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Rick Saldan is an excellent inspirational speaker who tailored the seminar to the needs of the individual students being instructed. This office thanks the Mayors Office of Information Services for having such a vendor.

 

Timothy K. Lynch

Office of Fleet Management

City of Philadelphia

 


 

Rick has a magical approach that provides a clear and concise message specifically designed to the needs of his audience. Rick will provide all the motivational magic you will ever need, propelling your organization to the next level of greater success.

 

Thomas Mulhern

Frontier Communications

 


 

Rick Saldan is a compelling and absorbing motivational speaker and magician.  I have been to five of his Motivational Magic presentations and it is amazing how he keeps our college audiences on the edge of their seats. A highly entertaining performer with great comedy flair. Rich content to increase students' productivity, peak performance and motivation. If you need an outstanding motivational speaker for colleges, Rick is definitely one of the world's greatest speakers and magicians!


Dr. Rob Gilbert, Sport Psychologist,

Montclair State University

 


 

Rick Saldan has the wit, wisdom and sorcery of a wizard. He has a dynamic personality, and all will enjoy his captivating stories, comedy and magic!

Dennis Slaughter
Credit Suisse First Boston

 


 

Rick Saldan delivers a first-class show! A pro in every sense of the word. Funny, unique, entertaining and polished.

Brian Letscher, Actor

Hawaii Five-O, NCIS, Cold Case, Law & Order and The Mentalist.

 


 

Rick Saldan is a wonderful combination of master magician, comic improviser and first class speaker. The audience loved his program, which was music to our ears. If you love celebrity motivational speakers such as Tom Hopkins, Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar, then you'll love Rick!

Dottie Burman, President
Burtley Productions, Inc.

 


Rick Saldan is an incredibly talented performer and motivational speaker with great insight. He shares many powerful motivational messages that will enhance your life for the better!

Jack Murray, President
Dream Illusions

 


Rick is one of the best inspirational speakers on the scene today. Funny, fun loving and highly energetic. If you want to make your next event into an extraordinary one, then invite professional speaker  Rick Saldan and his amazing  Motivational Magic.

 

Andres Lara, President

Inspiration Times Magazine

 

 

Industry Pro Interview: Insider Secrets To Building Your PR Campaign
Author: Karon Thackston

Todd Brabender of Spread The News Public Relations was kind enough to answer some burning questions most small business owners have about public relations, press releases and gaining media attention.

As a nationally recognized TV producer/reporter, Todd knows first hand what it takes to get the media’s attention. He also knows what will turn them off faster than you can blink your eye. Since turning from television to public relations, Todd has successfully built Spread The New Public Relations (http://www.spreadthenewspr.com). He’s taken a few minutes out of his busy schedule to help us out by answering some questions.

KARON: There seems to be a misconception about press releases these days. Most business owners have been led to believe that they can write a press release about anything and have the media running to their doorstep. You and I know that's simply not true. Can you give us an outline of what the media might find "newsworthy”.

TODD: A media release does not a PR/publicity campaign make. A media release is indeed an integral part of a campaign, but without a number of other elements it isn't worth much more than the paper it is printed upon. The biggest mistake most entrepreneurs make is using a media release aimed toward the end user/consumer, not to the media. Keep in mind the media is the target of a release. If a release doesn't sway the media into thinking that their readers or viewers would be interested in the topic of the release then they won't use it and the end user/consumer won't even hear about it.

KARON: So how do we change our focus from consumer to editor?

TODD: The media needs a "newspeg" to be interested in your release. Overcommercialized, advertising copy calling your product/business the "best" is fruitless -- because the editor likely just got off the phone with a person who claimed HIS product was the best too! Knowing what the media is interested in covering is the key to generating good exposure from your release. The media likes releases that provide unique information for their readers/viewers -- information that isn't just a re-hash of a tired old story. If your message details something that is unique, unprecedented or solves a consumer's problem you then have a better chance of creating media interest.

