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SUMMARY: Are you struggling to get featured in the media? It might be your attitude holding you back. Discover 7 harmful attitudes blocking your path to publicity success, from body image concerns to feeling ordinary. Learn from role models like Oprah and Anne Hathaway, who embrace authenticity. Remember, being yourself is key to media success. Ready to change your mindset? Start here.
Table of contents: * 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great Publicity + Get Publicity the Right Way so it Works. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #1. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #2. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #3. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #4. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #5. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #6. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #7. + Relax. 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great PublicityNot getting featured in the media?
Feeling tons of “resistance” whenever you sit down to work on your press kit, pitch or press release?
Can’t seem to “crack the code” on how to get top bloggers, journalists, editors podcasters, and producers to pay attention to your work?
Frustrated that your replies to HARO and other PR services and don’t get any response?
Feel like, deep down, you “know” what you ought to be doing to take your visibility to the next level… except for some reason, you’re not doing it?
Over the past 34 years of my career, I’ve spent over 150,000 hours (that’s a very conservative estimate) training entrepreneurs, authors, founders, speakers, consultants and coaches to help them get featured in the media and then use that exposure to double or triple their business and increase awareness and loyalty to their brand.
Get Publicity the Right Way so it Works.I always ask my clients, “Why are you having trouble getting press for your business?” One client said she had done literally hundreds of radio shows, with few results, and had no idea what she was doing wrong. Many other clients have similar stories. Those are the ones that say that “publicity doesn’t work.”
Just as typically my clients tend to point towards something “external” (like: “My press releases doesn’t really represent what we do” or: “My website looks dated.”)
Fair enough. I agree: having all of your materials looking professional is very important. Your presence and what you say when you’re in the spotlight is too.
But in my experience? If you’re consistently struggling to get your business, book, product, service, cause or mission in the media, or your media appearances just don’t have much of an effect, the source of your “blockage” usually boils down to one thing:
Your attitude.
Your attitude stinks! Could that be what’s holding you back from getting major media?
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In other words: What you BELIEVE about yourself and your ability to serve.
This may sound harsh, but it’s actually a very empowering thing to realize. Because once you’ve identified the harmful attitude that is holding you back, you can take steps to resolve it. Hopefully: once and for all.
Think your attitude is just fine, thank you very much? That may be true.
But it never hurts to do a little self-exploration.
Read on and see if any of the following 7 attitudes sound a bit like… you.
Harmful Publicity Attitude #1.“I’m too fat to be on TV or get publicity. Maybe if I lose 20 pounds first…”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
It’s been reported that 97% of women have at least one “I hate my body” moment, per day.
Imagine if every woman who thought to herself, “Ugh, I don’t like how I look” allowed those thoughts to STOP her from seeking media opportunities. We would literally have almost ZERO women appearing in the media. What a dismal world that would be!
Harmful weight-related attitudes aren’t just for women, of course. Men can — and do — think these kinds of thoughts, too, but generally, they don’t let that hold them back.
If you feel that you need to drop some weight, for your overall health, go for it. But in the meantime, don’t let “size shame” halt your progress. Not everyone who appears in the media needs to be a rail-thin supermodel. There’s room for all kinds of ideas, personalities and sizes.
Have you thought this: I’m too fat to go on TV? Don’t let that hold you back.
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Your media role model:
Oprah, of course.
She has publicly battled with her weight for decades. Even at her absolute lowest weight, she wore a size 10! Now with the help of Ozempic or the equivalent, she’s shrinking again. Yet at any poundage she’s perfectly comfortable talking about health, happiness, well-being, and “living your best life” — in front of international audiences. People respect her opinions, completely. If she can do it, why not you?
Harmful Publicity Attitude #2.“I’m so boring! My life has been relatively comfortable and easy. I haven’t overcome an extreme adversity, don’t have a rags to riches story, or anything ‘gritty’ to share.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
Not everything in the media needs to be “gritty,” “caustic,” “violent” or “dramatic.” And we’ve certainly had our fill of rags to riches stories, haven’t we? You don’t need to have become homeless and lived under a bridge, eaten from garbage cans or been swindled out of a fortune by your business partner to get media coverage.
