Yes, that’s me in a blonde wig!

The word “fantasy” is usually married to the word “sex.” And while sexual fantasies are totally delicious, healthy + natural, we’re dishing on a different type of fantasy today.

What I really want to know? What’s your BUSINESS fantasy?

You know, that arousing fantasy you conjure up when your imagination runs wild.

Here’s one of my many business fantasies: HBO creates a series based on my TV pilot pitch for a 1940s paranormal political thriller. I write and star in the series. The show also stars Henry Ian Cusick (because Desmond from LOST needs to be back in TV in a killer role), Timothy Olyphant (Justified fans – let me hear you scream), and Ed O’Neill (because Al Bundy/Jay Pritchett would be soooo good as a bad-ass character.) And in a shocking decision, Eminem is cast as a supporting player to bring his fire + intensity to a truly demonizing character. Ben Affleck produces and directs the first episode (and we’ll toss Matt Damon in there as a producer for good measure.) Florence + the Machine creates the soundtrack. We sweep the Emmy’s, winning Best TV Drama, Best Actor/Actress and Supporting Actor.

That’s all.

The best part about this fantasy? It provides an endless loop of entertainment in my imagination. If even a small part of this fantasy became a reality, I would probably run screaming around my house, then have a panic attack…and faint.

In the meantime…the dreaming is so.much.fun.

Fantasies are an essential part of making your business feel like a guilty pleasure.  TWEET IT

Fantasies provide daily stimulation that you can tap into anytime, anywhere. They help you breathe easier and provide a pleasant distraction from the swirl of craziness that happens while running your business.

And those recurring fantasies that play on a constant, stimulating loop in your imagination?

Those are the fantasies you most desire to come true. And every little step you take to make that deep, dark + delicious fantasy a reality feels like an instant hit of intoxication.

If you’re ready to turn up the heat and free your imagination, go ahead and share your business fantasy in the comments section.

By divulging just one of your business pleasures, you’ll add more fun + steam to your business right away!

Go ahead + share…if you dare

Here’s to your sizzle, spark + stardom,

:: Melissa

Ever read a hot + juicy blog post and think, “Why can’t I do that?!”

You’re not alone.

A couple weeks ago, I popped a couple questions to my crew — I wanted to know how people felt when they sat down to write blog posts + newsletters for their businesses.

The answers were pretty heartbreaking. Words like “migraine,” “vomit,” and “panic attack” came up, for more than a few of you! Yikes.

Here’s the thing: if you want to become a business celebrity, you’ve got to learn how to write in a way that’s juicy, compelling and totally addictive.

And no, you don’t have to be Shakespeare reincarnated (I’m certainly not!) but you do have to figure out what your clients are craving, and then serve it up — with plenty of personality.

In other words: you’ve got to become your clients’ ultimate guilty pleasure.

Here’s what happens when you start writing content that feels like a guilty pleasure — the kind of stuff that YOU’D want to read, till 3am in the morning:

:: People get to see you — the real you — and start to know, like + trust you.

:: Your “wrong” clients go running for the hills (‘cause you’ll be a total turn-off, for them. Good riddance!)

:: Your “right” clients come crashing onto your front lawn, and lining up ‘round the block (‘cause you’ll be an insane turn-ON, for them. Aw yeah!)

:: You get to have FUN with your writing — which will show up 1,000% in everything you create. (Fun is visible, infectious, and cannot be faked!)

Bottom line: if writing for your business feels like a drag, then running your business will feel like a chore. And that’s no way to attract your ideal clients — or live your life!

So: are you ready to learn how to create content that’s fun to read — and even more fun to write? While indulging in celebrity gossip, amazing contests, and pump-you-up music playlists, curated by moi?

Then consider yourself invited to my latest ‘n greatest class: How To Be A Guilty Pleasure. The party starts on May 6th, and we’ll be rolling for 4 weeks.

One-time, ridiculously-amazing beta-pricing of $149 is in full-effect.

Get all the E! Entertainment-worthy details + sign up, right here: http://guiltypleasurecontent.com/

The other day, I was chatting with a client who hired me because she wanted a dose of my PR expertise.

