The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week

Publicity Tips—A Poop-Free Zone

July 21st, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #514 July 20, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. A Poop-Free Zone

2. How to Follow Up

3. Five Social Media Tactics

4. Your Survey Questions Answered

5. Back-to-School Stories

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. A Poop-Free Zone
=====================================

When employees of an ad agency in Roanoke, Va., became annoyed
with local dog owners whose pets were pooping on the sidewalk
outside the agency’s offices, they fought back with a clever
publicity stunt.

The Becher Agency posted signs outside its building declaring the
area on Warehow Row a poop-free zone. They even created a special
Facebook Fan Page called “A Partnership for a Poop-Free
Workplace” at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Partnership-for-a-Poop-Free-
Workplace/129321853770020?ref=ts

And they proved themselves true Publicity Hounds when they called
Dan Casey, Metro columnist for the Roanoke Times, to let him know
about the campaign. Brilliant!

Thanks to Publicity Hound Brett LaGue of Roanoke for tipping us
off to this one. You can read Dan’s column about it at
http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/casey/wb/253427

The next time you’re thinking about a publicity stunt, remember
this. And consider all the ways you can use a Facebook Fan Page.
See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

Note: We’ve updated the handouts for the third time since this
teleseminar was presented, to reflect all the new changes on
Facebook.

======================================
2. How to Follow Up
======================================

Five annoying things you should never do when following up with a
journalist or blogger who doesn’t reply to your pitch:

–Emailing and asking, “Did you get my email?”

–Calling and leaving a voicemail message reminding them that
they haven’t replied to your pitch.

–Emailing the same pitch with an obnoxious reminder in the
subject line that says something like “Second attempt to contact
you.”

–Any type of message that berates the recipient for not
replying.

–Stopping by the magazine or newspaper office unannounced and
asking the receptionist to call the reporter to the front desk to
meet you so you can pitch in person. (Yes, clods actually do
this.)

The best publicists know all kinds of sneaky ways to follow up
without making it look like they’re following up. Publicist
Michelle Tennant of Wasabi Publicity does this better than
anybody I know. She has a particularly clever strategy of
following up when news is breaking and she’s trying to place one
of her clients on a TV news or talk show to comment on the news
event.

Michelle will share that tip and others when she’s my guest on
“How to Tie Your Story Idea to Breaking News and Make the Media
Interview YOU,” a webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, July
21.

Your email pitches will be a lot easier if you follow Michelle’s
lead and pattern your pitches after hers. The handouts will
include two email pitches she used successfully to land her
clients fabulous publicity.

Get a taste of the type of tips she’ll be discussing, and
register for the session, at http://publicityhound.net/?p=6699

If the time is inconvenient, register anyway and you’ll get a
link where you can watch the video replay.

=====================================
3. Five Social Media Tactics
=====================================

If you missed my email yesterday, this is a reminder that today’s
free webinar with social media expert Don Crowther is at 3 p.m.
Eastern Time.

He’ll share 5 social media tactics that will help you make more
money than friends on social media sites. I promise your time
will be well spent.

=====================================
4. Your Survey Questions Answered
=====================================

Taking a survey on a burning hot topic and reporting the results
is one of the best ways to generate publicity. The more
controversial, the better.

But if you don’t have the time to take a survey, the next best
thing is to piggyback onto one that’s already been taken, and
offer your commentary.

Really smart Publicity Hounds do both. My partner, Jeanne
Hurlbert, a survey expert, will answer all your questions about
surveys when she hosts a free Q&A coaching call from 3 to 4 p.m.
Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 21. Come with as many questions
as you can think of and Jeanne will get you off to a great start.

======================================
5. Back-to-School Stories
======================================

This is the time to pitch back-to-school stories to bloggers,
newspapers, TV stations, and magazines with short lead times.

Tie your expertise to topics like drugs and binge drinking, how
to decorate dorms, eating on a budget, bullying, discipline in
the classroom, mobile phones and texting in class, preparing for
the job market, staying fit, and good study habits.

If you do PR for a school, college or university, you should be
in high gear right now, laying the groundwork for working with
local and national media throughout the new school year, from
lining up campus experts to educating your faculty and staff
about how the media game is played. See “Special Report #15:
Publicity Tips for Schools, Colleges and Universities” at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================

“I named my dog Stay so I can say ‘Come here, Stay. Come here,
Stay.” — Steven Wright

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

Commenting at blogs? Mention your expertise
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6721

6 ways to tie your pitch to breaking news for PR, publicity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6699

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Blogging, Facebook, how to get free publicity, Media Interviews, pitching the media, Pitching to Reporters, publicity for niche markets, Publicity Tips

Bookmark this site

http://upsidedowndogs.com/

Publicity Tips—Make Friends or Make Money?

July 13th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #513 July 13, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. Make Friends or Make Money?

2. Tie Your Pitch to Breaking News

3. Last Chance to Get Onto for “Oprah”

4. Fatal Email Marketing Mistakes

5. Goodwill’s Donations Calculator

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Make Friends or Make Money?
=====================================

If you’re participating in social media, and you’re not seeing a
return on your investment, it could be because you’re more
concerned about making friends than making money.

People who are seeing huge ROI know their goals. They know what
they want to sell and to whom.

They know the problems and concerns of their target markets. They
know how to promote their expertise. And they spend the majority
of their time writing about those topics at their blogs and other
social media sites.

My friend Don Crowther said too many people are more concerned
about making friends. They participate in idle chitchat that gets
them nowhere. And they make numerous other mistakes at sites like
Facebook and Twitter.

Don has created a series of free videos and a free worksheet that
will help you understand why your social media efforts might not
be working out as well for you as you had hoped.

Take a look:
https://btconsulting.infusionsoft.com/go/social/JoanStewart

Read the more than 170 comments from people who watched the
video. Many of them admitted that the light bulb finally went on.
Will yours?

======================================
2. Pitch Yourself During Breaking News
======================================

When news is breaking and you’re the local angle to a national
story, or you can comment on the hot topic of the day, you can be
sure that TV producers, daily and weekly newspaper reporters and
bloggers will practically be begging to talk to you.

But too many Media Mutts don’t bother picking up the phone or
emailing. They think the media are too busy. Or they don’t know
what to say.

Let’s stop this nonsense. This is the very best time to pitch!

Crackerjack publicist Michelle Tennant, who got one of her
clients booked on “Dr. Phil” the very day the client signed the
PR contract, will show you how it’s done. Michelle, a graduate of
The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, uses very simple email
subject lines, includes three important elements in every pitch,
and moves mountains to make her clients accessible to reporters.

