Here's a little media/publicity industry "insider" secret for you:
Summer is the absolute BEST time to get publicity–especially if you are a “publicity virgin.”
So, if you’ve been thinking lately about becoming more visible, building a brand and sharing your powerful
If you are not visible, your are invisible.
message with the world, NOW is the time to get in position.
When I did publicity for clients, Summer would be a busy time of year for us. They would get MAJOR media opportunities this time of year that catapulted some of them to a whole new level.
Here are 3 reasons why Summer is such a great season for getting publicity:
1.) Many of the big-name power players and celebrities (who are typically the center of attention) go off to their fancy summer homes for extended vacays starting in June–therefore, they are often unavailable for interviews. This leaves the door open for YOU!
2.) Like anything, newsrooms have a natural “ebb and flow” that typically slows down in summer. Producers and reporters tend to have a little extra time to talk through story ideas and test the waters with newer, lesser-known experts. Again, this opens the door for YOU to leverage the media and get VISIBLE!
3.) Summer usually gives us all permission to deal with “lighter” topics like fashion, personal development, fitness and family life.
So if you’re a coach or expert in one of these fantastic areas, I highly encourage you to take advantage of Summer and get some publicity!
Entrepreneurs, Experts & Executives who want to learn the secrets of marketing directly to your ideal client and getting highly valuable publicity for your business or brand, “super early-bird” registration is now open for those who want to secure their space at the absolute lowest price for a limited time!
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012
TV/Radio Personality Monique Caradine
Hello fellow entrepreneur!
I am thrilled to announce that once again, I’ll be hosting a LIVE, 1-day, exclusive event for a small group of visionary entrepreneurs.
It’s called Monique Caradine’s VISIBILITY Bootcamp (formerly the Media, Marketing & Publicity POWER Workshop). During this private, collaborative, mastermind intensive, I WILL PERSONALLY teach you how to leverage the media and use simple yet effective marketing techniques to GROW your brand and your profits.
I will also share insider media secrets with you that will help you FINALLY get your message in the media ON A REGULAR BASIS.
As you may know, I host a radio & TV talk show and have worked in media for 15+ years.
I’ve featured hundreds of guests — both celebrities AND everyday people — on my shows. Some were good, some extraordinary, others…well, put it like this: they probably won’t be back on the show anytime soon :(
However, with all my years of experience as a host, producer AND media consultant, I have learned the secrets to crafting a media-friendly story AND I’ve been coaching professionals like you on how to do it with excellent results!
LISTEN: Getting great publicity locally and nationally is not as difficult as you might think. It simply requires a plan. That’s why, by the end of this session, you will have a customized blueprint for your business’s marketing and media strategy.
It all happens Saturday, March 17, 2012, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
You’ll learn:
- Industry secrets that the most well-known experts use to get LOTS of consistent VISIBILITY .
- How to make your story absolutely irresistible to the media.
- My signature Publicity Profits Secrets System so you can turn your interviews into revenues.
AND
- I’ll walk you through my 5-Step VISIBILITY Blueprint so you can systemize your publicity and marketing efforts.
You’ll also learn
- How to clearly identify your niche and how to market to them in a way that magnetically draws them to you.
- How to boldly clarify your message so you know exactly what to say to your market.
PLUS
- You’ll get to personally meet some of Chicago’s most influential media personalities and producers.
VISIBILITY is unlike ANY other workshop in Chicago.
This transformational business development event is valued at well over two thousand dollars.
LET ME BE HONEST: THIS BOOTCAMP IS NOT FOR YOU IF:
- You are not clear about your business goals.
- You are afraid to be featured on radio and TV.
- You don’t see the value in creating a media, marketing and publicity strategy for your business.
- You don’t think leveraging the media will help “YOUR” business.
- You don’t have time to invest in your marketing strategy.
- You are an author (our special opportunity exclusively for authors is coming up later this year)
If any of the above areas are an issue for you, PLEASE DON’T REGISTER FOR THIS BOOTCAMP!
I am ONLY looking to partner with people who recognize the value in their message and are ready to stop being the “best kept secret!” I am also looking for entrepreneurs who want to do MORE than just “get by.” If you are ready to SHIFT your mindset AND use the media to deliver your message to your market and emerge as a “rockstar” expert in your field, then please sign up today!
This intense, highly-interactive bootcamp is limited to 10 motivated and visionary entrepreneurs so that I can work closely with you to help you create a strategy that will work effectively for YOUR business.