But just between us? She was equally excited to swap a lil’ gossip about our shared obsession: pop culture.

“I love how you talk about celebrities and TV shows and stuff. It’s so fun!” she said.

I responded: “Um, I have to do that, because I need to have FUN in my business.”

If you’re dragging your booty to your desk chair every morning, only to stare at your to-do list in shame … then running your business probably isn’t feelin’ very fun.

And your customers can smell lack-of-fun from fifteen miles away.

The easiest way to have FUN with your business? Simple: take your hobbies, passions + guilty pleasures and swirl ‘em right into your business model.

Take me, for example.

I’m obsessed with Hollywood + pop culture, so I created a whole brand around turning business owners into business celebrities.

I regularly work pop culture references into my blog posts (sparkly vampires, anyone?) and I give my products + services E! Entertainment-worthy names — like Make Headlines, Center of Attention and The Starmaker Session.

Sometimes, I even write my sales copy in the style of a Hollywood screenplay!

Here are a few more examples:

My mentor Marie Forleo is a former Nike dance instructor who loves hip hop music, so her brand is laced with swank + swagger — including promotional videos that belong on the MTV Top-40 countdown! Hot.

Alexandra Franzen is the hottest wordsmith you’ll ever meet, and she swirls in her passion for yoga, Tarot + improvised performances into her live writing workshops.

Tonya Leigh is a certified life coach with a flair for French living + the finer things in life.  (Don’t you just want to lick her site? I bet it tastes like pink champagne.) Tonya’s passion for all things Parisian is reflected in her tagline (“French Kiss Life”) and in her luxurious travel adventures for women.

These ladies are having an absolute BLAST running their businesses — and it shows.

So: how can YOU have more fun in your business?

First thing’s first — what does FUN mean, for you? Maybe you love competing in gritty mud runs, or consider yourself a connoisseur of spas + steam rooms. Or maybe you have a not-so-guilty obsession with watching back-to-back (to-back-to-back) episodes of Gossip Girl on Netflix streaming (OK, maybe that’s just me.)

Right this second: make a list of all the things that feel like the exact opposite of “work.”

Now — it’s time to get a little creative. How can you weave all that fuuuuun into your business?

A couple ideas:

:: Share your all-time favorite activities in your bio (check out my “10 Things You Don’t Know About Me.”)

:: Create programs + classes anchored around your hobbies + guilty pleasures.

:: Design special promotions around your obsessions (ahem, I mean, “strong interests.”)

:: Weave your “non-business” hobbies into your blog posts (for example: “What Running A 5K Taught Me About Running A Business,” or “The Tipsy Wine-Lover’s Guide to Makin’ Friends On Facebook.”)

:: Reveal tidbits about your hobbies + passions on social media (it’s wayyy more interesting than babbling on about business all day.)

:: Think of words + phrases that relate to your hobbies, and weave them into your copy (for example: if you’re running a finance business — but you’re a closeted fashionista — tell us how a high-interest savings account can feel like a sexy little black dress.

What’s the point of all this FUN, you ask?

Well, besides the obvious (keeping you engaged + excited about your work) …

:: People will be wayyy more attracted to your brand because it’s interesting, exciting and human.

:: Customers will be delighted about working with you (having fun is infectious!)

:: You’ll wake up every day super excited to get to work, because it’ll feel more like playing hooky.

:: You’ll attract unbelievably perfect customers who have fun the same way you do! (I have no shame in the fact that several people have hired me simply because I’m a True Blood fanatic.)

Bottom line: show me an irresistible business, and I’ll show you a business owner who knows how to have FUN.

TAKE ACTION: How do YOU like to have fun? Share it in a comment below, along with one way you plan to weave mo’ fun into your business.

I love guilty pleasures. Dark and sexy HBO original series. Scrumptious dark chocolate. Watching (and re-watching) epic movie trailers. Reading gossip sites.

