Sunday, December 23, 2012
Lisa Saunders: How to Publish on Amazon & Smashwords
Lisa Saunders: How to Publish on Amazon & Smashwords: Do you want to publish your own work? Amazon has made it so easy (and free except for their commission) to print and sell books through ...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
How to Get Thin and Famous Walking the Mystic Seaf...
How to Get Thin and Famous (especially if you're lazy): How to Get Thin and Famous Walking the Mystic Seaf...: "Face it—famous people have an easier time getting work, published or promoting their cause. If you’re thin on top of it, then you can live l..."
Monday, June 20, 2011
How to Get Cast in a Mystic Film
Dear Readers,
Disappointed you weren’t asked to be a zombie in the movie filmed at the Ramada Hotel in Mystic recently? Did you stroll back and forth in front of the hotel with a glazed look on your face, hoping the director would say, “Now there goes a zombie?”
Don't despair, there are ways of getting into the upcoming movies rumored to be shot here next--or at least to be considered for a part as an extra in a commercial.
Just as I was pondering how I, a plump 50-year-old freelance writer, could get a small role in a film, I received an e-mail from my new friend Kristin of Mystv Studios, the local production company that makes commercials and the travel show, "Mystic Coast Connection," which plays continuously in 4,000 area hotels (their website states: "Get in Bed with Your Customers”).
Anyway, Kristin’s e-mail that may have launched me from obscurity, said, "I was wondering if you'd be interested in helping out on a commercial shoot on June 14 at the Newport Grand Casino. You and I would be PAs, so we’ll be fetching and holding light screens, checking off the shot list, and various other unglamorous things. It might be fun and I know it would be more fun for me if you were there!”
I had no idea what a PA was, and was only being asked because I might be “fun,” but I certainly wasn’t going to reject this chance to squeeze my image somewhere into this film!
Scheming how I could go from PA to film star (or at least film “extra”), I watched taped reruns of “I Love Lucy” to study Lucy's sneaky antics that landed her small roles in Ricky’s shows. Having a terrible sense of style, I wondered what I should wear to catch the director’s eye (my husband, Jim, usually arranges my outfit when I need to look decent). Just as I was e-mailing Jim to remind him to lay out something appropriate, I received another e-mail from Kristin: "You might be asked to be 'peanuts,' meaning filler for the commercial, so make sure your husband dresses you." There was hope I’d get in this commercial—and without any devious plotting!
On Tuesday morning, the day of the shoot, I began learning a whole new industry (such as P.A. means Production Assistant) —and that almost anyone can get into a film as an extra (or a “peanut”)—even me! And if a person has some talent, they can get paying roles as a “principal” or a “secondary” in practical films such as training videos (one actress at the shoot was using her down time to practice a five-page monologue for her upcoming role as an organ transplant recipient in an educational film).
I was told just before the shoot that a “grip” had been hired, so I wouldn’t be needed to hold and carry film equipment. Still wanting to look important, I brought my own clipboard—and it worked! Looking like a person in authority, the actors came to me with important questions that ranged from “Where is the bathroom?” to “Do you think my scene will be shot soon?” One woman, an extra, wanted to leave for a while so she could hang out in the smoking area. I reminded her that the slot machine scene, which required extras, was scheduled soon, but she replied, “Someone else told me it wouldn’t be for an hour or so.” Sure enough, right after she left, I got word it was time for the extras to leave for their scene. I offered to fill her spot (it’s a dog eat dog world out there), but was told I was needed where I was.
How was I was ever going to get my chance to play an extra? I told the cameraman and the directors more than once that I was willing to fill out a scene. No response. Kristin told me not to despair—they might still need me to heap food on my plate in the buffet scene or to dance in the nightclub scene. Since I didn’t want to admit I was a terrible, uncoordinated dancer just in case that was my only shot, I stressed that I was very good at eating—that I would be just perfect for the buffet scene. Not to brag, but I did win first place in a New Jersey pie eating contest—twice!
