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Finally, a Real Reason for Authors, Speakers and Consultants to Hop Aboard Facebook

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you’re as tired as I am of reading what your business friends had for dinner, who they partied with and who they are quoting on Facebook, join the crowd. However, I finally found a reason for people like us – authors, coaches and consultants- to finally get a fan page, which is the business side of Facebook in case you didn’t know.

That reason is called the Facebook Badge. A Facebook Badge is a rectangular box that includes half a dozen pictures of your fans who “like” you. No, this isn’t Sally Fields saying, “You like me, you really like me.” It is a way for you to get instant credibility and trust on your website.

To see what this looks like go to my site: http://www.PressReleaseSender.com and scroll down toward the bottom. Or look at the picture just above here.

Now imagine you have this on your site and someone comes along and says, “She sounds interesting and sincere, but should I buy her stuff?” Then he sees a few pictures of your friends. That says so much in terms of credibility! Also, it is amazing who knows who. The world is a very small place, especially for people in business.

I also saw another implementation of this on Trip Advisor. Try it yourself. Type in the name of a city you’d like to go to, and you’ll see pictures of your friends who’ve been there. Now try it with hotels, restaurants, well, you get the idea.

It is always nice to get a testimonial, but I think this new Facebook badge will be the new credibility booster that will be as important as testimonials. What do you think?

BTW, if you like me, please “like” me on Facebook so I can get my numbers and my visibility up! Please click this link.

Filed Under: publicity, Social Networking, thought leadership

Speaking Fees: How Can I Be a Highly Paid Speaker?

May 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

Vickie Sullivan, market and brand strategist for experts,  shares her views on how to be a successful, high-paid speaker in today’s economy. Yes, it can be done.

She gave great insights for speakers in this one-hour teleseminar hosted by publicity consultant Dan Janal of www.PRLEADSPLUS.com

“Good news: Meetings are back and attendance is up,” she says. “Bad news: meeting planners have decided that they no longer have to pay speakers. Or have they?”

In this no-holds barred interview, market strategist Vickie Sullivan explores what is really going on in the paid speaking world and more importantly….what to do about it. Get ready to learn:

  • The REAL reason why it’s harder to get paid for speaking.
  • Top trends in how buyers select paid speakers.
  • Three things buyers use to decide if you are worth paying for.
  • Three most important things fee-based speakers have to change.
  • Four things all big-fee speakers have.

Vickie Sullivan is internationally recognized as the top market strategist for experts. Specializing in branding for high-fee markets, she has launched thousands of thought leaders since 1987.  Vickie’s groundbreaking work has earned her an appointment on the Women’s Leadership Board for the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. In that capacity, she presented three times to the student body there on personal branding and prominence. Her market intelligence updates are distributed throughout the U.S. as well as 17 other countries.

Here’s the link to the audio. It’s free. Enjoy!

Among the questions she answered were:

  • First, let’s look at the market from 30,000 feet. What are some of the macro trends that impact paid speakers?
  • Many established speakers are reporting that they are getting fewer engagements at lesser fees. Is the economy the culprit and if so, why aren’t fees going up with the rebound? What’s the real reason why it’s harder to get paid for speaking?
  • How do buyers decide who they are going to pay and who do they insist speak for no or little fee?
  • Given the trends and how buyers think, what do speakers have to change in order to get paid in this new meetings environment?
  • So let’s say that a speaker is stuck. They made some mistakes and can’t raise their fees. Now what? How do they dig themselves out of the hole?
  • A lot of well-paid speakers are celebrities are big time authors. Can speakers who are not famous get paid as well?
  • What is the process for finding these paid opportunities? How do you find the big-fee engagements?
  • Vickie, what’s the common dominator? What do big-fee speakers have in common?
  • Vickie, look in your crystal ball. What are the hot topics that buyers will pay the big bucks for? And…what topics are just a fad?
  • What is the most important thing speakers can do RIGHT NOW to make sure they can raise their fees without gutting the schedule?
Filed Under: book marketing, publicity, speaking, thought leadership

Which Are More Popular E-books or Paperbacks?

April 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

CNN did an unscientific poll Sunday of more than 200,000 people who visited their website and answered the question: Which do you prefer: E-books or paperbacks?

Given this was an online poll; I would have thought e-books would run away with it.

However, paperbacks won by an 80-20 margin!

I have no clue. Most sales reports show that e-book sales are skyrocketing.

In fact, CNN ran a story on the same day saying that e-book sales topped paperbacks for the first time!

