Money Monday: Reminders To Crush (and Have) Personal Financial Goals In 2020

Happy Monday, Business Owner!

You're crushing it to get the dollar to invest back into your business and pay yourself. This Money Monday, we're taking a moment to remember about investing into your future, and main sure you have a distant trail of debt, and not too heavy a load. We checked in with financial advisor Lena Rizkallah, a local to our hometown of Beacon, NY (woot!) who commutes between New York City and our small city-town. She has crafted some financial advice specific to entrepreneurs, business owners, artists and makers. Take a minute to reflect on her advice in her article here, and align your to-do list to make sure you're making these steps to a solid financial situation for your personal and business lives.

In Lena’s article, discover more about each of her recommendations:

1. Get out of debt—or at least get a handle on it!
2. Establish an emergency fund
3. Save well in a retirement plan
4. Hire a financial advisor
5. Get your affairs in order

PR Special Opp: TV Segment Opportunity

TV Segment Opportunity

This just came across our desk from our dear friend, Sabina Hitchen, who is going to be on an entertainment show such as Good Morning Washington and two more that we have to keep under wraps.

LOOKING FOR THESE MUST-HAVE PRODUCTS:

• Food

• Drink

• Gadgets

• Gear

• Party favors to throw a "gram-worthy" - as in Instagram - Oscar party at home this year.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY BY 2PM ET.

Sound like you can spin your business into it with a high value must-have? Details are listed in Tin Shingle's PR Center which is accessible by those who have the Media Kit Membership.

Tin Shingle is not affiliated with any lead unless otherwise specified.
Placement is not guaranteed.

TODAY (1/15/2020): New PR Challenge Series Starts

PR Challenge
Members-Only TuneUp

When: Wednesday, January 15th
Time: 12pm EST
Where: At your computer or on your phone.
How: Follow the directions on this page to get the registration link.
Required: Media Kit Membership with Tin Shingle.  Apply to start it today.

Hello Business Owner and Your Team!

Today marks the first of the new series for this PR Challenge Session. In it, we connect the dots between your pitching of the news media (and what that means! no question is too small), your coloring of your social media, and even what you are doing at your own website and how/if you are sending a newsletter to your people.

This TuneUp is a moderated group session for Media Kit Members of Tin Shingle. A Media Kit Membership is designed for business owners, creators and artists. It enables education and empowerment in getting the word out about your business. Because doing so is a tough job  that requires brains, courage and motivation to keep moving forward.

So join us today on this call!

HOW IT WORKS:
This is a small-group strategy call. Bring your questions or challenges you are facing when pitching the media (if you don't know what "pitching the media" means, then you must get on this call immediately).

Tin Shingle's owner Katie will moderate the call.

She will rotate through people on the call, and encourage each other to contribute to each person's challenge as a conversation.

You do not need to have been on the previous call to attend this one.

DATES:
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2020 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2020 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2020 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

CALL-IN DETAILS
When you are logged into your Media Kit Member account at Tin Shingle, you will be able to click this link in our Community section of the website to get the private link to call in details.

Once on the call, Katie will adjust your settings so that we can hear and/or see you. We love talking face-to-face, so turn your video on if you want. Otherwise, audio-only is fine.

Media Moves: Essence Magazine

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We took a deep dive into Essence Magazine, pulled out all the names we could find and updated our Media Contact Idea Center. We double check on people to see that they are still at a media outlet, and maybe add an Area of Interest idea, or an Instagram handle.

In our database, you can search by a person’s name, media outlet name, or area of interest (our favorite part). Area of Interest is great for if you hadn’t thought of an outlet before. You can see the details for these people when you are logged into your Media Kit Member account at Tin Shingle.

