USA TODAY Front Page Features PR LEADS' Clients

Congratulations to Kristin Arnold and Mitch Gooze, who are both quoted on the front page of USA TODAY today.

They were both clearly identified by what they do and where they live. So anyone could find them with a little help from Google!

This isn't the first time a PR LEADER has been on the front page of the nation's largest newspaper. Arlene Vernon was featured as well

If you have a great PR LEADS story to tell, please call our testimonial line:
(214) 615-6505 ext 5849 and follow the voice prompts. It is easy!

1. Tell us your name.
2. Where did the interview appear?
3. How did you get the interview?
4. How has the interview helped you?

We'll post results on our website.

If you'd like your own audio testimonial line, click here (small monthly fee applies)

Congratulations also to new PR LEADER Paul Vann, who writes:

On February 15, I submitted my expert topics (workplace issues, diversity, defense, leadership, peak performance, etc.), profile to you.

Proof of the power of PR Leads rest in the results. Since Port Security was the hot issue a week ago, my first week results read as follows:

NewsRadio 600 WREC Memphis, TN Talk Radio - Interview on Port Security
1550 WNTN Radio, Boston, MA - Interview on Port Security
San Bernadino Sun Newspaper - Published my workplace article on "Managing Up"

The proof is in the results, thanks for this outstanding service.
Paul Lawrence Vann
Motivational Speaker and Author

Thanks, Paul!

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
www.prleads.com
952-380-1554

Hold the Presses: Read Publishers Marketing Association Newsletter

If you publish books, you absolutley must join the Publishers Marketing Association if only to read their absolutely phenomenal monthly newsletter (yes, a 48-page printed newsletter, sent in the mail so you can hold it and write on it.)

In this month's issue, I read great articles on:
- how to get reviews in Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal Book Review, Kirkus Reviews and other trade magazines that can make or break your book. It was written by my friend Kate Bandos who runs a terrific PR agency

- new trends in publishing, as seen by the big distributors

- Dan Poynter, our fellow PR LEADER and the Godfather of self-publishing, points out how some printers are mis-manufacturing books by putting the paper in the wrong way! If you've ever picked up a book and it didn't feel right, that's probably what happened.

And that's just 3 of about 20 fact-filled articles.

Join PMA today! Call 310-372-2732, or visit their website at www.pma-online.org


Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
www.prleads.com
952-380-1554

Coaching Wizards Teleseminar Features Mark LeBlanc

Build Your Own

6-Figure Coaching Business

Presents... Mark LeBlanc

Dan Janal interviews Mark LeBlanc

Seminar date: February 16. 2006, 2-3 p.m. EST USA

Mark LeBlanc is MY business coach. He is personally responsible for many great things that have helped my business grow and serve YOU better. Come to this session and learn how he built his business!

About Mark LeBlanc

Mark has been a business owner, and entrepreneur virtually his entire adult life. He is The consummate professional, and is committed to providing your people with a memorable, and impactful experience. His down-to-earth, presentation style is warm, engaging, challenging, and entertaining. Your people will laugh as they learn!

He has been a Member of the National Speakers Association, since 1983, and currently serves as the National Vice President. He will serve NSA as President in 2007-2008. In 1997, The Minnesota Speakers Association created The Mark LeBlanc Award for Outstanding Service, and presents this award annually to a deserving member. He has offices in Minneapolis, MN and La Jolla, CA.

He is the author of "Growing Your Business."

Register for the teleseminar here:

http://snipurl.com/seminarleblanc

Click on this link to order the CD for $19.95.

http://snipurl.com/cdleblanc

Are you visual? Order the transcript for just $9.95.

Click on this link to order the transcript http://snipurl.com/transcriptleblanc

Mark will share his insights on these questions:

Demographic

1. What is the focus of your coaching practice?

2. What is the primary benefit your clients receive?

3. How long have you been a coach?

4. Why did you want to be a coach?

Self-Actualization

5. What is the most rewarding part of being a coach?

6. What is the most frustrating part of being a coach?

Starting your business

7. Many people morph into coaching from some other job. What were you before you were a coach?

8. How did this background help you become a good coach?

9. How long were you a coach before you started making a full-time income from coaching?

Marketing your business in the early stages

10. What were some of the biggest mistakes you made when you started your coaching business and how did you overcome them?

