Gina Bell’s International Association of Women in Business Online (IAWBO) has turned one year old, and she’s giving away gifts!

Up for grabs is a Virtual Gift Bag for Women Entrepreneurs with over $1,300 worth of goodies — but you can get them all free right here:

http://www.PRinYourPajamas.com/giftbag

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Are you a twit on Twitter?

What’s a “twit” anyway?

One definition of a twit is:

“a foolishly annoying person”

If you’re new to Twitter, it’s easy to get confused and be a twit rather than sending out a good tweet. Here are 5 signs to look out for:

1. You talk a lot–even shout–but never engage.

I’m certainly no guru, but I’ve seen so-called marketing and social media experts push out only their own tips, blog posts (both theirs and blogs they are mentioned in), and quotes – attributed to themselves. Ick.

Yes, it may make you look like an expert, but not a person. Think about what it’s like at a networking event. Would you just talk about you, you and you? How much business did you get?

If you keep tweeting information without interacting with other people on Twitter, you end up looking more like a robot than a human being. And everybody hates Twitter bots!

Sure, links to informative web pages are valuable and helpful. But allow us to get to know YOU, too. People buy from people long before they buy from a company. I want to find something in common with you. I want to laugh or cry with you. I want to connect and converse with you. Even if it’s just once every 10 tweets.

2. You’re not original.

Everybody appreciates getting retweeted. But do you find yourself ALWAYS just retweeting other people’s messages… and never coming up with your own?

If so, you are in effect hiding your real persona, your true self. Don’t! Do share with us your diverse interests. That’s what makes you interesting and somebody people will want to keep seeing on their Twitter stream.

The one thing that makes you different – maybe you’re also a triathlete, or a mom, or a painter – can be something that stands out for your potential client if they are also a triathlete, mom or painter. As Oscar Wilde said: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”

3. You never link back to your site.

Of course we want you to be generous and help other people get exposure for their stuff.

However, Twitter is an effective marketing vehicle for your own site. Don’t be afraid or timid about sending your Twitter followers back to your own content and offers. After all, almost everybody on Twitter (and other networking sites) is marketing something. You wouldn’t be the only one, nor the first one.

Strive for balance:

valuable content + engagement + an offer to buy = sales

4. You have a silly Twitter handle and/or avatar.

How would you feel about following someone with a cartoon character, animal or cleavage on their avatar?

How about a handle with the words “sexy,” or “get rich”?

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t follow those users! Neither would I take them seriously.

Here’s a better idea: use a nice, clear photo of you with a big smile. Studies have shown more people will follow you if you use a pleasant user photo.

As for your handle, use your real name or a variation of it. Remember to keep it short, as your username does take up some of the 140-character limit on each tweet.

5. You send automatic DMs and take your ego with you.

It’s not gracious to welcome your followers with this automatic message:

“Thanks for the follow. Please click on my site and buy something because I’m so cool.”

That’s a sure way to get your followers to automatically… hit the “unfollow” button.

Stop Being A Twit

The most important thing to remember, to avoid looking like a complete twit on Twitter, is to be yourself.

Give before asking (use the 80/20 rule), and have a clear strategy laid out.

This way, you won’t waste your–or anybody else’s–time.

What are your Twitter tips? Do share them below.

PS: Do you need help using Twitter and other social media in a strategic way to get more exposure, leads and customers for your business? If so, I hope you’ll consider getting my course, “Social Media for Beginners.” I teach the exact system I used to increase my list three-fold and bring an additional five figures to my income–all within the first year of using social media. Click here to find out more about it.

Image from Crestock Stock Photography

Related posts:

1. 20 Men Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter I was recently included in a Forbes.com list of 20...
2. Twitter Chats: Another Social Media PR Opportunity As Twitter becomes more and more popular, its users...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Travel has always been a big part of my life. It honors my values of adventure, challenge, connection with different cultures and fun. It began in my 20’s with a backpacking adventure, and even now with a family, we rent out our place and go somewhere for several months at a time.

