The Publicity Diva Blog

Announcing Your New Book With a Press Release

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:01:41 GMT

Okay, you've written your book, got it published, and are now ready to sell a mega-load of them to everyone. But, how do you go about getting the word out so everyone will know? A good way is to submit press releases announcing to all that it is now available.

Press releases are written to make others aware of “newsworthy” items (including the upcoming release of your book).

When writing your “news” story, remember to use the “who, what when, how and why" logistics in your release. When submitting information about your book, you should send out two different types of releases - one that announces your book (the easier of the 2 to write, because you’re talking about your book and what it has to offer the readers), and one that will be written as a “news” storyline (featuring you as the expert).

Writing a “news” story can be a little more challenging because you are actually developing a storyline that only mentions your book (and doesn't highlight your book). The most important part of writing this story is the headline title (which often, if written correctly, will immediately pull the media in to want to read more).

An example would be:
“How to lose 10 pounds within the next 5 minutes (or look as if you have!)” - or - “Wearing the right clothes to look smaller.” Both are good titles, but the one that would get more interest is the one that has information about how to lose 10 pounds quickly.

So, be sure to write your release both ways and you'll gets lots of press to help sell your book! And, those that are wanting your information will be very glad you did!

May all your stardom come from fame, and never from infamy (unless you do so by choice)!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
Author of "52 Ways to Become Famous and Sometimes Infamous"
AUTHOR | SPEAKER | PUBLISHER | MARKETING EXPERT
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
6942 FM 1960 East, #152
Humble, Texas 77346
Office: (281) 404-5019
Email: carmen@penworth.com
Website: www.penworth.com

"I help you attract lots of new business and I help you get inked (on paper, that is)!"
Give me a call and let's discuss any challenges you may be facing!

Dealing with bookstores, wholesalers, and distributors

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:49:52 GMT

It can be very confusing when trying to sell your book as to what avenue to take when dealing with a bookstore.

Should you distribute to them using a wholesaler or a distributor? Here I’ve listed some things for consideration in dealing with each. Of course, keep in mind, selling your book through a bookstore is not always the most profitable way to get your book to market. Later I will add a couple of tips and techniques to sell your book “beyond the bookstore.”

The way bookstores work:
Typically, a bookstore will purchase books from a distributor on a consignment basis and will return books that have not sold after about 90 days. However, there are ways to sell though them that doesn’t involve so many returns. To do this, have your distributor send out your books when you are on book tour in an area. This will ensure the bookstores have enough on hand when you are being interviewed in that area. Plus, if you arrange to do a book signing (or autograph party) at the bookstores during the tour, it will help sell your book even quicker.

The difference between a wholesaler and a distributor - even though they seem to do the same thing, they actually serve two different purposes.

Generally wholesalers DO NOT use sales reps. They buy a book outright, warehouse it and fill orders when they come in. They usually place a book in a catalog that gets sent out to their customers. However, if your book doesn’t sell, they will send it back for a refund.

Distributors DO use sales reps and they take your book on a consignment basis. They send books to bookstores that have ordered them, but will send books back that haven’t sold after a specific amount of time.

Both receive anywhere between a 55% to 65% discount. And, they both will return books that do not sell. A good way to find out who the bookstores use, call them and ask who their distributor is and information about their purchasing process.

Still to come… other ways to sell your book! So, stay tuned!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
Author | Speaker | Your Marketing Partner
Author of "52 Ways to Become Famous"
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
6942 FM 1960 East, #152
Humble, Texas 77346
Office: (281) 404-5019
Email: carmen@penworth.com
Website: www.penworth.com

"I help you attract lots of new business and help you get inked (on paper that is)!"
Give me a call and let's set up a "get acquainted" meeting to discuss any challenges you’re facing!

Developing "Smokin' Titles" for Your Presentations

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:01:22 GMT

The one thing that will make meeting planners and program chairs want you to speak to their group more than anything else, is having what I call a "smokin' title" that will get their attention immediately. They want to feel that by having you out to speak, the members of their group will receive valuable information to take away from the meeting and not have someone who is just giving a commercial about their business.

So, developing this one key item for your presentations can be very crucial. This speaking tip lists a few ways to achieve that when naming yours...

When choosing a title for your presentation, think about naming it something “catchy” and something that would include great benefit for your audience.

It should help your audience achieve something quicker, easier, or even better.