She’ll be my guest during the webinar “How to Tie Your Pitch to
Breaking News and Make the Media Interview YOU” at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time on Wednesday, July 21. She’ll share 7 places to look for
news and she’ll tell you about a free media resource website she
uses, thus saving her thousands of dollars on media directories.
Everyone who registers will receive handouts so you can read the
email pitches she sent to the media–the ones that got her
clients phenomenal publicity.

Register for the webinar at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/breakingnews.htm
even if the time is inconvenient, because you’ll get a link where
you can watch the video afterward.

=====================================
3. Last Chance to Get Onto “Oprah”
=====================================

Faith, fidelity and food are continuing hot topics with Oprah.

Managing our inner life: Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs
fascinate her audience.

Fidelity: How we are true, or untrue, to our lover/partner/self
is a consistent pressing issue.

Food: So much of family, friends and fun centers around food.
Delicious, healthy, beautifully presented food gets the
producer’s attention.

So says Susan Harrow, author of the recently updated “Ultimate
Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah.” I’m promoting it as an
affiliate, because you don’t have much time left. Oprah’s show
concludes in September 2011 and the producers are already booking
guests far in advance. There will be a last-minute rush of
pitches. Learn how you can beat the crowd and make Oprah’s
producers snap to attention. Go to
http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/?af=307515

=====================================
4. Fatal Email Marketing Mistakes
=====================================

If you use email to market, here’s a mistake that can get your
business closed down–fast: Buying or renting email lists.

Many people on those lists have not given you permission to email
them, and they might complain to your Internet service provider
or email management company that you’re spamming. That can close
down the Internet part of your business, pronto. Besides, you
have no guarantee that the email addresses are current.

You can also get into trouble if you automatically add people
like me to your newsletter list, thinking that if you sign up for
my newsletter, I’ll be willing to sign up for yours.
Wrong.

You don’t have to use those tactics to build a list. Instead, you
should be doing 7 other things to direct people to your website
or blog. Millionaire entrepreneur Ali Brown uses them all, and
she’ll be sharing them during a free teleseminar at 7 p.m.
Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 14.

You can register at http://bit.ly/9xLbo9

Learn how to create a slow and steady flow of prospects as well
as fast gushes of list growth (and why you need both). And listen
for Ali’s tips on 3 new list-building methods you should try.
They replace 3 others that are out of date.

======================================
5. Goodwill’s Donations Calculator
======================================

Goodwill uses a really clever calculator at its website at
http://donate.goodwill.org/ to show you exactly how many hours of
career training time you can give a worthy recipient by donating
certain types of household items.

For example, a donated coat, a bike and three CDs can give
someone 48 minutes of career counseling.

A calculator is one of dozens of enticing ways you can pull
people to your website. Learn the others in “Special Report #51:
55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or Capture
People’s Email Addresses” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport51

=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Dan Poynter, the self-publishing guru from Santa
Barbara, California, for sharing these great photos of “upside
down dogs.” They made me laugh:

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

American Way magazine searching for Road Warriors
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6673

Why holding a press conference can backfire
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6657

Moderate comments at your blog using these 7 tips
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/?p=418

Connect with journalists through media leads service
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/?p=420

3 email marketing mistakes that can kill your business
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6645

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Business Promotion, free publicity, Media Relations, pitching the media, Pitching to Reporters, Press Releases, Publicity Tips

Bookmark this site

http://publicityhound.com/publicity-

Publicity Tips—Fast Company Wants Your Photo

July 6th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #512 July 6, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

==========================================

===================================

In This Issue

===================================

1. Fast Company Wants Your Photo

2. Piggyback onto the Heat Wave

3. Start Your Online TV Show Quickly

4. Create a Memorable Tagline

5. Bad Advice on Press Releases

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================

1. Fast Company Wants Your Photo

====================================

Fast Company magazine wants to include your photo in the
November 2010 issue, as part of a neat project it calls the
“2010 Most Influential People.”

This is a terrific chance to generate publicity from a magazine
with a circulation of more than 538,000, as well as knowing how
influential you really are.

Go here now to get a unique URL which you can then share with
your followers via email, at your website and blog, and on the
social media sites, but please be patient because their server is
getting huge amounts of traffic: http://fcinf.com/v/a3sr

It took me only a few minutes to sign up and upload my photo.

I’ll look for you in the November issue!

Go to http://fcinf.com/v/a3sr

P.S. You can track how your influence has grown and where you
stand at any time on the site. You’ll also get a welcome message
from Fast Company telling you that your photo will be in the
November issue.

======================================

2. Piggyback onto the Heat Wave

======================================

Today is expected to be one of the hottest days of the year in
the U.S., with temperatures expected to break 100 degrees along
the East Coast.

Here are ways to piggyback onto the heat wave:

–If you’re sponsoring an outdoors event, are you providing
special “cooling centers” where guests can cool off?

–Is your hospital or walk-in clinic seeing heat-related

illnesses and injuries? Offer safety tips for dealing with the
heat.

–Call the meteorologists at your local TV stations, and local
reporters who are covering the weather, and let them know what
your company is doing to cope with the heat, from loosening
policies on workplace attire to handing out free bottled water.

–Let the local newspapers know about weather-related photos they

can take at your business.

–Vets, dog obedience schools and other businesses that sell
products or services for pets should pitch tips about keeping
pets safe in the heat. Should you walk your dog when it’s 100
degrees?

The media, by the way, HATE covering the weather. The more
helpful you can be, the greater your chance for publicity.

You’ll find dozens more ideas in “Special Report #37: How to Tie

Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue to the Weather” at

products/reports.html#SpecialReport37

====================================

3. Start Your Online TV Show Quickly

=====================================

Three reasons why video is such a powerful way to pull traffic to
your website:

–52 percent of Internet traffic is now video

–70 percent of web surfers watch video online

–The average YouTube visitor spends 27 minutes a day watching

videos.

Using online video, such as creating your own online TV show, is
one of the very best ways to generate exposure for your book,
product, cause or issue. It can help you get high rankings in
Google and Yahoo for your keywords. You can also use video to
build an email list.

One nutrition expert got over 1.5 million video views on YouTube

and quickly parlayed the exposure into a nice passive income

stream.

To discover how to get started marketing with video–without
being a techie–join Steve Harrison on Thursday, July 8, for a
free webinar (or teleseminar if you can’t be near a computer).

He will be interviewing Mike Koenigs, an online video expert.

