Dan Janal's PR LEADS Blog

What do reporters look for in a great story?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:34:00 +0000

Here's an excerpt from a PR LEAD I received from a reporter:

"We're looking for women between the ages of 35 to late 50s who suffered for years from the following: 1) celiac disease; 2) lupus; or 3) mold in her home (the more debilitating her condition, the better the story) and today is in good health."

Notice her words "the more debilitating her condition, the better the story."

That should tell you something.

Just in case you were wondering, this person is writing for a major women's magazine, not the National Enquirer!

Want to get into the papers? Be dramatic!

Speaking Coach Patricia Fripp put it this way: The bigger the problem, the more dramatic the solution."

I did a teleseminar with Patricia Fripp on "How to Turn a Dull Speaker into a Dynamic Presenter." To see how you can get your copy of this CD click here

Or paste this link into your browser:

http://www.prleads.com/seminar011.htm

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
www.PRLEADS.com

Isn't there a law that reporters have to check their facts and send your copies of articles?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:32:00 +0000

A new client asked this question the other day and I broke out laughing!

No, there aren't any laws that force reporters to do anything. In fact, the First Amendment specifically prohibits Congress from making any laws that have anything to do with free speech!

Also, most publications don't employ fact checkers, so don't expect a call on this topic. A few magazines will call to check facts, but they are the exception, not the rule.

Hardly any reporters will send you copies of articles. They just don't have the time.

If you want to get copies of your articles, you should ask the reporter when will the article appear? Then mark that date on your calendar. When the day comes, go to their website and you'll see the article.

You can also use a free clipping service that Google offers:

http://www.Google.com/alerts

Many of my PR LEADERS have found articles this way.

Of course, you can go to Google and type your name for articles in the past, but Google Alerts will do this for you automatically for the future.

I conducted an interview with PR goddess Raleigh Pinskey on "Now that you've gotten PR, what do you do next." Fortunately, we recorded this session. Click here to see how you can get your copy.

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

How should soon should I follow up with reporters?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:26:00 +0000

Larry writes:

One radio program has asked for two copies of my book to look over. I take that as a foot in the door. How long should I wait before following up with an inquiry?

Congratulations, Larry. Any time reporters ask for your materials, that's a good sign. I'd suggest you call or email them as soon as you think they should have received your materials. So if you sent it by overnight courier, call the next day. You can even check online to see when the package was delivered. If you use USPS Priority Mail, give it 2-3 days. But definitely follow up. Not following up is a sin -- and many people fail to follow up. Guess what? They don't get interviewed!

I conducted a teleseminar on "How to Pitch Reporters" with Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound and we were lucky enough to record it. For information on how you can get your copy, click here

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

How can I make sure reporters can find me?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 13:47:00 +0000

When you hit the road for speaking engagement or vacation, you need to let the press know how to get in touch with you.

No, I'm not suggesting you contact them with your itinerary every time you go the Winn-Dixie!

Instead, revise your phone answering message to let reporters know how they can reach you. Also, update your outgoing e-mail "vacation" message to read:

Here's an example one of my PR LEADERS sent me:

Hi!

Thanks for contacting me. Our offices will be closed until Monday, June 5. We will not be returning email until that time.

If you're a member of the press on deadline, or if you need to speak with me immediately, please call my cell phone at 123-456-7890. If I am tied up, I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Your patience is appreciated. Thanks!

Best,
Your Name

This tip might help you get the interview that might otherwise get away!

When you are on the road, you might want to build in a book signing at a book store. You might want to learn how to increase your sales in that venue. We did a teleseminar with several experts who can show you how to make the most of your time on the road in a CD entitled, "Secrets to Profiting From Book Tours and Signings." For more info, click here

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert resource Network
www.prleads.com

Book Expo posts seminar session online

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 21:54:00 +0000

I just received this message from the Book Expo people to get their best seminars as MP3 or podcasts! Congratulations to Book Expo for making this great content available to everyone1

Here's their message:

f you weren't able to attend BookExpo America 2006 in Washington DC this year, we now have a valuable FREE service from the show -- Podcasts from BEA.

