​​Led by Ashley Moore of Ashley G. Moore

​​​​a DISCUSSION with the Biz Minded Muses & Guest Brian DeLeonardo

In this episode we welcome back Brian DeLeonardo, Carroll County States Attorney who dispenses some great wisdom on the advantages of free media over paid media.

What do we mean by media?  Anything that is a public platform to use to help you deliver your message to the general public.  Specifically we are looking at newspapers, podcasts, blogs, radio, etc.

Specifically we get into earned media, where you package an informative story that is newsworthy and can easily spread via tv, newspapers, radio, etc.  Brian shares his story of a story about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  He took that event and partnered with an alarm company to help donate their services that would help domestic violence victims.  After the event he was able to get a testimony from one of the people who benefited from the service at a domestic violence shelter.  

Things to keep in mind when seeking earned media...

1. Ask yourself, why should the public care?  This isn't about you you you, but about the audience and needs to be good enough to impress the press.
2. There is a benefit to finding a group or non-profit that you support as it gives you credibility making you look more like a celebrity verses a paid ad that can easily get overlooked.
3. Your story could be picked up from various social media outlets as well as the associated press.  Brian's story was picked up by several newspapers and a reporter came out to do the story which gained even more traction as the story was shared on Facebook.  After linking up to the social media shares, it makes for the beginnings of something to go viral.
4. Don't forget about podcasts and bloggers - many are followed by a lot of people and if you can reach out to bloggers and podcasters in your medium with your press release it can get you some extra reach.

If you don't have much going on that is newsworthy, follow the news in your community, city, and/or county whether it is a community Facebook page or following reporters on social media in your area as opportunities can arise to jump on the bandwagon of a breaking story.  For example, entering a community contest that benefits store fronts and you happen to have a store front shop.  The press usually comes out to said events and takes photos of many of the places that participate where even Muse Michelle was lucky enough to have a photo of her store front and address printed in the newspaper alongside the photo.  Sharing the photo on social media outlets and even commenting on the reporter's/newspaper's feed is also a great way to introduce yourself to their followers and get the ball rolling for additional links, shares, and other earned media links or possible future articles.  

What are some effective press release facts to know to get a piece of earned media?

1. Have a good unedited photo to include in the article, and attach / submit separately as well (or however the particular press request submissions).
2. Good and current contact information with at least one URL, media contact name (many reporters work on deadlines and one go to name means the difference between getting an article printed or missing the deadline), and email address.
3. The bulk of the story needs to be short and to the point no more than 1 page, 2-3 paragraphs.  If they have questions or want more info they will call you!  Remember reporters and editors are hit up for stories what seems like a thousand times a day, short and sweet helps cut through clutter.
4. Have a great press release title and make sure you follow the correct press release format.  An article may not get printed because of a simple incorrect press release format. 
5. You may want to call the reporter/editor first before sending an email with your press release to make sure it goes to the right person. 
6. Don't wait for people to come to you, go to them and often!

Last bit of advice to get noticed...  If you find incorrect information in an article bring it up to the editor and offer the correct info instead as well as mention you are available for further questions.  Many people in the press can use experts in all fields for quotes for future articles and then some.  You could be that person!  

We hope you liked this episode, if so rate us on iTunes and Stitcher!  Doing so really helps other people find our podcast and we thank you in advance for doing so.  ​

Brian DeLeonard, Carroll County State's Attorney, leads a team of nearly 20 attorneys and over 50 total team members. Brian has practiced law for nearly 20 years and previously provided legal instruction for 15 years. While cracking down on crime and developing educational programs for our county, Brian is very involved in our business and non-profit community, supporting many a cause and taking on many causes of his own. To learn more about Brian and the State's Attorney Office, please visit carrollcountystatesattorney.org and you can follow Brian on facebook.

Led by Kelly Heck of Website GURL and Kelly Heck Photography

We often say "I'm sorry" too much... we use the phrase as a filler, a description, and an excuse. The phrase, however, means an apologetic approach, implying that one has done wrong. The Biz Minded Muses share their thoughts on how weakening phrases and weakening words can dampen your statements, your meaning, your presence to others, and your personal confidence. We share other weak words, alternatives, and we challenge YOU to cut these weak words from your day to day conversations and writings. Discover the positive outcomes of stating your needs clearly with defined purpose, and become empowered!

