I recently sat down and had the unique opportunity to flip the spotlight on one of the top business writers in my home town. It had taken me over a year of patient follow up to finally get him to say “yes” and I was delighted that he’d let me get into his head. The only condition for our interview was that I not reveal his identity (go figure!) since he wanted to share the no-holds barred, good and bad things he liked and disliked about businesses and non-profits that pitch him with their media releases and story ideas on a non-stop basis.
Now whether you agree with his points or not, this is valuable information and insight from a veteran media pro to keep handy if you’re currently dealing with the press or happen to be at some point in the future.
After two pages of notes and a very interesting 45-minute coffee clutch, I’d like to share with you some of the keen insights from my time with whom I’ll call “Mr. X” and the lessons learned.
Here are his biggest beefs and Top Seven Ways To Quickly End Up on His Blacklist when pitching a potential story or idea for possible media coverage:
1. Be straight with me in an interview and never deceive or argue
2. Don’t substitute your judgment of the news with mine
3. Don’t make the mistake that I’m here to promote your product, service, business or cause
4. Don’t play me against a competing reporter or play favorites
5. Resist overselling a story angle or potential media release to me
6. Don’t ask to read a copy of my article before it’s published
7. Remember, I own the story, not you
While his comments may sound one-sided and heavy handed at first, I want you to go back to a simple rule of economics called supply and demand. Mr. X needs great stories for his customers/readers and he has no shortage of options to pick from. While everyone thinks their story deserves front page coverage, this is often not the case due to circumstances that are often out of your control. Your best shot at success with him is to understand where he comes from and how he likes to be accessed and communicated with. At the end the day, he’s human just like you and me, but he has a lot of influence on what gets covered and what doesn’t.
If you'd like more in-depth strategies to help your organization I highly suggest you request more information on our subscription based print newsletter,A Captured Mind. It also includes a special audio CD on the month interview with top marketer's and agents of positive change. For more information send me an email directly: tony@mindcapturegroup.com.
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( 3 / 296 )A special and timely update for friends of Mind Capture Group. My good friend Mike Harrison, myself and several other Michigan based thought leaders are uniting for a great day of business and mind building strategies to help turn things around in Michigan this Thursday, February 5th, 2009.
Using conference calling and webinar technology, you can attend this without even leaving your office or home.
Here's a very special offer that I encourage you to read and act upon now that involves getting on board for free that was emailed to me and is not a misprint!
Dear Coaching Michigan Presenters:
A gift is NOW available to you via the generosity of our sponsors- BNI of Michigan & Referral Institute of Michigan
Visit them at: www.coachingmichigan.com/sponsors.htm
I'll be leading a session on Mind Capture marketing from 12-1:00PM EST that day and I encourage you to attend as many webinar sessions as possible.
As an instructor I've been given 10 tickets for my clients and contacts for the February 5th CoachingMichigan event. This gift is made by the special generosity of our sponsors.
Since I'm on the road speaking in Minnesota the next few days I ask that you call or email Mike Harrison, creator of this event, directly to register and get more details. He can be reached at mike@centermarkcoaching.com or via phone at 616-935-9917. Please mention to him that you are a friend of Mind Capture Group.
Let’s change some people’s destinies to help them positively turn things around not only here in Michigan but the rest of the world too!
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( 3 / 315 )Hello everyone.
I'm asked all the time about Internet marketing tips, trends and all the new web 2.0 tools such as Google, FaceBook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. and how best to use them in 'Capturing' minds.
I could spend all day on this topic but I wanted to share with a gem or a NEW book being released this Wednesday, January 14th by my friend Corey Perlman that will save you time and answer most of the questions I keep getting. Here's a quick advance review that you should pay close attention to as we start 2009:
In his wonderful new book titled eBoot Camp: Proven Internet Marketing Techniques to Grow Your Business, author Corey Perlman helps us address these questions, but more importantly lays out a simple blueprint on how we can use them in our marketing and promotions to spread our message even more effectively.
When I read the advance manuscript for the book last fall I found myself marking up multiple pages with items that I needed to change and add into my own online marketing efforts. A sure sign of a good book indeed!
Another thing I was shocked while reading was how simple and easy Corey made the whole process of understanding the new web based tools and revealing free resources that I’d never even heard of. This is a very timely and well-written book for non-techies (Finally!) that demystifies and breaks down in simple language, how to improve your online communications.
Here’s a small sampling of what’s covered:
*Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies
*How to create and use a blog
*How to write and submit online articles and press releases
*Website design and usability
*Video, Google Adwords, and more
I highly recommend you get this book and not only read it, but apply the wisdom and simple short cuts and secrets Corey shares in vivid detail. If I had this book a year ago I could have saved not only countless hours, but easily thousands of dollars on my own websites.
To get a truck load of valuable goodies for purchasing Corey's book, keep an eye out for a special email we'll be sending on 1/14/09 to our eletter subscribers to celebrate the new release.