We have recorded approximately 24 of the favorite events and sessions and will release them as podcasts over the next couple of months.

Plus, our roving reporter has captured some special interviews in his quest to find out "What's the Buzz" at BEA this year.

Please visit www.bookexpocast.com where you can subscribe to our podcast by email, iTunes or other popular podcast software. We also have a complete list of our scheduled podcast events under "Upcoming Podcasts" on the site.

How the press decides what to write about

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Mon, 08 May 2006 15:37:00 +0000

The New York Times opened the cloak on how stories are created in an article on May 7, 2006 on page 12 of the Week in Review Section (you might have to subscribe to the online edition to get access to this article).

Public Editor Byron Calame reviewed the newspaper on April 16 and asked the reporters and department heads how 23 stories were created.

The results will surprise you.

Only 2 of the stories started with PR people. The rest came from ideas from reporters or editors.

So what does this mean for authors and experts?

The report shows what I've long believed. Reporters create their own stories and then need to find experts to give the story depth and balance. They need experts.

Being in the right place at the right time is an age-old adage. Knowing where to stand, that's why you need to position yourself as an expert.

I interviewed Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound" on how to create your expert image so reporters will call you when news breaks.

We talked about:

--Why most media people donÃ’t care about your book

--Why pitching the book as the story idea will turn off print and broadcast media

--The 5 things they DO care about…give them these and you'’ll get tons of publicity

--How to position yourself as an expert in your topic - and what to do if you aren't yet an expert

--The different levels of expertise and what you must do to get to the next highest level

--Why the broad-brush approach to publicity doesn't work anymore and why its more important to target narrowly

--A big mistake authors make that gets their publicity campaign off to a bad start. Don't let this happen to you

--How to create your own holiday or your own day, week or month of the year and milk it like crazy

--Why it's OK to piggyback publicity off of other authors

--4 powerful tips for online publicity

--One of the easiest ways to get into national magazines - even the big ones

--Why landing an interview on a big radio show might not sell books - and what's more important than the size of the audience

--A major media outlet that could be a major hit for you, It loves authors and depends on them for many interviews

--How to establish strong relationships with journalists and stay on their radar screen so they come back to you again and again.

To order the CD for $19.95, click here:
http://snipurl.com/expertcdrom

To order the transcript for $10, click here:
http://snipurl.com/experttranscript

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
www.prleads.com

teleseminar: What the banks won't tell you about your merchant services accounts!

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 09 May 2006 22:07:00 +0000

Are you tired of paying high fees just so you can accept credit cards online?

I've found an honest vendor who will share all his secrets about how to get the best rates possible to accept credit cards for your books and information products, as well as your professional services. He processes the cards for Dan Kennedy and Yanik Silver, so he definitely knows how to work with people like us!

We'll also keep the phone lines open on this call so you can ask your questions.

I'll grill him on all the ins and outs of getting the best rates and protecting yourself from fraudulent customers and chargebacks. If all this is new to you, then you won't want to miss this information packed session.

If you currently have merchant services, you'll learn how to cut your rates.

If you need credit card processing services, you'll learn how to find the best vendor.

There no fee to attend the seminar live on Thursday, May 11, 2006 from
2 p.m. Eastern
1 p.m. Central
Noon Mountain
11 a.m. Pacific

To attend the seminar at no fee click on this link:
http://snipurl.com/bankseminar

You can get a CD of this session for just $9.99:
http://snipurl.com/bankcd

Want to read the transcript instead: Click on this link:
http://snipurl.com/q777

I've arranged for you to get a free evaluation of your fees to see if you are paying too much. To get yours, click on this link:
http://snipurl.com/bankprogram

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

Should authors have blogs to promote books?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 22:25:00 +0000

PR LEADER Ted Demopoulos has an interesting interview on this topic:

http://www.bloggingforbusinessbook.com/blogging_for_business/2006/04/book_blogs_for_.html

Test your ads for free!

