The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #495 March 9, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
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. The Next Big Thing: Mobile

2. Time-saving Blogging Tips

3. Social Media Cheat Sheet

4. Marketing a Lifestyle for Boomers

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. The Next Big Thing: Mobile
======================================

Ten years ago, the hot new thing was building an email list.

Seven years ago, it was blogs and video.

Last year, it was Twitter.

This year, it’s mobile marketing. In 2010, our planet already has
more mobile phones than it does TV sets, cars, credit cards or
computers.

New generations of mobile devices are being unleashed not every
few months, but every few WEEKS. Hundreds of millions of
consumers worldwide are glued to their iPhones, Blackberries or
other mobile devices. To put it bluntly, they are waiting for
YOU.

That means more new technology to learn. But the opportunities to
reach your ideal customers, whether they’re standing in line at
Starbucks or lying in bed, is huge–only if you do it right and
don’t believe the two biggest misconceptions about mobile
marketing:

–It’s just like Internet marketing, but on a much smaller
screen.

–Sending a string of text messages is just like sending a series
of autoresponder messages.

If you’re confused about how to tap into this opportunity, let
StomperNet help. I’m their affiliate and they’re letting me share
these two goodies with you:

–A free webinar at 8 Eastern tonight featuring Dan Hollings, the
creator of StomperMobile and the guy who did the Internet
marketing behind the phenomenon “The Secret.” Sign up for the
webinar at
https://stompernet.infusionsoft.com/go/SMW1/SN332 If you can’t
make it, sign up anyway in case they record it. Or recruit
somebody to watch and take notes for you.

–A free series of three video lessons that will help you get
started the right way:
https://stompernet.infusionsoft.com/go/SM1/SN332

I’ll be on the webinar tonight. See you there.

======================================
2. Time-saving Blogging Tips
======================================

The biggest excuse people use to explain why they aren’t
blogging, or why they don’t comment at other people’s blogs, is
“I don’t have time.”

Here’s a tip that that lets you do both at the same time.

Create a Google Alert at http://www.Google.com/alerts for a
keyword or keyword phrase. When you check your alerts and you
find a blog post that screams out for your expert commentary,
tell yourself: “What I’m going to write here will be the basis of
a post at my own blog.”

Write the comment. Save it to your clipboard. Then take it over
to your blog where you can expound on it a little more. Then,
link back to the blog where you commented. That’s exactly what I
did over the weekend when I saw law firm marketing expert Kevin
O’Keefe’s blog post about press releases.

The topic was perfect for me. I wrote a lengthy comment, brought
it back to my own blog and elaborated, linking back to Kevin’s
blog. You can read my post “Why a press release and not just a
blog post?” at http://ow.ly/1pVlma

This little trick also works when you’re answering questions on
LinkedIn.

The 27 pages of handouts that I offered during the teleseminar
“Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging,” with Patsi
Krakoff in January, are as helpful for veteran bloggers as they
are for newbies. They include 101 places to find content for your
blog, the first 7 steps before creating your blog, how to write
better and faster, and 20 mistakes smart professionals make with
blogs.

The handouts accompany the electronic transcript, CD or MP3
recording. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/businessblogger

=====================================
3. Social Media Cheat Sheet
=====================================

You’ll love Drew McLellan’s handy, color-coded Social Media Cheat
Sheet that will help you understand how to leverage major social
media sites: http://ow.ly/1g8CO

Notice how well Digg, the popular bookmarking site, fares on this
chart. It’s a valuable tool for brand exposure, generating
traffic to your site, and search engine optimization.
If you’re not using Digg, now is the time to start. Colin Martin
explains how during the teleseminar on “How to do Social
Bookmarking to Promote Your Expertise, Attract Followers & Pull
Massive Amounts of Traffic.” The CD, MP3 and electronic
transcript include a series of four videos in which Colin
demonstrates how to create your accounts at bookmarking sites,
how to bookmark content, how to make friends and join groups, and
everyday uses for this powerful marketing tool.

Read more about what you’ll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ybzam7u

======================================
4. Marketing a Lifestyle for Boomers
======================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Patti Chavet of
Frisco, Texas who wants to brand herself as an expert in active
adult lifestyles for Baby Boomers who live in Texas.

From Camille Torres:

“To position yourself as an expert, I suggest starting with a
blog. Offer information that helps your target audience, finding
the intersection between their informational needs/wants and your
expertise. Mixing it up a bit and having a video blog posting
every now and then might be a good idea. It would help people
identify with you and connect with you better, and the videos can
also be posted on YouTube and other video-sharing sites for extra
exposure. Tweet and Facebook your blog postings, along with other
info that will appeal to your audience.”

From Eric Gruber:

“You should be writing articles and submitting them on top
websites and ezines that your targeted audience (Baby Boomers
looking to retire) goes to every day for solutions you provide. I
know you’re looking for a local area, but article marketing works
for you, too.”

From Reece Franklin:

“Target the Boomers: While there are usually several networking
organizations within a large community that target the senior
market, there aren’t many that target Boomers. I suggest you
either find one or two that do hit the Boomers, or start your
own. Put together a list of the top 30 companies that might
target Boomers, and can influence them to use you. Then invite
these folks to your first networking meeting. Networking really
works if you’re the founder, or the key speaker.”

Read all the responses to this week’s ?Help This Hound” question
http://ow.ly/1die7

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

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

Susan Murphy of Pleasant Ridge, MI writes:

“I’m looking for some interesting avenues in which to promote our
client, an environmental scientist who specializes in toxic mold
education, detection and remediation.

“Connie Morbach, M.S. CHMM CIE, is a respected national authority
on indoor air quality (IAQ) who has performed over 10,000
residential/commercial air tests and environmental evaluations.

“Since 1994, her team has witnessed the illnesses and devastation
caused by many ill-equipped and unscrupulous IAQ/Mold
‘professionals’ in their industry, and they continue to help so
many who have suffered from these injustices. She has just
started a blog at http://cleanlinest.wordpress.com/ and is
tweeting to share her knowledge as well.

“Connie has been featured on a half dozen indoor air quality
investigative segments for NBC’s “Today” show (”Why your gym may
be making you sick” and “Watch out for hidden germs in
supermarkets”), as well as “Rachael Ray” and “Extreme Makeover
Home Edition.” But she hasn’t worked with a PR firm since then.
She’s looking to get the word out again about her expertise, and
I’m hoping your loyal Hounds can suggest some thoughtful ideas.

The Publicity Hound says:

What a great topic! The “your (fill in the blank) is making you
sick” theme can be used dozens of ways. Let’s see what my Hounds
have to say. If you have a great idea for Susan, post it to my
blog at http://ow.ly/1g9z9

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

“Dogs have no money. Isn’t that amazing? They’re broke their
entire lives. But they get through. You know why dogs have no
money? No pockets.”

–Jerry Seinfeld

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…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:

Job-hunters, publicity seekers: Wake up your boring bios
http://ow.ly/1frh9

Why a press release and not just a blog post?
http://ow.ly/1pVlma

Your dog can soon have its own Twitter account
http://ow.ly/1g48j

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #494 March 2, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
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. Five Places to Meet Journalists

2. Google Eyes Facebook Updates

3. Media Lead

4. Marketing Sspeeches on anti-Semitism

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. Five Places to Meet Journalists
======================================

Meeting journalists and broadcasters in person is easy if you
know where to look.

In most cases, you should start to build the relationship first,
and pitch later. Here are five places to find them:

–At your local press club events. These are great opportunities
to meet them in casual settings.

–At the many public events hosted by local business journals.
Reporters and editors often attend.

–At events where journalists are speaking. Groups hosting awards
dinners and fund-raisers frequently invite TV anchors to deliver
the keynote address.

–In the media room at conventions and trade shows. You might not
be allowed inside without a media pass, but you can hang around
near the exit. Don’t hesitate to invite a journalist for coffee,
and pitch.

–At the National Publicity Summit in New York City, April 28-May
3, where you can meet editors, reporters, freelancers and guest
bookers for TV and radio talk shows, and pitch them. You must
apply, and only 100 people will be chosen to attend. Learn more
at http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10011 I’ve been
recommending the publicity summit to Publicity Hounds who have
great story ideas but need help refining their pitches and
meeting the right journalists.

