbers continue to grow, have almost doubled since 1980 to over 16 million. One of the biggest challenges of the self-employed is the lack of structure and accountability to follow through on important tasks. Many complain that they feel like they are “all alone” in their business lives.
The book Extreme Success by Rich Fettke gives self-employed people ways to develop the support they need and proven strategies to stay focused and effective on their most important goals.
3. Fact: More than 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with thyroid disease, and another 13 million people are estimated to have undiagnosed thyroid problems in the U.S. alone.
4. Vignette: An anchorman and reporter at CBS spoke at 300 words per minute while the typical person speaks 125-140. The practice of Transformational Speaking taught him to take time, to pause. For the first time in his life, his evaluations as a professional speaker said things like, “Thank you for giving me time to think.” He said, “I don’t beat up my audiences with facts anymore.’
5. Anecdote: Chuck Barris, creator of The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, The Gong Show and more, said that people were always eating while watching TV. His mission for the shows became the motto: stop a fork. “I always told my staff, if we could stop a fork… midway from the bowl to the mouth, then we had done something right, we had just created a moment that was O.K.. That was the slogan that we carried around the company. Stop a fork.”
6. Analogy: “Bangs are the new Botox.” Becky de la Rosa, Hairdresser
7. Aphorism: “Language is the dress of thought; every time you talk your mind is on parade.” Dr Samuel Johnson
8. Acronym: M.A.D.D. Mothers against drunk driving
It Takes Time, But It’s Worth the Effort. Through training and practice, you move these key phrases you’ve created into the conversations you have. At networking events, with potential clients, buyers of your products or services, the media. Anyone who you want to experience of who you are and what your business is about. It’s important to be prepared for any personal and professional opportunity that comes your way. This can happen anywhere at any time.
Case in point. While one of the participants in my The Zen of Fame: Your Genius Gone Viral® course was waiting in line to buy an iPad 2, she sold over 250 books from the trunk of her car and closed a speaking engagement worth thousands of dollars. How? By speaking in sound bites in casual conversation.
You too can master speaking in sound bites to engage your ideal audience to buy your book, build your business, engage your services, get involved with your cause, and, most importantly, create a lasting connection during media interviews.
Want to know what to do when the media calls? Hop on over to this webinar to learn the secrets of media stars. (Everyday people just like you who have learned how to do it right and got astounding results during their media interviews).
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post Sound Bites: 8 Things You Need to Know for Your Next Media Interview first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post Sound Bites: 8 Things You Need to Know for Your Next Media Interview appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Learn the critical media interview mistakes to avoid to safeguard your career. From waffling during interviews to neglecting to share how you’ve helped others, these errors can tarnish your reputation. Ensure you’re prepared with concise messaging, quotes from industry leaders, and compelling stories of impact. Transform your wounds into wisdom and have well-formed opinions ready to showcase your expertise. Mastering these media strategies will enhance your media presence and speed your career trajectory.
Table of contents:* 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your Career + 1. You Waffle. + 2. You Don’t Quote Industry Leaders or Competitors. + 3. You Don’t Tell How You’ve Helped People. + 4. You Don’t Transform Your Wounds Into Wisdom. + 5. You Don’t Have Your Opinion Ready. + Avoid Media Interview Mistakes Now. 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your CareerIn this new age of social media 3.0, the media is more often searching for experts when they have the need rather than pouring over hundreds of useless press releases that don’t have information that is relevant for their audience. So even if you haven’t sent out a press release you could get that important call from the media – if you’ve positioned yourself correctly on the Internet.
On the flip side did you know that now with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Time Machine that what you say could haunt you forever?
Once a video of you is posted or something you said shows up on the Internet there’s no way to take it back. With the advent of technology what you say will stay around in eternity and anyone can access it at any time.
This is why it is so important that you pay attention to what you say and how you say it — before you blast it out.
That’s right, your reputation, your credibility, your brand, your livelihood could disappear with one bad article or one TV appearance gone south. But it doesn’t need to be so.
