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Should I Launch a Radio Publicity Campaign over the Holidays?

Alex Carroll, the guru of Radio Publicity, offered this advice:

Most radio shows don’t book interviews any further than 2 weeks
in advance.

Furthermore, most radio shows take vacation starting Dec. 15-
20th and won’t get back into the swing of things until Monday,
Jan 7th next year.

That being said, I think your best bet is to send your
postcards out at the beginning of January. Normally you would
want to give them a little more lead time, but with the way the
holiday season schedule falls, I think if you send them out
before that they’ll just get lost in the holiday shuffle.

Alex maintains a comprehensive list of producers of radio shows. You can
learn more about this list and Alex’s training tools by clicking here.

New York Times Reveals Secrets of its Best-Seller Lists

The New York Times Best-Seller List, the gold standard for authors, revealed a little bit of how they choose the books that make the list in today’s newspaper (October 21, 2007). You’ll have to subscribe to the online edition to read the article as the site is membership driven.

Interesting insights include:
- bulk sales are discounted in the sales ranking as they don’t want anyone to “game” their system. (Gee, who would do that???)
- long-standing books are sometimes tossed off the list. This rule is rather inconsistent, as “Night” by Elie Weisel was kicked off recently, even though other books that have been on the list for 2-3 years are still on the list, like “The Tipping Point,” or “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.”

Read the article for other interesting points.

One truth the article didn’t mention is the value of good publicity in book sales. Current PR LEADS clients Tim Ferriss’ “Four Hour Work Week,” and Dr. Mark Hyman’s “Ultrametabolism” books both made strides on the NY Times Best-Seller List because of their PR and marketing campaigns.

Teleseminar: Speak at Colleges and Grow Your Business

Would you like to add hundreds of thousands of “EXTRA M0ney” to
your speaking, writing, training, coaching and consulting income?

Did you know that the college market is one of the most
lucrative, yet overlooked markets that you could make BIG money from?

Most don’t!

That’s why I asked my friend, James Malinchak, to be on a
special (no cost to you) teleseminar to share all of his secrets for
how you can tap into this unknown market.

James is called ‘The King of the College Speaking Market,’ and
has taught numerous authors, coaches, consultants, trainers,
and aspiring, beginning, and experienced speakers how to take
their message to the college market and make a ‘T0N of M0ney!’

I’ve asked James to be a guest on a no cost teleseminar to tell
you step-by-step how you can quickly tap into this hidden, but
lucrative, speaking niche!

Click here now for all the details:

http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/janal

Don’t wait any longer – it’s time for you to make ‘BIG M0ney By
Speaking at Colleges!’ There is NO COST to listen in on the call
so I hope you’ll take advantage of it!

This is a one-time-only call. If you can’t attend the live call
October 17th, register anyway, and afterwards we’ll send you a
link to a recorded audio – you’ll be able to listen online or
download it to your mp3 player.
Go Now to:

http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/janal

Here is what you’ll discover during this no cost call:
Colleges have large budgets for booking speakers, authors,
trainers, coaches and consultants, but the trick is knowing who
the people are who have the money.

In this call, you will learn…

* Why there’s BIG money in the college market.
* Which topics are most in demand and why?
* Which departments have the budgets to book you?
* Who are the people you must contact to get booked as a college
speaker?
* How to create marketing materials that will get you noticed
and booked.
* And, Much More!

*****************
Again, there’s no cost for listening to the call so register now
at
http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/janal

*****************

I hope you’ll join me as we discover these and other marketing
secrets. I’ll be looking for you on the call.

Again, This is a one-time-only call. If you can’t attend
the live call, register anyway, and afterwards we’ll send you a
link to a recorded audio – you’ll be able to listen online or
download it to you mp3 player.

Go Now to: http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/janal

New Cool Book of the Day Blog helps experts and authors get exposure and drive traffic

Excelsior, Minnesota – October 11, 2007 – Internet entrepreneur Dan Janal, founder of PR Leads and the author of six books, recently unveiled his new Cool Book of the Day [http://www.coolbookoftheday.com/] blog. The blog features a new book each day accompanied by an author interview.

Janal got the idea for the Cool Book of the Day blog after attending Book Expo this year. “All reporters were writing about Harry Potter and other big name authors,” says Janal. “And, that’s still the case today. Reporters and critics don’t cover the ‘unknown’ authors writing books, which is a shame, because many of these people are experts in their fields who have written really good books filled with practical information.”

The blog gives authors who use Janal’s PR LEADS publicity service a place to publicize their book and in their own words, tell others about it and why they wrote it. An October 5, 2007 post by MSN Money writer and consultant Sally Herigstad, CPA, for example, talks about why she wrote her book, Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills! In her interview she writes,

Most [finance] books still focus on lifetime financial planning and investing. They may not meet the needs of a person who, regardless of age, just needs to get through this month without having the utilities turned off. Readers can find several existing categories of personal finance books. . . . None, however, offer the focused yet comprehensive information that Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills provides people with acute financial needs.

Due to its viral nature, the blog gives authors much greater exposure in the blogosphere. Those authors whose books are featured on the blog can add a clickable graphic to their Website and/or blog showing their book has been listed. Readers can leave comments on the Cool Book of the Day blog, and of course, post about the books in their blogs.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Janal. “The book authors get the exposure they need for their books, bloggers can use the material to fill out blog posts, and readers have a place they can visit every day to learn about new books.”