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The publishing tide is shifting fast: E-book sales in February topped all other formats, including paperbacks and hardcovers, according to an industry report released this week.
E-book sales totaled $90.3 million in February, up 202% compared to the same month a year earlier, according to a study from the Association of American Publishers. That put e-books at No. 1 “among all categories of trade publishing” that month — the first time e-books have beaten out traditional publishing formats.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/15/technology/ebooks_beat_paperbacks/index.htm?source=cnn_bin&hpt=Sbin

I prefer to hold a hardcover book or a paperback – especially in the tub! But I can see why people like an e-book to read on a plane or an exercycle, especially since you can make the fonts larger.

Why do you think that is?

If you’re interested in writing a book on Kindle, listen to my free webinar with Daniel Hall, which we recorded a few weeks ago. Here’s the link:
http://realfastbook.com/danjkindle.html

Everything you need to know to publish an e-book is in this webinar. Seriously.

Filed Under: book marketing, book publicity, book publishing, publicity, thought leadership Tagged With: ,

Musings on Labor Day

September 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Summer isn’t over on Labor Day. Only the pool lifeguards go away. Otherwise, summer continues until September22. For many of us, September and October are the best months. No humidity or rain. So why do people get depressed on Labor Day and say “Summer is over?” It’s time for a new attitude.

People are yelling at government to create jobs. Isn’t that the role of business? Why aren’t businesses creating jobs by creating new products and services and creating demand for those products?

If you’ve been laid off, downsized or whatever, stop complaining and start your own business. You have nothing to lose. After all, what are the alternatives? Sitting on your butt and collecting unemployment? Offer your skills to people and companies you can help. That’s how every single business ever got started. I started my business after I got fired. That turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me (right up there with getting married and starting PR LEADS). My business has given me the freedom and independence I wanted and I’m sure you crave. So find a business coach like Mark LeBlanc (http://www.smallbusinesssuccess.com) and get started! Don’t know what you want to do? Get help from Dr. Debra Condren http://coaching.ambitionisnotadirtyword.com/

Filed Under: publicity, thought leadership

Do Your Clients Know What You Do?

March 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Most entrepreneurs consider it a lucky day when they make a sale. Even better if the client buys a recurring program, like a subscription to a service, like PRLEADS or a coaching program that meets every month.

But many entrepreneurs don’t realize they might be leaving money on the table.

Growing Your Business

Growing Your Business

“Most of your prospects, even your customers are not aware of all the services and products you have to offer,” says Mark LeBlanc, a small business success coach based in Minneapolis and author of “Growing Your Business” and the soon-to-be released “Never be the Same.”   “They do know about the product they bought, but that’s about all the know. Many small business owners fail to let clients know about all the ways they can be of good service.”

4 Reasons Clients Don’t Know What You Can Do

  1. They are focused on the one product or service they bought from you.
  2. You focused on selling one solution and they bought it. Everyone was focused on that one service.
  3. Talking about multiple products can lead to confusion. The confused mind does not buy. So most entrepreneurs keep the discussion focused on one product or service that the client needs most.
  4. You didn’t tell them that you can do other things.

While it is important to keep the initial sale focused so the prospect makes a buying decision, entrepreneurs should realize this is the start of the relationship, not the end.

3 Reasons Clients Want to Buy More of Your Services

  1. People like to buy from people and companies they trust. Since they are using your products and services, they will trust you. Capitalize on that trust.
  2. Companies like to buy from a single source. It is easier on their bookkeeping systems to have a single-source vendor.
  3. As you get to know the client, you will uncover new ways to help them.

So why don’t entrepreneurs try to sell more services?

Three Reasons Entrepreneurs Don’t Make More Sales

  1. They are afraid of appearing “pushy, greedy or salesy.” These thoughts are all misguided. Think of how you can add value to your clients and you won’t focus on these negative thoughts..
  2. They are lazy. It’s easy to count the money and rest on your laurels, so you don’t tell the clients about new services.
  3. They are afraid of being rejected.

How can you ring up more sales by selling more services to your current clients?

Three Ways to Get the Word Out So You Make More Sales

  1. Tell them. If they don’t know, they can’t buy.
  2. Get over your fears of failure, rejection or being a pest. Instead, tell yourself that you are doing your clients a favor by letting them know about all the good things you can for them and all the great ways they can benefit. An old sales maxim says “the first sale you make is to yourself.” If you believe in your services, you will find it easier to tell your clients.
  3. Practice. The more times you say your message, the easier it will be to communicate with clients.

You can let clients know about your new services by email or by phone calls. You could even do a teleseminar or webinar so you can communicate with many people at one time. If you record the session, you can post it to your website so it can help explain your services.

“It’s a constant educational process to keep your customers aware of your entire menu of programs, products and services,” says LeBlanc.

If you follow these steps, you’ll do more than make more money – you’ll help more people!

Find out about OUR new services at PRLEADSPLUS.com

Publicity thought leader Dan Janal coaches entrepreneurs and small business on how to build profits withlow-cost Internet marketing and publicity tactics via individual and group coaching sessions. For information go to www.PRLEADSPLUS.com

Filed Under: entrepreneurs, General Advice, internet marketing, Marketing, thought leadership

Should your website become an App?