It took me a few years to figure out how to run my entire business like a guilty pleasure. Now, whenever I’m taking up “work” time to read E! Online (to research celebrity trends for media pitches) or treating my Irresistible Business Challengers to yummy chocolate or decadent spa gifts, I deviously smile and giggle with glee.

Today I want to share with you a list of fresh + playful ways you can inject more ‘guilty pleasure-ness’ into mundane, everyday tasks. Enjoy!

1. Stay on top of trends.

Want to read trashy tabloids, watch a Game of Thrones marathon, or bite your lip through the latest juicy novel? In my book, there’s nothing better than having a hot + trendy business and the ONLY way to do it is to stay on point with what’s hot n’ trendy and work those trends into your business through content, offers, or special promotions.

2. Make a business soundtrack.

You know those songs that get you completely pumped + inspired to get stuff done? Yup, those need to go on your business soundtrack – your personal playlist of songs that help you plow through tasks quicker than your favorite superhero.

3. Shake up business meetings.

Tired of business meetings stuck in a conference room or at some stuffy lunch joint? Grab some fresh air during a hike-meeting, rent out a room at a spa or museum for a change in atmosphere, or kick-off a meeting with a fun game.

4. Mix your hobbies into your biz.

My specialty is helping business owners mix all of their seemingly disjointed passions into one exciting business that feels like a 24/7 guilty pleasure. I’ve personally swirled my love of pop culture + PR together into a biz I love. You can do the same!

Dig this article? Tweet it to your posse!

I’m runnin’ my business like a guilty pleasure thanks to @casseracomm. Wanna join me? http://wp.me/p1vGtt-AB

It’s an epidemic.

I see it every single day among even the savviest of business owners.

I’ve even been guilty of it myself (gulp.)

What the heck am I talking about?

Asking for opinions about your business. From the wrong people. Or, in the wrong way.

Take a gander at the following scenarios and see if one (or more) resonate with you:

:: You think of a brand spankin’ new name for your business, program, product, or service and then run it by everyone to get their opinion…family, friends, posting random polls on Facebook that not only reach your current posse but also reach your old high school boyfriend, your grandma’s neighbor, and a slew of people you just accepted as friends but have no clue who the heck they are. Then you end up with a trillion different opinions and are left more confused than when you started.

:: You freaking LOVE your business, but every time you share how it’s goin with family + friends they start to prod. Is this really the right decision? Do you really think you can make money doing this? Now you’re left in a sea of doubt and second guessing the reason you even started this biz.

:: You have an idea that gets you SO PUMPED and you start sharing it with your mom, dad, partner, grandma, best friend, tarot card reader, favorite client, and dog walker – only to get 47 different opinions ranging from “awesome idea” to “that idea is the shittiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

So, what’s the deal here?

Gathering information + reactions is important…even crucial…in business.

The problem? If you fit any of the scenarios above, you’re gathering opinions from a lot of the wrong people. And, when it comes time to do something with the information you gather, you start doubting your instincts. Heck, you may even begin doubting your entire business.

This is a vicious cycle I like to call over-polling. It’s something we do when our confidence begins to dip. We immediately start to poll for opinions and seek validation, which is really just a sign of insecurity. Then we’re left with a million hands in the cookie jar and feeling stressed and depressed that nothing is moving forward.

But, not all polling is bad. Here’s how you can “poll” for success:

Poll the Right People

When it comes to business, you should only poll people that are your ideal customers. (hint: not just the people that will give you money, but the people that you live + breathe + feel inspired by.) If you’ve been in business for awhile, you’ll know who these people are. If you’re just starting out, daydream a bit about what your ideal customer is like and create a little character sketch (think of it like writing a character for a novel or screenplay.) Then, work to find a real-life match to this character and ask them your question(s).

While it can be fun to let family + friends know what you’re up to, don’t let their opinions trump your ideal customer’s answers and your own instincts.

Ask the Right Questions

Keep your poll short, simple + easy to answer and avoid strange questions like “how much money would you give me for ______.” Instead, ask your ideal customers what their biggest struggle is and work to solve that struggle in your business.

