*** Don't be afraid to ask. Listening to a pitch is part of every reporter's job. But keep this in mind: they always work on deadline, so sometimes they don't have much time to talk. Therefore, if they seem to be in a hurry and they say "No," it doesn't necessarily mean your story is worthless. It may just mean "I don't have time to think about this right now." Call back another time.

See Joan Stewart's Special Report #25 "How to Pitch Reporters Over Telephone and Make Every Second Count." http://www.get-free-publicity.com/publicityhound.html

***Talk high touch more than high tech. A high tech feature is great...but only if it results in a high touch benefit that makes life simpler, easier, more enjoyable, or more interesting. Pitch how it saves time or money and cuts down aggravation. Humanize it as much as possible, and if you know of someone who legitimately loves and uses your site, offer them as a possible interviewee.

Getting free publicity isn't nearly as hard as you probably think. It will cost you some time and energy, but it doesn't have to cost you cash. You WILL get results if you keep trying, and rewards will far outweigh effort. Just ask Joe Gross.

To see a a copy of press release I used to spread news about Joe's website, send a blank email to: mailto:george2-32369@sendtheinfo.com

Finding what works for you may take a month or two months, or even a year or two. It's trial and error, and, learning from those errors so you don't make them again and again. It's not an easy task finding what you want. But when you find it, you will know it right away.

It will be like looking for that special someone, for what seemed like most of your life. Then one day you found that someone and that feeling you had in your heart told that was one. You know that feeling..........you just knew it was right.

Where would we be today if people in begining of time just went along with status quo and didn't both to look for what they wanted. Without experimentation and hard work we wouldn't be able to enjoy all of things we now take for granted.

Things like potatoes, radishes, and carrots. Those foods did not grow above ground like apples, pears, and cherries. They had to be found, and tested, and researched to find out wheather or not they were edible.

That may be stretching point somewhat, but you get idea. You have to find something you enjoy doing. That takes time, hard work, and perserverence. Only you will know when you found what you want.

Be an individual, don't run with crowd. Be your own person. Don't sell ebooks because everybody says that's thing to do online. Do what you want. Do what you feel comfortable doing, and don't let anybody blow smoke up your tailpipe.

Jim Schulte http://www.imjpads.com/mycustompage0013.htm http://www.imjpads.com