• FREE copy of the workbook for you to have and reference at your convenience.
• A 1-DAY Book TOUR on my blog, Your Focus.

By Jennifer Tuma-Young
Website: http://www.inspirista.net
Inspirista, Founder

 I wanted to blog about this topic because I think so many of you ladies ARE INCREDIBLE, and deserve to be used as an expert source or have your product/service featured in a magazine. Since I am on both sides of the pitching fence (as a “Source” and as a Radio Host/Writer), I wanted to share some tips on how to get national media exposure based on your response to a query.

Where can you find queries? Here’s my top 3 list: -
Savor the Success (for Premium Members) 
HARO  
Craigslist

By answering queries on the above listed and through years of trial and BIG error, I finally figured out ways to respond that have led to things like appearances on nationally syndicated shows, such as Rachael Ray, guest-hosting shows for Dish Network, being quoted as a source for many magazines and blogs, including Woman’s World as one of “America’s Ultimate Experts”.   I also have responded for my clients and they have been quoted as a source, or products used, etc. (no- I’m not a publicist just a firm believer that if you’re passionate about what you do, the world needs to know about it, and I believe in every single one of my clients, so I like to help them spread their word, too!!).

And, now, on the other side of the fence, I have posted queries on HARO looking for guests for my Girls Night Out Radio Show, and each time I post I literally get HUNDREDS of responses. My radio inbox is flooded, and to be honest, unfortunately I don’t have the time to thoroughly read through all of these pitches.  Imagine a reporter looking for a source for an article- they need a couple of lines, a few tips, and they get hundreds or even thousands of replies? Responses need to be formatted in a receiver-friendly way, or else they end up in the “deleted” bin.

So, the BIG question- how does one respond to a query effectively enough to get chosen? Now, of course, every editor/producer/journalist/writer/etc. has his or her own style, and it’s impossible to know exactly what catches his/her eye in a response, right? But, I think there are a couple of things that can increase your chances of staying in their inbox so you’ll be used as a “Source”.

1. Read the Query and Give Them Exactly What They Want
Often I’ve posted a query asking for specific things, and I get an inbox flooded with generic press releases about pitches off-topic. Maybe they’ll start with one unique sentence, and then it goes right into their generic press release. I am telling you, I know press releases can be expensive, and you want to use them, but if a query is asking for something specific, give it to them!! Nine out of ten times, a press release isn’t going to answer a specific question. For example, sometimes a query says to include specific personal details, like where you are from. They may be trying to get a mix of responses from experts around the country- so, if you forget to include

First, I want to thank you, my readers for your patience in my absence.  I recently encountered a technical and physical challenge.  This brings me to my post today.  Due to my recent challenges, I had to fully rely on my assistant’s and put my trust in others to handle certain aspects of my business affairs and tasks that I normally handle myself.

Thank God that I had procedures in place that made that transition very easy.  For example;

• my daily routine
• following my marketing and networking calendars
• procedure for contacting key people and clients and completing priority work
• sign ons and passwords
• financials
• continued work on projects in progress

To my wonderful readers who own small businesses, this is a very important tasks to complete TODAY!  Take some time today to evaluate and put this in order, it will ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY stress.  Make sure you have a trusted person(s) whom you can rely on.  If you do not have person(s), then consider hiring a virtual assistant, it is worth the investment.

Of course some things will have to remain as is until you are able to tackle yourself, (this is a reality), however, the benefits are, that your business will not suffer, you will not lose any business, hopefully not, and you will keep your clients happy (very important). So, put your procedures book into play, place it where it can be found and go on about your business, lol.

Again, thank you for your patience.  Until next time,

Alba

Stop thinking, “If I don’t do it, I won’t be perfect”. If you are anything like me, I said those words over and over again, until I learned that an extra pair of hands is necessary.

You had the great idea and successfully turned it into a business. You are quite busy, as a rep in the following departments of your company…not to mention taking care of your family and home:

Customer Service
Marketing & Advertising
Administrative
Ordering & Shipping
Telephone & Online Sales
Event Planning
Networking
IT & Computer Maintainence
Media

The feeling of overwhelm is not healthy or smart, however overwhelmed with greatness is 100% better. Having a virtual assistant on your team is a great amenity. He or she can help with smaller tasks that play a major role in the success of your business. These tasks may include, but are not limited to:

Publishing your newsletter
Maintaining your website and emails
Customer Service
Bookkeeping
Creating exel lists of your clients, inventory, networks, articles, and much more..

Share the task, come up for air, live the lifestyle you deserve, enjoy some peace and remember the reasons why you started your business.

