NAWBO® Central Illinois - The PULSE

Chicago Author Asks For Input For Her Next Book

Carol Abrahamson is a member of NAWBO's Chicago chapter and the author of 14 business books. She is writing a new book, "The 15 Lucrative Ways Your Book Can Forever Change Your Professional Life," and she is looking for a few more authors to profile whose nonfiction book(s) generated great results for their business.

Her request is as follows:

I have collected many Chicago authors’ success stories, but I want the book to describe successes from across the country. I hope your chapter might have – or your members might know – an author or two who would like some free PR by being included in my latest book.

Does your chapter have a listserv or other announcement vehicle through which your members could learn about my project? Most of the authors I have connected with to date are friends and colleagues of NAWBO members rather than chapter members themselves, and as members have forwarded this email to non-NAWBO authors, the authors have seen the power of the NAWBO network in action (a great thing to actually show off – and not just talk about – to get new members!).

If you are interested in learning more about her project, you can contact Carol at 815.748.1537 or carol@ExecutiveAuthors.com. Her website is www.ExecutiveAuthors.com.

See NAWBO Represented on Television

On February 9th, Dina Emser and Doris Symonds will appear on TV Channel 25 at Noon to represent NAWBO and promote the Membership Drive. Be sure to tune in!


WEEK-TV Women in Business

WEEK 25 is looking for Women owned Business for the new show "Women in Business".  The 30-minute show will feature 6 women owned businesses.  Additional advertising opportunities exist.  Detail are on the flyer - Click here to download!

Consumers Can Step Up for Small Business with First Annual "Small Business Saturday"

90% of Consumers Are Willing to Pledge Support For a "Buy Local" Small Business Movement

First came Black Friday, then came Cyber Monday, and now comes "Small Business Saturday SM". Consumers can step up for small business with the first annual "Small Business Saturday", which will launch during the most critical time of year for small retailers: the heart of the holiday shopping season, Saturday, November 27th. Small Business Saturday is a national effort to help small businesses do more business. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday drive sales to national chains and online retailers, this initiative recognizes the importance of small business to the overall economy and local communities. In fact, for every $100 spent in locally-owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. And according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, an estimated 27.5 million small businesses operated in the United States in 2009 and they created 65 percent of net new jobs.

Available for interviews, Cinda Baxter, Retail Expert, will talk about "Small Business Saturday" and why shopping at small businesses is critical to the health and vitality of the U.S. economy and the local communities where we live and work. Cinda's objective is to raise consumer consciousness about where they spend their money and put small business owners "front of mind" as a means to jumpstarting demand for small business products and services. Cinda founded The 3/50 Project, a "buy local" initiative that asks consumers to pick three businesses they can't live without and spend $50 per month with them. The goal is to drive revenue back to independent brick and mortar businesses. Find out how to support the small businesses you love and help keep your own city vibrant.

Talent/Guest: Cinda Baxter, Retail Expert
Noted for forward thinking, creative approaches, best practices, and a straight-shooter ability to "cut through the crud," Cinda Baxter is bringing positive change to the retail community. Through professional consulting, international speaking, and editorial contributions to leading industry publications, she delivers results-oriented advice combining modern day methods with first hand experience. As someone who's worn the shoes of a national award-winning retailer, Cinda understands small business from the ground up. As a consultant, coach, speaker, and writer, she offers her expertise in support of not just one company, but many. Cinda's 3/50 Project has been featured in both trade and mass media, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Entrepreneur and the Chicago Tribune.

Topics Cinda Baxter can discuss:
- How consumers can step up for small business and the first annual "Small Business Saturday"
- Why consumers should care about small businesses and their impact on the overall economy and their local communities
- How consumers can participate in The 3/50 Project
- How consumers can support the small businesses they love and help keep their own city vibrant
- For more information:www.smallbusinesssaturday.com

This interview is produced for: American Express OPEN

Stories Needed for American Heart on ABC's "World News with Diane Sawyer"

We recently received a request for inspirational "tug-at-your-heartstrings" stories to possibly feature on an ABC "World News With Diane Sawyer" segment. Here's a description of the segment from the ABC News Correspondent who contacted NAWBO Media Relations. If you feel you or one of your NAWBO Chapter members have a story that would be appropriate for consideration, please sent it to media@nawbo.org. We will pass it along for consideration.

