Dear Friends,

I've turned 50. My friend Andy Zimmerman says, "As I get older I feel like I'm trading skin tone for wisdom. Most days I'm fine with that, but sometimes I miss the elasticity of youth. Besides, skin tone was there every day. Wisdom comes and goes, as anyone who's heard me go on and on about skin tone can attest."

I must say, I quite agree with him. I'd like to say that looks don't matter and believe 100% in inner beauty—but I don't. Perhaps, someday I will. I'm crawling and clawing my way toward enlightenment. I'm not sure that there's enough time, but I'm hopeful.

With this half-century of walking the earth comes some peace of mind, but not so much peace of body. Not for me, anyway. In the last year I mysteriously put on 20 lbs. I went from a size 4 to a size 8 with extra in all the wrong places.

I worked out harder, ate less, focused more on feeling good from the inside out and looked less in the mirror. Nothing worked. I had already given up wheat and sugar. Granted I eat french fries once a month (I LOVE french fries and wish they could be in my daily diet). But hey, one has to live a little, no?

Then Lisa Earle McLeod told me about T-Tapp, a system that Teresa Tapp developed over 25 years ago. Tapp worked extensively with super models to get them in shape zippy fast after eating too much chocolate or having kids. In the fashion business no one ever asked how much the models weighed. They asked what size they were. Models have to fit into and look fabulous in the clothes they're selling.

In addition to super models, Tapp also has an extraordinary track record working with ordinary folk who were unhealthy, had medical conditions, who were extremely overweight or who just wanted to get in shape.

Lisa and I got to talking about how this would be great for my clients who freak out when they have to be on TV. Before anyone says, "Susan, I don't have my sound bites down," they say, "I need to lose 20 lbs." Now, you don't need to lose the 20 lbs.--just look like you did.

That's the beauty of this system. The quick path to looking slim in your clothes is called, "Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes." Teresa Tapp says that you can lose 2 dress/pant sizes in 30 days—not necessarily tons of weight, although that's possible too. And Lisa did just that. She lost 11 lbs and 2 dress sizes. When she came from Atlanta to San Francisco for a speaking engagement we met for dinner. She looked marvelous! And yes, we did split a dessert.

What about me, you ask? Well, I'm a bit slow. I've lost one size (down to 6/7 pants. My goal is back to my size 4). Lani Muelrath, one of the top T-Tapp trainers who is going to train me personally, told me that she thought I was working out too much and not giving my body a chance to recoup, so I've been going a bit easier on myself. I've lost an inch off my waist and an inch off my thighs. I don't have an TV appearances coming up, but summer is looming. I'll keep at it until I've reached my goal. In the meantime, thank god for control top stockings.

If you're planning media appearances this is the time to start. Even if you're not, it's still could be the right time since, as you know, news happens and you're suddenly booked on a TV show and need to jump on a plane pronto.

I know I want to feel good in my skin again—now. Here's the point. One of the most important things about being on TV is to feel comfortable, natural and at ease. If you're not feeling that way about your body, it comes through. People interpret discomfort in many ways that can diminish your expertise. If you're ill at ease they may not like, trust or believe you. Often true comfort comes both from the inside out and the outside in. Work it both ways and you'll live the message you want to be in the world.

Warmly,

Susan

P.S. For more information on how you can get fit and fabulous in 15 minutes go to: www.T-Tapp.com

FYI Lani Muelrath can train remotely! Go here to find out how you can do T-Tapp at home and get Lani's excellent guidance so your form is correct. Good form brings faster results: www.LaniMuelrath.com (Just scroll down until you see: Lani LIVE! Head Trainer T-Tapp Cam).

Bad Girl Swirl: Media Darling 101

This Friday I spoke at NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) on a Panel with Cameron Tuttle, author of "The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road," and owner of the website www.BadGirlSwirl.com. Tuttle became a media darling with her "Bad Girl" brand partly on purpose and partly by chance. Here's how.

1. Tap into a nerve.

The San Francisco Business Times 2003 article reads, "'The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road,' found its way into bookstores and the female psyche in 1999, selling 223,000 copies. The book included an array of advice for women taking road trips, from the type of music to listen to, to how to check the motor oil, to how to beat a speeding rap." In a CNN.com interview Tuttle says, "Little did I know I was tapping into this real zeitgeist. This whole good girl-bad girl conflict is not just my own neurosis, but it's actually a very universal thing for women." Great ideas resonate on a grand scale.