Keep in mind, the information most people want to hear about is anything that makes them feel happy, healthy, connected and appreciated.

So, the more you can add those doses of feelings into your speech, the more they will adore having you speak at their meeting (and want you to speak at others).

To produce “attention grabbing” titles:

Picture your presentation title as a movie title. Use simple, easy-to-understand words that peak an audience’s interest.
Don’t name your title with long, boring statements that don’t relate to helping your audience do something quicker, easier, or better.
Make it straight forward with a sense of urgency. Make it sound fast-paced and hard hitting.
Always add pizzazz to your topic titles (try using “Words That Sell” a Thesaurus used by the marketing industry).
Choose "same sounding" words that rhyme or words with contrasting ideas.
And, always speak in benefits (what does the audience receive from attending).

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
Office: (281) 404-5019
Email: carmen@penworth.com
Website: www.penworth.com

Are you struggling to attract new clients or feel you aren't getting enough referrals?
Are you tired of going from “feast to famine" and want to make money more consistently?
Are you great at what you do, but cringe when it comes to marketing?
Do you wish you didn't have to chase new clients but rather have them call you instead?

There is a solution! "I help you attract lots of new business using an easy step-by-step process!"
Give me a call at 281-404-5019 and let's set up a "get acquainted" meeting to discuss your challenges!

Tips for developing a budget for your marketing plan!

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:31:35 GMT

When developing your marketing plan, how do you determine how much budget to spend and in what area? Well, here I've listed some details to consider when developing your marketing plan and budget:

Your main objective should be to either increase awareness, generate leads or build credibility.

Take into consideration if you are in a high, moderate or declining growth mode or type of business.

Are you the market leader in your field or trying to make an impact?

Are you in a new market or is your product or service mature and well known?

Do you sell directly to your clientele or through channels (or, perhaps both)?

If your primary objective is to build awareness, here’s a good rule of thumb:

Public relations and marketing (5% to 20% of your budget)

Trade shows and events (7% to 15% of your budget)

Advertising - if your type of business warrants this (10% to 20% of your budget)

If your primary objective is to generate leads, here’s a good rule of thumb:

Website or internet promotions (10% to 20% of your budget)

Direct marketing or telemarketing (7% to 15% of your budget)

Seminars and events (3% to 8% of your budget)

Trade shows (7% to 15% of your budget)

If your primary objective is to build credibility, here’s a good rule of thumb:

Public relations (10% to 20% of your budget)
Seminars and events (5% to 10% of your budget)
Website or internet promotions (10% to 20% of your budget)

Of course, what I've listed here is very generic, but each section will give you some items to think about as you build your plan. But, you should still take into consideration your type of business and what is the very best plan of action to take. As you develop each area of your business, test and test again to see what works best for you and what needs to be changed.

May all your fame come from stardom and never from infamy (unless you do so by choice!)

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
"I help you attract lots of new business using an easy step-by-step process!"
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019
Hosts of:
The Academy Awards of Networking
Lunch & Learn Bootcamp Workshops (Marketing & Publishing)
And, The Publicity Diva's Top 10 Picks for Incredible Marketing Campaigns!

Quick Tips for Working with Reporters and Other Media

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:30:33 GMT

When a producer calls, the first contact with them will be your first informal interview. They want to hear how you sound and how you handle their call before booking you.
Treat this call as you would your top client calling.
Always write down their contact information and repeat to make sure you have everything written down correctly. Also, ask for their website if they have one. This will give you more insight as to what type of audience they cater to.
Whatever information they ask for, send it immediately.
A lot of times even though you sent the information to the producer, the host of the show will call and ask you to send it to them again.
Set the date and reconfirm by email the day before.
They will want to know what phone number to call you on (for radio or a phone interview).
Also, ask if you can get a copy of the interview (if not, you may want to record it on your own).
Send them a thank you card afterwards.

Producing books and other products

Carmen - Casey Lee — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:09:04 GMT

I’m often asked by business owners if they should consider writing a book. Of course, my answer is always an immediate… yes!

But, a lot of times it’s hard for them to determine the topic and message to write about.

I always tell them to write about what they know. Mainly, what they do to make a living. You see, the cool thing about producing products is that it doesn’t necessarily need to be a hardcover or paperback book. It could be a workbook, a special report, an e-book, a journal, a CD or DVD, or anything in between.

