Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza
If your product or service can be given as a gift, a publicitywindfall awaits at the end of the year - but you need to startworking in June. Each December, media outlets cover the newest,the hottest and the most unusual Holiday gifts. The reportersassigned to develop these pieces typically depend on two sourcesof information:
1. Phone interviews with local store owners
- and -
2. Press materials that have been sent by publicity seekers.
Let's deal with Point 1. Here's a cool trick: In earlyNovember, write a letter to stores and major websites that carryyour product. Remind them that they may be hearing fromjournalists soon about hot gift ideas, and request that theyconsider mentioning your product when that happens. Point out afew reasons why your product is the newest, coolest, best orwhatever. Ask the vendor to drop you an e-mail or give you acall if a story results that mentions your product.
Now, on to old-fashioned publicity. When to contact the mediadepends on the publication or program's lead time (how far inadvance of publication or airing the material is developed).Magazines like Woman's Day have a lead time up to six months, soget materials to them now. Newspapers have a lead time as shortas a week for feature material, so send materials in November. Inbetween are wire services, medium-lead magazines, "in-flight"magazines and others. To learn the lead time of a particularmedia outlet, call the editorial department. If that doesn'twork, try the advertising department.
What you send should be kept simple -- a press release about yourproduct/service, a pitch letter explaining why it's such a greatgift idea, and, if applicable, a disk with color product photos.See our articles "How to Write a Great Pitch Letter" http://www.publicityinsider.com/pitch.asp and "How to Write aGreat Press Release" http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.aspfor more details.
As you craft the materials, think about where yourproduct/service fits. Based on its nature, cost, rarity orusefulness, it may work with a variety of typical Christmas Giftstories such as: Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas, Gifts forTeenagers, Gifts for the Person Who Has It All, Gifts forExecutives, Gifts that Relax, etc. By suggesting a category foryour product, rather than simply stating "Here's a product thatwould make a nice holiday gift", you're making yourself stand out-- and maybe even giving the journalist an idea for a story anglethat he or she wouldn't have thought about otherwise. Eitherway, your chances of getting coverage are greatly improved.Bill Stoller, the "Publicity Insider", has spent two decades asone of America's top publicists. Now, through his website, eZineand subscription newsletter, Free Publicity: The Newsletter forPR-Hungry Businesses http://www.PublicityInsider.com/freepub.asp , he's sharing -- for the very first time -- his secrets of scoringbig publicity. For free articles, killer publicity tips andmuch, much more, visit Bill's exclusive new site:http://www.publicityInsider.com
Book Yourself Solid Key Number 2: Choose Your Ideal Clients – Internet-Marketing
Book Yourself Solid Key Number 2: Choose Your Ideal Clients
The Book Yourself Solid article series continues withKey Number 2: Choose Your Ideal ClientsYour clients are an expression and an extension of you. When I first started out on my own, I would work with anyone who had a heartbeat and a credit card. Now I live by the red velvet rope policy of ideal clients. By defining my ideal clients increased my productivity? happiness? and I got more perfect clients by referral than I ever thought possible.I was able to eliminate the painful negative energy and time spent worrying about challenging client relationships. I went through an intense period of exhaustion and I wasn't able to accomplish the highest good for my clients. You can't possibly be productive, effective or successful if you're working with clients that are not ideal.MENTAL EXERCISE: For maximum joy, prosperity and abundance think about the human you are when you are performing optimally at your peak?when you are with all the people who inspire and energize you.
