"Public Relations For Women and Even Men"

Though Susan Harrow's primer, Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul: A Woman's Guide to Promoting Herself, Her Business, Her Product, or Her Cause with Integrity and Spirit, claims to be the first and only marketing and publicity book for women, however, beyond doubt, it could have easily been addressed to men.

Although the book's subject matter is very extensive, Harrow has done an amazing job of providing her readers with varying perspectives. One finds everything from how to plan and put into operation an effective publicity campaign, how to build powerful press materials, preparing yourself verbally and psychologically for media attention, creating clear messages for print, radio, TV and the Internet, to a chapter on sustaining media interest and integrating publicity into your life.

Relying on her own experiences and strategies of successful public relation specialists, the author emphasizes that honesty, business acumen, creativity and imagination the most essential components in your quest to reach the top. In addition, Harrow counsels that you must always strive to maintain you integrity, know your message, perseverance, practice presenting your points, and becoming the message you want to spread.

The author is a very successful and respected media coach and marketing strategist who has been instrumental in helping her clients appear on such television shows as 60 Minutes, Oprah, CNN, CBS, Howard Stern, Good Morning America, Larry King Live. Consequently, several chapters of the book are devoted to teaching you how to be invited as a guest speaker on little known as well as well known shows, and once you are invited, how to prepare and conduct yourself.

Numerous books have been written about the same subject matter, and the question arises can another book add anything significant? The answer is certainly in the affirmative, when you consider the author's hands on approach, and the avoidance of hyped up subjects as, "crushing the competition," "attack your workload," and similar expressions that are prevalent in books dealing with the same subject matter. Furthermore, Harrow's manages to navigate her way around the topics in a style that is devoid of unnecessary padding. The introductory paragraphs to each chapter prudently summarizes the major points to be explored. There is also a continuous block building of suggestions designed to encourage flexibility and creativity.

Another interesting feature is the multitude of "hot tips" sprinkled throughout the book. These are the results of the author's many years of experience that she wishes to share with her readers. Harrow refers to them as bonuses and insider secrets that will help spark new ideas. The author also places warning signs throughout the book that alert the reader to dangers particular to women.

Of particular interest is the book's list of resources of people, products, books, organizations, and newsletters contained in the final chapter entitled "Resources." Readers who wish to further their knowledge pertaining to the subject matter are provided with invaluable tools that will save them a great deal of time and money.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Bookpleasures
Posted December 30, 2003

Summary

Whether you're a company employee looking to move up the corporate ladder or an entrepreneur wanting to position yourself as a hot property, Susan Harrow will show you how to master the art of self-promotion with style and substance. Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul will teach you: To be the message you want to give. The formula professional publicists use to create a winning press kit. Strategies to master any type of media interview, verbally and sychologically. Insider secrets to help you become an overnight expert. The dos and don'ts of forming strong lasting bonds with the media. Dozens of ways to gain worldwide fame and fortune on your own terms. Written in a conversational, woman-to-woman style, this innovative book blends illuminating personal anecdotes and wisdom of famous spiritual, historical, and political leaders with Harrow's own unique system. You'll find helpful examples of powerful publicity packages and dozens of practical exercises that instruct and motivate, not to mention proven techniques to save you time, grief, and money.