The even cooler part of developing and producing “how-to” types of products is that it sets you up as the expert, gives you tremendous credibility, and provides another way for you to make money!

And, we like that part of it, huh? So, what’s stopping you from developing your own products?

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
Office: (281) 404-5019
Email: carmen@penworth.com
Website: www.penworth.com

Are you struggling to attract new clients or feel you aren't getting enough referrals?

Are you tired of going from “feast to famine" and want to make money more consistently?

Are you great at what you do, but cringe when it comes to marketing?

Do you wish you didn't have to chase new clients but rather have them call you instead?

There is a solution! Give me a call at 281-404-5019 and let's set up a "get acquainted" meeting to discuss your challenges!

"I help you become so irresistible that everyone wants to buy from you and your competitors envy you!"

Beware of the Networking Mongoose!

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:37:24 GMT

I'm always talking about "networking with a purpose" to my clients and to those that attend my classes. So, what I wanted to add a post about today was something much different than "what to do", but instead some warnings about "what NOT to do" when out networking with others.

The following are some warning signs of a what I like to call a “Networking Mongoose”:

They collect business cards without looking at the person or the card

They hand out business cards to everyone possible

They continually go for the “sale” at every event

They always look around the room to see who else is there while talking to others

They consistently try to do business, even at social events

They do more talking then listening

They ask others to do them favors while never offering to do them in return

They tend to intrude inappropriately while others are talking

They do not try to build a rapport or relationships with others

We've all had an experience (or two or three) with a "Networking Mongoose", just be sure you're not found guilty of doing any of these. If you do, you'll know the reason you're not as successful as you'd like to be using your networking efforts.

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Making a Commitment to Networking Effectively

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:31:57 GMT

Again, speaking of networking - if treated as a serious business venture, networking can by far yield the most "bang for your buck" marketing results ever. But, you must take time to nurture your new relationships and realize networking must be something you commit to and not just add to your list of things to do at the last minute.

Here are some considerations as you map out your plan.

Some typical business types of events include:

Association or Organization meetings
Open House and Ribbon Cuttings
After Hour Socials/Special Events
Workshops and Seminars
Conventions/Conferences/Expos/Trade Fairs

To prepare for the event beforehand, you should research these items:

The type of event and purpose
What type of people will be attending
The location (physical address) and time of the event (and duration)
What types of opportunities will be presented

How to respond and prepare:

Make reservations (RSVP) (if you need to make one)
Record the event in your daily planner (electronically or in print)
Invite others that would be interested in attending (especially if they are your target audience)

Be prepared by practicing your self-introduction, having plenty of supplies, name badge, door prizes, etc.

For really effective participation:

Play host to others attending and introduce them to others
Establish interest and gather information
Exchange information and business cards
Show respect to others
Afterwards, keep in touch and get back to those that need additional information

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

A Better Way to Market Two (or more) Different Types of Businesses

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:36:08 GMT

Often times we entrepreneur-type mindsets have more than one business venture at a time. Or, a husband and wife team might own two different businesses and only one of them is available for marketing.

One of the biggest problems that rises out of this scenario is the tendency to market both businesses at the same time to the same audience. But, this type of marketing message will often confuse the audience, instead.

So, how do you effectively get your message across?

Well, here are a couple of techniques you might want to try:

One is… determine which business is your “lead” business. By lead business, I’m talking about which one seems to have the larger profit base. After determining this, then start marketing this one first. After you have developed a clientele base for this business, then start marketing the “add-on” business to them first. Eventually you will be able to market both businesses to everyone if you plan your message appropriately. Remember, the key is to not confuse others about what it is that you do. Too many messages, and they’ll stop listening all together.

I know this plan seems time consuming, and it is. So, let’s look at one other direction you might want to try.

Another way to accomplish your goal is to select what audience is best for each business. Then wear each hat, but separately. Choose what group you’ll market what business to and only introduce yourself as that business in the beginning. After they get to know you better, then you can slowly introduce the other business. This method will give you two separate audiences at the same time without so much confusion.

A great way to choose your groups might be by different territories. You could market one business in a local environment and the other in a nearby city or town.

But, whatever method you choose, make sure your audience understands what you do and they understand clearly. This is the best way to build your business - strong and steady!

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

How long does it take for a customer to buy?

