The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #485 Dec. 30, 2009
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. Meet My (Unlikely) Business Partner

2. Dumbest Excuses for Not Blogging

3. Media Leads

4. Regift My ‘Best of’ Ebook

5. Promoting a Web Design Company

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Video of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

======================================
1. Meet My (Unlikely) Business Partner
======================================

If you asked me to describe my ideal business partner, never in a
million years would I envision someone with a PhD in sociology.

Such degrees, I always believed, are expensive pieces of paper
printed by the diploma factories otherwise known as universities.
They seldom lead to “real world” jobs outside of academia.

I certainly wouldn’t want a Phi Beta Kappa tagging along with me.
Such a highfalutin academic would be horrified to hear that I
flunked five college courses and almost didn’t graduate because I
was three credits short of a diploma just six weeks before
graduation.

Meet Jeanne Hurlbert, a PhD sociologist at Louisiana State
University, a survey expert and Phi Beta Kappa, who was studying
social networks long before Facebook?s Mark Zuckerberg was born.
When I heard her on a teleseminar in January this year, I was
hooked less than 10 minutes into the call. I emailed the
teleseminar host immediately and gushed, “This woman is
brilliant! Where did you find her?”

She’s my new business partner. Continue reading more about her,
and what we’ve cooked up for you, at my blog at
http://budurl.com/jeannehurlbert

===================================
2. Dumbest Excuses for Not Blogging
===================================

If you aren’t blogging yet, or you’ve stopped blogging, you can’t
use these three excuses:

–It takes too much time.

–I don’t know what to say.

–Nobody comments at my blog.

Let’s address them one by one.

Of course it takes time. But if I had to choose just one social
media tool, I’d probably choose a blog. It positions you as an
expert in your field far better than noisy sites like Twitter and
Facebook can.

You don’t know what to say?

Finding content is one of the biggest complaints I hear from
Publicity Hounds. But once you know about shortcuts like creating
Google Alerts at http://www.Google.com/alerts and checking them
each day for topics you can write about, you’ll have more content
than you’ll ever need. That’s what I do.

Nobody’s commenting at your blog?

It could be because your content isn’t compelling. Or perhaps you
aren’t feeding your blog into sites like Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn, where thousands more people can share your information
with friends, followers and fans. Or maybe you aren’t ending your
posts with questions like “Am I wrong?” or “What’s your take?” or
“Share your best tip here and let’s see how long a list we can
create.”

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. 13, called
“Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging.”

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. Media Leads
=======================================

–Are you chronically late? Read on. Diana DeLonzor, author of
the book Never Be Late Again: 7 Cures for the Punctually
Challenged at http://www.neverbelateagain.com/, will be featured
on CBS News in the next few weeks. The producers have asked her
to help them find one or more people who are chronically late and
would agree to be interviewed and possibly followed around for a
day by a camera crew. The segment will likely be shot sometime in
the first few weeks of January. The ideal interview subject is a
woman in her 30s or 40s who must balance a job with kids, doctors
appointments, chauffer duties, etc. But anyone chronically late
can apply. If you?re not chronically late, don?t respond. Please,
no time management experts either. Email Diana at
delonzor1@yahoo.com.

–Mildred Culp, who writes the syndicated column Workwise, is
looking for a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker who can
comment on revenge in the workplace. After the holidays, you must
have a digitized action photo taken by a colleague, friend or
relative. Email Mildred at workwise@comcast.net
.
===================================
4. Regift My ‘Best of’ Ebook
===================================

If you’re looking for a New Year’s gift for your clients,
customers or friends, consider “The Best of the Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week of 2009,” my gift to you.

It includes the top 26 tips from this year’s newsletters, or tips
that generated the most response from readers. Several thousand
people already have downloaded it, and many are retweeting this
link and sharing it on Facebook and LinkedIn:
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips

Also consider giving this ebook as a bonus along with any
promotions you’re planning.

