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Publicity Tips—60 Ideas in 60 Minutes

October 17th, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #576 Oct. 11, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes

2. Join Hot Conversations Immediately

3. LinkedIn’s Company Pages Widget

4. Best Practices for Facebook Pages

5. What Separates Rich, Poor Authors

6. Artists Need International Publicity

7. Hound Video of the Week

8. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes
=====================================

Nothing elicits more gasps, ooohs and aaahs from audiences at my
workshops than when I demonstrate the Google Wonder Wheel.

It’s a nifty tool that, within seconds, helps you learn which
specific keywords and keyword phrases people are searching for
within a general topic. I use the Wonder Wheel to find ideas for
articles, blog posts and press releases.

I encourage authors to use it to find ideas for chapter topics
for their next books. If you create products in a particular
niche, the wheel will help you pinpoint the kinds of problems
people within that area are struggling with, based on their
Google searches. Once you know their problems, you can provide
the solutions.

The Wonder Wheel is just one of hundreds of free tools I’ve
shared with you over the last few years. But to access the rest
of them, you’d have to look in more than a half dozen places: in
this ezine, at my blog, in articles at my website, in guest blog
posts I write for other bloggers, in my Twitter feed, and in my
status updates on LinkedIn and Facebook.

But you don’t have that kind of time.

So I’ve compiled the 60 best ideas on how to use free or almost-
free tools to navigate the world of social media and publicity,
particularly helpful if you have a tight budget and are looking
for ways to save time. I’ll present them, and demonstrate some of
them, during a webinar I’m hosting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on
Monday, Oct. 17. It’s called “60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Free (or
Practically Free) Tips, Tricks, Tools & Tutorials for Publicity &
Social Media.

If the time is inconvenient, sign up anyway because you’ll get
the video replay. You’ll also receive, as a bonus, my newest
special report on how to find influential people who can lend
their names to whatever you’re promoting.

If you think your followers would benefit, share this on Twitter,
Facebook and LinkedIn. Affiliates, ask me how to configure your
affiliate link to earn a commission.

UPDATE: After this newsletter was sent, several alert readers
emailed to tell me that Google has pulled the Wonder Wheel. I’d
been using it for years and never thought to check to see if it
was still there. I should have. I regret the error. Google,
Please bring back the Wonder Wheel.

=====================================
2. Join Hot Conversations Immediately
=====================================

Savvy marketing and PR people stay on top of the hottest
conversations within their clients’ niches.

They have to.

They want their clients to be able to comment on blog posts,
write letters to the editor, pitch timely story ideas, offer
background information for journalists’ articles, or offer
commentary for an author’s forthcoming book–long before the
client’s competitors are even aware that there’s a hot topic
being discussed.

But until now, PR people have had to slog their way through a
variety of tools such as Klout, which doesn’t do a very accurate
job of measuring true influence.

A new tool from Appinions, a New York company, tracks traditional
and social media to round out a true picture of influence both
online and offline. It’s a subscription-based service that
matches influencers to specific topics, based on opinions it
finds from news reports, blogs, tweets, TV transcripts and social
networks.

The ideal user for this service is a PR or marketing agency with
numerous clients and revenues of more than $5 million a year.

CEO Larry Levy will demonstrate the tool during a free webinar
I’m hosting from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 13.
Register today because we have room for only 50 people:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/308195010

Or read more about it at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9541

After you register, email me your topics and Levy will try to
work them into his demonstration.

======================================
3. LinkedIn’s Company Pages Widget
======================================

Are you promoting your products and services yet on LinkedIn’s
Company Pages?

They’re free. You can create multiple pages. You can add photos.
And they’re a terrific way to promote B2B companies.

But how do you get people to find your pages, and then follow
you, so they can stay up to date on new products you’re
introducing?

Add the Company Pages widget to your website and blog.

