Dear Friends,

My Dad hates Donald Trump. He thinks he's a conceited idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about. "Why would anyone listen to a guy who has gone bankrupt twice?" he asks. "His wealth is a big facade." Whether you agree with my Dad or not, he asks intelligent questions. It's important to delve into a person's qualifications--especially when their claims are enormous.

As the New Year approaches this is a good time to examine the places where we have any facades, or falsehoods. Are you living up to the claims you make to yourself and others? Are there any places where you're telling little lies, omitting information, not owning up, or fooling yourself? This isn't about being perfect, it's about living into your own legacy.

In the questionnaire I give everyone who becomes my client I ask, "What would you like your epitaph to say?" Mine would say simply, "She brought joy to everyone who met her."

My sweetie and I were discussing our goals last week and he said one business mentor had told him, "First people pay you for what you do. Then they pay you for what you know. Lastly, they pay you for who you are." My goal for next year is to be paid for who I am.

What are your goals?

I invite you to shed the beliefs and goals that no longersuit you and to take on only the things that are meaningful to you.

Wishing you a New Year full of abundance, joy and unexpected bliss.

Warmly,

Susan

PR Trump Style

If anyone knows how to toot his own horn it's Donald Trump. How does he get away with it? How can you follow in the footsteps of his success?

1. Balance Your Bragging with Boyishness.

Sure, Trump is a loud mouth, but he's also self-deprecating, making fun of his hair, his bimbos, and his appetites. He let's you know that he knows he's being a braggart, but it's all in good fun. You can do the same by making light of your foibles while touting your achievements.

2. Coin a phrase.

How many times had we heard the words "You're fired?" before Trump used it in The Apprentice Boardroom? Trump made the phrase new by using it in a surprising way. Once he discovered its effectiveness he made it his trademark. He's fair, but tough. He walks his talk by making instant decisions, then pointing that fat finger at one of the unsuspecting apprentice hopefuls and uttering the feared phrase. Is there an age old phrase you can make yours by some unique gesture or by using it in a surprising circumstance? Phrases are all a part of branding. Find a few that suit you.

3. Do Something Outrageous.

The public loves a daredevil--be it with words or actions. Trump lives large. He jets around in big planes. He owns big places. He has lovers with big bosoms. He has big hair. While "bigger"isn't necessarily better, bigger gets noticed. It's not my style, but maybe it's yours.

Big comes with many faces. The public loves actions that take courage--or a lot of money. What impresses me isn't money, but the adventuresome spirit. Adventure filmmaker Scott Lindgren, who is considered one of the extreme sport's most prominent heroes, kayaked down the Tsango River in Tibet. Navigating down it was likened to "snowboarding down Everest." Lindgren is devoted to doing treks in wild and challenging rivers in circumstances that haven't been done before. He's after a "pure" experience, and eschews publicity and moneymaking. The irony is that he gets both.

Ultimately, no matter how much publicity you want, it's letting go of the need for it that will take you to places that perhaps Trump or even Lindgren have not gone.

Free Sound Bite Teleclass

Did you miss the How to Become a 60 Second Sound Bite Genius teleseminar a few weeks ago with me and personal coach Nancy Gerber?

If so, I've posted the audio of the entire 60-minute call (a gift to you) at this web page.

Get ready for the new year by knowing what to say, how to say it and who to say it to--and increase your media attention instantly.

Re-Subscribe to My Newsletter

Why? To get the following valuable information:

1. Chapter 7 of Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul.

This chapter is a step-by-step guide with a template for developing dynamic sound bites that charm your audiences.

2. Print Interview Secrets.

This is my free guide to controlling the content in print interviews. Have you ever been misquoted? Asked yourself, "Did I really say that?!" This guide helps you create dynamic interview information that absolutely cannot be distorted.

Go to: http://prsecrets.com/joinlist.html Don't worry, you won't get my newsletter twice--my system won't let you. You'll just get an email with a special URL to download the above PDF files. I wanted you to have the same benefits that new subscribers are getting.

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QUOTE

Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.

~St. Isaac of Nineveh

You can now order my book "Sell Yourself without Selling Your Soul" (HarperCollins) at http://prsecrets.com/store/sywssbook.html to help get you started on your publicity and marketing campaign today.