Don’t make these five media interview mistakes:
1. You Waffle.Many people I media train waffle. They meander off into a tangent or blurt out a thought that just came into their head in the heat of the moment, instead of carefully planning their messages and delivering them.
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A while back I saw the movie Fair Game about the Valerie Plame story. When Plame spoke to one of her contacts overseas from whom she wanted information she was firm as a mountain, soft as breeze, fluid as water. She was never harsh, but she got her way. She knew her facts so when she spoke to one of her own team members or someone whose cooperation she wanted she quietly, but firmly repeated her request.
During a media interview you can do the same when someone asks you a question. You calmly assert your pre-rehearsed answer no matter how many different ways a reporter or host asks you a question to elicit a different response. Know what you want to say and stick to it. Stay firm as a mountain, soft as a breeze, fluid as water.
2. You Don’t Quote Industry Leaders or Competitors.It might sound counter-intuitive to quote your competition or other high-stature people in your field during a media interview, but it shows that you are on top of what’s happening in your industry.
In an Inc.com article titled 10 Tips for Giving an Important Speech by Alyssa Danigelis, anthropologist, filmmaker, and National Geographic explorer Elizabeth Lindsey said, “The more we talk about the things that matter to us, and less about our achievements, people breathe a collective sigh of relief.”
When we focus on what’s important to us in a sincere way it translates to our audience. They get it. Quote people you admire whose philosophy resonates with your own to help get your ideas across in a novel way.
They often say things that give a different point of view given we are all entangled in our own perspective. It’s a way of broadening our own views and the views of our audience.
3. You Don’t Tell How You’ve Helped People.The most potent way to persuade people to buy or buy into you or your ideas during a media interview isn’t for you to talk about your achievements but to tell a story about a person you’ve helped. I recently media coached a client who said he wasn’t a good storyteller. As a doctor, he referred to medical facts so he would be more authoritative. But the human warm fuzzy factor was a bit lacking. It’s important to use facts and stories to build trust during every media appearance. Facts alone aren’t enough. When using facts make sure to put them in their human context so you combine feeling with fact. It’s also necessary to tell stories that reveal our effectiveness human to human.
#Soundbite Tip: Tell People How You’ve Helped Others To Be More Human + Lovable.
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Facts show you have knowledge. Personal and professional stories illustrate your understanding – how you do what you do and how well your methods work. I suggested that he tell dramatic or funny stories about people who came into his office with an acute problem whom he helped recover quickly using both his doctorly intuition and the product he was promoting.
In our next media coaching session he did this beautifully in preparation for his NPR interview. Giving your audience a story about how you helped another person is the closest thing to giving them an actual experience of you.
4. You Don’t Transform Your Wounds Into Wisdom.Your hardships are the mistakes that others don’t need to make. Your wounds make you lovable. We all have an Achilles Heel.
Don’t hide it, highlight it.
Comedian Craig Ferguson said, “I think that sometimes fear is God’s way of saying, paying attention, this could be fun. I’ve learned from people who are braver than I that fear is necessary, failure is necessary. When I talk to people and they tell me how well they are or how well they are doing I think they’re crazy and they’re failing. And when I talk to people and who are telling me how they feel—I’m not saying that misery is more authentic than joy, I don’t mean that. But I do think that sometimes self-promotion can be tiresome as I sit here talkin’ about my book. Which is available reasonably priced from all good outlets.”
What I love about Ferguson is that he doesn’t wallow in any sentiment. He moves into the wound and then moves out of it with humor. And aren’t you interested in his book just from reading this one quote? I was.
5. You Don’t Have Your Opinion Ready.Thought leaders have opinions. They back their opinions with evidence or piggyback them with humor to soften a tough point of view. Have your opinion ready for your media appearances.
To become a respected thought leader spend some time every week thinking about the issues in your industry.Consider some of the trends that are happening. Formulate your thoughts. Concretize them in writing on your blog, Facebook, LinkedIn or in an article.