Trust your Gut

Bottom line? You’ve got to have the confidence to own your instincts. And insecurity leads to muddled, weak-sauce offerings and a repellant business. Trust your gut…it’s a powerful business tool.

B-SCHOOL IS NOW OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT! IF YOU’D LIKE TO SIGN UP THROUGH MY AND ACCESS MY SPECIAL BONUSES, YOU MUST CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK ONLY: http://rhhbschool.com/join-us/?orid=20720&opid=71

Details on my bonuses + my experience with B-School can be found below

Oh, hey there!!

If you’ve stumbled on this post, you probably either 1.) Saw me in Marie’s B-School promotion video talking about what B-School did for my business or 2.) Googled reviews for RHH B-School and landed here.

Either way – welcome!

So, at this point I’m going to assume that you are on the fence about signing up for B-School and are nervously toiling around seeking answers from past graduates.

If you want to know more about my experience, read on. My biggest “tangible” result from B-School was making over $150k just from the advice/community there (as evidenced in my case study video with Marie). I also achieved my life long dream to move to California (all the way from Jersey) this year, and am able to run a multiple six figure business working only 20 hours per week. I also teach a bonus training in B-School called “Best Kept Secret to Superstar.” It’s awesome, I promise.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance of Marie and the love + support of the B-School community.

Here are all the details of my experience:

My Review of B-School
I’m going to make this easy peasy to read for ya – here’s what I personally experienced with B-School:

• First and foremost, if you don’t spend the time to be an active participant in B-School, then it’s not going to do much for you. I behaved like the annoying kid in the front row of class with my hand raised. I did all the lessons, all the homework, and became an active participant in the community. I’m convinced this is why it worked so well for me.
• The content ROCKS, but I will say that it’s incredibly thought-provoking and really makes you dig deep.This is not one of those courses filled with fluffy content that you can get anywhere for free. There were certainly times when I felt like “giving up” because I was struggling. But like any good program, when you persist – you win.
• The community ROCKS even more. What I really love about the community is that it’s very transparent. We are all there to help one another. You’ll have the best results being open + honest and really having a give, give, give mentality. The B-School community is filled with everyone from start-up entrepreneurs that need products + services to seasoned professionals like me who’ve been at it for years. So you can gain access to mentors like myself who have “been around the block” in our respective industries while also gaining access to a community of prospective clients/customers.
• I hear lots of “hemming and hawing” about the price. My pricing thoughts are these: If you really want something, you will find a way to pay for it. Think about it – haven’t you put off paying to fix the dishwasher but managed to afford the $200 highlights and fresh new haircut? So it’s time to fess up with a little tough love. If you’re struggling with your business and looking for a way to gain access to more clients and the “real deal” info on how to get more clients, this is an amazing program to invest in. You can even put together a program goal – look at the number of sales you need to make to cover the expense of B-School and put together an immediate plan of action to recoup your investment.

Are you ready to rumble?
If you’re ready to jump in, I have a juicy little offer for ya. If you use my AFFILIATE LINK to sign up for B-School, you’ll get access to the following bonuses:

1. Two private, 1-hour Center of Attention phone sessions with me to help you turn your B-School knowledge into industry super-stardom using the power of publicity.

2. A free seat in Anonymous to A-List, my 6-week mastermind program that takes you from best-kept-secret to business celebrity ($795 value). This class will begin after B-School in June 2013 and is a perfect compliment to what you’ll learn in B-School and how to apply it!

Rules Schmules

1. You MUST sign up through MY LINK to gain access to these bonuses. If you sign up through a different link, you won’t be eligible for these special bonuses. I will receive notification when you sign up and will be in touch as soon as B-School kicks off.

2. The Center of Attention sessions are only available after the 30-day refund period ends. As soon as you sign up, you can count the 30 days and then – whammo! – you’ll have access to these super-cool bonuses. Anonymous to A-List starts in June 2013.

Again, you must sign up through THIS LINK to access these special bonuses.

Best of luck with your decision and I hope to see you in B-School!