Wouldn't it be great to spend every day working with super-cool people that are both friends and clients? It is completely possible once you identify who you want to work with?and with absolute certainty determine that you will settle for nothing less.I know this can seem really scary early on, but hang with me. Embrace the concept and trust that as we move through the seven keys, your fears and concerns will all be answered. Rest assured, once you define your ideal clients, you get to dumb your duds. I hereby, give you permission to release any dead wood in your calendar. You will then Book Yourself Solid and work with inspiring ideal clients with whom you do your best work.WRITTEN EXERCISE Start by identifying specific characteristics that your ideal clients possess. Keep in mind your favorite clients ? the ones you love so much you'd practically work for free. Here are my top five to get you in the mood.- Bright (fun, lively and expressive humans)- Courageous (dream big and aren't afraid to take risks)- Resilient (come back for more even in the face of failure)- Think big (they have high aspirations and their projects benefit lots of people)- Naturally collaborative (they see the benefit of working with others to accomplish their goals)Now, come up with your own.1. _____________________________________________2. _____________________________________________3. _____________________________________________4. _____________________________________________5. _____________________________________________6. _____________________________________________7. _____________________________________________8. _____________________________________________9. _____________________________________________10. ____________________________________________Benefits of working with Ideal Clients:- You do your best work- You don't feel drained or tired- You feel invigorated and inspired- You connect with clients on a deeper level- You feel successful and confident- You know your work matters and is changing lives- Current clients consistently refer new clients to you- The magic of you sparkles and comes to life!Congratulations! You just created a filtration system for potential clients. I'm sure you've heard the expression A. B. C. - Always Be Closing. Instead, I say?A. B. C. ? Always Be Communicating! Let everybody and anybody know how you help people (your invest-able opportunities) and who your ideal clients are. Cool? Got it? Good.Stayed tuned for Key #3: Cash In On The Brilliant, Creative And Quirky You!Copyright 2005 Michael Port & Associates LLCMichael Port is the President of Michael Port & Associates LLC and is known as the guy to call when you're tired of thinking small. To spend some more time with Michael and to think bigger about who you are and what you offer the world go to http://www.MichaelPort.com.
Scrapbooking Yourself as an Individual, Homemaker, Worker, and More-Hobbies
Scrapbooking Yourself as an Individual, Homemaker, Worker, and More
From age 25 onwards, our grand adventure has just unfolded as we embrace adulthood.Here's where you experienced first-hand the lessons of life and be prodded along to grow up in the face of challenges.By scrapbooking about yourself as an adult, you'll have scrapbook pages reminding you on how far you've come and the important aspects of your life.Not only will your scrapbooks offer clarifying thoughts on where your goals are, you'll also become more certain of yourself as an individual.Then as you flip through these scrapbooks about you, you'll fondly recall once again the journey you've traveled. And these scrapbooks could well offer invaluable insights and lessons to be learned by your grandchildren. "Wow, Granny Thelma led such a colorful life and she's one gutsy woman!"For firm ideas on how to scrapbook about yourself, continue reading on the various themes you can put your fingers on.Unique Being"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
- Helen KellerScrapbooking about your character is a delightful theme to work on as you wrap yourself up in the project. Here's where you don on your thinking cap and investigate into the depths of your own character.The knowledge that there'll never be anyone exactly like you will give you the added oomph to scrapbook about yourself.Dwell on the positive traits you see in yourself. These pages could well serve as lessons for your future generations, as important traits they could model after you.Are courage, enthusiasm, personal growth, fun-loving, determination among your best traits? What other positive qualities you carry within you? List down all your best qualities.Put down all your outstanding traits on a single or double-spread scrapbook page. Alternatively, you can go in-depth and dedicate a page to each of your best qualities,highlighting occasions or events when you've exhibited the particular quality.What qualities do you admire most in others? Scrapbook about these traits as well. Pull in a photo or two of the people who consistently show the traits you admire.What traits do you believe will make a great character? Scrapbook about the values and principles that you've adopted and believe will guide you and your future generations in their lives.What are your priorities in life and how do your priorities affect you as a person?Homemaker"The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the wall of our own homes."
- Harold B. LeeThis theme will open up your eyes to the importance of having a capable homemaker to ensue an orderly and well-run household.If you are a homemaker, you need to see for yourself the value in what you're doing on scrapbook pages. Remember, you're a marvel for pouring love and efforts into transforming a house into a home that radiates security, warmth and comfort to all those who's living in there.What do you do to keep your house in such a well-maintained condition? Scrapbook about the ways and methods you poured yourself into making your house a success.How do you manage to cleverly schedule your daily routine in such a smooth manner, even when it's peppered with hundred and one errands to run?Describe your daily crazy schedule in fine details, flavored with meal preparations, household chores, family activities, and peppered with occasional hiccups here and there.What books, websites or perhaps mentors who have given you inspirations and ideas on maintaining a well-run home?How about scrapbooking about the ideal home you'll like to create? What about your latest home-decorating project?Remember the home parties you so lovingly and painstakingly put together for your kids on top of being a wonderful homemaker? Put these down too.Working Woman"Work is the meat of life, pleasure the dessert."