======================================
2. Google Eyes Fan Page Updates
======================================

Last week, I listed several reasons why Facebook Fan Pages are
such a powerful tool in a publicity and marketing campaign.

Here’s one more. Google is now indexing status updates on Fan
Pages.

Those simple one- and two-sentence updates that answer the
question, “What’s on your mind?” take just a few seconds to write
and now show up in Google’s results when somebody types the same
keywords into the search engines that are in your updates. What
could be easier?

Have you created your Fan Page yet? Lots of people are confused
by Facebook Fan Pages vs. Profiles, Fan Pages vs. Groups, and the
type of content that’s appropriate for a Fan Page.

Christine Buffaloe sorts it all out and gives you step-by-
directions on how to create a Page, what to include on it and how
to promote it in “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on
Facebook.” It’s a recording of a teleseminar I hosted last
summer. Over the weekend, I emailed updated handouts to everyone
who registered, or bought the CD, MP3 or electronic transcript.

Don’t miss this one. Fan Pages are great for branding and
building a huge following. Learn more at
http://budurl.com/facebookwithchris

=====================================
3. Media Lead
=====================================

Attention motivational speakers, authors and consultants:

If you or your PR client can motivate entrepreneurs and upper
management in corporations, you might be a perfect candidate for
Motivated magazine. The editor welcomes your pitches.

Details at my blog at http://ow.ly/1dhOi

======================================
4. Marketing Speeches on anti-Semitism
======================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Judith Bron of
Spring Valley, N.Y. on how to market herself as a paid speaker on
the topic of anti-Semitism.

From J. Guevara:

“First, I would open with your credentials, to establish
credibility. They don’t have to be academic, especially with the
subject of racism. Personal experience throws a lot of weight.
You need to put a bizz plan together with marketing as the main
project. Presenting a message in a lecture or a novel is the easy
part. Once you get into promoting it you’ll find that’s not even
the half of it.”

From Dale Hutchings:

“Find states and communities that have a heavy Jewish population.
This will help to narrow the focus of your search. Another thing
you need to research is finding Holocaust museums throughout the
U.S…This might be one marketing segment that would be open to
having you come and speak.”

From Gail Sideman:

“In this difficult speaker’s climate, you want to highlight your
credentials for this topic almost as diligently as your ability
to capture an audience. Are you a Holocaust Survivor, or a
college professor who?s knowledgeable and has spoken about World
War II and anti-Semitism?”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound” question
at http://tinyurl.com/antisemitismspeaker and then check out my
ebook, “How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound,” chock full of
publicity tips for professional speakers, small business owners,
nonprofits, and anyone promoting a cause or issue. The updated
edition includes eight new chapters on social media. Learn more
at http://publicityhound.com/publicity/publicityhound.htm

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

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

Patti Chavet of Frisco, Texas writes:

“I’m a sales consultant and I want to brand myself as an expert
in active adult lifestyle living in Texas.

“My target market is Baby Boomers, age 55 and older, who want to
downsize to a maintenance-free home so they’re free to explore
personal hobbies, interests, public service, education, travel,
etc., all in the company of others who share the same lifestyle.

“I work for Del Webb, whose communities traditionally have
targeted retirees looking to downsize. I’m new to marketing, and
I’d like ideas and advice on how to use traditional and social
media to become the go-to person in Texas who can help Baby
Boomers move from big houses to easy-to-manage single-family
homes in Del Webb communities.

“Where should I begin? I’ve been in this niche market for more
than 20 years, so I’m already an expert. My challenge is to now
spread the word throughout Texas. I’d love to hear suggestions
from your Publicity Hounds.”

The Publicity Hound says:

There are so many opportunities for you, Patti, that I don’t know
where to begin. But I’ll bet my Hounds do. If you have ideas for
Patti, post them to my blog at http://ow.ly/1die7

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

Thanks to Leo & Dorothy Keeler of Anchorage, Ala. for this one:
“If dogs could talk, it would take a lot of the fun out of owning
one.” — Andy Rooney

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…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:

12 tips for proofreading press releases, blogs & other copy
http://ow.ly/1dcK1

Editor of Motivated magazine welcomes pitches
http://ow.ly/1dhOi
————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #493 Feb. 23, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
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. Please Rob Me

2. Facebook Fan Page Benefits

3. Pitching Big TV Talk Shows

4. Promoting an Art Group

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. Please Rob Me
======================================

On social media sites, do you broadcast when you’re leaving your
home or office?

Lots of people do. And every day, their avatars and “Here’s where
I am now” messages are showing up at PleaseRobMe.com, a site that
mocks them for announcing to the world that they aren’t at home
and actually makes it easier for burglars to rob them.

You put yourself at risk when you use Foursquare.com, a social
media site that makes it easy to “check in” with your friends, in
conjunction with blasting out those messages to your Twitter and
Facebook friends.

Find out how it works and what you can do keep yourself from
showing up at this nasty site. I wrote about it at my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/pleaserobmedotcom

======================================
2. Facebook Fan Page Benefits
======================================

Of all the email I receive about Facebook, no other topic results
in more confusion than Fan Pages.

Fan Pages have several huge advantages:

–Facebook limits you to 5,000 friends. But you can have an
unlimited number of Fans. Remember, your profile has friends.
Your Pages have Fans.

–Fan Pages are the only place on Facebook where you can actively
promote. If you’re caught promoting from the status update on
your profile page, Facebook can close your account.

–Fan Pages drive traffic because Google indexes them.

–Customers can interact with you, even if they do not have their
own profile pages on Facebook. They can leave testimonials, ask
questions about your products, offer suggestions for other
products and services, and give you valuable feedback that
doesn’t cost you a penny.

–You can communicate with your fans many different ways: through
articles, tips, videos and photos.

–Your Fans can recommend your Fan Pages to their friends.
Many Facebook users are even more confused now that Facebook has
redesigned its site. We just finished updating the 29 pages of
handouts for last year’s teleseminar on “11 Ways to Avoid Missed
Opportunities on Facebook,” and there’s a lot of helpful
information on how to create and use Fan pages. Anyone who
participated in the teleseminar, or bought the product will
receive the handouts by email tomorrow–for free. It’s my way of
saying thanks for doing business with me.

If you missed the teleseminar, you can still buy the product and
get the updated handouts at http://budurl.com/facebookwithchris

=====================================
3. Pitching Big TV Talk Shows
=====================================

Debbie Meyer probably spends a small fortune on TV commercials
that advertise the kitchen items she sells, including the Green
Bags that keep fruits and vegetables fresher longer in the
refrigerator.

Yet there she was last week on Fox & Friends, doing a segment
about her V-shaped cake cutter and her special kitchen rack that
organizes lids for pots and pans, and other kitchen implements.

Why did Fox & Friends invite her onto the show instead of making
her pay for an ad? Probably because it made for a terrific
segment.

Debbie is lively and animated. She brought lots of props and
demonstrated how they work. The segment had people, color and
motion, three essential elements for TV talk shows.

Learn the other “must have” ingredients for an enticing pitch
when Michelle Anton, a former guest booker for “Oprah,” joins
Steve Harrison for a teleseminar at 3 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on
Thursday, Feb. 25. She’ll also reveal the most important question
you must be able to answer to land a TV appearance.

Register at http://www.tvpublicityteleseminar.com/?10011

If you can’t make it, don’t depend on a replay because these
sessions often aren’t recorded. Sign up anyway because Steve
always sends out bonus videos and interviews after the call (I’m
an affiliate).

P.S. You only have 9 more months to pitch the “Oprah” show as we
know it. Starting in September 2011, she’ll be devoting her time
to starting her own cable network. Who better than Michelle Anton
to show you how?

====================================
4. Promoting an Art Group
====================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips for Gabrielle Javier-
Cerulli, of Rochester, New York. She needs ideas on how to get
the word out about Global Network of Expressive Arts Facilitators
and attract new members.