You’ll learn the system Mike uses to get him and others ranked as
#1, #2 and #3 on Google and Yahoo for particular keyword phrases.

You’ll also learn how to start your own online TV show quickly.

The webinar is free, and I’m promoting it as a compensated

affiliate.

=====================================

4. Create a Memorable Tagline
=====================================

How compelling is the tagline for your business or nonprofit?

If you need inspiration, check out the 2010 Tagline Contest for
Nonprofits, sponsored by Nancy Schwartz, an expert in nonprofit
marketing.

My three favorite taglines from past contests:

Nothing But Nets:
Send a net. Save a life.

Homeboy Industries:
Nothing Stops A Bullet Like A Job

NYC Theatre Spaces:
Where Actors Find Their Space

Read about more of my favorites, and how to enter your tagline,
at
http://publicityhound.net/need-a-great-tagline-learn-from-
nonprofits-taggies-contest/

======================================

5. Bad Advice on Press Releases

======================================

So-called press release experts, bloggers and others who dispense
information on PR and publicity often give this very bad advice:

Your releases MUST be newsy.

That’s how it was 20 years ago when we wrote releases primarily
for the media. But today, we can write press releases and upload
them to our websites and press release distribution sites to pull
traffic, and drive that traffic to a landing page.

Instead of asking, “Is it news?” before you write, you should be
asking, “What keywords or keyword phrases do people type into
Google when looking for the kinds of products and services I
sell?” Use up to three keywords or keyword phrases within the
release.

Entire conferences are devoted to keyword research. But press

release expert Janet Thaeler has created three helpful videos

that show you in step-by-step detail how to do simple keyword

research before you write. The videos accompany the CD,

transcript or MP3 of “How to Use Keywords, the ‘Magic Magnets’

that Pull Consumers & Journalists to Your Press Releases.” You’ll

also get a simple-to-use 8-step checklist you can refer to every

time you write a release.

Read more about how to make your press releases traffic magnets
at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/keywords_in_press_releases.htm

=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================

A groaner, but kind of cute:What do you get when you cross a chili pepper, a steam shovel and
a Chihuahua?Hot diggity dog!DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50

best websites for dog humor.

http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

Moderate comments at your blog using these 7 tips
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/moderate-comments-at-your-
blog-using-these-7-tips/

Need a clever tagline? Learn from nonprofits “Taggies” contest
http://publicityhound.net/need-a-great-tagline-learn-from-
nonprofits-taggies-contest/

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.

Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email

the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,

clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-

spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================

Joan Stewart

a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

3434 County KK

Port Washington, WI 53074

U.S.

Phone: 262-284-7451

Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: how to get free publicity, pitching the media, Press Releases, Publicity Tips, video, video blogging

Bookmark this site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0jNC_w1tSw

Publicity Tips—Booze + the Media = Trouble

June 29th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #511 June 29, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

==========================================

ADV:
Why agonize when you can energize & italicize
your bio with “Bio Whisperer” Nancy Juetten’s
expert help?
http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/rent-a-brain

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. Booze + the Media = Trouble

2. July Story Ideas

3. Special Event? Target Walkers

4. Involve Reporters

5. Comment at Blogs

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. Booze + the Media = Trouble
====================================

Loose lips sink ships. Generals, too.

One of Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s worst mistakes was one I didn’t
see mentioned much this past week: allowing an investigative
reporter from Rolling Stone to interview him–over drinks.

Media-savvy Publicity Hounds know that booze and reporters are a
lethal mix, and most wouldn’t think twice about letting a
reporter interview them when alcohol is flowing, because it removes
your inhibitions and triggers the urge to blab.

But how many people drink in social settings, with reporters
present?

Have you attended after-work networking events where wine is
served and reporters are mingling? What about awards banquets where
mediarepresentatives are seated at your table? At a convention, have
you ever gone out for a nightcap with a group of business associates
that included people from the media?

See “7 places to stay off the sauce if reporters are present” at
my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/7-places-to-stay-off-the-sauce-if-
reporters-are-present/

======================================
2. July Story Ideas
======================================

–Tie your story idea to an “independence” theme, even if it has
nothing to do with the Fourth. Examples: Independence from
cigarette smoke in restaurants, messy desks, bratty teen-agers,
computer problems or arguments with your spouse. Add great
visuals, and you have a ready-made story for TV.

–Do companies relax dress codes during the summer? What’s
appropriate and what isn’t?

–If your products or services teach people how to save money,
pitch penny-pinching tips related to cars, clothing, vacations,
toys, groceries and gasoline.

–Gardening is booming. Pitch anything related to growing
veggies, garden art, garden supplies, or children who garden.

–Tie your pitch to the words “cool, sizzling, heat wave” or
“heating up,” even if it has nothing to do with summer.

Excerpted from “103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July through
December,” with TV producer Shawne Duperon. Read more about the
other ideas we have that you can steal at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JulyIdeas.htm

=====================================
3. Special Event? Target Walkers
=====================================

When my garden club sponsored its annual garden walk last summer,
somebody came up with the bright idea of placing signs on a
public walking trail that was near one of the gardens on the tour.

Sure enough, people who had seen the signs walked over, bought
tickets and toured the gardens.

If you’re sponsoring a special event this year, attract walk-in
traffic. Place signs near bike paths and in dog parks, on public
bulletin boards that can be seen by mall walkers, and along the
route where a neighborhood is holding a giant rummage sale.

Ask local banks to advertise your event on their marquees.

Don’t forget good old Craigslist, which probably gets more
eyeballs than the event calendar in your local newspaper. See “How to Use
Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/craigslist.htm

=====================================
4. Involve Reporters
=====================================

If you’re an event sponsor, let the media participate in your
story, not just report on it.

Having a cardboard boat race to raise money for your service
club? Invite a reporter along to help paddle, and ask her to write
about her experience. These stories are always so much better than when
the reporter simply watches from the sidelines.

See “Special Report #42: Tips for Letting Reporters Experience
Your Story, Not Just Write About It” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

======================================
5. Comment at Blogs
======================================

If you don’t have a blog yet, the very least you should be doing
to promote your expertise is commenting at other blogs.

You get a backlink to your website, you can wow readers with your
expertise, and your comment just might encourage the blogger to
ask you to write a guest post.

To find out which blogs feature topics in your area of expertise,
create a Google Alert at http://www.Google.com/alerts. Every day,
review your alerts, scan the blog posts within it, and comment if
appropriate.