Go here and build it:

https://developer.linkedin.com/plugins/company-profile-plugin

Learn more about LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth’s power formula
for writing a killer profile, cashing in on groups and creating
company pages at
http://www.publicityhound.com/linkedinpowerformulapart2.htm

=====================================
4. Best Practices for Facebook Pages
=====================================

Don’t create the standard Facebook page if you or your PR client
are in one of these categories: celebrities, musicians,
journalists, politicians, athletes, nonprofits.

Facebook has Best Practices Guides for all those people, designed
to help you tell your story, build deep, lasting connections with
your audience and keep them updated and engaged.

You can find the guides at
https://www.facebook.com/FacebookPages?sk=app_229825110408473

Mari Smith has more ideas on how to encourage people to Like your
page and click on your links. She was my guest during the webinar
on “33 Ways to Attract Facebook Fans, Provide Sterling Content &
Keep Them Coming Back for More.” No time to watch the webinar
replay? That’s OK. Use the handy checklist I compiled. It
includes all 33 tips. Follow one tip each day and watch the
number of Likes on your page skyrocket.

Read more about how to access the replay and the checklist, part
of the handouts, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

======================================
5. What Separates Rich, Poor Authors
======================================

Poor authors place their hopes, dreams, sweat, blood and money
only on their books.

If the book fails, the author fails.

Rich authors use the book as a calling card to upsell readers to
a wide variety of other products and services: coaching programs,
board games, wall calendars, membership programs, and more.
That’s one of the key differences between rich authors and poor
authors.

Learn the other six at a free 75-minute telephone seminar hosted
by Steve Harrison of Radio-TV Interview Report, at 2 and 7 p.m.
Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 13. Even though the call is free,
I promote it as a compensated affiliate. I’ve seen hundreds of
authors miss this important distinction and tie up their life’s
savings in cardboard boxes of books they can’t sell.

=====================================
6. Artists Need International Publicity
=====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have ideas for Kate Farrall of
San Diego, CA, whose PR clients, both artists, need international
publicity for the mural they painted on a water tank outside
Sacramento, CA.

From Celeste Balducci:

“Promote an event at the site and give something back to the
community, such as a kids’ arts day. Connect with all the mom
bloggers, schools, local officials, ongoing social media,
museums, press and non-profit arts groups.”

From Alyson B. Stanfield, a business coach for artists:

“There is an entire magazine devoted to public art called Public
Art Review at http://forecastpublicart.org/par.php. Try also
Sculpture magazine at
http://www.sculpture.org/redesign/mag.shtml. You’re calling it a
mural, but it is really an installation piece.

“How about community enhancement/planning pitching? There are so
many communities trying to revive themselves. Surely there are
publications devoted to city planning. (Art is my bailiwick, so
not sure about this one.)

From The Publicity Hound:

“I recommend two blogs for inspiration. Visit Lori McNee’s blog
at http://www.finearttips.com/blog/. She is an internationally
recognized artist who specializes in still life and landscape oil
paintings. She shares fine art tips, including marketing tips.

“Also, go to Alyson B. Stanfield’s blog at
http://www.artbizblog.com/. She’s savvy marketer and a Publicity
Hound!”

Read all the responses to this “Help This Hound” question at my
blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9512

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Sophie Wajsman of Australia for sharing
this “Which is the Guilty Dog?” video. I promise you’ll laugh:
http://www.maniacworld.com/which-is-the-guilty-dog.html

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 & Mobile Site…
======================================

6 ways to promote your retail business before you open
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9556

7 ways to congratulate journalists–without brown-nosing
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9522

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

=======================================
Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound

Publicity Tips—Tips for Your 2012 Media Plan

October 5th, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #575 Oct. 4, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Tips for Your 2012 Media Plan

2. Your Competitors’ Press Releases

3. How to Find Influential People

4. Don’t Use Facebook’s Links Box

5. Artists Need International Publicity

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Tips for Your 2012 Media Plan
=====================================

This is the time to start collecting editorial calendars so you
can begin creating your media plan for next year.