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:34:00 +0000

Everyone's talking about how great Google's AdWords program is. That's the best pay-per-click advertising program on the web. It's a great model: You pay for an ad and it appears on the screen when someone is searching for that product or service! But you only pay when someone clicks on the ad. So you can really make sure your advertising pays off.

But when you're the first, there are going to be competitors that improve on the model. A new company is about to launch and they are taking direct aim at Google's ad revenue.

I've arranged for all my readers (and their friends) to get $50 of ad dollars on a new search engine created by my buddy Paul Cohen, who is the genius behind the teleconferencing service that many speakers use for their teleseminar lines.

He's going to launch this service by the end of the week, so you can get in early.

It's like getting a shopping spree with free ads. If it works, you win by getting more traffic to your site and make more sales. If it doesn't work, then you've done a test and are closer to finding what does work! You can't lose. And $50 in ad dollars goes a long way when average pay-per-click is just 10 cents. You can test a lot!

The search engine is called "Search Big Daddy." Don't worry about the funny name. The search engine is based on DMOZ, which is the heart and soul of Yahoo and many other top-ranked
search engines.

Click here for details:
http://www.bigdaddypays.com/prleads

Yes, you'll have to wade through the typical sales letter you see all over the net and some third-grade graphics, so scroll to the bottom and fill out the
form and you'll get your ad dollars. They'll tell you what to do next. Please send them your questions. It's not my
business. I'm just trying to do everyone a favor!

It's a pretty good search engine too -- it's based on DMOZ, which is what Yahoo and Google are based on. So there's
no risk and you'll get advertising - no strings attached. Try your own searches and see what you think. You can promote your
books, your consulting practices, your coaching services -- at no real cost to you!

Click here for details:
http://www.bigdaddypays.com/prleads

If you want your friends to get in on this, send them this link:
http://www.bigdaddypays.com/prleads

I like to think of it as a social network for approved merchants and trusted advertisers since the only people who will
know about this are people who are invited in. So beat the Internet Marketers and grab the top listings before they do!

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
http://www.prleads.com

Web passes all media as #1 sales tool

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:20:00 +0000

Generating positive word of mouth on the Internet is the best way to get consumers to buy your products.

A recent survey in Editor and Publisher magazine confirms this startling statement. More people, by far, rely on the web than on newspapers, magazines and TV for information about what products to buy.

Want to know the worst medium?

Radio.

I'll show you why you need to write articles and syndicate them on the Internet so you can build traffic to your website and make more sales in this Thursday's teleseminar at 2 p.m. Eastern time on April 6, 2006.

You'll also learn how to:
-write articles that are sure to hook your readers
-submit your articles to syndication sites
-get editors to reprint your articles without sending one piece of email
-get readers to visit your site
-get visitors to take action to build a relationship with you that can lead to sales

To register for the free teleseminar, entitled "How to Syndicate Your Articles on the Internet to Build More Traffic and Make More Sales," click here:

http://tinyurl.com/o4om2

If you can't attend the session, you can order the transcript for $9.95

http://tinyurl.com/oazg8

All the best,

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
952-380-1554
dan@prleads.com
http://www.prleads.com

Amazon #1 Campaigns: Do they work?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 19:41:00 +0000

Do Amazon #1 campaigns really work?

You know what I'm talking about: You get an email from a friend saying they are trying to push their book to the #1 position on the Amazon best seller list for one day. They offer your a ton of free digital products if you buy the book on that day.

I've seen many people actually fool, trick, manipulate and otherwise coerce Amazon into landing the book on the top position, or even as high as 2 and 3. Amazon can definitely be maneuvered!

But does this lead to any long-term success for the author?

I'm interested in knowing your stories to see if you've done this and what the long-term results were. Did you get long-term sales? A distribution deal? A foreign offer. Or just lots of sales in one day?

Please post your response to the blog. Since there are so many people trying to do this, or thinking of doing this, I'd like to offer a public service to see if it is worth it.

Good luck!

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

Congratulations to these PR LEADERS!

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:34:00 +0000

Dr. Mark Hyman, "Ultrametabolism : The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss " is on the best seller lists at the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal! It is in the top 100 on Amazon.