===================================
5. Promoting a Web Design Company
===================================

This week, 16 Publicity Hounds have tips for Alissa Rothstein of
Alissa Rothstein Design Studio in Woodbridge, NJ. She’s a
graphic/web designer who says small businesses can’t afford her,
or don’t want to pay for her services, and she’s looking for
marketing ideas.

From Mary Jane Hurley Brant:

“I would begin by offering to present a talk to your Chamber of
Commerce, then branch out to other areas because your business
can be accomplished via the Internet. They are always looking for
interesting speakers and you won?t have to write a different talk
each time.”

From MaAnna Stephenson:

“One of the best ways to meet these clients is to get busy
posting on the social media sites on which you already have
accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter. And, it?s a great way to
meet other folks that offer complementary services to these
clients, like Joan here at Publicity Hound. There are thousands
of people who consult blog users. Perhaps, following and making
friends with these folks would lead to some cross-promotion and
possibly, joint ventures.”

From Phyllis K. Twombly:

“You may want to consider linking with another company or
business such as a local printer who recommends you. You might
have to design one or two sites at a special deal (or even, gasp,
free!) just to get your name out there. Make sure those sites
give your company credit for their design.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Response to this simple question was overwhelming, and it’s
gratifying to see so many creative ideas from you Hounds. Well
done! Many of the comments apply to other businesses, not just
web design. You can read all the responses to this question at
http://budurl.com/webdesignmarketing

Send your own “Help this Hound” question to
JStewart@PublicityHound.com
and include your city, state or province.

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

Jeanne Krieg of Savage, Minnesota writes:

“DryMate at http://www.drymate.com/ is a manufacturer in Minnesota
with a line of absorbent and washable mats for home, pets, autos,
hunting, garage and outdoors. We even sell a mat that goes under
your Christmas tree stand to catch spills, dirt, etc.

“Since our product is made from a fabric with a bonded backing,
do we want to reach textile editors of publications? Or category-
specific editors? Or both? To whom do we send pitches and press
releases?

“And can your Hounds suggest ideas on how we can pitch our
product to either consumer or industry publications?”

The Publicity Hound says:

I see lots of possibilities for trade and consumer publications,
as well as numerous opportunities at the social media sites. How
about it, Hounds? Let’s help Jeanne pitch this one and hit it out
of the park. Post your best comments to my blog at
http://budurl.com/washablemats

==================================
7. Hound Video of the Week
==================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Tracey Bennett of Honolulu, Hawaii for
this or this great video of the surfing dog that raises money for
a quadriplegic surfer. Have you seen it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

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…
===================================

Like my blog? Nominate it for Writer’s Digest award
http://budurl.com/websiteaward

————————————

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 #483 Dec. 22, 2009
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. My Gift to You

2. Quick, What’s Your Brand?

3. Another Media Leads Service

4. Promoting The Screaming Pillow

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

 
====================================
1. My Gift to You
====================================

It’s time for my annual Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s gift
to you.

“The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2009″
includes the best 26 tips from this year’s newsletters, or tips
that generated the most response from readers.

Feel free to re-gift it to your own blog readers, newsletter
subscribers, clients, customers, Twitter followers, and Facebook
friends.
They don’t even need to opt-in. You can download the ebook at
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips and pass along that link.

If you work at a company, share it with your PR department. If
you work for a nonprofit, show it to your staff and even your
board members.

More than half of the tips in this year’s book are about social
media. What does that tell you about how much self-promotion has
changed?

Tips include:

–How to create your own holiday, or your own day, week or month
of the year.

–10 dead or dying PR tactics.  (Which ones are you still using?)

–How to find out if a journalist blogs and how to navigate the
blog to find all the juicy tidbits you need to customize your
pitch.

–What to do if you’re a blogger and you’re sued tomorrow.

–The lazy way to create fun video–even if you don’t have a
technical bone in your body.

–25 reasons to hate Facebook (but how to suck it up, jump in and
actually have fun).

