Several times throughout the day I stop, sit up straight, and take several deep, cleansing breaths. It does wonders! Give it a whirl.
Todd Brabender is the president of Spread The News PR, Inc. His business specializes in generating widespread media exposure for innovative products, services and experts all over North America. For years, his clients have been featured in thousands of trade and general circulation magazines, newspapers, television shows, radio shows, cable shows and newscasts, and the increasingly popular media of Internet e-zines, blogs and online news sites. His media exposure expertise, experience and relationships with media contacts are what set him apart from many other publicists and PR firms. For example, before starting Spread The News PR, Brabender was a veteran TV news producer and reporter whose newscasts received national recognition for excellence.
What are you working on right now?
I’m fielding calls and emails from national media contacts for current client campaigns, and I’m prepping to launch two new campaigns for some very interesting, new consumer products.
Where did the idea for Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. come from?
When I decided to move on from my TV news career in the mid 90s, a few folks asked me for help in generating some local media exposure for their businesses and products. I ended up generating some pretty impressive results in a short amount of time, so I decided to take my service national to help “spread the news” for as many other businesses and entrepreneurs as possible.
What does your typical day look like?
I’m up early, fielding calls and emails from media and fulfilling their requests to feature our clients. In the midst of all that I am always scouring and researching the entire U.S. and Canadian media markets to find as many media exposure opportunities as I can for our clients. It is a perpetual process of helping the media with their content and creating media exposure and publicity for my clients.
How do you bring ideas to life?
By using a simple, problem-solution approach. I identify a problem and come up with ways to address it, which often involves engaging associates whose expertise can help solve those problems efficiently and effectively.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
LinkedIn. I love it!
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
My worst job was when I worked for a telemarketing firm for exactly ten days in college, when I was broke. I was tasked with trying to sell travel coupons for terrible destinations to grumpy people during their dinner hours. It made me realize that if you don’t believe in something, you can’t succeed at it.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have secured a small business loan or taken on a bit of capital outlay credit card debt to ramp up my company a bit quicker–not an outrageous amount, but maybe just a few thousands dollars. I bootstrapped the whole thing and therefore, in the early years (back in the 90s), I wasn’t able to secure the most optimum business services and supplies (software, professional services, technology infrastructure, etc.).
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Breathe. Seriously. Several times throughout the day I stop, sit up straight, and take several deep, cleansing breaths. It does wonders! Give it a whirl.
What is one problem you encountered as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I used to try to do everything myself. I thought I was the only one who would do things correctly. I have learned to delegate tasks to very talented associates so I can I focus on what I do best to move client campaigns–and the business–forward.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Put a “free consultation” form on your website. Prospective clients would fill out that form to inquire about your service/product, and you would then provide them with a solid consultation. In a large percentage of the cases, you’d find ideal, awesome, new clients and customers. (Shhhhh! Don’t spread that around.)
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
Ugh, there are too many things to mention and not enough time to fix them all.
Tell us a secret.
I am a huge fan of the band Ambrosia from the 70s and 80s. There, I said it.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
- LinkedIn is great for networking.
- LexisNexis offers great online research options on multiple topics.
- Stamps.com makes mailing simple and streamlined.
- QuickBooks offers easy invoicing and bill paying, makes tax prep a breeze.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin. It is an enlightening read and teaches people to really market their businesses the right way–not the way society or so-called experts have been telling us to for years.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
- Guy Kawasaki tweets about great business tips and trends all day long.
- Entrepreneur magazine shares awesome business profiles and solution for businesses of all sizes.
- Jimmy Fallon’s tweets are hilarious!
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
This morning, I laughed at a great email comment from a buddy. (I’m cracking up now just thinking about it again.)
Who is your hero?
My wife’s grandfather, who is a two-time Purple Heart recipient from two wars. He came home and started a very successful chain of grocery stores in the area and treated his family like gold.
How can you help as many entrepreneurs and businesses as possible, with your talents and expertise?
By providing great service to current clients who make solid referrals to future, prospective clients nationally.
How can you keep your gut small but beef up your chicken legs?
I’ve got no answer here. Anyone?
Connect:
Todd Brabender on LinkedIn:
Spread The News PR on Twitter: @SpreadTheNewsPR
Spread The News PR’s website: www.spreadthenewspr.com
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.