Before you hit SEND, Choose Your Communication Method Wisely

Miscommunication

Have you ever received an angry response to an email you intended to be neutral or even nice? Or, have you sent a text thinking it would be quicker than a phone call or email, but what resulted was an hour of thumbing messages back and forth. A colleague called me a couple of weeks ago and she was distraught because a client had let her firm go after receiving an email that she’d sent. Apparently, this client was demanding more of her and her firm than they were contracted to receive, so … [Read more...]

Free News Wires

Press

One question I get a lot is, “what do I do with my press release once I have written it?” One of the first things I recommend doing is to post your press release on a very effective news wire, such as Marketwire or PR Newswire. You can also post your news release on many of the free news wires. I’ve created a list for you below. Have you distributed your press releases on any free sites or paid sites? If so, I'd love for you to share your experiences below. Or, if you haven't what's … [Read more...]

The 5 Ws of Your New Year

W

You have probably heard that when writing a press release, you should start with the “who, what, where, when, why (and sometimes how)” of your story. These are often referred to as “the 5 Ws”. What if you start your new year the same way? I’ve written a list of questions that will help you create “The 5 Ws of Your New Year”. Get yourself into a quiet place, grab a pen or keyboard and let your imagination and dreams guide your answers to these questions: 1.      Who will … [Read more...]

Bring Out the Bling in Your Business

diamonds

  DON’T BURY YOUR GOLD: As you work in a specific field for any number of years, it’s easy to take for granted all the golden nuggets of information you’ve accumulated over the years. Don’t assume that others know everything you know. Many people need the information and products you have to share and they will pay well for them. Put your golden nuggets out there for the world see!   STRING YOUR PEARLS: A single pearl is beautiful, but when you string them together you … [Read more...]

Do you do what you tell your clients to do? Why I’m finally doing more PR for myself.

LisaElia-8-11

Do you do what you tell your clients to do? Listen to this recording to find out why it’s so important. [audio:http://lisaeliapr.audioacrobat.com/download/aa686a3a-c15e-9e21-ac0f-5bfb8fc66d57.mp3] Or CLICK HERE to Download the recording to your computer. Although we submit information in response to media queries on a daily basis for our clients, two days ago I finally started submitting some of my information and ideas to queries I found on HARO (www.helpareporter.com) and … [Read more...]

10-Day Communication Clean-Up

Lisa Elia Headshot

The 10-Day Communication Clean-Up: A Challenge How you communicate affects EVERYTHING! It affects how you’re perceived, who you attract (or repel), which opportunities come to you and which ones elude you. Most importantly, it affects how you feel about yourself. I propose a 10-Day Communication Clean-Up! It’s very simple. I’ve given you 10 exercises below. On day one, you focus on eliminating one counterproductive communication habit. On day two, you focus on eliminating a second … [Read more...]

What is AP Style and Why Should You Care?

reading magazines

If you’re writing press releases or even if you are having them written for you, it’s important to know what Associated Press Style is because it will save you many PR hours and/or dollars. Associated Press Style is the media industry standard for journalistic style. Adhering to this style will make members of the media take you seriously, and it will make it easier for editors to publish your release immediately, and you ALWAYS want to make their job as easy as possible. First, … [Read more...]

The 5 Ms of Business Success

5 Ms of Business Success

Over the years, I’ve studied what has made some people multi-millionaires or billionaires. I’ve also reflected on how I started my own business with a few hundred dollars of start-up capital and built it into the thriving business it is today, and what is making the difference in getting us from a multiple six-figure company to one that will bring in seven figures this year. This is how I created the 5 Ms of Business Success. This is a simple explanation of it, and there’s much more to … [Read more...]

How to Make Good Decisions Quickly

Crossroad on Hill

Our lives are, for the most part, the result of our decisions. Perhaps this is why so many people seem to have great difficulty making even the smallest decision. Have you sat across from someone who’s spent 20 minutes going over a dinner menu, trying to decide what to have, talking about the calorie count or their cravings or why they should or shouldn’t order this or that? Most people who have achieved great success will tell you that the ability to make good decisions quickly is a key … [Read more...]

10 Things to Do to Become a Trusted Expert and Thought Leader

educate yourself

1. Educate yourself. Even if you hold an advanced degree in your field, there is always more to learn in your own field and in other arenas that will help you become more creative and resourceful. This will automatically spill into your communications. 2. Get the facts. Add facts and figures to some of your articles to substantiate your opinions, but only include information from reputable, high-level sources, such as top universities, research institutions or government agencies that … [Read more...]

The Guru in Your Gut

Young woman lying in grass with flowers

Many of us turn to mentors, coaches, authors, experts and teachers when we need to make decisions. This can be empowering and allow us to draw upon the brainpower of those with superior experience or skills. The thing we want to avoid is blindly following anyone. Have you ever heard someone recite to you verbatim what their guru says about just about everything? While consulting others can bring us perspective, wisdom and objectivity, don’t forget about “the Guru in Your Gut.” The gut … [Read more...]

The ROI of Everything You Do

Your ROI

Do you know the ROI of everything you do? Yes, I said “ROI”…and “everything.” If you don’t know the return on investment (or ROI) of everything you do, you’re probably making the most costly mistake most business owners make and holding yourself back from the success you want and deserve! If you’re a business owner, or even if you work for someone else, you should know the value of your time so you can determine not only WHAT to spend your time on, but HOW MUCH TIME you … [Read more...]

Do People Get You?

Tracey Trottenberg

Do people “get you?” People often tell me that people just don’t get them. Generally, I think this means they haven’t communicated clearly enough who they are, why they’re here and what they have to offer. It comes down to messaging. I created a free report on Messaging and Media Training from a Pro, in which I give you advice and tips I’ve developed in my more than 20 years in PR. Some of my techniques were also developed from my studies with great acting teachers. If you’d like … [Read more...]

10 Questions to Answer to Have a Life-Changing Year

1. How do I want to feel when I wake up each day, in the new year? 2. How can I get rid of the tasks in my life that I don’t like to do (e.g., software, staffing, outsourcing)? 3. How will I feed myself creatively on a regular basis? 4. Which exciting new experiences do I want to add to my life throughout the year? 5. How will I greatly expand my circle of friends, business acquaintances, referral sources, etc.? 6. What specific things will I do to vastly increase my knowledge … [Read more...]

Three Things You Need in Order to Have REAL Influence

Woman looking successful

What does it take to have REAL influence? If you really want to change the world, you have to make YOUR world bigger. Are you someone who’s passionate about your purpose and sharing your message to help lots of people? Would you like to start a movement and affect the world in a greater way? What will be your legacy? There are three things that will help you have REAL influence and make a big impact on the world: Create clear, concise messaging that meets people where they … [Read more...]

What’s your stopping point?

tree with bench

Many people have a point where they just stop! They stop putting themselves out there, stop following up, stop doing their part to follow the strategic plan that was created to get them to where they want to go, or stop listening to their inner guidance. This can happen when things get tough or when people don’t see immediate results, even if their expectations are unrealistic. Or, perhaps they stop when they are confronted with the reality of becoming more public and face more responsibility … [Read more...]

You’ll be ready for big-time media when you have handled these 5 things.

When it comes to publicity, most people don’t know where to begin. They’re not even sure if they’re ready for it. So, I created “The 5 Components of Publicity Readiness.” This is my quick list of the 5 things you should have handled before you begin going after “big-time media,” like the Today Show, the Ellen Degeneres Show, Oprah or even magazines or newspapers. I put it in true/false form so you can give yourself a quick test. Answer “true” or “false” to the … [Read more...]

One magazine contest brought my client more than 5,000 new subscribers

Passionate Collector Womens World

Can you believe that one magazine contest brought my client more than 5,000 new subscribers in only three days? Want to hear how it happened? We arranged to have one of our client’s products in Woman’s World Magazine for a reader giveaway. All she had to do is provide 3 necklaces (pictured below) and post a registration box on her web site. Because people had to register on our client’s web site to enter the contest to win one of the necklaces, she had more than 5,000 new … [Read more...]