Contact the advertising department at each newspaper and magazine
where you want publicity and ask a sales rep to send you a
calendar or lead you to it at their website.

Editorial calendars list special sections and other topical
features being planned for specific publications. They tip you
off to sections where your story would be a good fit. Find out
who edits the section, write a pitch, and then deliver it. Using
editorial calendars will put you miles ahead of everyone else
who’s pitching.

Here are three more tips for creating a media plan:

–Less is more. You’re better off targeting fewer media outlets
and writing customized pitches for each, rather than delivering
the same one-size-fits-all pitch to dozens of media outlets, many
of which will have very different audiences.

–Use the social media sites to find journalists who cover your
topic. If you find a beat reporter on, say, Twitter, follow him.
Pay attention to topics he’s writing about. Retweet his content.
Start the conversation. And then pitch.

–Think of ways to repurpose your publicity, using multi-media.
If a local newspaper prints a story about your company’s new
product, don’t stop there. Create a video for YouTube. Post
photos to Flickr. Feature the product on Company Pages on
LinkedIn. Consider hosting a free webinar showing people how to
use the product, and offer replays of the video at your blog.

If you aren’t creating a strategy right now to generate publicity
in the next 12 months, in another month or two, it may be too
late. Long lead times for some media outlets, like national
magazines for instance, mean you need to be pitching stories six
months before the magazine goes to press.

But you don’t have to start creating a plan from scratch. Let me
help.

“How to Create a Media Plan” is a graduate-level course on how to
get worldwide attention for your product, service, cause or
issue, by creating and following a well-thought-out, month-by-
month strategic plan that also leaves room for publicity ideas
when there’s breaking news.
It’s available as electronic transcripts, CDs or MP3s. Read more
about how it will shorten your learning curve at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm

=====================================
2. Your Competitors’ Press Releases
=====================================

Your media plan, mentioned above, has an important component:
online press releases.

You will write them primarily to reach consumers directly through
the search engines. For journalists, you’ll deliver those
customized pitches.

Just for the heck of it, go see what kinds of press releases your
competitors are writing. I’m a huge fan of ExpertClick: The
Online Yearbook of Experts, which lets you post up to 52 press
releases per year, with a subscription.

Go to http://www.ExpertClick.com/Referral/Publicity_Hound and
click “Site Map” in the menu bar. Now go to the “Experts” column
and click on “Find Experts.”

Scroll down to the long list of hundreds of topics. Click on your
topic and you’ll see a list of your competitors. You can now call
up their press releases and see what they’ve written. If you
don’t see your topic, use the search box.

One of the reasons I like ExpertClick, and am a compensated
affiliate, is because press releases rank well in the search
engines. You can also write them even when there’s no news.
Create a tips list, take a stand on a controversial topic, make a
prediction, issue a proclamation, or identify a trend you’re
seeing in your industry and write about it, and include a call to
action.

If you use the link above, you can take advantage of the $100
Publicity Hound discount.

======================================
3. How to Find Influential People
======================================

I recently discovered Appinions, a fascinating company that shows
you how to find and connect with influencers like journalists and
bloggers who are discussing topics in your area of expertise
right now.

Unlike sites, such as Klout, that measure only social media
influence, Appinions also tracks traditional media to round out a
true picture of influence.

Appinions claims to be the first service that matches influencers
to specific topics, based on opinions from news, blogs, tweets,
TV transcripts and social networks. Publicity Hounds can then
identify the most influential people who can move the needles of
influence, and pitch them.

After speaking with CEO Larry Levy, and watching him demonstrate
how the service works, I was so impressed that I asked him to
host a free webinar for you.

The ideal client for this service is a PR or marketing agency
that has multiple clients and does at least $5 million a year in
revenue.

If that’s you, join us for a free one-hour webinar at 3 p.m.
Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 13. After you sign up, email me
the topics where you need to find influencers. Levy has promised
to demonstrate his service, using as many topics as possible from
participants.