SO WHAT WILL YOU LEARN AND HOW WILL IT TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS?
***********
During this 1-day LIVE event, my media colleagues and I will personally teach you:
- How to discover your ideal (niche) market - These days it does not pay to have a hap hazzard approach to who you market to. The more specific you are, the more effective you are and the more money you can generate.
- How to create your CORE media message - Once you know your market, you can speak their language and articulate what problems you solve for them. This makes you a “target market magnet.”
- How to build relationships with the media- You will learn unique, creative and affordable ways to speak directly to your audience in a language they’ll understand AND respond to. PLUS: we’ll have our MEDIA POWER TALK with some of Chicago’s most noted media professionals. They are producers, on-air talents and decision makers who will tell you exactly what kinds of stories they are looking for and how you can get your noticed.
- How to position yourself as a media expert - TV & radio shows are ALWAYS looking for well-spoken experts on everything from food, to diet, to relationships, to politics, to business and more. I’ll show you EXACTLY how to put on your expert hat and it doesn’t require a billion advanced degrees!
- How to pitch the media effectively and become a “media magnet” - I’ll show you a proven and time-tested strategy for getting lots of great media opportunities on a regular basis. It takes 4 easy steps and ANYONE can do it.
- How to drive potential clients to your business by leveraging your media appearances – Any media appearance you get validates your credibility in your field. I’ll show EXACTLY you how to leverage your media appearances to drive interested prospects to your door.
AND DON’T FORGET, YOU’LL ALSO:
-Meet my “Media POWER Panel.” These are veteran hosts, reporters, producers and other media decision makers. They’ll tell you EXACTLY how to play BIG in the media marketplace and how to avoid common mistakes. If you’re brave, you can even practice your pitch and get instant feedback from the pros.
Again, my goal is to provide as much, one-on-one attention as possible. Only small number of serious-minded business people will be accepted into this course. That’s because I want you to walk away knowing EXACTLY what your message is and how you can leverage it to BECOME A MEDIA MAGNET. I also want you to leave with a clear, easy-to-execute media, publicity and marketing success roadmap IN HAND that you can begin using immediately.
There is absolutely no other event like this in Chicago where 10 entrepreneurs will get this kind of hands-on media, marketing and VISIBILITY mentoring from working media professionals–all valued at more than two-thousand dollars.
This LIVE event will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center in South Suburban Tinley Park Illinois. Located just steps away from the Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel and 30-minutes from downtown Chicago, this convenient location offers easy access, free parking and plenty of great nearby restaurants.
WHEN YOU REGISTER, YOU GET LOTS OF GREAT BONUSES TOO!
By participating in this event, YOU will receive:
- A beautiful 3-ring binder to keep all your course handouts organized and easily accessible
E-book
- A copy of my Publicity POWER e-book, filled with templates and other resources you can use to get publicity
- An invitation to a Q&A follow-up & MASTERMIND session with me to answer any questions you have once the bootcamp is over.
PLUS: You’ll have the chance to network with other visionary entrepreneurs who are ready to to get out of obscurity and position themselves as experts so they can get known NOW!
I have had the pleasure of coaching and training people from around the world. Here’s what some of them have to say:
“I’ve learned more from Monique in one workshop than I learned in 2 years in other programs.”
-Bahiyah Shabazz, Fabulous & Money Savvy Coach
After completing the VISIBILITY Bootcamp, I felt very confident in reaching my goals in my new career. I obtained skills that helped me use the media to gain exposure for my projects. I attribute my success to the knowledge and foundation that Monique’s Bootcamp provided. I STRONGLY encourage any individual who needs to learn how to use the media to brand themselves to attend this awesome Bootcamp. I guarantee that you will see IMMEDIATE results and success!
- Kathleen Owens
I must say that your information has encouraged me greatly. I have more confidence now because of your info and I look forward to my next interview. Thank you so much!
-Marcus Boston, Author
“Always well poised and well spoken, Monique is an excellent communications coach. If you are looking to raise your professional profile in your industry, or are being called upon to represent your company at conferences and in the media, Monique is the communications coach you want.”
“Monique is amazing at what she does and is top notch!
-Saideh Browne, President Platinum Speakers Bureau
My Personal Guarantee:
I look forward to having you join the ranks of entrepreneurs, executives and experts whom I have equipped to take on the media with confidence and boldness! As a seasoned media professional, I teach from EXPERIENCE, not theory. I know what works and I am ready to share these insider secrets with YOU.
