==================================
***Fun Facts***
==================================
A rat can last longer without water than a camel.
Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself.
The dot over the letter "i" is called a tittle.
A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top.
A female ferret will die if it goes into heat and cannot find a mate.
A duck's quack doesn't echo. No one knows why.
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( 3 / 387 )Questions and Answers
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Doing interviews with the media can make or break your career!
You need practice. This is in the news more than ever! Just look at people named Barack, John, Joe, and in particular Sarah.
See how they do on their interviews with people like Katie (and others)
You tell me- are they hitting home runs- or are they taking themselves out of the playoffs? (Had to put that in- I am watching my team the METS right now)
You gotta be prepared with every answer- and "You only have one chance to make a first impression"
***Here are some tips to help you with your interviews......***
For interviews with the media, be professional and totally prepared. Don't leave anything to chance. Look your best. Be neat, well groomed, and dress to sell. Even dress for radio and print interviews. Although the audience won't see you, the interviewer will--so make a great impression. Notice how often in print, writers describe the subject and what he or she was wearing or how he or she acted or looked.Prior to TV appearances, watch the show to see how the host and guests dress and conduct themselves. It's usually safe to dress in the same manner as the host. If, after watching, you're still not sure what to wear, ask the producer.
Keep excellent records of everyone's telephone numbers, including the producer's cell phone numbers in case an emergency arises. Know how to check into the reception area at the station because some stations' doors are locked early in the morning or they have tight security and require photo identification.
Also, be aware that when important news breaks, your segment can be postponed or cancelled. Whenever possible, watch or listen to the station on which you will be appearing.
In response to interview questions:
* Answer the question that was asked, even if it doesn't let you state any of your main points. Answer the question directly, but briefly. Then, slide into one of your main points. Try to make a smooth transition by moving gently into the point that fits most closely. If you're too abrupt or reach too far, your response will sound contrived and you will come off as just a promoter. Slide gently by prefacing your remarks with, "That reminds me of a story," "When I was _______," or "I heard about a _______." Sliding is an art that takes subtlety and practice, so work on it in conversations with your friends.
* "Master the art of 'clever segues,'" Barbara De Angelis suggests. "No matter what anyone asks you, say what you want to say. Comment on the question that's asked in one quick sentence, but then move on to the point you want to make. Practice until you learn to move gracefully from the question asked to the answer you want to give. To do so, you must really know your own material so you can quickly decide which point to make."
* If you get stuck and don't know an answer, say, "Thank you, that's an excellent question. But what I want to share with your listeners is . . ." and then go straight to your message. Study politicians; they use this technique all the time. Watch how they deflect questions to always get their messages across, regardless of what they're asked.
* If, as the interview continues, you have not had a chance to address your main points, do so, but don't be rude. Remember that you're there to make your points. So answer the questions you're asked briefly and then state, "But I'd really like to point out that _________" or "I think it's important for you to know (or understand) that _________" and then make your point. Speak directly, calmly, and pleasantly. Never let built-up frustration or anger seep through.
* Keep your answers short and simple. Don't lecture or preach. Simplify complex information because interviewers and audiences tend to wander during long, hard-to-follow explanations. If interviewers want more information, they will ask for it.
* Give your interview for the audience, listener, or reader, not just the host or interviewer. "Ninety percent of the people who interview you are not listening to what you say. They're thinking about the next question, the next interview, lunch, or their own problems," De Angelis points out. So focus on the audience.
* That said, make the host or interviewer look good. Say, "What a great question" or "No one has ever asked me that before." But do it only once or it will seem insincere. Act as if every question is insightful even as you change the subject to stress one of your main points.
* Listen closely so you can respond appropriately and gracefully tie your answers to your main points. If an audience is present, listen, watch, and speak directly to them. Treat the audience as your conversation partner, smile, pay attention to it, and observe its reactions.
* When possible, try to work the title of your book into your answer. For example, Barbara De Angelis will say, "It looks like she was having a 'How Did I Get Here?' moment." However, sometimes the title of your book won't work or it will sound too forced. Also, don't state your title constantly.
* Be yourself. Don't put on airs or try to be someone else. Avoid language, expressions, and gestures that you don't ordinarily use or that the audience might not understand.