From Roxana:

“Just having a Facebook and Twitter profile is not enough. Are
you creating video content? If you are, do you have your own
YouTube or Vimeo channel? There are many coaches and facilitators
that have teleconferences all the time. Have you approached them
for the opportunity to partner or interviews?”

From Heather:

“I’m not sure if this would work, but what about trying to
partner with a life coach association or organization? Both lines
of work focus on individuals reaching for fulfillment, so perhaps
working together is a viable option.”

From Gayle Carson:

“Because these are heart- and soul-centered individuals, the cost
factor will come into play, especially on a monthly basis.  You
will have to show a great deal of value for a palatable price for
them to join. Also be aware that your community will change. You
will add and lose approximately 20 percent of your members on a
monthly basis. Get a few champions and that will make a
difference.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at http://tinyurl.com/artsfacilitators

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

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

Judith Bron of Spring Valley, N.Y. writes:

“It is no secret that anti-Semitism is at its highest pinnacle
since the end of World War II.

“Jews are the longest surviving civilization on the face of the
earth. I’d like to get onto the paid speaking circuit and speak
about this topic: ‘In spite of universal hatred, Jews survived.
Why?’

“My audiences would be Jewish youth and adult organizations and
non-Jewish organizations that are puzzled about the issue of
anti-Semitism. How do I start marketing myself as a paid speaker
on this topic??

The Publicity Hound says: Paid speaking engagements are very
difficult these days, even for professionals who have been on the
speaking circuit awhile. But let’s see what my Hounds have to
say. If you have suggestions for Judith, post them to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/antisemitismspeaker

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

Bumper sticker:

More Wag, Less Bark
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…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:

3 of 4 LinkedIn invitations include this big mistake
http://ow.ly/1anNw

Why I don’t worry about people giving away ebooks I sell
http://ow.ly/18p2R

When you tweet, you might end up on PleaseRobMe.com
http://ow.ly/1apLN

What they’re saying about social Media Rx and our webinars
http://ow.ly/1aqk9

How to connect by phone with a LinkedIn connection
http://ow.ly/1aqmI

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #492 Feb. 16, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
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. Four Benefits of a Google Profile

2. Video: Facebook Changes

3. New Media Leads Service

4. Promoting Book Videos

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. Four Benefits of a Google Profile
======================================

Have you ever Googled your name, and then flinched when you saw
what showed up on the first page?

If so, you might be able to push what you didn’t like onto Page
2. That’s the first benefit of creating your Google profile at
http://tinyurl.com/createmyprofile

It’s sort of like a mini version of a Facebook profile page.
After you list your name, occupation and location, your profile
will appear in a box on the first page of Google’s search results
for your name. Next to the thumbnail information and your photo,
people can click a link to your full Google profile.

Three more benefits of creating your profile:

–It’s needed before you can start using Buzz, the hot new social
tool that Google introduced last week.

–You can link to your website, blog, Twitter and Facebook pages,
social bookmarking profiles, photo-sharing sites, and other
places where you want traffic.

–Your profile page can be your main home on the Web if you don’t
yet have a website.

After you’ve created it, here are five ways to share it:

–Add it to your IM status message.

–Link to it in your email signature.

–Note it in Google Reader.

–Post about it on Twitter.

–Share it on Facebook.

How you write your profile often determines whether someone wants
to learn more about you, or bail out. See “Can Your Social Media
Profile Pass the 10-Second Test?” at
http://tinyurl.com/socialmediaprofiles

======================================
2. Video: Facebook Changes
======================================

Last week, I wrote about Facebook’s redesigned home page and
heard from lots of readers who said they were still having
problems navigating it.

Thanks to Publicity Hound Christine Buffaloe, my virtual
assistant, for sharing this video tour of the redesign:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=484066065483

Do you have a VA yet? Knowing where to look and what questions to
ask these independent contractors will save you time. See “How to
Hire a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Publicity Campaign” at
http://tinyurl.com/prassistants

=====================================
3. New Media Leads Service
=====================================

Here’s another free media leads service designed to give you
daily email updates, Monday through Friday, of queries by
journalists, broadcasters and bloggers who are looking for
specific types of sources to interview.

Reporter Connection, created by Bill and Steve Harrison, tells
you which journalists are looking for sources with your
expertise. You respond, and then you wait to see if the
journalist wants to interview you. You can sign up for the
service at http://ReporterConnection.com/JoinFree/?11577 (I’m an
affiliate).

Almost every week through March 20, they’ll choose one subscriber
and give away something cool like an Amazon Kindle, digital
camera or GPS.

Publicity Hound Steve Hines, of Marketing Resource Management,
said a query he saw in Reporter Connection resulted in almost a
dozen radio interviews about the Olympics.

“I had covered four Summer Games, one Winter Olympics and 15+
world championships in a variety of sports as a photojournalist,”
Steve said. “The stations were looking for comments on being a
part of the Games.”

You could be next.

====================================
4. Promoting Book Videos
====================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have suggestions for Jenni
Bowring-McDonough of St. Paul, MN on how her husband, Tim, can
let authors and publishers know about the promotional book videos
(trailers) he creates.

From Meryl K. Evans:

“Go the extra mile and add captions or subtitles to your
trailers. You’ll make a lot of people happy, not just those who
rely on captions. So few videos are captioned so folks like me
mention those that are by word of mouth. The website
http://www.22frames.com/ lists all captioned videos or videos
without words, so submit your videos there to reach that
audience.”

From Martine Ehrenclou:

“Maybe you can connect with independent publishers through the
Independent Book Publishers Association (formerly PMA). They have
a monthly newsletter that goes out to all the publishers. You
could place an ad or write an article on the advantages of book
trailers for book promotion and list your name and website
address.”

From Alexis O’Neill:

“It seems that the real buyers of trailers today are authors,
since the houses claim they have no money. Find out from the
houses/agents what their upcoming lists will include and have
them pass your information along to their authors.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Tim should write a series of articles on how to create book
trailers, how to use the videos, and examples of success stories
from authors who have used them. See “How to Write How-to
Articles” at http://tinyurl.com/howtoarticles

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

Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli, of Rochester, NY writes:

“I just launched the Global Network of Expressive Arts
Facilitators at http://www.expressiveartsfacilitators.com/ and
need to get the word out about it and attract new members on an
international scale.

“It’s a membership-based organization for facilitators, all non-
therapists, who use the creative process (painting, drumming,
singing, journal writing, collage-making) with their clients with
the intent of self-discovery, clarity, enjoyment and healing.

“Our mission is to build community for these heart- and soul-
centered facilitators, and also to publicize our members and what
they do by listing them on the online directory, highlighting
them in the Member of the Week, a BlogTalkRadio show and giving
them an opportunity to submit their articles on videos to the
website.

“We have Twitter and Facebook pages and a blog. I’d love to hear
other ideas of getting the word out to this global niche market.
Also, how do we go about finding speaking engagements to talk
about the network?”

The Publicity Hound says:

Gabrielle, your topic lends itself perfectly to video. Let’s see
what my Hounds suggest on ways you can use it, and any of their
other ideas. Hounds with suggestions for Gabrielle can post them
to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/artsfacilitators

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

The front door was accidentally left open and our dog was gone.
After unsuccessfully whistling and calling, my husband got in the
car and went looking for him.

He drove around the neighborhood for some time with no luck.

Finally, he stopped beside a couple out for a walk and asked if
they had seen our dog.

“You mean the one following your car?” they asked.

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…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:

Don’t be anonymous at social media sites: Use a gravatar
http://ow.ly/15RAq

Let people comment at your blog without logging in first
http://tinyurl.com/commentatblogs

Action Sports Hub magazine needs articles
http://tinyurl.com/actionsportshub

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #491 Feb. 9, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
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. More Facebook Changes, Ugh

2. Radio Show Needs Guests

3. A Year’s Worth of Promotion Ideas

4. Corporate Sponsors & Social Media

5. Promoting a Day for Retirees

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Commercial of the Week

8. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. More Facebook Changes, Ugh
======================================

If you log into your Facebook page and it looks different, it’s
because Facebook is rolling out a new redesign of its home page,
yet again.

Here’s what’s new:

–Your “Home” and “Profile” links are on the top right.

