| I love publicity and promotion. I must have been born | | | | presenter. |
| with a gleam in my eye instead of a loud cry! I know I | | | | After a post on the Chicago Chapter of the Meeting |
| "conned" a teacher or two along the way. I continue to | | | | Professionals International's LinkedIn group, I was |
| think "PR" everyday in my own speaking, training and | | | | delighted to see a response (one of those that |
| coaching business. I learned well from peers in my | | | | sounded as is I had crafted it for the writer ... but I |
| non-profit and corporate public relations positions, | | | | hadn't!). In part, it read: |
| including 11 years at AT&T. | | | | "My company has had many dealings with Lou Heckler |
| In meetings when people share their Verbal Business | | | | and know him to be an excellent, versatile talent who |
| Card, elevator pitch or recent successes, my mind | | | | adds magic to each event he's a part of. What he has |
| hears promotional possibilities. If I'm not paying attention | | | | to say is also well grounded in research ... People |
| to every detail, it's because I'm already "seeing" ways | | | | serious about speakers should go out of their way to |
| they could benefit and "share with the world." It's | | | | see Lou." |
| amazing how many great opportunities never see the | | | | Brian Palmer, president |
| light of day because people don't understand how to | | | | National Speakers Bureau |
| market their successes. | | | | The power of the third-party endorsement |
| I call it the "ripple effect." Just as a stone keeps making | | | | I was salivating! I asked Brian for permission to use his |
| waves when you skip it in water so should your | | | | words in the InfoBlast NSA-IL sends to members and |
| successful efforts (electronic or print interviews, | | | | prospective members and in an updated media |
| awards, products, e-zines) create more and more | | | | release. He said, "yes." I also send Lou the |
| publicity and recognition for you. You don't need to | | | | endorsement and immediately received a nice note |
| keep reinventing wheels; use the ones you have until | | | | from him. Further, I send it to the NSA-IL board to |
| they are treadless. There's no such thing as a | | | | share the great PR we were generating for the |
| newspaper article about you that has only one life. | | | | chapter and a suggestion that they, too, might be able |
| (Maybe you would wish it were so if you are an Illinois | | | | to use the quote in promoting FF to their network. |
| politician!) | | | | Lou and I met in person at the FF where it was easy |
| Networking, another of my great loves, is a perfect | | | | for us to engage in face-to-face conversation since |
| example of how a good PR strategy can keep | | | | we had broken the ice through our emails. We also |
| working for you. It's not about face-to-face or online | | | | linked to one another. |
| networking; it's about integration and how to use one | | | | PR is image building ... and also intangible. I'll never know |
| to enhance the other. | | | | how many people came to the meeting because they |
| Case in point: I rejoined the board of directors of the | | | | saw Brian's comments in the InfoBlast or a newspaper |
| National Speakers Association-Illinois Chapter (NSA-IL) | | | | or online post. What I do know is that it is an important |
| as director of communication. One of the major duties | | | | cog in the process of enhancing NSA-IL's reputation. |
| of my committee is to promote and enhance the | | | | And now I am creating more waves by using the |
| credibility and visibility of the group. One of our first | | | | scenario as the feature article in my newsletter and by |
| media releases/LinkedIn postings was about our Sept. | | | | posting it to online ezine sites. |
| 18, 2009 Fabulous Friday (FF) program featuring Lou | | | | It will keep rippling! |
| Heckler, a multiple-awarding winning NSA speaker and | | | | |