Until next time…
To Your Success

Alba

 For more information on Georgia Woodbine Bestselling/Author/Speaker/Life  Coach visit http://georgiawoodbine.com/products.html or email georgiawoodbine@yahoo.com or Call us at 888-340-3409

I think teaching kids about money should be in schools just like teaching kids and teens about reading, writing, and ABC’s. Why, because once you learn the basics of money and savings early then it would be effortless to continue the teaching and building upon what they have learned. Financial literacy for children will be far to easy to teach and cost less money when children are younger than waiting until they are freshman in college and being introduced, possibly, for the first time, with financial responsibilities.

When, I was in school I had to get my parents signature before I could get a credit card. Of course, now it is different. College students are bombarded with free trinkets just to fill out an application! Kids and teens should know that saving money is like brushing teeth or combing hair. It should be a habit. Parents are responsible for teaching their kids. But how? How can a parent who never learned themselves about being financially savvy, teach their kids and teens?

The United States has just started adding financial literacy in the schools. Each state has its own programs. Check with your state to see if there is a financial literacy program available. The Kid$ Money College is the only program that teaches kids from the ages of 5-18. The skills that are developed now will be crucial to the children’s future. The basic skills are counting money to the more advance skills are taught. Some of the lessons are, learning what is money, how to have great credit, investing and retirement planning.

Once the children learn to effectively manage the money process then they can possibly teach their parents about how to spend and save. In the meantime, kids need to understand money like they understand how to read, early. Michelle Oliver, Money Guru, Life Insurance Advocate, and President of the Oliver Financial Group, has over 18 years in the financial, insurance and marketing industry.

Michelle Oliver speaks all over the U.S. to women about women and finances and empowerment issues, and is passionate about teaching and training financial literacy. The Oliver Financial Group motto is “The Oliver Financial Group, Finding Financial Solutions for Today’s Modern Women and their Families.”

If you would like to get in contact with her you can email her at info@theoliverfinancialgroup.com or call 1-800-818-5530. http://www.theoliverfinancialgroup.com

For more information about The Kid$ Money College go to http://www.kidsmoneycollege.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Oliver

Thank you for joining us for this wonderful book tour.  Please feel free to leave a comment or ask a question, win a door prize.

About The Author
 

While running a family and working at the traditional 9-5, Dana established this innovative event planning business in 2002.

Dana explains, “After a brief time away from presenting events, E.S.S.E.N.C.E. has come back with a great, new perspective on spirituality and how to give God all the glory in life and in business. It’s important for me to give my clients quality service together with exceptional character and consideration. It takes the right person to plan a perfect event. Over the years, I have developed patience when issues arise, completed research for exceptional vendors, and obtained wisdom on the constant industry changes.”

For more information about Dana Neal, visit her website at http://www.essenceofawomanevents.com

For A Preview and information about purchasing a copy, click here, http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/its-your-problem-now/7225538.

During this interview, Dana shared the following:

How long have you been an event planner?
9 years

How did you get started in event planning?
After a failed partnership, I had a successful themed fashion show.

What problems have you encuntered as a planner?
Every problem listed in “It’s Your Problem Now”

It’s your problem now, borders on humor as well as problematic; how did you choose how to wrote this e-book?
I wanted to give each event planner both sides of their career.  There are going be problems, but you have to look at how to solve them and laugh at them at the same time.

Now that you have written, It’s Your Problem Now, what is next?
It’s Your Problem Now 2.  There will always be more to learn when event planning.  As the economy changes and budgets get worse..an event planner will encounter more and more PROBLEMS.

Follow along with us and Dana on her next stop of her tour with i-Virtual Assist Book Tours.

PREPARE TO BE FABULOUS…IT’S DIVA DAY!

REGISTER BEFORE 9PM TODAY…PAY ONLY $10.00
 

A Day of DIVA Fun 

It’s A Day of Fabulous Fun. YOU DESERVE IT! Girls, it’s always fun to play with makeup and take pictures. Bring your diva group, bridal party, ladies club, or just YOURSELF. 

You deserve it!  

Friday, June 19, 2009 2:00-6:00pm
 

Location:
The Spark Center
161 W. 22nd Street
Bet 6th & 7th Ave
New York, NY  10011 

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Beauty Makeovers at our Makeup Bars
Photoshoots
Vendors To Shop
Door Prizes
FREE Raffles and Swag Bags filled w/Goodies
Mingle and Chat 

 Refreshments for everyone!

Group Rates Available

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION
http://www.lightscameraido.eventbrite.com

Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Beauties On The Go Teen L.U.V.E. Program, visit them at www.beautiesonthego.ning.com

********************************************************  

HARLEM SAT June 20, 2009 6:15pm

Oberia D. Dempsey Center
127 W. 127th St.
Harlem, NY 10027

A Piece of Me is an dramatic, comedic, and inspirational stage play that will make you think, laugh, and cry as you see real life (yours or someone you know) played out on the stage. The refusal to forgive, infidelity, alcoholism, homelessness, honesty and the allegations of physical and incestuous sexual abuse are all dealt with…and somewhere in that lies a piece of YOU.

