Leverage Your Time When Getting Publicity! Three Important Steps For Maximum Impact
by Russell Trahan, President of PR/PR
Many times I speak to potential clients who think “Oh, I know I’ll be rich and famous if only I can get into ‘X’ magazine or newspaper!”
Remembering up front that it takes more than being a one-hit-wonder to be a successful speaker, consultant, and/or non-fiction author, let’s take a look at how you should go about getting yourself into ‘X’ magazine.
First off, read the magazine.
Do you know their writing style? Do you know the type of articles they write about? Do they like lengthy articles with sidebars or sound bites with graphics? By familiarizing yourself with the publication, and not just a single issue but several months’ worth, you’ll be in a better position to speak to their readers’ needs.
When you know the publication, get to know its writers.
Are they staff writers and reporters? Are there regular columnists? Do they use mostly freelancers? Once you find writers whose readers you think would benefit from your expertise, follow them on social media. Comment on the stories they’ve written. Don’t stalk them; don’t over-share; don’t tell them how great you are. Build a relationship.
Now you’re ready to pitch your story idea.
Using the information above, customize the pitch. A business story to Entrepreneur would have a different slant to it than one to Fast Company. A woman’s article idea to Ladies Home Journal would have a different slant than one to Cosmopolitan. Use the WIIFM (“What’s in it for me?”) method, substituting the ‘me’ with ‘their readers.’ Pitch the story first and yourself second. Use your expertise to back up—not lead the way—to your unique and/or controversial article idea.
Russell Trahan, PR Expert & President of PR/PR
Ask yourself: do I have the time, energy, or interest it takes to do the research, build the relationships, and then make multiple pitches of multiple story ideas to multiple writers? If not, don’t give up! Just call PR/PR Public Relations for a complimentary consultation on how we might help you meet your publicity goals.
Russell Trahan has more than 25 years in the public relations field. He started his career working with Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Associations coordinating their marketing, public relations, and event management. Gathering experience at a top 10 market radio station, Russell then returned to the non-profit sector. After a tenure with the Walt Disney Company, he joined PR/PR. Russell was educated at a liberal-arts college in Southern Oregon and attended the Institute for Organizational Management at Stanford University.
Thank you, Russell!
If you want to become a great speaker easily, conveniently, and quickly, FrippVT can help. Take a complimentary test drive of this interactive, web-based platform and enjoy three free chapters on Stories, Openings, and Sales: Take your trial!
“For the past eight years, you have helped me design, script, and deliver all my important presentations. Every year the Blue Diamond Growers meeting is very important. At these events with your speech coaching help my speeches get better. This year, I had growers tell me it was the best President’s speech ever given at Blue Diamond! There were dozens of comments saying my speech was a great balance of humor and information. Thank you for making it great!”
– Mark Jansen, President, Blue Diamond Growers
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote SpeakerPatricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
Robert Fripp Rehearsing with Andy Summers – from the BBC Documentary on Robert Fripp
My brother, Robert Fripp, is the subject of a fascinating BBC documentary. Though he wouldn’t describe himself this way – he is truly a legendary guitarist and included on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with Robert Fripp?
Are you curious about what he really thinks of life as a musician, the steps to take to go from beginner to mastery, and the responsibility of a musician and the audience for the quality of a musical performance?
Would you like to hear him tell his stories about having Jimi Hendrix say, “Shake my left hand, man; it’s closer to my heart.”?
Patricia Fripp, explains how to prepare a powerful and persuasive sales presentation through Fripp Virtual Training.
Salespeoplehave an awesome responsibility. Whenever they open their mouths, they are putting themselves and their entire organization on the line – taking a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome.
Even the best, most experienced salespersons can benefit from the coaching and polishing of an expert coach and trainer. Here are the 12 most common mistakes that my sales clients are making at the beginning of our coaching sessions. By the time we’re through, they’ve learned how to avoid them.
While you may already be familiar with my brother, Robert Fripp, the world-renowned guitarist and a founding member of the band, King Crimson… you might not know that he is a profound and powerful speaker. Robert lives in the UK and it is always a treat (for us and for our audience!) when we get the chance to present together. Enjoy this brief biographical sketch of my remarkable brother:
What if every time you spoke in public you were powerfully persuasive and a resounding success? Most people realize the advantages of being an excellent speaker, but are unsure of how to get there. Here are ten ways you to guarantee major improvements every time you stand up and speak. If your goal is to transform your presentation skills, opt for the following:
Patricia Fripp Speaking with Her Brother, Legendary Guitarist, Robert Fripp
Hall of Fame Speaker, in-demand speech coach, and former hairstylist, Patricia Fripp learns a valuable principle from her brother, King Crimson guitarist, Robert Fripp…
What Do Cutting Hair And Writing A Speech Have in Common?