Commenting is also a great way to attract the blogger’s attention
before you pitch him with your idea. See “How to Pitch the Best
Bloggers and Create a Publicity Explosion” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitch_bloggers.htm

Note: The teleseminar on guest blogging, scheduled for Wednesday,
June 30, has been postponed for later in the summer.

=====================================
6. Hound Video of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Christine Buffaloe, my assistant, of San Diego, Calif.,
for this great video of a Doggie Freestyle act on a “Britain’s
Got Talent” segment. It starts slowly, but stick with it. Simon is
awestruck.

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:
How to answer a media leads query and prompt a reporter to call
http://publicityhound.net/how-to-answer-a-media-leads-query-
prompt-a-reporter-to-call/

7 places to stay off the sauce if reporters are present
http://publicityhound.net/7-places-to-stay-off-the-sauce-if-
reporters-are-present/

Bad advice from Copyblogger on time spent blogging
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/bad-advice-from-copyblogger-
on-time-spent-blogging/

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict
anti-spam policy at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Media Relations, pitching the media, publicity for niche markets, Publicity Tips, special event marketing

Bookmark this site

Publicity Tips—The Stealth Interview

June 29th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #510 June 22, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

==========================================

ADV:
Why agonize when you can energize & italicize
your bio with ‘Bio Whisperer’ Nancy Juetten’s
expert help?
http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/rent-a-brain

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. The Stealth Interview

2. Blog Effortlessly on Vacation

3. The Power of Guest Blogging

4. Sneak Your URL into Media Stories

5. Read In-flight Magazines Online

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. The Stealth Interview
====================================

You’re reading USA Today and you see yourself quoted in an
article.

Problem is, you never talked the reporter who wrote it, or any
other reporter for that newspaper. In fact, you never remember
anyone interviewing you on that topic.

Welcome to what blogger BJ Ochman calls The Stealth Interview. It
happens when a journalist, freelancer or blogger lifts quotes or
other material from you that they find online, and attribute it
to you. That material can include:

–A tweet.

–A status update on Facebook.

–Comments you made at someone else’s blog.

–A LinkedIn question you answered, or a discussion in which you
participated.

–Material from an email newsletter, yours or someone else’s,
that’s archived online.

–Quotes taken from a podcast you hosted, or one in which you
appeared as a guest expert.

–An email you sent to someone.

–Anything you’ve said in an online forum.

In her blog post on this topic at
http://www.whatsnextblog.com/archives/2010/05/the_stealth_intervi
ew_yet_another_reason_to_think_before_you_hit_submit.asp, BL
writes: “You will definitely be quoted out of context in a
Stealth Interview because there is no context. The interview
never happened. But you’re quoted nonetheless, and you did make
the statement. You just didn’t think you were saying it to a
reporter.”

It’s another reason, she says, to think before you hit “Submit.”

BL, a prolific blogger and social media expert, explains how she
juggles it all in the teleseminar I hosted on “How to do Social
Networking, Run a Business and Still Have a Life.” Learn more
about you can juggle it all, too, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/socialnetworking.htm

======================================
2. Blog Effortlessly on Vacation
======================================

If you’re planning a vacation this year, you don’t have to hustle
like a lot of other bloggers do and crank out lots of content for
your blog, and then schedule it to appear when you’re gone.

Do what I do. Recruit a guest blogger, or several, to write for
you.

You can also use guest bloggers when you’re knee-deep in a major
project that eats up all your time, on the long July 4 weekend,
during the last two weeks of the year when you’re busy with the
holidays, or when you’re just plain sick of writing for your own
blog. (C’mon, admit it. We all get that way sometimes.)

But where do find guest bloggers? How do you work with them to
make everything go smoothly? And what happens if they submit a
post that has material you object to?

How do you find guest bloggers and know if they’re any good
before you commit to publishing their content? Why do some
bloggers reject duplicate content like last week?s leftovers, and
should you? How much liberty can you take editing someone else?s
copy? And what if you disagree vehemently with the opinions of a
guest-blogger?

I’ll give you those answers and show you how to let guest
bloggers do some of the heavy lifting for you, when I host a
webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 30. Join me
for “How to Find Valuable Guest Bloggers (and Be One Too!).”
Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/guestblogging.htm

If the time is inconvenient, sign up anyway. You’ll get the link
afterward where you can watch the video.

=====================================
3. The Power of Guest Blogging
=====================================

One of the best ways for corporations to market themselves is
through experts like Brendon Burchard and Jacqueline Whitmore and
maybe even you.

After a lot of trial and error, Brendon cracked the code and
developed a surprisingly easy way to get major companies like
Wachovia, Coke, Toyota and Sony Pictures to promote and sponsor
his books, publicity and speaking tours.

Jacqueline has had equally impressive success.

She’s the gift-giving expert for Sam’s Club, the gift buying
expert for Office Depot, and a national spokesperson for Sprint.
She also has partnered with Clarisonic skin care products and
Hologic, which sells imaging equipment for the health care
industry. In both cases, Brendon and Jacqueline found companies
that were a perfect fit with their area of expertise and have
received mountains of free publicity from national print and
broadcast media.

“When you?re aligned with a corporation, especially a Fortune 500
company or one that has a reputable name, you’re perceived as
more credible because that corporation has chosen you as its
spokesperson,” she said.

In fact, at the National Speakers Association convention a few
years ago, Jacqueline heard Brendon speak about how to land
corporate sponsors and said he was one of the highest-rated
speakers at the event.

This year, Brendon will share his secrets during a free
teleseminar this Thursday, June 24, with Steve Harrison.
Discover how you can use his methods to promote your own book,
product or business, just like Brendon and Jacqueline do, and get
PR firms to pay all your expenses.

The call will be presented twice–at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern. If
you can’t make it, please recruit someone to listen and take
notes for you. Register at
http://www.SponsorshipTrainingTeleseminar.com/?10011 (I’m a
compensated affiliate for Steve Harrison).

=====================================
4. Sneak Your URL into Media Stories
=====================================

When a reporter is interviewing you, on of the worst questions
you can ask is, “Can you please be sure to print my website
address in your article?”

You must give her a good reason to include it. Here are five
ways:

–Instead of identifying your company by its correct name, The
Widget Company, tell her it’s TheWidgetCompany.com.

–Offer a free download at your website.

–Offer a quiz or poll at your website.

–Offer a free cheat sheet on how to (fill in the blank).

–Share with her five tips on how to solve a problem that’s
related to the interview. Tell her that readers can find 15 more
tips on that topic in an article at your website, and give her
the URL.

