Dear Friends,

For those of you new to my newsletter I suspended publication for several months due to some major personal upheavals along with the media tour for my book, "Sell Yourself without Selling Your Soul." http://prsecrets.com/store/sywssbook.html. I'm slowly getting back to some semblance of sanity. Thank you for your patience.

This week Genece Hamby interviewed me for her upcoming ebook *The Authentic Schmooze* http://www.genecehamby.com. Though I accepted her invitation to be included, I thought to myself, "I'm no schmooze. I don't have anything to tell her." I didn't worry about it, figured I find something to say, but imagined that we'd spend a VERY short time talking. Little did I know. An hour plus later she had her stories and I had a new concept of myself.

When people tell me they don't want to promote themselves because it feels unauthentic I tell them that the essence of publicity is just about connecting, one on one, with another person interested in what you have to offer. Authentic schmoozing is the same.

After my phone call with Genece I emailed her with several suggestions of other colleagues to interview. She emailed me with the same for my new book, "The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Top TV Talk Shows." (If you have success stories about how you've done it please contact me. See a more detailed note about what I'm looking for below.) That's schmoozing. I love connecting people together, staying behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. It thrills me. Why not connect with someone who you've been meaning to contact, or act on an impulse in the moment? Wishing you smooth schmooozing.

Warmly,
Susan

P.S. If you'd like to arrange to have me do a booksigning/mini-workshop or speak in your area contact: bookingagent@prsecrets.com. I look forward to meeting you!

HOW TO PITCH A PRODUCER IN 20 SECONDS OR LESS

Part of being able to schmooze is knowing when and how to do it correctly. Pitching an idea is a very particular kind of schmooze--one that you need to know how to do successfully even if you hire a publicist. Producers want to hear and read pitches in a certain way.

First and foremost is to be fast, fascinating and to the point.

Publicist Annie Jennings was willing to share some professional pitching techniques that all exceptional publicists use with great success. These come right off of her audio tape series called *Annie Jennings' Crash Course in Publicity* http://www.anniejenningspr.com.

Once you get a producer on the phone, follow Jennings' cardinal rule: "Never ask someone you don't know, 'How are you?'" It may be counter-intuitive, but in this time-scarce business it's actually disrespectful as it's an unnecessary and even intrusive question. Instead say, "I understand you deal in the_________genre and I can talk about__________(your 2-4 line pitch)." Read your prepared pitch in a conversational tone. When they hear that you can be concise and captivating, producers' ears prick up. Instead of ending up in the slush pile of unsolicited packages, you may get invited to send a "requested" media package.

Jennings calls voicemail "pretend work" and insists that you must reach a person directly. There is a technique she uses when time is of the essence when producers need to find people to comment on breaking news items and turn to experts they trust. Find out this closely guarded trade secret in *The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah* at http://prsecrets.com/store/oprah-guide.html.

If producers can't reach experts in their database immediately they begin to search for other insiders who have specific knowledge of the subject at hand. A phone call suggesting someone viable during this kind of time crunch is often welcomed. Be forewarned: you'll need to be able to prove you can comment intelligently and coherently in a few seconds.

This information was adapted from *The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah: Ten Steps to Getting Booked on the World's Top Talk Show.* You can get your FREE excerpt at http://prsecrets.com/store/oprah-guide.html and discover valuable knowledge to help you get on the show today.

SOMERSAULT TO SUCCESS

PR Week is giving an annual award for the Publicity Stunt of the Year.

They'd like to hear about your best stunt. "The most outrageous thing you've ever done for a company or a client to get some publicity. Think less about strategic objectives and more about fun."
http://www.prweekus.com/events/botn.cfm?sub=1528

BECOME A REPORTER OR PRODUCER'S DREAM

Subscribe to Dan Janal's PR leads service.

You'll get reporters' and producers' requests for experts and story leads sent to your email in-box. Go to: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=20994

My clients have gotten tremendous results and so have I. I keep mentioning this service because of its incredible value. These people are all on deadline and need to interview you now. You don't have to do anything pro-actively except respond! I've been called by the BBC, quoted twice in Investor's Business Daily and featured in Woman's Day. You can expect instant results if you follow Dan's instructions about how to give reporters and producers what they want. If you're looking for publicity for yourself, your business, book, product or cause, don't wait!

COME MEET ME

October 10, 2002: Teleseminar (You can call in from anywhere)
How to Get on The Oprah Show!
http://www.speakingofhearts.com/teleseminars.html
7 p.m. EST
$40 which includes a free CD copy of the Teleseminar.

October 16, 2002: San Francisco, California
How to Get Booked on Oprah and Other Top Talk Shows
The Learning Annex
http://www.learningannex.com/default.taf?_
UserReference=7F00000146B78E66F3B6F9A355543D90AEC6
6:30-9:30pm
415.788.5500.
$39/$44

January 28 2003: San Francisco, California
How to Get Booked on Oprah and Other Top Talk Shows
The Learning Annex
http://www.learningannex.com
6:30-9:30pm
415.788.5500.
$39/$44

?March 25 2003: San Francisco, California
How to Get Booked on Oprah and Other Top Talk Shows
The Learning Annex
6:30-9:30pm
http://www.learningannex.com
415.788.5500.
$39/$44

QUOTE

"I didn't do this to become famous. I've become famous because I write songs."

~Elvis Costello