I was not requested for the buffet scene, but was asked to laugh in the comedy club scene (the camera man neglected to film us when the director elicited genuine laughter with a joke--so we had to laugh afterwards on the count of three). Despite my reservations, I was also needed on the dance floor of the nightclub scene. But I'm not sure you’ll see much of me in this commercial, which is due to be aired during the T.V. show, Wheel of Fortune, and several other places, because I was told by the director, “Now you dance in the back—look as though you are still trying to ‘find your way.’”
I guess that’s true—I am still trying to find “my way” to get into “the act,” but I did learn some valuable tips from the other actors, whose backgrounds included full-time acting professionals, a tradesman trying to earn a little extra money, casino goers who received an e-mail about the upcoming commercial, and retired individuals who read the audition notice in their local paper.
To learn about upcoming auditions in the Mystic area, read local online and print newspapers and sign up to receive audition notices by clicking the "Like" button on the Mystv Studios’ Facebook page and by registering with talent agencies, such as New England Actors.
If you audition for a part, bring a headshot and a resume.
What to wear if you just show up at a shoot: If you haven’t been told what to wear, a costume designer out of New York, Terry Thiry, suggests that women wear “a plain, neutral dress and bring accessories—a couple pairs of shoes, scarf, jewelry, jacket, and sunglasses. For a man, a pair of pants, button down shirt, dressier casual shirt (like a polo shirt), jacket, tie, and sunglasses.”
Good luck!
Lisa Saunders
P.S. If you would like to see my other "How To" advice, which ranges from "How To Get a Job" to "How to Promote Your Business," visit my "How To" Workshops blog at: http://howtoworkshops.blogspot.com/
Don't despair, there are ways of getting into the upcoming movies rumored to be shot here next--or at least to be considered for a part as an extra in a commercial.
Just as I was pondering how I, a plump 50-year-old freelance writer, could get a small role in a film, I received an e-mail from my new friend Kristin of Mystv Studios, the local production company that makes commercials and the travel show, "Mystic Coast Connection," which plays continuously in 4,000 area hotels (their website states: "Get in Bed with Your Customers”).
Anyway, Kristin’s e-mail that may have launched me from obscurity, said, "I was wondering if you'd be interested in helping out on a commercial shoot on June 14 at the Newport Grand Casino. You and I would be PAs, so we’ll be fetching and holding light screens, checking off the shot list, and various other unglamorous things. It might be fun and I know it would be more fun for me if you were there!”
I had no idea what a PA was, and was only being asked because I might be “fun,” but I certainly wasn’t going to reject this chance to squeeze my image somewhere into this film!
Scheming how I could go from PA to film star (or at least film “extra”), I watched taped reruns of “I Love Lucy” to study Lucy's sneaky antics that landed her small roles in Ricky’s shows. Having a terrible sense of style, I wondered what I should wear to catch the director’s eye (my husband, Jim, usually arranges my outfit when I need to look decent). Just as I was e-mailing Jim to remind him to lay out something appropriate, I received another e-mail from Kristin: "You might be asked to be 'peanuts,' meaning filler for the commercial, so make sure your husband dresses you." There was hope I’d get in this commercial—and without any devious plotting!
On Tuesday morning, the day of the shoot, I began learning a whole new industry (such as P.A. means Production Assistant) —and that almost anyone can get into a film as an extra (or a “peanut”)—even me! And if a person has some talent, they can get paying roles as a “principal” or a “secondary” in practical films such as training videos (one actress at the shoot was using her down time to practice a five-page monologue for her upcoming role as an organ transplant recipient in an educational film).
I was told just before the shoot that a “grip” had been hired, so I wouldn’t be needed to hold and carry film equipment. Still wanting to look important, I brought my own clipboard—and it worked! Looking like a person in authority, the actors came to me with important questions that ranged from “Where is the bathroom?” to “Do you think my scene will be shot soon?” One woman, an extra, wanted to leave for a while so she could hang out in the smoking area. I reminded her that the slot machine scene, which required extras, was scheduled soon, but she replied, “Someone else told me it wouldn’t be for an hour or so.” Sure enough, right after she left, I got word it was time for the extras to leave for their scene. I offered to fill her spot (it’s a dog eat dog world out there), but was told I was needed where I was.
