Dear Friends,

I've spent the entire weekend talking on the phone to people I don't know. I'm hoarse, but happy. My dear friend Charles Veal Jr. died last Friday and people from all over the country are contacting me.

How did they find me?

My E-zine article from 2006 about meeting Charles and Louis Farrakhan here: http://www.prsecrets.com/sss/065.html

It's been crazy. A woman whose son was friends with Charles called from Alaska. Dozens of other calls came in from people: a friend of Charles' cousin, a fellow violinist, on and on. My email inbox and phone was packed with people calling to let me know that Charles had died and to tell me about the memorial service. I already knew as composer, producer, mixer, John Ovnik of Deaf Dog Music, who worked closely with Charles on a number of projects, had called me as soon as he found out.

Charles was a renowned violinist who was trained by Jascha Heifetz. Heifetz gave his 15 year-old-student a Stradivarius that had been played by Puccini. Charles played at Carnegie Hall, performed with the Bolshoi Ballet in their American debut and worked with everyone from Linda Ronstadt to Stevie Wonder. Horror Film Director Wes Craven is completing a documentary involving Charles.

Sad as I am I'm so heartened about how Charles created connection in the world, and then how so many of us who don't know each other can bond instantly by reaching out over the Internet and Social Networking.

Warmly,

Susan

See the video I took of Charles in studio in Chicago here: http://prsecrets.com/susaninreallife.html

Social Networking Tips:

1. Write what you care about.
I wrote about Charles Veal Jr. and Louis Farrakhan because meeting them moved me. Charles was an amazing mentor. He always said things like, "Lead with love" and "Dream first." He didn't care about money or fame, he was all about the music. He connected with people instantly through his pure zest. Kathy Blanchard from Alaska told me that when Charles played at her son John's wedding Charles came up to her and asked, "Are you John's mom?" When she said yes he grabbed her hands and started kissing them madly. She said, "I'm just an ordinary housewife. Nobody ever kissed my hands like that before! It was so continental." Charles knew how to love people directly without pretense. We all have that opportunity. Social Networking makes it possible.

2. Ignore fame and money.
So much emphasis is placed on making millions and gaining a big name. What if you just let that go for a moment? Jerry Peters, keyboardist, song writer and arranger, and long-time friend who worked with Charles for 37 years, called Charles his mentor--even though Charles was the younger one. Charles gave Jerry the opportunity to arrange classical music and strings -- where few, if any, African Americans had before. He believed in Jerry's creativity and constantly encouraged him to expand and grow. Taking opportunities to play and explore are just as important for tomorrow as counting coins is for today.

3. Pick up the phone.
Sure, I could have just emailed the people who emailed me, but there's nothing like talking to establish a bond. When you find people you resonate with suggest speaking on the phone so you can establish physical contact. Next step. Meeting in person. That's true "social" networking. What a concept!

Jack Kerouac said, "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."

Charles Veal Jr. was mad about music, mad about people, mad about beauty. He burned. Let your madness be your guide to whatever you do and "burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."

Video on #1 Secret to Get National Publicity

Take a look at this video from my colleague Steve Harrison on the #1 secret for getting major national publicity for your book, product, service, cause or message.

Major publicity means big results. But Let's be real. It's not easy.

You'll hear the secret...but it's not what you think. It's not about writing a great pitch letter or press release. To discover the secret, go here now and see the video.

7 Publicity Tips to Get Ink in Newspapers & Magazines

Hear from a New York Times best-selling author and other entrepreneurs/authors who'll share how they got publicity in Cosmopolitan, New York Times, Entrepreneur, Parents, Family Circle, Wall Street Journal and many other top publications.

Join this Free call Thursday, February 5th

A few things you'll learn:

• Groking the mindset of top magazine writers and editors so you can give them what they want most.

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• How to get advance notice about stories and topics journalists are planning.

• Ways to spin a small story into a large feature that has major impact.

To sign up for either of Thursday's calls go here now.

100 People Only Can Get Major Publicity

Imagine this: An editor at More magazine said that by the time she gets to your email she's already read over 500 emails. An editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer gets over 800 unsolicited books a week and can only use 10-15.

In today's marketplace you're not just competing with established experts but with every blogger, self published author, reality TV star hopeful, start-up business, work-at-home mom, and any "Joe" who is looking for his 15 seconds of fame.

The result?

The media is inundated with irrelevant and useless information--which makes it harder for them to find the good stuff--yours.

There is a way to cut through the clutter. It's a twice a year event called the Publicity Summit where you connect with and pitch your story to TV and radio producers, magazine editors, journalists and literary agents from top outlets like Oprah, Good Morning America, Dateline, MSNBC, The Today Show, The View, Parenting, Parade, Time, etc.

There is nothing like meeting producers and editors face-to-face and getting their undivided attention during your personal one-on-one time together.

It's limited to 100 people closely screened to make sure they are viable media candidates so it works for both the participants and the media. Highly recommended if you are media ready or willing to be trained to get ready.

Before you actually meet the media in person you'll be screened and trained on how to get to the point--the right point that will interest producers, editors and agents. In other words the summit helps you to be successful because they want you to have results--which means getting booked with the media. And they want the media to get good guests, or they won't come back to the event next year. Makes good sense.

Go here to apply.

Good luck! And keep me posted.

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Yes, most likely if you want your book published by a major publisher. Go here http://bit.ly/a1W5e5 for the audio, video and transcript of a panel discussion Steve Harrison conducted with four top literary agents on what it takes to land an agent, get a major publishing deal and more.

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Anywhere in the World
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Quote

 If you hear a voice within you saying...
'You are not a painter',
then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.

~ Vincent Van Gogh