Thanks so much,
The NAWBO Media Relations Team

Query:
For those of you who often wish the media would tell more “good” stories, we’d like to alert you to a new opportunity.  ABC “World News with Diane Sawyer” has a new segment called “American Heart,” in which the broadcast features stories of individuals, companies, communities… committing acts of generosity that change lives for the better. For example, the broadcast did a recent segment about the father of a special needs child who couldn’t find an amusement park that would accommodate disabled kids so he rallied the resources to build one himself. If you have a story of great “American Heart,”  please let us know.

A "Green" Request from National

For the next issue of NAWBO Focus, we are doing a roundtable of NAWBO members who own or operate sustainable businesses. If your chapters have any women who run environmentally-friendly or "green" businesses, we would love to include them in the issue. Our editorial calendar is posted on the website, if there are other members you would like to consider or other stories you think we should know about, please feel free to send us an e-mail.

The NAWBO Publications Team
(818) 772-9555
publications@nawbo.org
www.nawbo.org

PR 101 by Lindsay Brown

Although we weren't able to meet in January due to the weather, Lindsay Brown has provided her PowerPoint presentation that she planned for the educational moment. Download PR 101

Enterprising Women Digital

The Latest issue of Enterprising Women Digital is now available. If you would like to subscribe to this magazine, click here.

Or visit the Website at http://online.enterprisingwomen.com

Expand Your Marketing Reach to the Spanish Speaking Community – Deadline September 25

FREE Classified ad in the October issue of La Palabra!
Now accepting your classified ads in all categories:  buying and selling, jobs and services, celebrations and special events, and real estate.  Please submit your ad, about 50 words, including your contact phone or email, no later than 5:00pm, Friday, September 25.  Email your ad to:  editor@ePalabra.com
 
FREE birthday and anniversary announcements in the October issue of La Palabra!
If you know anyone with an October birthday or anniversary, let the world know!  Please send the person's first and last name and the date (e.g. July 4--Uncle Sam) no later than 5:00pm, Friday, September 25.  Email your announcements to:  editor@ePalabra.com

La Palabra is McLean County’s only Spanish speaking publication.  See www.ePalabra.com for more information.

"The Million Women Bailout"

A recent article by Nell Merlino of The Huffington Post gives us an interesting perspective on the state of today's economy, and what will put it back on track.

"Exactly how many women does it take to generate the $700 billion in new revenue to replace the money used in the bailout, and create 4 million new jobs to replace the ones lost in the economic crisis?"

Find out her answer by reading her article.

PR Member Benefit: Womenworking.com

A place where professional women connect. Womenworking.com offers a networking community as well career advice from top leaders, tips on advancing, and skills to navigating work/life. Additional resources include power contacts, book reviews, and more. Visit Womenworking.com.

PR Member Benefit: Shattered Magazine

Promoting success for women in business as the norm, Shattered provides news and information across a range of global businesses, large and small.  The magazine focuses on the contributions which women, individually and collectively, are making to different sectors, publicizes their achievements and highlights networking opportunities for professional women across the globe. Complementing coverage of the business world are Shattered’s lifestyle sections, tailored for the particular tastes of the professional woman.

PR Member Benefit: Professional Woman's Magazine

Professional Woman's Magazine (PWM ) is dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in all aspects of business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. PWM covers news information ranging from professional concerns, civic affairs, trends, careers, and business, to lifestyle issues, the arts, technology, education, finance, health, family, and travel—all of which impact the professional woman in business. Every issue of the quarterly published magazine celebrates the accomplishments of women, honors proud traditions, and spotlights ways to enhance everyday life. Visit PWM online.