Carmen - Casey Lee — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:02:39 GMT

This past week I was teaching my Marketing Bootcamp class and had developed the "buying cycle" of a potential client/customer. This was compiled from a lot of research through various marketing statistics. Since the class has shown so much interest in this information, I thought I would share this with all of you, too.

How long does it take for a prospective client to buy? The following includes contact through various sources, such as advertising, networking, newsletters, mail outs, emails, personal contact, speaking, press releases, etc.

The first time someone hears about you or sees your name, they don’t usually remember.
The second time, they don’t even notice.
The third time, they become somewhat conscious of your existence.
The fourth time, they barely remember having met you or seeing your name.
The fifth time, they actually read your message.
The sixth time, they turn their nose up at it.
The seventh time, they read your message and say “Oh brother!”
The eighth time, they say “Here’s that confounded thing again!”
The ninth time, they wonder if you will make it in business.
The tenth time, they ask their friends if they have heard of you.
The eleventh time, they wonder if your advertising (or marketing) brings you any business.
The twelfth time, they start believing you must be good at what you do.
The thirteenth time, they think you might be worth doing business with. (Sad to say, but it's usually around this time that a business will sometimes just give up - and they are SO CLOSE and don't even know it!)
The fourteenth time, they remember they have wanted to do business with you for a long time.
The fifteenth time, they are worried they may not be able to afford buying from you.
The sixteenth time, they think they will buy from you some day.
The seventeenth time, they make a memo about you.
The eighteenth time, they are still worried they can’t afford to purchase from you.
The nineteenth time, they start to justify why doing business with you is a good value.
The twentieth time they see you or your message, they decide now is the time to buy.

To put this into prospective, if it takes at least 20 times to be remembered, the buying cycle would take:

If you are contacting them quarterly, it would = 5 years
If you are contacting them once a month, it would = a little over 1 1/2 years
If you are contacting them twice a month, it would = 10 months

But, if you combine many efforts, such as:

Monthly mail outs, several times a month e-mails, being on TV/radio, personal notes, community/charity, and door prizes, it would = a little over a month
EVEN BETTER: if you add in networking, seminars, hosting events, speaking, etc., it would = less than a month

But, keep in mind, they…

Have to be your ideal client
Have to be convinced of your value
Have to be able to afford you (or you provide ways to buy using payments)
And, they don’t have any limiting fears of buying (they want or need your product and they KNOW you, LIKE you, and TRUST you first)

Marketing efforts that can speed up the cycle (if done correctly - and, this is key):

Networking effectively to the right audience clearly = 5 times more value
Keynote speaking and doing presentations to the right audience effectively = 10 times more value
(A lot of people do not network effectively and when they speak or do presentations, they are
ineffective in turning the presentation into a marketing advantage for themselves and their business.)

If you have any questions about this information or need any help developing your marketing plan, just let me know. May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

This month's question: "How do I develop a business marketing plan?”

Carmen - Casey Lee — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:31:38 GMT

Developing a marketing plan can be the most crucial part of running a business. And, yet, it’s one of the most overlooked functions a lot of businesses ignore. In reality, everyone uses marketing tools to get new business and to retain their clientele. But, some do so without always knowing how they achieved this result, and worse, don’t know how to continue. If a business doesn’t develop and use an effective marketing plan, the bottom line may not be profitable. This not only includes matching the right marketing tools to the right business, but also includes the right way to implement those tools.

So, what are marketing tools?
They are the instruments used to gain the attention of your prospective target audience. But, your tools should not stop at just gaining their attention. They should also be aligned to increase the desire to do business with you, too. Think of every way someone hears about you or your business. Now, concentrate on making sure these tools are productive and positive. Those are the tools you want to use.

Isn’t this a lot of work?
It can be at first. But, the good news is that most marketing tools, once implemented, keep on working on their own. And, that’s where the hard part comes in. Knowing which tool to implement when and how can be a real trial and error. You must test and re-test constantly to make sure you’re getting positive results. Keep in mind, ways of reaching your audience continually changes. So, keep your eyes open to new opportunities and try new things when they align with your goals.

To develop a plan of your own:
Try writing down as many tools as possible that would work for your company. Once you’ve written everything down, write them in order of importance and do-ability. Keep in mind, you may need some extra training in order to implement certain tools properly or hire someone to implement them for you. It’s better to learn the right way to get results or hire an expert than it is to see profits wasted away by doing it the wrong way.