We have room for only 50 Publicity Hounds on the call. But if you
can’t attend live, you can watch the video replay. Register for
the webinar at
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/308195010

Full disclosure: I will earn a commission from all subscriptions
sold.

=====================================
4. Don’t use Facebook’s Link Box
=====================================

When you write a Facebook status update and want to link to an
article, Facebook gives you two options:

–Click on the “Link” box and type your link.

–Simply type the URL directly into your status update.

Lots of testers have done it both ways. They’ve found that, in
most cases, the second option encourages more people to click on
the link.

Mari Smith has lots more ideas on how to encourage people to Like
your page and click on your links. She was my guest during the
webinar on “33 Ways to Attract Facebook Fans, Provide Sterling
Content & Keep Them Coming Back for More.” No time to watch the
webinar replay? That’s OK. Use the handy checklist I compiled. It
includes all 33 tips. Follow one tip each day and watch the
number of “Likes” on your page skyrocket.

Read more about how to access the replay and the checklist, part
of the handouts, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

=====================================
5. Artists Need International Publicity
=====================================

Publicity Hound Kate Farrall of San Diego, CA, writes:

“I need to get national/international publicity for my two
muralist clients who are completing a five-story public art
installation this November for the City of Davis, just outside of
Sacramento. They have transformed a water tank into a 360-degree
kinetic art installation. You can see a short video that explains
the project at
http://lcmuralanddesign.com/watertank/shadow.html

“My pitches have done well, thanks to your great advice. So far,
I’ve gotten my clients a segment on our local PBS channel that
will run for a year and a half, along with a few other news and
print hits. The feedback on my pitches has been really good and
I’ve tailored each one.

“How do I create a hook for national publications, especially art
publications? Or even publications that are not so big but
located elsewhere? Local has been a good hook for us so far, but
that won’t work in the Midwest, New York or Europe. My clients
want to be recognized as professional artists and have a broader
name recognition so they can expand where they work and the types
of projects they do.

You can read a press release about the project at
http://lcmuralanddesign.com/press/pressrelease1.html

The Publicity Hound says:

My readers love questions like this because there are so many
publicity possibilities. One of the first things I’d do is go to
their Flickr and write captions and tags for each photo. OK,
Hounds, let’s hear your ideas. Post them at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9512

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

Thanks to Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio for this hysterical
oldie-but-goodie video of the “Jack Russell Balloon Dog” on, I
assume, a Stupid Pet Trick segment on the “Tonight Show” with Jay
Leno.

http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/52494209

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 & Mobile Site…
======================================

Celebrity publicists: Interviewer will promote your clients
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9494

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

=======================================
Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound

Publicity Tips—Fail to Prepare? Prepare to Fail

April 20th, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #551 April 19, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Fail to Prepare? Prepare to Fail

2. Your Twitter Lists

3. Top-quality Animoto Videos

4. Jack Canfield’s Tips for Authors

5. Promoting Photos on Glass

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Fail to Prepare? Prepare to Fail
=====================================

If you, or your PR client, are interviewing with the media, and
you haven’t prepared answers to difficult questions, particularly
if you’re in a bad news situation, you’ve blown it.

That’s what happened last week when a correspondent for the BBC
interviewed Mike Lazaridis, the co-chief executive of Research In
Motion (RIM), the Canadian firm behind Blackberry.

After discussing the new Playbook tablet, the focus of the
interview shifted to the company’s problems in India and the
Middle East, where governments want to gain greater access to the
tight security system used for Blackberry’s business users.

Lazaridis wasn’t ready for the question and complained that it
was unfair. His PR person tried to intervene. Things got ugly.

The correspondent kept his cool. But Lazaridis got flustered and
eventually ordered the camera person to “turn that thing off.”
Bloggers, like PR consultant Greg Simpson in the UK, started
writing about it and sharing the YouTube video. Take a look:
http://pressforattention.com/2011/04/15/back-off-the-rim-
blackberry-ceos-pr-tussle-with-bbc/

Ben Franklin had it right when he warned: “By failing to prepare,
you are preparing to fail.”