When a reporter who had interviewed me before called and asked me my opinion of the new Conan O’Brien Show I told her I hadn’t seen it, but I still had an opinion about it. We laughed. Then I transitioned from what I didn’t know into what I did know – which was Jon Stewart. I watched the Daily Show with Jon Stewart regularly and think he’s hilarious, smart and self-deprecating.
Even though he’s super smart he’s not a snob about it. She really wanted my comments about the future of the talk show format so I talked about that in relation to Jon Stewart. I got a paragraph at the end of her article – without knowing a thing about the topic of her piece – Conan O’Brien.
The important thing when in a media interview is to transition to what you know and make the connection so you are serving the reporter and her audience.
Folk singer Joan Baez said, “I’ve never had a humble opinion. If you’ve got an opinion, why be humble about it?” Thought leaders aren’t afraid to voice a strong opinion.
Avoid Media Interview Mistakes Now.So in the spirit of mastering your messaging you’re invited enjoy the Zen of Fame: Your Genius Gone Viral Course.
Everybody needs to speak succinctly in sound bites. They aren’t just for politicians, talking heads, or movie stars. Even if you’re not preparing for a media interview, the information in the course can help you be a better parent, leader, succinct speaker, dazzling party guest, run an effective meeting, close a deal or get venture capital.
5 Media Interview Mistakes That Could Crucify Your Career + How to Make Sure You DON’T Make Them
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Have you had a success (on TV, during a meeting, in your own living room with your kids?) Please share it!
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your Career first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your Career appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Avoid career-damaging PR mistakes by learning from the experiences of others. From ineffective pitches to lack of media training, these errors can be easily prevented with proper preparation and strategy. By focusing on serving the media’s and your audiences’ needs and delivering meaningful stories, you can build a strong reputation and sidestep costly missteps. Embrace media coaching to master the art of delivering engaging interviews and ensure success in your PR endeavors.
Table of contents: * PR Mistakes Can Cost You Everything. * 1. You Blast Out a Pitch or Press Release Shouting About the Greatness of Your Business, Book, Product, Service or Cause. * 2. You Send a Huge Email Blast to the Most Media Possible. * 3. You're Not Media Ready or Need Media Training. * 4. You're Not Prepared to Do All the Work Necessary to Secure the Media Booking. * 5. You Don't Deliver What You Promise. PR Mistakes Can Cost You Everything.What if I told you that PR done poorly could destroy your business overnight? That’s right, your reputation, your credibility, your brand, your livelihood could disappear with one inaccurate article, one insensitive social media post, one misspoken phrase in a podcast, one TV appearance gone south.
Here are “Five Worst PR Mistakes in Building Your Business” that most people make, but you don’t have to.
1. You Blast Out a Pitch or Press Release Shouting About the Greatness of Your Business, Book, Product, Service or Cause.We all focus on what’s important to US and what WE want others to know. But the media only want to know how they can serve their audiences, not how their audiences can help you.
In the spirit of service, tell them about all the great solutions you have to their public’s biggest pain or problems, and you’ve got yourself a pitch or press release that will get read and a story that will be told.
The media and their public aren’t interested in you, your service or your stuff. They are interested in a good story or something that gives them what they need that can help them save time, energy, or money. Even though I tell this to people all the time, they still don’t seem to get it. It seems to be a hard concept to grasp and is an easy PR faux pas to fix.
Tell the media about all the great solutions you have to the public’s biggest problems + you’ve got yourself a story that will get told.
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2. You Send a Huge Email Blast to the Most Media Possible.Sending a huge blast without carefully curating and tailoring a contact list can put you on the proverbial “Do Not Call” list. We call this “spray and pray.” Instead, before you send out your release clearly identify who is best suited to your offering and the journalists and producers most interested in your topic.
