Book: Golf, Naked: The Bare Essentials Revealed

Ah, spring.


(Will it ever get here??!!)


One day, hopefully soon, we will have that first warm and wonderful, sunshine-filled day that creates spring fever in all of us. I can't wait. With it, the mind turns to lots of fun things like bike riding, swimming, long walks at the beach, romance, and thoughts of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...Not to mention golf. Yes, golf.


I'm not much of a golfer myself, although from time-to-time my friend Marie and I will get a bucket of balls at the public course and pretend like we know what we're doing. However, working on Golf Naked has taught me so much about the game, and more importantly what goes on in between taking swings at the ball. That's where all the true action happens. PGA Pro Greg Rowley is the author of Golf, Naked: The Bare Essentials Revealed, and is one of my clients.


In a nutshell, Golf Naked serves as a refresher course for the experienced golfer and as a cheat sheet for the rest of us. Rowely strips away the layers of mystery to reveal golf's true core. It's about learning the language and the culture of golf, either as a foundation for learning the game or just to be more comfortable around your spouse, buddies, or colleagues when they lapse into golf-talk. It will tell you what to expect in the golf shop, the locker-room, and even the parking lot. It covers golf etiquette, how to play by the rules, in addition to how to fake it--e.g., how to look and sound like a pro even if your swing makes you look like a rookie. Golf, Naked is about loving the game more than your score. Who doesn't want to look like they know what they're doing when they're out on the course?


I took on this book because I knew from talking to Greg and reading the book that he had a winner on his hands. What really sold me on it was the fact that even though I wasn't into the game at the time, I really enjoyed reading the book! Now, a golf book for golphers is good, but a golf book for golfers and non-golfers alike, well, that is impressive!


In addition, I really love working with sports media. These people are fun, vivacious, curious, and genuinly interested in what you have to say when you call. Now, I've been a media insider for years and I know that many media folks really aren't delighted when a publicist calls. No offense to anyone. As I said, I include myself in that group and I get it (although publicists who know how to pitch, who understand the beat, and are respectful of when they get in touch, they are a dream.). So, you can see why it's so delightful to call a whole group of media folks who really enjoy talking on the phone. Sports people are a different group all together and they're great fun.


When it comes to book promotion and publicity, I look for several things when considering taking on a project. They are:

• Do I love the material?
• Do I think media will love the material?
• Is the author "media-genic" and if not, is he or she willing to get trained
• Do I have chemistry with the author?

I gave a wholehearted yes to all of these questions, and now I'm helping to spread the word about Golf, Naked. PGA Pro Greg Rowley gets a definite thumbs up for this one.

Publicist's Secret to Success and Enthusiasm

A publicist's day is full of ups and downs. When we book an important interview or simply make connection with a media person we've been wanting to talk to, the high is wonderful. Oh joy!



However, the lows can be just as emotional but on the other end of the spectrum. The lows can be very low indeed. Sometimes this emotional roller coaster can rise and fall many times throughout one single day.



To keep from getting stuck in the lows, I recommend creating a success journal. Here's how:

In my daytimer, which is actually just a simple notebook, I record my daily, weekly, and monthly "to-do" lists in addition to taking notes during phone calls, jotting down thoughts and ideas, and recording other important infomation on the right side of each page. The reason for doing this is because now all of my ideas and to do lists are in one place. Then each piece of information can filter into other systems, such as important contact information gets put into Outlook, specific goals are put into each client's campaign, etc.

Then on the left side of the page, I quickly jot down each daily success as it happens throughout the day. It could be an important call was made. A certain show was booked. I moved a project forward in some way. The purpose is to give yourself a little lift--a pat on the back.

It's so easy at the end of the day to wonder exactly what was done, particularly if you only made it part way through your "to do" list. When you hit a low, or when you're reflecting on the day near quitting time, you can look at that list and smile! It's important to celebrate the little things (and, of course, the big things!) thoughout the day. Too often we can get caught up in what didn't get done. I suggest getting caught up and celebrating what DID get done and feeling good about that!

