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In last week’s article I showed you what not to do when you write a press release. The most important thing is to make sure your press release is read. So, by avoiding the mistakes that scream, ‘Amateur!” you increase your chances of your recipient actually reading your press release.

This week I want to give you seven important keys to effective press releases that the media will respond to.

After reading the article, check out the latest resource of the week. Note that I’ll be the guest teacher this week for the Writers on Call class. You can also listen now to the preview podcast that tells what I’ll be talking about.

Lots going on, I know–but all good!

If you haven’t gotten a Mother’s Day gift yet, here’s a suggestion that will add that personal touch that’s often lacking in gifts.

If you act right now, these gifts will still get to Mom (or daughter-in-law, wife, friend, whoever) by Mother’s Day. (Just make sure you “ship to” their address if you choose to order from amazon.)

The first is called MotherStyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths.

What will this book do for you (or a mother you know)?

I’ll tell you what this material has done for me.

Understanding personality type–especially my own, my husband’s, and my children’s–has enabled me to appreciate and build on the strengths of each of our types. I also understand where we need outside help or
perspective to shore up our weaknesses. I grasp our family dynamics better–particularly the greatest source of my ongoing frustration. Because Gene and I are the same type, I am often stretched in opposite
directions, just to provide the balance that every family system needs.

I draw from the material in this book, about energy management, family dynamics, self-care and more, literally every day.

If you’re not convinced, read why all those who reviewed the book on amazon gave it 5 stars.

The second book is a beautiful hardcover daybook that any any woman (mom or otherwise) who is spiritually minded will appreciate. Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions contains 260 meditations and stories that will help the reader develop the habit of seeing the lavishness of God’s love in the most ordinary, natural and chance encounters … leading to a profound joy and experience of God’s personal love.

Here’s what one reader, Maria Veloso, said about Abundant Gifts:

“Rarely has a book roused in me so many profound revelations as has Diane Eble’s Abundant Gifts. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve read some of these stories aloud to friends who needed the right words spoken in due season.” (Read more testimonials.)

Here’s where the “personal touch” comes in: When you order either gift, please email me at diane AT abundant-gifts DOT com with your gift recipient’s email address. That way I can give her other gifts that are available to all who own either Abundant Gifts or MotherStyles. Just tell me which book(s) you gave, and send me your recipient’s email address, so I can make sure she receives the correct bonus gifts.

(Won’t she feel honored that the author is getting in touch with her personally to give her even more!)

Remember, if you order more than $25 from amazon, you get free shipping. Have the order shipped directly to your loved one so it gets there on time.

I hope these ideas will solve the question of what to give for Mother’s Day. I know that anyone who receives either of these books will be thrilled. In fact, it’s quite likely your loved one’s life will be changed.

Just order now, so you gift arrives on time, okay?

I just listened to Steve Harrison’s preview call for his upcoming Quantum Leap program.

Oh my!

On this call, he gave the mindset you need as an author to make it really big. If you can make it to his call tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern, do listen. Steve won’t be recording it, unfortunately.

If you are an author, speaker, expert, or entrepreneur who wants to take a quantum leap in terms of influence with your message–whether you listen to the call or not–you might want to sign up to be on the Quantum Leap notification list. You will then have two hours to look at his program before everyone else gets the message. He is only working with 65 people, and already nearly 2000 have signed up for notification, so be forewarned.

Now, this is an intensive (and no doubt expensive) year-long program. It’s not for everyone. But I’ve no doubt that if you feel ready for this, Steve Harrison will help you. I know several people who rave about what Steve’s programs have done for them and their career. (A couple of them you will hear on the call.)

So–if this piques your interest, listen to the call if you can (it’s much more content than pitch for the program), and sign up for the early notification when the program is ready on Monday.

Yesterday I mentioned I joined the Lieurance-King Article Challenge. Well, it certainly inspired me–in one afternoon I wrote not one but two articles.

The first one is this week’s featured article, Part One of what will be a month-long series on “How to Write a Press Release.” It was inspired by one of my readers who wanted to know how to write actually do an effective press release.

Media people get dozens, if not hundereds, of press releases every day.

The quickest way to get yours tossed is to violate the rules of the game and be marked as an amateur.

That’s why this week’s article focuses on the basics, and “what not to do.”

Do you, too, wonder how to write a press release the right way, so that you get lots of publcity? (Read: no-cost advertising that’s more powerful than advertising.)

Then read this week’s original article, and you’ll be one step ahead of many people.

I’ve also included some great resources to check out if publicity is something you want to master. (It is worth mastering. The article tells why.) You will also get to see two sample press releases I created that got me media coverage.

All during the month of April, I’ve featured articles on writing articles on my web site.

It’s because it’s the easiest way to start writing.

Also one of the most effective ways to begin to establish your platform–i.e., showcase your expertise on a subject.

And, if you get into the habit of writing articles regularly, that habit will help you write a whole book. (You can do it, article by article.)

So here’s a means of support for helping you do that.

It’s the Lieurance-King Article Challenge. It starts TODAY, so quickly click on this link. Then, click on “Article Challenge” on the left and sign up.

You’ll begin receiving an excellent 21-day free mini-course that will lead you step by step (for free).

Happy writing!