PR Member Benefit: PINK Magazine

PINK Magazine
PINK magazine offers tools, tactics, and strategies to help career women have a beautiful career and a beautiful life. Featuring a magazine, annual events and a content-rich website, PINK is designed exclusively for today’s business women. PINK exists to promote women who are making a significant impact on the world through their work and their lives-while being true to themselves and their femininity. Visit PINKmagazine.com today to subscribe!

PR Member Benefit: EntrespectSM

Entrespect is your resource for becoming a more powerful leader. Entrespect’s monthly podcasts will educate you on strategic business issues, inspire you to overcome growth challenges, and influence you to take your business in new directions. Entrespect brings you practical business information and insights you can apply to your business in a convenient and entertaining format.  You can sit at your desk, go for a walk, or wait for a flight while you connect with experienced business leaders in less than 20 minutes of your time. Entrespect is free and you don’t need to have the latest technology to listen to our podcasts. Simply click the play arrow and enjoy.

PR Member Benefit: DivineCaroline

Every woman has a story. What’s yours? At DivineCaroline women can write and publish stories about anything that matters to them. We’re talking about Career & Money, Neighborhood & World, Relationships, and more. Please come and explore our Stories, Reviews, and Forums. When you’re ready to join in, registration is fast and free at DivineCaroline.com.

Media Lead! Positive/Confident Women

When we can, we will announce opportunities for you to get exposure for you and your business. Please remember, when you submit to requests, make sure that you only send responses that directly relate to the request. No-off pitch topics, or we may be asked not to submit. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know! Let's get known!

Name: Viki Stanley-Hutchison
Email: Vhutchisonwriter@aol.com
Title: Author/Life Coach
Media Outlet/Publication: Book
Anonymous? No
Specific Geographic Region? No
Deadline: 6:00 PM EASTERN - September 30

Query: "Seeking successful women who attribute their success to having an uber positive attitude, high-level of self-confidence, or a willingness to take risks for an interview-style book I'm composing. Please include contact information, and a brief paragraph of how you consider yourself to be successful and how one, or more, of the above character-traits contributed to your success.

PR Member Benefit: Enterprising Women Magazine

As drivers of the new economy, women business owners create more jobs for U.S. workers than all the Fortune 500 companies combined. Women entrepreneurs are taking risks, beating the odds, shattering glass ceilings, and redefining the meaning of success. And now they have a magazine devoted just to them! Visit www.enterprisingwomen.com to learn more.

PR Member Benefit: Inc. Magazine

Inc. is the only major business magazine dedicated to helping CEOs of small and mid-sized companies build and run their businesses.  While other publications write about entrepreneurs, Inc. writes for them, offering best practices in management, technology, finance and marketing, as well as insights from fellow entrepreneurs like Bobbi Brown, Bernie Marcus, and Danny Meyer. Get more information and find out about subscriptions.

PR Member Benefit: Premier Media Partner SBTV.com

Small Business Television Network (SBTV) is the most comprehensive source for small business news and information. SBTV focuses on the needs of the over 25 million small businesses in the

United States. It is the first television network on the web devoted entirely to the small business market, from start-ups to established enterprises. Business owners rely on SBTV because it offers practical business information featuring experts in various fields.

SBTV.com is free on-line television offering a wide range of choices in a streaming video format, including a daily newscast on the issues that affect small business the most. SBTV viewers can choose from ten topic areas filled with informational segments, such as Money, where you will find innovative methods on raising capital or tips on outsourcing payroll. And on the Marketing channel, you’ll find tips from nationally known experts and proven low-cost methods of promoting your business. SBTV is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for free viewing-on-demand. To learn more about SBTV, visit www.sbtv.com.