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Moana Luu
Chief Content and Creative Officer, Essence
Moana Luu is the Chief Content and Creative Officer of Essence Magazine. Moana’s unique experience allows her oversight to include all aspects of creative expression across mediums such as fashion, art, design and film. Her mission is to push the boundary of beauty and fashion to empower a generation of young woman worldwide.
Areas of Interests: Black Media, Activism, Art, Politics, Sports, Business, Human Rights, Social Justice, Equality

Cori Murray
Entertainment Director, Essence
Cori Murray is the Entertainment Director for ESSENCE and co-host of its first Webby-nominated podcast, Yes, Girl! She represents the brand for several media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, BET/Centric, The New York Daily News and FOX 5-TV’s Good Day New York.
Areas of Interest: Black Media, Entertainment, Equality, Human Rights, Social Justice, Political Reform, Senior Editing, Events Hosting, Women's Service Publishing

Jennifer Ford
Associate Beauty Editor, Essence
Jennifer Ford is an aficionado of all things #blackgirlmagic. She has an affinity for promoting total-wellbeing in women and diversity.
Areas of Interest: Women's Interest, Beauty, Human Rights, Social Justice, Equality, Political Reform, Black Girl Magic, Black Media, Diversity, Women, Feminism

Charli Penn
Digital Journalist, Essence
Charli Penn is an experienced editorial director, digital content strategist and digital journalist with over 15 years experience managing and creating top performing and highly engaging digital content for women. She also hosts THE SOLVE podcast where she offers expert tips for unlocking the secrets of love.
Areas of Interest: Human Rights, Equality, Social Justice, Political Reform, Relationships, Dating, Marriage, Sex, Weddings, Wellness

TIN SHINGLE'S MEDIA KIT MEMBERSHIP

To access the contact suggestions of these and more, apply to start a Media Membership with Tin Shingle today, and start getting new ideas for how to get the word out.

The Membership Program was designed for business owners, artists and makers who are doing their own PR and marketing outreach.

As always, send in media contact or editorial calendar requests to member@tinshingle.com

Connect with us directly in Tin Shingle's Community. The Media Kit Membership gives you access to our online support group to ask your questions, get ideas, and celebrate when you do get press.

Embracing Your Sweet But Psycho To Stay Strong And Clear

Happy Monday!

In the name of productivity, we were going to email about the new LA media outlets we have in Tin Shingle's Media Contact Idea Center. Yvonne, our head researcher, was happy to take on the project, being that she is from LA.

But - we really had pegged this article for you today. But then the doubt entered:  "Eh, they probably got tons of Motivation Monday type emails today. They want the media meat and potatoes." And then just today we heard from a reader that our emails keep her going. So here you go! The original email we wanted to send you!

"You're So Sweet..."

You're on your own, Business Owner. Sure, you have a team of supporters who are your staff, spouse, partner, parents, children, friends, board members, etc. But really, you're the visionary and you're on your own. All alone in your head. So it's your headspace that needs to be fierce.

For those of you who operate on the nice side - and for those of you who know how to be nice, but know how to get sh*t done or can see clearly what you want - you may set people off - take them by surprise - when you're direct or - gawd forbid - not nice. Or you are nice, but you are firm in an answer you are giving them, and it's one they don't like.

The Threat - Sweet or Psycho?

Here's what I mean. If you are sweet, and then get all business on someone, they may look at you like a psycho. They may get offended. They may bark back. And that takes some getting used to. Something to stand up to, and embrace. Examples:

1. Bad Business Partner Breakup
The first time it happened was when I was in a bad business partner breakup. We were a trio, and one of us was bucking the system. Every morning, my business partner at the time and I would wake up to scary emails from our other business partner, threatening us. Tilting our perceptions of reality. Trying to knock us sideways.

The sentence I remember the most was: "Everyone thinks you are so sweet, Katie. But I am going to tell everyone that you can't get things done." It was my biggest fear.  I am nice, but I had a tiny baby that I just gave birth to. Things were tough. But it was our own internal deadlines I struggled with because they were unrealistic, never ended, and always changed.

We prevailed. I embraced my sweet, nice side, but held firm during our breakup, making her really mad with my carefully crafted emails (we had a laywer in the background advising us on what to  say). I drove her crazy, and I realized that I could embrace my sweet but psycho side. It was relieving.

2. "Uh-Oh, Business Katie Is Here"
The second time it happened was when I was trying to bring on a new contractor. Things weren't fitting quite right. Each meeting made me want to sprint out the door and run across town. Was it excitement? Or frustration at the truth that I was ignoring. The truth that this contractor wasn't a fit. It was the latter. The day I realized this, I put everything into writing for a contract we could start fresh with. The response I got was: "Uh, oh. I had a feeling Business Katie was showing up today."

