This summer we’ll be offering our June-July internship program for the sixth straight year. Our past interns have raved about how much they have learned from this program, not to mention how much fun they had doing it. And our summer interns do more than file and type…… they write, edit, proof, prepare, research and (in general) execute on a high-level the many professional thoughtleading strategies that advance our client experts’ publishing, PR and media goals while acquiring a vast array of valuable career skills. Eligible candidates: students, career-changers, entrepreneurs of any age.

If someone you know would like to apply for one of this summer’s limited number of unpaid “Publishing Media Liaison” internship spots, click the link below today for full details, then follow application instructions. Space is limited so click now!
Click: http://www.thoughtleading.com/internships.htm

Are you recognized as a go-to authority in your field?

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Has your business been increasing steadily, despite recessions and tough competition?

If you can’t answer YES to all three questions, get a copy of McGraw-Hill’s “The Expert’s Edge: Become the Go-To Authority People Turn to Every Time” by Ken Lizotte anytime today January 25!

If you purchase “The Expert’s Edge” today, you’ll not only reap the benefits of its “5 pillars of thoughtleading” and how to implement them, but you’ll also gain access to over a dozen valuable professional gifts offered by a formidable array of well-known business experts and thoughtleaders… and at no extra charge!

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Sean Gallagher, Chief Value Delivery Officer, MarketCulture Strategies
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“Brilliance is defined as ‘distilling the complex…to the simple,’ which is just what Ken Lizotte has accomplished. Ken’s latest work is a must read for CEOs and all other leaders who want a practical way to separate themselves and their companies from their competitors.”

As for the bonus gifts, you’ll receive tip sheets, articles, videos and much more! But remember, these complimentary gifts are available only if you purchase “The Expert’s Edge” today, Monday January 25, so don’t miss out!

Just forward your electronic receipt to michaela@thoughtleading.com to receive this list of downloadable bonus gifts!

Check out “The Expert’s Edge” NOW

by our PR Czar Henry Stimpson

I cringe 90 percent of the time whenever I read the direct quotes in a press release. They’re usually so obviously canned. And dull, dull, dull. The quote usually starts, “We’re delighted to….” Tell us something we didn’t know.

The quote usually goes downhill from there, meandering into a long paragraph of pallid palaver no human would speak. Like the recipient of an Academy Award, the speaker goes on to thank everyone from his mom on down, anyone who could have this “great success” possible.

It’s too bad most quotes are so silly. A good quote or two can advance your cause. Here’s why:

A good release should read like a news story and avoid commercialism in the main text—rules that most releases violate, putting off readers who want information, not a baloney sandwich.

Quotes—along with the boilerplate at the end—are the only places where you can sneak in your marketing message. Since it’s a named person who’s speaking in the quote, not the impersonal third-person voice of the release, it’s okay to put in some marketing spin in the quote. (But for heavens sake, don’t overdo it.)

How can you get a good quote?

Start out by briefly interviewing the people involved—the key executive or expert at your organization or client, or, if another organization is an important part of the story, someone there. Real people usually say much more interesting things than anything you can make up.

If it’s not feasible to interview the principals, use a little creativity. Imagine what a living breathing person might have to say about this exciting, interesting piece of news. Tell readers something they can’t get in the rest of the release.

Keep ‘em brief and pithy. One or two sentences per quote—three tops—is/are plenty.

If you feel that coming up with a good quote is impossible, just skip it. It’s far better to have no quotes in a release than inflating it with trite gas.