Be prepared. Crisis communications counselor Jonathan Bernstein
explained how to deal with sharp reporters (and nasty, hostile
ones) when he was my guest during the teleseminar, “How to Keep
the Media Wolves at Bay.” Learn more about what we discussed
here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/media_wolves_atbay.htm

======================================
2. Your Twitter Lists
======================================

Frustrated that you aren’t getting in front of the right experts
and journalists on Twitter?

Do you have too few quality followers?

Is hardly anyone retweeting your fabulous content?

You can change all that by using Twitter lists. Here are three
ways to use lists:

Save hours of time researching journalists, broadcasters,
Internet radio hosts, freelancers, beat reporters, editors and
others by looking for lists that other people on Twitter have
created. Within seconds, you can even find lists of journalists
in specific cities.

Want to get in front of influential bloggers who write about a
particular topic? Save hours of time by finding them on Twitter
lists that other people have created. (You can do this even if
you aren’t tweeting.)

If your favorite journalists, or journalists who you want to
notice you, are on Twitter, and you have a Twitter account,
create a “(Fill in the blank) Journalists” list and add them. If
you have a food-related story to pitch, for example, and you want
to get in front of food journalists, add them to a “Favorite Food
Journalists” list. And then let them know you’ve done so.
They’ll be flattered. This is a great way to start a
relationship with journalists before you pitch them.

You’ll find two more ideas at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6929

And you can access the video replay of a webinar I hosted on
Twitter lists and directories at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm

=====================================
3. Top-quality Animoto Videos
=====================================

I love Animoto, the web-based program that lets me create slick
videos, accompanied by music or my recorded voice, within
minutes, using stock photos and text and even video clips.

The program is particularly helpful when I don’t have time to get
all dolled up for a talking-head video.

But I just realized I haven’t been adding my Publicity Hound logo
to the beginning and ending of all my videos. This important step
introduces newcomers to my brand, and solidifies the brand in the
minds of those who know me. No problem. My assistant can log into
my account and correct this problem for me very quickly.

Publicity Tips—Traditional PR Fading Fast

October 7th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #526 Oct. 5, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)
http://www.MysocialMediaSolution.com/blog

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Traditional PR Fading Fast

2. 50+ Places to Promote Events

3. Twitter’s New Look

4. Seven Things Rich Authors Know

5. Carve a Pumpkin & Get on TV

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Traditional PR Fading Fast
=====================================

If the increasing use of social media keeps building, social
media will overtake traditional media as a PR tool within two
years.

That’s one of the findings of a recent survey by
StevensGouldPincus, merger and management consultants to the
communications industry.

Currently, the total percentage of work devoted by communications
consulting firms to social media as opposed to traditional media
is 30 percent overall. Next year, the percentage will increase to
an average of 42 percent, with firms over $3 million in revenue
increasing to 46 percent.

“If this trend persists,” said managing partner Art Stevens,
“within the next two years, social media will replace traditional
media as PR/PA?s primary tool for reaching client audiences with
news and information. When you consider that traditional media
have been the bedrock of professional PR/PA practice for more
than 100 years, the implications are profound.”

You can read more about the survey and request a copy at
http://www.gspm.org/820_Social-Media-Will-Overtake-Traditional-
Media-as-PR-Tool-in-Next-Two-Years

Do you agree with the findings?

Tell me in my own quick survey that will take you less than a
minute to complete at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5KQTX52 and,
if you wish, comment. I’ll report on the findings next week.

======================================
2. 50+ Places to Promote Your Events
======================================

When it’s time to promote a live or viral event, do you rely on
the same old websites to spread the word?

Posting on Craigslist, Facebook and LinkedIn is a no-brainer. But
if you aren’t doing much more than that, you could be missing the
smaller niche websites where you can target your ideal attendees
like a laser beam.