* Be polite, respectful, and likable. Laugh at the host's or interviewer's jokes, but not hysterically. Smile and call him or her by name: "Well, yes, Phil" or "Thank you, Jane." Never steal the limelight from the interviewer or host or be pushy. Remember that it's the host or interviewer's show.
* Smile and act as if you're enjoying yourself. Don't paste a big, goofy grin across your face or laugh loudly. Be humble. Wear a pleasant look on your face and don't act like you're going through an inquisition.
______________________
PERMISSION TO REPRINT:
You may reprint any items from "The Author 101 Newsletter" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "Rick Frishman's Author 101 Newsletter"
Subscribe at http://www.author101.com and receive Rick's "Million Dollar Rolodex"
If you like my newsletter, please pass it on to your friends, clients and colleagues. They will be happy you did!
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( 3 / 227 )Happy Sunday. Thank you so much for all of the e mails.
Here is another "Rick Tip".
I will be teaching publicity and publishing at Author101University in 2 1/2 weeks in Atlanta.
I hope to see you there. Mark Victor Hansen, Brendon Burchard, James Malinchek, Robin Spizman, Alex Carroll, Lynn Pierce, David Hancock, Mahesh Grossman, John Willig- and scores of others will be there to teach you.
Rooms are only $159- but rooms and seats are going fast.
http://www.author101university.com
*****
==============================
A note about Tom Antion
==============================
Fabulous Internet marketer and professional speaker Tom Antion
will be hosting his largest and most unique event ever in Los Angeles.
"Fusion" is a mixture of Internet Marketing, Public Speaking and
Timeless success principles all wrapped up in one powerpacked weekend.
I know this guy personally and he's the real deal.
Check out his complimentary preview teleclasses at:
http://snipurl.com/3rvsm
==============================
Introduce Yourself with a Sound Bite
==============================
The short words are best, and the old words are the best of all."
--Winston Churchill
Last week I taught you part 1 of SOUND BITES. Here is part 2. Enjoy-
Most people aren’t accustomed to promoting themselves. So when it’s time to blow their own horns, they don’t know what to say or they tend to over do it. However, in business, with so many competitors vying for the same dollars, you must distinguish yourself from the crowd. The best way to start is with a sound bite.
Guerrilla Intelligence
If you can’t give your sound bite quickly and powerfully, you don’t know your material well enough or have not perfected your delivery. Go back to the drawing board. Rethink it, rewrite it and practice reciting until it feels just right. Then test it on your friends and family to see how well it plays.
Sound Bite Checklist
Be creative, speak like a star, and make your product or service sound groundbreaking. Write a sound bite that captivates media people, showing them your star potential and making them want to move mountains to advance your career. In our celebrity-obsessed society, the media is desperately seeking new faces to stand behind and help launch into fame.
Guerrilla Tactics
Learn from those who have come before you and research recent publicity masters. Study those who constantly receive media attention. Ask yourself, what keeps drawing the media to Donald Trump, Richard Branson, and Martha Stewart? Identify the elements that constantly keep these people in the public eye. Isolate the techniques they use, what they project, and have in common, and which parts of their approaches could work for you. Then weave those pieces into your sound bite.
Before creating your sound bite, ask yourself the following questions:
What’s most interesting or unusual about you and your work? What makes it memorable?
How did you get into this career?
What excites you most about your career?
What are your strengths?
What is special about what you provide to your clients/customers?
How do you satisfy your clients/customers?
What motivates you?
What’s on your drawing board? When do you see these plans being enacted?
What interests people most when they first meet you? What are their first questions?
What about you makes people stop, listen, and say “wow”?
While brainstorming for your sound bite, think about your answers. List the reasons why your product or service is unique and/or unusual and why your target audience can’t do without it. Identify what’s special about your work and come up with the most colorful words to describe it.
How to Write Your Sound Bite
Start by writing whatever comes to mind without worrying about how long it runs. Be honest and truthful, but remain positive. Take your time, this isn’t a race. When you finish your rough draft:
1. Circle every descriptive word that you’ve written.
2. List each circled word on a separate sheet of paper.
3. Question whether the words you selected are the most descriptive and colorful words available. If
not, add or substitute more hard-hitting words.
4. Place the words you’ve listed in the order of their importance.
5. Draft a new sound bite consisting of one or two sentences, using the most important words on
your list.