You will find as you start listing the tools, that you are using many of them already. Group those tools together. Of those tools, list which you need to work on a little more to get the results you’re looking for. Next, make a second list of marketing tools you would like to add to your plan. After you have all the tools listed in order and grouped by importance, you need to determine how long it would take to start implementing each one. Put a month or year to start beside each tool.

The next thing to consider is time, budgets and knowledge of each tool. Put a star by any tool that will require extra time, additional monies, or more training in order to use. Depending on how important these tools are, this is the time to decide a plan of action.

What do you consider the best route to take to see immediate results? Sometimes the best way to depict a plan of this magnitude is to refer back to those who have already used your services or bought your products. Ask your existing clientele how they found out about you. Knowing this information tells you which tools to use most often.

After completing your marketing plan, keep a copy in sight at all times. You may want to keep it in your organizer, hang a copy on the wall in your office, or even make a scrapbook with all your marketing materials inside.

Whichever way is successful for you… keep on doing what gets results. And, be sure to measure each time you implement a step!

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Some wacky (and legal) ways to get on the news!

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:40:59 GMT

If you’ve been looking for some unusual ways to get the media’s attention, try some of these ideas to not only get on the news, but maybe even get discovered for fame!

If you have a local “dress” theme for your city or state, try dressing the part when going to the airport to pick up those coming into town. For instance, we are in Texas and when others visit our state, they are surprised that everyone isn’t dressed in cowboy boots, belts, spurs, and ten-gallon cowboy hats. But, if you dressed in that theme to pick up someone coming into town, you could “meet and greet” them in style and send a tip to the media beforehand, too.

Do you happen to have a pet that is brilliant at performing unusual pet tricks? This would tie in beautifully with any event that the local pet shelters or charities are promoting. Teaming up with these groups is a great way to “showcase” your pet’s talents plus help give a great spin to any storyline presented. Bonus: since your pet probably only performs on cue from you, that means you get to be on camera, too!

If you’re up for the challenge, find a world’s record you feel you could beat, and announce you are going for the record to the media. They will want to be there with a camera crew in tow to capture this on tape.

If you really want to have some fun… host a crazy contest in the name of charity! You could have others compete in building a marshmallow house, have teams build a teeter totter out of leggos, or even host a scavenger hunt for some high-end items. This one can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work organizing, too. But, if you have a lot of contacts, this could be the highlight of the year!

Whatever you decide to do to grab your fifteen minutes of fame... always remember to have fun and enjoy the ride!

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

New Bootcamp "Lunch & Learn" Workshops

Carmen - Casey Lee — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:46:44 GMT

Upcoming schedule for our new series of workshops:

MARKETING BOOTCAMP -
    Series 1: Finding New Business, May 7, 2008
    Series 2: Marketing Plans & Budgets, May 21, 2008
    Series 3: Networking Techniques, June 11, 2008
    Series 4: Presentations & Speaking, June 25, 2008

PUBLISHING BOOTCAMP -
    Series 1: Getting Published, July 9, 2008
    Series 2: Distribution Options, July 23, 2008
    Series 3: Promoting & Selling, August 13, 2008
    Series 4: How to Self-Publish, August 27, 2008

PUBLICITY BOOTCAMP -
    Series 1: Writing Press Releases & Articles, Sept. 10, 2008
    Series 2: Radio Interviews, Sept. 17, 2008
    Series 3: Getting on Television, October 8, 2008
    Series 4: Hosting Special Events, October 22, 2008

SPEAKING BOOTCAMP -
    Series 1: Getting Past Stage Fright, November 5, 2008
    Series 2: Professional Speaker Materials, November 12, 2008
    Series 3: Going From Free to Fee, December 3, 2008
    Series 4: Where to Find Those That Hire Speakers, December 10, 2008

All workshops are from 11:00 to 1:30 pm and will be held at the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 110 West Main in Humble, Texas.

Workshops are $25 each or a series of 4 for $90 (one complete bootcamp)
Optional: Bring your own lunch or pre-order for $5

For more information or to make reservations, go to www.penworth.com/bootcamp

Better Public Speaking: Microphones

Carmen - Casey Lee — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:12:46 GMT

Quick Tip for Testing a Microphone:

Test to see if a microphone is turned on by tapping it gently with your finger, not by blowing into it. Keep four to six inches away and talk directly into the microphone. Most microphones will not pick up a voice spoken under, over, or to either side.