If you invest the time to apply the strategies that I share and you DO NOT feel more confident about targeting your market and taking your message with the media, simply return all the materials from this bootcamp and you can receive a full refund–NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
This LIVE event will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center in South Suburban Tinley Park Illinois. Located just 30-minutes from downtown Chicago, this convenient location offers easy access, free parking and plenty of great nearby restaurants.
YES! Please include me as part of this exclusive group of 10 entrepreneurs. Given that this collaborative mastermind event is valued at more than two-thousand dollars,
I am excited to take advantage of the $699 tuition rate!
My mouth almost hit the floor last week when I talked to one of my favorite clients.
She’s someone I’ve been media coaching for sometime now. She’s brilliant. She’s worked in publicity at some BIG corporate powerhouses but building her own brand was new terrain.
So since she teamed up with me, I’ve taught her my signature strategies for leveraging the media, cultivating an irresistible message and building a powerful brand. I’ve also featured her on my show and helped her book interviews on a couple of other media outlets.
Well anyway, she tells me last week that as a result of her last 4 interviews, 2 of which I helped her get, she’s secured approximately $30,000 in business.
Yes. You read right…30K.
“Are you serious?” I asked.
”Deadly serious,” she said.
Now I’m good at teaching people media but she took it to a whole new level!
”All I did was followed your blueprint,” she said.
She also told me she carries around a binder I gave her which includes my signature 5-step media, marketing & publicity blueprint.
So there are 3 basic things she said she does in every interview:
1.) Develop an action-driven, step-by-step media message to guide the interview. The media love experts who can give practical, step-by-step advice to their audience…especially this time of year.
2.) Share a personal “trial to triumph” story. This helps your audience connect with you. I help my clients identify exactly what that story is. This strategy works like a charm.
3.) Always give the audience an “easy” call to action. Give them a website, an easy toll-free number or instant access to you via email, twitter or whatever so that they can step into your “world” and from there a beautiful relationship can be built.
Now obviously everyone’s results will be different (needless to say, hers were outstanding) and I NEVER promote a cookie-cutter approach or make any specific monetary guarantees about results because every business is unique.
However, what I know for sure is that 99% of people miss opportunities in media interviews and they leave money and valuable relationships on the table because they miss these simple steps.
That’s why I LOVE my new Publicity Profit Secrets program. It’s allowing me to teach people how to capitalize on EVERY media opportunity!
Nevertheless, I was still shocked at this woman’s results based on such easy steps…
“That’s all you do?” I asked again.
“Yes,” she replied. “That’s how you told me to do it!”
Nice. I love that…and what she paid me was a mere fraction of what she received in return!
That’s the power of “purpose-driven” publicity!
Join me for my free training call Publicity Profit Secrets taking place Thursday, February 23, 2012. Get the details here: http://PublicityProfitSecretsCall.com
The health awareness advocacy group known as Sisters Working it Out has invited me back to do a media training session with them. My presentation is entitled “Community Empowerment and Today’s Media: How everyday citizens can strengthen their neighborhoods by leveraging local, national and social media.”
The goal is to give activists easy strategies for leveraging the media. This is one of my favorites!
Last year I had the honor of interviewing R & B great Chaka Khan. From the moment I knew I would be up close and personal with this living legend, I knew I had to bring my A-game. I researched her story and listened to her music in the weeks leading up to interview day. I enlisted the help of two media colleagues to help me compose the right questions.
Then the day finally came. I was so nervous that I didn’t sleep at all the night before! My anxiety had nothing to do with the fact that I was about to interview a music icon. Besides I’ve interviewed big celebrities before.
I was nervous because I knew that it would be my job to bring out the best in her. Since I had never met Chaka personally, I wasn’t sure what her personality was in that setting. Would she be soft-spoken? Cold? Reserved? Talkative? Distracted? Uptight? I had no clue.
We met in private five minutes before the interview took place. I immediately noticed that she had freckles just like me–chaching!! Instant connection. I complimented her on them and we laughed. After I admitted I was a little nervous about the interview, she said, “Girl, please!” She embraced me just like one of my aunts and in that moment, I knew it would be a great conversation.
Even though that was one of Chaka’s first sit down interviews in front of a live audience, she nailed it. She would take my questions and answer them with such honesty and forthrightness it was as if we were all old friends. That interview was like a dream come true!