For example, did you know that more than 25,000 musicians have
used the free account at http://www.ArtistData.com to promote
more than 4.9 million shows, events and other news across
MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and other websites that reach their
niche audiences? You can submit information about a gig and it
will automatically post your music-related calendar listing to
more than 25 sites. That’s a lot of eyeballs reading about you.

But that’s just for musicians. Major websites and niche sites
abound for businesses, tourist attractions, authors, speakers,
experts, nonprofits, sports events and more.

Join me from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Oct. 19, for
the webinar “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live & Virtual
Events to Reach Your Target Market and Pull Sell-out Crowds.” The
first 20 people who sign up get my handy checklist of all the
sites I mention during the webinar, plus a long list of offline
places to promote events.

=====================================
3. Twitter’s New Look
=====================================

If you’ve heard a lot of buzz about Twitter’s new look, and
you’re confused about what’s new, or if the new changes haven’t
taken effect yet on your profile, watch this helpful video. It’s
the best one I found that explains the new changes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9xh_N_pzNE

If you’re still stumped about how to profit from Twitter and
really build a following, stop tweeting a series of free
commercials. Instead, you should be promoting your expertise by
sharing helpful advice and promoting others. Warren Whitlock
explains how he does it in the two-part teleseminar recording
“How to Use Twitter to Amass an Army of Followers, Customers &
Valuable Contacts–and Promote,” available as CDs, MP3s and
electronic transcripts.

======================================
4. Seven Things Rich Authors Know
======================================

Last week, I talked my cousin out of her hair-brained idea of
publishing a book of poetry.

She has $10,000, her life’s savings, to spend producing and
publicizing it.

If my cousin followed through on her plan, she’d be a dirt-poor
author. First, most poetry books are duds. Second, she isn’t
interested in producing any spin-off products or services from
the book.

Unfortunately, authors who publish really impressive books with
compelling content have the same attitude. They, too, belong in
the dirt-poor category.

Don’t end up with them.

Join Steve Harrison for a free teleseminar on Thursday, Oct. 7,
when he shows you “How to Achieve A Lot More Success As An Author
By Discovering The Seven Things Rich Authors Know That Poor
Authors Don’t.” Sign up for slots at 2 or 7 p.m. Eastern. Even
though the call is free, I promote it as a compensated affiliate
because I know too many authors whose dreams of selling their own
book are deflated by the cold, hard reality of the cut-throat
publishing business.

======================================
5. Carve a Pumpkin & Get on TV
======================================

If you want to make it onto the local TV news, here’s an idea for
companies and nonprofits everywhere.

Host a pumpkin-carving contest and ask your employees to
participate. Nothing new about that idea, but here’s the kicker
that just might bring the TV cameras to your doorstep.

Tell the TV station that someone from your company will carve the
TV station’s call letters into a pumpkin, so they can show it as
part of the news clip. You can also ask if someone at the station
will choose a winner during the actual competition, when
employees can carve whatever they wish into their pumpkins.

This is a schmaltzy idea, but TV producer Shawne Duperon says it
works and, right now, the timing is perfect. Shawne was my guest
during the teleseminar on “How to Get onto the Local TV News
Tomorrow,” available as a CD or electronic transcript. Read more
about the other smart, sneaky and clever ways to find your way
onto your local TV news at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/getinthenews.htm

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

“I like driving around with my two dogs, especially on the
freeways. I make them wear little hats so I can use the car-pool
lanes.”

–Monica Piper

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

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

Http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/

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

Great fodder for retweeting:

How to work with a PR firm: 15 do’s and 8 don’ts
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7109

Free, colorful data charts for your website, blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7097

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Publicity Tips—Please Rob Me

February 25th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

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.

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Social Media Rx

January 27th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Pitch Comics Artists

January 19th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

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.