2. Be the first.

There are endless "Girl Guides" now for the twenty something crowd, but Tuttle was the first. She came up with the concept. With Chronicle Books (the publisher of her books and licensor for her products), a company known for innovative packaging, she created a pink vinyl book cover. How cool is that? Tuttle was not only first with the concept but first with the packaging.

3. Give the intangible with tangibles.

On Tuttle's site you can get an alias that captures your bad girl vibe. Mine was BossaNova Mango. Tuttle's product line, which she describes as "Hello Kitty with a bad attitude meets Martha Stewart on a bender," has everything from bad-girl postcards, journals, stationary, calendars, sticky notes, power planners and photo albums. When you get the stuff, it's a license to unleash the "Bad Girl" inside which is nothing more (or less) than who you truly are. Brilliant. Ironically, most people need "permission" to do what they want, say what they think, and be who they are. If it just takes a postcard to put you into "truth" gear, I'm all for it.

4. Get the numbers right.

Tuttle was interviewed in a local business publication which stated that her 2002 "revenue" was 12 million dollars. Wrong. That number was for gross sales. The mistake was the major reason for Tuttle being sued by a greedy lawyer who had trademarked a number of terms like "Bad Girls" and was suing anyone who used them. His business had nothing to do with these phrases--he scooped them up to make money. And it looked like Tuttle had money. A lot of it.

So when you're talking to a business publication, or any publication for that matter, make sure you clarify correctly how much money your company makes, gross sales vs. net sales, etc. You can always ask a reporter to verify the numbers. Most willingly comply as they want their article to be accurate. Do it not just to protect your livelihood but for your sanity. Getting sued takes energy away from doing what you love. Accuracy will get you more of the right kind of publicity.

5. Create happy accidents.

Rather than letting the media lead you by the nose, follow your nose and see what works in the moment. During a photo op there was a motorcycle outside Tuttle's office so, tapping into her Bad Girl side, she hopped on and gave a jaunty pose in a pink feather boa. She said that she didn't ride a motorcycle, nor owned one, but it was there and it worked. Tuttle took a happy chance and it worked out. Why? Because it was in keeping with what a bad girl would do. She'd hop on an opportunity or a motorcycle if it seemed right. That photo became a trademark of Cameron's hutzpah, which she has a lot of. Sometimes a brand is planned. Other times it evolves from one or a series of happy accidents.

Lose 2 Dress or Pant Sizes in 30 Days

If you've got a media appearance coming up and you want to get in tip top (T-Tapp) shape ASAP, Go Here and order either Total Workout, Basic Plus, T-Tapp MORE or Total System. (Read the descriptions to find the right program for you.) If you need help deciding email: teresatapp@yahoo.com

To understand what T-Tapp is and how it works, click on "What is T-Tapp?" on the home page.

Also check out WhiteBrite, a teeth whitening spray that doesn't make your teeth sensitive and hurt (like all those other whitening kits), so as a TV guest your smile can be as bright as your information.

Ask Reporters For a Link to Your Site

When you are interviewed, always ask the reporter for a link on their Web site. Twice this week, I asked print and radio reporters for a link to my Web site. I got a link in both, and on the radio station's Web site it was the featured link at the top of their site for two days!

This advice is from Rebecca Morgan, speaker and publisher of the Speakernet News ezine. If you're a speaker, I recommend subscribing as it's filled with advice for new and experienced speakers.

How to Pitch Health Related Stories to Ladies Home Journal

One tip: "If you're citing an important study, be able to send us the study, not just the press release." Hard numbers always make a story stronger. Find statistics that support your media messages.

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 presskit 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: 1shoppingcart

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

EZINE 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.

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. Infomercial Toolkit

PRLEADS: 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: PRLeads

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. http://freeconferencing.liveoffice.com

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
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Become a 60 Second Sound Bite Genius
(For Pitching, Producer calls, Networking or Presentations)
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please visit:
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Quote

Not hammer-strokes, but dance of the water, sings the pebbles into perfection.

—Rabindranath Tagore