How was I was ever going to get my chance to play an extra? I told the cameraman and the directors more than once that I was willing to fill out a scene. No response. Kristin told me not to despair—they might still need me to heap food on my plate in the buffet scene or to dance in the nightclub scene. Since I didn’t want to admit I was a terrible, uncoordinated dancer just in case that was my only shot, I stressed that I was very good at eating—that I would be just perfect for the buffet scene. Not to brag, but I did win first place in a New Jersey pie eating contest—twice!
I was not requested for the buffet scene, but was asked to laugh in the comedy club scene (the camera man neglected to film us when the director elicited genuine laughter with a joke--so we had to laugh afterwards on the count of three). Despite my reservations, I was also needed on the dance floor of the nightclub scene. But I'm not sure you’ll see much of me in this commercial, which is due to be aired during the T.V. show, Wheel of Fortune, and several other places, because I was told by the director, “Now you dance in the back—look as though you are still trying to ‘find your way.’”
I guess that’s true—I am still trying to find “my way” to get into “the act,” but I did learn some valuable tips from the other actors, whose backgrounds included full-time acting professionals, a tradesman trying to earn a little extra money, casino goers who received an e-mail about the upcoming commercial, and retired individuals who read the audition notice in their local paper.
To learn about upcoming auditions in the Mystic area, read local online and print newspapers and sign up to receive audition notices by clicking the "Like" button on the Mystv Studios’ Facebook page and by registering with talent agencies, such as New England Actors.
If you audition for a part, bring a headshot and a resume.
What to wear if you just show up at a shoot: If you haven’t been told what to wear, a costume designer out of New York, Terry Thiry, suggests that women wear “a plain, neutral dress and bring accessories—a couple pairs of shoes, scarf, jewelry, jacket, and sunglasses. For a man, a pair of pants, button down shirt, dressier casual shirt (like a polo shirt), jacket, tie, and sunglasses.”
Good luck!
Lisa Saunders
P.S. If you would like to see my other "How To" advice, which ranges from "How To Get a Job" to "How to Promote Your Business," visit my "How To" Workshops blog at: http://howtoworkshops.blogspot.com/
Thursday, June 9, 2011
How To (and Not To) Dye Your Hair on a Budget
by Lisa Saunders
Dear Readers,
I just got rid of the grey stripe down the middle of my head with the help of a high school student in the Cosmetology Department of Ella T. Grasso Technical High School.
Why do I go there to get this work done? Because I like to save money! Plus, it can be entertaining to see students shaped into professionals--because sometimes, I get to watch them get scolded! One student who did my hair said to me, "I'm much more mature than a lot of other kids my age because Mrs. Z [Lynn Zakowski, Instructor] makes us behave like professionals." (Being professional can range from changing the radio station to something more client-friendly to positioning their supply cart so it's out of the way.)
Another reason I'm committed to making regular appointments there instead of dying my own roots with over-the-counter products is to avoid sending Lynn Zakowski another e-mail like this:
Subject: Confession about what I did to my hair
Sent: Mon, May 2, 2011 4:58 pm
Dear Lynn,
I need your help with my hair. Can I get an appointment this week? I did something that you especially hate that I do.
I know you always scowl at me for applying "root touch-up" kits between visits (I can't remember why, was it because my head could catch on fire from the metals in it or something like that?).
Anyway, I saw a bunch of root touch-up kits for sale at the grocery store and thought I'd be a smart shopper. They weren't the color I normally use ("medium sunlit brown"), but I thought no one would notice if my roots were to become an auburn reddish brown.
I put the dye in my roots before going to church yesterday. I forgot I was only supposed to leave it there for 15 minutes and got distracted with something else--for a couple of hours. Well, my husband, Jim, was shocked when he got out of bed and saw what I'd done. He said my very obvious purple-red four-inch stripe down the top of my head "Looks like that cheap red women use--doesn't anyone ever tell them how strange it looks?" [See photo above.]
We sat in the back row at church, hoping no one would see me--but I could feel the eyes of those who walked by on the top of my head. Even people at Walmart were staring at me afterwards.