In a matter of weeks, I can find a tenant, enroll clients and associates into my new schedule and have our support network of friends and family look after things such as pets, plants and paintings. We leave with nothing planned except the first few days’ accommodations, and technology has allowed my work to continue from Europe, Asia and even the most remote places in Africa.

I let everyone know what I am doing, what I want and need and somehow

things just seem to fall into place.

We all have days when everything seems to go right. Having a parking spot open up exactly where we need it, finding the exact house we want, money becomes available for a trip we want to take or a project we want to start. Sometimes people we’ve been trying to reach suddenly call or appear and we can wrap up our business with them quickly and efficiently. Everything is in sync.

These days, over and over again, as soon as I’ve become clear on what it is that I want, the circumstances I need to get it become available to me almost effortlessly. I find that synchronicity operates in many areas of my life – I just have to slow down and pay attention to the messages and possibilities. And then I ask for what I want, with no shame and no guilt.

This is not to say that everything is a piece of cake. But if you like the idea of synchronicity, then make a formal declaration to yourself about what you want. Identify your goal and ask yourself these questions:

• What is one step I can take to get there?
• Who can help me with that first step?
• Who do I need to be to achieve what I want?

The next step is to simply let others know about it. It might take a day, a month or a year to get it, but put your intention out there and the results might just amaze you.

When you know what you want, and want it badly enough, you’ll find a way to get it. – Jim Rohn

What steps are you taking to achieve what you want in your life?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I admit, probably 90% of my followers and those I am following are women…and I also follow some really HOT male entrepreneurs on Twitter.

By hot I mean:

- They have an awesome business I admire and am learning from
- They are genuinely interested in and engage with their community
- Some have a wicked sense of humor
- Some have gone out of their way to help me out
- And some of them, are just plain hot (You know who you are!)

Here are 20 Men who appear in my Twitter stream and why I *heart* them:

• @guykawasaki is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, kick-ass entrepreneur and marketer who helped me out by adding my blog last year to Alltop.com when I only had ohhh, maybe 4 posts?  That immediately brought credibility and landed me a consulting contract. Guy, I owe you a nice lunch next time you’re in town! Oh, and I’ve spoken on the same ‘stage’ as Guy.  In our Pajamas.

• @problogger Darren Rowse helps bloggers improve their blogging and explore ways to earn an income at the same time by writing about topics that they love.  I’m no pro blogger by any means, so I just got his “31 Days to a Better Blog” workbook and am looking forward to digging in.

• @petershankman is the founder of HARO which in less than 2 years has revolutionized how journalists connect with their sources. I’ve had a few entrepreneurs thank me for getting their first stories in the media after referring them to the site.  Nice biz model too – Shankman says HARO made $1.4 million in revenue in 15 months.

• @markheartofbiz speaking of money, Mark Silver answers the question: “can you really make a profit while making a difference?” I met Mark in person earlier this year and promptly purchased his program which has illuminated so many aspects of my relationship with money. A must for every business owner!

• @charliegilkey helps overwhelmed creative entrepreneurs be more productive. I know I desperately need a coaching session from Charlie with all the yummy things I have planned, but in the meantime, I’ve used his awesome free planners to stay on track with my vision.

• @cameronherold is your backpocket COO who’s grown a company from $2M to $150M and placed 5000 media hits for them in just a few years. Now he coaches CEOs how to do it for their own high-growth companies. Hangs out mostly at the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club…and trying to get me, and everyone else, to Burning Man.

• @therisetothetop if I can just tap into some of David Siteman Garland’s seemingly unlimited energy, I’d be set! David interviews the most interesting entrepreneurs on his ABC-TV show and web show and he is definitely the #1 non-boring resource for entrepreneurs. After placing several “non-clients” on his show just because I wanted to help…David finally asked ME to be on his show! (bwahahaha…my *evil* strategy worked!)