KARON: Good points! Let’s talk about format for a minute. I have seen a LOT of information lately about the formatting of press releases. Some say stick with the tried and true format. Others say - in the age of the Internet when reporters receive tons of email per day - we have to make them extremely short (about 3 paragraphs) and include the facts only. What have you found to be most effective?

TODD: When it comes to releases my favorite adjective is "concise". That doesn't mean short or small, it means that the information provided in the release is pertinent, factual and direct. I have been handed draft media releases written by clients that were over 1000 words that could have been completed in 300 words. There is no magic number of words to use but a good rule of thumb is to write an amount that can be seen on one screen of an email program -- about 300 words. Keep quotes from company executives to a minimum, don't include testimonials and state "facts not fireworks".

KARON: Thanks, Todd. Now, I know that I’ve gotten several questions pertaining to why press releases don’t work. I’m sure you have, too. There’s a misunderstanding that just sending a media release is enough. Can you give us a brief description of what it takes to develop a full PR strategy.

TODD: Sure, be glad to. A solid Public Relations/Publicity campaign should consist of the following elements.

1. Articulate media release/feature pitch composition that gets the attention of editors, reporters and producers nationwide. If you can’t get their attention, you’ve lost the battle before you’ve even started.

2. Meticulous media market research capabilities to find those media outlets and contacts applicable to your campaign. Just sending your release to anyone and everyone makes no sense. Some press release distribution services charge hundreds of dollars to send out your release. But WHO is it going to? It does little good to send a release about new business finance developments to the editor of Southern Living. Their audience isn’t looking for that information. Be sure you take great care to find media outlets and individual contacts that are interested in what you have to say.

3. Extensive, ongoing campaign management including: media follow-ups; media relations contacts, media request fulfillment and more. Why? Because without follow-ups, you have to start all over again then next time you send a release. And without media relations, you decrease your chance of getting seen by a horrifying percentage.

4. Media tracking capabilities to get you copies of the articles and features in which your product or business is mentioned. This information is vital for critiquing existing campaigns and launching future ones. By determining who ran what stories, and which types of media picked up on your release, you can strategically alter the direction of your publicity efforts for a greater response.

KARON: Now, you mentioned distribution services a minute ago. What I hear most from small business owners is that they "need" a press release distribution service. I have found, however, that it is often more effective to develop your own, targeted list of outlets to send releases to. What do you find works most often?

TODD: When it comes to press release distribution -- beware. Many distribution services are what I call "pitch and ditch" services in that they pitch your release to supposedly thousands of media outlets, but provide no additional media relations, follow-ups, media request fulfillment or tracking. Many services indiscriminately spew your release to hundreds of untargeted media outlets with little or no results. I'm not saying release distribution services aren't legitimate -- I just question their effectiveness for companies that aren't publicly traded. A smaller company needs to provide consistent and effective follow-ups before a campaign begins to bear fruit. And be sure to research to find out the preferred method of receipt of your media targets - don't just assume an email will suffice. Whether it's by snail mail, email, fax or phone calls, the media can't run your story if they don't hear about it.

KARON: Thanks so much, Todd. You’ve provided a lot of direction here that I know Business Essentials’ readers will take advantage of.

Todd Brabender of Spread The News Public Relations can be found online at http://www.spreadthenewspr.com.

Most buying decisions are emotional. Your ad copy should be, too! Karon is Owner and President of KT & Associates who offers targeted copywriting, copy editing & ezine article services. Subscribe to KT & Associates' Ezine "Business Essentials" at BusinessEssentials-subscribe@topica.com or visit her site at http://www.ktamarketing.com








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Most buying decisions are emotional. Your ad copy should be, too! Karon is Owner and President of KT & Associates who offers targeted copywriting, copy editing & ezine article services. Subscribe to KT & Associates' Ezine "Business Essentials" at BusinessEssentials-subscribe@topica.com or visit her site at http://www.ktamarketing.com.

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