Showing up isn’t worth Jack these days.

In fact, it never was.

Showing up AND getting paid to speak up is different.

Because you're communicating in a strategic way that's relevant and meaningful to others. Now that's worth something. It's about selling your expertise AND getting in front of a captive audience (lead gen!).  

It’s a smart way of doing business that requires a tinge of boldness and self-confidence. 

It’s not about being pushy or arrogant.

It’s knowing deep in your heart that your knowledge and experiences will impact people who hear you.

It’s you knowing that your voice matters. 

And it does.

The question is: Are you bold enough to pitch yourself to event organizers who can book you? 

Look, anyone can take up space. It's a higher-level conversation when you're paid as a subject matter expert. So...no more hiding. 😍

Here are my 3 top ways to get in the door with people who can book you to speak online and on stage: 

1. Frame your message for the audience. Deci...

Humans are born with only 2 fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises.

Science proves it.

Everything else you’re afraid of was learned, most likely in your childhood (0-7 years old)

And we carry these fears—and the stories behind them—with us…for years.

• You talk about being afraid of heights.

• You talk about being afraid of dogs, spiders, or snakes.

• You talk about your fear of public speaking. Then, you give momentum to your (learned) story by talking about the presentation you messed up…in 2012.

Our words create our worlds. 🌎

And they usually keep us from growing ourselves and our businesses.

So, what are you afraid of, aside from maybe falling and loud noises?

My client, Don, was reflecting with me about how transformative this fear lesson has been for him.

Don’s a super smart techie.

He was studying computer languages long before the rest of us found the Internet.

His programs have been used by the Pentagon and White House; so cool! ⚡

But until a few ...

Hundreds of people over the years have asked me why reporters and podcasters are so dang hard to reach.

Why are they grumpy, uninterested and non-responsive?

[FREE VIDEO TRAINING: HOW TO SCORE INTERVIEWS WITH PODCASTERS + REPORTERS. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE RECORDING NOW!]

Here’s the secret:

Ninety-five percent of the pitches and “great story ideas” that are sent are irrelevant. They aren't newsworthy. They aren't valuable and “worthy” of an audience’s attention and interest.

It's that simple.

I was a radio news reporter and on-air anchor. I received thousands of pitches during my 10-year career in newsrooms in New Jersey and New York.

I decided what was newsworthy. I was the gatekeeper.

My audience depended on my sound judgement to share important, compelling and interesting stories that affected them.  The same is true today with reporters—and podcasters. They want subject matter experts—people like YOU!  

So, are you relevant to their audience??? 

Just a Lil' Tweak

One of my...

Posting valuable content consistently can quickly attract a community of followers and build your credibility.

Trust me, planning out your posts, Instagram stories and videos is much better than treating your calendar as a crapshoot. Showing up for your audience with solid content helps build relationships, trust, and business.

{RELATED: COMMUNICATE WITH CONFIDENCE IN 2020. SIGN UP FOR PRIVATE 1:1  COACHING WITH SUSAN AND GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY} 

As your online visibility increases, let's be intentional about your media visibility, too.

In a new webinar, I share the four kinds of content you can create to fill your content calendar (also called an "editorial calendar.")

Let's go day-by-day, week-by-week so it is manageable and actually...fun! It's easier than you may imagine because you're talking about your passion and niche while helping others overcome a challenge. 

Inside the webinar, (19:00 on the video counter), you'll get right to the part where I teach about what the med...

This is taken from today's Facebook Live in my  FB group, Communication Nation. Join the group to watch the full video training. https://www.facebook.com/groups/communicationnation/

Most entrepreneurs enjoy a flood of ideas, creativity and a-ha moments.

How do you explain your idea to someone else, especially a busy reporter or online influencer who receives irrelevant email and phone pitches daily?

Here’s the secret: Take out your business card. Write your idea on the back of your card. If it doesn’t fit, rip it up and throw it out. Nobody is going to understand it if it’s not clear, concise and compelling.

[Join Communication Nation, our Facebook Group for Professionals Who Want to Communicate with Confidence and Clarity]

The “business card” approach is how you have to think of your pitches to reporters and online influencers. When emailing a pitch, for example, all you have is a few words in the subject line to grab someone’s attention.

The subject line must be a magical combination of just the right words…and in the right order. You’ll have to practice and edit. Being clear—and brief—are critical when trying to get publicity to grow your influence and bus...

“If you want to attract media attention, think like a reporter.”

It’s something many professionals who want to be more visible must learn. But what does it mean? How do reporters think? And why do you need to be privy to this information?

You can’t effectively pitch stories to anyone in traditional or social media if you don’t understand how their minds operate.

How do journalists, bloggers and podcasters decide what is newsworthy and what gets tossed?

[RELATED: FREE DOWNLOAD: CREATE 30 TOPICS IN 30 MINUTES FOR ANY NICHE! CLICK HERE TO GET THE #30/30 GUIDE.]  

I was a news reporter. Please, allow me to share these five common rookie mistakes small business owners should avoid when looking for publicity:

Rookie Mistake #1. I can sell my products and services with an article, post or interview. It’s all about me! When pitching a self-serving story that fails to connect with a specific audience, you’re missing an opportunity to become a trusted and credible resource.

If you want to...

Your email pitch hangs on eight words…or less.

The secret to gauging the interest of reporters and influencers who may want to interview you is complicated. The recipient must know from your subject line exactly what you have and why it’s relevant right now.  Your goal: immediate clarity. In eight words or less.

{LEARN HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH CONFIDENCE + CLARITY. JOIN SUSAN'S PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP, COMMUNICATION NATION.}

A terrific pitch piques the interest of the reader because it’s about their audience. When pitching your story, forget cutesy. It's confusing and irritating to busy reporters. All they want you to do is make your point.

I’ve been on both sides of pitches, as a news reporter and anchor in a chaotic radio newsroom and as a publicity strategist working to get my clients media coverage.

Here are tips from the pros about what gets their attention when sifting through their inbox.

1. “The subject line must be clear so I know what you are pitching and why I should be i
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