In fact, I would argue that today’s audiences are so bombarded with “drama” that they are delighted for an escape from the madness. (There’s a reason why compilations of viral videos like this one are so popular.)
You don’t need to be rude, crude or rough around the edges in order to get booked in the media. You just need to be yourself.
If the “real you” is a positive person who was blessed with wonderful parents and a joyful childhood, so be it. You still have ideas, tips, strategies and stories to share, you can still be entertaining, you can still be insightful and you can still help people to lead better lives. Suffering is not a prerequisite for service.
As my friend Alex puts it, you don’t necessarily have to “overcome adversity in order to know stuff.”
Your media role model:
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly has built a huge media platform anchored on “traditional values” like kindness and compassion. She consciously steers away from gritty or violent topics. The description of her show is: Singer Kelly Clarkson offers heartwarming stories, live musical performances, games and surprises.
She’s known for delivering audiences a daily dose of positivity — complete with local heroes who are doing great things in their community. That’s who she is and what she does best.
If you are the “Kelly” of your industry, embrace it! Don’t try to change yourself for the spotlight. You will feel awkward, uncomfortable, and struggle to successfully make the “point” that you’re there to make — and audiences will be feeling uncomfortable, right along with you.
Just be you. “You” is what works.
Harmful Publicity Attitude #3. “All of this media preparation stuff — like setting up my website or meeting planner page — is too hard! I’m terrible with technology.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
To quote the folks at this design firm: “If Google can’t find it, it doesn’t exist.”
That’s the reality of our world today.
If you are unwilling to set up a website, participate in social media, and create materials that are quickly searchable (and findable) online — like a backlog of recent press releases stored on your site — or a press kit — you are going to have a tough time getting the kind of media coverage you want. Especially since Google is the number one tool the media use to find sources.
Terrified of tech? Not Betty White. Follow her lead.
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Your media role model:
Betty White.
Even at age 99 this actress, activist and product spokeswoman had a vibrant Twitter presence and showed no signs of slowing down with her career, despite her age—until her death.
Her manager joked, “Betty and I have an understanding. I have told her that I have already booked her when she turns 100 and there is no out clause. Betty never backs out of a date.”
Another role model for you:
Theresa Reed.
As a professional Tarot card reader who has been reading cards — full time — for over 25 years, Theresa has a steady stream of “regulars” and could certainly opt to “rest on her laurels.” But that’s not her style.
She is constantly learning new tools, upgrading her website, and experimenting with new ways to connect with audiences around the world (including starting three of her own podcasts). She firmly believes that all business owners need to be tech-savvy, and she even mentors “tech-phobic” entrepreneurs to help them grasp the basics.
Theresa is regularly a go-to expert on Tarot, astrology and spirituality blogs, podcasts and magazines. The secret to her success? Well, as she put it — while talking to a friend of mine — “I ain’t no stale hippie.”
Harmful Publicity Attitude #4.“I’m not the world’s most credible expert on this topic. Other people are much more experienced and authoritative than me.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
There will always be people who are more highly credentialed than you are. That’s a fact.
“Comparing and despairing” when you size yourself up to your competitors is very counter-productive.
Don’t compare and despair when your competitors appear on TV, podcasts, Lives or radio
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Yes, of course, there are people who might have more degrees, certifications or years of experience than you. But that doesn’t detract from your ability to serve your audience in your way, right now.
The real question is this: Do you have something to share — right now, today — that could help a fellow human solve a problem, get inspired, or lead a better life?
If so, then you’ve got the most important “credential” of all: something of VALUE to share.
Your media role model:
Gabby Bernstein.
Gabby is one of the world’s most sought-after media commentators in the realm of personal growth and spirituality.
Does she have a PhD in psychology? Nope. (She actually studied “theater” at college). Is she a Nobel Peace Prize winner like The Dalai Lama? Nope. Has she published formal, academic research papers? Nope. Has any of that ever stopped her from pursuing opportunities to write, appear, and get interviewed in the media? NOPE.
She has personal stories to share and insights that she knows will help people.
And share she does. With videos, audios, TED talks, lectures, meditations, courses, books, products, and a podcast, a spirit junkie app, and stuff she loves. And if that’s not enough you can enroll in the “Get More Gabby” subscription service. Phew!
