Publicity tips/Public Access Channels Need You March 20, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week Issue
#338 - March 20, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/

http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 29,475

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"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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In This Issue
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1. Public Access Channels Need You

2. Print a Reporter's Face on Candy

3. KFC/Taco Bell and Rats

4. Speak at Colleges

5. How to Promote a Music Ministry

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. Public Access Channels Need You
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Jim Hunt, immediate past president of the National League of Cities, for passing along this great tip on Saturday, when I spoke to the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Speakers Association.

Jim, who speaks and consults for cities all across the U.S., says many local public access channels are begging people in their communities to submit decent-quality videos that can be broadcast for free.

"Most local officials will tell you they’re astounded at how many people watch these channels," Jim says. "If they don't have a lot of content, they'll replay your program sometimes 20 times. So people who might be surfing through the channels late at night might stop and see your program for maybe 5 seconds, get a good taste for what it's about, then keep watching."

In the old days, Publicity Hounds who wanted to be on the public access channel would have to go to the studio at their local cable TV company, pay a small fee to rent camera equipment, bring their own camera person with them, and record the show.

Today, however, most cable companies will accept videos that you can create in your own basement, living room or office. And you don't even need fancy equipment. Some digital cameras, for instance, can produce decent-quality video that you can edit on your computer. It's that easy.

Jim says an auditor he knows created a video on identity theft, and the local cable company featured it several times. A local high school created programs on drug prevention.

I know many of you Hounds can come up with ideas on how to use the public access channel, also known as the PEG channel (public education and government) in lots of ways.

A dog trainer could demonstrate how to train a dog. A law firm could feature a panel of attorneys talking about a controversial legal issue in the news. A hair stylist can demonstrate how to cut hair. Professional speakers can promote their expertise by speaking on their particular topic. An author can create a fun program that ties into a recent book. And on and on.

Visit your local cable company's website, or call them for more information.


If you want more than just local exposure, you can buy inexpensive air time in the city of your choice and have your programs broadcast on the leased access channels. If you're dying to have your own national TV, you don't have to wait to be discovered. PR guy Robert Smith explains how to "Get Your Own National TV Show for Less Than $400 a Month." It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download and be reading a few minutes after your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/y4by43


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2. Print a Reporter's Face on Candy
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Here's another idea I suggested when I spoke on Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Linda Roundtree, owner of Custom Chocolate Creations in suburban Pittsburgh, was in the audience. She can imprint someones photo or logo on a piece of chocolate, like the one you see at her website at http://tinyurl.com/2u8m7v

On Saturday, she brought one piece of chocolate imprinted with the National Speakers Association logo for every person in the audience.

That got me thinking. What if Linda is trying to attract the attention of a local reporter? What if she were to find a photo of that reporter, imprint it on a piece of chocolate and send it to the reporter along with a pitch?

How many of you Hounds think the reporter would call her back and ask for an interview?

I told the several professional organizers in the audience that they should call reporters with whom they want to establish a relationships (most reporters have messy desks) and offer to organize their desks.

Any time you can get a reporter directly involved in your story, you'll usually end up with a better story. "Special Report #42: Tips for Letting Reporters Experience Your Story, Not Just Write About It" gives you lots of great suggestions on how to create a memorable experience for the media so they experience your story, not just cover it. It includes tips on how to involve reporters who you want to write about a new product or service, or a special event.

It's $10, and you can order it at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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3. Speaking at Colleges
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Public speaking, one of the best ways to flaunt your expertise, is also one of the most frustrating ways to earn a living.

Many speakers chase after trade association meeting planners, some of whom might receive inquiries from several dozen speakers within one week.

James Malinchak, a 34-year-old stock broker who now earns a living as a professional speaker, says that if you can spin your topic for a college audience, you can command attractive fees and keep busy speaking to college students year-round, or whenever it's most convenient for you.

That's because colleges need speakers and trainers to train their own administrators. They need authors and experts to speak to students during orientation, welcome week and back-to-school programs. They need speakers for student leadership gatherings, events sponsored by student government events, and lectures sponsored by fraternities and sororities.

But that's not all.

Colleges are always looking for speakers who can share valuable tips at career and job fairs. They need motivational speakers for college commencements and graduations. Speakers are in demand at student conferences and summer programs.

Add to the list academic, athletic and club events, and other meetings where an "outside" expert is needed.

Here's the best part. James says colleges and universities have guaranteed budgets from sources like student activity fees.

If you speak at colleges, publicity is virtually guaranteed because it will precede and follow your speech. Your article and photo can show up not only in the college newspaper, but in the local and weekly newspapers in that town. You might even end up on local radio and TV stations and be seen by students and others who never even heard you speak at the event on campus.

But learning how to navigate the college speaking circuit, and learning where all the people who are in a position to hire you are located, can be tricky. You also must know how to identify topics that are most in demand, and how to follow up.

Join James Malinchak and me for a complimentary telephone seminar at 8 PM Eastern Time on Monday, April 2. James will spill the beans on how to find your way to the meeting and event planners who hire speakers at colleges and universities. Register for the call at http://snipurl.com/CollegeSpeakers

If you can't make it, sign up anyway and you can listen to the recording afterward.