I shared dozens more tips like that during the webinar “How to
REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When
Everyone Else is ZAGGING.” Regardless of what you’re selling,
you’ll trounce the competition when you start adopting killer
strategies that few other Publicity Hounds are using. Read more
about it at http://www.PublicityHound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

======================================
5. Read In-flight Magazines Online
======================================

In the old days, if you wanted to read an in-flight magazine,
you’d have to pester a friend who was traveling by air to bring
the magazine with him and then snail-mail it to you.

No more.

Most in-flight magazines now have an online archives where you
can page through each edition. Not only that, but some of the
bigger magazines even let you sign up for a free subscription. As
soon as a new issue is published, the airline will email it to
you.

So what do you do if you’re reading it and you suddenly want to
pitch one of the writers or an editor? The magazines,
unfortunately, don’t tell you how to do that.

But I do. The 2010 update of “Fly High with Publicity in the In-
flight Magazines” includes contact information and pitching tips
for 56 magazines. We’ve even included something you won’t find in
any of the other media directories: links to the journalists’
blogs and social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn. We’ve even included links to the in-flight magazines’
Facebook fan pages.

The database includes a very cool interview with Orion Ray-Jones,
the editorial director for Ink Publishing, which publishes more
than 30 in-flight magazines in the database. You’ll get both the
MP3 download and the electronic transcript.

Read more about what you’ll know how to do when you read my new
report:
http://www.InflightMagazinePublicity.com

=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Darlene Arden of Framingham, Massachusetts for this
one.

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he
planned to visit on his vacation. He wrote:

Dear Hotel,

I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-
groomed and very well-behaved. Would you be willing to permit me
to keep him in my room with me at night?

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who said, “I’ve
been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I’ve
never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures
off the walls. I’ve never had to evict a dog in the middle of
the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I’ve never had a
dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at
my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you’re welcome to
stay here, too.”

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

How to find journalists online and wow ‘em with your pitch
http://publicityhound.net/how-to-find-journalists-online-and-wow-
em-with-your-pitch/

Definitions of advertising, publicity, promotion and PR:
http://publicityhound.net/definitions-of-advertising-promotion-
publicity-and-pr/

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Blogging, how to get free publicity, inflight magazines, Media Plan, social media, social networking

Bookmark this site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DalB-CvO7Qc

Publicity Tips—LinkedIn’s Badge of Honor

June 15th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #509 June 15, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

==========================================

ADV:
Why agonize when you can energize & italicize
your bio with ‘Bio Whisperer’ Nancy Juetten’s
expert help?
http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/rent-a-brain

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. LinkedIn’s Badge of Honor

2. How to Get LinkedIn Recommendations

3. The Power of Guest Blogging

4. Advice for Family Experts

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. LinkedIn’s Badge of Honor
====================================

Here’s a powerful way to promote your expertise and outstanding
work.

Generate more than 10 recommendations on your LinkedIn profile
and you can become a member of LinkedIn’s Top Recommended People
group. Its logo will show up on your profile, along with those of
your other group memberships.

You’ll also find six sub-groups. You can join at the Gold level,
like I did, if you have from 25 to 99 recommendations, at the
Platinum level for 100 to 499 recommendations, and at the Elite
level for more than 500.

Of the more than 50 million people on LinkedIn, only about 1,600
are in the TRP group, so you’ll be in elite company.

Learn more about TRP, which was created by LinkedIn member Ross
Dodwell, at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1857786

After you join, you can also display the badge proudly at your
website or blog, and in your online press kit. Mention that
you’re a member of LinkedIn’s Top Recommended people in your
email signature, and in your social media profiles.

A gourmet doggie treat for Dustin Martin, one of my LinkedIn
connections, who tipped me off to this group.

======================================
2. How to Get LinkedIn Recommendations
======================================

How do you get LinkedIn recommendations so you can become a
member of Top Recommended People?

Here are my three favorite ways:

–Give recommendations. Every time you recommend someone,
LinkedIn will notify that person and ask them if they want to
recommend you. But don’t go hog wild. Space out your
recommendations every few days or you’ll raise a red flag on
LinkedIn.

–Every time someone compliments you, tell them, “I’d be honored
if you’d say that in a recommendation on my LinkedIn profile.”
That’s what I do, and many people reciprocate. Pay particular
attend to compliments in your email.

–Ask co-workers, people in your trade associations, clients and
vendors. But be very careful. Make absolutely sure they are
familiar with your work.

Social media strategist Scott Allen (who has 70 recommendations
on LinkedIn) was my guest during a teleseminar on How to Use
LinkedIn to Promote Anything–Ethically & Powerfully.” Learn
about how to create a promotional campaign on this high-powered
site without looking like you’re promoting. He shows you how at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedin.htm

=====================================
3. The Power of Guest Blogging
=====================================

The two biggest complaints from people who blog is that they
don’t have enough time to write, and their blogs aren’t
generating enough traffic.

Smart bloggers have this indispensable tool at the top of their
toolbox: guest-blogging.

They can recruit guest bloggers to provide content for their blog
over the holidays or while they’re on vacation.

They can offer their own expertise to other high-profile blogs
and reach audiences they could never reach on their own.

If they write a guest blog for a popular site, it can bring tons
of traffic, give them valuable back-links, and attract more
subscribers to their own blog and newsletter.

But there’s a lot of confusion. How do you find guest bloggers
and know if they’re any good before you commit to publishing
their content? Why do some bloggers reject duplicate content like
last week’s leftovers, and should you? How much liberty can you
take editing someone else’s copy? And what if you disagree
vehemently with the opinions of a guest-blogger?

I’ll give you those answers and show you how to let guest
bloggers do some of the heavy lifting for you, when I host a
webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 30. Join me for
“How to Find Valuable Guest Bloggers (and Be One Too!). Register
at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/guestblogging.htm

If the time is inconvenient, sign up anyway. You’ll get the link
afterward where you can watch the video.

=====================================
4. Advice for Family Experts
=====================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Rosemary Lichtman,
PhD, and Phyllis Goldberg, PhD, of Los Angeles, Calif., family
relationship experts, on how to promote their blog and ebook.

From Mary Jane Hurley Brant:

“Put an additional link on your email signatures indicating that
you are offering a free ebook.”

From Rekaya:

“Set up a Virtual Book Tour. It’s an online tour of websites,
blogs, radio shows, etc. Research the ones that are a good fit.
Ask the blog owner if you can be a guest, or stop by their site
during your tour. Some will ask you to complete interview
questions about your book or write a short piece. During a set
amount of time, such as two weeks, your information will appear
on a series of websites/blogs. Don’t forget to mention your free
ebook and to include the link to your blog.”