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Undo the New Facebook Change

November 3rd, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #476 Nov. 3, 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. Undo the New Facebook Change

2. Linking from Press Releases

3. Trunk or Treat & Thanksgiving

4. How an Artist Can Defend a Lawsuit

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

====================================
1. Undo the New Facebook Change
====================================

Facebook users are still howling about recent changes to the
homepage. If you’re one of them, there’s a quick fix to change it
back to the way it used to be.

Ten days ago, with no warning, Facebook eliminated with the
Twitter-like feed of every real-time status update. Now, instead
of displaying everything from all your friends, Facebook uses a
secret algorithm to display only the posts and status updates
that are generating a lot of comments and responses. So you never
know what you’re missing.

If you hate the change, here’s a three-step process to revert
back to the old feed:

–Log into Facebook. On your homepage, on the top of the left
column, you’ll see “News Feed.” Go to the bottom of that column
and click on “More.”

–Find the “Status Updates.” Click and drag it to the very top of
that column.

–Click “Status Updates” to load that view. Now, Facebook will
deliver your feeds just like it did before.

The News Feed option is still on the left. If you click on it,
you’ll see the new view. And if you decide later that reading
your Facebook feed is like drinking from a firehose, you can
always revert back to the smaller feed.

Whatever you choose, make sure you’re getting the most return on
investment for all the time you spend at this site. See “11 Ways
to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://budurl.com/uqp3

========================================
2. Linking from Press Releases
========================================

Follow these three important rules when you’re linking to your
website or blog from a press release:

–Link to the exact page that dovetails with the “call to action”
within your release. If you want people to buy a specific
product, for example, send them to that product page. Too many
press release writers simply send readers to the homepage, where
they’re left searching for what you’re writing about. Confused
readers bail out.

–Write the entire URL with the “http://…., preferably near the
end of the boilerplate or “about us” section. If somebody finds
your release online and cuts and pastes the content into their
own blog or website but they forget to link your anchor text,
readers won’t be able to find your website.

–Use anchor text that includes one of your keyword phrases and
turn it into a link. How many? About one for every 100 words in
your press release.

Transcripts and audio from my Oct. 21 teleseminar on “How to Use
Keywords, the ‘Magic Magnets’ That Pull Journalists and Consumers
to Your Press Releases” have been delivered to everyone who
ordered them. The illustrated handouts include a simple six-point
checklist for anyone doing keyword research, the two best keyword
research tools, links to three videos that show you how to do
keyword research, the three best free press release distribution
services, and a sample press release that’s been optimized for
the search engines.

Grab ‘em now at http://budurl.com/pressreleasekeywords

========================================
3. Trunk or Treat & Thanksgiving
========================================

Get a head start pitching stories for Thanksgiving this month,
and for Halloween next year.

These ideas are courtesy of publicist Michelle Tennant of Wasabi
Publicity, whose “blogger butt” I wrote about last week. They’re
almost guaranteed to bring the TV cameras to your school or
company.

Just before Halloween, host a “trunk or treat” event in your
parking lot for parents and kids. Everyone dresses up. Parents
open the trunks of their cars, decorate the insides with a
Halloween theme, and give treats to the kids who make their way
from car to car.

For Thanksgiving this year, Michelle suggests you round up a
bunch of kids, dress them as Pilgrims, and give them a big basket
of fresh vegetables and a box of toothpicks. Let them make
“Pilgrim people” out of the veggies, and ask them to explain why
the Pilgrim people are thankful.

TV stations that are scrounging for ideas during Thanksgiving
week will love this one–great for schools, chambers of commerce,
brick-and-mortar businesses, churches, libraries, day care
centers and even home schoolers.

