Taking Time & Making Time
Monday was a roller coaster...
Galleys Arrived
Last Monday was a roller coaster of emotions type of day. I knew my galleys were being delivered because UPS kept sending me updates, but I couldn’t be distracted by it because I had a follow up mammogram and ultrasound due to my original results I got just over a month ago.
Scared was an understatement. I’m someone who jumps into action and since I didn’t know what type of action would be necessary, I started to write a note in my phone while I was in the waiting room. I took note of how the room was silent and yet three of us sat in matching light pink wrap tops mindlessly scrolling our phones and waiting for our names to be called. My clothes and purse were in a locker with Oprah’s headshot on it so that I could remember which locker was mine. I’d been messaging for over a month with
about this visit and knew she was waiting for my results just as anxiously as my husband and I were. Side note…I met Gila virtually a couple of months ago and she sprang into supportive action when I told her the results of my mammogram back in October. She’s an incredible human being and I’m so grateful to for introducing us.In addition to another mammogram, I had an ultrasound and at that point, two additional doctors came into the room…then they left…then they came back. They did find a jellybean sized cyst but believe it’s benign and will continue monitoring me which means I’ll go back for another mammogram in 6 months. I was still processing all of this when I came home to my big box of books and two very excited tiny humans who wanted me to open the box, therefore the show must go on…
I sent out the first set of galleys and have more to send in the coming week. I’m also working on a book signing in New York around January 18/19, sent out invitations for my launch party and am working on booking more signing events. I’ve pitched myself to a ton of journalists, media outlets and of course podcasts! This week I’m being interviewed on four podcasts (last week was 3!). Of course I’m going on a Podcast Book Tour™!
How To Get On Podcasts Tips
Today was Tip #18 of 50 for How To Get On Podcasts and starting tomorrow, the tip number on the video will be off until tip 31. My tiny human helper said the wrong tip number and we kept going with it because I didn’t catch it until we were done recording a batch of videos. Does it change anything? Absolutely not, which is why after recording 13 tips, I decided done was better than redoing all of them. Also, since my pub date was moved to January 17th, I’ll be doing 6 bonus tips, so you’ll actually get 56!
Here’s a recap of tips 7-18…
Tip 7: Create an email list
I’m loving Substack, but you can also use FloDesk, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Active Campaign. You’ll need a place to house all of the email addresses you’re going to collect.
Tip 8: Create a call to action
What do you want people to do? Remember the freebie you created? Direct them to go download it! Create unique bit.ly links to track the ROI of each interview.
Tip 9: Write a welcome email or sequence for new subscribers
Say hello and introduce yourself to new subscribers.
Tip 10: Pick at least one social media platform and create an account for yourself.
You don’t have to be in all of the places, but you should show up in at least one or two.
Tip 11: Engage on social media
Don’t just like posts. Tell the person why you like their post, thank them for sharing their knowledge.
Tip 12: Create an organizational tool
I love Trello and even give my template as a resource in How To Get On Podcasts. You’ll need somewhere to house all of the podcasts you’ll be pitching to.
Tip 13: Gather previous features/interviews
Make a list with links of all of the media and podcasts you’ve already been interviewed on.
Tip 14: Smile! Get a headshot taken
You need a headshot that you like because it’s going to go on your media kit, your website and to every podcast host that interviews you.
Tip 15: Write your bio
Write your bio in 3rd person, but don’t make it an essay or memoir. We don’t need to know every detail of your life!
Tip 16: Create a branding guide
Create a branding guide and if you use Canva, upload it. This will have your logo, font names and colors you use. It’ll make it easy for you to refer to it when making graphics, along with handing that off to a team member.
Tip 17: Create a Spotify Playlist of your podcast interviews
Create a Spotify playlist with all of your past podcast interviews. I create cover art in Canva to use with it. You can embed the playlist link on your website, on your media kit, on LinkedIn and share it in your pitches.
Tip 18: Write a topic for the method/framework you use
We know you have a secret sauce, so give it a title and use it as a speaking topic!
My Media Mentions
This week I had the honor of being mentioned in some great outlets!
Prezly named me as one of the 20+ best PR & comms thought leaders to follow in 2024!
Michelle Garrett included my advice on marketing and PR for 2024.
Polywork included my tips for what you should include in your media kit!
I was interviewed on Stories About Fear about how I learned to say “no”.
On The Podcast
This week I interviewed Suzy Gigante, the Senior Community Manager at Virgin Unite. Suzy shared her journey from growing up in a single-parent immigrant household in New York City to working for high-profile nonprofit organizations like the Clinton Foundation and Virgin Unite.
The Other Stuff
Yesterday I wrote over 1500 words in my next novel. I loved reading what
had to say about making time for writing. We all have time, it’s just up to us what we want to do with it. I have started bringing my laptop to the couch on the weekends…this allows me to be present while everyone wants to watch TV or sports, but I can still type away and work on my book!I’m kicking myself because I read a post and didn’t hit “like” or comment and now wish I could go back to share it with all of you. It was around the importance of creating a Not To Do List this time of year. I’m completely on board with this! I’m vowing not to wrap gifts on Christmas Eve and to completely enjoy being present. Shopping is almost done, Christmas cards are sent out and every day in the Advent calendar we have an activity or memory to make as a family. Last night we took a Jeep ride to see Christmas lights and today we took a 4.25 mile walk where we saw woodpeckers, a falcon, a coyote, hawks, ducks, vultures and more. It was a walk we’ll all remember and that’s what this month and holiday season is going to be about for me.
As life gets busy, don’t forget to pause.