Harmful Publicity Attitude #5.“I just don’t have time for all this stuff! Between running my business, taking care of my clients/customers, and dealing with my family… I don’t have a minute to write press releases, build relationships with journalists, maintain my website, and… ugh!”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
Life is unquestionably busy. As a business owner, there will always be “something” pulling at your attention.
But if you want to grow to the next level, serve wider audiences, and sell more of your books, products, courses and services (without spending money on advertising), then getting featured in the media needs to be part of your plan.
As Stephen R. Covey, author of the bestselling book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People said, “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
If getting media coverage is a priority for you (and it should be!) then it must be treated as just that: a priority.
This may mean shutting down lower-priority projects for the time being or learning how to delegate more effectively. (If you’re struggling to stay focused on the action steps that really count, this training program can help you stay on track.)
Your media role model:
President Obama.
As president he was arguably THE busiest man on planet earth — with an unthinkable level of stress resting upon his shoulders.
Yet he still created the time to write guest articles for The Huffington Post, contribute exclusive interviews to People magazine, occasionally, even tweet personal notes to his followers, and appear on TV talk shows to discuss his latest thoughts on basketball or a new bill in Congress.
Did he have a team supporting him? Of course. The point, here, is that Obama recognized the importance of making media coverage a top priority. It’s not something to ignore or neglect. It’s vital to his success as a thought leader.
Harmful Publicity Attitude #6.“I’ve never been good at public speaking. It’s just not my thing. I’m going to freeze, blush, giggle, burp, sweat, snort, forget my ‘lines’ and mess this up… somehow. I just know it.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
No one wants to watch a “perfect robot” on the air or listen to a “slick and polished” presentation. If you go “off script” during a media appearance, it can often work in your favor. Little flubs can be endearing and humanizing.
This is something I talk about a lot in one of my media training programs, The Zen of Fame. If you’ve got your sound bites down pat — meaning: you’ve chosen a couple of key messages that you really, really want your media audience to remember and “take home” — then it’s pretty tough to mess anything up. Just stick to your sound bites and allow yourself to relax. If you’re too slick? We want to topple you off that perfect pedestal. Be yourself. Quirks, nerves, sweats, burbs and all.
Your media role model:
Anne Hathaway.
While appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to promote her film at the time — which she produced and starred in — Anne lost her composure and began laughing hysterically. Why? Because the plot of the movie (which deals with a coma victim) is so dreadfully, horrendously sad, it was actually… kind of funny.
Rather than sitting back in horror, fans LOVED it. Multiple media platforms (Vanity Fair, E! Online, US Magazine) shared the now-legendary giggle-clip, using words like “charming” and “adorable” and “utterly endearing” to describe it!
As one journalist put it: “This feels real candid. I don’t know if Anne Hathaway has ever been so likable. This is how you sell a movie, even when it’s a coma movie.”
Harmful Publicity Attitude #7.“I don’t deserve to be featured in the media. I’m ordinary. I’m not special.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
Let me ask you this:
Has an “ordinary” person ever given you a piece of advice that made your entire week better?
Has an “ordinary” person ever shared a resource with you that saved you tons of time or brought you hours of delight?
Has an “ordinary” friend, colleague or family member ever said something that motivated you to change an unhealthy habit and improve your life?
“Ordinary” people have the power to serve, educate, inform and inspire, just as much as rich, famous “celebrities” or “authorities” do.
If you have something of value to share — whether it’s a product, service, book, mission, cause, or day-changing tip, tool or idea — then you deserve to be in the media.
The brilliant Marianne Williamson had it right when said, “We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.”
Your media role model:
This “ordinary” mom from Sumter, South Carolina.
She recorded a video of herself singing her baby to sleep and spontaneously posted it online. When she woke up the next morning, her video had gone viral. After a radio station shared it on Facebook, it got 4 million views. TV stations started calling. She was featured on Good Morning America and the host said that this could be the big break she’s been waiting for to become a singer. This mom became — literally! — an overnight sensation.
Her voice is very pretty, yes, but the real reason that her video touched the hearts of millions of people is that… she is ordinary and heartfelt. There was no artifice in her singing. Just a mom, home, in a dimly lit room, rocking her baby to sleep, singing as if no one was watching.