To accomplish this, you can either become a member of a press release service that can help you segment your media list properly, hire a publicist who understands your business and the media who would be best for you, or learn how to manage a media list yourself. Then judiciously send to the right people so they don’t ban you from their inbox or ask to be taken off your list (big PR mistake!)
3. You’re Not Media Ready or Need Media Training.Most people never get media coached. They don’t think they need it. Their logic is that everyone can talk. This PR mistake is the equivalent of saying that because you know how to read you also have the skills to write. Learning to get your message out in any circumstance with any host’s personality and speak in sound bites is a special skill very different than public speaking or casually chatting about what you do.
It’s often the missing link in an otherwise successful PR campaign. Many people slave for years creating and promoting an excellent business, service or product, but then forget the most crucial step to gaining loyalty from the people they want as clients or customers—what they are going to say on the spot to engage them.
Media pioneer Marshall McLuhan said, “The medium is the message.” This is still true today. And to go even deeper Gandhi said, “My life is my message.” In today’s fast paced world you and your story are often even more important than whatever you’re promoting.
You need to convey meaning that inspires people to buy into whatever you’re promoting, in a relaxed + conversational way, while being authentic + true to yourself.
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In 10-30 seconds at a time you need to be able to convey meaning that inspires people to buy or buy into whatever you are promoting. It does take practice to get comfortable, and there is a system to shortcut that process to becoming relaxed and conversational while being authentic and true to yourself during a media interview.
4. You’re Not Prepared to Do All the Work Necessary to Secure the Media Booking.Producers and journalists expect you to respond ASAP when they ask you for materials when they’re putting together a show or a print/online story.
So, you need to allow time in your schedule to hurry up and get whatever is asked for in an instant. It can be weeks of work, but if you’re prepared ahead of time it can reduce the rush factor and make you stand out from all your competitors vying for the same coveted media spots. Once you understand the most common press kit components and how to create them to the media’s specifications you’ll be half-way there to becoming an excellent, reliable media source.
5. You Don’t Deliver What You Promise.While there is a lot of worthless blither getting attention in the media today—people with minimal talent and maximum ego, fighting for their 5 minutes of fame, the more nationally respected the publication or show, the more professional and prepared you need to be.
Producers and journalists have to paw through thousands of potential news items every day from people trying to get publicity—most of which is worthless to them. When the media determines that those they believe might be right to fill their need, the person, unaccustomed to such requests, doesn’t follow through in a professional and timely manner with appropriate materials.
Most people don’t have a sense of the tremendous amount of work that goes into creating a show or an article BEHIND the scenes to make sure audiences stay tuned or keep reading in today’s competitive marketplace.
Once you’re booked on a show or for an interview that’s often when the real work begins. You have to give the journalist or producer news that they can use in a way that is packaged properly. To be “mediagenic” means that both you and your product are understood instantly to the public without jargon. There’s a lot of preparation even beyond what I’ve covered here, that goes on behind the scenes to make your publicity campaign run smoothly and avoid PR mistakes.
If you’d like to go deeper…
I’ve turned that knowledge and the most important nuggets in my book, Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul into one of section of a 3 part self-paced-course. Publisher’s Weekly called my bestselling book a “Rumi-meets-Seth Godin public relations handbook.” Hundreds of my readers call it their “Publicity Bible.”
Or if you’re keen on exploring 1:1 expert media training tap the free consult button below.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post The 5 Worst PR Mistakes That Could Cripple Your Career (And How To Prevent That!) first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post The 5 Worst PR Mistakes That Could Cripple Your Career (And How To Prevent That!) appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Learn five strategies to physically prepare for a TV interview and overcome appearance-related anxieties. Clear your mind with Bulletproof coffee for peak cognitive function. Slim down with T-Tapp exercises and tone up with the Flexbelt for a more confident appearance. Release fears with the Sedona Method and energize with a nourishing green smoothie. By focusing on your physical and mental well-being, you can confidently deliver your message during media appearances.