Read the completed sound bite aloud several times and change whatever sounds awkward. Trust your ear. Although your sound bite should cleverly communicate your message, clarity is paramount. Don’t sacrifice clarity for cleverness.
Recite the sound bite out loud until you believe it and feel comfortable delivering it. When you believe your sound bite, others will too. You’ll also sound more confident and convincing. Read your sound bite to others, get their input and consider making the changes they suggest.
Time how long your revised sound bite runs. If it’s more than thirty seconds, cut it down to 30 seconds or less. After you’ve whittled it to less than thirty seconds, try to cut another ten to fifteen seconds without weakening the message. Don’t memorize your sound bite; instead picture key words and reel them off in order as if you’re descending a ladder. When you know the key points you have to cover, you can state them in different ways, which help your sound bit seem more spontaneous and less rehearsed.
How to Deliver Your Message
Practice your sound bite in front of the mirror, in your car, in the shower. Audio and video tape yourself reciting it. Concentrate on looking sincere, enthusiastic, and confident, but don’t overdo it. Don’t act or be dramatic. Speak conversationally and with sincerity. Don’t be a ham or a clown, be professional. When you deliver your sound bite, imagine that you’re meeting the President or the Pope, or Oprah—and that your business depends on your being booked on her show.
When you give your sound bite, maintain eye contact and smile softly. Not some big, silly grin, but a warm smile that conveys confidence and conviction. Show listeners that you’re happy to deliver your message and that you believe in yourself and your message.
Project that you’re an expert by speaking with authority, excitement, and passion. Your audiences will sense your conviction, feed off it, and want to share their feelings with others. Football immortal Vince Lombardi reportedly said, “If you’re not fired with enthusiasm, you’ll be fired with enthusiasm!”
Remember, your sound bite serves as your verbal calling card. Work it into letters, mailers, announcements, e-mail blasts, brochures, ads, Internet chat rooms, questionnaires, blog introductions, and applications. You want to use your sound bite at every opportunity.
Also, always have lots of printed business cards on hand to distribute when you deliver your sound bite. If you have brochures or other business materials, hand them out liberally. Think of them as emissaries that will spread your message. Repetition reinforces name recognition, brand identity, and it builds confidence.
Guerrilla Tactics
Customize your sound bite for specific audiences and situations. For example, if you’re at an auto dealers’ meeting, sprinkle in terms that relate to that industry like “on all cylinders,” “out of gas,” or “cruise control.” Speaking their language breaks down barriers, lightens the mood, and makes groups feel that you’re targeting them directly. In doing so, you become one of them, at least for the time you’re together.
Have a Backup Plan
Prepare a backup sound bite. Be ready to ditch your standard spiel if it’s inappropriate, if someone else in the group has a strikingly similar pitch, or if your sound bite doesn’t seem to be going over well.
A way to change pace if your pitch is not working as you would like it, is to use prewritten “ad libs.” Add something about the weather, the traffic or your companion’s business. You can throw them in to sound spontaneous—even though you’ve already written them. Your main objective is to get your message across, so if altering your sound bite improves your chances, be sure to go for it.
Always trust your instincts. You’ll quickly learn how and when to alter your sound bite and become adept at making changes based upon your instincts and observations. Work in references to hot news items, scandals, or events that will make your sound bite more relevant and up to date.
Remember
Creating a memorable sound bite will make people take immediate notice. Be sure to practice it until you can recite it naturally and with confidence. Customize your sound bite for special occasions and vary your pitch so that it seems to be spontaneous. And always deliver your message with authority, excitement, and passion.
See you in Atlanta on Oct 1 and 2 ( We have 2 and 1/2 weeks to go-sign up now)
http://www.author101university.com
Let me know if I can help you and e mail me with your comments and thoughts.
______________________
PERMISSION TO REPRINT:
You may reprint any items from "The Author 101 Newsletter" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "Rick Frishman's Author 101 Newsletter"
Subscribe at http://www.author101.com and receive Rick's "Million Dollar Rolodex"
If you like my newsletter, please pass it on to your friends, clients and colleagues.
Have a great week!
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( 3.4 / 677 )Happy Sunday. Thank you so much for all of the e mails.
Here is another "Rick Tip".