Moral of the story?
Your “ordinary-ness” can be THE quality that makes you appealing to the media and to audiences, worldwide.
“Ordinary” is not the same as “boring.” You can be totally un-flashy and still wow audiences with your ideas, stories and talents.
Musician Sam Smith who has won five Grammy awards said, “I just want to say that before I made this record I was doing everything to try to get my music heard. I tried to lose weight and I was making awful music. It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and the people started to listen.”
Allow yourself to be exactly who you are. We want to see your blemished self. Not a prettified version of someone you think you should be.
That’s the approach that will resonate most strongly with audiences — and get the media calling you back.
Final words:
Getting booked in the media is one thing.
Translating media attention into sales… is another.
Simply getting “interviewed,” “featured,” “quoted” or “mentioned” in the media does NOT guarantee that people are going to actually buy your program, products and services or hire you for speeches or consulting.
To accomplish that, you’ve got to have specific systems and processes in place that turn curious callers or new website visitors into paying customers.
Those systems and processes are exactly what I teach inside my training program: The Zen of Fame: Your Genius Gone Viral.
If you want to learn how to get featured in the media and use and get publicity to grow your business and brand ― while keeping your integrity intact ― this course was created for you.
The program is ongoing and you can begin your training any month, any time, and get access to all the goodies immediately. Join us here.
Rather work with me 1:1? Book a time to talk.
Book your Free ConsultationRelax.Let’s just see if we ignite together.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultCheck out our PR and Media Training Workshop to Jumpstart your Publicity
The post 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great Publicity first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great Publicity appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Learn to handle internet trolls with advice from Asian women entrepreneurs: Use humor to deflect trolls. Remove insults and deepen discussions. Engage with diverse voices for education. Respond respectfully to trolls. Ignore negativity to protect your online space. Having protocols in place is crucial, including considering the source, learning from criticism, and addressing unresolved wounds.
Table of contents: * 5 Ways To Gracefully Deal With Internet Trolls + 1. Troll Back with Humor. + 2. Remove Insults. Keep Commentary That Ignites Conversation. + 3. Take Culture-Splainers to Task and Let Followers Have at Them. + 4. Respond Respectfully With a Rebuttal. + 5. Ignore. Don’t Engage. Don’t respond. Ban Negativity and Toxicity to Protect Your Feed, Followers and Employees. - 1. Consider the source. - 2. Is there something I can learn here? - 3. Did what they say/wrote trigger an unresolved wound? 5 Ways To Gracefully Deal With Internet TrollsA big fame fear I hear all the time from my women clients is how to deal with criticism and trolls online. I’ve done a quick summary of a great piece from the New York Times on how 5 Asian women entrepreneurs handle hate.
[See my take on how I advise my clients at the end]
Do you have haters?
Here are 5 tips to zip their lips.
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Troll Back with Humor.Jing Gao, whose popular, tasty Fly By Jing, 1 of her Sichuan sauces [now a sauce I can’t live without] uses humor as her superpower to deflect the trolls.
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Remove Insults. Keep Commentary That Ignites Conversation.Kim and Vanessa Pham, two first-generation Vietnamese sisters take a different tact to deepen the discussion around racism, sexism and criticism. [Omsom makes pre-made South East+East Asian sauces.]
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Take Culture-Splainers to Task and Let Followers Have at Them.Brooklyn based Auria’s Malaysian Kitchen, makes Malaysian pantry staples like sambal. Her angle is education and to bring in the diverse voices and opinions of her tribe—which can be a powerful antidote to the disgruntled, loud-mouthed hating few.
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Respond Respectfully With a Rebuttal.Himalayan Dumplings by Kyikyi. She provides an example of how to behave respectfully. But it doesn’t let the trolls off the hook for their hate.
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Ignore. Don’t Engage. Don’t respond. Ban Negativity and Toxicity to Protect Your Feed, Followers and Employees. Sahra Nguyen of Nguyen Coffee Supply 1st specialty Vietnamese coffee importer & roaster in the U.S. opts for not letting in any negativity to quiet the yammer of trolls.
When you don’t give any energy to the vicious voices they often dissipate.