- Bertie Charles ForbesA part of your self-confidence as a person stems from how well you're doing in your job. For some of you, your work may well form a very fulfilling part of your life.When this happens, what do you do? You scrapbook about your work!What aspects of your job do you find most challenging? What do you appreciate about your current job? Your likes and dislikes of your job duties.Your choice of a job also speaks of your talents and interests, so go into the fine details of your current job. Empower yourself by scrapbooking about the important projects or long-term goals you have for your work.Did you hold different jobs through the years? Scrapbook on the job duties you've handled at each job. List down your wages and benefit packages. What do you like best about each job? What have you learned at each job?Scrapbook about the employers, colleagues or people who influenced the way you worked. Did someone teach you something valuable about work excellence or how to become a more efficient worker?Any pleasant and memorable memories with your colleagues or the people you've met at work?What do you hope to accomplish in your job? What's your definition of work success and have you achieved the job success you're seeking for? Scrapbook about these too.Reinventor"In the pursuit to better ourselves we are sure to encounter failure. Going on after each failure is how character is built." - Allan L. BarrThis is an interesting theme to explore and scrapbook about. You're unlikely to be stagnant and will undergo the continual motion of change.Are you a person who believes in personal self-growth? Do you constantly seek out opportunities to reinvent your life and better yourself as a person?Then have a ball scrapbooking on these ideas!What steps had you taken or are taking to reinvent yourself?What aspects of your life do you most wish to change or reinvent? Describe the times in your life where you've experienced the greatest growth.Describe the toughest thing you've ever done, and would you have done it any differently now?What failures have you gone through in life? What's the good things you've learned from your failures? Usually, failures offer you opportunities for growth.How about the missed opportunities in your life. What other options did you take up instead? Would you have grabbed the missed opportunities on hindsight?What are the best pieces of self-improvement advice you've receive from others?Describe your ideal self. What are the qualities that your ideal self possesses? How would she behave and act?Dreamer"Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."
- Langston HughesDo you still have dreams? Or are your dreams long-buried somewhere because you don't believe in having dreams anymore?Or are you too caught up with life to think about your dreams?I remember someone once mentioned that if we don't know what our dreams are, then how do we know we've reached them when we did? Isn't that an awakening statement?Like they said, we'll only pass by this life only once, so let's dig out your long forgotten dreams and make a leap for them.Here's some ideas to help you along in scrapping about your dreams.Make a list of the top 10 goals you'll like to accomplish this year. How about the top 20 dreams you'll like to see fulfilled in your lifetime? Somehow, seeing these goals on scrapbook pages clarifies them in your mind.What are the sights that you most desire to see? Countries that you most want to travel to? China? Russia? Exotic Asia?What hobbies or crafts you've been longing to learn or pick up? Professional photography? Card-making? Playing piano?Any keep fit or weigh loss goals to work towards your dream figure? Toning up your flabby arms? Finally having a flat tummy?What's your dream house like? Where will it be located? Who'll be living in the house with you? A white two-storey terrace house facing the beautiful, blue sea?Any dreams of going back to school? What courses have you been thinking of taking up to upgrade yourself? A master degree? Learning to write effective sales copy?What acts of generosity will you perform when you're rich with money? $100,000 to your favorite charity? An all-inclusive trip to the Anguilla beaches for your whole family?If you've failed in making your dreams come true in the past, why do you think you've failed then? What steps could you take to overcome these obstacles?My FavoritesOne ought every day at least to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.
- Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThis theme is inspired by the song, "My Favorites Things" from the classic movie, "The Sound of Music".You'll have unique and different tastes and styles from the rest of the population. Occasionally, you'll have the good fortune to find someone who shares similar favorite things.This is an absolutely fun theme to scrapbook about and yet it says so loudly of what you are.Make a list of your top 25 favorite things in your life.Favorite colors, movies, music, books, food, desserts, ice-cream, brand of apparel, hair shampoo, body lotion, restaurants, hangouts, quotes, poems, sayings, persons, authors, composers, bands, musicals, shoes, bags, etc. This list is practically endless.Another method to help you narrow down is probably to think about what things you couldn't live without! 
Alright, hope that these themes have ignited your imagination for more themes to scrapbook about yourself.Happy scrapping!About the Author:
Fion Lim is the creator of Everything-About-Scrapbooking.com - Here's your how-to-guide to learning about scrapbooking. Find ideas for scrapbooking pages, tips, inspirations, articles and resources to quotes, poems and fonts right here.Feel free to use the this article provided it is published in its entirety, with the resource box and a "live" clickable link to: http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com