There's a publicity myth that is bigger than any best seller, any box office blockbuster, and any classic that has stood the test of time. The biggest publicity myth is this: *Instant* success happens overnight. A passage in The Course in Miracles says, *Only infinite patience produces immediate results.*



1. Never turn down an opportunity.

Actor James Woods had a mission. He wanted to work with director Martin Scorsese. At the time Scorsese was directing the movie *Casino.* Though typically agents don't want their clients to call directors themselves, Woods' agent knew Scorcese relished direct contact. She advised him to leave him a personal message even though all the major roles were taken.

Woods called Scorsese and left a message on his answering machine that said, *Any part, any time, any where, any price.* It happened that that very same night the director was lying in bed watching the movie Citizen Cohn and asked his then girlfriend what she thought about James Woods for the part of Lester Diamond. Right after that conversation he listened to Woods' message. He offered Woods the role even though he was afraid that he would be insulted by the bit part.

Make it a point to say *yes* when opportunity finds you. You never know who is watching, listening, or reading.

2. Stand up for a cause.

Christopher Reeve, who played the role of Superman, was successful in bringing international awareness to the paralyzed populace. Until his death he was the embodiment of super-human powers in his determination to re- learn to walk. He became an eloquent speaker and an image of courageous perseverance for our nation.

Demonstrate to the world what is important to you by dedicating a part of your pocketbook or time to support a worthy organization. When you make it your business to get involved with issues that are already meaningful in your life, it becomes easy to find a place for your services within your community.

3. Arrest the audience with the invisible.

The public's fascination with Sharon Stone's private parts in the movie, *Basic Instinct,* launched her career even though we never actually saw her *flower* in that famous interrogation scene. While your privates might not cause quite the same stir as Stone's, what you don't show can be titillating. Don't tell all. Let people speculate. Allow enticement to be a preview for your next big entrance.

4. Toot your own horn...lightly.

The object of publicity is to invite others to man the vehicle that sounds the gorgeous rhythms of your life. Think of yourself as providing the license to drive your best qualities forward. There is an art to giving a well-timed beep on your own behalf. Horn-tooting is a delicate business. Too loud and you bring out the fight in people. Too soft and you risk not being heard.

5. Give good copy.

People whose ideas are ready-to-quote get more air time and print space than those whose comments need editing. Writer Dorothy Parker was a goddess of good copy. She could be counted on to say things like, *Wit has truth in it; wise- cracking is simply calisthenics with words.* You can get a sense if you are giving good copy by observing your interviewer. If you're being interviewed by phone listen for computer keyboard clicking. If there's no clicking, there's no quoting.

Giving good copy takes practice if it doesn't come naturally to you. The easy formula is this: quotable quips are always short: 1-3 lines. They are often funny, gutsy, controversial, shocking, to the point, and sometimes include innuendo.

Copyright (c) 2006 by Susan Harrow. All rights reserved.