–A big, bright flashy–and free–publicity tool, right in your
own community.

–9 attention-grabbing phrases to use at your blog and at Twitter
to generate comments and retweets.

–How to share your best foodie tips on Twitter without boring
your readers with “what I had for lunch” drivel.

–How to boost the Google page rank of your blog or website with
an investment of only 15 minutes a week.

–Where to find more than 30 sample social media policies, for
free.

–How to promote your local events on Twitter and draw crowds.

–5 great social media marketing ideas when the idea well is dry.

–The Number 1 press release writing mistake that will doom you
every time.

–9 ways to get retweeted on Twitter.
You can get the ebook here, save it to your hard drive and then,
share it on the social networking sites:
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips

If you’d like to excerpt content from the ebook and then link to
it from your own blog or Facebook Fan page, let me know and I’ll
send you the ebook as a Word document so you can easily cut and
paste.

Thanks to all of you for being loyal readers and to many of you
for being active participants in this newsletter. Each week, I
receive dozens of emails from Hounds who share publicity success
stories, contrary viewpoints, helpful publicity tips, time-saving
tools and shortcuts and, of course, Hound jokes, quotes and
hysterical videos.

Thanks, too, for correcting me when I goof. I’m grateful that
you’re part of my community, and it’s because of you that I have
the best job in the world. Next week, I’ll introduce you to my
new business partner and tell you what we have cooking for 2010.

P.S. Re-gifting this ebook is entirely appropriate. Share this:
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips

===================================
2. Quick, What’s Your Brand?
===================================

You’re interviewing for a job, and the hiring manager asks,
“What’s your brand?”

Quick, how would you answer that question?

Personal branding consultant William Arruda says you’d better
know because “What’s your brand?” will become as standard an
interview question as “Tell me about yourself.” If he’s right,
you can probably expect the question during media interviews and
even business networking events.

That’s one of 10 branding trends that Arruda predicts in the
Marketing Profs article “Personal Branding Predictions: Top 10
for 2010″ at http://budurl.com/2010predictions He says hiring
managers and executive recruiters expect serious professionals to
have a powerful online identity through Google searches and at
social media sites.

“In 2010, if you don’t show up in Google, you don’t exist,” says
Arruda.

That’s already true, to some extent, when journalists and
bloggers are searching for experts to interview. If they’re
looking for someone with your expertise and your name isn’t on
the first or second page of Google, you’ve missed an opportunity
for a media interview–and maybe even a new job.

Once you’ve decided on your brand, be sure to carry it throughout
your entire media plan for 2010. If you’re busy closing out the
year and you haven’t even started thinking about how to generate
publicity for next year, it isn’t too late. I can walk you step-
by-step through the entire process. See “How to Create a Media
Plan,” and take advantage of the one hour of telephone consulting
that comes with this package. Read more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm

====================================
3. Another Media Leads Service
====================================

Take advantage of every opportunity to subscribe to the media
leads services that pass along leads from real, live journalists
who are looking for specific types of sources for stories they’re
covering.

The newest service is Bill and Steve Harrison’s “Reporter
Connection” which will tell you about topics for which
journalists and producers are actively seeking experts to
interview. Subscribe and you’ll receive their email newsletter
containing listings of sources needed by top reporters,
producers, writers, editors, bloggers and other media, every
business day. Journalists can also submit queries.

They say their service is unlike other media leads services in
two important ways:

–First, all replies go through their system which means
journalists don’t need to publish their email addresses to would-
be sources.

–Their unique Media Reply Forms practically force experts to
answer up to six specific questions for the media. This is good
for both sides because it cuts way down on off-target replies and
means you won’t end up pestering media people. It also means
journalists will only hear from on-target experts.
You can subscribe at
http://www.ReporterConnection.com/JoinNow/?10011 Even though you
don’t pay for this service, the Harrisons pay me a commission if
you turn into a customer.

The easiest time to get publicity is when journalists have
already decided to cover a particular subject and they’re hungry
for sources.

If you’re a journalist, blogger or ezine editor and you need
sources, you can submit a query at
http://www.ReporterConnection.com/press

===================================
4. Promoting The Screaming Pillow
===================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Gabrielle Yetter of
Marblehead, MA, on how to market The Screaming Pillow, a
decorative pillow that people can scream into when they’re
stressed and want to let off steam.

From Rekaya Gibson:

“Have a ‘Scream in Your Pillow Contest’ similar to the ‘Stella
Shouting Contest’ that’s held during the Tennessee Williams/New
Orleans Literary Festival in recognition of ‘Streetcar Named
Desire.’ There’s a great video on YouTube–-another great way to
promote your pillows after the contest.”

From Nancy Binzel Pierce:

“Your target market is anyone who has ever felt like screaming
into a pillow, or roughly 100 percent of the population. Pitch
this to Ellen, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.”

From Linda S. Williams:

“How about writing an ebook that would include a Screaming Pillow
for anyone who buys the book. The book could tell your story and
the therapeutic information behind the pillow. It might also
include other stories. Since you already have a website and use
Facebook, you’re ready to go.”

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

Alissa Rothstein of Alissa Rothstein Design Studio in Woodbridge,
NJ, writes:

“I am a graphic/web designer, and I’m stuck when it comes to
marketing.

“I’ve tried email blasts to different industries, postcard
mailings, and am a member of the Chamber of Commerce which,
incidentally, had promised but never provided any leads.

“I am not really targeting small businesses because I find that
they can’t or don’t want to pay for designer services and I have
to fight the ‘I can do it myself’ mentality.  Or, they think that
they can save money by hiring  a cheap intern or a kid out of
college.  While they can do graphics, web and e-marketing
activities themselves, they just can’t do it very well and it’s a
poor reflection on their company.

“Help! I need marketing and publicity ideas from your Hounds. I
have Facebook, MySpace and Twitter pages, although I’m not very
active.”

The Publicity Hound says:

You must position yourself as one of the foremost experts in your
field and hammer home that point again and again by sharing
useful, helpful advice for anyone who needs a website. Let’s see
if my Hounds can suggest other ideas. Hounds? Post your
suggestions to my blog at http://budurl.com/webdesignmarketing

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Christine Buffaloe of San Diego, CA, my
virtual assistant, for this heart-warming video of what dogs do
on Christmas Eve.

http://budurl.com/doggieChristmaseve

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/

————————————

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 #481 Dec. 8, 2009
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. Your Bio: A Sleeping Pill?

2. Journalists Who Twitter

3. Corporate Sponsors Want You

4. Promoting Booklets About Aging

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

====================================
1. Your Bio: A Sleeping Pill?
====================================

If your bio is anything like the bios written by most other
people, it’s more potent than a sleeping pill.

Boring bios usually include a big gray paragraph of schools
attended and academic degrees earned, a long list of awards, no
fun facts, and nothing that shows the writer’s personality.

These bios, void of anything remotely interesting, are bogging
down websites and online press kits and turning off potential
customers, clients and the media.

I came across photographer Terry Turrentine’s bio last week while
preparing my presentation on “Ezines, Blogs & Bios” for the
smARTist Telesummit 2010. I found her bio so intriguing that I
started to dissect it.

Terry photographed egrets for her book, Great Egret. Her bio
concentrates on only one theme: her relationship with birds.

She discusses learning how to shoot them when she was 10 years
old and a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association.
She lovingly mentions the mallard wing her father gave to her,
which she tucked into her drawer with her other cherished
possessions. She later admits to feeling revulsion for having
killed birds.

Her bio gives readers an intimate glimpse into her life and what
shaped her love of birds. It’s void of the standard “where I
attended school” facts that can clutter a beautifully written
piece.