January 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When the iPhone first came along, Apps make were cool tools and gizmos that helped you do things better or faster, or were games that were fun.

Then Apps entered a second phase where media companies created Apps that showed their website’s content in an easier, friendly form that was formatted for the iPhone. Instead of seeing a large website of a newsaper with huge graphics that took a long time to load and scrolled off the narrow width of the screen, you’d see a site better designed for the smaller form factor of the iPhone. Newspapers, magazines and sports sites followed this model.

That brings us to today, when companies are creating their own Apps. But rather than add real value like a gadget or tool, these companies’ Apps are really re-designs of their websites so you can see info and navigate them faster. That’s all to the good. But do you really need an app for your favorite big box store?

I can see the need for Apps for UPS or FEDEX so you can find info faster or complete a transaction faster. But for a big box? Or for a giant corporation? I don’t get it. I don’t think there’s a reason for people to download the App from those companies.

However,  I can understand why they are doing it. If they can place an icon on your iPhone, then they own a piece of valuable real estate. And they own a share of your mind. If you keep on seeing (in my case) The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Washington Post and ESPN, then there’s a good chance I’ll look at those sites for news and sports, and less chance that I’ll go to CNN, Fox, or CBSsportline.com.  This makes sense.

I’m sure as the bandwagon moves along, more and more companies will be creating “Apps” which are really redesigned websites. If they can build their brand and add value to their customers, then I’m all for it.

But beware of companies that are going to try to sell you a bill of goods to create an app for your website so you can sell a book or a speech. I don’t see anyone giving up valuable real estate on their iPhones for that.

Filed Under: commentary, thought leadership

Publicity Coach Dan Janal Featured in 69th Book with Extensive Interview on Publicity Thought Leadership

January 19, 2010 By 1 Comment

Minneapolis – January 19, 2010 – Publicity coach Dan Janal was quoted extensively in “Celebrity Leverage” a new book published today by Jordan McAuley . This is the 69th book that has featured Dan Janal, who is widely regarded as one of the most highly regarded thought leaders in publicity and the Internet.

“I’ve used Dan Janal’s PR LEADS to generate tons of publicity for myself and my services in Entrepreneur Magazine, Investor’s Business Daily, and more. I love the ability to select the categories I want to receive reporter’s inquiries from — although I usually scan them all because there are so many publicity opportunities I don’t want to miss. I highly recommend Dan Janal’s PR LEADS when you want to get publicity in major media,” said McAuley. The book’s website is: http://www.celebrityleverage.com

The citations range from testimonials, short quotes, lengthy interviews, screen shots of his websites, as well as acknowledgements and thank you’s.

“As a thought leader who has shaped several generations of publicity professionals, marketers and other people who are changing the world with their books, it is a true honor to be quoted in those books,” said Janal. “I’ve also helped several clients outline books, or even get contracts from major publishers, so it is nice to be remembered in the acknowledgements. It is also an honor to be asked to write a testimonial for worthwhile books.”

Janal continues to help authors and thought leaders get publicity by combining coaching, consulting and mentoring into a uniquely helpful one-on-one consultation program.

Paul King, CEO of Hercules Networks said of Dan’s coaching: “You opened doors which I did not know existed, and turned the strange and complicated world of PR into a simple, effective plan. As most brilliant people do, you made a complex process simple. Thank you.”

Dan’s coaching helps people get an outside perspective from an acknowledged expert in the industry. He has helped clients outline chapters for books, think of story angles that reporters will write about, and get clear on their marketing goals.

Janal also operates the PRLEADS.com service that helps authors and small businesses get quoted in top daily newspapers, magazines and leading online websites.

About Dan Janal

With more than 30 years of experience in publicity, Dan Janal is Founder and President of PRLEADS.com which has helped more than 4,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs get publicity in major media to boost their sales and profits. USA TODAY called Dan “a true Internet marketing pioneer.”

Based in suburban Minneapolis, Dan understands publicity as only a former newspaper reporter can. As an award-winning daily newspaper reporter and business news editor, he interviewed President Gerald Ford and First Lady Barbara Bush.  Dan Janal is one of the most respected teachers, visionaries and entrepreneurs in the publicity community. He has written six books about Internet Marketing for John Wiley & Sons, and has been an in-demand, international speaker for nearly 20 years.

Dan was on the PR team that launched AOL and wrote one of the first books about Internet Marketing in 1994. He taught the first Internet Marketing class at Berkeley and also taught Internet Branding classes at Stanford. Corporate clients include IBM, The Reader’s Digest and American Express. He has spoken at conferences for the National Football League, Credit Union Executive Society and many others.