–On the menu in the top left corner, near the search bar, you’ll
see red bubbles. When you click on them, drop-down menus will
show your new notifications. This is the place to look if you
want to see who wrote on your wall or tagged you.

–The “Highlights” column along the right side is gone.

–The left-hand bar has been expanded.

–You now have two views of the news feed: a summary view of the
most interesting activity that’s happened in the last day and a
real-time view that shows you what is happening right now.

You can read more about the changes, and read comments from those
who are mostly griping, at Facebook’s blog at
http://tinyurl.com/facebookgriping

As a special customer service, I’ll be sending revised handouts
to anyone who attended the teleseminar or bought the product “11
Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook.” If you haven’t
ordered yours yet, do it! You’ll get the new handouts in several
days or as soon as they’re ready. Read more about what you’ll
learn at http://budurl.com/facebookwithchris

======================================
2. Radio Show Needs Guests
======================================

Thanks to RadioGuestList.com for this media lead:

The “Cal and Bob Show,” on KBLF-AM in Northern California, is
looking for guests who have stories that don’t sound true, but
are. Topics range from “dumb” small-town criminals to the
(thousands of) stupid decisions made by politicians in D.C.

If you have a book or product to sell, you’re welcome to appear
as a guest, as long as your story is a good fit and you’re
willing to laugh about it. The show airs during the all-important
drive-time from 7 to 9 a.m. Pacific. Contact Paul Vietti,
producer, at 520-276-3641 or email dpvietti@gmail.com.

Sign up for more booking and podcasting leads, or submit leads
for your own show, at http://www.radioguestlist.com/

If you have a great story to tell but you need tips on how to be
the type of guest who’s invited back, see “How to Get onto Drive-
time Radio Shows” at http://tinyurl.com/drivetimeradio

===================================
3. A Year’s Worth of Promotion Ideas
===================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Tim Morse of Norfolk, VA for sharing
this helpful website that gives 12 months worth of promotion
ideas by listing special days, weeks and months of the year:
http://www.adsources.com/IDEAS/Cal/index.htm

Use these to plan advertising campaigns. Or piggyback onto them
for free publicity. They’re very similar to Chase’s Calendar of
Events at http://www.chases.com/. The deadline for Chase’s, by the
way, is April 15.

===================================
4. Corporate Sponsors & Social Media
===================================

Here are teleseminars and webinars of interest this week:

–”How to Get Major Companies and Nonprofits to Sponsor the
Promotion of Your Book, Product or Service.” Steve Harrison
interviews Brendon Burchard about how to get big companies and
nonprofits to gladly sponsor your marketing, publicity and
promotional efforts. Brendon teaches simple methods that anyone
can use. This teleseminar, conducted in December, is being
brought back by popular demand. It’s free, but you must register
at http://www.sponsorshiptrainingteleseminar.com/?10011 (I’m an
affiliate).

–Social Media Rx. This is a private customer appreciation
webinar for anyone who has purchased “Social Media Rx: Your 20-
Minute Prescription for Cutting through the Clutter, Chatter &
Confusion of Social Media.” Come with your questions about how to
use your assessment report, checklists or bonuses, or anything
else dealing with social media. Jeanne Hurlbert, my partner, and
I will answer them. We’ll email your invitation today. Anyone can
see the replay of the webinar Jeanne and I hosted last week at
http://www.mysocialmediarx.com/subscribe/msms.htm

====================================
5. Promoting a Day for Retirees
====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have ideas on how Phyllis May
can promote “Refired Not Retired Day” on March 1.

From Reece Franklin:

“You should easily be able to find a list of senior centers. A
note to the center activity directors might work.

“Another way might be to get the addresses, send a postcard in a
color like goldenrod, and announce it on the card, with a message
asking, ‘What do you plan to do for Refire Not Retire Day?’

“While the people in assisted living are retired physically
(maybe) they are sure not retired mentally. You can create a
contest or, next year, ask people how they intend to refire
themselves. Just because the timeline is tight for March 1, does
not mean this cannot extend to the entire month.”

From The Publicity Hound:

“Tap into social networks that consist of retired people. Search
Facebook groups, Twibes.com (Twitter tribes) and Yahoo groups. Or
form your own group.

“Tell those people about your day and have them offer suggestions
on things they’d like to do-something that would be fun or help
their communities. It could be something as simple as doing
volunteer work on that day. Getting more people involved at the
ground level will give you lots of ideas to choose from.”

From J. Frizzera:

“I agree with Joan. If youre looking for a theme, remember that
March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. If you can
incorporate that idea, or anything else you like, it helps people
identify with what youre doing. Make it memorable and people will
pay attention.”

Read all the responses to this “Help This Hound” question at
http://tinyurl.com/ygrw3oa

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

===================================
6. Help This Hound
===================================

Jenni Bowring-McDonough of St. Paul, MN writes:

“My husband, Tim McDonough, is a graphic artist who is now
producing book trailers (book promotion videos) at Standard Book
Videos at http://www.standardbookvideos.com/

“Because I work in publishing, I introduced him to our president
who hired Tim to design several trailers (book videos) for us.
Thats terrific, but Tim needs more exposure to attract more
clients. He advertised in the event catalog for a regional
publishers conference and he will be running an ad in ForeWord
Magazine’s national online newsletter later this month.

“We have reached out to other local publishers to introduce Tim’s
business. He’s on Twitter, and we will be building a Facebook
page soon. We have also reached out to other contacts via the
local Book Publishers Association, but thus far, to no avail.

“I even pitched Tim’s story of reinventing himself after 20 years
in broadcast news to several weeklies and dailies, but no one bit
on the idea. We have also begun branching out into web videos and
hope to expand into promotional/sales web videos for small
businesses. Thanks for any and all advice!

The Publicity Hound says:

Jenni, I love Tim’s videos! Authors, you’ll love them, too. Go
take a look. While you’re there, post your best ideas for Jenni
and Tim at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/bookvideos

=================================
7. Hound Commercial of the Week
=================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Tracey Bennett of Honolulu, HI for the
link to the clever Doritos commercial shown during the Super
Bowl. I howled with laughter when I saw it:

http://vodpod.com/watch/3011187-doritos-underdog

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/

==================================
8. And at My Blogs…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:

Don’t let PR clients insert damaging info into press releases
http://tinyurl.com/pressreleasesinfo

Huffington: ‘Blogs more effective than press releases’
http://tinyurl.com/blogsmoreeffective

Find social media frustrating? You’re not alone
http://tinyurl.com/frustratingsocialmedia

Pittsburgh PR company + social media = A virtual intern
http://tinyurl.com/avirtualintern

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #490 Feb. 2, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
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. When Google Speaks, Listen

2. Five Blogging Must-Haves

3. LinkedIn Recommendations

4. For Authors & Publishers Only

5. A Book on Inappropriate Touching

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Slide Show of the Week

8. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. When Google Speaks, Listen
======================================

So you think social media is a big fat waste of time, huh?

What if I told you that Google, the granddaddy of search engines,
is now including links and posts from social media sites like
Twitter, Facebook and MySpace as soon as they appear online? If
you aren’t participating at social media sites, and your
competitors are, they could be elbowing their way onto the top of
the Google search list for your keywords, if they’re using those
same keywords and sharing links.

You can read about it here: http://ow.ly/12CLQ

As you’ll see from that article, it’s more important than ever
for Publicity Hounds to use social networking sites to spread
information via shared links. If you’ve been putting off
participating, that should change your mind.

Jeanne Hurlbert, my new business partner, and I created Social
Media Rx, a new product specifically for Publicity Hounds who are
petrified about getting involved in social media, or can’t figure
out what to say or how to act at these sites.

Tomorrow, Feb. 3, we’re offering you a free webinar, chock full
of social media tips, for people who haven’t even dipped their
toes into the social media waters yet, or for those who are
participating, but aren’t quite sure what they’re doing or aren’t
seeing a return on investment.

It will be at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (Noon Pacific), and we’re
sharing tons of social media tips and success stories. We’ll also
give you a glimpse of Social Media Rx, our new product. It’s an
assessment you can take by answering a series of questions
designed to show you how much you do or don’t know about social
media.