I have to give some presentations soon and wonder if anything can be done?
When I wrote to Lynn again asking why I shouldn’t be dying my hair with over-the-counter products, she responded:
Lisa,
Haircoloring is one of the most difficult skills to learn in theory and application. T.V. commercials make it look like it’s easy street and anyone can achieve beautiful haircoloring with over the counter products. Not so!
Boxed hair coloring contains harmful metals which just coat the hair and do not penetrate the cuticle, cortex, or medulla. They are called Progressive haircoloring because they just build up on the hair, coating the hair so it becomes darker and darker with each application of harsh chemicals that dull the hair in appearance with harmful metals. The color is based on a guess work system and does not take into account the person’s natural hair color, underlying tone (gray, gold, red) or desired shade, as it is based on a white base of haircolor. The results are pure guess work!
Professional haircoloring can’t be applied over this because of the coating action, and harsh metals. (The client’s hair will not take, or worst yet, because of the copper in non-professional haircoloring, could catch on fire if bleach is applied!)
At “Top of The Town” Salon at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School, students are trained in professional hair coloring with ammonia-free professional products that have a molecular weight under 2000 that penetrate the hair with 19 of the essential 22 amino acids in your hair. The end result: healthy, shiny, beautiful haircoloring!
Lynn Zakowski, Dept. Head/Cosmetology
Ella Grasso Technical High School, Groton
860-441-0332
"Top of the Town" Salon at Grasso Tech is a full service salon and spa, and also offers services such as: pedicures, manicures, facials, massage, haircutting, relaxers, perms, make-up applications, and nail art—all at a reasonable fee!
P.S. Sorry, Dear Reader, you will have to wait until September to make your appointment as the students are off during the summer. See their website at: http://www.cttech.org/grasso/technologies/hairdressing/hairdressing.htm
You can watch Lynn Zakowski discuss their services on this YouTube video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaSaundersCom#p/u/38/pqlMoIEnsuY
Dear Readers,
I just got rid of the grey stripe down the middle of my head with the help of a high school student in the Cosmetology Department of Ella T. Grasso Technical High School.
Why do I go there to get this work done? Because I like to save money! Plus, it can be entertaining to see students shaped into professionals--because sometimes, I get to watch them get scolded! One student who did my hair said to me, "I'm much more mature than a lot of other kids my age because Mrs. Z [Lynn Zakowski, Instructor] makes us behave like professionals." (Being professional can range from changing the radio station to something more client-friendly to positioning their supply cart so it's out of the way.)
Another reason I'm committed to making regular appointments there instead of dying my own roots with over-the-counter products is to avoid sending Lynn Zakowski another e-mail like this:
Subject: Confession about what I did to my hair
Sent: Mon, May 2, 2011 4:58 pm
Dear Lynn,
I need your help with my hair. Can I get an appointment this week? I did something that you especially hate that I do.
I know you always scowl at me for applying "root touch-up" kits between visits (I can't remember why, was it because my head could catch on fire from the metals in it or something like that?).
Anyway, I saw a bunch of root touch-up kits for sale at the grocery store and thought I'd be a smart shopper. They weren't the color I normally use ("medium sunlit brown"), but I thought no one would notice if my roots were to become an auburn reddish brown.
I put the dye in my roots before going to church yesterday. I forgot I was only supposed to leave it there for 15 minutes and got distracted with something else--for a couple of hours. Well, my husband, Jim, was shocked when he got out of bed and saw what I'd done. He said my very obvious purple-red four-inch stripe down the top of my head "Looks like that cheap red women use--doesn't anyone ever tell them how strange it looks?" [See photo above.]
We sat in the back row at church, hoping no one would see me--but I could feel the eyes of those who walked by on the top of my head. Even people at Walmart were staring at me afterwards.
I have to give some presentations soon and wonder if anything can be done?
When I wrote to Lynn again asking why I shouldn’t be dying my hair with over-the-counter products, she responded:
Lisa,
Haircoloring is one of the most difficult skills to learn in theory and application. T.V. commercials make it look like it’s easy street and anyone can achieve beautiful haircoloring with over the counter products. Not so!
