Dear Friends,

A publicist I know refused to take on a client for a reason I think will surprise you. They didn't have a website. This publicity firm doesn't take on clients who don't have an online presence. They believe that their firm couldn't have achieved the public relations results they want for a client without a website.

You may say, "So what Susan, I have a website." But you may be further surprised to know that now that's not enough. In addition to a website, you need an online press kit, preferably two. One on your website and also one in a database that the media scan when researching experts. You may want to go even further than that and develop a presence on youtube.com and myspace.com so you'll be perceived as ubiquitous.

In the old days when I sold voicemail systems, my clients first thought that they were just fancy answering machines. It took some time (and much explanation and demonstration) for that perception to change. Online press kits are the voicemail systems of this century.

Most people don't yet understand their impact. Having an online press kit in a database in addition to on your website is leading edge. And if you want media attention without becoming an axe murderer, claiming you are the father of a Anna Nicole Smith's baby, or competing to become the next American Idol, the online press kit is for you. You can maintain your dignity while showing off what you do best.

I am in the process of refining mine. So watch for my email in the next few weeks and I'll show you what I've done. In the meantime, take a tour of what an online press kit is to understand why it's important for you at: Online Press Kit Tour .

Warmly,

Susan

P.S. Wasabi Publicity is the leader in online press kits. I have been working closely with them now for about nine months and trust them implicitly. Many of my newsletter subscribers now have their own online press kits and are enjoying the results of the publicity generated from it and I recommend that you join them. I always encourage you to decide for yourself if this is something that would benefit you.

Online Press Kits: 7 Ways to Get Media Calls

99% of journalists now prefer online press kits. That means no more paper and no more email attachments. Now more than ever the media are in a hurry. They need to do twice the work in half the time. This results in crunch time 24/7. Which means that if your press kit is available around the clock you can sleep easily, take your vacations and live the good life—rather than scrambling to get the media the materials they need at the last minute. Here are seven ways to get the media to call you. Let your press kit do the work while you do what's important to you.

1. Be easy to find.

Media people don't have time to surf your website searching for what they need. When they are looking for a source or background information they need it now. I remember talking to a reporter on deadline for a story when she huffed, "I called three people already and it's been thirty minutes and not one of them has called me back!"

Make sure you have a direct link on your navigation bar to your Media Room. Take care to use the same look and feel as the rest of your site so everything you do, say and are is consistent. This helps insure you're an expert and is part of your branding. Also, you don't want reporters and producers to feel that they've jumped to some unrelated website.

2. Get listed on an online press kit database.

When the media search for sources, they must be efficient. Journalists and producers cut down their research time by searching databases that have hundreds or thousands of experts. They can find you more quickly if you have your press kit available here as well as on your website. One of Wasabi Publicity's top clients, who has a regular national TV spot, also has a top ranking website. But when Disney and Hasbro, the game maker, were looking for a spokesperson, how did they find her? Not through her own website, but through her presskit247 online press kit.

3. Provide materials the media expect.

A complete press kit contains a press release, a topic or angle sheet, a ten top tips sheet, backgrounder, radio pitch letter, ten questions, FAQ, bio, and/or profiles of key individuals/spokespeople. If you have all of these posted, a reporter or producer can pick and choose what he wants to review. While you want to give them all the options, you don't want to give away every bit of information you know about a subject—since they would have no reason to interview you. Other important items to include are high-resolution digital photos, high-resolution digital logo graphics, a book excerpt, audio and video clips.

4. Display your past media coverage.

If you've been covered by the media, you've already passed through barrier number one for credibility. When a company, organization, or individual has gotten coverage, they're considered credible. To honor copyright issues, link to sites for video and print—or get permission to post those clips or articles on your site.

5. Make your media contact information obvious.

This may seem silly to even mention, but you'd be surprised at how many people forget it. Give all the information necessary to contact you, your CEO or spokesperson ASAP. Include your business and cell phone and email address, and make sure you're available after hours. If you don't respond quickly, the media frequently move on to their next contact. Much as you may not want to believe it, often the best expert is the one who is available now.

6. Use links.

Don't send e-mail attachments. Media rooms with searchable databases use links, which you can provide to the media instead of an e-mail attachment. That way they can easily download an MS Word file and cut and paste the information they need directly from it. Don't worry, if the media want more information, they'll invite you to send an attachment.