When you’re done, it delivers, within seconds, a customized
report and your own formula that explains exactly what you should
be discussing at social media sites, based on your job, hobbies,
interests and level of expertise. It’s already received rave
reviews, and we can hardly wait to show it to you.

Everyone who registers for the call will receive the free report
“3 Dangerous Social Media Problems & How to Solve Them.”

For instructions on how to sign up, go to
http://budurl.com/socialmediarxwebinar

======================================
2. Five Blogging Must-Haves
======================================

If you’re blogging, here are five things that blogging expert
Patsi Krakoff says you must have at your blog:

–An email subscription form so your followers get each new post
via email. (I’ve added this to my to-do list.)

–An “About” page.

–Something you can offer them for free. (Another to-do for me.)

–A “retweet this” button to make it easy for readers to share
your post on Twitter. I use Tweetmeme. You can check it out at my
blog at http://www.PublicityHound.net

–An analytics program so you can see how much traffic you’re
getting and where it’s coming from.
Patsi listed seven more “must haves,” and the one issue that many
people waste time obsessing over, when she was my guest during a
teleseminar on “Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging”
last month. The CD, MP3 replay and electronic transcript come
with 23 pages of handouts that include 101 ways to find content
for your blog, templates for writing a post quickly and easily,
and a list of 20 common mistakes you don’t want to make. Read
more about it and check out all the rave reviews at
http://tinyurl.com/businessblogger

===================================
3. LinkedIn Recommendations
===================================

If you aren’t regularly recommending people on LinkedIn, you’re
missing a chance to accumulate your own recommendations from
people who know, like and trust you.

That’s because every time you recommend someone, LinkedIn asks
that person if they’d like to return the favor.

Don’t just ask for recommendations. Offer them! It follows the
give-to-get rule that’s so important in the world of social
media.

See “How to Use LinkedIn to Promote Anything–Ethically &
Powerfully” at http://tinyurl.com/5zvzyd

===================================
4. For Authors & Publishers Only
===================================

Want to make your book a best-seller? You’re invited to a free
telseminar on Thursday, Feb., 4, at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

Steve Harrison will interview Peggy McColl about the simple
blueprint she’s developed to quickly make many books instant
best-sellers at practically zero cost. This works for all types
of books: fiction, non-fiction, ebooks, novels, print on demand,
etc.

Interested? Register at
http://www.BestsellerBlueprintCall.com/?10011 (I’m an affiliate.)

====================================
5. A Book on Inappropriate Touching
====================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips for Jill Starishevsky of
New York, NY, author of My Body Belongs to Me, a children’s book
on inappropriate touching. Jill needs ideas on how to promote it
to traditional and social media.

From Martine Ehrenclou:

“Submit your book to the Mom?s Choice Awards. That’s the book
awards competition that acknowledges the best books that benefit
families. They do a lot of promotion for their winners.”

From Eric Gruber:

“You should be writing top tips, how-to, top mistakes, and top
question-type articles, and then submit them to the top websites,
ezines and article directories that parents are going to every
day. For example: Iparenting.com, About.com, Child Parenting.”

From Christel Hall:

“Send a copy of your book to Dr. Laura, who has her own
syndicated radio show. Whether you agree with all of her advice
or not, she is a big children?s advocate and covers a new book at
least weekly on her radio program.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Create a Facebook Fan Page just for the book, and share the link
with mommy bloggers. See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities
on Facebook” at http://budurl.com/jfgw

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound” question
http://budurl.com/touching

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

===================================
6. Help This Hound
===================================

Phyllis May of Key West, FL, writes:

“March 1 is my day in Chase?s Calendar of Events. It?s ?Refired
not Retired Day? and it?s also the title of my humorous book that
shows people how to make the most of life after retirement.

“Might your Publicity Hounds have ideas for things I can suggest
for people to do on March 1? Amazingly, because I have a Google
Alert, I know that there’s a restaurant in Australia that has it
on their calendar. I wrote and told them I thought I should be
there but they didn’t respond. Darn.

“One time I saw an assisted living facility promoting it but I
truly don’t know any BIG ideas. Can your creative readers help?”

The Publicity Hound says:

Hounds can create their own holidays like you did, or their own
days, weeks or months of the year, at http://www.Chases.com (the
deadline is April 15).

The hard part is figuring out how to promote it. But my Hounds
are, indeed, a creative bunch, and they’ll be glad to help by
posting their best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/ygrw3oa

=================================
7. Hound Slide Show of the Week
=================================

The popular exhibit “First Dogs: American Presidents and their
Pets,” at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., showcases some of the
top dogs that have lived at the White House. On display are
images of dogs belonging to 23 presidents, including the newest
addition: Bo, a gift to the Obamas from the late Sen. Edward M.
Kennedy.

Here’s a slide show that features six presidential pups: Barney,
Liberty, Bo, Him, Her and Checkers. Before you view the slide
show, can you guess which pups belong to which presidents?

http://www.newseum.org/exhibits_th/first_dogs/
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/

==================================
8. And at My Blogs…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:
6 ways to use the Newspaper Map of the World
http://tinyurl.com/yb4×7su

Shotgun Sports needs articles on trap, skeet, hunting
http://tinyurl.com/yjfb2r6

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #489 Jan. 27, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
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. Social Media Rx

2. Newspaper Map of the World

3. Let Bloggers Test Your Product

4. Getting Artwork onto TV/Movie Sets

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. Social Media Rx
======================================

At social media sites, act the same way you would at a backyard
barbecue.

When you arrive at a barbecue, you look around to get the lay of
the land, greet your hosts, and find out where to get a cold beer
and snacks.

If you don’t know most of the other guests, you watch and listen
for clues as to who might be the most approachable ones.

Do not:

–Walk up to the first stranger you see and shove your book into
his hand.

–Ask a woman you’ve never met if she’ll attend your telephone
seminar next week.

–Start handing out your business cards to everyone who walks by.

–Approach a small group of people and tell them they can sign up
for your ezine.

You’d never act like that at a party, would you? Yet, that
happens all the time at social media sites. Part of the reason is
that people don’t know what else to say. So they do the first
thing they can think of. They offer a free commercial.

Jeanne Hurlbert, my new business partner, and I created Social
Media Rx specifically for those lost souls who don’t know what
else to say. I introduced Jeanne to you a few weeks ago at my
blog at http://budurl.com/jeannehurlbert and told you we’d be
letting you know about Social Media Rx soon.

We’re finally ready. And we’re offering you a free webinar, chock
full of social media tips, specifically for people who haven’t
even dipped their toes into the social media waters yet, or for
those who are participating, but aren’t quite sure what they’re
doing or aren’t seeing a return on investment.

It will be at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (2 Central) on Wednesday, Feb.
3, and you’ll come away a heck of a lot smarter. We’ll also give
you a glimpse of Social Media Rx. It’s an assessment you can take
by answering a series of questions designed to show find out how
much you do or don’t know aobut social media. When you’re done,
within seconds, it delivers a customized report and your own
formula that explains exactly what you should be discussing at
social media sites, based on your job, hobbies, interests and
level of expertise. It’s already received rave reviews, and we
can hardly wait to show it to you.

Everyone who registers for the call will receive the free report
“3 Dangerous Social Media Problems & How to Solve Them.”

For instructions on how to sign up, go to
http://budurl.com/socialmediarxwebinar

======================================
2. Newspaper Map of the World
======================================

Thanks to Jill Cranford of Livermore, Colorado for tipping us off
to the incredibly helpful worldwide newspaper map that shows the
headlines in today’s newspapers in hundreds of countries.

Go to http://www.budurl.com/newspapermap and choose a continent,
country, state or city. Put your cursor on it and headlines from
today’s newspaper will pop up.

Double-click on the dot and the page gets larger. You might even
be able to read the entire story or the entire newspaper.  This
site, maintained by Newseum.org, the interactive news museum in
Washington, D.C., changes daily with new editions of the papers.

===================================
3. Let Bloggers Test Your Product
===================================

I’ve written here about BloggerLinkUp.com, a neat website that’s
getting rave reviews from people who want to write guest blog
posts for other people’s blogs, and for bloggers looking for
guest writers.