From Bruce Jones:

“I have no idea what your book is about, so I would put a picture
of it right above the sign-up box and a short text description
right below. Make sure the picture is really clear, with oversize
type because it will be just a thumbnail on the blog. You could
even use a different picture for the blog than it is in reality
so that the image really stands out.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound” question
http://publicityhound.net/family-relationship-experts-need-tips-
for-promoting-free-ebook/

Send your own question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.

======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================

I’m all out of questions, so here’s one of mine (send
questions!):

“If you use coupons on your Facebook Fan Pages, particularly if
those coupons are bringing more leads and sales, I’d like to see
them.

“Include the link in the comments section at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/wanted-examples-of-facebook-fan-page-
coupons/ and explain how you created the coupon, and the results.

“I’m looking for examples for a course I’m teaching. I’m familiar
with coupons used by the big companies like Coke and Zappos. But
I’m particularly interested in those used by entrepreneurs and
small businesses.”

=====================================
6. Hound Video of the Week
=====================================

You’ll love this “Bailey Plays Dead” clip from a segment of David
Letterman’s Stupid Pet Tricks:

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

12 more fill-in-the-blank headlines for your articles, blog
http://publicityhound.net/12-more-fill-in-the-blank-headlines-
for-your-articles-blog/

Wanted: Examples of Facebook Fan Page coupons
http://publicityhound.net/wanted-examples-of-facebook-fan-page-
coupons/

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.

Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Blogging, Book Promotion, Facebook, LinkedIn, Publicity Tips, social media, social networking

Bookmark this site

Publicity Tips—How to Catch CNN’s Attention

June 8th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #508 June 8, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. How to Catch CNN’s Attention

2. Add Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button

3. Still Not Done Writing Your Book?

4. Promoting a Course for Execs

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. How to Catch CNN’s Attention
====================================

If you’ve been pitching CNN and you’re getting nowhere, take
matters into your own hands.

Go to the network’s IReport page at http://www.ireport.com/ where
you’re invited to write your own story, be heard and shape what
CNN covers.

“One of the goals of CNN IReport is to expand the current
definition of news. Please share the stories you think are
newsworthy and participate in discussions you think are
interesting. CNN’s producers will check out the most compelling,
important and urgent stories, so we can verify the information
and add them to CNN’s coverage.”

The stories in this section are not edited, fact-checked or
screened before they post. Only ones marked “CNN IReport” have
been vetted by CNN.

But if you can pique the network’s interest here, where you KNOW
they’re paying attention, you might end up on the televised news.
Be sure to stop by the assignment desk at
http://www.ireport.com/community/assignment so you know exactly
what kinds of sources they’re seeking. Your IReport article
doesn’t have to tie into one of the assignments, but it helps to
know what they need.

If you’re content with being on the news in your own community,
increase your chances. Check out the teleseminar I hosted with TV
producer Shawne Duperon on “How to Get on the Local TV News
Tomorrow” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/getinthenews.htm

======================================
2. Add Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button
======================================

Make it easy for people to spread the word about your website,
blog articles and other online content.

Add Facebook’s “Like” button to those pages.

The button lets users share content with their friends on
Facebook with just one click. Since the content is hosted by
Facebook, the button can display personalized content whether or
not the user has logged into your site. For logged-in Facebook
users, the button is personalized to highlight friends who have
also “liked” the page.

If you aren’t tech-savvy, let your webmaster insert the button
for you by following instructions here:
http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like

Then make sure you’re taking advantage of the power of Facebook.
See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

=====================================
3. Still Not Done Writing Your Book?
=====================================

Is it taking you longer to write your book than you ever
expected…a lot longer?

Is watching the whole thing come together like watching grass
grow?

If so, you’re invited to a free telephone seminar on Thursday,
June 10, with Ann McIndoo, who has developed a unique system for
writing a quality non-fiction book in 90 days! I’m a compensated
affiliate for this program.

Discover the speed writing system she’s used to help 268 authors
get their books done quickly. Register at
Http://www.freeauthortraining.com/call/?10011

=====================================
4. Promoting a Course for Execs
=====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Anne Graham of
Vancouver, British Columbia who needs help launching a new
product,a toolkit for executives on how to survive and thrive
during the recession.

From Eric Gruber:

“Do article marketing. Target top websites and ezines. For
example, FastCompany.com (they have member blogs), CEO Refresher
and hundreds more.”

From Flo Selfman:

“Send the information to Karen E. Klein, a leading business
journalist who writes the InBox column every week in the Los
Angeles Times Business section. Karen could use you and your
product to answer a reader’s question. Reach her at
http://www.kareneklein.com/”

From The Publicity Hound:

Video, video and more video!

Create short videos of no more than two and a half minutes packed
with tips in a specific sub-category within your course or your
ebook.

Each video should include the landing page URL where people can
opt into the ebook.

The more videos you create, the more keywords, or tags, you can
use. All those keywords and videos will be pulling in traffic
from the search engines.

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound question,
or join the discussion, at
http://publicityhound.net/consultant-needs-help-launching-new-
product-for-business-leaders/

Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.

======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================

Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. & Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D of Los Angeles,
Calif. write:

“We are family relationship experts who have developed an ebook,
‘Courage and Lessons Learned.’ It’s full of practical tips that
help you take the first steps toward a new goal–running a 5K,
starting your own business, reconnecting with an old friend. By
logging on to our blog at
http://www.nourishingrelationships.blogspot.com/, you can join the
email list and download a complimentary ebook, in PDF format.

“We’re looking for some creative ways to let bloggers and
organizations know about this free ebook. We already have an auto
responder on our blog and website at
http://www.hermentorcenter.com/ But a broader reach would help us
spread the word.”

The Publicity Hound says:

One of the first things you should do is get your blog off of
Blogspot’s server and onto another server where you have complete
control over it. I learned this the hard way. With no warning,
Blogspot denied me access to my ezine archives, and I never
learned why. Luckily, I backed up the archives and was able to
import almost all of it into a Wordpress blog at
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ where it’s now safe.

Hounds with other tips on how to promote your ebook can post them
to my regular blog at
http://publicityhound.net/family-relationship-experts-need-tips-
for-promoting-free-ebook/. What are some ways that Rosemary and
Phyllis can tie into breaking news events?

=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================

Dogs are better than kids. They eat less, don’t ask for money all
the time, are trained, usually come when called, never drive your
car, don’t hang out with drug-using friends, don’t smoke or
drink, don’t worry about whether they have the latest fashions,
don’t wear your clothes and don’t need a gazillion dollars for
college.