INSPIRATION REFERENCE: ​www.linkedin.com/pulse/sorry-my-apology-addiction-lena-dunham

*This podcast contains light language.*

​​​a MUSES MUSINGS with the Biz Minded Muses & Guest Brian DeLeonardo

When you attend many business events, you cannot avoid the occasional mishap, so today we share our experiences and big No-Nos, and the alternatives. We hope you get a good laugh but also learn from our discussion!

The NO NO... Hitting On Other Guests | THE ALTERNATIVE... Business events are not dating events. It's a time for relationship building, yes, but not at an "intimate" level. No 'set-ups' either, even if your son is super amazing.

The NO NO... Taking Too Long  Around The Table | THE ALTERNATIVE... If the rule is "30 Seconds", don't go over. Stick to your business details and keep it brief! First, it takes up too much time if everyone goes over the mark, and second, everyone in the room will tune you out... so taking MORE time will ultimately hurt you.

The NO NO... Being Dry and/or Repetitive | THE ALTERNATIVE... Don't be too dry or repetitive - make sure you give something interesting, something easy to remember. Don't blab on an on about your specialties either, and don't always give the exact same 30-Second elevator speech!! Connect on a more personal level.

The NO NO... Walking in with NO PLAN | THE ALTERNATIVE... Have a goal in mind before you walk in the door!

The NO NO... Pushing Your Business Card | THE ALTERNATIVE... Get to know the people at the events first... build the relationship, and give a card before you part ways if it seems like there's a good connection for one or both of you.

The NO NO... Ignoring Attendees | THE ALTERNATIVE... It doesn't matter if you probably will not get business from this new connection, still get to know them! It's all about impressions, and if you're rude or non-existent, it's a fact that your meeting will never lead to something.

The NO NO... Typos In Your Printed Materials | THE ALTERNATIVE... Proof it proof it proof it! And if it's wrong, fix it and replace. Business cards, postcards, brochures, they are cheap. But your reputation for poor attention to detail is priceless.

​The NO NO... Too Little Focus On Business | THE ALTERNATIVE... When a particular business group begins to loose their original focus (business, duh) and tends to do more activities for fun or whatnot, the group will begin to loose value to the attendees and will ultimately drop the attendance rate. Make sure the group is always nurturing the growth of businesses and connecting them.

​The NO NO... Promoting Someone or Something Else | THE ALTERNATIVE... We understand you want to plug other business providers and talk up upcoming events and non-profits, but you have to keep it short. Keep in mind if you have too many focuses, the others listening will not remember what YOU do.

​The NO NO... Unengaging Speakers | THE ALTERNATIVE... "Sponsoring" businesses often get the microphone for a short talk... SHORT is the key word here. Paid speakers should be carefully selected at the benefit of the attendees/members. 

​The NO NO... Messy & Hard To Eat Food | THE ALTERNATIVE... Stress on the finger-foods. At networking and business events, our hands need to be clean and readily available to shake hands. We are at these events to meet people. If you need to sit down to eat, or use silverware, the food is taking away from the benefits of the event.

​The NO NO... Hanging With Your Crowd | THE ALTERNATIVE... Break away from your colleagues and friends and go meet new people. At the same time, give your connections a chance to get away and meet new people too.

​The NO NO... Heavy Talkers | THE ALTERNATIVE... If the conversation is one sided, one person isn't learning and the other probably isn't feeling connected. Try to make sure your conversation is actually a conversation rather than a mind-dump. If you tend to talk a lot, learn to leave breaks in your conversation so others can weigh in, ask questions, etc. 

​The NO NO... Shutting Down Due To Intimidation | THE ALTERNATIVE... Don't choke up just because the other person is a big shot! Everyone can connect on multiple levels... talk about interests, hobbies, anything!

​The NO NO... Making Assumptions | THE ALTERNATIVE... First impressions go both ways! Don't assume someone is or isn't a certain way just because of their appearance (short hair, long hair, tattoos, attire, etc.)... but at the same time, cater your appearance to the event you are attending.

Brian DeLeonard, Carroll County State's Attorney, leads a team of nearly 20 attorneys and over 50 total team members. Brian has practiced law for nearly 20 years and previously provided legal instruction for 15 years. While cracking down on crime and developing educational programs for our county, Brian is very involved in our business and non-profit community, supporting many a cause and taking on many causes of his own. To learn more about Brian and the State's Attorney Office, please visit carrollcountystatesattorney.org and you can follow Brian on facebook.