• @lewishowes my buddy and favorite LinkedIn expert who helped me get to the top of LinkedIn searches for people in public relations.  He’s passionate about living the dream and a pretty good salsa dancer from what I hear, but I don’t think he’s posted a video…yet.

• @seanmalarkey Lewis’s partner in the “side hustle” of marketing through webinars, Sean is an undisputed Twitter expert and from what I see on his Facebook, a great dad too.

• @clementyeung specializes in helping some of the best internet marketers out there improve traffic and conversion for their sites. Not only that, he’s into body building and if you’re lucky, you may catch a photo or two of his biceps.

• @chrisbrogan if you have any hope of understanding social media, you’ve got to follow the author of Trust Agents. I’m guilty of many blunders myself and I often see Chris point them out, without necessarily pointing a finger at anyone.  Gracefully done.

• @copyblogger offers the best copywriting tips for marketing online. If you want to blog for business and attract raving fans, this blog is the grand-daddy role model.  I’m honored to be on VisaBusinessNetwork.com’s blogroll alongside Brian Clark.

• @standupkid Mark Joyella is a 5-Time Emmy Award winning TV reporter, print journalist and new dad who was kind enough to participate in my “Ask the Journalists” teleseminar.  At one point he called some PR people “flacks” but I’m sure he didn’t mean me

• @unmarketing Scott Stratten says to stop marketing and start engaging.  And he means it dammit! Also known as the king of the rants.  Hilarious, unless of course, the rant is about you.  His bark is worse than his bite though, I think he’s a softie at heart.

• @loubortone now that I’m getting into video, Lou’s the guy with all the tips, tricks and video tweets.  As a self-described cynical, hard-edged, jaded guy from Boston, when I read his post on “OMG, I’ve become one of them! I’m a heart-based entrepreneur!” I wanted to give him a hug.  Maybe I’ll send him a video hug.

• @gapingvoid Hugh MacCleod is a professional cartoonist and I’ve subscribed to his daily cartoons featuring thoughts on life and business.  It’s like my daily 30 second coaching – inspirational, sometimes funny, sometimes biting and always thoughtful. If you’re lucky enough, he makes personalized business cards too.

• @tferriss who doesn’t want to have the Tim Ferriss system for a 4-Hour Workweek? I read this book a couple of years ago, tell everyone at dinner parties about it, and am working my way through the process. Right now I’d be super happy with a 4-hour Work Day.

• @rockyourday Dave Navarro has earned his name of The Launch Coach for the simple reason that yes, he rocks. I’ve purchased his membership program and there is so much valuable content there for anyone wanting to launch products and sell to more buyers every month.

• @danschawbel author of Me 2.0 and personal branding expert. Since I’m always starting new things, and getting my brands convoluted in the process (that’s the problem when you have the Shiny Object Syndrome) Dan provides a good reality check with his advice.

• @boxofcrayons Michael Bungay-Stanier is one of the most creative coaches out there.  I’ve got both his books and if you ever need some inspiration, watch his cool movies like my favorite: 8 Irresistible Principles of Fun.

So there you have it.  If you’re a complete newbie to Twitter you now have 20 amazing women entrepreneurs (Twitter list) and 20 men entrepreneurs (Twitter list) to love.

What about you, which men and women do you love to follow and recommend?

Related posts:

1. 5 Signs You’re Being A Twit on Twitter Are you a twit on Twitter? What’s a “twit”...
2. Twitter Chats: Another Social Media PR Opportunity As Twitter becomes more and more popular, its users...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Shock, because I’ve always considered this blog to be in the fledgling stage. I started it just over a year and a half ago and while I always strive to deliver quality information about PR and social media, I haven’t exactly been diligent about it. It was only in the last few months that I’ve been able to publish a new post at least every week.

I also felt awe, because the other bloggers on the list are PR and social media stars: Brian Solis, Peter Shankman of HARO, Danny Brown, and Jason Falls of Social Media Explorer, among others.

They’re certainly the thought leaders I’ve been looking up to.

Being at this stage of my “blogging” career, I wouldn’t have expected to be mentioned in the same article.

The irony is, I’ve been so busy empowering small business owners with practical and doable PR strategies, that I haven’t been consciously trying to get PR for myself or this blog.

For me, this unexpected exposure demonstrates the snowball effect of PR and social networking. Once you set things in motion, they take on a life of their own. You get promoted through word-of-mouth. Happy customers gush about you. Interviews you gave months ago get passed around, cited and quoted.

Before you know it, you get discovered by influence peddlers, your reputation gets established, and it’s easier than ever to get even more publicity.

The going may be slow at first, but once you gain momentum, it does get easier. However, this doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels and slack off.

In fact, I feel more motivated than ever now to keep giving you, my reader, even better content on PR, online marketing and social media.

If you have any ideas for how I could possibly serve you better, please let me know. I’m all ears.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Public relations nowadays needs to include the Internet, more specifically, social media. Consider these statistics:

• Four out of every 10 Americans read blogs, according to a study by Synovate/MarketingDaily.
• There are 500 million Facebook accounts
• An estimated 75 million users are on Twitter, with 10 – 15 million actively using it

Social media has become a very powerful frontier for PR–one that is easier, faster and cheaper to permeate than traditional media.

That said, figuring out social media, getting involved, building and sustaining relationships sure can take up a lot of our time. Too much time, in fact, especially when we get into it without a strategy.

Here are seven questions I ask my PR students and clients, to help them craft a doable and effective social media PR strategy:

1. What do you want to achieve?

Begin with the end goal in mind. At the end of the day, what specific results and ultimate outcomes would you like to accomplish? Once you know your destination, then you can create your map.

2. Who is your audience and where are they online?

Having a clear idea and understanding of your target audience is key to a successful marketing plan. Same thing with your social media PR plan. You won’t be able to reach every blog and social networking site. Knowing whom you’re trying to reach will help you set priorities and focus your efforts on those sites that will bring significant results.

3. Who are the influencers?

These are specific people, groups or institutions that reach your target audience and influence their attitudes. Consider them the shortcut to your target audience’s heart and head. They’re also your second target audiences.

4. What are they saying?

Find out what your target audiences and their influencers are saying about your industry, product or your competition’s products. There are many benefits to having this knowledge, the first of which is so you can participate in the conversation.

5. How will your value proposition align?

Now that you know what your target customers are saying, you can evaluate how your own value proposition or offering aligns with their needs and desires. Are you offering something unique and relevant? Or is your message getting lost in a cacophony of voices saying more of the same?

6. How can you deliver and contribute?

This is where you decide how you’re going to attract your target audience, engage with their influencers, and deliver your value proposition. Will you maintain a high-quality blog with fresh posts every day? Will you make special reports available for free to your subcribers? Will you create a Facebook fan page and share awesome resources there? There are many options available and, once again, your target audience and their preferences will shape your choices.

7. What resources are you willing to invest?

The bottom line is, each of us only has a limited amount of time, energy and money to invest in PR. Even if social media is almost free, it can cost us many hours in a week. Do you have the time? Or can you hire a virtual assistant to do some of the work with you? How many minutes exactly can you devote each day to interact and participate in social networks?

These questions will help you to craft a social media PR strategy that suits your business, supports your goals, and is realistic, given what you are able to do.

As with traditional PR, nobody can guarantee you instant results with social media PR. As I like to say, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. With sustained and consistent effort, you will see results in time.

Now go and get some publicity!

Image from Crestock Creative Images

Related posts:

1. How Social Media = Online PR Social media is a means of establishing your credibility, building...
2. My Year On Social Media (Lessons Learned) Is Social Media a waste of time? Too much to...
3. Twitter Chats: Another Social Media PR Opportunity As Twitter becomes more and more popular, its users...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Entrepreneurs and PR peeps:

Do you have a cool new product or hot gadget you want to get some publicity for?