The postings are having a big impact on traffic for PR LEADS authors whose works are cited.

“Thanks so much for choosing “Zero to Zillionaire” as your “Cool Book of the Day.” My Amazon ranking improved a bunch yesterday and now I know why.Thanks for all your help,” wrote Chellie Campbell.

About Dan Janal

Developing online ventures is nothing new for Janal, who founded PR Leads in 2001 and Great Teleseminars in 2002. In addition to running his businesses, Janal is a frequent speaker at industry conferences around the globe. He also offers PR coaching for authors and small businesses.

Daniel Janal is an internationally-recognized speaker, Internet marketer and best-selling author. As president of Janal Communications, he conducts strategic planning seminars and consultations for clients ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 1000. A former public relations executive, Dan Janal was on the PR team that launched America Online, and personally directed the PR launch of Grolier’s Electronic Encyclopedia, the first consumer software program ever produced on a CD-ROM.

He is the author of several best-selling books on marketing and the Internet including Dan Janal’s Guide to Marketing on the Internet and 101 Successful Businesses You Can Start on the Internet. The Los Angeles Times called Dan “an online marketing expert.” USA TODAY called Dan “A true Internet marketing pioneer.” He can be reached at 952-380-1554 or via his Website at www.PRLEADS.com.

How to respond to a bad review

From my mailbag:

We just got reviewed (and it wasn’t that great)and I was wondering how much we should stress over this. We are in beta, so that accounts for some of the bugginess, but we have corrected the ones he mentioned.

Dan answers:

First off, congratulations on getting the media’s attention. It isn’t that easy to do and if you didn’t have a worthwhile concept, they wouldn’t have reviewed your product. So you are on the right track.

Secondly, every review will have negative points. There’s an unwritten rule in reviewers’ minds that they can’t like something 100 percent. They have to find something to complain about.

The other good news is that you have fixed the bugs. So here’s what to do:

1. Contact the reviewer, thank him and let him know that you appreciated his comments and have corrected the problems. He’ll feel like an owner now. Offer to let him review the next version.

2. Search the web to see if the review is posted anywhere. If it is, be sure to post a message saying the bugs have been fixed. Consider offering a free review copy to people who read the post.

3. If the review had good points, promote those on your website.

4. People will understand that bugs happen in beta. That’s why there’s a beta.

5. If appropriate, point out the bugs that you fixed as ‘enhancements’ and new features.

So, don’t sweat the small stuff — but be vigilant to stamp out any fires this review might have created.

Dan Janal speaks at NSA-Michigan chapter on publicity topics

I spoke at the NSA-Michigan chapter this weekend on publicity, article marketing, and video promotion for speakers.

The chapter treated me royally with a grand dinner at the Chop House in Ann Arbor and a ticket to the Michigan-Oregon college football game, as well as a book and gift card. They really showed a lot of class at every step of the way! Thanks, NSA-Michigan.

I also had a chance to visit with PR LEADERS April Callis (current NSA-Michigan chapter president) and Shawne Duperon. I also met a lot of great people there and heard a lot of great speakers. It is an excellent chapter!

I’ve spoken at these NSA chapters: Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego and New York State. I’ve also spoken to the Vancouver and Calgary chapters of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. If you’d like me to speak to your chapter, please call me at 952-380-1554.

iPhone’s Publicity Blunder

By Dan Janal
Your Fearless PR LEADER

The blogs and the newspapers picked up many comments.

Apple’s response was to give a $100 (not $200) discount on products at iPhone stores.

This is a bad reaction for several reasons:
1. A $100 discount on products does not equal a $200 discount in real dollars.
2. Consider that if products are marked up 100 percent, then Apple is buying people off with $50 from its own pocket.
3. What can you buy in an iPhone store that costs $100 or less? Not much! So if you do buy something, chances are you’ll buy something that costs more than $100, so Apple wins again by getting more cash.

So, tell me Appple, how does this help consumers?

Michael Vick: There’s a time to shut up

Whoever said “All publicity is good publicity” never met Stephon Marbury, the basketball player (I’ll avoid using the term “star”) who defended Michael Vick.

Vick, as you might recall, is in all kinds of hot water because he likes to see dogs fight. That kind of obsession can lead to the cancellation of your football career, lucrative endorsement contracts, fines and jail time.

If any time is the time to keep your mouth shut about defending Michael Vick, this would be a good time.

But Stephon saw this as an opportunity to get his name in print — and did so just as he was promoting his own line of basketball shoes.

I’m sure his sponsor is having his lawyer review the sponsorship contract now.

Lesson learned: Watch what you say, when you say it, and be careful about hitching your wagon to a locomotive going downhill.

Is any publicity good publicity?

Not if you ask Michael Vick!

That old PR maxim just doesn’t hold water when you do something really, totally stupid and undefendable.

I guess OJ would second that opinion!

OTOH, many celebrities and politicians have “rehabilitated” their images, but only after much pain, expense and time.

Better to consider your actions before you say or do something stupid.

The world is a very small place today and if you don’t want to become the Michael Vick of your niche!

Are you the next network TV star?

If you want to see what it is really like to be a network TV star, then you might want to start watching reality shows on the Food Network and HGTV. They both have shows where people compete to get their own TV show.

These shows put the contestants through the real paces of what TV personalities actually have to do in front of the camera.

I gotta tell you: It’s not as easy at it looks!

Check out
The Next Food Network Star to watch each episode on the Internet.

HGTV Design Star