I will be teaching publicity and publishing at Author101University in 2 1/2 weeks in Atlanta.
I hope to see you there. Mark Victor Hansen, Brendon Burchard, James Malinchek, Robin Spizman, Alex Carroll, Lynn Pierce, David Hancock, Mahesh Grossman, John Willig- and scores of others will be there to teach you.
Rooms are only $159- but rooms and seats are going fast.
http://www.author101university.com
*****
_____________________________________
Introduce Yourself with a Sound Bite
______________________________________
The short words are best, and the old words are the best of all."
--Winston Churchill
In our busy world, no one has time for the full story--they want a synopsis, a digest, a capsule that takes only seconds to deliver, is easy to swallow, and resonates in their minds. And it must contain everything they need to know. Since publicity is about getting your message across, brevity is a must. You must create a short introductory message that will cut through the din and draw attention to who you are, what you do, and the benefit it will provide. We call these messages sound bites.
If you want to get your message across, you need a great sound bite that will immediately capture the attention of busy people. When you get an opening to deliver your sound bite, you better make it good! You must deliver your sound bite quickly, clearly, and compellingly. The more briefly you say it, the better it is.
The media is especially impatient and wants information fast. When you watch TV or listen to the radio, notice how quickly everything moves. Most news stories are delivered in ten seconds or less and most TV segments run for three minutes. Since the media moves so fast, you must deliver information to them fast.
Create a sound bite. Make sure it includes your name, the product or service you provide, and how it will help your consumer. Create your sound bite in two stages: first, create a message that you can deliver in less than thirty seconds; then cut it down to ten or fifteen seconds for the media. Radio news segments come in ten-second increments so "if you can't express what you want and why it's newsworthy in ten seconds, you're off the phone," advised a news director for a major NBC affiliate.
The purpose of a sound bite is to turn listeners on; it's a verbal business card that you can deliver when you're introduced to new people. It's your "elevator speech": a snappy, self-description that you can rattle off in the time it takes an elevator to rise from the lobby to the fifth floor.
As theatrical empresario David Belasco said, "If you can't write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don't have a clear idea." A sound bite is the foundation on which to build a forceful and memorable public persona. It's the first impression you make, an attention-grabbing device that will get you and your message noticed and remembered. Think of it as an investment with an immediate return because every time you use it, someone considers paying you.
Writing a sound bite forces you to sharpen your focus and examine your approach. It also makes you identify your audiences, clarifying who you are addressing and what you hope to receive from them. When you narrow these fields, it's much easier to promote yourself.
The ABCs of Sound Bites
Your sound bite must be a grabber--a memorable message that makes listeners want to buy your products, champion your causes, and fight your wars. If it's short and gets their attention, it buys you more time to sell. Your sound bite must be:
INTERESTING enough to attract immediate ATTENTION,
POWERFUL enough to be REMEMBERED, and
CONVINCING enough to stir overloaded listeners into ACTION.
Examples of a variety of effective sound bites are the following:
"I used to weigh over 300 pounds. Now, I'm a size 8. I can teach you how to lose weight and keep it off."
--Diet book author
"My name is ________. My free tips on _______.com make investors rich from Internet stocks."
--Investment broker
"I teach people to look rich, even if they aren't."
--Fashion advisor
"I'm a ghost writer. I turn your experiences, adventures, and ideas into bestselling books."
--Freelance writer
"My name is _________. I free folks from financial worry. Give me a call at _________ and I'll do the same for you."
--Financial consultant
More on sound bites next week-
*******
See you in Atlanta on Oct 1 and 2 ( We have 2 and 1/2 weeks to go-sign up now)
http://www.author101university.com
Let me know if I can help you and e mail me with your comments and thoughts.
______________________
PERMISSION TO REPRINT:
You may reprint any items from "The Author 101 Newsletter" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "Rick Frishman's Author 101 Newsletter"
Subscribe at http://www.author101.com and receive Rick's "Million Dollar Rolodex"
If you like my newsletter, please pass it on to your friends, clients and colleagues.
Have a great week!
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( 2.9 / 102 )I will be teaching about media and publishing at AUTHOR101UNIVERSITY on October 1 and 2 in Atlanta.
Join Mark Victor Hansen (our MC) and 10 other speakers.