It's such a simple yet powerful tool. Your success journal can help you to leave your office at the end of the day in a better state of mind so that your family gets to spend time with a happy you, and you are refreshed and ready for the next day. So, celebrate the little things (and the BIG things) and enjoy!

Time Management or "How a little egg timer can save you!"

Have you ever found yourself wondering how in the world you are going to get everything done? If you're like most people, the stress of feeling like there is too much on your plate is an all too familiar feeling.

Of course there are the obligatory "to dos" such as work deadlines, fulfulling requests from your clients, getting the kids to the doctor or the cat to the vet on time. But what about all the other projects you have floating around in your brain? For example, that e-book you've been wanting to write or the new seminar you want to create, or the mini-web sites you've considered building, or just taking the time for that new workout class that you know you really should take...When do these things get done?

If it's true that we attract what we need, then it's interesting to note that two of my friends happen to be time management and organizational wizards. I marvel at them all the time. The truth is, I'm pretty good at staying organized, but compared to these two there is much more to learn.

One friend is Ruth Klein, author of Time Management Secrets for Working Women, and the other is Dr. Jan Yager, author of Work Less, Do More. Both of these women have unique, creative and easy techniques for managing your time, your work, and your fun load much better.

As I read their books, I realized that I have a time saving technique that I use on a regular basis that has really made a difference for me. I call it the Egg Timer Technique. This is especially useful for jobs that one procrastinates doing because you either hate doing it (cleaning the house, doing the taxes, etc.) or it seems overwhelming (getting started on that thesis, writing the next great American novel, or developing a business plan for a new venture).

Let's use cleaning the house as an example of something one may not feel like doing (That's a pretty likely possibility for me.) I take the egg timer into the family room, for example, and set it for :30 minutes. For that amount of time, I am going to get as much done in this room as I possibly can and I promise myself that when the bell goes off, I will stop immediately and completely. It's important to keep this promise to yourself so that your inner child or your unconscious, or whatever it is that pays attention to what you say, will believe you.

What happens during this process is amazing. Before you know it, you will begin racing against the clock to get as much done as you possibly can within that :30 minute period. With only 6 minutes remaining, you may realize you have to vaccuum so you run to get the vaccuum cleaner and quickly run it over the carpet. I told you it's amazing. It really is. I never imagined myself running to vaccuum, but it works! It's the Egg Timer Technique.

What techniques have you found help you to get things done? How do you motivate yourself to get started on writing that book proposal, or developing that publicity plan, or cleaning out the garage?

The Perfect Pitch Letter

Writing a great pitch letter isn't brain surgery or rocket science. However, if you want to get booked for an interview, mind these suggestions:

Do:

Remember -- You are pitching an idea-not your book. The book comes later. First and foremost, pitch a great idea.

Do your homework. Be sure your topic matches the interests of the media outlet's target audience.

Do include your contact information at the top and bottom of the pitch letter. List your name,
e-mail address, and telephone number.

Don't:

Don't make producers or writers work to understand your message.

Don't ramble on and on. Get to the point.

Don't send a dull pitch or they'll think you're dull.

Taking care to approach media in the right way will go a long way toward helping you secure those important media interviews, which will in turn help you generate visibility for your book.

Joanne's Take on Radio

With a background in radio, here are three tips I can give you on doing radio interviews:

1. Speak up

2. Be energetic

3. Be mindful of time and breaks.

Doing radio interviews can be so much fun but there are things to keep in mind when doing so.

If you have ever been in a school or church choir, then you know about using the diaphram. Use it during radio interviews and speak up.

Remember, from the moment you open your mouth, you need to project energy. Then up that by 10%. Really!

Knowing the length of the interview and whether or not there will be commercial breaks is critical. Knowing whether an interview is 5 minutes or 35 minutes will give you a very good idea how long your answers should be and how many stories you will be able to tell to demonstrate each point you want to make.

Radio interviews are a fantastic way to promote your book. Be mindful of these three tips and you will be off to an excellent start.

Oh, and tip #4: Have fun!