2014 PR - Amanda Miller Littlejohn

Amanda Miller Littlejohn

Let’s Plan. Dear Maverick:

Welcome to 2014

In 2012, I happily offered the first BrandCal Creator to help plan social media activities – social media content creation, e-books, white papers and the like. In 2013, I wanted to take it a step further by sharing some of my own inhouse strategies for creating a more memorable personal brand, taking advantage of annual PR opportunities, and reaching out to the media. I shared that there are, of course, times during the year when it is difficult to get media traction – breaking news will always be the priority for members of the media. However, in absence of a national emergency, there are monthly and seasonal opportunities to grab the kind of media attention that can really propel your business and your brand. This year, I want to take the BCC yet another step further by helping you focus on your strengths. As a branding and strengths coach, I have found that people who are operating in their strengths lead happier, more productive, and more fulfilled lives. If you could choose between leveraging your strengths and not – why would you even consider the latter? As we dive into 2014, my New Year’s hope for you is an amazing year of brand breakthroughs, media attention, speaking opportunities and unbelievable chances to spotlight yourself and your brand. To your success in 2014, Amanda Miller Littlejohn

2014 Personal Branding

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What are Your Personal Branding Goals? Imagine finding out tomorrow that you no longer have your job, or your best client decided not to renew your contract. What will you do? What will you be able to do? Do you have a brand that is so well regarded that you will be able to launch something new, land a new client or land a new job immediately? If not, you need to focus first and foremost on building your brand. Personal branding is the new job security and an economic imperative in today’s economy. You simply must have one. And you would be advised to build it before you need it. Personal branding is no longer optional. The truth of the matter is, being known for something is the surest way you have what it takes to weather any economic situation. So before we go another day into 2014 let’s decide how you’re going to get your name out there and become known for something this year. Decide what you want to be known for – your region’s fashion guru? The top marketing trainer in the country? A financial advisor for the everyman? Decide what your personal brand means and then choose ONE THING you can do every month this year to further your mission of creating an explosively memorable personal brand. www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com ©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn

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www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com ©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn

My Monthly Personal Branding Actions

Live In Your Strengths

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What if everyday you woke up and went to work doing something you loved? That is the case when you are operating in your zone of genius, when you have identified and leveraged your strengths. What are your strengths? What makes you feel strong? What invigorates you and makes you feel as if you were born to do it? What does the world mirror back to you? What do people thank you for, and ask for your help with? These are clues to your natural strengths. Ease is the way. Sometimes we mistakenly think that work has to be difficult to be worthwhile, but most often, our strengths come so easy to us because we were born to do them. What comes easy for you but is difficult for others? Look for childhood clues… Our core strengths often emerge in childhood. Think back to yourself at age 10. What would your 10 year old self do for fun? What would the 10 year old get excited about? What was he or she good at? Peak Moments Look back on the year and think about your highlight reel. When were your moments of absolute bliss – especially at work or in your business? What made you feel like you were doing what you meant to do? Let’s go after more of that. www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com ©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn

Zero In On Your Strengths Peak Moment

Peak Moments Think back and remember three or four peak moments over the course of your working life. Zero in on the times when you were doing meaningful work - work that brought out your best self.

Peak Moment

Peak Moment

v Peak Moment

What themes emerge?

Common Themes


Define Your Brand

Define My Brand A confused mind never buys or hires. Once you have clarity around your brand, you will be able to communicate clearly about your brand. Answer the following questions in the space provided.

Who Do I Help? (People, certain demographics, people in certain situations) How Do I Help? (Use verbs to paint a picture.)

What are my results? (Use vivid examples and case studies)

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What is my MESSAGE? (Who I help + How I help + Results)


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2014 Social Media Activities In 2014, think beyond the tweet. Here are some of the things you can do this year with your social media presence. Daily Content - What content you can commit to creating daily? Examples: Post a tweet, update your status on LinkedIn, pose a question on Facebook, respond to blog comments, post a photo quote to Pinterest/Instagram/Facebook Weekly Content - What content can you commit to creating weekly? Examples: a blog post, a how-to article, a series of blog posts, a video, a Twitter round-up, a Twitter chat Monthly Content Examples: Profiles, video interviews, online case studies, archive your presentations to SlideShare or Scribd, e-newsletter, podcast, customer success story, teleseminar promoted via Twitter, online magazine Quarterly Content Examples: a webinar, an ebook, a white paper or special report giveaway, host a Tweetup – social media powered networking event Annual Content Examples: a conference, live or virtual event (record the sessions to repurpose as blog posts later), annual white paper/ebook, annual report, annual “guide to xyz” www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com ©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn

Social Media Daily

My Planned Social Media Activities

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Monthly

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Annually


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My Monthly Themes for Social Media Content

2014 PR

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There are times of the year when you can really get media attention if you know what to do. Whether you are trying to position the executive director of your organization as an expert, or position yourself (which you should definitely do this year!) there are perennial opportunities to pitch reporters and producers. Each year the general public thirsts for certain types of information around the same time every year. In the New Year, we want to know how we can tackle our challenges in a fresh way – how we can finally lose weight and keep it off, how we can better our marriages, how we can finally get organized this year. In the spring, people want to know what the latest fashion trends are, and around the holidays we always want to know where to find the best deal. Think about all of the conversations you witness in the media, and ways you can enter these ongoing conversations. Can you offer your expertise as a financial expert right before Black Friday shopping? Can you share tips on how to wear the season’s latest fashion trend? Can you share best practices to get people fired up in the New Year because you do it all year long in your life coaching practice? Or maybe you’re a personal trainer and you have a new 10 minute workout that anyone can use to kick off their New Year fitness routines. Tip: Think about the times of year that you get the most inquiries or web traffic – when your audience is most interested in what you have to offer. Begin to think of ways to approach the media during those seasons. www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com ©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn

PR and Media January

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New Year – Renewal Tips for the New Year Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Personal Self Defense Awareness Month

Love – Valentine’s Day Black History Month Children’s Dental Health Month American Heart Month

Spring Fashion Women’s History Month Women’s Events National Nutrition Month

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Easter, Spring Gardening Tips Poetry Month Jazz Appreciation Month Financial Literacy Month

Mother’s Day Graduation – Tips/Gifts for Graduates Nat’l Small Business Week Nat’l Foster Care Month

Homeownership Month Summer Health/ Fashion/ Travel Tips LGBT Pride Month

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Independence Day Vacations Dance Appreciation Month

Back to School National Immunization Awareness Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Yoga Month Baby Safety Month Suicide Awareness Day

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Breast Cancer Awareness National Book Month National Work and Family Month Nat’l Coming Out Day

Thanksgiving Black Friday Holiday Tips Entertaining Tips Novel Writing Month Movember

Winter Holidays Gift Ideas (Products) Seasonal Depression Awareness World AIDS Day


Annual PR + Media Opportunities

2014 PR My PR Opportunities

My PR and Media Opportunities

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Get Out and Speak

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Public speaking consistently ranks among the top 5 fears of most working adults, yet there is no better way to build your brand and raise your profile. If you want to get out there as a business owner, you should be speaking in front of your target market regularly. Similarly, if you are looking to get a promotion or land a new job, speaking on panels and at industry events helps you stand out to potential employers. You can speak. You may not be ready to keynote a conference and stand in front of 10000 people, but everyone who wants to build their brand can speak to an audience of some size. Start small and hone your message. What do you have to say? Whatever your work is, have a message that you can mine from your expertise. If you are your company’s go-to person for development, how can you land yourself a spot on an industry panel speaking on the great work your organization does? Who is your audience? Who would be receptive to your message? Who needs to hear what you have to say? Where can you speak? What conferences and networking groups might be open to your presentation? Are there professional industry groups that are hosting a conference this year? Search for calls for speakers and calls for presenters. Start thinking now about where you will be speaking in the coming months. You can do it. www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com ©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn

My Messages Topic 1

2014 Speaking

Topic 2

Get out there and speak! This is the most effective way to secure your spot as a leader in your area of expertise.

Topic 3

Can you serve on panels? Lead breakout sessions? Keynote an event? Host your own? Whatever the case – get out and speak this year!

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Topic 5


Thank you. Best of luck this year. If you loved this tool, please share it with someone who could use it. www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com @amandamogul /AmandaMillerLittlejohn

©2014 Amanda Miller Littlejohn