Boxed hair coloring contains harmful metals which just coat the hair and do not penetrate the cuticle, cortex, or medulla. They are called Progressive haircoloring because they just build up on the hair, coating the hair so it becomes darker and darker with each application of harsh chemicals that dull the hair in appearance with harmful metals. The color is based on a guess work system and does not take into account the person’s natural hair color, underlying tone (gray, gold, red) or desired shade, as it is based on a white base of haircolor. The results are pure guess work!
Professional haircoloring can’t be applied over this because of the coating action, and harsh metals. (The client’s hair will not take, or worst yet, because of the copper in non-professional haircoloring, could catch on fire if bleach is applied!)
At “Top of The Town” Salon at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School, students are trained in professional hair coloring with ammonia-free professional products that have a molecular weight under 2000 that penetrate the hair with 19 of the essential 22 amino acids in your hair. The end result: healthy, shiny, beautiful haircoloring!
Lynn Zakowski, Dept. Head/Cosmetology
Ella Grasso Technical High School, Groton
860-441-0332
"Top of the Town" Salon at Grasso Tech is a full service salon and spa, and also offers services such as: pedicures, manicures, facials, massage, haircutting, relaxers, perms, make-up applications, and nail art—all at a reasonable fee!
P.S. Sorry, Dear Reader, you will have to wait until September to make your appointment as the students are off during the summer. See their website at: http://www.cttech.org/grasso/technologies/hairdressing/hairdressing.htm
You can watch Lynn Zakowski discuss their services on this YouTube video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaSaundersCom#p/u/38/pqlMoIEnsuY
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
How to Get a Job (or start a business?)
Mystic Pizza and Beyond: A Seafarer's Trail: How to Get a Job (or start a business?): "Dear Readers, I just returned from walking my beagle/basset hound, Bailey, at Bluff Point State Park and was excited to see a small trailer..."
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
How To Know If You Need An Acupuncturist
by Kathleen T. Poole, M.S., L.Ac, Mystic River Acupuncture
Of course, everyone needs an acupuncturist! Seriously, though, acupuncture may balance your energy nicely, but how can you know when to try it for real health problems? Here are some tips.
1. First of all, make sure your condition is not serious. You must consult a physician or naturopathic doctor for serious or on-going medical problems. Your acupuncturist will be happy that you have done this, and nowadays many physicians routinely work with acupuncturists. I have a number of area physicians who refer to me. If your problem is an injury, you might also consider consulting a chiropractor.
2. Acupuncture can provide relief in acute situations (such as a common cold, allergies, sprains, tendinitis, stomachache, tension headache, etc.) I often treat patients to reduce their pain while they wait for a doctor’s appointment or surgery, and I also treat them while they are waiting for their prescribed medicine to “kick in”. Acupuncture is easily combined with conventional types of medical care.
3. If you are reasonably healthy and “catch” a virus or become run down and get sick, acupuncture will help you recover quickly. A treatment or two is often enough to get you back to feeling well again. If you know you are getting run down, you can even schedule a session to boost your immune system before you get sick.
4. Acupuncture is the best therapy for anything that is stress-aggravated or stress-induced. Immune disorders that worsen with stress, tension headaches, muscular knots, performance anxiety, asthma, digestive problems, the list goes on and on. It also relieves emotional strain when going through difficult periods of worry or transition. If stress is a factor, acupuncture can help.
5. Acupuncture is good for seasonal problems. I treat people for a wide variety of ailments that act up at certain times of year. Seasonal allergies, chill or back sprain from shoveling snow, aches and pains from spring yard work or getting back to an exercise routine are common reasons to seek acupuncture. A back-to-school tune-up is always recommended for boosting the immune system, and acupuncture will see travelers through their journeys in less pain and in better health.
6. Acupuncture may be the only thing that works well and safely for menstrual pain or PMS. Within a few cycles you’ll feel much better. It’s also good for menopausal issues, and in my practice I treat moms-to-be through all stages of pregnancy, including birthing and postpartum.
7. If you can’t or refuse to take medicine for some reason, acupuncture may be just the ticket. Acupuncture can almost always alleviate side effects from medication, including chemotherapy. Some people have severe allergic reactions to certain drugs. Pregnant women may be afraid of how medicines will affect the fetus. People who can’t have certain medical intervention for religious reasons often choose acupuncture. Some prefer natural remedies or have concerns about pharmaceuticals. Many parents prefer using alternative methods first with their children. In these situations, acupuncture may reduce the necessary dosage or eliminate the need for medication.
8. Many people use acupuncture to maintain their health. It’s not uncommon to get acupuncture every four to six weeks to maintain your sense of well-being. Some people come for a balancing/wellness treatment at the change of seasons. People with chronic conditions, such as arthritis or migraine, find that regular acupuncture sessions will reduce their overall level of discomfort, and many find it to be good for immune support.
9. Acupuncture treats a wide variety of illnesses. Among the things acupuncture treats are respiratory and digestive problems, all sorts of pain conditions, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, male and female fertility issues, fatigue, insomnia, chronic pain, and immune disorders. While acupuncture may not cure all of these conditions, it can reduce the frequency and intensity of flare-ups. Visit the World Health Organization’s website for a list of problems acupuncture can help: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html.
10. Choose a qualified acupuncturist. Now that you know whether you need an acupuncturist, be sure to choose a qualified one. This means a “Licensed Acupuncturist” or L.Ac. in Connecticut and a “Doctor of Acupuncture” or D.Ac. in Rhode Island. (I hold both licenses.) Laws differ from state to state. For more information about qualifications, visit http://www.mysticriveracupuncture.com/faq/qualifications-faq.
About the Author:
Of course, everyone needs an acupuncturist! Seriously, though, acupuncture may balance your energy nicely, but how can you know when to try it for real health problems? Here are some tips.
1. First of all, make sure your condition is not serious. You must consult a physician or naturopathic doctor for serious or on-going medical problems. Your acupuncturist will be happy that you have done this, and nowadays many physicians routinely work with acupuncturists. I have a number of area physicians who refer to me. If your problem is an injury, you might also consider consulting a chiropractor.
2. Acupuncture can provide relief in acute situations (such as a common cold, allergies, sprains, tendinitis, stomachache, tension headache, etc.) I often treat patients to reduce their pain while they wait for a doctor’s appointment or surgery, and I also treat them while they are waiting for their prescribed medicine to “kick in”. Acupuncture is easily combined with conventional types of medical care.
3. If you are reasonably healthy and “catch” a virus or become run down and get sick, acupuncture will help you recover quickly. A treatment or two is often enough to get you back to feeling well again. If you know you are getting run down, you can even schedule a session to boost your immune system before you get sick.
4. Acupuncture is the best therapy for anything that is stress-aggravated or stress-induced. Immune disorders that worsen with stress, tension headaches, muscular knots, performance anxiety, asthma, digestive problems, the list goes on and on. It also relieves emotional strain when going through difficult periods of worry or transition. If stress is a factor, acupuncture can help.
5. Acupuncture is good for seasonal problems. I treat people for a wide variety of ailments that act up at certain times of year. Seasonal allergies, chill or back sprain from shoveling snow, aches and pains from spring yard work or getting back to an exercise routine are common reasons to seek acupuncture. A back-to-school tune-up is always recommended for boosting the immune system, and acupuncture will see travelers through their journeys in less pain and in better health.
6. Acupuncture may be the only thing that works well and safely for menstrual pain or PMS. Within a few cycles you’ll feel much better. It’s also good for menopausal issues, and in my practice I treat moms-to-be through all stages of pregnancy, including birthing and postpartum.
7. If you can’t or refuse to take medicine for some reason, acupuncture may be just the ticket. Acupuncture can almost always alleviate side effects from medication, including chemotherapy. Some people have severe allergic reactions to certain drugs. Pregnant women may be afraid of how medicines will affect the fetus. People who can’t have certain medical intervention for religious reasons often choose acupuncture. Some prefer natural remedies or have concerns about pharmaceuticals. Many parents prefer using alternative methods first with their children. In these situations, acupuncture may reduce the necessary dosage or eliminate the need for medication.
8. Many people use acupuncture to maintain their health. It’s not uncommon to get acupuncture every four to six weeks to maintain your sense of well-being. Some people come for a balancing/wellness treatment at the change of seasons. People with chronic conditions, such as arthritis or migraine, find that regular acupuncture sessions will reduce their overall level of discomfort, and many find it to be good for immune support.
9. Acupuncture treats a wide variety of illnesses. Among the things acupuncture treats are respiratory and digestive problems, all sorts of pain conditions, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, male and female fertility issues, fatigue, insomnia, chronic pain, and immune disorders. While acupuncture may not cure all of these conditions, it can reduce the frequency and intensity of flare-ups. Visit the World Health Organization’s website for a list of problems acupuncture can help: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html.
10. Choose a qualified acupuncturist. Now that you know whether you need an acupuncturist, be sure to choose a qualified one. This means a “Licensed Acupuncturist” or L.Ac. in Connecticut and a “Doctor of Acupuncture” or D.Ac. in Rhode Island. (I hold both licenses.) Laws differ from state to state. For more information about qualifications, visit http://www.mysticriveracupuncture.com/faq/qualifications-faq.
About the Author:
Kathleen T. Poole, L.Ac., D.Ac. practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in Groton, CT and is the owner of Mystic River Acupuncture. Her clinic offers both private and community-style acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and therapeutic massage, and has a traditional Asian pharmacy on the premises. Ms. Poole (or Dr. Poole in Rhode Island) has been in practice for over twenty years and has extensive experience teaching in her field. Visit www.mysticriveracupuncture.com for more information about her practice and background. You may contact her at mra89@99main.com.
Ms. Poole is available for workshops and lectures.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
How to Promote Your Business
by Lisa Saunders
The steps for getting good publicity for yourself or your business are different (and usually cost less) than paying for an advertisement. The pubic knows you paid for an ad, but if they see a positive article by or about you, you will be seen as a trustworthy person. Positive press gives you credibility, make you an authority on a subject, and lets others know that you are willing to contribute your expertise to your community.
You can do the following steps yourself or you can hire a publicist to help you if you don’t have time or media connections:
Get Featured in Articles
Send press releases to the media
Attach your own photos
Post news on your website and social media sites
Call reporters
Make yourself available as a quotable source
Suggested Newsworthy Events
Your elderly employee is earning first college degree
You are giving a free lecture on “How to Get a Job”
Local school brings students to your business
You’ve written a “How to Tile Your Bathroom” article
You have developed a new product
You donated goods or services to needy children
It’s your company’s 30th anniversary
Someone in your organization won an award
Your secretary was promoted to executive secretary
Press Releases
Post it to your website—reporters search by topics
Make your release stand out—without using hype
Cleary state why the public should care
Most important information first
Write according to Associated Press (AP) style
Send a photograph taken by you or your staff
Internet Marketing (social media)
Youtube: good to have a video posted there if you would like speaking engagements or to sell products or services. A few weeks ago I videoed authors at a book event at Olde Mistick Village, and one author, Nancy Rupert, e-mailed me shortly afterwards, stating, "I sent the video to my Facebook page and a person saw it and ordered the book on line!" See my YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaSaundersCom
LinkedIn: good site for professionals
Facebook: good for non-profits, museums, colleges
Twitter: good site for news organizations, non-profits
Blogs: “Blogging” is good for anyone who can write
Your Website: Business and Personal
People will look there first
Keep it up to date
How to Network
Show an interest in others
Read their business cards and comment
Send customers or reporters their way
Where to Post Your Profile or Resume
This is especially important if you are a consultant
LinkedIn
Organizations you belong to
College Career Service Centers
Your company website
Your personal website
Google Profile
Careerbuilder.com and monster.com
Industry-related resume database sites
Jobcentral.org
Craigslist.com
indeed.com
Don’t Have Time?
