Susan Young's
Amplify Blog
Sidestep Algorithms and Ads to Get in Front of Your Ideal Clients
No clue about algorithms.
No money for ads.
No problem!
You can STILL grow your business and always have warm leads when you learn the strategy I've been using for 20+ years.
My clients, including Maria Swann, use this strategy. Maria now has wait lists--and higher rates! You can, too.
I explain it in the video above. Check it out!
Want to Be a Podcast Guest?
Whether you're a guest on a podcast or you host one, it's super important to be prepared for the right and best conversation.
It starts long before you start recording.
This 3-minute video sheds light on how to find the right show, virtual event, and audience to share your expertise. (Hint: Your interview is an organic lead magnet!)
Click the video above to watch and learn!
You Can Have Easy, Casual Conversations on Podcast and Summit Interviews
Ready to energize and impact more people on podcasts, summits, and virtual events?
Whether you’re a host or a guest expert, toss out your list of questions.
You've gotta trust yourself and let things flow naturally.
From my experience, the most memorable interviews are just easy, casual conversations.
They're enjoyable for the host, guest, AND audience!
People remember intriguing conversations, stories, personalities, and takeaways.
When others like what they hear and see, they’ll...
· Recommend and refer you
· Sign up for your stuff
· Join –and engage—in your community
· Hire you
Hosts and guests who trust themselves (and each other) aren't rigid or stuck to a script.
They look forward to something spicy coming up.
They expect to hear a nugget that's fresh and intriguing.
They feel comfortable not knowing each word and question.
They know that they know their stuff without a list of questions.
They prepare--and listen--in a...
The Secret to Getting Reporters to Notice You—and Give You Free Publicity
A magazine reporter, Rasheeda, emailed me to request an interview.
No pitching.
No press releases.
No chasing.
Rasheeda—who writes about nonprofit associations—contacted me late Monday.
After exchanging four quick emails, we had the logistics down and the phone interview confirmed for Tuesday morning.
That’s it.
How did Rasheeda find me?
I had been showing up and offering free resources and value in a group we both belong to (not on Facebook)
Rasheeda was watching.
That was in early 2020.
She first contacted me in March, 2020 when the pandemic hit.
Rasheeda was interviewing a few PR people about the importance of nonprofits having crisis communication plans.
She had seen my posts and poked around my website.
The article ran, I thanked her and that was it.
Within just three months of Rasheeda’s first article...
5 Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Looking for More Clients
"Just show up, share some value and post consistently."
Entrepreneurs and coaches who want to be seen and heard must know how to show up. Because showing up with valuable content brings credibility and clients.
Your content is your ticket to business growth.
But what does showing up as your true self (ok, the dreaded word "authentic") really mean???
How do you...
Comment on an active thread in a way that's not salesy or pushy?
Figure out what people want from you?
Avoid embarrassing yourself in front of everyone on the Internet??
You can't be seen as a credible go-to expert in your niche if you're always questioning your self-worth and value.
If you want more clients, you've got to share your message online with pride. The business will follow.
Your message = money
Publicity = profits
Showing up in groups, chats and podcasts means you have deep-rooted confidence and belief in yourself.
You...
A News Reporter Dishes on Why Your Pitches Are Being Ignored—and How to Fix Them
Hundreds of people over the years have asked me why reporters and podcasters are so dang hard to reach.
Why are they grumpy, uninterested and non-responsive?
Here’s the secret:
Ninety-five percent of the pitches and “great story ideas” that are sent are irrelevant. They aren't newsworthy. They aren't valuable and “worthy” of an audience’s attention and interest.
It's that simple.
I was a radio news reporter and on-air anchor. I received thousands of pitches during my 10-year career in newsrooms in New Jersey and New York.
I decided what was newsworthy. I was the gatekeeper.
My audience depended on my sound judgement to share important, compelling and interesting stories that affected them. The same is true today with reporters—and podcasters. They want subject matter experts—people like YOU!
...How to Easily Write 4 Versions of Your Bio that Pop
Do you feel like you can write or talk about anything and everything, except for your own experience and journey?
You’re not alone.
You may feel like you need to cram your whole life story into one sentence. Other times you need to hand over a novel.
Writing a professional bio can be challenging because these days, one size does not fit all.
Take the time to prep these four variations of your bio so that you're prepared and confident anytime, anywhere.
Full Bio
Start big! Write (or update) your professional bio similar to a LinkedIn profile. Think 300 words or so.
- Write in first person
- Balance professional with personality
- Focus on results; not tasks
- Use short punchy sentences
- Include keywords for SEO but don’t force them
Use the full bio as a baseline for the next few.
Short Paragraphs for Speaking Engagements + Interviews
You’ll probably find yourself using this one most often. I recommend pulling 8-10 short sentences from your full bio. They don’t...
The #1 Secret to Phenomenal Pitches and Getting Media Interviews
Most entrepreneurs enjoy a flood of ideas, creativity and a-ha moments.
How do you explain your idea to someone else, especially a busy reporter or online influencer who receives irrelevant email and phone pitches daily?
Here’s the secret: Take out your business card. Write your idea on the back of your card. If it doesn’t fit, rip it up and throw it out. Nobody is going to understand it if it’s not clear, concise and compelling.
The “business card” approach is how you have to think of your pitches to reporters and online influencers. When emailing a pitch, for example, all you have is a few words in the subject line to grab someone’s attention.
The subject line must be a magical combination of just the right words…and in the right order. You’ll have to practice and edit. Being clear—and brief...
7 Tips on Creating—and Managing Your Content Calendar
In a perfect world, we could put a pushpin on a calendar date and plan out days, weeks and months of special events, announcements, contests and news to share. Wow, an entire road map of content, blog topics and email promos. It would work out just fabulously.
[RELATED: To continue learning about communicating with confidence and clarity, join Communication Nation on Facebook.]
Of course, anyone who has walked the planet for a few decades knows that social media—and breaking news—can quickly push our best-laid plans out the window. If the TV interview you’ve been working on for weeks has arrived but there’s a major earthquake in California, your big moment might be rescheduled—or axed. That’s why you—and your editorial calendar—must be flexible.
First Things First
Though content planning can bring challenges, savvy professionals still keep a framework in place.
Templates that allow you to easily track—and...
Opening the Window of Opportunity
One of the things I missed the most when we moved from New Jersey to Texas is the change of seasons and opening the windows in our house.
In San Antonio, the air conditioning is on for 9 or 10 months. Of course, we're grateful to have AC in the steamy months. Still, I miss the change of seasons and cracking the windows in the house to enjoy the breezes and crisp air. It's refreshing and brings a new energy.
The same is true with work...businesses need to re-energize and take advantage of the many windows of opportunity that are often right in front of our faces.
For entrepreneurs and professionals who want publicity, there is a HUGE window of opportunity to get media attention and "free press"---right now!
NewsFlash: The next 3 months are fresh with topics and timely subjects for interviews and stories in print, radio and TV news (traditional)...