Yes she did.

3. Homework
The third time this happened (so far..won't be the last), was during another contract negotiation. I was pushed off kilter again. I was given an indication that I couldn't do what I was doing because of certain rules, but all would be OK. It made me fearful to do my homework to find the right answer. Would I open a can of worms? Or should I live with clarity and find the answer. I opted to live with clarity and find the answer. I did my homework and made a scary phone call to get a clarified answer. Turns out all was well. I was correct in what I was doing.

Sweet but psycho. A reminder to one's self that internally, we must be very strong and very grounded.

Sweet But Psycho - Embraced

When grounding yourself in your sweet but psycho strong side, you must stand very tall. You must put your boots on with a heel. You must cross your arms if you need to. Or put your arms on hips. You must stand like a grizzly or mama bear to show your full you.

You must let silence hang in the air after you speak your piece. No need to repeat it. You must let silence fall. You cannot fill in the air with your voice just to make that other person comfortable. If they are confused, or say "what?" you simply say: "That's what I said." Give it a minute, and they will verbalize back what you said. Because they heard you. They just didn't want to hear you.

Give it a try.

Create the uncomfortable. That will heal the manipulation that is in the air, and cut to the chase, to give you what you need to succeed or be heard.

Need a support system? Tell us about it in Tin Shingle's Community. We are here for you, Business Owner. We got your back!

What Does Meghan and Harry's Exit (Megxit) Of Royalty Mean For Businesses Wanting Celebrity PR?

Screenshot Photo: The Sun

Meghan and Harry’s announcement (which was dubbed Megxit) wasn’t the first within the last 6 months of a member of the royal family no longer being a royal, but it was the first within these months to be by their choice. Prince Andrew was apparently told to leave, after a revealing interview he held with the BBC Newsnight with Emily Maitlis during his Jeffrey Epstein scandal. But what does Megxit mean for businesses who dream of having royalty touch their product or recommend their service?

Meghan and Harry Magic Will Probably Continue - And Grow Stronger

Meghan and Harry’s independence will most likely strengthen their brand as individuals. Not operating under the restrictions of royalty may even lighten their stress load a bit, and open creative doors to more define them. NPR and People Magazine reported that Meghan and Harry filed a trademark for their new charity, Royal Sussex, “which reportedly applies to items ranging from education to clothing,” according to NPR.

Maybe Your Shipping Costs Will Decrease - Canadian Address?

Speculation at The Sun and NPR is that the couple may move to Canada, as their statement indicated. According to the NPR article: “But many believe the couple will instead make a home in Canada. The pair just returned from spending six weeks at an estate on Vancouver Island…And they say they will continue to honor the British Commonwealth, of which Canada is a part.”

Don’t X Them Out

Don’t nix them just yet from your celebrity dream wish list, like Madame Tussauds did by removing their statues (awkward!).

How Do You Pitch Celebrities?

Yes, let's discuss! We reached out to our friend Sarah Shaw who specializes in how to get press from celebrities - the right way. She's been a guest expert on a TuneUp of ours before, and she's returning to discuss this with us on Wednesday, February 19th at 12pm EST. Register now and mark your calendar!

[PR] TuneUp: What To Pitch The Media In January 2020

Our first live TuneUp of the year! We'll kick things off with a few announcements of new features and research methods we are undertaking (hint: webinars all stream in Vimeo now so can play on any device!).

WHERE ARE WE IN THE EDITORIAL CALENDAR?
If you want print media, it means you are pitching Summer. Fun in the sun! Camping! Vacation. We will discuss ideas.

BONUS!
New year means new "Best Of" opportunities! Those are going on now. We will discuss ways to get your base excited to vote for your business through all of the voting rounds.

How To Watch

MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE
Stream any TuneUp Webinar anytime with your Tin Shingle membership. No need to purchase it, this TuneUp is ready to play from this page! When you are logged in, you will see a big screen. Press play and start taking notes!

NON-MEMBERS OF TIN SHINGLE
Once you buy a TuneUp, you own it forever. The video or audio recording will appear on the TuneUp page that you just purchased from, and all you need to do is press play!

