Embrace Your Spotlight Inspiration Lounge : How many missed media opportunities did you have?

Imagine this.

Maybe you pitched a news angle to a reporter, editor or producer for one of your local or national media outlets or maybe someone recommended you for a media interview. Good so far. The journalist or talent booker then goes to your website, blog and fan page to check your “credibility.”

What do they see, read and feel (emotionally compelling content)?

Do you have a clear cut, authentic personal brand that speaks well to your expertise and how you serve your clients OR does it leave the journalist confused and un-inspired to consider you for their magazine, radio show, newspaper column or TV news show?

Do you have a media page on your site? Do you have logos of media you were featured on? (Something to aspire to)

This is one of many reasons why having a clear, compelling, authentic, BOLD, expert-driven brand is crucial to your success. Please stop settling for an “ok” brand and thinking you can’t afford a branding expert or web designer. It’s costing you your credibility and revenues.

Be known as innovative, savvy, well-spoken, and dignified brand. I encourage you to EMBRACE your spotlight with confidence, savvy and ease.

Media coverage is third-party validation. In my PR days with clients, my main goal was building mass influence and a tribe for my clients online and offline, plus creditability for their expertise and talents. BUT first the brand and target market (audience) had to be built. When your website, fan page, blog, newsletter and articles clearly illustrate who you are (brand), your expertise, and how you serve your market - you then position yourself for potential media interest.

Strategic publicity is a major credibility factor for your success. Once you achieve certain media coverage – publicity breeds publicity –more media opportunities begin to show up. Happens all the time.

Once my new site is launched (coming in a few weeks), I will use my own PR skills to secure media. I encourage you to begin with a re-branding. You are missing opportunities for media coverage by having an unclear, so-so brand.

5 publicity tools to strengthen your brand in the midst of a re-branding process:

1. Strong, clear ongoing blog articles that showcase your expertise. This will demonstrate your genius and knowledge even when it’s obvious your website needs TLC.

2. Create your own TV channel by setting up a YouTube channel and upload expert videos of you answering common challenges of your clients and solutions. Make them no longer than 2-3 min long and include where the viewer can get a hold of you. Invite.

3. Have a “media” page at your current site with a beginning list of radio interviews, telesummits (if you are a coach), guest blog articles. Start building your press page now.

4. Prepare a press kit ready for opportunities while you are building the brand. Include a well written struggle to victory story as your bio, professional photos, expert topic ideas list for media, list of where you have been interviewed even if it’s not a national well recognized media outlet.

5. Have a well written journalistically solid press release that offers a current news angle matched to your expertise. Be sure it’s factual, intriguing, and the opening paragraph captures media attention. Reporters only have time to read your 1^st paragraph. If it doesn’t include the who, what, when, where and why (for their audience), they move on.

I believe in you. Start the journey and up-level your business and life. Take a leap of faith!

Gratitude and Success,