While running through the airports, I saw these books prominently displayed at Hudson Books:

Jeff Thull:
Mastering the Complex Sale: How to Compete and Win When the Stakes are High!

Dave Anderson:
If You Don't Make Waves, You'll Drown: 10 Hard Charging Strategies for Leading in Politically Correct Times (Former PR LEADER and current teleseminar client)

Jeffrey Gitomer:
Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Red Book of Sales Answers : 99.5 Real World Answers That Make Sense, Make Sales, and Make Money by Jeffrey Gitomer (former PR LEADER)

We're anxiously looking for new books with major exposure from Lynn Robinson and Debra Condren!

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

Announcing Dan Janal's new teleseminar series on "Build Your Own 6-Figure Coaching Business"

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 16:21:00 +0000

I'm pleased to announce a whole new focus for teleseminars to serve you this year. It is called:

"Build Your Own Six-Figure Coaching Business."

Each week, I'll interview my favorite "Coaching Wizards" who have certified they make six figures (or more) from coaching so you'll learn from the people who are at the top of the game!

We'll focus on the BUSINESS of coaching, not the act of coaching. There are lot of great places to learn to be a coach. We're going to focus on how to be a successful coach!

I'm inviting all my blog readers at Duct Tape Marketing to attend each session at no cost, but you must register at this site to receive the phone codes. Each session will be at 2-3 p.m. Eastern time on Thursdays, so mark your calendars. You won't want to miss each session.

This week's session with Vickie Sullivan will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2006 from 2-3 p.m. Eastern.

To get the codes, click on this link and register. You won't have to give your credit card info. Just skip over it. Please write "Duct Tape" in the box labeled "how you heard about us."

http://snipurl.com/coachvickie

If you can't attend, you can order the CDs and transcripts for each 4-week block of sessions. Here's the pricing:

Annual Service -- all 4 CDs will be mailed to you each month and you'll be able to download each transcript via the web: $995. You'll also be able to listen to the MP3 recording via the web. No charge for shipping.
http://snipurl.com/coachannual

Monthly Service -- all 4 CDs will be mailed to you each month and you'll be able to download each transcript via the web: $97 per month, plus $10 shipping and handling, automatic recurring billing to your credit card. You'll also be able to listen to the MP3 recording via the web.
http://snipurl.com/coachmonthly

Installment Plan -- you'll get all the CDs and transcripts as above, with 3 easy payments of $495. No charge for shipping. You'll also be able to listen to the MP3 recording via the web.
http://snipurl.com/coach495

Our first session will be with Vickie Sullivan, the coach for many top speakers and emerging speakers. She helps them determine their positioning strategy. But we'll be focusing on such topics as:
- how to set your fee
- how to justify your fee
- how to position your fee in a value-based way
- her recipe for success in building and growing a business

I won't reveal Vickie's sales numbers -- that's between her and Uncle Sam. But I will let you know that any of you (and I do mean you) would be ecstatic to charge what Vickie charges!

You can read more about Vickie at http://www.sullivanspeaker.com/

This week's session with Vickie Sullivan will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2006 from 2-3 p.m. EST

Click the following link to register:
http://snipurl.com/coachvickie

You won't have to give your credit card info. Just skip over it.

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
952-380-1554
dan@prleads.com
http://www.prleads.com

Brain Dead Phone Messages

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:07:00 +0000

Have you ever tried calling yourself to see what happens?

No, this isn't an existential meandering. It is a customer service rant.

I had to return phone calls to three people and here's what I heard:

1. A fax beep. Please disconnect your fax machine from your phone line. Nothing is worse than hearing the shrill fax siren in your ear. Okay, maybe a paper cut is worse.

2. Dial the person's extension. That might be fine IF the person actually left an extension number to dial. If you leave a phone message, leave your extension number. Otherwise you'll hear the phone directory from hell.

3. "Please enter the person's first name." Have you ever had the greeting that lets you ask for the person by their first name? Sounds cool until you realize there are about 37 ways to spell Jennifer. And if your name is Rick, but people know you are Richard, they'll never find you. Simple solution: leave your extension number or direct dial number. After all, you left a message for them to call you -- why are you making it difficult do to so?

