For Immediate Release
January 7, 2004

Barks Boosts Free Newsletter Content; Lifelong Learning Guide Heads New Features

Barks Communications has beefed up the content of its free monthly e-zine, Personal Trainer.

In addition to company President Ed Barks' column, the new Personal Trainer now offers a range of bonus communications ideas today's leaders can put into practice right away. The advice centers on helping them strengthen their abilities to speak in public, deal with reporters, and testify before lawmakers and regulators.

The free newsletter is available at www.barkscomm.com. New subscribers simply need to click on the "Free Subscription" link and enter their name and e-mail address.

The enriched content includes concise tips on how to become a better public speaker and news media source, a monthly guide to lifelong learning, quotable quotes, and the latest news from Barks Communications. As an added bonus, each issue now contains an extra feature article.

"Every Personal Trainer column will continue to provide practical, hands-on material, not a bunch of pie-in-the-sky theory," Barks said. It focuses on the same real world advice taught in Barks Communications' media, presentation skills, and legislative testimony training workshops. "Plus, we remain committed to supplying this expertise to our subscribers at no charge."

Recent Personal Trainer columns have examined such issues as nonverbal communications skills, the Three Keys to Great Presentations™, how to inspire executives who lack motivation to improve, and the fine points of testifying before government panels.

Ed Barks is especially excited about one aspect of the new format: "The monthly lifelong learning guide highlights quality communications-related advice, research, and opinion from only the most credible sources. This reinforces the commitment to lifelong learning we emphasize as part of our clients' training workshops.

"I am confident the tips section will also prove to be popular, particularly for the on-the-go leader who needs a quick read," he added. "And the bonus article expands our capacity, ensuring that every edition of Personal Trainer has something for everyone seeking to sharpen their communications edge."

Subscribing to Personal Trainer is easy. Simply visit www.barkscomm.com and click on the "Free Subscription" link. Delivery via e-mail will begin with the next issue.

Barks Communications specializes in media, presentation skills, and legislative and regulatory testimony training for business, association, government, and non-profit leaders. In addition, company President Ed Barks speaks before groups seeking to sharpen their communications skills. The firm also operates Barkscomm.com, the Internet's Communications Training Resource, at www.barkscomm.com.