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In today's episode of Brain Storm! Business Podcast, I review the business strategy behind CourtTV becoming truTV, and also share an opportunity for free advertising in USA Today.

Have you ever considered changing your entire business and content just so you can attract a target market for potential sponsors? That's what CourtTV is doing, thanks to Steve Koonin, who is masterminding the entire thing. Instead of focusing on content first, they are thinking about demographics that please advertisers.

Is your business dependent upon finding sponsors? If so, then maybe you should follow CourtTV's example.

Many of us stick with what we have been doing because we have invested so much money and time in the business model we have chosen. But sometimes, we need to cut bait and fish, admitting we are a fish out of water. :-) Maybe we need to see who is buying and refocus our content and strategies based on this target market instead.

Speaking of advertising, if you are looking for some legitimately free, high-profile advertising with USA Today, read on.

Beginning November 5, 2007 USA TODAY is launching “The Blogger & Podcaster Guide” (think TV Guide for blogs and podcasts). “The Blogger & Podcaster Guide” will run on both the home page of USATODAY.com every single day (10,400,000 unique visitors daily) and in the print edition of USA TODAY 1x per week (an additional 5,200,000 readers).

Since Blogger & Podcaster Magazine is now the official magazine and media partner of the Online International Podcasting Expo, I’m excited to announce our partnership agreement with “The Blogger & Podcaster Guide.”

This partnership offers three significant benefits to our clients:

1) You will be included in the launch USA TODAY.com’s “Blogger & Podcaster Guide” free of charge for the entire 1st month (Reg. $49.95 per month).
2) If, after the first month, you want to continue promoting your blog or podcast in “The Blogger & Podcaster Guide” (there’s no obligation whatsoever. You can take the free month promotion to over 10 million per day and run) all of 1st Podcast Publishing’s clients and associates will receive a special 20% discount off the regular rates (you’ll pay only $39.95 per month…and can cancel at any time.)
3) The USA TODAY’s print edition of “The Blogger & Podcaster Guide” costs $195 per week. However, as my clients and associates, you will save 25% (you pay only $145.)

To get your free listing for the launch all you need to do is follow the directions below and enter Priority Code: Penny.
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1) Go to www.bloggerandpodcaster.com/usatoday

2) Select “New User” and go through 6 Step registration process

3) In “Step 2” be sure to enter ‘Penny’ in Coupon Code box under Option #4. Then click “Option #4”. If you don’t enter this code, you’re going to be charge the regular price.

Information you should have handy to register is:
- Blog/Podcast Name
- Website URL
- Brief Description (Print only): You can have 75 characters total -- including spaces & punctuation – between your URL and description
- Detailed Description (400 characters max – including spaces & punctuation – for online guide)
- RSS Feed
- iTunes Feed (Podcasts only – Not mandatory): For info go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcaststechspecs.html
- Up to 10 Keywords related to your blog/podcasts (Not mandatory): Used for search and placements as relevant material on USATODAY.com
- Logo/Album Art (Not Mandatory)

The guide launches next Wednesday on November 7th, so if you want to be in for the launch you’ll need to enter your registration asap. It only takes 5 minutes if you have the above information prepared in advance.

To confirm, you will receive a free month in the online guide (value $49.95) and if you choose to continue after the trial you’ll save 20% on the online guide or 25% on the print edition guide.

I'm putting both Brain Storm! Business Podcast and my Online Community Magazines blog in, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is! I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity which, I do believe, is once in a lifetime.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & Online Community Magazines