EMSI

How Going Back to Basics Can Help Open All Sales Channels

Most writers can relate to a statement made by the brilliant statesman and author, Winston Churchill, concerning the life cycle of writing a book. He once said, “Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement; then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster, and fling him out to the public.”

Okay, Churchill can be a little dramatic, although I can absolutely identify with some parts of his description! But in my day-to-day world of speaking with authors, the real issue that concerns me is their despair once they’ve published their book and the public’s response is less than enthusiastic. Read more on why your book isn't selling →

How About NOW?

“What may be done at any time will be done at no time.” — Scottish Proverb

Okay, don’t ask what the Jewish grandmother from New York is doing with a Scottish proverb. My chief strategist found it for me, and it fit the tone of my message today. Read more on when to start your PR campaign →

Ever since the days when every TV set was a massive 12 inches, and millions of Americans tuned in to watch I Love Lucy in glorious black and white, television has been in the center of our living rooms.

Today, the screens are larger, the picture is in high-definition color and the programming choices are near infinite. Also, in addition to shows of general interest, there are now literally hundreds of cable network shows that cater to specialized niche markets. Plus, millions are now watching TV shows on their cell phones and computers. All in all, TV viewership continues to soar. Read more on how to make the most of your on-air time →

You May Be Newsworthy Without Even Knowing It

Do you know what the media would consider newsworthy about you or your company?

Many new clients come to us with a strong opinion about what their “pitch” should be, but often miss the mark, in terms of knowing what will get the media to sit up and pay attention to their message. But it’s very understandable that this could occur, if you’re not working with the media the way we do, day in and day out, developing story angles intended to grab their interest. Read more on how to get the media interested in you →

One of the things I love about my job is solving problems.

Sure, it’s great to have a client walk in the door who has a unique product or service, solid credentials and a compelling angle. It makes the work easier, certainly, but it sometimes is more satisfying to solve what a client thinks is an unsolvable problem in a creative way. Read more on the 5 steps for using creative PR to become an expert celebrity →

I speak with authors on a daily basis, usually about the promotion of their book, and all too often they are sitting somewhere on the scale between frustration and apathy.

If this is you, and you are ready to throw in the towel, then I’m writing this for you. Read more on giving up on your book promotion →

…Without Buying Advertising Time

Here’s the situation. You have a great book and YOU know it. But just like the “better mousetrap,” it doesn’t mean a thing unless your market knows it too. TV and radio are great avenues for promoting to the masses. They are dynamic media allowing consumers to visualize and hear you enlighten them (the way only you can) to the great value of your message. Read more on how to market your book on radio & TV →

In today’s economy, when businesses are struggling to stay afloat, corporate execs need to think out of the box more than ever before. They need to find a way to set themselves apart from others in their industry. Thus my mantra: a book is America’s new business card. Read more on how a book can brand you as an expert →

…And Turn Your Host’s Listeners into Your Followers

The most difficult thing about being a public relations professional is correcting a client’s perceptions about the field of PR itself.

PR people are depicted in the movies as “spin doctors,” stretching the truth or lying outright to present their clients in the best possible light. Read more on being a dream guest on talk radio →

You have been working yourself to exhaustion for countless hours and it’s finally finished. After a lifetime of dreaming, you are finally holding it in your hands. Your book: the focus of all of your energies and a labor of love. You want the whole world to hear about it (and hopefully buy it), but you aren’t sure how to make that happen. If you have limited budget, one of the best and most cost-effective ways to let people know that your book exists is talk radio. Read more on hiring a publicist for book promotion →