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4. KFC/Taco Bell and Rats
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If your product, service, cause or issue ties into a hot news story, get to work writing a press release about it, then submit it to the press release distribution services.

Millions of people who are Googling for information about the story will find your press release online.

That's what Debra Holtzman does. She's a child-safety expert who continues to amaze me with all the timely angles she finds for her online press releases.

--A few weeks ago, Debra wrote a press release headlined "Is Your Favorite Restaurant Hiding A Dirty Little Secret?" It ties into the news story about the giant rats discovered at a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in New York City's Greenwich Village, and the ensuing media frenzy. The press release included Debra's top 10 tips for keeping you and your children safe when dining out.

--Yesterday, she updated a press release she had written earlier headlined "Ten Common Household Products that Can Hurt or Kill a Child or Pet." She wove into the release information about the recent pet food recall.

--After a string of news reports about child abductions, Debra wrote a press release with 18 tips on how parents can keep their children safe.

Debra says that since she's been posting the press releases through Expertclick, the Online Yearbook of Experts, top-tier media outlets that use the database have been contacting her regularly for her expert commentary on breaking news. She has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC and the Discovery Health Channel, among others.

If you're not in the database, you need to be. A subscription will also let you post 52 press releases a year, just like Debra Holtzman does.

Deadline for the 2007 Yearbook of Experts is March 30. You can also post future events at http://www.daybook.com/. You'll also receive the 2007 Power Media BlueBook of top journalists.

If you use this link, you'll save $100 on your subscription:
http://tinyurl.com/f5evn

Or print their complete brochure at
http://www.expertbrochure.com/. Call them at 202-333-5000 in
Washington, D.C. and they can set up everything for you. Be sure
to tell them The Publicity Hound sent you.


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5. How to Promote a Music Ministry
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This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Dave Butcher of Vincent, Ohio. He and his wife have a music ministry, and they want ideas on how to get through to churches, fairs and other
special events. They are at http://spiritualroad.com/


From Barbara Bietz:

"You might want to look into home schooling networks. It’s worth doing an Internet search. They are often religious-based, very organized, and often looking for entertainment for their
families. Another option might be parochial schools - you could do shows and perhaps offer you products for sale with a percentage going to the school. Schools love fundraising opportunities."


From Jay Scott:

"Two words: Sample Cd's. Send samples of your music and programs to churches. You could also have a page on your website to which a browser could go to hear your music."


The Publicity Hound says:

Create a video and post it to YouTube. I see from the schedule at your website that you travel throughout the U.S. Be sure to post notices to the Craigslist in the nearest city you’re visiting. Are you pitching bloggers? See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr

Read all the responses, or post your own, at http://tinyurl.com/286zxm


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6. Help This Hound
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Robert Schwartz of Ashland, Oregon writes:

"I wrote and self-published a New Age book called Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth? You can read more about it at http://www.courageoussouls.com/

"It includes 10 stories of people who planned great challenges for the purpose of spiritual growth. The information about their pre-birth plans was obtained by four of the most gifted mediums in the country, including one who has the ability both to see and to hear the conversations we have with one another before we're born.

"For example, there's a story of a man who planned to have AIDS in order to teach the world lessons in tolerance. Another interviewee planned decades of alcoholism in order to reclaim his spirituality. There are other stories of people who planned breast cancer, having handicapped children (autism), deafness, blindness, drug addiction, losing a loved one, and severe accidents.

"One would think that such a provocative premise would lead to lots of PR. Yet I haven't been able to generate much. What would the Hounds suggest?"


The Publicity Hound says: Your book, and the 10 stories within it, fall into the category of "woo-woo," as in creepy and difficult to believe. You're facing an uphill battle, Robert, but my Hounds can help. What tips do my Hounds have on how Robert can start pitching TV shows and other media outlets? All you authors who have faced similar challenges: Post your best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2znfoz


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7. Hound Joke of the Week
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Buy a dog a toy and it will play with it forever. Buy a cat a toy and it will play with the wrapper for 10 minutes.


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/


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8. And at My Blog...
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Video-sharing websites go beyond YouTube
http://tinyurl.com/ywjrot

Write press releases for spiders, not just for humans
http://tinyurl.com/yp2r94

Photo tips to make your product look its best
http://tinyurl.com/2o5sk9

Harvard Business Review pitching tips
http://tinyurl.com/2qkq3b

Red Eye, free Chicago tabloid, to publish Saturday
http://tinyurl.com/2vxwup

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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


April 27, 2007: Webinar

Women Business Owners Virtual Growth Summit Webinar. I'm presenting a session at 1 PM Eastern Time on how to become an expert in your topic, then generate online and offline publicity. Register at http://www.businesswomensgrowthsummit.com/


May 12, 2007: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida Speakers Association: "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists." 9 a.m. to noon. "Sleeping with the Competition: How to Collaborate with Other Speakers to Create Profitable Products." 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 561-630-7766 or visit http://www.florida-speakers.org/


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Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.A.

Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central)
Fax: 262-284-1737