Here’s another way to use the site. Offer your product to
bloggers for review.

Sometimes all it takes is just one terrific review by a blogger,
and word starts to spread all over the Internet. And that can
turn into sales.

I submitted information last week about my free ebook, “The Best
of the Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2009″ and already
received queries from several bloggers who want to read it and
share it with their audiences.

Fill out the form at http://www.bloggerlinkup.com/review

Then share the link for my free ebook with your social media
friends, followers and fans:
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips

====================================
4. Getting Artwork onto TV/Movie Sets
====================================

This week, two Publicity Hounds have tips for Consuelo Okdie from
Tampa Bay, Fla., an artist who wants tips for getting her artwork
onto TV and movie sets.

From Michael Carr:

“Research first. Most states and some larger cities around the
nation have online film production guides which list crew
members. You want to really focus on the Art Department–
particularly designers, set dressers, decorators as well as local
production companies and still photographers. These are the
decision makers who may determine the look of the production,
based on the input they receive from the director or, in the case
of production companies and still photographers, from the
client.”

From Marilynn Barber:

“At http://www.wardrobesupplies.com, under Backstage Stuff, are
source books for theatre and film, in particular, one called
Debbie?s Book.  Google ’scenic design’ in Los Angeles. Be aware,
if you should get something placed, you need to sell it to them.
Never lend–it won?t come back the same.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Check out the teleseminar I did with Amy Bates Stumpf, who rubs
elbows with lots of the Hollywood insiders, and knows how to get
your consumer products onto the sets of TV and movie sets:
http://budurl.com/productplacementips

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound” question
at http://budurl.com/artworkontv

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

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

Jill Starishevsky of New York, NY writes:

“I am a prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes in New York
City. I wrote a children?s book called My Body Belongs to Me to
teach children that if someone touches them inappropriately, they
should tell a parent or teacher right away.

“In a non-threatening, engaging manner, this guide establishes
boundaries and teaches kids that when it comes to their body,
there are some parts that are for ‘no one else to see’ and
empowers them to tell a parent or teacher if someone touches them
inappropriately.

“Most importantly, this narrative assures young ones that sexual
molestation is not their fault, and by speaking out, the child
will continue to grow big and strong. A ?Suggestions for the
Storyteller? section is also included to help lead a comfortable
discussion afterward.

“How can I promote this book in traditional and social media?”
The Publicity Hound says:

I checked the media room at Jill’s website at
http://www.mybodybelongstome.com/news/ and found more than 30
reviews from bloggers. Good for you, Jill. But there weren’t
nearly as many hits in traditional media. Hounds with ideas for
Jill can post them to my blog at http://budurl.com/touching

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

Here’s a silly YouTube video of Romeo the Pug playing piano:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFAy84Pesb0

==================================
7. And at My Blogs…
==================================

Consider retweeting these blog posts:

Membership directories could include social media URLs
http://budurl.com/directories

9 freebies artists can offer to build an email list
http://budurl.com/artistfreebie

Misnamed online media rooms can confuse visitors
http://budurl.com/misnamedmediarooms

Publicity dilemma? Let Publicity Hound readers help–for free
http://budurl.com/helpthishound

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #488 Jan. 19, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
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. Pitch Comics Artists

2. 9 Places to Find Blog Content

3. Write a Book in a Weekend

4. Promoting a Religious Book

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. Pitch Comics Artists
======================================

The next time you need to generate publicity for a worthy cause
or issue, don’t forget the comics.

Yes, the comics. Comic strip artists might agree to make your
cause part of their storyline.

Thanks to Rebecca Morgan, publisher of the popular SpeakerNet
News ezine at http://www.speakernetnews.com/, for sharing the
fabulous tip to pitch comic strip artists as a way of getting
into newspapers large and small all over the world.

Last fall, with just one email pitch, she convinced Greg Evans,
creator of the strip Luann, to incorporate her campaign to
encourage people to give gently used books, instead of candy, for
trick-or-treaters. That brought about 6,000 visitors to her
website.

See the strip, read about how she did it and learn about a
website with links to hundreds of comics strips that might tie
into your cause or issue. Go to http://budurl.com/pitchcomics

======================================
2. 9 Places to Find Blog Content
======================================

If you’re blogging, or you want to start a blog but you’re afraid
you won’t have enough content, here are 9 places to look to find
more than enough topics to write about.

–In your email box. When someone asks you a question, answer it,
and then include the question and the answer in a blog post.

–In print newsletters and ezines for your industry.

–At other people’s blogs. (Comment on the post at your own blog,
and link to it.)

–In newspaper and magazine articles. Excerpt a few tips from an
article you’ve just read, with attribution, and comment on them.

–5 things they don’t teach you in __________ school.

–3 things I want to do in my business before I die.

–In your office. Write about the best (or worst) computer
equipment and other tools you use.

–On TV. If a show or character you saw ties into your topic,
write about it.

–Your goals for 2010.

Want 68 more sources for blog content? They’ll be on the handout
you’ll get when you register for my teleseminar on “Time-saving
Tips for Smart Business Blogging” at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on
Wednesday, Jan. 20, with Patsi Krakoff.

Only a few seats remain. Read more about it and register here:
http://budurl.com/blogcontentideas

===================================
3. Write a Book in a Weekend
===================================

If you want to be taken seriously as an expert in your topic or
industry, a book can give you credibility and put you heads above
your competitors.

The big mistake many authors make, however, is that they spend
years writing their books, then many more months editing and
proofreading them. Many non-fiction books can be written in a few
days.

Ann McIndoo, the former creative assistant to motivational
speaker Tony Robbins, has developed a system for writing the
first draft of a non-fiction book in just one weekend-?a fraction
of the time it takes most authors.

She has helped 268 authors write their books in just three days,
thanks to time-saving shortcuts.

Her system works best for authors who are writing non-fiction
books on topics they know well, particularly how-to, leadership,
business, self-help and autobiographies.

Ann will explain her system during a free telephone seminar with
Steve Harrison at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Jan. 21,
at your choice of two times. If the times are inconvenient,
recruit someone to listen and take notes for you.

Register at http://www.WriteYourBookInAWeekend.com/call/?10011

I’m an affiliate.

====================================
4. Promoting a Religious Book
====================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Bonnie Stuempfig of
Waukesha, Wis., author of Heavenly Connections, a book of
inspirational religious stories. She wants ideas on how to sell
the book.

From Jeff Rothe:

“Why not target 10 of the largest churches in your city, and get
them to get a copy to be discussed for X weeks at a Bible study,
or even better, used by the service head if they teach a weekly
class.”

From Anne:

“If you are still thinking about selling it at churches, look
into their bulletins and see what kinds of church groups they
have that meet on a regular basis. You might be able to be a
guest speaker (and pitch your book at the end) for one of their
meetings.

“Another idea is to tie it in with a religious holiday (for
example: Ash Wednesday for Catholics). Offer a small discount to
those who purchase multiple copies.”

From Dale Hutchings:

“The first thing that comes to mind for me is for you to target
Christian book reading clubs. On the Internet, there are numerous
websites that where you can find listings of these groups. There
is even a site where they show you how to start a Christian book
club and how to join one.”

Read all the answers to this question at
http://budurl.com/religiousbook

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

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

Consuelo Okdie from Tampa Bay, Fla., writes:

“I’m hoping that you or one of your readers will be able to tell
me how to get my artwork used as set decoration for TV or films.

“My work is unique in medium and application as I am one of a
very few artists using polymer clay to create illustrations &
paintings. Any information you may be able to give me will be
greatly appreciated.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Hounds with ideas for Consuelo can post them to my blog at
http://budurl.com/artworkontv

Consuelo, you need to be willing to do the research necessary to
pitch set designers, costume coordinators, production
coordinators, prop masters and product placement decision-makers
for specific movies and TV shows. I hosted a teleseminar with Amy
Bates Stumpf two years ago on How to Get Your Consumer Product
onto the Sets of Movies and TV Shows. You can read more about it
at http://budurl.com/productplacement

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

Wanda’s dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman. Since
she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, “I’ll
leave the key under the mat.  Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill
on the counter, and I’ll mail you a check.”