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( 3 / 359 )I dug through the archives and came across a popular article I first penned five years ago on New Year's eve that I still get requests to reprint from businesses and organizations. I've found three key characteristics that most successful people have in common. As we embark on 2009, I think the original points are even more relevant today than when they were first written in 2004.
Here's to a great 2009 and Your Extreme Makeover!
What if you had only one day left to live? What would you do? Who would you call? What would you say to those you love and trust the most? This is quite a heavy way to start 2009, but I encourage you to stay with me now and read on.
I'm often baffled by how unhappy most people seem these days. I use "seem" because far too many people let others or the media dictate their attitude and outlook on life. When you wake up each day, ask yourself this simple yet profound question: what am I thankful for? By asking this you'll quickly develop a habit of building positive energy and productive thoughts.
I'm not Dr. Phil or Oprah by any means, and I'm thankful to be who I am. While these two are wildly successful and living life fully engaged at full throttle, I can't imagine how plain and routine the world would be if we were all exactly like them.
In the business world, where I spend most of my waking hours, I often find the most successful people share three common characteristics from which we can all learn and apply to our everyday lives.
1. They are problem solvers, not complainers.
For every problem they solve, they are aware that new ones can quickly sprout up like weeds. These successful people look at problems as temporary roadblocks that are a natural part of life. The key difference with them is that they ask positive questions to solve the issue at hand. Most people would rather give up, complain or simply turn around and ignore the problem. Winners know this is not a productive or solution-based strategy to employ.
2. They strive to learn and improve themselves each day.
School is never out for the pro. Each day is a new world of people, experiences and knowledge from which to learn and gain perspectives. In life, not everything stays the same; change is the only constant. Stability is a good thing, yet to ignore the changes and new information is to live in a perpetual state of denial.
3. They realize the present moment is valuable and not to be wasted.
Yesterday is in the past, and tomorrow is only a dream. Time is finite and cannot be replaced. Each day they strive to get better, serve others and live life to its fullest.
These three characteristics share an important commonality: the ability to take life one day at a time and treasure the importance of each new sunrise. Planning ahead is necessary, but taking action each day is central to making gradual and long-term positive change a reality.
In closing, I'd like to issue a challenge: imagine that each day could be your last. Again, arise each day by giving thanks and counting your blessings, not your problems. Build momentum to help yourself and those around you. The world has a never-ending need for your skills, talents and leadership abilities. It would be a tragedy to live most of your life regretting the past or endlessly thinking about your future. Spend more of your precious time on today.
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( 3 / 324 )Here are three smart strategies to help you market in challenging times.
1. Focus more marketing dollars and attention on existing clients. Beside referrals, here’s a quick Mind Capture reminder list of zero and low cost strategies you can do to stay in touch with clients and key referral partners:
*Use a monthly newsletter or eletter to keep people updated
*Send a press release to your local media monthly or at least once a quarter
*Update your website with great content to educate and serve clients and prospects
*Host a client appreciation event with key business partners
*Send your top clients a thank you card or note of appreciation for their business
*Partner with a non-profit in your community that needs funding and positive PR
*Have a sale or special event exclusively for your best clients
*Sponsor a chamber of commerce event and invite key clients and prospects to attend as your guest
2. Resist the temptation to cut back on your marketing efforts. Too many businesses let their CPA or the competition scare them into cutting off the oxygen, marketing, within their business. I’m a big advocate for continuously tracking and monitoring what’s working and what’s not in your marketing and making adjustments. I have several clients who are actually doing more marketing now and finding great deals on media.
Having sold advertising for many years I can tell you that most media reps will negotiate great deals and discounts when the economy tightens up. It’s much better to have some revenue versus zero. Remnant space is your friend. Be on the lookout for opportunities when close minded competitors have cut back or are in a play it safe mode.
Another overlooked strategy is to joint venture and share resources with other businesses to lower costs and share customer lists. Too many businesses try to carry the load by themselves and miss out on simple, low cost ways to leverage their time and marketing dollars with fellow business owners who are seeking to get the word out and add more value to their existing clients.
3. Go on the offense and guard your mindset. I was speaking in Seattle a couple months ago to a group of chamber of commerce executives and found that many of them were actually GROWING their memberships. Were they lying, delusional, pulling my leg? No, many of them stated that this is the best time to grow and retain current members on the value the chamber proposition offers when utilized. Amen. Far too many non-profits and even some of their peers are stuck in the “woe is me” mode and have bought into inaction, fear and retreat with their mindset and marketing efforts. This is what I often refer to as hope being a poor marketing strategy. Hope is what’s choking the life out of too many organizations.
Lessons from the best investor in the world
Why does one of the world’s greatest investors, Warren Buffet, go on buying binges when everyone is selling stocks? Simple. He knows that this is the best time to buy, get great deals and go on the offense. This logic is a great lesson for business leaders to model as it relates to growing their customer base and standing out in their industry. While many complain, retreat or “play it safe” the savvy, well positioned marketer goes on the march to grow when the market place is stuck in quick sand or fear.
Happy Holidays and Keep Capturing Minds!
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