3. Long advertisements for your seminars. It is one thing to say your are an author or a speaker, or visit www.mycompany.com. But don't launch into a 3-minute ad for your seminar. I timed it.
If a reporter can't get hold of you fast, they won't try again. Same for your customers.

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

Have you ever been misquoted?

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 17:32:00 +0000

When I was in journalism school, the first thing the professors had us do was interview a classmate. It helped to build rapport with other students and let us practice our new interviewing skills.

But it also gave us a shocking insight into the news writing process.

There wasn't a person in the room who didn't think they were misquoted!

Why was that? After all, we students had no need to intentionally misquote someone.

It was because people don't always express themselves clearly and reporters don't always hear clearly either!

I wish there was a way to improve human communications, but I'm sure you'll agree that everyone from your boss to your kids misunderstand you from time to time. Why shouldn't reporters?

Oh well, not to make light of the situation, because it is very serious if the reporter mispresents you. So the question of the day is, "Have you ever been misquoted and what did you do about it?" Please submit your responses to the blog for everyone's benefit.

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

It's a small world after all

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:08:00 +0000

My favorite ride at Disneyland is "Its A Small World" which features a cute song and thousands of puppets that portray the peoples of the world. I'm delighted that my nieces and nephew liked it so much they wanted to go on it a second time. Fortunately, there was no line and we even stayed in the same waterboat.

As we entered the ride and heard the music playing, I could hear a woman in the row behind me take out her cell phone and call someone. That's right. In the middle of the ride, she calls someone. Then she hands to phone to each family member on the ride so they could talk to grandma or whoever was the mystery caller.

I couldn't believe that she felt it was more important to call someone than to experience the ride -- and to interrupt her family's experience of the ride to talk to someone.

Couldn't she wait until the ride was over? For pete's sake, the lines at Disney are long enough that you could call everyone in your phone book while killing time on a ride! But no, she had to call DURING the ride.

Wait a second, folks, I'm not ranting here. Well, I am, but I really have a point to make and it is probably the most important point I'll make all year. I'm that serious.

Because of what she did and when she did it, I finally realized that we are undergoing a sea change in communications.

For her, it was MORE important to SHARE the experience with someone who was not there than to enjoy the experience as presented by the provider, Disney. She could have called grandma before the ride or after the ride, but no, she felt it was important for grandma to hear the music and maybe even see a photo if her cell phone was equipped with a camera (aren't they all?) AND to have her children talk to grandma during the experience.

For her, this phone call ENHANCED the experience! (Forget my displeasure in overhearing the conversation. I think we can all agree that cell phone users don't care what happens to people around them who can listen in on their private calls).

I'm not sure what to make of her, frankly. But I do see her as the point person for a new trend that is changing human interaction (I told you this would be heavy).

The signs were all around me and I failed to see them for what they really were:

I've seen people like her at baseball games who will call their friends at home to tell them they are at the game.

I've seen people like her at baseball games who will call their friends who are AT the game and stand up and wave to them -- with their backs to the field so they can't even see the game!

I've been a maniac in thinking these people were rude rubes who have no life.

But I made the mistake of lumping the people who drive their car and talk on the cell phone along with the people in the waiting rooms who talk at the top of their lungs with the people who are at an event and make a phone call.

Now I realize that I've missed the landmark a hundred times over.

These people are creating their own experience with their friends and families by using their cell phones.

I'm not sure what to make of this. Are they self-centered egotists? Are they so family oriented they block out the world? Are they bragging to their friends that they are here and you are not? Are they sharing the experience with a bed-ridden relative who can take pleasure in the event because they are being thought of at this very precious moment?

I really don't know. All I know is that something BIG is going on and it will affect everything we do.

We are becoming a cell phone nation and its implications for changing human interaction is huge.

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

Space Mountain: The Final Frontier of Peer Pressure

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:55:00 +0000

Remember the first time you drove a car?

Wasn't it the biggest day in your life?