If you have any specific questions about B-School or this offer, please send them to melissa@casseracommunications.com with the subject line: B-School

DOWNLOAD THE FEBRUARY 2013 HOT TREND REPORT HERE: Hot Trend Report Feb 2013

Is your business hot? Or not?

If you’re looking for some quick ways to steam up your business success, I’ve got a sweet treat for you.

One of the best ways to attract customers and the media is to piggyback your business onto top trends. So, how do you do this?

We’ve rolled up our sleeves and performed all of the heavy lifting to bring you a rockin’ trend cheat sheet – aptly named the Hot Trend Report.

What is the Hot Trend Report?

The Hot Trend Report is our free gift to you every month that’s jam-packed with juicy content and simple steps to inspire major publicity action. Simply put, we want to make you the most sizzling and on-trend business in your industry.

How do I use the Hot Trend Report?

The Hot Trend Report highlights the crave-worthy consumer and pop culture trends you should be talking about this month. You can use these ideas for your social media content, blogs, guest blog submissions, short lead media pitches (newspaper, radio, TV and online), online articles, company promotion themes, event ideas – anything you can think of! Your goal is to incorporate your brand into the latest trends and happenings.

So, without further ado, you can download the trend report by clicking here: Hot Trend Report Feb 2013

You do need the latest version of Adobe Reader to read this file – but it’s free

Remember, this is for you and we’re looking for feedback. Leave a comment below on what you’d like to see included in future issues and we’ll try our best to grant your wishes.

Happy Trending!

You might already know that in addition to wielding around my PR magic wand I also love to act.

I happily admit this to you today, but I wasn’t so open with my “second life” years ago.

I actually used to hide the fact that I was an actress like it was some kind of shameful secret.

There were three reasons I resisted coming out to the world for so long about my knack for the dramatics.

Maybe you can relate to one, or more, of them.

REASON #1

Because everyone told me I needed to have ONE focus or ONE path. Think about it. We’re taught from the tiny age of 5 to proclaim what we want to be. We all shout “doctor!” or “astronaut!” or “princess!” or “professional Barbie doll!” How the heck are we supposed to know that young what we want to be for the rest of our lives?!

I’m pretty sure my favorite activities when I was 5 included scribbling hearts on a chalkboard and dancing to Madonna’s Lucky Star in my living room while wearing fishnet gloves my mom bought me at a flea market. This likely would have led to quite the unsuccessful future.

Today, I know the “one path” thing is total baloney.

REASON #2

Because, in business, we’re often told that we will confuse our customers. Like, confusing our customers is this horrible disease that we’re always on the verge of catching. Tell me you haven’t heard from somebody, somewhere that if you say or do “this or that,” your customers will just be so confused they will shun you forever.

Phooey. If you’re a legal badass by day and a piano singer at night, people WANT to know that. Your customers WANT to know that. Revealing those little bits + pieces + passions with people make you exciting…riveting…unforgettable.

REASON #3

Because when I revealed that I was an actress, I would hear one of the following responses:

“Really, YOU’RE an actress?”

Yes, this is a turd-like thing to say. No, I’m not sure if they meant to be mean.

“Really, what have you been in?”

Since I basically work on super low-budget indie films with no distribution, regional commercials for flooring companies, and am penning a screenplay that one day may be produced by Ben Affleck but, for now, sits on my laptop unformatted – my answer inevitably would make their eyes glaze over. I learned quickly that most people equate acting to fame, instead of equating it to art.

“Really, so can you get my daughter/sister/boyfriend/cousin into acting? Everyone tells her/him how gorgeous they are, so they have to be an actor.”

This I never wanted to touch with a 10-foot-pole, but I would try to be kind and let them know it’s hard work + dedication, yet the conversation always circled back to them being the next to be “discovered” and they would just instantly catapult to fame without any experience or knowledge. Meh…ok.

As eye-rolling as these experiences were (and sometimes, still are) there’s a whole world of people out there that do support you and encourage you with no ulterior motives, ill will, or grandiose delusions. These are the people that will still cheer when you get an audition and lose the role, when your novel gets turned down by every publisher, when your comedy routine takes a nosedive, or when no one shows up to your open mic or your art show. These people rock.

