One Entrepreneur On Marketing

I recently did an interview with Upstart Smart magazine about marketing strategies entrepreneurs can use to promote their businesses. The mag is the brainchild of Amber Singleton Riviere, who runs one of the smoothest ships I've ever seen. She sent details on how to schedule my interview, pre-questions, and a reminder of the interview. R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Ms. Riviere!

Take a peak at the full interview here for an overview on brand, how personality effects building and promoting your business, and 3 tips on how to spread the word:

One Entrepreneur On Marketing: Joy Donnell of 720 PR

This is part of a series called "The Entrepreneurs on Marketing," where I'm talking with entrepreneurs about their strategies for marketing and promoting their businesses. In this interview, I caught up with Joy Donnell of 720 PR.

DOING IT Spotlight: Japan Buzzes about Terrisha Kearse

Congrats to my self-promotion protege director Terrisha Kearse who got some overseas press for herself and her film 10-20 in Japan's AUGUST magazine. Check out part of her 4-page article that discusses her unique vision as a filmmaker and where she found the inspiration for her directorial debut.

10-20 tells the story of EJ Henderson (Jah Shams), who discovers at the tender age of 13 that his life is a lie. Tracy (Bee-Be Smith), his birth mother, gave him up to her childless sister who was the victim of a brutal rape and couldn't have kids. Candice (Kimberly Bailey) raised EJ as her own. During these years, EJ channels his anger toward his abusive aunt and uncle into writing poetry. When Candice discovers that she is pregnant, she coldly admits the truth to EJ and sends him to live with Tracy. This betrayal turns the sensitive boy into an angry young man. EJ turns his back on Tracy and looks for acceptance on the streets. As his life spirals downward, EJ realizes too late that he can only control the present when he learns to deal with his past.

The debut film from director Terrisha Kearse, 10-20 derives its name from the Florida law that guarantees a 10-year sentence for possession of an unlicensed firearm, and 20 years to life if the gun is aimed at a person with the intent to shoot or kill. Kearse, who also co-authored the film, based the story on the real-life events that led to the incarceration of a close family member.

View the 10-20 trailer here

Ask A Reporter: Gina Roberts-Grey

Gina Roberts-Grey knows a good story when she sees one. She's contributed health, lifestyle, parenting and nutrition articles as well as celebrity profiles to over 200 magazines. These publications include GLAMOUR, ESSENCE, WOMAN'S DAY, SELF, and PREGNANCY, but that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Her work has been widely translated and Gina currently serves as co-chair for the American Society of Authors and Journalists' (ASJA) 39th annual writer's conference to be held in Spring 2010.

Gina took a few minutes to share her thoughts on fame, media exposure, and what makes a profile compelling:

When profiling a celebrity or celebrity expert, what are some of the attributes that make the individual fascinating and compelling (other than fame itself)?

GRG: There are a number of factors, that are usually based on what the outlet (I'm writing for) wants or needs. In many cases, it's not necessarily "new" news. It may be a life-long cause, a medical condition, etc. In other cases it's what projects they're working on, or have lined up. In the latter, interest is usually tied to doing something new.

Celebrities live very public lives yet it's impossible for the public to know everything about them. Have you found that the famous people you've profiled were fully aware of their own public perception?

GRG: Yes, in fact, the celebrities I've interviewed take that very seriously. They're advocates for health issues, the environment, etc. and they're using their voice to get very important messages out to as many as possible.

Does the current state and abilities of media (and social media) make it easier or harder to rectify a negative image? Does it make it easier or harder to cultivate and maintain a positive image?

GRG: I think it depends on the audience. If the target "image shaping" audience is using social media, I think it may be easier. But I don't think social media is the "end all be all". A lot of fans and those curious about celebs get their information and shape their opinions based on the print and TV media.

How has the public's fascination with famous people changed over the years? Is public demand becoming more voracious?

GRG: I think the public looks to celebrities for hints of "normalcy". They want to relate to the people the see on TV, read about, etc. And are fascinated with celebs to learn if a celeb is getting divorced, having a baby or has a rowdy teen, just like "everyone else".

What are some things from the subject's team you find frustrating or counterproductive when trying to complete a story (such as unresponsive, details that are difficult to fact check, and so on)?

GRG: The red tape to schedule an interview. I've found that once you can get access to a person, they're very graceful, charming and forthright with information. However, it can be tricky to navigate the handlers, agents, etc. surrounding the person. But, I've yet to encounter a celebrity who wasn't terrific to speak with.

Visit Gina Roberts-Grey online at GinaRoberts-Grey.com

Open Letter: Your MicroBlog Can Turn Into a TV Deal

Still wondering how microblogging can benefit your career? Perhaps your tweets will become a TV show, book deal, or feature film...

Dear Creative Person,

Almost everyday I meet an actor, singer, or small business owner that has big dreams of the small screen. This dream might just be a concept, treatment, or an actual script, but either way the desire is there to see their vision turn into an actual TV show.

What hinders most of them (and most anyone who just has the dream) is money, connections, and lack of an audience. That last one, an audience, can equal money and connections. After all, TV shows, films, endorsements, and book deals are offered everyday to people who have fans or loyal followers that want to hear them, see them, and know more about them. That’s the cornerstone of celebrity.

I, like many of my colleagues, encourage the avenue of free social networks for anyone looking to grow a following. But it’s easy for PR pros and brand geniuses to recognize the endless possibilities of an online audience. So what if I told you that Twitter or Facebook account could be your ticket to a TV show, endorsement deal, book, or film?

Use Justin Halpern as an example. When Justin moved back in with his parents, he began to tweet all the funny and often off-color gems that spilled from his 73 year old father’s mouth such as "Sometimes life leaves a hundred-dollar bill on your dresser, and you don't realize until later that it's because it fucked you," and “You need to flush the toilet more than once... No YOU, YOU specifically need to. You know what, use a different toilet. This is my toilet.”

Justin’s popular @shitmydadsays has acquired over 700,000 twitter followers, sold book rights, and now has a development deal with CBS for a TV show executive produced by Will & Grace creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. By the way, the account has only been online since August 3, 2009!

Actually, this is the second Twitter account to be picked up for TV. TextsFromLastNight is in development at Sony with Adam Sandler’s team.

Bottom line, TextsFromLastNight and Shit My Dad Says are hilarious. I doubt that they started with the intention of forming ancillary markets, but these possibilities exist because they put something unique out into the world and gathered a following.

We Have a Winner

The Personal PR Plan Contest that I announced on Savvy Job Seeker has ended and we have a winner. The announcement is coming soon!

Meanwhile, I'd like to thank Roxanne Ravenel of The Savvy Job Seeker radio show and Employ Me Today for helping to spread the word.