Take a look: http://terryturrentine.com/artist-bio.html

So what about her degrees earned, schools attended, awards won
and other minutiae that ruin bios? You can include them in your
standard resume, and link to it from your bio.

“Special Report #46: Tips for Rewriting Your Boring Bio,”
includes ideas for various ways to approach your rewrite,
examples of bios I love, and how to incorporate key events from
your childhood, just like Terry did. Only $10. Order at
http://budurl.com/boringbio

If you’re an artist whose marketing campaign needs a jolt,
there’s still time to register for the smARTist Telesummit 2010.
Go to http://budurl.com/smartistelesummit (I earn a commission
for selling seats to this event).

===================================
2. Journalists Who Twitter
===================================

Thanks to book marketing guru John Kremer’s excellent ezine,
“Book Marketing Tips of the Week,” at http://www.bookmarket.com/

He provides a list of where to find journalists who Twitter, and
it’s important because many journalists use these sites to find
experts to interview. “Follow those journalists that you want to
begin creating relationships with,” John says.

http://www.journalisttweets.com
Allows you to track what journalists are writing about you, your
book, or your subject. Includes email alerts. Also allows you to
locate journalists on Twitter by subject interest.

http://www.justtweetit.com/media/reporters-press
Features 156 reporters and editors.

http://www.mediaontwitter.com/
Features more than a thousand journalists by name, Twitter ID,
title/beat, media outlet and country.

http://www.muckrack.com/
Features journalists by beats (world, U.S., politics, business,
technology, sports, arts, etc.) and media company.
Add to those three of my favorites: Harry Hoover’s three lists of
media, U.S. journalists and Canadian journalists that Twitter at
http://listorious.com/MyCreativeTeam

If you’re twittering and not seeing a return on your investment
of time, check out “How to Use Twitter to Amass an Army of
Followers, Customers & Valuable Contacts–and Promote,” a two-
part teleseminar series I hosted with Twitter expert Warren
Whitlock, at http://budurl.com/WarrenonTwitter

====================================
3. Corporate Sponsors Want You
====================================

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

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

Jacqueline has had equally impressive success.

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

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

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

This year, Brendon will share his secrets during a free
teleseminar this Thursday, Dec. 10, with Steve Harrison. Discover
how you can use his methods to promote your own book, product or
business, just like Brendon and Jacqueline do, and get PR firms
to pay all your expenses.

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

===================================
4. Promoting Booklets About Aging
===================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for Ted Fuller of
Lafayette, CA, on how to promote his two tips booklets for senior
citizens, “The Best Ideas Yet About Aging Successfully” and “Tips
for Writing a Great Memoir.”

From Berg:

“It shouldn’t be too expensive to send actual samples.”

From Mary Jane Hurley Brant:

“Allot a certain amount of your newly written booklets and make
like Santa and give them away for free. Also, start giving talks
with a ‘buy 2, get 2 free’ offer.”

From Carrollyn C. Cox:

“Many retired seniors have the time to spend on Facebook, Twitter
and especially LinkedIn. Build a Facebook page and promote via
other social media sites.”

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

Gabrielle Yetter of Marblehead, MA, writes:

“I recently launched my new company and produce The Screaming
Pillow which is a pillow you scream into when you need to let off
steam.

“It came about after my sister and her baby were killed in a car
crash many years ago and my mother was counseled by a bereavement
therapist to scream into a pillow. The product is more of a
novelty item and I’m selling it through my website because it
isn’t cost-effective to sell retail.

“I have been doing a huge amount of online promotion and recently
had a nice article written about me in our local paper which
resulted in a decent number of sales.

“But I’m looking for creative ways to get the message out to
broader audiences. I’ve made contact with a few therapists who
love it and I have lots of ideas, but am somewhat limited since I
am a company of one.