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Your fifteen minutes of fame!

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:16:25 GMT

After sending out (what seems like) millions of press releases everywhere, you finally get a break! You’ve been invited to appear on a television show. Is that great or what? Well, maybe not. If you’re not prepared you may find your day in the spotlight might just wind up being a disaster.

Here are some ways to overcome this happening and extend your fifteen minutes a little longer.

Be sure to watch the show first, if at all possible. Take a look at the format and watch closely how the host or hostess dresses. You want to dress in a similar manner.

When on the air, avoid color choices such as black, bright white or busy patterns. Limit your jewelry to main essentials and wear a hair style that doesn’t distract from what is being said.
One thing the host of the show will love is any props or visual aids that will help make your point in an interesting way. This will help instill your message even longer.
Don’t attempt to do a sales pitch or react obnoxiously. Ask the producer the best way to mention your products or services beforehand and they will usually mention your book title in your intro and flash a website address or toll free number across the screen during your interview.
Never read from a script. While it is crucial that you have prepared and rehearsed what you might say when asked, sounding like you’re reading from a script won’t win anyone over (or get you rebooked). And, don’t forget to use humor when appropriate.
One-word answers come across as boring and will leave the host wondering what to say next. Having interesting answers prepared before you go on will make you sound professional and keep the audience’s interest.
It’s okay to have a different point of view or even be a little controversial, but again, there is no reason to be obnoxious when you speak. Always remain calm and show courtesy to everyone on the show.
And, last but certainly not least, make sure you communicate two or three key points on your subject showing everyone you are the expert, and call the host or hostess by name.

Most of all… just relax and have fun while enjoying the spotlight!

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Quick Tip for Formatting HTML

Carmen - Casey Lee — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:31:26 GMT

For those of you that are frustrated that your formatting scrambles when transferring your information into html, here is a quick tip that might help.

First, it’s okay to use MS Word as an editing program, but not to copy and paste from. The formatting used in MS Word has extended language that is not compatible with the html language. So, go ahead and use MS Word to create your article (or other text items) and take full advantage of the usefulness of the program - proofing, editing, word counts, etc. But, after you get the information written just like you’d like, copy and paste it into a text-only program that will strip out the formatting.

Where do you find this type of program?
Go to your start button on the lower left hand side of your computer. Click on this button to reveal your “All Programs” button. Open to see all the programs listed on your computer. You will see a folder listed as “Accessories” and when you move your mouse over this button, it will reveal the programs listed on this file. Your computer typically comes with a program known as “Notepad” and that is one of the programs that can be used for copying and pasting from MS Word to strip out the formatting created by Word. Once you copy over your text, you’ll see that Notepad doesn’t have any formatting and looks rather plain. This is the best way to copy and paste your text into html programs (or if you are pasting into other applications on the web). After you paste your text where you want (either into a website or e-newsletter), then you can select the font you want to use and any other extras.

This will help save you countless hours of frustration and make writing a pleasure again!

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Door Prize Ideas for Chamber of Commerce Meetings

Carmen - Casey Lee — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:56:09 GMT

Okay, I’ll have to admit that occasionally even I have a real burst of brilliance. Actually, I have lots of brilliant ideas quite often. The problem is keeping them in my head long enough to get them on paper. As I’m getting older, I’m finding this to be more challenging than the thought process itself. You know, like going into the next room to get something and once you’re there you don’t have a clue why you went there in the first place? Yep, that’s what’s happening lately.

Well, the last few months my universe has been kind and has allowed me to retain some of the thoughts long enough to jot them down. And, I wanted to share them with you to hopefully inspire you in your own marketing endeavors.

One such brilliant thought came to me as I was getting ready to order all the items for my gift baskets that I donate for door prizes. One of the unique features the groups I network with offer is the availability to add items to a “New Member Gift Bag” each month. As I was thinking about what to donate that would symbolize what it is that I do, I had a terrific thought come to me. How about donating a “Special Report” that would explain how to market your business utilizing your membership? Okay, you’ve got to admit - that’s somewhat brilliant, don’t you think?