This seminar will only fit 100 people and we are filling up fast! Rooms are at an amazing $159. But you have to book soon or they will be gone.
http://www.author101university.com
*******************************
Fifteen Things the Media Loves--
"Reporters are like alligators. You don't have to love them, you don't necessarily have to like them. But you do have to feed them."
--Anonymous
What The Media Loves
1. News
Above all else, the media wants newsworthy items. The first thing they ask is, "Will our audience care about this?" News is what affects people's lives, what they discuss at the dinner table and around the water cooler. For the media, news is not just about delivering information; it's about entertaining first and educating or selling second. So, provide your information in an entertaining fashion.
2. The Big Three: Sex, Money, and Health Stories that involve sex, money, or health attract attention. The media believes that the public is obsessed with sex, money, and health, and if you link your story to one or more of them, it will increase its media appeal.
3. Brevity
Save everyone time and effort by sending short, concise messages, preferably by e-mail. Cut to the chase--be direct and without subterfuge. State what you're pitching and how it will help the intended audience. Long missives often go unread.
Warning
Faxes can be unreliable. Some newsrooms, stations, and offices have only one fax machine, or one per floor, and it may be operated by an intern or a clerk. In large organizations, faxes are often undelivered or delivered to the wrong person. If you send a fax, follow up with an e-mail to be sure it is received.
4. Targeted Pitches
Every story isn't for every outlet. Research the audience you wish to reach and identify which outlets best target that audience. Before making your pitch, study each media outlet: read its articles, watch and listen to its programs, and visit its Web sites. Customize your pitch to stress how it will benefit each outlet's specific audience. Send business stories to business reporters, not to lifestyle reporters, unless the story has a lifestyle angle.
5. Relationships
Media people like to deal with people who build relationships rather than merely try to sell a story. Although individual stories are important, people in the media know that careers are built by forging strong relationships. To the media, professionals build relationships and they prefer to work with professionals in their network rather than one-shot wonders.
6. Preparation
Do your homework. The media likes to work with people who have their acts together and can deliver what is needed. Focus on making the media's job easier. Know your subject inside and out and have written materials completed and on hand to send upon request. With products, send three copies of the product to the media. Being prepared shows commitment and that you're a dedicated professional.
7. Broad Appeal
The story behind your product or service should be able to reach a wide variety of individuals. You want something that makes audiences say, "I know someone who could use that." The media looks for stories that people will identify with. Search for broad themes that deliver some punch.
8. Tie-ins
The media wants stories that feed into larger items such as breaking news or trends. It looks for topics that will spawn families of stories. For example, during mining disasters they go for stories about safety, corporate greed, the closeness and tradition of mining communities, handling grief, treating trauma, technical and scientific advances, and the environment.
9. Experience
Reporters, editors, and bloggers like to see how others have covered your story; send articles that others have written about you or your product or service. Producers and podcasters want to know how you came off on camera or radio; give them a list of shows you've appeared on and offer to supply tapes for their review.
10. Visualization
The media loves stories that they can picture. In your written materials, use visual terms to create images and tell stories that illustrate your main points. The better the media can visualize your story, the better it can visualize its audience visualizing your story.
11. Celebrity Connections
Explain how your product or service is linked to well-known personalities. The public craves information about celebrities and products related to them get plenty of ink.
12. Prompt Response
Since the media works tight deadlines, time is always of the essence. Respond promptly to requests. Send requested material by the fastest route: hand delivery or overnight express. Delays can cause postponements or cancellations. You're always in a race with the clock.
13. Courtesy
Be respectful to everyone you come in contact with, especially those who answer the phones. Before speaking with media contacts, learn the proper pronunciation of their names. Butchering a media contact's name will get you off to a rocky start; it will put you in a hole before you begin.
14. Visual Aids
A picture is worth 10,000 words. Send charts, graphs, photographs, illustrations, and other graphic aids that reporters can stick under their editors' noses to show why your story merits telling.
15. Send Warnings
Before sending unsolicited material, you should notify your media contacts that it is coming with a quick call or e-mail. If they tell you not to send it, respect their wishes.
***************
See you in Atlanta on Oct 1 and 2
http://www.author101university.com
Let me know if I can help you and e mail me with your comments and thoughts.
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