Dear Friends,

Happy New Year.

I'm back from Philadelphia and New York where I spent the Christmas holidays. I love the bare trees and the crisp air on the East Coast where I grew up. But I didn't love witnessing the massive food consumption of the people, not 10 or 20 pounds overweight, but 50 or a hundred, gorging on piles of pancakes, slabs of steak, pies, cakes, and cookies. My first thought was we could feed a third world country with this excess. Which brings me to one of my goals for the New Year--to help feed the hungry of both body and soul. I want to make money so I can give it away freely on the spot and for charities that I already support like Habitat for Humanity and mindfulness communities. I have a plan to put several of my friends' children through college--or to take a trip overseas, or for an adventure, whatever they choose (they don't know about it yet) and much more.

As I walked on black ice and frozen ponds I thought about what else I wanted to accomplish this next year. I want to volunteer at a Zen hospice project and also work with disadvantaged kid entrepreneurs. I want to do yoga more regularly. I want to read a book a week. I want 1 million people to read "Sell Yourself without Selling Your Soul" and put their publicity plans into action. I want to reach more (say 1 million) working moms who want to turn their hobby into a business or start or grow their current business. I want to develop some creative partnerships with people who juice me, who I will be surprised at what happens between us.

I've been invited into a mastermind group which I'm excited about. And I already have 2 clients I'm working with long-term and will accept 2 more for the year. (Remember I told you last month my goal was to work with 4). 5 new clients start in January for short-term media coaching or marketing planning. And I'm going on retreat for a week in January with my mom (which we do every year) so I'll have some more time to envision my future while hiking, doing nia, pilates, Feldenkrais, and getting massaged (my favorite part).

One of my clients, who has 5 kids, and a full time job said she envied me for taking the time for myself. I said, instead of envying me, plan your trip. It's important to get away from your daily responsibilities to clear your mind, and think about what matters most. And it doesn't take money or much time to do it. There are beautiful and serene retreat centers that offer scholarships or that give you rooms in exchange for doing some chores. One of my clients went for a week to work on her book and unwind. She was incredibly productive and rejuvenated.

Another of my goals is to create more community on my website blog. Many of you write personally to me or Kelly, my assistant, to ask my advice. I'd like to invite you to post your questions on my blog instead so your question can benefit you and others.

Also, from now on I'll post the most thought provoking question in this newsletter along with your website so other subscribers can help you with whatever you have on your mind.

One last thing. Who needs a media make-over?

I'm going to do a media make-over of a famous person every month on my blog. I'll take a well known expert, author, celebrity or star who I (or you) think needs a make-over. My first one is for Malcolm Gladwell, the author of The Tipping Point and Blink called, "Tipped: Bad Hair, Bad Branding." Read it here

Send me a paragraph or post it on my blog, about anyone you think needs that make-over and tell me why. Put "Media Make-over" in the subject. I'll choose the one I think I can help. You'll get credit for your suggestion as I'll post your website in my newsletter as a thank you for taking the time.

Warmly,

Susan

P.S. I still have 2 openings for long term clients who want to start working together in February or March. If you're interested please go here. Monthly retainers start at $3000 per month for 1 year ($36,000).

Create a TV Pitch Letter

Lots of people call me who want to get on Oprah, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, and The View. Most don't know that if they can envision the show, map out the theme, plan the guests, create the props, and then bring their knowledge and expertise to the table, speaking in 10-20 second sound bites, then they'll have a winner show.

I know it sounds obvious, but many people aren't familiar with the show format or the hosts' style because they haven't bothered to watch the shows so their pitches are off-base. These are high-level shows and the producers want you to be intimate with the content, pacing, length of each segment, and host's manner. To be ignorant of these things shows disrespect and could give you and your business a bad name. Also, if you don't perform well on the show you've pretty much squelched your chances of being on other top TV talk shows as the producers know each other and talk about the flops. To be one of the successes follow these tips.

1. Start with a Headline that Spells Out the Story.

Supernanny Teams With An Acclaimed Autism Expert To Help A Child Who Is An Outsider In His Own Home On Supernanny, November 4, ABC. This is the headline from an excellent press release. It tells you what the problem is and who is going to solve it--but not how. Enticing. "Outsider in his own home" is immediately appealing as you can already feel the emotion that the show promises.

2. State the Graphic Details of the Problem and Your Credentials to Solve it.

Supernanny Jo Frost teams with world-renowned autism expert Dr. Lynn Koegel to tackle the parenting issues faced by a family whose three-year-old son is an outsider in his own home. This episode of Supernanny airs on Friday, November 4 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Deirdre and Trae Facente don't know how to integrate their autistic son Tristin into their daily life with their twins, Kayla and Marlana (4). Tristin is completely non-verbal, caught up in his own world of spinning, jumping, swinging and, often, taking off his clothes. The only time he spends with his family is sitting at the dinner table. The twins, who demand much of their stay-at-home mom's attention, can't figure out how to play with their little brother.