And if they get pregnant, you can sell the pups.
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

New to publicity? Here’s a free 6-part email course
http://publicityhound.net/new-to-publicity-heres-a-free-6-part-
email-course/

Think social media is a fad? I dare you to watch this video
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/think-social-media-is-a-fad-
i-dare-you-to-watch-this-video/

Online visibility: 13 ways to build a following
http://publicityhound.net/online-visibility-13-ways-to-build-a-
following/

2 ways to use controversy: At your blog and in a poll
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/2-ways-to-use-controversy-
at-your-blog-and-in-a-poll/

Need an expert? Look at one of the article directory sites
http://publicityhound.net/need-an-expert-look-at-one-of-the-
article-directory-sites/

——————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Book Promotion, Facebook, how to get free publicity, pitching the media, Pitching to Reporters, Publicity Tips, social media, TV Publicity

Bookmark this site

Publicity Tips—BP’s Fake Twitter Account

June 1st, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #507 June 1, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. BP’s Fake Twitter Account

2. Publicize Your Social Media Successes

3. Cosmo’s Racy Headlines

4. Promoting Novelty Soaps

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. BP’s Fake Twitter Account
====================================

Here’s a tweet posted this morning from the Twitter account known
as @BPGlobalPR:

“Best part of the BP Memorial Day Picnic? The custom made oily
dunk tank! So far we’ve dunked 4 ducks, a dolphin, 2 otters and
@bpTerry!”

That’s just one of a steady stream of sarcastic tweets at a fake
BP PR account on Twitter that, as of this morning, has attracted
more than 97,000 followers at http://Twitter.com/BPGlobalPR

It’s also one more episode in the PR nightmare tied to the Gulf
oil spill.

What I find most bizarre is that Twitter hasn’t removed it and a
BP spokesperson says people have a right to lash out against the
company there.

Should BP fight to encourage Twitter to remove the fake account?
Go to my blog to see what I think, and then tell me if you think
I’m wrong. Go to
http://publicityhound.net/should-bp-pressure-twitter-to-remove-
the-fake-feed/

======================================
2. Publicize Your Social Media Successes
======================================

If you’re participating in social media and you’re seeing a
return on investment, use your success stories to generate
publicity.

Kim Duke, aka The Sales Diva, got a $7,000 keynote as a result of
Twitter.

Blogger Patsi Krakoff was surprised when a $600 project came her
way simply because somebody retweeted one of her tweets.

Freelance writer Angie Mangino got a $900 freelance writing
project only two weeks after she joined LinkedIn and signed up
for a group devoted to writers, publishers and authors. That’s
where she found the query from a publishing company that needed a
freelancer for a fast turn-around project.

Pitch success stories like these to your local TV stations,
newspapers, trade publications, industry newsletters and
bloggers. Turn them into items for your own newsletter, blog and
podcast.

If you’re not seeing social media ROI, you’re a great candidate
for the Social Media Fast-track Program that my business partner,
Jeanne Hurlbert, PhD and I will be teaching. Read about what
you’ll be able to do by the time you’re done with the program:
http://www.MySocialMediaRx.com/fast-track.htm

=====================================
3. Cosmo’s Racy Headlines
=====================================

Admit it.

You read the covers of those racy magazines when you’re waiting
in line at the supermarket check-out.

I do.

But not because I’m interested in the articles. I’m looking for
enticing headlines I can steal. When I see a headline I love,
I’ll remove one or two words in Cosmo’s headline and substitute
one or two of my own.

The very best magazine for this little exercise is, without a
doubt, Cosmopolitan, which you can find at
http://www.magazines.com/ Let’s say you’re a financial planner.
Here’s how you can steal a Cosmo headline and turn it into your
own.

Their headline: “Hot, healthy women share: The best thing I ever
did for my body”

Your headline: “Smart, savvy financial advisors share: The best
thing you can do to save for retirement”

=====================================
4. Promoting Novelty Soaps
=====================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Cindy Tollen of
El Paso, Texas. She has created an array of novelty soaps that
resemble pies and pastry, and she needs advice on how to market
them on a limited budget.

From Laura Rolands:

“I think you could reach a large number of customers through
Twitter. The key is to build relationships first on Twitter, and
your followers will help you build sales. I recommend following
@TimeOutMom and @MomBizCoach. I would also recommend
participating in a weekly Twitter chat called #gno.”

From Karen Rosenzweig:

“You could have a lot of fun, and gain a ton of visibility, with
a Twitter contest. You create a short tweet asking people to
follow you AND retweet the message to be entered for a chance to
win one of your products. Let them know that everyone who follows
you by 6 p.m. that day will be entered in a drawing for one free
product. Then when you draw the winner, you can tweet that too,
getting additional visibility. And if it goes well, repeat that
once a week or so, until you have a robust group of followers.
It’s a fun product and you’ll have a great time getting the word
out!”

From Sharon Z:

“Seems like a natural cross-marketing opportunity with event
planners (think bridal and baby showers), women’s organizations
and florists. The fact that these items are so unique and
reasonably priced makes them a great giveaway item.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I can picture your lemon meringue pie soaps as favors at a
national convention of bakers.

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at
http://publicityhound.net/creator-of-novelty-soaps-needs-social-
media-marketing-advice/

Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.

======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================

Anne Graham of Vancouver, British Columbia writes:

“I’ve developed a great toolkit for business leaders, with 33
specific techniques they can use to lead their firms out of the
recession. It’s called ‘Recession Proof and Recovery Ready: The
91 Day Business Tune-up Toolkit.’

“It’s a 314-page physical product, stuffed full of every
instruction, checklist, etc. that they’ll need to understand and
implement each of the 33 ideas. It’s designed to be implemented
by a small team, so the product is actually a set of 10 binders
(one for each team member), plus a DVD virtual seminar.

“I’m about to do a launch with a wonderful Online Launch Manager
handling my tweets, blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, SEO, article
marketing, the whole nine yards. But I’d love to hear some
creative ideas from fellow Hounds on how THEY would reach an
audience of motivated business leaders in their city or town. I
have a compelling free ebook called Powerful Pricing Strategies:
10 High Impact, Low Risk Ways to Increase Prices…Even During
the Recession, Even Before the Recovery, at
http://www.recessionproofandrecoveryready.com/. It’s available to
hounds and those motivated business leaders I’m looking for. All
I need now is a stampede of traffic!

“Can your Hounds help?”