Table of contents: * 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal Secrets + 1. Clear Your Mind to Prepare for a Media Interview. + 2. Slim Down to Prepare for a Media Interview. + 3. Tone Up to Prepare for a TV Interview. + 4. Release Your Fears to Prepare for a TV Interview. + 5. Energize to Prepare for a TV Interview! + Ingredients for My Nourishing Green Smoothie 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal SecretsI need to lose 20 pounds. I wish I had less wrinkles. My butt is too big. Look at my wobbly double chin. She’s a liar. I don’t believe a word she’s said. What a schlump. Is that any way to sit in a chair? I’m an imposter. Does this tie make me look like an idiot? I’ve lost my confidence. I don’t know how I imagined I could ever do a TEDx talk or be a thought leader.
These are actual phrases that clients said to me in the past 33 years I’ve been a media trainer, marketing strategist and former publicist. When I media train my clients for TV shows most of them first fret about their appearance.
A messaging strategy and sound bites take a back seat to clothes, expressions, body language and butt size. Shame, fear, insecurity, all rear right up.
The question, “What will people think of me?” takes center stage.
And rightly so. Research on what’s called “Thin Slicing,” shows that rather than 7 seconds, audience has already decided whether they like, trust, respect, believe, and will buy from in the blink of an eye. So how much of what people think of you has to do with your clothes, hair, make-up, facial language, body language, and demeanor as well as the look and feel of you?
A lot.
But here’s the silver lining. People follow your lead. If you feel like a slouch you’re directing people to think you are one. If you radiate beauty and good health even while toting extra pounds, we may notice your heft, but we forgive it for your verve.
And while I know that a TV appearance isn’t going to help you get over your childhood issues any faster, there are still strategies that can help you be fabulicious, increase your business, and stop thinking so much about your butt.
But, because the question I get most is about looks, I’m going to address how to prepare now, in advance, BEFORE you get booked on TV so you’ll feel your Fabulicious best when your day in the sun arrives.
No scrambling for clothes that don’t accentuate your best features. No last minute panic about how you look. You can’t lose 20 pounds overnight but you can focus your full attention on what you can give your audience that only you can. In the brief time you have – two to four minutes – on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, The Kelly Clarkson Show, or Fox, you can deliver your core messages with generosity and wit.
During a TV interview the audience decides whether they like, trust, respect, believe, + will buy from you in the blink of an eye, so you want to make a good impression right away.
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1. Clear Your Mind to Prepare for a Media Interview.Drink Bulletproof coffee.**** I start every morning with a variation of this special coffee combined with unsalted Kerrygold grassfed butter, MCT oil and collagen. This combo was created by Dave Asprey who bio-hacked his body to lose 250 pounds and gain optimal health. This is potent coffee that is organic and doesn’t contain any toxins normally found in commercial coffees. You combine the coffee with MCT oil (which is fat-burning) that is 12x stronger than coconut oil, for maximum cognitive function.
In English that means peak brain performance – a clear mind. Asprey says that you can, “Learn to be perfectly focused in any situation — in one week.” He says, “In this protocol, you eat no protein and no carbs at all in the morning, instead enjoying a Bulletproof Coffee. That provides the most energy and the least hunger for about eight hours. Adding in the collagen “delivers low inflammation, high quality, and heat stable protein to my coffee without affecting the taste.”
Insider Secret: Add this one ingredient to your coffee to help clear your mind + prepare for your media interviews.
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The butter became a bit rich for me so I ditched it and in it’s place added in a generous scoop of a superfood blend of 8 different mushrooms from a wonderful company called Malama Mushrooms that gives back to the community. These adaptogens assist cognitive function as well as help you feel relaxed and alert.
According to Tim Ferriss, author of, The 4 Hour Body, eating protein within 30 minutes of waking up is essential for losing weight. Even if you don’t want to lose weight, this coffee will sustain and nourish you while giving you clarity of thought. Exactly what you need in a media pressure cooker situation.
Yes, there is decaf as well, however I didn’t find the same effects with it. And since I’m sensitive to caffeine I combine half decaf with half caf beans – just so I could drink more of the delicious stuff. Otherwise I could just have one tiny cupful. (And I wasn’t a coffee drinker at all before this. Green tea was my go to morning drink, which I still enjoy after I have my Bulletproof coffee).
You’ll be the judge of how much you can drink without getting a buzz on. I suggest you sip a small cup and wait fifteen minutes so you can judge the effects. Also, add as much butter as you like. I admit I was first horrified at the thought of dumping a half stick of butter into my coffee. I thought it would taste disgusting. But it’s like putting cream on steroids, rich and smooth. You’ll discover what works best for you.
2. Slim Down to Prepare for a Media Interview.Do T-Tapp and Lose 2 Dress or Pant Sizes in 30 Days.
You’re a month away from a smaller, more toned you. I went from a size 8 to a size 6 in a month (I’m now a size 4), Lisa Earle McLeod, an expert in helping companies name and claim their noble purpose, lost 2 dress sizes and got back the flat tummy she hasn’t had for 10 years. Teresa Tapp (who sadly passed away suddenly) first created this program for models to get back into shape after pregnancy. No one cared about their weight. What mattered was size – so they could fit into the proper clothes that they were modeling. Tapp says it’s all about the inches and loving what you see in the mirror —not what the scale says.
If you’ve got a media appearance coming up and you want to get in tip top (T-Tapp) shape ASAP this is the ticket.
My sweetie is doing it in the living room right now. Yes, it works for men too.
3. Tone Up to Prepare for a TV Interview.Want to know the Hollywood stars secret to looking great, staying fit and getting a flat stomach fast without exercise? The Flexbelt.Essentially you strap the Flexbelt around you waist and it contracts your muscles like you’re doing sit-ups — while you’re walking around getting stuff done.
We all know that the camera adds 10 pounds to your weight. Learn the Hollywood secret to getting into shape fast so that you shine in your TV interviews.
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I put it on first thing in the morning before I brush my teeth, feed the cats, start my day. I use the butt and thigh belt too and also the Flexbelt for the arms. The great thing about the Flexbelt is once it’s on you can just go about your business so you’re getting a workout while you’re answering your email, talking to clients, working in the yard. Do it daily for a few weeks and then 2-3 times per week or as needed. Once you get in the habit it’s simple to stay in shape.
4. Release Your Fears to Prepare for a TV Interview.*The Sedona Method* is one of the fastest, simplest and most effective methods to instantly release uncomfortable or unwanted feelings on the spot. It’s also a tool to let go of current or long-standing pain. Whether it’s fear of speaking, becoming a more public person, losing weight, or letting go of stress, or past issues or trauma, this will help you achieve your goals effortlessly and with great joy. It also works to get to the root of physical and emotional pain.
I learned these techniques long ago when Hale Dwoskin, founder of Sedona Training Associates, was a client, and still use them daily. They’re a great help during media training role-play so my clients can stay centered and grounded when the host or journalist springs a surprise question.
I particularly like the technique of going back and forth between opposite extremes to neutralize forceful feelings – just one of the things you’ll learn and keep using as long as it serves you. Their courses are helpful trainings if you’re getting ready to go on a media tour or preparing for any type of media interview.
5. Energize to Prepare for a TV Interview!Swirl up a green smoothie.
This is my own special green drink smoothie recipe that helps make your skin gloriously golden and nourishes you at a cellular level. You’ll see a noticeable difference in your skin, vibrancy, and energy almost immediately.
I use all organic ingredients and buy from the local farmer’s market when I can and mix this up in the Vitamix that chops every part of the fruits and vegetables so you get the most nutrition. We grow chard, cilantro and parsley so I dash out into the garden to snip a few leaves before the birds and other animals get them (which is often).