“I’d love some ideas from your Hounds about how I might be able
to reach more targeted audiences and ways in which I may be able
to get press other than just in our local paper.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Gabrielle, your challenge is easier than you think because you
have a compelling story behind the product–something media love.
Hounds, post your best ideas to my blog at
http://budurl.com/screamingpillow

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

Dread trimming the tree this year? Get some inspiration from this
video, courtesy of Publicity Hound Kathleen Mahan of San Juan
Capistrano, CA. Watch how these clever four-legged Hounds trim
their own tree. One even climbs up on a ladder. If they can do
it, you can do it.

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

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 Blog…
==================================

Offer 30-second spots featuring “how to” tips for local radio
http://budurl.com/radiospots

Giving free speeches? More places where you can speak
http://budurl.com/givefreespeeches

10 ways to get free publicity from the Tiger Woods mess
http://budurl.com/PRfromtigerwoods

————————————

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

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

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http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

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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
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http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #481 Dec. 1, 2009
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. What if Your Lawyer is Wrong?

2. Website Magnets: Pet Ecards

3. Pitching Ellen, Rachael & Cavuto

4. Promoting a Book About Christians

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

8. Correction

====================================
1. What if Your Lawyer is Wrong?
====================================

If you’re faced with a PR nightmare, don’t assume that your
lawyer’s advice will save you.

Just ask Tiger Woods, whose legal advice might well be
responsible for the public relations mess that’s been getting
even messier since last week’s car crash.

On TV talk shows and all over the Internet, media experts, crisis
counselors, PR pros and even attorneys are admonishing Woods for
flunking PR 101 since crashing his car into a fire hydrant, and
then a tree, outside the couple’s home Thanksgiving night.

They say he erred by:

–Holing up inside his home and refusing to talk to the police or
the public, making it look like he has something to hide and
fueling speculation about what happened.

–Waiting until Sunday to post a statement on his website, thus
letting anyone with an opinion take control of the story. PR pros
say that even though all the details aren’t necessary, he should
have given a more substantive response.

–Canceling an appearance at the Chevron World Challenge golf
tournament this weekend.

During an interview I did with crisis counselor Clarence Jones
several years ago, Jones said that attorneys, who usually tell
their clients not to comment, are concerned primarily about
winning in the court of law, not in the court of public opinion.
That’s why clients who have won in the court of law sometimes
emerge with their reputations in ruins. By that time, the PR
damage has been done.

Jones advises that if you find yourself in a PR crisis, weigh
your lawyer’s advice along with the advice of others such as a
good crisis counselor. Read more about what he discussed during
the teleseminar “In a Media Crisis, Your Lawyer Will be Wrong” at
http://budurl.com/yourlawyer

===================================
2. Website Magnets: Pet Ecards
===================================

When BL Ochman and her business partner, Caimin Jones, realized
their new company, Pawfun.com at http://www.pawfun.com, needed to
have more traffic before they could expect to make a profit
selling customized pet T-shirts, totes and other items, they
decided to change their business model.

They added the kind of social media tools they create to help
their corporate clients build traffic and sales–a free service
that lets anyone create free pet ecards. Take a look:
http://www.pawfun.com/send-ecard/

Upload your own pet photo to the site, and add pithy, funny or
endearing comments to the bubble that comes out of the pet’s
mouth. Then share the card with your social media friends,
followers and fans.

“In order for us to make money, we need a high volume of
traffic,” BL said. “We really needed to turn that site into a
social media lab for ourselves–something that does all the
things we tell our clients to do.”

The result?

“It’s really starting to work,” she said. “Traffic is doubling
every week, and there are hundreds of ecards featured in our
gallery.”

They’ve even landed two corporate sponsorships. The first is with
StacksandStacks.com, which sells organizing tools for humans and
pets. The other is with Simon & Schuster, publisher of the book
“Cowboy and Wills” about the Golden Retriever and the autistic
boy who loved him. Pawfun will give the books as contest prizes.

“We know that those are the kinds of sponsorship deals that are
possible,” BL said.