One day, after I had retired as a hairstylist, I was cutting my brother’s hair, and he said, “Sister, you really are the best hairstylist I’ve ever had. You’re probably one of the best hairstylists in the world.” I said, “Well, I don’t know about that, but when I was teaching people to cut hair, I told them, ‘It doesn’t matter if you’ve had 20 years of experience, you still have to show me that you can cut the basic haircut. You take the first cut, the guideline, and you match; you balance the whole haircut around the guide. Then you do the lining and the edgings, and then you add the magic. You run your fingers through the client’s hair, and it will talk to you and tell you how to personalize it for that haircut.’”
“The way I taught stylists to cut hair is exactly the way I teach people to create a speech. Your first cut is your premise, your central theme.
Are you agonizing over an upcoming presentation? Having trouble organizing your thoughts? Whether you are a novice preparing your very first speech, or a skilled presenter trying to develop your insights into a powerful new program, strong structure always underlies a successful presentation. In this short video, my friend and fellow presentation skills expert, Darren LaCroix, shares his tips to help you create an outline for your speech. Darren and I team up for the Lady & the Champs Speakers’ Conference. Enjoy Darren’s helpful approach to outlining your presentation:
Executive Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp explains how to open your speech through Fripp Virtual Training.
I was sitting across the desk from the brilliant president of a $2 billion software company…and I was about to tell him, “Sir, at this point, your speech is getting boring.” This was a problem, because as I often say, “An audience will forgive you for anything except being boring.”
Now step back, and let’s put this conversation into context. I was working with the person in charge of a national sales conference for that software company, which had just acquired one of its major competitors. They’d also nearly doubled their sales staff, to about 1,500 total. The future was bright and the strategy was strong. The president was described to me as an engineer, very intelligent, and a little shy.
Most sales professionals begin their sales presentations by thanking their audience for the time and talking about themselves and their firm. If that’s your approach, stop.
If you want to capture the attention of your prospect
“I recommend every sales present
start by saying something nice about the audience, says sales presentation expert Patricia Fripp. That doesn’t mean complimenting someone on their tie or the painting hanging on the wall. Say something good about their business.ation start with ‘Congratulations.’ And then mention some aspect of their business that they are very proud of,” says Fripp who is presenting a webinar Dec. 16 titled “How to Give Your Sales Presentations a Competitive Edge.”
Some examples:
“Congratulations. Your last advertising campaign—spectacular.”
“Congratulations. Your stock price has just gone up two points when your major competitors’ has gone down. Your strategy is obviously working.”
Or it can be as simple as this: “Congratulations. Everybody I met on my way to the meeting smiled, engaged, and welcomed me. Obviously your core values are working.”
Even if you have to introduce yourself, say something of interest to your audience first, Fripp says. After you say something nice, then say something like this: “In case we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, I’m Patricia Fripp. And in my role as your account rep for…”
As you introduce yourself, use words that indicate you already belong to them—that the job is yours, she says. So, you might say, “In my role as your representative…” or “As your consultant…”
“You’re already talking about how you belong to them when you’re still trying to get the business,” Fripp says. “It’s psychological. There’s a feeling, and it’s my belief people are going to treat you a little better—even if they don’t know it.”
Listen as Fripp discusses:
3 mistakes people often make when giving sales presentations
What to do differently in a sales presentation vs. a presentation to your company’s executives
Why you need to be flexible when giving presentations
The one thing all great presenters do
FrippVT gives you 24/7 access to one of the most in-demand executive speech coaches and sales presentation experts, is immediately engaging, and makes it fun to learn. If you are a novice presenter or a seasoned professional, you will find the content both practical and relevant.
Sign up for your complimentary seven-day trial and discover how Fripp VT can transform you and your team. Fripp VT delivers comprehensive presentation and sales presentations skills training at your convenience with built in accountability: http://frippvt.com
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote SpeakerPatricia Fripp is hired by individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
Scott Pace, Author of “Cold Calling Mastery: Lessons from Selling on Wall Street”
If you are a financial advisor with the goal of developing your business, you must realize the importance of good communication skills. We invite you to Make 2015 Your Best Year Ever, a virtual meeting which, we promise, will give you ideas, techniques, and specific language to improve your one-on-one conversations with prospects and your marketing presentations.
In case you have not met him, Scott Pace is the founder of Advisor Growth and one of the most sought-after business development experts and coaches in the financial services industry. His financial services industry clients will tell you, “Scott helped our advisors implement growth strategies that result in triple-digit percentage increases while enhancing the quality of our lives.”
On Thursday, December 18th at Noon Eastern, I am joining forces with Scott. Perhaps you have read his book, Cold Calling Mastery: Lessons from Selling on Wall Street?
Clicking the RSS link below will provide you with raw XML data of our content. If you do not have a compatible reader installed, you will see XML code in your browser.
How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World…and More
Receive free, on-going Fripp webinar invitations, sales and presentation skills information, and special discounts from Executive Speech Coach, Sales Presentation Trainer, and Professional Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE. As an added bonus, sign up now and receive a free copy of Patricia Fripp’s How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoPrivacy policy
You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button.Revoke consent