Are you an expert with an opinion on something controversial or are part of a trend?

Want to pitch story ideas and leads related to pop culture, celebrities, entertainment or lifestyles?

If so, leave the details in a comment below so my friend and reporter for a new daily one hour talk show in the San Francisco Bay area can hear about it.

She’s asked me to help spread the word.

The new talk show, launching in a month or two will engage viewers in real time candid conversations about the people and things making news. Social networking, pop culture, entertainment, tech news and politics all moderated by a host along with on air contributors. They will be using Twitter, Facebook, Skype, texting and a studio audience.

That’s the show in a nutshell. They are looking for topics that’ll get people talking – so it doesn’t have to be Bay Area specific.

Make sure you leave your contact info (website and email) so she can contact you directly if your story is chosen. I’ll let you know the name of the show as soon as I’m given the green light! If you know anyone who may want to get PR and be on TV in a major city, tell them to stop by here!

Image from Crestock Royalty Free Images

Related posts:

1. Twitter Chats: Another Social Media PR Opportunity As Twitter becomes more and more popular, its users...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

As Twitter becomes more and more popular, its users keep coming up with new ways to better interact and engage with each other.

One popular way is through Twitter chats. A Twitter chat is a live discussion via Twitter on a specific topic. There is usually one host, who moderates the chat, by tweeting questions. It’s a virtual water cooler and a good place to meet people, deepen friendships, and exchange information.

Participants keep track of the “conversation” by following and using a hashtag–a pound symbol (#) followed by a word. For example, #prinpajamas is a hashtag.

Twitter chats allow participants to discuss a topic and have their own questions answered.

Some Twitter chat organizers even allow each participant to mention their business and tweet a link to their website.

You’ve got to agree, Twitter chats can be an excellent PR opportunity. They’re an easy way to get in the radar of Twitter power users, meet potential partners, and even get some leads.

Here are a few tips to make your Twitter chat experience a positive and fruitful one:

1. Pick a relevant Twitter chat.

To meet the right people, you need to join the right Twitter chats. Be conscious of the hashtags your favorite Twitter friends use. Or check out the list of Twitter chats here.

2. Use a Twitter chatting app.

A third-party site, such as tweetgrid.com or tweetchat.com, makes it super easy to follow a chat. Otherwise, you’ll have to rely on your Twitter app’s search function, which may not be robust enough for a chat.

3. Be interested.

Don’t be so focused on getting exposure for your biz. Instead, be genuinely interested in the topic. Respond to the chat questions. Throw in some of your own. When appropriate, respond to other participants. Be on the lookout for opportunities to offer good information or a solution, when another participant needs it.

4. Be consistent.

Twitter chats tend to happen once a week. Choose one or two you can join as often as possible. That way, you make real connections with the organizers and the other regular participants.

5. Go beyond the chat.

Part of the value of Twitter chats come from what happens after the chat. Follow the people you connected with or found interesting. If it’s relevant, you can continue your discussion even after the chat. And if the organizer provides transcripts of the chats, download them, file them and use them to find people you can connect with.

Another thing: If you feel you have something valuable to share in a Twitter chat, offer to be a guest. That will bring you and your biz tons of exposure.

Interested in joining a Twitter chat? Join me when I guest in #SmallBizChat on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 8-9 pm Eastern. I’ll be giving tips on PR for small business owners.

For more information, follow me or the organizers, @SmallBizChat and @SmallBizLady on Twitter.

I hope to see you there!

Image from Yuri Arcurs Website

Related posts:

1. How Social Media = Online PR Social media is a means of establishing your credibility, building...
2. 7 Questions to a Social Media PR Strategy Public relations nowadays needs to include the Internet, more...
3. 5 Signs You’re Being A Twit on Twitter Are you a twit on Twitter? What’s a “twit”...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The amazing thing with doing public relations is, you never know who’s out there listening, watching or reading about you.