What free magnets are you offering at your own website? “Special
Report #51: 55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or
Capture People’s Email Addresses” give you dozens of ideas. Read
more about it at http://budurl.com/specialreport51

====================================
3. Pitching Ellen, Rachael & Cavuto
====================================

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that big, celebrity-driven TV
talk shows only want celebrities.

Even though “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” loves celebrities and A-
list interviews, Ellen loves human interest stories like child
inventors, variety acts, and social causes like Hurricane Katrina
or animal rights. But how would you know that unless you watch
the show every day?

Get free detailed profiles with key contacts and how-to-get-on
info for five top shows including ABC’s “20/20,” “The Ellen
DeGeneres Show,” “Rachael Ray,” “Book TV” and “The Neil Cavuto
Show” by going to http://www.AppearOnTopTVShows.com/?10011

The five profiles are drawn from “Harrison’s Guide to the Top
National Talk & Interviews TV Shows,” which is on sale through 6
p.m. Eastern this Friday, December 4. Subscribe now and you’ll
also get a 30-minute consultation with a former national TV
producer who’ll help you get on TV. (I get a commission if you
buy this directory.)

===================================
4. Promoting a Book About Christians
===================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Mitch Carnell of
Charleston, SC, who needs ideas on how to market his book,
Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.

From Gail Sideman:

“I would take some of the elements in this book and create story
angles and tips about why they apply to life in and outside
religious practices.

“Create a tips list with the top bits of advice in the book and
pitch them to media and as a column for consumers to use.  This
would be a good way to begin to help people relate to the book in
general and not corner it into a religious how-to book.”

From Christine Buffaloe:

“The first thing would be to create a presence on Facebook. If
you don?t already have a profile, create one at
http://www.facebook.com/. It?s easy to do. Then join groups that
are within your niche and, from there, connect with the people in
those groups.

“Then, create a Facebook fan page. This is where you can really
promote your book. You can send updates and link to your blog.
The possibilities are endless.”

From The Publicity Hound:

“Mitch, how about trying to get booked on niche radio talk shows
that will reach your niche audience?

“Francine Silverman?s ebooks that offer contact info are a good
place to start. I blogged about these this morning at
http://budurl.com/talkradioinfo

“Under the self-help category, I see several possibilities on how
you can spin your topic to match those topics.”
Read all the responses to this week’s ?Help This Hound” question
http://budurl.com/gjzx

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

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

Ted Fuller of Lafayette, Calif., writes:

“Thanks to you and Paulette Ensign, the Tips Booklet Queen, I
have completed my first two booklets.

“The Best Ideas Yet About Aging Successfully is 16 pages, and
Tips for Writing a Great Memoir is 12 pages. Now comes the grind
of contacting book and gift store distributors, retirement home
companies, and other organizations serving seniors.

Any suggestions on how one gets these charming publications
publicized so the purchasing departments seek me out with their
orders??

The Publicity Hound says:

Mitch, I urge you to think far beyond nursing homes for your
target audience. Many of today’s senior citizens run marathons
and climb mountains. You don’t have a website, and that’s
compounding your problem. So I hope my Hounds make some
suggestions on how to also sell these booklets online. Hounds,
post your best ideas to my blog at
http://budurl.com/seniorsbooklets

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

Meet Cowboy and Wills. Cowboy is the Golden Retriever puppy that
brought joy and love to Wills Holloway, an autistic boy. They’re
the subject of the book “Cowboy & Wills,” by Monica Holloway.
This isn’t your typical book promo, and it made my day. Thanks to
BL Ochman of New York City (See Item #2 above), for sharing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjyUJGw7urk

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 Blog…
==================================

Ebooks offer talk radio contact info for specific niches
http://budurl.com/talkradioinfo

==================================
8. Correction
==================================

In last week’s issue, I incorrectly identified Scott Martin of
Lake Mary, Fla., who runs DivorceDirection, a financial advisory
firm and who was quoted recently in the New York Times. I
apologize for the error.

————————————

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