Make a daily, weekly or monthly publicity plan. Aristotle said, *excellence is not an act but a habit.* Do one thing every day to increase your publicity. If you're not a daily kind of person, do a batch of things weekly or monthly. The important thing here is to be consistent.
If you do something daily the habit becomes ingrained more quickly--and then it's not such a big job. Take the path of least resistance. If you can't pick up the phone, pick up your pen. But before you do anything, mull over what you want for the New Year and set a plan that will attract the kind of press coverage that will bring you the clients, sales, engagements or recognition that you want. Here's what I suggest to get you started.
1. Speak.
Speak about your work, ideas, philosophy. Get the word out in your community. You can begin to speak at schools, rotary clubs, and adult learning centers like the Learning Annex.
2. Post your articles.
I've met some great people with prominent websites who have become affiliates, and invited me to stay in contact with them by submitting more articles to their ezines. Great exposure!
3. Contact the producers and editors you want to write about you.
Submit fresh story ideas via phone, email or snail mail, whichever way is most comfortable for you. The important thing is to do something. And to do it regularly.
4. Subscribe to Dan Janal's PR leads service.
You'll get reporters' requests for experts and story leads sent to your email in-box. Even if a reporter doesn't respond back to you keep his name on file and start your own database so you can pitch ideas to him later. You don't have to do anything pro-actively except respond!
5. Subscribe to the top publications you want to be in.
Study their style, content, tone, and note the writers that cover your beat (field/issue) before you pitch an idea. Start a file with email addresses of the writers you admire. When you send in an idea, compliment them on a recent article they've written to show you're familiar with their body of work.
6. Comment in your professional newsgroups.
Help someone else if you can't do something for yourself. Kind words travel fast.
7. Update your press kit--online and on paper.
What's new in your business? Can you tie into something that's topical today? Get fresh ideas by re- reading (or reading for the first time if you're a new subscriber) all the free articles about publicity, marketing and media coaching on my website.
8. Get Chase's Calendar and find something relevant to publicize every day, week or month of the year.
The Chase's Calendar lists more than 12,000 historical anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, and events. You don't even have to think of an original angle, just tie your event, product or service into an existing day.
9. Promote your ezine regularly.
Find ezines that would be interested in your topic/subject. Keep your ideas circulating.
10. Market your products to mail lists and newsgroups.
This is an indirect, long term and time-intensive, but effective way to promote yourself. Monitor the groups first, answer questions, establish your credibility and make sure your signature file isn't too salesy. People will get to know and trust you over time.
One well known Internet *guru* told me that one of his affiliates has a newsletter subscriber list of over 50,000 members, but only a small percentage of those people buy his products or the products that he recommends.
I think it's much better to establish a loyal customer base slowly than to bulk up a list with people who aren't invested in you and your services. If people like, trust, and respect you they will want to support and continue their relationship with you.
Copyright (c) 2006 by Susan Harrow. All rights reserved.
About the Author: Susan Harrow, PRSecrets.com, is a media coach, marketing strategist, author of *Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul.* Clients include CEOs, authors, entrepreneurs who have appeared on/in Oprah, 60 Minutes, TIME, USA Today, NY Times.
