10 tips for success from female business owners

Alayna Frankenberry featured 10 tips for success from female business owners on today's PR Daily.

I practice tip number two frequently!  I know my clients and PR firms who hire me for contract work know how grateful I am for their business/support!

2. Be grateful.

Sharon Armstrong is an author who owns her own consulting business.

“I’ve had my own business since 2000,” she says. “My best tip for success is to remember to thank those who help you grow your business. Never forget! And thank folks in a personal way, if possible.”

Read all the tips. 

Very kind words from a client lately.


"Lori, I am so grateful for you this Thanksgiving. I appreciate all that you do throughout the year to keep us front and center with our patients and Facebook followers by providing them with great information."

I'm grateful for all my clients!

Happy Thanksgiving to all the other Work at Home Mamas!

Since I work from home, I'm often my own IT manager.

This weekend, my husband took over that role and synced up my printer with the new internet service.

I guess it took him a while to figure it out, but everything is up and running/printing now.

Thank you hubby!

I have officially closed my original email address that I used when I first started freelancing.

The email address that helped secure my first set of clients. That billed my first invoices.

The internet company would lose service at least once a month. Twice was not surprising either.

Since I am only able to do the majority of my work before 5 a.m., I HAVE to have internet service in the early morning.

So, I have switched to AT&T. It came highly recommended and it's about half cheaper.

Happy National Boss's Day to Me!

I am truly blessed to be able to work from home and make my own hours.

Normally, I really don't like working on weekends.

However, I had to work a couple of hours yesterday to tie up some loose emails/ends that I just didn't get to over the week.

I've been blessed with the invitation to work on a media project this week for a new client and I feel so much better about starting my week with a clean slate.

I wish all work-from-home moms a productive and successful week!

That's Me

The Dallas Morning New printed a statistic in today's paper from Elance.

60% of freelance workers are women and

80% have a professional degree.

Wonderful Summer Vacation Meeting My Colorado Clients

Yikes! I haven't posted since June!

In July I got to meet my two wonderful Colorado clients. I've been their publicist for more than two years and it was wonderful to put a name to a face.

In Pueblo, I met Dr. Rina Shinn, Cosmetic Surgeon. I toured her facility and met her staff. About a week later when we went back through Pueblo, she had us over for dinner. She made the most wonderful German macaroni and cheese; the noodles were home-made!

In Colorado Springs, I joined the staff lunch in the office of Dr. Ken Gasper. There was lots of laughter amongst his employees and the staff genuinely seems to really enjoy working together.

I felt so energized and uplifted after meeting these wonderful clients. I'm so blessed to be able to work for such highly respected medical professionals.

Have a story idea you think is news worthy?

As a public relations freelancer, I often work on a project basis.

I have helped numerous companies secure stories on TV and/or in print media for less than $500.

A recent project was to help Fairhill School in Dallas. Their Spanish teacher has helped students with learning differences become confident and proficient in Spanish by performing a Shakespeare production in Spanish.

For this project, I secured two TV placements including NBC evening news as well as a full feature in the Dallas Morning News.

Do you have a story idea? I'd love to hear it! I can then think about which reporters and producer to contact, write the pitch materials, distribute them and follow up. I will also conduct some media training for you to run through the interview and help you practice.

Publicity is a very effective way to get your message across to your target market. And it's far more affordable than traditional advertising!

Email me at lori at lbpublicrelations dot com.

Always a relief to have a happy client!

The newsletter is good to go! The doTERRA photo looks great! Thanks for hanging in there with me Lori.

As always, I so appreciate you.

Have a great evening!

Lori Ann PR Wizard

Look at these fun and adorable M&Ms my father-in-law sent me!

You can order your personalized M&Ms here.

These would make a cute gift business gift idea.

Black Friday is Great for Work at Home Moms!

I got a really good deal at Office Max on a HP All in One printer, fax, scanner. It's wireless!

Many thanks to my tech guy (hubby) who installed it.

Now I just need a black, wooden file cabinet to complete my home office.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Once again I'm thankful to God for blessing my business.

For giving me the strength to get up in the early morning hours and to get through 17 hour days.

I'm thankful for the professional mentors in my life.

I'm thankful for the brilliant entrepreneurs/clients that I get to learn from.

I'm thankful for clients who are doing such good in this world and they've been able to use me to reach the community.

I'm thankful for the internet, my new computer and the beautiful home office my husband made for me.

Grandpas Make the Best "Mannys"

When my 2nd daughter was first born, I wished I had a nanny between the hours of 3 and 6 a.m. Those are my morning hours when I work here at LBPR and she often needed me as well. (My daughter now sleeps during this time.)

Well, when my dad came for a visit, (he's a wicked early morning person too), he hung out with me while I worked and held Lauren! So, I got to experience the convenience of a "Manny" for two days!

My New Client

I am thrilled to announce that LBPR has been retained by Dr. Shinn of Adonis Aesthetics for PR services. I'll be helping her with media relations, her monthly newsletter, web copy and social media.

I work out of Dallas. Dr. Shinn is in Pueblo, CO. It's great to be able to work from home for clients in various parts of the country!

A Day in the Life of a WAHM

- Send media pitches.

- Pre-register on hospital website.

- Conference call with client.

- Attend prenatal doctor appointment.

- Open business checking account.

- Coordinate client appearance on CBS.

- Write emergency press release.

- Go to park with the family.

- Consultation with accountant about newly incorporated business.

- American Idol.

Lots of hugs, tickles, and talking with the 2 year old sprinkled throughout!

What do you hold tightly today?

I subscribe to Mary DeMuth's monthly newsletter, "Inside Renewal." Mary is a Christian writer and provides some great encouragement.

I thought this prayer would work for various independent contractors, like me, who have to constantly market themselves to secure business.

May God bless you and your business today!

From a recent newsletter from Mrs. DeMuth...

What do you hold tightly today?

Is it something you created? A book, a piece of art, your job?

Is it worry about finances or your future?

Is it a troubled relationship? (Perhaps with a client?)

I can't guarantee you'll love the outcome if you pray this prayer, but I can say that in praying it I've experienced peace, knowing the Sovereign God of the Universe, the One who flung the stars into existence, is big enough to carry the things I clutch to myself.

Ready?

Dear Jesus, I give You _________________. I humble myself before You, believing You are bigger than me, that You are more than capable to handle my burdens. I don't know what the outcome of me giving up control of __________________ will be, but even so, I open my fist and let You grab it (or the person) from me. I want Your will. I want Your presence. I need Your strength. Please take this burden today and use it in my life for Your glory. Help me to entrust _____________ to You even when things seem dark. I trust You. At least I try. But help me to trust You today. Right now. I give it up. Amen.

What's your good news?

Do you subscribe to the free eNewsletter from the Publicity Hound? I recommend it for all publicists.

In last week’s eNewsletter, Joan Stewart said TV news producers are also sick of all the bad news.

She quotes her friend, TV producer Shawne Duperon, “TV people are sick of all the gloom and doom."

Joan encourages companies and publicists to pitch good news.

How about it?

What’s your good news story I can pitch to the media. Dallas, your local community or even to national news outlets.

Do you sell or make a product that’s doing well in this economy?

Have you creatively cut costs so that you don’t have to let any employees go?

How are you motivating your employees during this recession?

Do you have a product that can help folks ease their stress during these difficult times?

Are there any communities rallying together and helping themselves?

Do you have a story that will inspire viewers?

Let me hear your story! I’d love to pitch some good news. Contact me at lori at lbpublicrelations dot com.

Small businesses turn to contractors to cut costs

Recently, the Dallas Morning News printed an article called, "Small businesses turn to contractors to cut costs."

"As the recession forces small businesses across the country to cut expenses, some are making a dramatic shift – they're laying off employees and using independent contractors instead.

Hiring contractors rather than employees means businesses don't have to pay for employee benefits and don't owe the government payroll taxes for the contractors."

My website has always highlighted the economic benefits of hiring me as a freelancer to handle your public relations capabilities. I can help you tell your story to the media, position you as an expert in your industry and influence your target audience.

Here are the economic benefits to hiring Lori Bittenbender, PR freelancer:

• Reduces costs with on-demand, task-specific help.
• More affordable than a full time, salaried employee. Plus, you don’t have to pay benefits, sick time or vacation.
• The solution for occasional writing needs.
• Allows you to focus on what you do best, running your business.

Visit my website to learn more about me! I can also be reached at lori at lb publicrelations dot com.

You can read the full article here.

Lori Bittenbender Public Relations 2008 Year in Review

I'm taking advantage of the slower work week to do some New Year's de-cluttering. I went through our entire house and filled 6 bags of items and donated them to Goodwill. Gotta donate them for the 2008 taxes!

Yesterday I tackled my desk. I'm enjoying the clean, organized energy.

I went through my filing cabinets and tossed a ton of paper work. Shredded a ton of stuff. Most things are electronically filed today anyway.

My bookcase is cleaned and organized.

This morning I updated my 2008 taxes.

I'm ready to start 2009!

But before we head there, here's a look at what I accomplished for my clients in 2008.

• I secured almost 50 media hits!
• Posted close to 170 blogs.
• Created and distributed more than 30 electronic newsletters.

I've only lost 1 client due to the economy, but gained three more!

God has truly blessed me and my family. I'm so thankful to be able to work from home and still be with my daughter.

Here's to a successful 2009!