So, I got busy and wrote my first one recently and wanted it to be available for downloading for the entire membership. The first group I selected to receive this gift was the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce. Now, I don’t know how your Chamber interacts with its members, but our Chamber is one awesome support team. The whole crew is amazing. They are always out and about in the community making things happen for all of us. I’ve been a member of several Chambers in my life, but I’ve never been so blown away as I am by this one. And, they are extremely genuine folks. They always have our back and go out of their way to be helpful. Another thing I love about this group is that they teamed up with our local newspaper, The Observer, to bring us plenty of networking opportunities in all the local communities. So, writing this Special Report was a breeze because they gave me so much to write about.

If you’d like to view a copy, go to “Key Steps in Marketing Your Business Utilizing Your Chamber Membership”. The download is free and I have a printed booklet format that I offer to new members.

My next plan is to do one for two other groups I’m active with… the Women of Vision Express Network (WOVEN), and the Professional Connection.

The moral of this story is… when giving out door prize items, try to make it a win-win situation. Plenty of value given to the recipient (in other words, something they’d like to have) and enough marketing value for you, too.

Now I’m headed out to find a tablet to write down more thoughts. Oh wait, why did I need this tablet again?

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego and pen name: Casey Lee)
carmen@penworth.com
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Keeping your business fresh and strategic!

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:57:12 GMT

This month I wanted to share some ongoing business tips to implement continually to keep your business ideas new and effective.

Every company should develop their very own niche.
Start by evaluating what makes your business unique to your audience. Use this as your marketing focus. Pinpoint the appropriate audience for your products or services and really concentrate on that particular market. Don’t try to market to a larger “we sell to everyone” type of audience. Focus your budget on a smaller group for bigger results.

Concentrate your marketing efforts on your strongest target.
Develop your marketing strategy in that direction. Expand your client base to encompass not only different fields, but also different levels of selling to your existing clients. Always look for new ways of selling your products and/or services.

Get advice from experts.
Entrepreneurs are known for resisting the need to hire a professional to help pinpoint or distinguish a problem. By doing so, the problem can sometimes over-shadow the proper solution. Advice from an expert often costs much less than letting the problem go uncorrected.

Exchange ideas and suggestions.
Another way to get expert advice is to exchange your expertise with others who are willing to do the same. By using this method, you will be surprised at the opportunities that will present themselves and the doors that will open.

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego & pen name: Casey Lee)
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

Becoming the Expert You Know You Are by Speaking!

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:56:25 GMT

Believe it or not, after you are a published author, if you are promoting your book properly, others will be calling you to speak to their organization, association, or company. And, often for pay!

Again, you will be considered the expert on your topic because you wrote the book on the subject. Of course, instead of waiting for them to call you, you could take the initiative and contact them instead. A great way to find groups to speak to can often be found in your local newspapers or by calling various Chambers of Commerce to inquire.

If you are a professional speaker that charges a fee to speak to groups, you can find listings of various meetings through several sources — SpeakerMatch.com, DouglasPublications.com (which lists corporate and association meetings), and EventsInAmerica.com.

You can also use the American Society of Association Executives database (ASAECenter.org) to find association meetings and information.

If you do decide to speak pro-bono (free) to an association or networking group, be sure to let them know you would like to have some volunteers help you after the meeting in order to sell your products. This allows you time to autograph your books and talk to those with extra questions.

Also be sure to collect business cards for a special drawing where you offer a door prize (preferably your book). This helps build your marketing database with those that are interested in your products and services.

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego & pen name: Casey Lee)
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019

5 Key Steps To Making A Great Presentation

Carmen - Casey Lee — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:55:41 GMT

Always speak on a topic that’s familiar to you and one that is important to what you believe. It’s much easier to speak on a topic that you feel strongly about and you’ll have plenty of personal stories to interject in your speech.
Use humor or drama in the opening minutes of your speech. If you grab your audience’s attention early, they will want to listen to everything you have to say.
Limit your speech to three main points and use examples to explain each one. Also use movement during your speech. This helps to maintain eye contact which will hold their interest even longer.
Connect with your audience by involving them in your speech. Ask questions and have them answer aloud or ask for a show of hands. Even conduct a simple exercise if you’d like.
Prepare before your speech by relaxing. Take a deep breath before you’re introduced. Also avoid caffeine and foods that could make you drowsy or upset your stomach.

May your fame always come from stardom and never from infamy – unless you do so by choice!

Carmen Wisenbaker, The Publicity Diva
(alter ego & pen name: Casey Lee)
Speaker, Author, Marketing Coach
Penworth Publishing & Publicity
www.penworth.com
(281) 404-5019