The parents are at a loss as to how to help Tristin come out of his zone and join the family.

"World-renowned autism expert" lets you know that the guest has weight. You get a clear idea of what family life looks like in the Facente household and can immediately see how divided the family is. It's a dramatic situation that has pathos and promises to be good TV. The specific details of "Tristin is completely non-verbal, caught up in his own world of spinning, jumping, swinging and, often, taking off his clothes," gives you an immediate sense of what the show will look like. And it even has humor. I mean, what mom wouldn't be mortified if a neighbor dropped in and one of her kids was swinging and spinning about in the nude?

3. Tell How You're Going to Provide a Solution.

Enter Dr. Koegel and Supernanny. Together they refine the classic Supernanny methods and teach all the Facentes Dr. Koegel's inclusion and communication techniques to help engage Tristin. For example, when they introduce the new daily schedule to everyone, Dr. Koegel uses a picture board with Tristin to help him understand in a concrete way.

Notice that you're given just a little detail about "communication techniques", but not what they are or how they'll be used. One example is given (picture board) and it is again very visual, conforming with what works on TV. While this show has already taped and the end of the story is known, in your pitch you'll imagine what will take place on the show as if it has already taped. You'll define your role and the actions that you and others will take and map it out visually for the producers.

4. Show Dramatic Visible Results.

In just a week, silent Tristin goes from zero words to speaking hundreds of times using over 20 new words. He is bursting with requests to play a favorite game, be tickled or eat a treat. Step-by-step, Jo and Dr. Koegel help the parents keep Tristin from his disruptive behaviors by including him in family chores and activities. These efforts culminate in the boy helping his dad set the table, a seemingly mundane task that is so miraculous for Tristin, it brings tears to Trae's eyes.

In a sense this show is a "make-over" program. It touches on mundane chores, the fabric of a family and creates poignancy. Success is unmistakable and quantified succinctly by explaining that Tristin is transformed from a mute to a chatterer (zero words to speaking hundreds of time using over 20 new words).

5. Give Your Credentials.

Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D is one of the world's foremost experts on the treatment of autism. She and her husband, Robert L. Koegel, Ph.D., founded the renowned Koegel Autism Center at the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She co-wrote the bestselling book on autism, "Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope that can Transform a Child's Life," which was recently released in paperback, and also co- authored, with Robert Koegel, the new book, "Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism."

While you don't have to have written a book, it helps. Books published by established and respected publishing houses carry clout. This husband and wife team even have their own center at a respected university. What's critical here is your experience and your results. Especially for TV you must be able to show that you've achieved results and have influence in your field.

Find out more about how to create pitches that TV producers pay attention to here

P.S. Even if you're not interested in getting on Oprah, you can use these same techniques for any of the top TV talk shows.

How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows

You'll learn how to catch the attention of producers at the seven big morning shows like "Good Morning, America," "Fox & Friends" and the "Today" show. This teleclass tells you the five types of stories producers want most, and the one show that is perfect for light features. It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can be reading in a few minutes. Read more about what you'll learn From Joan Stewart and Lissa Warren (click on "Tapes/CDs/Transcripts)

Get Help from Publicity Experts

All of you have some expertise that can help others. Or you have a question that others can help you with.

What's worked well for you? What are the biggest gaffs you've made that you can help others avoid? Do you have tips about getting on a particular show or some insider information? Share them on my blog

Give Publicity Help

Post your answers to this fellow subscriber on my blog or send an email.

I recently purchased Susan's "Six Figure Advance" e-book, which I have read twice. My co-worker Wendy and I (aka "The Trip Chicks") are writing our first book, a renegade travel tips book. It will be a compilation of insider travel secrets (some slightly off-the-wall) from yours truly and the higher-profile travel gurus. (Rick Steves, Rudy Maxa, Arthur Frommer, Captain Meryl Getline, etc.)

My questions are:

1. How can we enlist the support of these experts for our venture and encourage them to provide us with written material for our book?

2. Do we need to offer to pay (ulp!) them anything?

3. Is there another strategy to get them on board a project with first-time authors?

Ann Lombardi, Certified Travel Associate
"The Trip Chicks"
www.TheTripChicks.com

Come Meet Me

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Q&A to Get on Oprah & Other TV Talk Shows Teleclass
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Become a 60 Second Sound Bite Genius
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January 24, 2006
The Learning Annex
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April 10 2006
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Triple Your Coaching Practice:
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Quote

Good things come to those who hustle while they wait.

~ Thomas Edison