Media Lead: Need Health & Wellness and Financial Guests for Radio Show

NAWBO Sisters –
Please check out the media lead below.  She is looking for a number of experts for her show.  Please reply ONLY if you match her request.  Thanks! Steph

Name: Njideka N. Olatunde
Email: nno7@mail.com
Title: Host and Producer
Media Outlet/Publication: BlogTalk Radio
Anonymous? No
Specific Geographic Region? No
Deadline: 5:00 PM EASTERN - June 30

Query:
"I host a radio show called the WellnessExperience on blogtalk radio. Our show is about the integration of health and wealth for optimum wellness in every area of your life. I do a weekly show segment on Health Is Wealth and Wealth Is Health. I am planning my radio show guest calendar for the months of July through December. I am looking for guest with the following expertise:

1. Alternative Healthcare Practitioners (Bodywork; Energywork; Naturopath; Acupuncturist; Iriodology; Yoga; Reiki; Chiropractor; Wellness and Fitness Coaches; Holistic Health specifically)

2.Progressive Financial Consultants/Experts who do things from an "out-of-the box" approach (looking for guest with innovative concepts in reducing debt; building wealth; building family legacy; cashflow concepts and programs)

If you are interested or know of someone please send me an email with you name and contact information. I look forward to having you as a guest and providing you with an
opportunity to market and promote yourself and your business.

www.blogtalkradio.com/wellnessexperience

P.S.
In the Subject Line put "RADIO SHOW GUEST"

Media Lead: Fear of Success DUE TOMORROW!

Hello NAWBO sisters!  Here is a media lead that I thought some of you might be interested in.  Check it out and if you can comment to THIS STORY ONLY, please reply to Aliza directly.

Summary: Fear of Success
Name: Aliza Sherman
Email: pitch@mediaegg.com
Title: freelance columnist
Media Outlet/Publication: Small Business Resources
Deadline: 6:00 PM PACIFIC - June 17
Query:
"I'm looking to interview several women business owners who struggled with a fear of success who can speak to how they overcame it. Also interested in quoting an expert who has written about the topic (women business owners and fear of success). This is for my monthly syndicated women's business column."

Remember: DO NOT PITCH something else.  Reporters don't like when you spam them.  If you have questions let me know!  I'm sure one or more of our members would be great for this story.
_________________

Member Benefit: Send a Press Release & More...With PR Newswire

PR NewswireLearn how to send a press release from the experts at PR Newswire.

• Trying to drive traffic to your Web site?
• Rolling out a new service or product?
• Want to increase online sales?
• Looking for media coverage?

Learn more here: http://nawbo.org/content_551.cfm

Media Requests

Media Request: Business Partnerships
NAWBO Media Partner PINK Magazine is gathering stories for an upcoming article on women's business partnerships. They want to know what works, what doesn't, and how partnerships can either succeed or fail. Whether you've partnered with men or with women, PINK wants to hear about your experience and the takeaways from both positive and negative results. If you're interested in sharing your story, please contact reporter Christine Van Dusen at christine@linchpinmedia.com by April 11 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

Media Request: Entrepreneur Burnout
PINK Magazine is also collecting information for a future story on burnout among women business owners. They want to report on the frequency of burnout within the women's business community and share advice on how to recognize the signs of burnout, prevent it, and overcome it once it hits. If you have an experience you'd like to share, please contact reporter Christina Boufis at Christinabp@att.net.

Member Benefit: NAWBO Member Spotlight

The Member Spotlight features one NAWBO member each week, highlighting her business success and community involvement. To be selected for the spotlight, candidates must meet the following guidelines:

• Be a NAWBO member in good standing
• Demonstrate your business success and involvement in the community 
• Include a timely achievement your business has recently attained 
• Submission text may include a bio and/or personal statement, but must be between 100-200 words 
• Submission must include a jpg headshot or photo of the member at work
• Other people may “nominate” another member for the spotlight, but they must provide complete submission materials

All materials should be sent to Cheryl Behrens at cbehrens@nawbo.org. NAWBO reserves the right to edit biographical information. Members will be notified of their placement in the spotlight on the Monday their bio is posted.

Member Benefit: NAWBO National Web Site

Have you seen the new NAWBO national web site?!  They have completely redesigned the site!!  Check it out at www.nawbo.com

Benefit of the Week - Article Library

With NAWBO, you'll reach new levels of success with your business. Use our article library to find advice on the business challenges you face every day.  New articles are added all of the time.  Here are some topics you will find right now:

Media Opportunity: Women's History Month

Join NAWBO as we celebrate Women's History Month this March and recognize the contributions of America's women to our nation's history.

• Pioneering Women: read an article about unique historical women who made a difference in their communities
• H.R. 5050: learn about the 20th anniversary of the Women's Business Ownership Act

Facts and Resources

• Women's History of Month (Library of Congress)
• Women's History Month (The History Channel)
• National Women's History Project
• National Women's History Museum
• American Women's History: A Research Guide
• Women, Enterprise & Society (Baker Library, Harvard University)

What stories can you think of to pitch to the media this month?

Media Leads!

Central Illinois Business Publishers (owned by our very own Jan Wright Vergon) suggests that being featured in one of their magazines is a great way to get noticed in central Illinois!  They look for:

• Article Contributions
• Business Bulletins
• Cover Features
• Community Affairs
• Letters to the Editor
• Social Scenes

Want more information?  See this month's issue of Inner Business Issues.

Media Lead!

Jeanette Simpson is looking for sources for an ebook she's writing on how to go from being an intern to an employee. She needs tips from those who hire. "Tell me what you look for, as well as what you don't want in an intern or entry- level employee. Send me tips, problems, and do's and don'ts.mailto:jsimpson@kidspaceinteriors.com

Explain what keeps interns from being hired." If you're willing to complete her 10-question survey, email her at

NAWBO Covered in B2B Magazine

Hello!  Check out the article that was in the B2B Magazine.  We got a 1/2 page cover on our chapter!  Just click the link above that says "article." 

The B2B Magazine is McLean County's business to business magazine.  If you want a free subscription, go to www.business309.com and sign up.

Do you have a Blog or Website? We want to know!

Help us update our information!  Do you have a blog?  Do you have a web site?  Please write us and let us know about it!  This is your opportunity to make sure that you get all of the exposure that you can.  Please send a quick email to the newsletter team at newsletter {at} nawbo-cil {dot} com to let us know!

We want to add you to our Member Blogs, Newsletters & Websites page!

Are you listed on our Member Company page?  Want to be?  Get us your logo and a 1-2 sentence description of your business and we'll list you too!

Would You Like to be in the NAWBO National Digest?

It may be easier than you think to be published in a NAWBO national publication!  The NAWBO Weekly Digest is a great little email publication that communicates all kinds of member wins.  Were you in the news?  Did you get a new big contract?  Let them know! 

Before you submit your news item to this venue, make sure you know what kind of information they are sharing.  In other words, read it!  It takes under 2 minutes to skim the entire thing. 

Once you know what types of things they are raving about, send them your news!  National exposure is always a good thing!  To make it even better, it is SO EASY!  Just email Brynn Slate Bslate@nawbo.org and share your good news.  It does not have to be in the form of a press release.  Just a nice email with 1 or 2 sentences (this is a digest after all) about your accomplishment. 

In the last few months I have been mentioned over 6 times and that has gotten more traffic to my site and to my blog.  Exposure is good!  Try it!

To your success,
Stephanie

PR - You Aught to be in Headlines!

Monica Vest Wheeler is our PR pro!  In upcoming issues she will share tips and news on PR and how to "get your name out there."

If you have areas that you need help where PR and the Media are concerned and you would like more information, comment in the comment box at the end of this post and Monica will add it to her listing of things to write about!

Also, check out the News and Kudos section for members that have been "caught in the act" in the media.  You could be next!