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SEATING IS LIMITED.  REGISTER NOW!

http://socialmediaconference.eventbrite.com/?ref=ecount

It’s easy. All you need is a phone and a computer connected to the Internet. After registration, you’ll receive a telephone number to call, and a webpage link to click on.

Heather M. O’Connor is a successful freelance writer. She served three productive years as the Promotions and Marketing Director for the Durham Home and Small Business Association (DHSBA). During that time, through the use of good promotion, snappy press releases and a targeted media list, attendance at DHSBA’s monthly networking meetings skyrocketed from an average of twenty entrepreneurs to over a hundred – the association outgrew its venue twice.

Heather has given a number of seminars on promotional and web writing. Visit her website at www.merlinwrites.com.

What’s on the menu?
Sample these four great lunch-time webinars

RELEASE ME: How to write a killer press release

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

It’s short. It’s sweet. It’s punchy. And if you do it right, it’s news. A well-written press release piques an editor’s interest enough to assign an article or news item, while still delivering all the goods for a cut-and-paste story.

Freelance writer Heather M. O’Connor takes attendees through the ingredients: a catchy headline and sub-headline, the correct format, an all-purpose boilerplate paragraph – and a news angle. She also explains how to develop a successful list of media contacts and the etiquette of communicating with them.

Tickets available at http://lunchinars.ning.com/events/release-me-how-to-write-a

SPINNING A GOOD WEB: Writing for the Internet

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

What’s the difference between writing for print and writing for the Internet? Plenty! If you want your website to capture visitors instead of sending them clicking, you’d better figure it out. After all, your competition is only a mouse-click away.

Heather M. O’Connor knows all the tricks. Sign up for her crash course in effective web-writing. You’ll discover:
• How people “read” web pages
• How to make space work for you
• Words that carry their weight
• Why less is more

Tickets available at http://lunchinars.ning.com/events/spinning-a-good-web-writing

PERFECTING YOUR 30-SECOND INFOMERCIAL

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

First impressions count. When you’re networking, you get 30 seconds to introduce yourself and ‘wow’ them with your business, product or service. Can you do it? What do you say?

A good infomercial sets you up as a confident professional, and sets you apart from your competition. Let Heather M. O’Connor show you how to write and polish your 30-second introduction. You’ll cover:
• Why you?
• Power words
• Different intros, different markets

Make your first impression a good one.

Tickets available at http://lunchinars.ning.com/events/perfecting-your-30second

SHORT, SWEET AND SASSY: Designing great taglines

Wednesday, May 06, 2009 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Finger-lickin’ good. Snap, crackle, pop. Good to the last drop. Good taglines are memorable – even timeless.

Finding strong words — the right words — to describe your business takes creativity. Shortcut the process with Heather M. O’Connor. She’ll help you explore the recipe for a powerful tagline.

Tickets available at http://lunchinars.ning.com/events/short-sweet-sassy-designing

Anyone who has has the pleasure of reading Heather’s material will attest to her talent with pen and words, and today was no different. Heather shared with us her ‘Checklist for Success’. We learned:

• What news is, and how to make it more interesting
• How to write the lead and make the editors love your press release
• How and where to distribute our press release distribution

I was surprised to hear that $500 was the standard rate for a press release as I have always had a sweet deal on them – thanks Sis! Although I enjoy contributing to the creative, in my mind the investment of having you do them is well worthwhile since I’ve far more ROI from your press releases then any advertising I’ve ever been involved in – except TV, but that was years ago. Need to get attention? Invest in a press release. Invest in href=”http://www.MerlinWrites.com”>MerlinWrites. You’ll be glad you did!

Watch www.LUNCHINARS.com for Heather’s next performance! For those who haven’t been reading, LUNCHINARS are lunch time seminars you take from the comfort of your own office. LUNCHINARS are interactive and easy and coming to your computer on March 24, 2009. Why not feed your body and your business at lunch?

Why not feed your body AND your business at lunch!

Do you like my new word?

Tuesday (1-2 p.m.) or (12-1 p.m.) EST
Wednesday (1-2 p.m.) or (12-1 p.m.) EST
Thursday (1-2 p.m.) or (12-1 p.m.) EST

Lunchinars will begin the week of March 24, 2009 and be announced on this blog. Stay tuned to this blog or subscribe and be first to hear about these lunchinars!