7. Link your blog to your online media room.

You know the song, "It's my party and I can cry if I want to?" Blogs are your personal party and you can say anything you want. The more attitude and style the better. Of course content counts. Members of the media research online information including blogs. If you've got statistics and other information that could be useful to the media post some of it there.

Create an online press kit on your website and in an online database so the media can find you when they need to. That way you'll never miss an opportunity.

Get Your Own Online Presskit247

When you use the Wasabi Publicity Presskit247 System you
get:

• A one-stop-shopping place that the media search daily for sources—you can be their instant expert.
• Full training and tech support to develop your own press kit materials—professional and media friendly.
• The ability to edit your own website 24/7 anywhere in the world—no webmaster needed.
• An ongoing online presence for when the media needs you—for breaking news.

AND if you want it, a contact database management system that's simple and easy to use to keep track of all the media who you call or who call you. You can send individualized email blasts as well as monitor how much time the media spend on each of your links. Go here to get yours: Presskit247

What does Bono, lead singer for U2, know that you don't?

Take a cue from men and women who rule the world with their grace, humor and ease. Find out here: Speaking Secrets

How To Write High-Performance Copy That Multiplies Leads and Sales

"Words can put you out of business...words can build your business beyond your imagination," says the copy for this Conference Call University Webinar.

I've found that many of my clients wonder why their website business doesn't soar after a media appearance. The answer isn't too difficult. Most of the time it's poor sales & marketing copy.

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To register for this CCU Webinar event: Register Here

Services I Highly Recommend

Many people ask me about the services I use and trust. The businesses below are a few of my partners or companies that provide services and products that I rely on that truly work.

I recommend them without pause. Please explore them to find out if they are right for you.

PRESSKIT 247: Both an online database where journalists and producers find you when they're searching for experts and your online press kit where all of your press materials including audio and video are instantly available to the media. Get listed here and to increase your media appearances and expand your business: Presskit 247

OUR SHOPPING CART: I use a shopping cart system called 1shoppingcart for online transactions, autoresponders, my affiliate program, and tracking links. This shopping cart is the most widely used one by successful entrepreneurs and online marketers. You can trial it here: Shopping Cart

THE WEB SITE TOOLKIT: "This is a complete tutorial and guide (written and audio) on creating an effective professional service business web site," says Robert Middleton, the creator. This is a best, most organized and comprehensive system that I've found to guide you through writing the copy and organizing the content for your website. Included are resources and directions for writing, design and technical requirements. Hundreds of people have used Middleton's methods to develop sites that attract the clients they want: Web Site Toolkit

E-ZINE MARKETING: Using an E-zine like mine is one of the fastest and easiest things you can do to promote your business. To learn how to create yours so it works for you and gets you ongoing results, I suggest taking a look at Alexandria Brown's complete manual on marketing with your E-zine: E-zine Marketing Manual

THE INFOMERCIAL TOOLKIT: Online videos are the wave of the future. Your clients or customers may be all over the world, but they can meet you quickly right on your site. Sell your products and services, demo new ideas or just give people a small taste of what it's like to do business with you: The Infomercial Toolkit

PR LEADS: This is the best deal on the planet. The only complaint my clients have lodged about it is "I wish I would have done it sooner." You respond to reporters and producers queries for comments and insights on stories they're working in your area of expertise and then get quoted in the media instantly: PR Leads

TELECONFERENCE SERVICE: For all my Teleclasses, I use a service that's reliable and free. I also use this service to record all my consulting calls. Free Conferencing

Come Meet Me

Anywhere in the World
Christian Work at Home Moment
March 5, 2006
6:30pm CST on KCRO 660 AM
KCRO 660 AM, Omaha or listen
anytime at http://cwahm.com/wordpress/blog/

Anywhere in the World
Q&A to Get on Oprah & Other TV Talk Shows Teleclass
1 hour
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http://prsecrets.com/free-sign-oprahtvtalkshow.html

Anywhere in the World
Get a 6 Figure Book Advance Teleclass
1 hour
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Anywhere in the World
Become a 60 Second Sound Bite Genius
(For Pitching, Producer calls, Networking or Presentations)
1 hour
Download it at no charge at:
http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/adtrack.asp?AdID=114141

For further schedule information and course descriptions
please visit:
http://www.prsecrets.com/speakingkeynotesworkshops.html

NOTE: Some new classes do not yet have descriptions. Your patience is appreciated.

Quote

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge.

~ Martin Luther King Jr.