It took me a long time to learn these lessons. These situations used to give me hives (literally, like red welts – not cute.)

While I was busy keeping that part of me a secret, I also felt like my life had a big, gaping void. Like a huge hole was punched through my chest. (yes…I just quoted Twilight: New Moon.)

So, a few years ago I started experimenting. Little by little I started introducing my acting world into my PR world. I fully imagined a huge blow back with people unfollowing or unfriending me, walking out of my speaking engagements, or dumping me as a coach.

But it never happened.

What did happen was this.

It all started in a live workshop where I was teaching a group of business owners how to create more memorable brands. I asked them, “what would be your holy-cannoli A-List dream?” and made each person read it out loud. As I heard person after person talk about their dream in a dull monotone, I was beginning to think this was a total dud of an exercise…until I pushed. I turned to one woman and said “is that REALLY your dream?” She answered a trembling “yes.” Then I asked “so, the only thing you’re passionate about is graphic design and making websites?”

“No,” she whispered under her breath. “I also want to sing in a rock band. I used to when I was in college but gave it up.”

And – BOOM – there it was. Her secret dream. The one she probably daydreamed about as she was typing code, day after day. The one she gave up years ago because of one of the three reasons I listed above.

After that, every single person in that group revealed their secret dream.

And, now it’s your turn. I want you to LEAVE A COMMENT below and let me know what YOUR secret dream is. I promise the minute you reveal it to the world, you’ll want to do ballet spins all across your kitchen floor in glee.

Stop Hiding Behind your Dream. Start Living It.

If you <3 this post and want to share it like it’s hot, CLICK HERE TO TWEET

Ever wonder why certain people seem to have it all?

They are showered with praise + recognition. They sell out launches and nab book deals. Their face is splashed on the cover of glossy magazines. They even have the Oprah “stamp of approval.”

Most of the time, we try to process the success of others by trying to reason how they got there. This reasoning – in our minds – usually boils down to them just being “lucky.”

• Oh, they are second cousins with Gwyneth Paltrow and THAT’S how they got into GOOP
• Well, they are just best friends with someone who’s dating a super-famous online guru and THAT’S how they made all of those sales
• Ugh, lucky them – they shared a dorm room with so-and-so and now they are a part of their A-list posse for life

In a very small number of cases, these lucky connections might be the reason.

But, if you don’t have a heaping dose of good luck or tons of A-List connections, are you doomed to live a life of oblivion?

Not.at.all.

You don’t need splashy connections or crazy amounts of luck to get what you want.

In fact, you have the ability to score recognition + visibility with a simple mindset shift.

Waiting for customers to come to you…or waiting for the media to call you for a story…or waiting for a big publisher to knock at your door with a book deal…is basically like an actor waiting to be “discovered.”

It.doesn’t.happen.

So, how do you get noticed? Follow these 3 simple actions (no luck or lucky connections required).

Ask for It

Wonder how your competitor just scored that big magazine feature? The answer is pretty simple…they asked for it.

People that get media coverage, go after media coverage.

They create trendy story ideas and pitch them to appropriate media outlets. They mix + mingle with freelance journalists and popular bloggers. They regularly put themselves out there as experts worth knowing and worth listening to.

They make themselves totally irresistible. (psst…if you want to become irresistible too – you must get in on my free 5-Day Challenge…pronto. CLICK HERE to join)

Stop Comparing

“Stop comparing your behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.”

Need a refresher on this? CLICK HERE

Push your Boundaries

Waiting around to get noticed isn’t special. It isn’t extraordinary. In fact, waiting around is so ordinary that I’m pretty darn sure no one will notice you while you’re twiddling your thumbs.

Success never comes when you stay in your comfort zone. The people that get noticed are those with the spirit + gusto to do it.

I’m willing to bet my morning latte you’re one of those bold + brave people.

TAKE ACTION: In the comments below, I want you to share one way you’re going to push a boundary this year. How will you step outside your comfort zone? I’m all ears.