I don’t know if Chaka Khan ever received any formal media training for this kind of sit down interview but one thing is for sure: She incorporated all the ingredients to deliver a memorable interview. Her strategy, whether intentional or not, can be used by anyone in a media setting. Do this and you will win fans:
1.) Be yourself – Too often people make the mistake of going into what I call “media persona” mode when they go on radio or TV. Suddenly they become this stiff, overly-serious, proper-talking, suit-wearing drone because they think that’s how they have to be on TV. Maybe that was the case 15 years ago but today you have to “keep it real” otherwise, people will tune you out. Be conversational, talk in your normal vernacular and if you’re not a suit person don’t wear a suit!! These days, people want to feel connected, so “do you.”
2.) Tell engaging stories – During my Chaka Khan interview, I asked open-ended questions that lended themselves to answers where she had to go deep. She couldn’t just give me a “yes” or “no!” So she told stories about her life, the drugs, the men, the guilt about leaving her children while she was on the road…the audience was completely enraptured. Now of course, not everyone has stories as great as a world-traveled, globally recognized entertainer like Chaka Khan, but you STILL have a story. What are the stories that capture your trials and triumphs? Or maybe you have stories from clients you’ve helped succeed. Before every media opportunity, jot down 3 – 5 great stories that relate to the interview topic that you can share. EVERYONE loves a great story.
3.) Be transparent – In today’s reality-driven media culture, transparency is a requirement. These days, people can spot a fake person a mile away. So in a media setting, be honest. Talk about your pitfalls if it’s appropriate. Talk about the lessons learned from your personal mistakes. Ms. Chaka did this so brilliantly that people loved her even more once the interview was over. Also, in a media interview setting, don’t feel obligated to have an answer for everything. If the host or reporter asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, simply say “I don’t know that, but I can say this….”
Hopefully you took notes because these are all techniques I teach clients in my executive media training sessions and Chaka Khan used them so effectively. She was not afraid of anything. She was completely honest, open and giving and you should be too if you want to create a memorable interview experience for the audience AND if you want to win loyal fans…
Now, should you sing at the end of your interview? Probably not, but Ms. Chaka Khan did! Check this out:
September is probably one of the most important months of the year for business owners in my opinion. That’s because I learned many years ago when I worked for a small PR firm that THIS is the month that small businesses need to set aside at least ONE day to do strategic planning.
That should include answering the following basic questions:
- What were my revenues last year and how can I increase them by ____%?
- Who were my best clients and how can I get more of them?
- In what areas does my company show the most productivity/profitability?
- What do I love about my business and how can I do more of that?
- What do I hate about my business and how can I eliminate or delegate that?
And of course, one of the MOST important things you must do in your business is create a strategic marketing and publicity plan.
When I did publicity for clients on a regular basis, we would always take time to map out their plan for the upcoming year in September. September is key because once October hits, the holidays are right around the corner. At that point, there’s little time left for strategic planning. Then before you know it it’s the first of the year and you are left without a plan. Not a good feeling.
This is why I lovingly command you to get those plans done NOW!
In order to ensure your success, marketing MUST become a part of your DAILY routine. EVERYDAY, you should be doing things to make people aware of who you are and what you do. ..yes, I said EVERYDAY. (Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on that…)
My next entrepreneurs workshop isn’t until March of 2012 but you can grab my e-Book right now to help you start getting media immediately. In the meantime, start your marketing planning by answering these simple questions:
get uncomfortable
- What are 3 things I can do to step outside my comfort zone and expand my sphere of influence?
- Who is my ideal client?
- Am I speaking to them now through branding and messaging?
- Where do they get their information from?
- How can I leverage social media tools like Twitter, Facebook and Linked in to start reaching them regularly?
- How can I position myself as an expert and pitch myself to the media by tying in to a story currently in the news?
These are just a few of the questions you should be able to answer as you set up your publicity and marketing strategy.
The bottom line is this: If you create a simple plan and stick to it, you can succeed no matter what your goal is. However, you must make sure that marketing and publicity are at the top of your list!!!
Sadly, most companies cut their marketing and publicity budgets when times get tough. Don’t make that mistake!! This is the time to ramp up your marketing and carve out your territory in the media marketplace!
As I mentioned earlier, my next entrepreneurs workshop isn’t until March of 2012 but you can grab my e-Book right now to help you get your media plan in place so that next year will be YOUR year!
Some people don’t bother with trying to get publicity because they think it’s too difficult. They think you have to have a PR degree or hire an expensive company in order to do it effectively. Or, they think that it’s time consuming. Even worse, some think it’s a complete waste of time.
The truth is, getting publicity can be fairly easy if you have a plan. Just like a GPS system, a good plan will get you where you want to go quickly and easily. If the plan (or GPS system) is effective, you can use it over and over again and it will always help you reach your desired destination.
So here are a few questions to consider as you plan to leverage the media to get publicity for your business or brand:
The "Hair Doctor" Mikal Clay on Perspective
1.) Do I have a memorable and identifiable brand? Image and perception are extremely important when building a loyal base of followers, customers, clients or whatever you want to call the people who support you and look to you for solutions to their problems. You should also be leveraging that brand to get publicity. For instance, I did a show recently on how to maintain healthy natural hair. I recalled receiving something from a guy who brands himself as “The Hair Doctor.” I looked him up. He was easy to find. He was media savvy. Within a week he was a guest on my show.
2.) Do I have a strong core message? The concept behind this is simple: who is your audience and what is it that you want to say to them? If you can narrow this down into no more than 2 concise sentences then you are well on your way to getting great publicity AND being able to market effectively.
3.) Am I willing to boldly take a stand on issues and trends or drive the conversation in new directions based on my expertise? This is a very competitive and fast-paced media marketplace. Producers, writers and hosts are looking for people who can drive home an idea with passion and conviction. Wishy-washy, mamby-pamby, hemmers and hawers need not apply. If your topic is a hot one, you must come across as authoritative, knowledgeable and committed to your point of view. Don’t back down, stick to your guns NO MATTER WHAT. This approach makes for good talk radio or TV!
4.) Do I know how to build long term relationships with key people in the media? Wouldn’t you love to be the media’s ”go-to” person in your industry? For instance, if you are a financial advisor, wouldn’t it be nice if your local station always called you when they do a segment on money? I share simple tips with my clients on how to do exactly that. It’s easier than you think! Before you know it, you could become a regular contributor on of the top media outlets.
5.) Would I be ready to deliver a great interview if a reporter called me today? Producers and reporters love guests or interviewees who know how to be concise, compelling and succinct during interviews. This means understanding how to speak in soundbites AND knowing how to chunk your message down into “bite-sized” pieces. Master this art and again, you could become a media darling.
6.) Do I know how to make my media exposure translate into business? You could be getting all the publicity in the world, but it means NOTHING if you can’t make it translate into business (a.k.a. dollars added to your bottomline)! In the upcoming workshop, I will show participants how to create a sense of urgency during interviews (print and broadcast) so that you can attract people to your business and build an ongoing relationship with them long after your interview!
Now, are you ready to get some publicity? If so, grab your seat for the upcoming Media, Marketing & Publicity Workshop. The 20 entrepreneurs attending this event will delve deeply into these topics and create thier own simple publicity plan. Get the details when you click here.
Each week on my radio and TV shows, I interview guests, authors, pundits, commentators, journalists and sometimes everyday people who are passionate about an issue.
In fact, I get pitched everyday by people who want to be featured. The truth is, while many of them probably have great info or a compelling story, 99% of them will never get featured in the media because they make one of these 5 FATAL mistakes:
Mistake #1 – Relying ONLY on email to pitch your story. Email is a quick easy way to get the word out but don’t be afraid to pick up the phone! This way, if your timing is right, we can talk through your story and how it could fit into my media platform–and yes, I answer my own phone and if I’m not on deadline I love when people pitch me!
Mistake #2 – Not knowing enough about the media outlet you’re pitching. If you’re pitching fashion to a cooking show you are dead in the water! Take some time to see where your message fits and you’ve won half the battle.
Mistake #3 – No follow up. Keep in mind, if you send something to the media, it is YOUR responsibility to follow up. Don’t expect them to remember you or what you sent 3 weeks ago! We get buried in email requests daily, so your commitment to your own message could go a long way toward getting you placed in local and national media.
Mistake #4 – Not being prepared for the media opportunity when we call. A great press release or pitch can only get you so far. If you’re not ready to deliver the goods when I call or are too busy to make time for interviews when they hit, you might as well not seek publicity.
Mistake #5 – Blatantly promoting. Most media outlets today DO NOT want to do a commercial for you!! So if you have a book, product, or event you want to promote then buy advertising! However, if you have an amazing story to tell that can naturally tie back to your book, product or event, then THAT’s what you should pitch.
Learn more about all these things and more at my upcoming media workshop. Have you registered? Several people swiped their seats right away and several more have asked us to reserve seats for them. Exciting!
Only 15 seats are left! Go here for details and use the early bird code.