Ask a professional for help—many give free initial consultations
If you would like to discuss how my services may help you, contact me at:
Lisa Saunders
Marketing & Publicity Specialist
Awarded National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Gold Medallion
saundersbooks@aol.com
Testimonial:
“Lisa helped me revitalize my marketing strategy with innovative ideas. She repackaged a series of individual lectures I was giving (plus secured me three more) into a news-worthy item: ‘Senior Acupuncturist Kicks Off Spring Lecture Series,’ which became headline news in our local paper. Everyone saw it." Kathleen T. Poole, M.S., L.Ac, Owner of Mystic River Acupuncture
E-mail Lisa received from her former employer upon relocating to Mystic, CT: “After reviewing the previous year’s media clipping on the College, what struck me is how many wonderful human interest stories there were, all as a result of your alertness and diligence. You really did a wonderful, wonderful job of unearthing stories and getting the media to pump out a steady stream of positive press. I know it was your ‘job,’ but you really embraced it with such enthusiasm--it really made a difference!” Tzipora Reitman, Director of Communications, SUNY Rockland Community College
The steps for getting good publicity for yourself or your business are different (and usually cost less) than paying for an advertisement. The pubic knows you paid for an ad, but if they see a positive article by or about you, you will be seen as a trustworthy person. Positive press gives you credibility, make you an authority on a subject, and lets others know that you are willing to contribute your expertise to your community.
You can do the following steps yourself or you can hire a publicist to help you if you don’t have time or media connections:
Get Featured in Articles
Send press releases to the media
Attach your own photos
Post news on your website and social media sites
Call reporters
Make yourself available as a quotable source
Suggested Newsworthy Events
Your elderly employee is earning first college degree
You are giving a free lecture on “How to Get a Job”
Local school brings students to your business
You’ve written a “How to Tile Your Bathroom” article
You have developed a new product
You donated goods or services to needy children
It’s your company’s 30th anniversary
Someone in your organization won an award
Your secretary was promoted to executive secretary
Press Releases
Post it to your website—reporters search by topics
Make your release stand out—without using hype
Cleary state why the public should care
Most important information first
Write according to Associated Press (AP) style
Send a photograph taken by you or your staff
Internet Marketing (social media)
Youtube: good to have a video posted there if you would like speaking engagements or to sell products or services. A few weeks ago I videoed authors at a book event at Olde Mistick Village, and one author, Nancy Rupert, e-mailed me shortly afterwards, stating, "I sent the video to my Facebook page and a person saw it and ordered the book on line!" See my YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaSaundersCom
LinkedIn: good site for professionals
Facebook: good for non-profits, museums, colleges
Twitter: good site for news organizations, non-profits
Blogs: “Blogging” is good for anyone who can write
Your Website: Business and Personal
People will look there first
Keep it up to date
How to Network
Show an interest in others
Read their business cards and comment
Send customers or reporters their way
Where to Post Your Profile or Resume
This is especially important if you are a consultant
Organizations you belong to
College Career Service Centers
Your company website
Your personal website
Google Profile
Careerbuilder.com and monster.com
Industry-related resume database sites
Jobcentral.org
Craigslist.com
indeed.com
Don’t Have Time?
Ask a professional for help—many give free initial consultations
If you would like to discuss how my services may help you, contact me at:
Lisa Saunders
Marketing & Publicity Specialist
Awarded National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Gold Medallion
saundersbooks@aol.com
Testimonial:
“Lisa helped me revitalize my marketing strategy with innovative ideas. She repackaged a series of individual lectures I was giving (plus secured me three more) into a news-worthy item: ‘Senior Acupuncturist Kicks Off Spring Lecture Series,’ which became headline news in our local paper. Everyone saw it." Kathleen T. Poole, M.S., L.Ac, Owner of Mystic River Acupuncture
E-mail Lisa received from her former employer upon relocating to Mystic, CT: “After reviewing the previous year’s media clipping on the College, what struck me is how many wonderful human interest stories there were, all as a result of your alertness and diligence. You really did a wonderful, wonderful job of unearthing stories and getting the media to pump out a steady stream of positive press. I know it was your ‘job,’ but you really embraced it with such enthusiasm--it really made a difference!” Tzipora Reitman, Director of Communications, SUNY Rockland Community College
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