“Oh, by the way, don’t worry about my dog, Spike. He won’t bother
you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk
to my parrot. I repeat. Do NOT talk to my parrot!”

When the repairman arrived at Wanda’s apartment the following
day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking dog he has ever
seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the
carpet watching the repairman go about his work.  ?  The parrot,
however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant
yelling, cursing and name calling.  Finally the repairman
couldn’t contain himself any longer and yelled,

“Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!”

To which the parrot replied, “Get him, Spike!”

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…
==================================

19+ story ideas to generate publicity, PR for your business
http://budurl.com/19publicityideas

Facebook makes it easy to reply to wall posts via email
http://budurl.com/facebookwallposts

9 ways nonprofits can use social media
http://budurl.com/nonprofitsocialmedia

Add comic strips to your PR campaign and pitch artists
http://budurl.com/pitchcomics

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #487 Jan. 12, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
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. The Missing Marketing Tool

2. Ban This Cliche

3. How to Attract PR Clients

4. Promoting a Book for Associations

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs…

======================================
1. The Missing Marketing Tool
======================================

At a small networking breakfast I attended last week, I met five
people who were either job-hunting or were there to talk about
their businesses.

They brought their resumes, engaging personalities, impressive
marketing materials and succinct elevator pitches and shared them
with our table of 10.

But all five were missing a critical marketing tool that could
have landed them a job or set them apart from their competitors.

Not one of them had a blog. For more than an hour, the
conversation centered on how each of them can reach their target
audiences.

By the end of the breakfast, I lost it.

“Everyone at this table should be blogging!” I yelled. With nine
pairs of eyes riveted on me, I explained:

–A blog establishes your credibility and expertise.

–It’s like a giant magnet that pulls in traffic.

–It can impress visitors and turn them into buyers.

–Many of your competitors are blogging.

–Unlike Twitter, you can use your blog to discuss topics in-
depth.

–You can engage visitors and carry on a conversation with them
in the comments section.

–A blog can give you a huge online presence, even if you can’t
afford a website.

–It can help you gain more traction than publicity in
traditional media because, unlike most media people, bloggers
love to link to each other. Get in front of just one influential
blogger and you can be all over the Internet within minutes.

Finally, they got it.

If you’re already blogging, good for you! If you aren’t, it’s not
too late to start.

Blogging expert Patsi Krakoff will be my guest during a
teleseminar on “Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging” at
4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Everyone who registers
will receive the MP3 recording and a handout that includes 77
ideas for finding blog content, and several simple formulas on
how to write blog posts quickly and easily.

Register at http://budurl.com/smartbusinessblogs and then start a
list of questions for Patsi.

======================================
2. Ban This Cliche
======================================

You can’t listen to a TV newscast without hearing somebody wrap
up their commentary with the tired phrase “at the end of the
day.”

Watch the talking heads shows on Sunday morning and you can’t
escape it. Even the sportscasters and meteorologists are using
it.

It’s showing up in blog posts, media pitches, press releases,
press kits, emails and how-to articles. Just for the heck of it,
I went to http://search.twitter.com and typed “at the end of the
day” into the search box. It’s even showing up in tweets!

When I critique articles and pitches for people in my mentor
program, I’m on the hunt for cliches and other mistakes that
dilute writing. If you need your own writing coach, find out if
you’re a good candidate for the program at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mentorprogram/intro.html

For smaller projects, I do telephone consulting at $300 an hour
and can help you brainstorm pitches, create a press kit, develop
a social media strategy, find joint venture partners, critique
your website and create an impressive presence online, one step
at a time. Email JStewart@PublicityHound.com with several times
you’re available.

===================================
3. How to Attract PR Clients
===================================

If you work in the PR industry and you’re fishing for new
clients, here’s a clever way to hook ‘em.

Choose a company that you’d love to have as a client. Then keep
your eyes open for coverage their competitors are receiving. When
you see a story written about a competitor, print it or clip it,
and send it along with a short note to one of the key decision-
makers at the company. The note can say something like, “Thought
you’d be interested in this.” Sign the note and include your
business card.

Do it again, then again. After you’ve sent two or three articles
to the same person, follow up with a phone call. I’m betting that
you’ll receive a return phone call, and maybe even a contract.

A Publicity Hound shared that tip during the teleseminar I hosted
titled “24 Ways to Attract Clients to Your PR Practice.” PR pro
Marcia Yudkin joined me in discussing 24 ways to bring more
business through the door. We’ve both used many of the ideas
ourselves, and we both have found two ideas that work
particularly well.

They can for you, too. Read more about what we discussed and
download the entire list of 24 ideas that you can be reading
within minutes while you’re waiting for the CD to arrive. It’s
also available as an electronic transcript. Read more about what
it includes at http://budurl.com/morePRclients

====================================
4. Promoting a Book for Associations
====================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips for Linda Alexander of
Pitman, NJ, who wants advice on how to market a book. It helps
new members on association boards understand their new roles and
learn the skills and competencies they need to be a successful
board member.

From Leslie Sturgeon:

“Contact the American Society of Association Executives and try
to sell to the association itself for them to resell. Or check
out http://www.asaecenter.org and contact association management
companies and association executives directly.”

From Mary Callen:

“Send a sample copy, or sample pages by email if you’re on a
budget, to the executive director of every association you
mention. Work your way into newsletters for groups of association
managers with the free sample offer. If it’s truly a valuable
resource, they’ll jump at the chance to purchase and distribute a
book to each new member of their boards of directors. A few
copies to pass between newbies can be used and reused.”

From Mitch Carnell:

“Get leading community volunteers from several states or
nationally known volunteer leaders to write and publish reviews
in local and national publications. For example: the CEO of a
United Way, president of the Boy Scouts, chairman of a food bank.
Try for name and organization recognition. Some universities have
courses dealing with the not-for-profit world. I taught a
graduate course on the subject for many years. Contact the
professors.”

The Publicity Hound says:

How about pitching influential bloggers who write for nonprofits?
One of the best is Nancy Schwartz and her Getting Attention blog
at http://www.gettingattention.org/ See my article “Let Bloggers
Create Publicity for You” at http://budurl.com/49dw.

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound question”
at http://budurl.com/mentoringthestars

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

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

From Bonnie Stuempfig of Waukesha, WI:

“I wrote a book, Heavenly Connections, a soft-cover spiral-bound
book, and hoped to sell it mostly at my church and other area
churches, but there seems to be a ho-hum attitude despite the
fact that I’m already a published writer and the stories are
uplifting and entertaining.

“They include 24 God-based contributions from other church
members and me, along with a few poems and four pages of color
photos.

“My plan was to donate a good portion of the proceeds to the
church, but now I’m thinking it would be best to just bypass the
church and pitch it to bookstores and gift shops.

“I’m working on getting a website and am doing nothing with
social media. I should have done all this earlier but have put
more than two years into this book and wanted it printed by
Christmas. Now, I can concentrate on the marketing but don’t
know where to start.

“Thanks for any help your Hounds can give.?

The Publicity Hound says:

The most difficult part of your task will be to promote the book
without a website. Let’s see what ideas my Hounds have. Hounds,
you can share them at my blog at http://budurl.com/religiousbook

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

“I know that dogs are pack animals, but it is difficult to
imagine a pack of standard poodles…and if there was such a
thing as a pack of standard poodles, where would they rove to?
Bloomingdale’s?

–Yvonne Clifford, American actress

==================================
7. And at My Blogs…
==================================

Starting this week, I’ll be including on this list blog posts
I’ve written at MySocialMediaSolution.com, the blog I share with
Jeanne Hurlbert, my new business partner. The second post below
is from that blog.

3 business blogging tips to save time–even if you hate writing
http://budurl.com/bizbloggingtips

30 PR experts you should follow on Twitter
http://budurl.com/twitterprexperts

Social media boosts book marketing guru’s Alexa rankings
http://budurl.com/kremeralexaranking

————————————

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 at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #486 Jan. 6, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
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. Facebook Redesign: Don’t Panic

2. New Year’s Resolutions for Bloggers

3. Still No Gravatar?

4. A Dozen Ways to Use My Free Ebook

5. Promoting Absorbent Mats

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

======================================
1. Facebook Redesign: Don’t Panic
======================================

If you’re like me and you’re on Facebook, the words “Facebook
redesign” send you into panic mode.