Tin Shingle's TuneUps Now Play Via Vimeo For Better Browser Performance

All of Tin Shingle's TuneUps are now viewable via Vimeo on Tin Shingle's website. That means they will now play across browsers, and on your phone or tablet. Tin Shinglers with a Media Kit Membership can stream all TuneUps for free.

MAD Magazine Leaves Newsstands - Available By Snail Mail and Comic Stores Only

After 67 years, the satirical benchmark of America MAD Magazine, is leaving newsstands, according to Fortune and confirmed by contributor David DeGrand.

After August, MAD will only be available through comic stores and mail order. Bi-monthly issues will still be produced but will only include recycled material from past issues. New content will only appear in special end-of-year issues. DC Comics confirmed MAD will be available on newsstands until August. After that, only reprints of vintage articles and comics will be featured, with different covers. Their year-end issue will still be published, along with books and special editions.

The influence of MAD is immeasurable. It artfully satirized pop culture, politics and current events. Its iconic Spy vs Spy comic by Antonio Prohias, poked fun at the Cold War conflict while its fold out back covers poked fun at the 1960’s trend of vibrant magazine fold outs, but the novelty lasted for close to 50 years. Another defining attribue of MAD was that they did not accept advertising from 1957 until 2001. 

Unfortunately, with the advent of the internet, the audience for magazines has shrunk considerably. Satirical content is easily found online, rendering the demand for a hardcopy publication small (or so some think).

In a recent dig at presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg, President Trump compared his appearance with that of MAD’s mascot Alfred E. Neuman.  Buttigieg confessed he didn’t know what or who Trump was talking about, indicating a cultural and generational gap that may have widened too far to save MAD.

Image from New York Post

Buttigieg confessed to not being able to place the reference, to which MAD replied:

Who’s Pete Buttigieg? Must be a generational thing.

— MAD Magazine (@MADmagazine) May 11, 2019

According to Vulture, there has been no official statement from DC Comics. The majority of the staff were quietly let go within recent weeks. However, there seems to be some discrepancy regarding the production of new content. According to one unnamed freelancer, months of new content had already been produced.

Yeah...What She Says. Bobbi Brown Breaks Success Down In Plain Terms

Bobbi Brown Breaks It Down...It's Simple

Happy New Year!
Entrepreneur Magazine's Editor in Chief, Jason Feifer, interviews celebrities all of the time for their entrepreneurial side. He also talks to thousands of entrepreneurs a year through his job as editor of the magazine, speaker at events, and podcast host. This simple interview he had with cosmetics industry mega-star, Bobbi Brown, really hit home this holiday season, when you're evaluating how to move forward, and what to move forward.
Bobbi Brown, for those who don't know, started as a makeup artist. "I just wanted to make something that was better than what was on the market," she told Jason in this interview with him in the September 2019 issue of the magazine. The only advice she tells Jason that she got, was this: "The world doesn't need another cosmetics company. You don't know what you're doing."

Stop Right There...I Got To Know Right Now...

Have you heard this before from someone who loves you? Or from someone you barely know? Have you told yourself this?

Bobbi Brown's Top 5 Highlights

Everyone has their doubters, and their rules. Rules of how they think something should be done. Just remember to keep the faith and trust yourself in how something can work. Here are 5 highlights from Jason's interview with Bobbi that hopefully hit home with you:

HEAD DOWN
"OK, go home and just do it. Put your head down, figure out what it takes, and just do it. And if it doesn't work, then do it, but do it a little bit differently."

HEAD DOWN - BUT GET UP
This one is a funny contradiction, but you'll get the point: "Stop putting your head down in your computer. At least once a day, raise your head, get some fresh air, and talk to people."

ENTREPRENEURS LOVE MAKING THINGS
"You know, you just make this up. An entrepreneur really is just someone who makes things up and likes to get them done."

FAILURE
"I'm not afraid of failure. If something doesn't work out, I look at it and say, 'OK. That was fun. That was interesting. This is why it didn't work.' Because I always like to learn from it."

CONFIDENCE
The only thing confidence is, is being comfortable in your skin. I'm comfortable to make mistakes. I'm comfortable to admit what I don't know. I just think it's interesting not knowing things, so long as you're not afraid to ask questions and say, 'Wait; what do you mean?'"