11. What marketing mistakes did you make?

12. What were some of the best moves you made regarding marketing?

13. What mistakes did you make in managing (administration) the business?

14. What were some of the best moves you made regarding managing the business

Pricing your services

15. How did you set your fees? Hourly? Project or Value based?

16. How did you come to that decision?

17. How did you justify those prices to clients who are unfamiliar with the prices of coaches?

Growing your business

18. How do you get new business?

19. How do you keep current clients?

20. Do you think you run your business differently than other coaches? If so, how?

21. What roles do advertising, websites, ezines and blogs play in your business, if any?

22. What role does referral marketing play in your business, if any?

23. Do you host seminars or retreats?

24. Is speaking a part of your business growth strategy. If so, please 18. Explain your goals.

19. Is book writing/publishing part of your growth plan? Please explain why it is or isn'’t.

Managing your business

26. How many hours a week do you work?

27. Percentagewise, how much time do you spend on clients/marketing/administration/other business pursuits?

28. Do you have a staff – onsite or virtual?

29. What tasks do they perform?

30. What advice do you have for managing them?

Balancing your life

31. How do you balance your work life and your personal life?

32. Do you have any children living at home?

33. Are you married? Does your spouse play a role in your business?

Final Thoughts

What would you tell a coach who is starting out, on a dark, dreary day when everything looks bleak?

Register for the teleseminar here:

http://snipurl.com/seminarleblanc

Travel Notes

While flying to the National Speakers Association conference last week. You have to be impressed with the view from the plane as it approaches the airport. You can see all the key monuments and landmarks. It really is quite breath-taking. Make sure you get a window seat on your next flight to DC!

Being from Minnesota, one hears all too many jokes about the cold and snow. But no one along the Eastern seaboard was making fun of Minnesota after the Blizzard of '06. In fact, the NY Times travel section on that very day wrote a wonderful review of our town calling it "In the Frozen North, an Increasingly Cool City."

We knew that a long time ago!

For your reading pleasure, as you dig out from the snow, read this article:
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/02/12/travel/12next.html

Our motto is, "We like it here."

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS
www.prleads.com

Oprah-PR LEADS Challenge results!

The results of last week's PR LEADS-Ophrah challenge are in!

And the winner is...

No one!

You'll remember that I challanged readers to let me know if they appeared on Oprah and sold $10,000 worth of books -- and could prove it. I was testing the theory that if you appear on Oprah, then your fame and fortune are assured.

Let me assure you that I didn't believe that being on Oprah would have the life-changing transformation that many authors think. Here are three stories that I received.

The first was from a virtual assitant for a fairly famous author who appeared on Oprah in the midst of a long book tour sponsored by his publisher (ever dream of getting one of those?) and his book was already on the New York Times Best Seller List.

It is hard to say what impact Oprah has on his success. Chances are he helped increase Oprah's ratings that day.

I received another email from a PR person who was grateful that I offered this challenge, since she too was sick and tired of hearing her clients say, "So, when are you going to get me on Oprah?"

Finally, I received one letter that put everything into perpsective and I thank the author Pat Wiklund for allowing me to reprint it for your benefit:



Hi Dan,
I have been on Oprah. Twice as a matter of fact, and the second time they called me!

Even though the first time I was on, we did get a nice spike in sales, I can’t remember how much money it was. (It was over 10 years ago.) The appearance and the money didn’t catapult me into the fame and fortune most folks want/expect or believe automatically happens because they “have been on Oprah!”

Here’s how it did “help” and I am using the quotes intentionally.

I don’t lead with the fact that I’ve been on Oprah, with most of my marketing materials. The book I was promoting is not what I am doing today, and is totally inappropriate with my corporate clients.

When people do find out, typically from someone else telling them, they are real impressed. Then the conversation turns to one of two questions:

I wrote a book, would you please tell Oprah I’d be perfect for her show?

Or, my best friend/cousin/member of my networking/leads group needs to be on Oprah because she has the perfect product and if she were on the show her business would soar.

When I tell them I won’t call Oprah for them, inevitably they respond with some version of “but you should, that’s what networking is all about!”

I am not their agent, don’t know them, their product, their book, how good they would be on tv, much less what Oprah is doing this season. (shall I go on here??????) My referrals reflect on my judgment and integrity with a high valence resource.

Networking is not about blanket referrals for someone I’ve just met and don’t know to one of my prime contacts. When I refer someone it is because I have benefited from their products or services, have carefully screened them for applicability and appropriateness, and stand behind them with the people I care about most... my clients, prospects, and colleagues.

One last point: did I make money on my books? You bet. But not from being on TV... but giving presentations and selling the books back of the room, by repositioning the information into multiple info products that I continue to sell (10 years later) from the web and as bonuses, add on products, and “do it for yourself” coaching and learning programs.

So, write the book, learn how to do teleseminars, learn how to sell on teleseminars, learn how to sell at the back of the room, and stop looking for the golden ring that will magically propel your success. Success for most of us is 99.9999% perspiration and self promotion, not a single appearance on a national tv show.

Sorry about the rant, but you hit one of my hot spots!!!

Keep up the good work, you are one of the anchors for all of us.

pw

#############################################

Patricia Wiklund Ph.D.
Wiklund & Associates
236 West Portal Ave #349
San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 641-5997
pat@patwiklund.com http://www.patwiklund.com

Leveraging the Strategic Power of Soft Skills tm

############################################


Thanks, Pat, for reinforcing the idea that success is achieved in baby steps. People who try for the one "Magic Bullet" are often left holding a cliche.