He has created innovative ways for people to get publicity, including the Cool Book of the Day site to help authors get publicity for books; and the Free Publicity Tools.com site to help entrepreneurs find resources to help promote their businesses.

For information about hiring Dan to speak at conferences, go to www.janal.com

For information on coaching and consulting services, go to www.PublicityLeadstoProfits.com

About  Celebrity Leverage

Celebrity Leverage (Jordan McAuley, Mega Niche Media; January 11, 2010; Paperback Original; $19.95) reveals how to get free and low-cost celebrity endorsements, product placement, celebrity buzz, and more.

Each chapter includes Insider Interviews with today’s top marketing and publicity experts like Joe Vitale of The Secret, Dan Kennedy of The No B.S. Guide to Marketing to the Affluent, Jake Halpern of Fame Junkies, Donna Cutting of The Celebrity Experience, Rick Frishman of Author 101, Yanik Silver of Maverick Business Adventures, Robyn Spizman of The Giftionary and others.

Jordan McAuley’s record spans more than a decade in publicity, marketing, entrepreneurship and events.

Known as the “King of Celebrity Contacts,” his Contact Any Celebrity service is one of the most respected publicity resources in the world, with a blue-chip roster of marketers, publicists, nonprofits and media clients who rely on it to get endorsements, donations, interviews, and more.

Filed Under: book marketing, book publicity, coach, thought leadership

British Advertising Awards 2009 – A Candid Review by Dan Janal, Publicity Thought Leader and Business Coach

December 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The British Advertising Awards are always good for a good laugh. They are a tradition in the Twin Cities. They are shown at the WalkerArtCenter during Christmas holiday season. If you love British humor, then you are in for a fine time..

Usually.

This year was markedly different.

Commercials with animals are always funny (who can resist flying penguins or lip-synching dogs who ride shotgun in cars, or snails with led lights in their antennae to guide the way). However, most of the ads were somber — and long.

For some reason, ads in the US are about 30 seconds long. In Britain, they seem last as long as a documentary. But in reality, they must be 2-3 minutes apiece.

For most of the ads, you couldn’t tell what they were selling until the very end. That might be a good way to build excitement, it was rally hard to see the connection between the ad and the product. Sort of like watching Annie on Broadway and then seeing banner saying “Delta Airlines.” It didn’t connect in many cases.

There was a cute ad of a guy going through a water park ride that went all around London — inside buildings, around buildings. It was interesting from a dramatic point of view, but who would have known the ad was for a credit card company?

Then there were the majority of ads that seemed to focus on the darker site of Britain.

For example:

A long commercial that sounded like a medical lecture by a doctor to colleagues on how to treat people who have knife wounds. Point of the commercial was to warn that people who carry knives generally injure themselves so they aren’t good for protection. Point made. It took about 5 minutes with lots of graphic pictures of guts and innards and gangrene. They could have done the same job in less time. I guess air time in London costs much less than in New York.

Another sign of the times was an ad that show a white man’s bald head. A hand then started to write on it. The writing was in black marker in scripts from different languages. Couldn’t read a word since I’m not multi-lingual, but a message flashed on the screen as his white face became darkened by the markers. The message said something along the lines that Britain’s white working class is being obscured. I guess they don’t like diversity in Britain. Or this advertising sponsor didn’t. I don’t doubt we’ll see something similar appear in the States, though.

Also shocking were a pair of ads for a clinic to help Britain’s children who are being abused. Very powerful

Same with two award-winning ads that tried to get people to stop drinking, or at least drink responsibly (I’m guessing). Each ad featured a boy or a girl throwing up, tearing their clothes and feeling awful, then walking out the door of their house. The announcer said, “You wouldn’t start out your night this way. Why end it this way?” Pretty powerful. Just not funny.

There were ads that only an art director would love. You can tell British advertising folk, as their American cousins, love to win awards, even if it doesn’t sell the brand very well. One ad showed a bunch of whiz scientists putting Rubik’s cubes in order in seconds, then working as a team to put a giant puzzle together, and then another and then another (I told you these commercials were long). It was fascinating to watch, but I kept wondering who was sponsoring it, or what it was for. I don’t remember, which shows the point of this story. Watch out for art directors who love to create but don’t know how to inform and persuade.

The best ad of the year (their choice, not mine) was for a bread that has been around for generations. The ad shows a young boy in London marching along with soldiers in parade about to go to war, then shows scenes of the London Blitzkrieg, then scenes of destruction with a voice over of Winston Churchill, then modern times. The bread, apparently, has been around during thick and thin. I’m sure this ad pulled at emotional heartstrings in Britain that we Yanks couldn’t quite relate to, but the storyboarding would work in the US with a little tweaking to pull at the heartstrings here.

Nice job.

Filed Under: advertising, thought leadership Tagged With:
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