Same is true for my niece who is 9-years old and just drove her first car at Disney World's go kart ride.

She was really thrilled because:
1. She was 51 and 7/8 inches and the sign said you had to be 52 inches. She just passed by standing up very, very straight.

2. She could do it and her sister, who is a year younger, couldn't.

3. She could drive for the first time -- and it wasn't just a kiddie bumper car ride.

However, her enthusiasm passed when she realized that her friends back home told her the best ride was "Space Mountain," the roller coaster ride with a long, long line.

I'm not sure she really likes roller coasters, but she sure does react to her peers. And if they say sitting in a roller coaster and holding on is better than driving a car for the first time, then who am I to argue?

Space Mountain was all she could talk about.

So if you are marketing to the under 10 set, remember that peer pressure is the big factor, not internal motivation.

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

My, what big ears you have.. The better to brand Disney, my dear

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:27:00 +0000

When I was growing up in the 60's perhaps the biggest status symbol was a Mickey Mouse hat. You know, the black beanie with the big ears and your name stitched on the front.

It was the sign that your family went far away to the best theme park in the world.

People wore their ears with a badge of honor. Yes, they looked like dorks outside the Magic Kingdom, but the power is in the brand. They wore crowns.

You could see them coming with the big ears and their name stitched in front.

What great branding!

But the minds at Disney thought: How can we make this even better?

They did.

Now they have a distinctive logo on the front of the hat: the Mickey Mouse Club. Or a leprechaun in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Or one of several other Disney themes and characters.

What happened to the wearer's name?

It is still available, for an extra fee, to be stitched on the back of the beanie.

Call me crazy, but I have to hand it to Disney. They weren't happy by just branding the cap with the ears. They had to put another picture or logo on the front to reinforce the message.

I guess I'm still a traditionalist, but I'd rather they kept the black hats the way they were. But times change and if people want pink caps or tie-died caps or gold caps, them let them.

I just admire Disney for leaving no real estate unbranded.

Speaking of which, there is a utility pole with wires that looks like the Mickey Mouse logo with the ears. That's right. They are tied in with the utility grid. But instead of having a dull cross-pole, their pole looks like their logo. Absolutely brilliant. My beanie is off to you folks at Disney!

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

Disneyland Trilogy:

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:05:00 +0000

I took my nieces (ages 9 and 8) and nephew (age 4) to Disney World the other day. As the ad says, "Tickets, $300, airfare, $500, hotel $200, food $100, souvenirs, $50. The experience was priceless.

I also learned a few valuable marketing lessons which I'll share in three other posts to this blog.

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

Free Publishing Teleseminar: 60 Tips in 60 Minutes

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:22:00 +0000

If you're a speaker, consultant, or expert, publishing is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolkit!

Join Us As We Reveal 60 Tips to Building a BOOMING Business Around Your Books!

Please join us for our FREE Teleseminar...
Click here to reserve your spot:

This teleseminar is at no cost. But you MUST register to reserve your place and get the call details:

http://snipurl.com/seminar60book

===
Building Your Business Through Publishing with David Newman and Steven Rowell:
60 Tips in 60 Minutes
===
Thursday, March 16, 2006

2 PM (Eastern)
1 PM (Central)
Noon PM (Mountain)
11 AM (Pacific)

Sign Up Now!

=== About David and Steven ===
Steven Rowell began his corporate career with Disney and then moved on to create his own successful consulting firm.

His proudest accomplishment, however, was his success in writing his book, "Clean is Not Enough!" and watching that book build his business to an all-time high in 2005.

Steven is known among other speakers, experts and consultants as "The Idea Doctor" because of his amazing ability to see the connections between publishing, passion, and profit.

David Newman helps people start a business, and helps businesspeople grow their business. David has written 7 self-published books and has #8 coming from HRD Press this Spring. His 9th book is sitting with an agent and is right now under consideration by two of the largest business book publishers in the country.

David has also built his business around his books, including speaking, training, and 1-on-1 consulting.

