I had the good fortune to interview Karen Salmansohn, author of the Bounce Back Book. We chatted specifically about how to be resilient in the pursuit of the trials and tribulations of do-it-yourself publicity. Check out her answers to some pressing questions that have no doubt crossed your mind since you started your own journey to DIY (do-it-yourself) publicity success.

A few years ago, my “look” was basic black. With a simple black business suit, white blouse, and pearl earrings, I was ready to go just about anywhere. I was appropriately dressed but not necessarily very memorable or remarkable. Some truth tellers in my life took me aside and gently suggested that some wardrobe adjustments would serve me well. Fast forward to today. Now, I wear vibrant, bold colors and sassy jewelry to better reflect my way of being in the world. My personality shows, and I stand out in a crowd. Heck, why wear a taupe trench coat when hot pink is an option?

Seminars are big business, provided you can get enough “butts in seats” to make them pay off. Getting the word out with ease can contribute mightily to your success. I invite you to check out www.fullcalendar.com. This online meeting notice service makes it easy for you to alert the online and print media in your backyard with one click. You just create 2000, 750, and 150 character descriptions of your event, pay your $19.95 for each event date, and let FullCalendar.com do the rest. I use this service to helps spread the word about the Publici-Tea™ Half-Day Workshops. Since I hold them once a month, I just go back into the system, change the date, and “alert the media” with one click.

The most important thing to keep in mind about media relations is that business periodicals, newspapers, and broadcast media are in business to inform and serve their readers and viewers. Your task is to share timely, newsworthy, relevant, trend-worthy, and local story ideas for editorial consideration that do exactly that.

With all the dire economic news lately, many business people and professional service providers wonder if the sky is falling and what that means for their ability to grow their businesses in such challenging times. Those who are known as experts in their fields stand to weather the bad times better than those without this reputation.  They may even be able to charge more for their specialized services because those who need their help can ill afford to make the wrong choices when the problems they need to solve are so urgent.