I pick dandelions from the neighbor’s lawns and look for the tender, young ones without a stiff stem. You can buy dandelions at your local market if you don’t want to ferret them out.
As a child when we’d visit my nana and grampa they’d send us kids out into the yard to pick dandelions to put in the salad to give it some bite. According to the USDA Bulletin #8, “Composition of Foods” (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Who knew a weed could be so nutritious?
Ingredients for My Nourishing Green Smoothie* ½ cup water or unsweetened coconut water (or more as needed depending on how thick and sweet you like it) * ½ cup virgin olive oil (I do 15 glugs vs. measuring). * 1 frozen block of Acai * 1 pear * 1 frozen banana * 1 large sweet apple (I like Pink Ladies, Yellow Golden Delicious or Fuji) * 1 large carrot * 1 large avocado
Mix together.
Tamp down these ingredients into the above mixture before you restart the Vitamix.
- 3 generous handfuls of spinach
- 2-3 large leaves of chard with the stalks (to taste as this can make it bitter)
- 2 sprigs of parsley
- 2 sprigs of cilantro
- 5 leaves of dandelion
- 1 stalk celery
Optional: Add frozen blueberries for added anti-aging benefits. Adjust the sweetness to taste by adding more fruit or unsweetened coconut water.
We’ve concentrated on honing and toning your face and body in order to move you to a place where you’re not worrying about how you look so you can focus on what matters most – your message. Victor Hugo said, “Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.”
Audiences look for consistency in your message and in your life. One of my clients is a well-known motivational speaker who naturally also talked about health and wellness as well as the process of transforming the mind. But one thing was out of synch.
In his own words: he was fat.
In a kind and considerate way his wife pointed out the discrepancy. So he created an exercise and diet regime for himself. It wasn’t easy as he loved apple pie and ice cream and didn’t care much for lifting weights. But he did it. So now the overall message he’s conveying is consistent with his teaching.
Take what works for you from these strategies so you can feel good inside and out.
The French have an expression, “Bien dans sa peau,” to feel good in your own skin or to be at ease with yourself. When you’re relaxed, centered and calm we’re right there with you.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal Secrets first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal Secrets appeared first on Susan Harrow.
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The post 5 Incredible Ways Small Business Owners Can Use Pinterest to Publicize Anything first appeared on Susan Harrow.
I just did a radio interview and totally muffed it. It was a huge disaster. I didn’t take my own advice – and even some of the advice I’d planned to talk about – on how to interrupt someone! I completely forgot in the moment. Here’s what happened… The phone rang on my landline. There was…
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Guest post by Victoria Green Getting media attention – especially the right kind of attention – is something of an art. Whether you’re a celebrity, a business owner, or a politician, it’s all about finding an angle. And not just that – you have to be able to get a reporter’s attention in the first place.…
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The post How to Befriend Bloggers (Without Feeling Awkward or Stalkery!) first appeared on Susan Harrow.
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The post 8 Things Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Courting Publicity first appeared on Susan Harrow.
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The post Prepare For Your TV Interview With The 25 Best Beauty + Anti-Aging Products first appeared on Susan Harrow.
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You can’t escape it. The ubiquitous upsell. No sooner have your gotten something for free or bought, there is more. You’ve just gotten something delicious – and now there might be more deliciousness right around the corner. Of course I train all of my clients to offer an upsell in an online marketing campaign or…
The post The Ugly Upsell – and how to do it right first appeared on Susan Harrow.
By Guest Blogger Margie Zable Fisher Wouldn’t it be great if you could get information about your product to a magazine editor, at the exact time when that editor was looking for products like yours? Well, that option exists, if you use Editorial Calendars. What Are Editorial Calendars? Editorial Calendars list topics and special…
The post Get More Product Publicity With Editorial Calendars — and Get a Free List of 2022 Magazine Editorial Calendars for a Limited Time first appeared on Susan Harrow.
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The post Bravery in Small Bits first appeared on Susan Harrow.