As managing partners of I'm Booked(tm) Partners LLC, (http://www.imbooked.com) David and Steven spend a lot of their time helping authors and experts create, market, publicize, monetize, and sell their books in new and interesting ways.

Learn firsthand from the co-founders of The BookCamp(tm) 60 valuable rapid-fire tips that you need to know to accelerate your publishing savvy and build your business around your expertise.

This teleseminar is at no cost. But you MUST register to reserve your place and get the call details:

http://snipurl.com/seminar60book

If you can't attend, perhaps you'd like to order the CD for just $19.95
http://snipurl.com/cd60book

Or order the transcript for just $9.99
http://snipurl.com/transcript60

Hope you can join us for the call!

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

Referrals the right way with Bob Burg and Ivan Misner

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 14:50:00 +0000

Bob Burg, author of "Endless Referrals" did a teleseminar with Great Teleseminars the other day and interviewed Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI, the largest professional networking group in the world.

They shattered myths about networking and offered tips on doing it the right way.

I took away these pointers:

- Networking is farming, not hunting. You are planting seeds to build relationships for the future.

- People might not need to buy your services today. But they will remember you for the future when they do.

- Build trust and sales will come.

- Ask how they started their business. It is a great conversation starter.

- Don't ask the "what causes you the most pain?" which many other books do. People don't feel comfortable talking about their problems yet.

- Networking is about giving and helping, not about passing out business cards and asking for business.

Bob has started the "Endless Referrals Club," a series of teleseminars produced by Great Teleseminars in which he interviews many leading thinkers who can help you build your business.

Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER
PR LEADS Expert Resource Network
www.PRLEADS.com

Howard Sterm Takes on CBS

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:13:00 +0000

Howard Stern. Love him or hate him, he undoubtedly lives up to his claim of being "The King of All Media."

He is taking on CBS now. Who cares what the legal details are? I don't care.

The point is that when he found out that he was being sued, he started attacking CBS. He took the lead. He set the agenda. He put CBS on the defensive.

No one is better at playing David vs. Goliath than Howard Stern.

He took on the FCC.

Now he's taking on CBS.

And he always come out on top.

What can you learn from Howard Stern?

Experts like to stand on a high hill. Maybe it is better to play the underdog and fight against windmills.

What can this mean for people who are trying to change the world?

Look at Ralph Nader. That is, look at the Ralph Nader of the 1960's when he took on the entire automobile industry when he crusaded for safety in vehicles. He played the David vs. the car maker's Goliath.

He won.

If you want to battle titans (as I know some of you are trying to do) look to these two unlikely heroes for inspiration.

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

Media training tips from John DiPietro

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:09:00 +0000

Coming from a news media background, I have a pretty good idea of how the mind of a reporter works. They can be very skeptical and cynical people.

During the time I have been a client of yours, I have had some good success in getting call backs and interviews from queries that I have responded to. The other thing is this:

I ALWAYS DID RESEARCH ON THE WRITER PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEW.

I always read one of their other pieces, then COMMENTED ON IT TO THEM. This brought me into a more friendly relationship with them. If you ever want to do a tele-gig on pre-interview homework, I would be happy to do one with you.

I think that the research I did on the two people who interviewed me yesterday really did some good!

John DiPietro
Author, Speaker, Marketer
www.johndipietro.com
508 829 9949
Author of "You Don't Have to be Perfect to be Great!"

Thanks, John.

What tips do you have to gain favorable attention from the media? I'll post the best ones here!

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

Coaching Wizards Teleseminar Presents Larina Kase, psychologist

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 14:05:00 +0000

Build Your Own

6-Figure Coaching Business

Presents... Larina Kase

Dan Janal interviews Larina Kase -- psychologist

Seminar date: March 2, 3. 2006, 2-3 p.m. EST USA
These seminars are great for anyone running a personal services business -- like coaching or consulting.

Register for the teleseminar here:

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

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

Click on this link to order the transcript

Larina will share her 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 isnÂt.

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 Â 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:

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

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

Click on this link to order the transcript

USA TODAY Front Page Features PR LEADS' Clients

dan@prleads.com (Dan Janal) — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:47:00 +0000

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