I conducted about 30 teleseminars last year teaching people how to market their books. I'm making the audios files (MP3s) and digital transcripts available to authors for just $199. Click here to learn more about this offer.

For one low price, you'll get a ton of terrific information.



Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS
www.prleads.com

Coaching Wizards Teleseminar: Dianna Booher, CSP, CPAE, February 9, 2006

Our next Coaching Wizard who will help you "Build Your Own Six Figure Coaching Business" is Dianna Booher, CSP, CPAE, prolific author and winner of many writing awards!

As author of more than 40 books, Dianna has published with Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, Warner, McGraw-Hill, Prentice Hall, HarperCollins and Thomas Nelson. Her latest books include Speak with Confidence!, Powerful Presentations That Inform, Inspire, and Persuade; E-WRITING: 21st-Century Tools for Effective Communication; Communicate with Confidence®!; and Get a Life Without Sacrificing Your Career. Several have been major book club selections. Her work has been published in 16 foreign editions and is also widely available on audio, video, and online courseware.

You can listen for free on our Telephone Replay Line:

218-936-1055
Conference ID: 77125#

The call is available 24x7.

You can get your own free replay line and free conference line at:
http://www.myfreeteleconference.com/promo/





For more about Dianna, see:
http://www.prleads.com/coach-booher.htm


Can't attend? Order the CD for $29.95
http://snipurl.com/cdbooher


Want to read the transcript for $9.95? Click here:
http://snipurl.com/transcript


Dianna is hosting a 3-days workshop entitled "Get Yourself Published"
http://www.GetYourBookPublished2006.com
Mention code: dj707 and get $100 off.

Take the Oprah-PR LEADS Challenge!

I am so sick of hearing authors say, "If only I can get on Oprah, then my book will really take off."

I think most of the people saying this:
(a) haven't watched Oprah
(b) don't know who watches Oprah
(c) don't have a clue as to what Oprah talks about on her show
(d) have extremely unrealistic definitions of marketing
(e) have completely unfounded goals for publicity
(f) think Oprah is in the business of selling books (which she is not!)

Mind you, I don't think ill of anyone with these thoughts, just that their thinking is misguided.

I don't know ANYONE who went on Oprah and sold 10,000 books to catapult themselves to best-sellers status on a truly legitimate Best-Seller List, with the exception of the authors Oprah selected for her Book Club.

But I could be wrong.

So I'm issuing the Oprah-PR LEADS challenge in the spirit of honest journalism:

If you have sold $10,000 of books from one appearance on Oprah, send me your proof and I'll give you a year of PR LEADS for free and I'll tell your story in glowing tones to my blog. If I'm really off target, I'll limit this offer to the first five people who respond with proof.

I don't want to hear about a friend of yours, or a person who is a client of your agent's niece, or anyone else you might have heard bragging at the bar at a writer's convention. It must be Y-O-U. I want to hear from people who have really accomplished this.

By the way, in case you didn't notice, I've lowered the limit to win. You don't have to sell 10,000 copies of a book, but $10,000 worth of books. At $25 per copy, that's only 400 copies, an amount that many speakers can sell from the back of the room at a nice-sized event.

The deadline is this Friday, February 10, 2006 so I can post the results next week.

Just send your proof and your story to me at dan@prleads.com. You can fax me your royalty statements or other proof to me at: (952)-400-8883. You also must be willing to do a 5-minute interview with me via the phone that I will post on my website so people can learn how you accomplished this miraculously feat and how you capitalized on it for future sales.

I really hope I am wrong on this. But if I am not, then we've gone a long way toward adjusting your PR and marketing goals to something that will truly make sense for you.

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
www.prleads.com/index.htm

When the world zigs, you should zag

Northwest Airlines sent me a nice letter yesterday saying they were entering the electronic age and now would be sending me my mileage statement by email instead of by paper.

In other words, they don't want to spend the money on printing, paper and postage.

But it also means I won't see their special offers and coupons for their affiliate partners either.

In other words, BAD MOVE.

Susan Friedmann, the Trade Show Coach, was on my teleseminar recently talking about how she built her own six figure coaching business by following the premise, "If everyone else is zigging, then I should be zagging." She gave other great tips about growing a business as well during the seminar, which is now available as a transcript or CD at this site.

Isn't it funny that by the time Northwest finally woke up to the paperless office, they might have done so for the wrong reason?

As for me -- I'm going to zag. I'm going to start doing more direct mail simply because everyone else is doing email -- and fewer people are reading any advertising!

I've signed up for Dan Kennedy's copy writing seminars in March. I'll let you know what I think of them.

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS EXPERT RESOURCE NETWORK
www.prleads.com/coach-friedmann.htm