It can take me weeks to navigate my way around a redesigned site.
Facebook is slowly rolling out another one this week. But the
good news is that the changes are minor:

–The search box is being moved from the right side of the
screen, further to the left.

–Facebook is cleaning up the categories on the left.

–Facebook–finally!–has removed the double link to your profile
at the top of the screen. Instead of seeing “Profile” and “(Your
Name)” at the top of the screen (the information is identical),
you’ll only see “Profile.”

–Login/logout have been combined into a single ?account? drop
down.

The changes haven’t shown up on my own profile yet, but I’ll be
watching for them.

Facebook also has a new, streamlined Help Center that should make
it easier for you to find solutions to problems. You can read
more about it at Facebook’s blog at http://budurl.com/hdhc

During the teleseminar I conducted several months ago with
Christine Buffaloe, my guest expert, on “11 Ways to Avoid Missed
Opportunities on Facebook,” we identified “Missed Opportunity
#10: Not using the Help Center.” The Help Center is located on
the bottom right side of your screen. Facebook is so big that
it’s impossible to instinctively know what to do, and the Help
Center can lead you in the right direction.

Learn more about the other 10 missed opportunities at
http://budurl.com/facebookwithchris

======================================
2. New Year’s Resolutions for Bloggers
======================================

Here are three New Year’s Resolutions I’ve made about blogging.
You might want to make them, too:

–Post more frequently. The more posts, the more traffic. It’s
that simple. I usually post at least three times a week. I’m
trying to increase that to five a week.

–One way to post more frequently is to write short items. I’ve
fallen into the habit of trying to make each post as thorough as
possible, but that eats up precious time. I can’t tell you how
many unfinished posts are sitting in my Drafts folder. Readers,
always pressed for time, appreciate short posts, too.

–Reply to people who comment at my blog. Finally, I’m seeing the
number of comments increasing. But I haven’t been very good about
replying to those comments. By not replying, I’m simply talking
“at” people instead of talking “with” them.

Carrying on a conversation at your blog is incredibly time-
consuming, but it’s well worth the investment. People will be
more inclined to comment if they see you’re paying attention. And
they’ll be motivated to return to the blog to see how you
responded to what they said.

Results of my customer profile survey earlier this year show many
Publicity Hounds are hungry for time-saving tips on how to blog.
So I asked Patsi Krakoff of The Blog Squad to join me for a
teleseminar at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 20, called
“Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging.” (This teleseminar
was originally scheduled for Jan. 13.) Everyone who registers
receives a handout that includes 77 ways to find content for a
blog.

Make 2010 the year you finally commit to a blog and build in
efficiencies that will make the job go faster. Read more about
what you’ll learn and register at
http://budurl.com/smartbusinessblogs

=======================================
3. Still No Gravatar?
=======================================

Here’s another resolution for 2010, even if you don’t blog, but
you comment at other people’s blogs.

Make sure you have a gravatar, a universal image that follows you
from site to site and appears beside your name when you comment
or post on a blog. A gravatar helps identify your posts and
attaches a face to a name.

It takes just a few minutes to create one at
http://en.gravatar.com/

Jeanne Hurlbert and I recommend that if you’re using social media
for your business, you use a photo instead of an image that
resembles a cartoon character. We’d both prefer to see the face
of the person we’re talking to. And it’s easier to build a
relationship with a person who has a name and a face vs. somebody
who seems to be hiding behind a logo or a silly graphic.  My
gravatar is the same photo that appears at the bottom of the HTML
version of this newsletter.

Jeanne is my new business partner, and I wrote about her last
week here and at my blog. If you missed it, check it out at
http://budurl.com/jeannehurlbert

In just a few weeks, we’ll be introducing you to Social Media Rx,
our new social media assessment that’s your 20-minute
prescription for cutting through the clutter, chatter and
confusion on social media sites.

===================================
4. A Dozen Ways to Use My Free Ebook
===================================

Have you claimed your copy of “The Best of The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week of 2009″ yet? It not, go to
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips and consider using it one of
these 12 ways:

–Create a Facebook note, and excerpt a tip in its entirety. Use
the JPEG of the ebook cover along with the text, and you’ve got a
nice little item that your followers and fans will love.

–No time for a Note? Write about it and share the link above in
a Facebook status update.

–Write about it in a LinkedIn status update.

–Blog about the book, and include your own success story that
ties into one of the tips.

–Offer the ebook as a bonus along with other products and
services you’re selling.

–Give it to your clients and customers.

–Mention it at your weekly staff meetings.

–Add it to the Free Articles page at your website.

–Give it away to the winner of a contest you’re sponsoring.

–Offer it as a freebie to help you capture names and email
addresses at your website.

–Create a video that discusses the ebook and upload it to your
website or to YouTube.

–Include the link (http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips) in a book
you’re writing, or in handouts you’re using for a speaking
engagement.

What other ways are you using the ebook? Share them at my blog at
http://budurl.com/howtousemyebook

===================================
5. Promoting Absorbent Mats
===================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Jeanne Krieg of
Savage, MN. Her company, DryMate, makes a line of absorbent and
washable mats for home, pets, autos, hunting, garage and
outdoors. She needs ideas on how to pitch this product to
journalists.

From Christel Hall:

“I would consider picking the top three publications in each area
to do a special, custom publicity promotion to. For example, the
garage auto mat could be promoted to the top two auto
care/accessories magazines and also to the national publication
for Porsche owners, or other exclusive car club members. At the
same time, the outdoor blanket/mat could be promoted to camping
and outdoor magazines.”

From Jay Groff:

“I am friends with the vice president of PIG mats, which has the
same concept but they are more industrial. Despite the fact that
they are somewhat of a competitor, I think some kind of a
relationship could be formed where they could promote your line
of more household mats and you could promote their heavy duty
industrial mats. I truly believe cooperation can be better than
competition.”

From Laurie Morrow:

“DryMate might try to tie in with a realty company–get them to
buy a large amount, and give them as gifts to purchasers of new
homes. This is a tough market to sell real estate in, and you
could develop a number of cross-promotional ads.”

The Publicity Hound says:

All three ideas involve joint venture partnerships. Internet
marketer Don Crowther says “there’s no such thing as competitors,
just joint venture partners who don’t know it yet.”

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound” question
http://budurl.com/washablemats

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

=================================
6. Help This Hound
=================================

Linda Alexander of Pitman, NJ, writes:

“I work for an association management and publishing company, and
we have just published the book Mentoring the Stars: A Program
for Volunteer Board Leaders at
http://budurl.com/mentoringstarsbook

“The book is designed to help new board members on association
boards understand their new roles and learn the skills and
competencies they need to be a successful board member.
Leadership, decision making, teamwork, strategic planning,
effective meetings and mentoring are just some of the topics
covered.

“Mentoring the Stars is a great resource for association board
members in any industry?nursing, hospitals and health care,
education, banking, real estate, human resources, plus church
groups, community organizations and more. While it’s great to be
applicable to anyone, it’s also hard to promote to everyone!

“The book is available on our website and on Amazon. We have done
some traditional PR and will be trying some targeted advertising
on Facebook, Google and Yahoo. Can your readers offer any
suggestions for ways to promote Mentoring the Stars to members of
association boards??

The Publicity Hound says:

The first thing that comes to my mind is LinkedIn. Let’s see what
my Hounds have to say. Hounds with their own ideas, or ways to
piggyback onto my LinkedIn suggestion, can post them to my blog
at http://budurl.com/mentoringthestars

==================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
==================================

Thanks to Mary Pacinda of New Carlisle, Ohio for this one:

Two fleas are coming out of the movie theater and it’s raining
very hard outside. One flea says to the other flea, “What are we
going to do? Should we walk or wait for a 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.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/

===================================
8. And at My Blog…
===================================

12 ways to use my free ebook of publicity tips
http://budurl.com/howtousemyebook

————————————

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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,
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================================================

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound