Today's News: Lil Wayne, Carnival Cruises & 19 Kids

I had every intention of not reporting on rappers and reality stars, but when CNN did a segment on Lil Wayne - it left the door wide open for me.  

Here's what's generating buzz around the web and beyond: TMZ practically kills Lil Wayne...twitter reacts. Carnival Cruise should claim bankruptcy - like now. Will you sponsor my uterus?

If you can't see the video CLICK HERE.

Click the links below to read more about the stories featured in this episode:

TMZ Damn Near Killed Weezy

Carnival Cruises Parks Their Boats...at least for the time being

The Duggars Do Asia

Today's News: Sheryl Sandberg - Lean In

I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Damned if you do - damned if you don't". Without putting words into Sheryl Sandberg's mouth, it's probably safe to assume that's how she feels right about now. 

Sandberg is the author of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, and her new book is getting alot of criticism. And because I've been known to raise a few eyebrows myself, I totally agree with her message.

If you can't see the video CLICK HERE.

What are your thoughts on the premise of Sandberg's book?

Today's News: Jodi Arias, Martha Stewart & No CPR

It's no secret that I want to work in media. I used to think I wanted to host my own tv talk show, but with the way shows get cancelled these days - I'm starting to rethink that idea. This doesn't mean I don't want it to happen, it just means that a new media production is probably a better option. 

Since I don't have offers coming at me left and right, I decided to utilize the web - and a webcam - and take matters into my own hands. 

A couple of my blogging buddies have weekly series on their blogs where they share their perspectives on what's going on in the world. I decided to join them. Kita and Whitney - thank you both for the inspiration.

Here ya go. Current events and news you can use. From a blogger's point of view. 

If you can't see the video CLICK HERE. 

How many of these do you think I have to produce on my own before the major networks come calling?!

4 Priceless Lessons from Free Publicity

This past Saturday I had the privilege of appearing on our local NBC station. It was my third time on the live weekend morning show and this time around I gave tips on getting the most out of gift cards.

This past Saturday was also Small Business Saturday. When I originally sent my pitch, it was for a segment featuring affordable accessories as gift-giving ideas. I'd done all the research on trends and colors and everything.

KXAN does a fantastic job of featuring locally owned businesses, so it made perfect sense to start local.

Nobody told me this part: Getting companies to respond to you is damn near impossible. At least that was my experience.

Of the three businesses I reached out to, two never responded and the one owner who did was skeptical about how her company was going to be portrayed. Yes - after specifically stating that I'd like to feature a few of her accessories on an affordable gift-giving tv segment, she still had concerns.

Ok. You can sell me your stuff, but you're questioning me promoting it - on tv?!

All of this may be fairly new to me, but I refuse to beg folks to allow me to give them free publicity.

Much to my surprise, Kohls was the only retailer who returned my phone call and showed interest.

After sharing my frustrations with my contact at the station, she decided the gift card segment would be more timely. When I sent the original pitch - the one for affordable accessories that local business owners didn't respond to - I also included two other pitch ideas. Gift card tips was one of them.

And from this I learned the following:

1. Working with small businesses and solo-entrepreneurs doesn't always equal less red tape. Sometimes egos can take the place of stringent corporate policies and procedures.
2. This was very stressful in the beginning, but I enjoyed it.
3. When you present Plan A, it's a good idea to throw Plans B&C in the mix...just in case.
4. Once you realize you've mistaken a transaction for a real relationship, accept it and keep it moving.

Lessons, experiences, challenges or whatever you want to call them are around us all the time. These snafus shape our journey. And thanks to something I read on @AnOptimisticMom's blog, I know this one was right on time.

3 Media Lessons from an Almost Famous Blogger

After pitching interviewing tips for the unemployed, I was invited a couple of weeks ago to be a guest again on KXAN's weekend news.

I think I was more nervous this time than I was the first time around. In case you didn't know: there are no do-overs on live tv!

Weekend anchor, Catenya McHenry, does a good job of making me feel relaxed and I love her conversational interviewing style.

While I'm totally ecstatic about this whole experience, I want to share with you how it all came about - from the beginning. If media exposure isn't your bag of chips, pass this along to someone else who may benefit from it. 

LESSON #1: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

If you follow me on twitter, you know I often tweet about people I've connected with online and then have either developed an offline relationship or nurtured our online connection to the point where it feels like we really know each other. There's a huge difference between meeting someone for coffee because you think they're a good prospect versus genuinely getting to know someone and then allowing the relationship to evolve organically.

I met me and The Boy's barber through my hairstylist. He relocated to Austin after Hurricane Katrina and KXAN interviewed him last year when they did a story on New Orleans natives who were rebuilding their lives. Meteorologist Rhonda Lee is one of his clients. I asked to be introduced to her. Rhonda told my barber to pass her contact info on to me and I reached out to her with a story idea. At the time, Rhonda didn't know Thomas, the owner of Kick Butt Coffee, but ended up meeting him at a local event prior to us going on the show. 

Are you keeping up with the relationship thread so far?!

After my first time as a guest, I introduced the producer to Linda D. Wilson. Well, what had happened was I gave all three ladies a gift made by Linda. Note: I bought the gifts with my money - she didn't sponsor me. You can see Linda's appearance here. I met Linda a couple of years ago when she attended one of my workshops.

LESSON #2: DON'T BE A JACKASS

All of this takes time. And patience. If you don't have either one, none of what I tell you will work. 

Following-up is tricky. You have to be on the radar just enough to let the producers know you're interested, but not to the point where you start to get on their nerves. Instead of trying to come up with a routine check-in (ie: once a week, every two weeks, etc.), just focus on reaching out to the media when you have a timely, newsworthy story idea. Never once have I ever emailed an outlet asking if they got my email. If it didn't come back undeliverable - assume they got it and move on.

Don't ask when they'd like to have you back. Listen to the feedback and depending on what you're told, use it as an opportunity to create an invitation for yourself. That's what I did. After my first appearance, the producer came out and congratulated us on a good segment. Even the camera man chimed in as to how well it went. The producer then told me she'd be in touch to have me come back on. She also mentioned it would be after the SXSW festival - a busy time for local media here in Austin.

I sent a follow-up note a few weeks after SXSW and included a newsworthy pitch in the same email. It was short and sweet. Three tips with about two sentences each. About a month later, I sent another email with a different pitch I'd carefully customized. I didn't know if they'd highlight the tips, but in case they did, they all began with the letter C. Something the viewers would be sure to read and remember. The extra time and effort I put into it paid off.

LESSON #3: TRAIN LIKE A PROFESSIONAL AMATEUR 

I don't have a journalism degree and have never worked in the media industry. Everything I've managed to accomplish has been self-taught. Thank God for blogs like this one to help me along the way.

Pitching ideas from your comfy home office is one thing and actually sitting behind a news desk next to people who do this for a living with cameras and lights all in your face is a whole'nother story. Be ready.

I spend hours in the classroom. And what does my classroom look like? Most would probably describe it as useless web surfing and brain numbing tv watching. There are times when I really want to have a glass of wine with the Basketball Wives, but I can't because I gotta report to the lab with Anderson Cooper. Saturday nights with Suze Orman count as a double-date. I get a personal finance smackdown while visualizing being on my own set that bears a striking resemblance to hers.

No matter what is you want to do, you can't make excuses anymore. You can't blame a lack of this, not enough that, or another person for that matter. You just read a true story of how one woman is doing it all herself. Opening up her mouth, lining herself up with the right people, and rolling up her sleeves determined to get the job done. 

If it's working for me, it sure as hell will work for you.

Are You Ready?

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of appearing on my local NBC morning news with Thomas Gohring, owner of Kick Butt Coffee. It was my very first live tv interview and I was nervous as hell. In case you didn't know, there are no do-overs on live tv.

The interview was booked in early February, so I had plenty of time to work on my talking points for the three minute segment. I started going through all of the media stuff I've hoarded from teleseminars and workshops and spent some time on Melissa Cassera's blog. I only had one chance to get this right and I'll be damned if I was gonna blow it.

TWO-YEAR OLD SOUNDBITE

In 2008, I listened to a Blog Talk Radio show hosted by Monique Caradine. During that show she talked about the importance of speaking in soundbites and actually walked the listeners through creating one right there on the spot.

That soundbite has been posted on a magnetic board in my office since that day. It's right next to a couple of fortune cookie fortunes and my voting receipt from the presidential election that made history.

You see, when I was listening to Monique's show and taking notes, I didn't have the exact specifics of what I was preparing for - I just knew I was preparing for something. I was focusing on the why - not the how.

Why was I crafting a soundbite? Because I knew at some point I would need it. Somewhere down the road  a live tv interview opportunity would present itself. When it happened, I had to be ready.

How and when would it take place? I had no clue. My energy has and always will remain on the why.

NO EXPIRATION DATE

Staying on top of your game doesn't expire. It's an ongoing process. Are you preparing for short-term gratification or long-term success? There's a difference. A huge one. If what you're doing today isn't in some way getting you ready for what's to come, you better rethink your plan.

Always be ready. Prepare for the unexpected. Sieze the moment.






Photo credit: whitneyhoward2011

The Unemployed Entrepreneur®: On-Air Radio Personality

Last Thursday marked my second week of officially becoming a radio personality. I've been training for several months to have my own show and was totally caught off guard when the station's General Manager invited me to join his variety talk show.

Donna L. Johnson on remote with Steve Savage

I'm a co-host on KAZI 88.7's Juice & Jam Show - and did I forget to mention I've joined an all male lineup? This alone should make for some very interesting dynamics and show content. About 15 minutes into my media debut, a man called up and voiced his opinion about me joining the crew. "Don't turn this into no woman's show!", he said. So pleased to know we as women have made such great strides in workplace equality. FYI...I ain't goin' nowhere...unless I get fired (don't act surprised - you know it wouldn't be the first time!).

Steve has wanted me to become a part of the KAZI family for some time now. I'd been reluctant to do so, but then realized if I didn't take advantage of the opportunity someone else would. Did fear play a part in me dragging my feet? Sure did. That's when I had to follow my own advice and get over it.

Will I still host my own show? That offer is still on the table too. However, I've decided not to move forward at this time. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew and juggling two radio shows would be a bit overwhelming for me. Besides, I'm perfectly fine with being a co-host and by working directly with the General Manager, I'm in the best position to learn the engineering aspects I need to know.

A few years ago, Juice & Jam was voted Austin's Best Morning Talk Show...I have my eyes set on winning that award again!

Tune in every Thursday morning from 9am - 12pm CST. We stream live online!

Does Your Brand Have Street Cred? : A Forbes Post

My most recent Forbes post was on personal branding. This one was well received and shared extensively on Facebook and Twitter. Read it for yourself and let me know your thoughts.

Branding Basics: The Word on the Streets

The Unemployed Entrepreneur™: A Regular Contributor to ForbesWoman

Forbes is one of the most trusted and well-known names in business journalism.

Back in January, I wrote a post about my experience with contributing expert commentary to ForbesWoman. A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to become a regular contributor to their newly launched site Work in Progress; a blog geared toward career-minded women in traditional and non-traditional jobs, as well as those interested in getting back into the workplace.

I don’t think I have to tell you how excited I was. This is a sign that my diligent writing and marketing are starting to pay off…in a big way, I might add.

In just a few short months of actively blogging, my work is being recognized by a company whose websites reach nearly 40 million business decision makers each month.

How did I do it? Well, if I was one of those slick internet marketing millionaires, I’d package this up and sell it to you as one of my secret must-have products with insider information that only I have access to. But since I’m not, here goes:

I focus on giving good content. That’s it. That’s my secret. Anyone who writes for respected publications will tell you it’s their secret too. In Jeffrey Gitomer’s book Little Red Book of Selling (Bard Press, 2004), he talks about giving value first – not adding it. Giving frequently without expectation. This is something I practice on a daily basis. Not just in my writing, but also in my personal interactions with people.

I write about things that are newsworthy, controversial, and take a position on things I’m passionate about. Every successful entrepreneur has to take a stand without being afraid of the backlash. This demonstrates strength to your prospects and audience. Results-driven leaders have backbones. You have a duty and responsibility to amplify your voice for the betterment of others.

Having your name appear in writing further establishes your credibility. It doesn’t matter that I haven’t authored a book or won any awards. What does matter is the competitive edge and positioning I have over my competition. The partnership I have with ForbesWoman is one that will help me to get known and increase my brand’s awareness while allowing me the opportunity to help the next person succeed.

In sales, it’s not who you know. In sales, it’s who knows you. – Jeffrey Gitomer

 

Photo credit: richardjingram

Blog Talk Radio: Media Exposure on the Internet

For those of you who are new to my blog here, you may not know I’m an advocate for media exposure for entrepreneurs. It’s one of the best and most cost efficient ways to get your brand in front of hundreds and thousands of people.

Blog talk radio is a great way for speakers and coaches to get media experience before branching out into traditional mainstream media outlets. You get the opportunity to share your story and connect with your target audience while polishing up on your interviewing skills.

Blog talk radio hosts are always on the hunt for experts and twitter and Facebook make it easy for you to find them – and for them to find you too! You can do a simple internet search with “blog talk radio” followed by the subject matter you’re interested in and within seconds you’ll have show archives at your fingertips.

Here are a few things you should always have on hand to keep you prepared for your blog talk radio interviews:

Short Bio – Show formats range from 30 minutes to an hour, so be sure to check with the show host to see how long you’ll be on the air. Don’t make the mistake of having a lengthy bio that takes too much time to read. This cuts into the time you could be spending sharing your knowledge and expertise with the listeners. Draft one bio that can be used over and over again. You can add a few words to customize the bio to the specific audience. I have one bio that speaks directly to women and another for general business and entrepreneurs.

Great Photo – If you haven’t invested in quality headshots you probably aren’t ready for any type of media exposure, either online or offline. There’s no way of getting around this and a snapshot of yourself with your digital camera just won’t cut it. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get good pictures and you only need two different poses. One that’s professional (but relaxed) and another casual, lifestyle shot. Remember, your listeners can’t see you so they’re connecting with your voice and your picture.

Interview Questions – Some hosts have a predetermined list of questions that they ask. Others will ask you to provide a list of questions. You’ll save yourself a ton of time by not having to come up with questions each time you’re booked as a guest. The goal is to have multiple interviews so that you can dominate the search engines and become recognized as an industry leader. Create a generic list of questions that can be easily modified.

I’ll be interviewed on the Warrior Women Wine and Wisdom blog talk radio show on March 2nd at 6pm CST. Please mark your calendars and tune in.

Would you like to start doing blog talk radio interviews? I have several friends who host their own shows and I'd love to connect you with them. Leave a comment and let me know how I can help.

Photo credit: marketingcurve

Who Really Pays for Celebrity Endorsements?

A couple of weeks ago, the night of the Grammy’s to be exact, Dish Network put their competition, DirecTV, on blast. I hadn’t seen anything this good since the Pepsi Challenge.

I was actually leaving the room when the commercial came on, but stopped in my tracks to watch in its entirety. I’m not a satellite tv subscriber and have no intentions of becoming one, so their ads don’t appeal to me as a consumer.

What I am a fan of is good marketing, marketing that gets my attention and makes me do just what I’m doing now...generate buzz by talking about it and sharing it with you. (If you haven’t picked up Mark Hughes’ book Buzzmarketing, you’re missing out on a good read. And no – I don’t get paid for endorsing his book.) You know you’ve hit the marketing jackpot when The Associated Press writes about your campaign and ABC news picks up the story.

Let’s get back to the question at hand, “Who Really Pays for Celebrity Endorsements”?

According to Dish Network, DirecTV is passing this cost on to their customers. In the commercial, they say DirecTV customers pay approximately $175 more per year vs. Dish Network customers. I don’t know about you, but I believe it.

T-Mobile® has also added a few new celebrities to their list of paid endorsers. Whoopi Goldberg and Phil Jackson are proud myTouch™ owners. I’m a T-Mobile customer and can vouch for price increases. They introduced a new lower family plan rate, but customers have to pay to enroll in the program. Are you serious? I’m already a customer and didn’t have to pay to get the plan I’m on now. When speaking with a supervisor about the issue, I was actually told that they’re a company and they have to make money. I get it. I’m an entrepreneur and I have to make money too, but is it wise to do so at the expense of your already paying customers? Rumor has it that T-Mobile® is also requiring customers to purchase internet service when you buy a new smart phone. This was optional before. Another added fee to perhaps offset T-Mobile®’s multi-million dollar contracts with celebrities.

I’m more inclined to do business with people who use regular old every-day actors in their ads...not actors as in stars, but actors as in commercial actors. Unknowns who may someday become A-lister’s because they were discovered in a commercial. I don’t always buy into celebrity figures using the products/services they’re paid to promote. In most cases, they just aren’t believable.

What’s your opinion of Hollywood superstars getting paid mega bucks to be the faces of major brands that we as consumers keep in business? Come on...be honest.

 

Photo credit: Ujjawal.bagaria

Media Exposure for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

Free publicity is one of the best ways for entrepreneurs to market their businesses. However, most solo business owners don’t take advantage of it. They aren’t aware of the many no-cost resources available and they miss out on being exposed to hundreds, even thousands of potential new customers.

You don’t have to hire a PR firm, media coach, or pay for leads that may not generate results. You can do it all by yourself and allocate that money to better use.

I was recently contacted by ForbesWoman to contribute expert advice on crafting a concise elevator pitch. I was thrilled! Being quoted by such a respected and trusted business media outlet speaks volumes for my credibility.

The ForbesWoman experience was also a confidence booster. This was the first time a major outlet had reached out to me instead of me being chosen by sending pitches and media releases. Words can’t even describe how I felt when I read, “[ForbesWoman.com]…was hoping you might want to weigh in with advice. Having checked out your website, I think you'd make a great addition!”

It doesn’t matter if it’s print, online, tv, or radio – any medium that puts you in the spotlight will drive traffic to your website and raise your expert status while affording you the opportunity to give valuable advice that will benefit the audience.

Are you interested in getting media exposure for your business? Leave me a comment below and I’ll answer your questions and offer suggestions to help get you noticed.