The Publicity Hound says:

The topic of how to raise prices during a recession is fabulous.
Let’s put my Hounds to work figuring out how to leverage it. If
you have a great idea for Anne, post it to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/consultant-needs-help-launching-new-
product-for-business-leaders/

=====================================
6. Hound Video Joke of the Week
=====================================

“Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” – Franklin P.
Jones

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

Should BP pressure Twitter to remove the fake feed?
http://publicityhound.net/should-bp-pressure-twitter-to-remove-
the-fake-feed/

How a guest blogger pitched me and made me say “yes”
http://publicityhound.net/how-a-guest-blogger-pitched-me-and-
made-me-say-yes/

————————————

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

—————————————

Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Blogging, internet marketing, Pitching to Reporters, PR, Press Release Distribution Services, Press Releases, publicity for niche markets, social media, social networking, Twitter

Bookmark this site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaAVZ2yXDBo

Publicity Tips—Your Press Release on Steroids

May 25th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #506 May 26, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

==========================================

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/

===================================
In This Issue
===================================

1. Your Press Release on Steroids

2. Newbies: Free Social Media Webinar

3. Use Blog Sub-heads

4. Advertise in This Ezine

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. Your Press Release on Steroids
====================================

In the old days, sending a press release was always a crap shoot.

You wrote it, sent it, or distributed it through one of the
online press release distribution services, and then you waited.

You never knew who might pick it up and reprint it.

Today, if you distribute it through PR Newswire, you are
virtually guaranteed that the release will show up on more than
50 influential, high-traffic websites including Forbes.com,
Hoover.com, Reuters.com, and dozens of sites for local business
journals.

The big payoff isn’t that people will necessarily see the
releases. It’s that all those inbound links from all those
influential sites means that Google will view your own site as
more authoritative. The more inbound links to your site from
high-traffic site, the higher the page rank Google grants to your
own website.

That’s referred to as “Google juice.”

When my friend Dan Janal told me about his little experiment
recently using one of his own press releases, I couldn’t believe
it. But it works, and he wrote a special report about it. Give
him your name and email address and he’ll give you the report.

Go to http://www.prleadsplus.com/publicityhoundpr/ If you are
buying distribution from a major press release distribution
service, you might want to check out Dan’s pricing. He buys in
bulk so he might be able to offer the same quality service with
better prices.

======================================
2. Newbies: Free Social Media Webinar
======================================

Too embarrassed to admit you still don’t understand social media?

Or frustrated that you’ve been tinkering with Twitter and
Facebook for several months and don’t know what all the fuss is
about? If so, you’re not alone.

Jeanne Hurlbert, my business partner and co-creator of Social
Media Rx, our social media assessment tool, hear from people
almost every day who complain that they can’t get any traction on
these sites, or they don’t know where to begin. (See the Help
This Hound question below.)

If you have social media questions, join us for a free webinar at
2 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 27. We’re devoting the
entire session to a Q&A. If we can’t get to your questions during
the call, we’ll answer them personally by email afterward.
Promise.

Facebook Update: Last week, I explained why I’m not joining other
Facebook users who are bailing out of the site because of its
goofy privacy policy. Over the weekend, Facebook CEO Mark
Zuckerberg admitted the company has made mistakes and said he’ll
announce a new privacy policy this week. Stay tuned.

=====================================
3. Use Blog Sub-heads
=====================================

When you write a long blog post, do you break it up with sub-
heads so readers can quickly scan the post, darting from sub-head
to sub-head to find what they’re looking for?

BL Ochman does. Here’s a perfect example of how she made a post
on the Facebook privacy policy mess I mentioned above very easy
to read by using nine sub-heads:
http://tinyurl.com/blogsubheads

They break up the gray. They state her opinion. They flag readers
to what’s coming next.

BL is a prolific blogger, frequent Twitterer and she does it all
while juggling a full-time PR job. She was my guest during the
teleseminar “How to do Social Networking, Run a Business & Still
Have a Life.” Learn more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/socialnetworking.htm

=====================================
4. Advertise in This Ezine
=====================================

I’ve been publishing a free weekly ezine for almost 10 years and
never accepted ads because they always seemed more appropriate
for HTML newsletters.

But when I offered you the option of an HTML format several weeks
ago, Publicity Hounds started asking if they could buy ads.

If you offer a product or service for people who self-promote, or
for the PR community, go to my blog and read more about how to
get your message in front of my readers:
http://publicityhound.net/the-publicity-hounds-tips-of-the-week-
now-accepts-ads/

======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================

Cindy Tollen of El Paso, Texas writes:

“I am a one woman shop at http://www.sudznbubbles.com/ and I sell
custom and novelty glycerin soap products, bath salts, body
butter and lip balm—some of it around a food theme. You can buy
a soap that looks like a piece of luscious peach pie, a cupcake
or a cherry tart, for example.

“I need tips on how to market my products with a limited budget
and little time. I sold my products in stores until the recession
hit, now I sell mostly online or at trade shows. I need to know
the best tool for marketing.

“I have a Facebook Fan Page but few fans. I blog, but can’t
remember the last time I wrote something. I’m on Twitter but I
don’t know what to tweet about.

“Can your Hounds offer some smart marketing tips, tools or
strategies that will help translate into sales? My target market
is upscale women over 30.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Cindy, you have such a fun product that I can hardly wait to see
all the clever ideas my Hounds post to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/creator-of-novelty-soaps-needs-social-
media-marketing-advice/

In the meantime, take advantage of the free webinar I’m hosting
on Thursday with my business partner, Jeanne Hurlbert. We’ll
answer all your questions about social media, including what to
talk about, and how to drive lots of women in your target
audience to your Facebook Fan Page.

=====================================
6. Hound Video Joke of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Christine Buffaloe, my virtual assistant from Serenity
Virtual Assistant Services, for this video of “Breakfast at
Ginger’s.” Watch as Ginger, a lab, peels a banana:

DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================

Consider retweeting:

Oprah looks for the next big TV star–Is it you?
http://publicityhound.net/oprah-looks-for-the-next-big-tv-star-
is-it-you/

How freelancers can use Twitter to find journalists, sources
http://publicityhound.net/how-freelancers-can-use-twitter-to-
find-journalists-sources

‘The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week’ now accepts ads
http://publicityhound.net/the-publicity-hounds-tips-of-the-week-
now-accepts-ads/

———————————————-

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips

Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

———————————————–
Permission to Reprint:

You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737

Tags: Blogging, Press Release Distribution Services, Press Releases, publicity for niche markets, Publicity Tips, social media, social networking

Bookmark this site