This might be a scary thing, but most of the time, it’s a GOOD thing.

The more consistently you put yourself out there, the more unexpected praise, recognition and opportunities come your way.

The ripple effect of PR has only gotten more intense with social networking. Journalists as well as other content publishers and influence peddlers are online. They may be “on to you” without you being aware of it.

I experienced this myself recently when I was included in Forbes.com’s 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter.

I hadn’t been interacting with the writer on Twitter.

Who’s listening?

However, I have no doubts that my online presence–including this blog and my activities in Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn–helped Forbes writer Natalie Sisson to discover me. In fact, she sites PRinYourPajamas.com as a “great blog.”

Social networking has expanded the realm of PR from the traditional newspapers, magazines, radio and TV to blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media.

The Internet provides a vast opportunity for entrepreneurs to become, not only more visible, but also more “findable”.

If you’re reading this post,you’re probably already active in various social media. If so, it’s worthwhile for you to ask yourself the following questions:

• How am I using my social media involvement as part and parcel of my PR efforts?
• Do I consciously project a consistent brand, image and message across social networks?
• Which groups, lists, blogs, networks, forums and pages should I be active in to reach my audience and the people who are already reaching my audience?

If you consider social networking to be something distinct from PR then you could be leaving a lot of opportunities on the table. You could even hurt your overall PR efforts.

On the other hand, if you embrace social media as part of your PR strategy, then you will see bigger results with less than the usual effort.

And to make sure you don’t miss any exposure you’re getting, remember to set up a Google alert for your name, business name, and product name.
woman listening to music from Crestock Stock Photos

Related posts:

1. 7 Questions to a Social Media PR Strategy Public relations nowadays needs to include the Internet, more...
2. I’m Spilling My Secrets The other day, a Twitter friend asked me if...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So your PR efforts have paid off and a journalist has arranged to interview you. Congratulations!

Your work is far from finished, however. Now you have to prepare.

One of the often overlooked elements of preparing for a media interview is to get more information from the reporter.

Here are 10 questions you should ask before your media interview:

1. Whom do you write for?

Know which media outlet the reporter works for. Do some background research, just to make sure they’re legit, but also to get a better understanding of their readers/viewers/listeners, editorial style and biases (you’ll be surprised; the media aren’t as objective as you thought).

2. What types of articles do you write for your publication?

If the journalist writes features, then you’ll know that you should be armed with human interest stories. If he writes news items, then have all your data with you.

3. What story are you writing now?

Know in what context your interview will appear. It could be just a part of a bigger story, in which case the journalist may be using your story to illustrate a point. Or you could be the entire story. Either way, it’s good to know exactly how your interview will be used.

4. When’s your deadline?

By knowing this, you can respond to her requests in a timely manner–which you should always do anyway.

5. Are you contacting other companies?

Not that you’re demanding exclusivity, but it’s good to know whether competitors or complementary businesses will be featured alongside yours.

6. Would you like a sample of my product or service?

The reporter may forget to ask, so be proactive and offer a sample.

7. Would you like a customer reference?

Again, this is something the reporter may overlook. Be ready with feedback or testimonials from your happy customers. They may just be quoted in the piece!

8. What trends or issues are you seeing in this segment?

This is good market research for you. It will also help you frame your answers so you can be more relevant.

9. How did you hear about my company?

This is a good way to find out which of your PR efforts are paying off.

10. When is the story scheduled to run?

Don’t expect the reporter to give you copies of your interview when it’s published or aired. Be ready to monitor and file your own copies.

These are just some of the most important questions you can ask a journalist before your media interview. Don’t be timid about getting the information you need to go into the interview prepared and confident.

Image from from Crestock Royalty Free Images

Related posts:

1. 2 Approaches In Reaching Out to Media A question I often get asked about approaching the...
2. How to Write a 3-Paragraph Media Pitch If you can write an email, you can write a...
3. 3 Tips For Using A Media List Effectively Whether you build your own or buy a media list,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.