MY TAKE: What’s important is to have the protocols and practices in place ahead of time so you know how you’re going to handle the haters, detractors and “nattering nabobs of negativity.”
I give my clients a quick three rule check-in to grow their capacity to withstand the trolling that is now a part of our everyday lives—for all of us who voice our opinions, stand for something and believe in speaking out for who and what’s important.
8 tips for women to deal with or silence trolls
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Consider the source.Is this person a nutball? If so, dismiss their rant without another thought. Don’t let it sink into your skin for a second.
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Is there something I can learn here?Is there a kernel of truth in anything this person says?
Is what they say worth examining so I can improve myself, my course, product, talk etc.? If so, great. If not, move on.
- Did what they say/wrote trigger an unresolved wound?If you find yourself becoming hurt, angry, embarrassed, ashamed, or experiencing a strong feeling arising, take a few breaths to steady and ground yourself and come back to center in the moment.
Later, examine what touched the nerve. The event can show you where there is still work to be done to let go of past patterns that we all have or harbor.
Women – want to own your worth and stand up for yourself and what you believe? Here is a fabulously supportive guide for you. (It’s free!)
Check out our PR and Media Training Workshop to Jumpstart your Publicity
The post 5 Ways To Gracefully Deal With Internet Trolls first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 5 Ways To Gracefully Deal With Internet Trolls appeared first on Susan Harrow.
I haven’t seen much to applaud in the current administration or the recent presidential debates. So I thought I’d harken back to the Obama White House PR campaign strategy for some ideas you can apply to your own publicity campaign. 1. Define your image as a thought leader. While I don’t particularly like the word…
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Guest Blog post As a PR professional, knowing how to dress for media appearances is of utmost importance. There are few departments who represent a company more directly then the PR team themselves. Though preparing yourself for an appearance with the media can be a bit stressful in the beginning, creating your wardrobe is essential.…
The post Media Appearances: Your Guide to PR Professional Dress first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Develop your essential talking points / sound bites so you can easily incorporate them into your work and media appearances to grow your business fast.
The post Media coaching to get chosen for a media appearance or commercial first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Create Viral Videos: How to Syndicate Your Videos To Major Networks | Video Marketing. Once you create your video you can syndicate it to over 50 channels like Roku, Hulu and Apple so you reach a brand new audience that haven't found you on social media
The post Create Viral Videos: How to Syndicate Your Videos To Major Networks first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Guest Post By Victoria Greene It’s fair to say that America is a fairly divided place right now, with wildly differing ideas about what’s right and wrong. Whatever your views, our blundering, boastful President does seem to have mastered one thing, and that’s showmanship. As he appoints more than a few questionable characters to office, many…
The post 8 Things Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Courting Publicity first appeared on Susan Harrow.
I’m in a tizzy right now. I have an unknown, itchy red rash under my arm. My stomach is upset and bloated. And my office has a giant pile of clothes on a chair I’ve been meaning to take to the consignment store, but haven’t. When I want to shift something, I clean out. But…
The post Failure, Faith and Perseverance first appeared on Susan Harrow.
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.
There is a place for everyone, no matter how shy or small you feel. No matter how big and bold you are. No matter if you’re quiet and thoughtful. No matter your race, ethnicity or point of view. We need us all.
The post Your Publicity Strategy: You Don’t Need to Be Brash or Loud first appeared on Susan Harrow.
I was hit repeatedly at an Aikido training over the weekend. And it was an honor. When I told a friend about this she said, “At the first hit, I’d be out of there. Off to get a latte and shopping for shoes.” Of course a part of me wanted out of there. The other part welcomed the opportunity to polish my spirit. As Rumi says, "Criticism polishes my mirror.” My work will be done when nothing can annoy, irritate, anger, or ruffle me. That is a long way off.
The post I Was Hit in Aikido—and it was an honor first appeared on Susan Harrow.
This is why my Podcast took 3 years to launch: I got waylaid. Over and over again. I think I resisted it because talking came so natural to me. And I did lots of other harder things first. I created webinars, special reports, ebooks, courses. I trained to get my black belt in Aikido. I got…
The post Be a Media Darling [My New Podcast] first appeared on Susan Harrow.