A Piece of Me was birthed out of writer/producer/director Jermaine Smith’s personal testimony. The hesitancy to forgive his mother for her many years of substance abuse has developed into a stage play that has mentored to thousands (all the while, bringing 79 souls to the Body of Christ) in just only 37 shows thus far. Jermaine’s mother has since found God and is delivered from drugs. www.theartermania.com

(Search: a piece of me) or 2123523101 Adv. Tix: $20 Door: $30

How New Business Owners Can Use Linked In

Even if you aren’t new to Linked In, you may not know of these ways to use the site. Below is an outline of what you can do on Linked In. Have you set up your profile? You can add a little extra in your Headline than just your position.

You can add a longer headline and include everything you do, your headline acts as keywords and you will come up in searches for those keywords. Why should you add your educational and previous job background? Because this makes it easier for people you have lost touch with to contact you. They may also be able to give you a recommendation which improves your profile.

Speaking of Recommendations, have you written any? You can write recommendations for people you know as well as ask for one.

Have you added any applications? There are several useful apps on Linked In. I like to use the Event App, so I can be updated on new events in my network. You can also add links to your blog. This way, visitors to your page can see what is new with you. There are several apps to choose from.

Are you building connections? You can send invites to people in your email account or you can ask for connections through Linked In. If you are in the same group as someone it’s easy to ask for a connection. However, if you really want to have a worthwhile connection than add a note with your request, stating WHY you want to connect.

Sending the generic connection request will not give you a great first impression. People want to know why you would be a good contact. Also, sending a note along with your request shows that you aren’t just building the image of a large network, but shows that you really want to connect with that person. Did you get an Invite that you aren’t sure about accepting? You have the option to Archive any request. This will save the requested invite in your mail box under archives. You can connect later or not at all.

Have you joined a group? If not then go to the search tab, type in a keyword or two and search for groups. You can search for groups in your industry, city, region, state, past jobs and education. Once you’re in a group get involved. Your first post can be an introduction about yourself and what you do. You can also post business advice, resources or answer and ask questions. The best discussions are ones that get others involved.

Do you prefer to use Twitter a certain way or do you have a favorite local networking group? If so add a discussion about that topic and use the last sentence to ask for others to give their opinion or advice. Have you used the News area? You can post links to great articles in this section. Add others articles and add your own. If you wrote a great article than post it. Is it appropriate in multiple groups? If so then go ahead and repost it. You will get more exposure that way. Once you have mastered the groups how about starting one yourself? Start a group around your area, your expertise or both.

Would you like to know more about marketing in your region? Then start a group specifically for that. When choosing a name, try one that has specific keywords. Now you need to find members for your group. You can set the group to open membership or require people to apply for the group. Send an announcement to your contacts about the new group. Write a post about the group and share this in groups you already belong to.

Is there someone you want to connect with, but don’t share a group or know their email address? Ask for a connection. When you go to a profile, you can see how a person is connected to you. If you have a mutual connection, you can ask that person to introduce you.

Social networking is not rocket science, but it does require learning the rules. It is very similar to in person networking. You don’t want to come across as pushy and your posts should reflect your business in a professional manner.

Written by Leah Oviedo of Investing In Women, http://iiwomen.com

Do you need to reach women consumers, or more specifically women who are in control of their finances? Advertising is still an important way to get people to buy from you. Many websites have lowered their rates and now is the time to lock into some great deals on advertising.

I have compiled a list of popular sites that allows you to advertise to thousands of women across the US for low prices. All of these sites cost less than $200 a year to advertise your business. When you advertise on the following sites your business will be in front of women who regularly use these sites to network and grow their business. We’ll start with;

 Investing In Women, a business resource site geared to women entrepreneurs. They have 2000+ visitors each month. Mention this article and get 3 banner ads for $89 a year. http://iiwomen.com/Sponsor/index.htm

Beauties on the Go, a womens inspirational resource network. They have over 350 members. Mention this article and receive a 160 X 130 network site banner & 325×245 main site banner for only =$75/6 months. http://www.beautiesonthego.com/advertise.html

Online Shopping Mall, the ultimate gathering place for shoppers and merchants. They have over 300 members and offer button ads for just $3 a month. http://onlineshoppingmall.ning.com/page/advertise-1

Katy Did Designs Newsletter, business & marketing tips geared towards artists and crafters. They have 675 subscribers and charge $25 for a 3 month ad. http://katydid-designs.com/Newsletter.html

Advertising on these sites has the added benefit of showing that you care about and support women business owners.

Leah Oviedo is CEO and Founder of Invest In Women.