You’ll find 22 ideas for October, 23 more for November and 10
more for December on the handouts that accompany the CD, “103
Sizzling Story Ideas from July through December.” These ideas are
yours to steal. Read more about them at http://budurl.com/guu5

=======================================
4. How an Artist Can Defend a Lawsuit
=======================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for John T. Unger of
Mancelona, MI, whose fire bowls, original art which he’s been
making since 2005, have been copied by a manufacturer. He wanted
ideas on how can he use traditional and social media to raise
awareness and money for his legal costs.
From Cheryl Pickett:

“Establish a Facebook fan page with full explanation and invite
people to follow what’s going on. Those kinds of things seem to
get passed around pretty regularly. Keep everyone informed on the
blog as to what’s going on and also invite them to the other
things you do as well.”
From Bonnie Boots:

“John should email The Crafts Report, which covers business for
the professional crafter. Their contact page is here:
http://www.craftsreport.com/contact-us.html

“He should also contact the American Craft Council at
http://www.craftcouncil.org/ Click on “The Council” at the bottom
and then “Staff” on the left. You’ll find the email addresses for
the senior editor, managing editor and assistant editor. Email
one of them (I’d try the assistant editor first) and ask them to
suggest the names of any writers they know that might be
interested in this story.”
From Brisbane, Australia:

“Stories like this are just asking to be linked to and tweeted
about. I think you will be far more successful promoting the
injustice rather than an actual fund raising event. Also, try
contacting the stores selling their products. I’m sure they would
much rather be selling your legitimate products.”
The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at http://budurl.com/firebowl You have one week left to submit
your own idea in the comments section at my blog. The Hound who
submits the best entry wins a beautiful shovel mask, valued at
$59. The winner will be announced here next week.

Email your own Help this Hound question to
mailto:Jstewart@PublicityHound.com
and include your city, state and province.

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

Cheryl Muskus of Oak Creek, WI, writes:

“I’m the owner of The CarmelRose, a floral shop, and I’m looking
for ways to generate publicity in a very competitive market.

“Even though our industry is hurt to a large extent when
obituaries state ‘in lieu of flowers, the family suggests
donations to…,’ we’re trying to form relationships with local
funeral homes so they can refer us to families that are buying
flowers for the funeral. I’d also like to target the local
corporate market, because revenues from local businesses that
need floral arrangements can be significant.

“What ideas do your Hounds have for events I can sponsor at the
shop or elsewhere, story ideas I can pitch to the local media,
press releases I can write, photos I can offer the local media,
opportunities for getting onto local TV, and joint venture
partnerships I can form with other businesses?

“Also, suggestions for using social media would be appreciated.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Local businesses like yours, Cheryl, can benefit just as much
from online publicity as bigger companies, so you’re smart to
work that into the mix. Let’s see what ideas my Hounds can offer
at my blog at http://budurl.com/dcye

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

It’s NBA season, so here’s a cute video of a dog joining the
competition. I may have already shown you this, but it’s worth a
second look:

http://www.funnydogsite.com/videos/basketball.htm

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…
==================================

Learn how to pronounce names of radio/TV broadcasters,
journalists
http://budurl.com/l358

————————————

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

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

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

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI. 53074
USA

Publicity Tips—Lazy Way to Create Fun Video

May 12th, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #450 May 12, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)

Circulation: 40,609

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Lazy Way to Create Fun Video

2. 7 Deadly SEO Mistakes

3. ‘World’s Best Job’ PR Stunt

4. Dump That Default Avatar

5. How to Reach Doctors, Attorneys

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

=====================================
1. Lazy Way to Create Fun Video
=====================================

Producing video has never been my idea of fun.

I have almost no technical abilities. I sometimes find video so
confusing that it eats up hours of precious time.

Talking head videos require me to fix my hair, wear make-up, put
on something that looks half decent, and clean my office.

During post-production, I hate tinkering with a video’s
resolution, frame rates and bit rates so it looks crisp.

If you’re like me, you’ll fall in love with Animoto, a
subscription service that lets you create TV-quality videos from
photos you’ve taken yourself, or from stock photos you’ve
purchased.

You can even add text. When you’re done, add a musical
accompaniment, or let Animoto choose one for you and–voila!–you
have a really cool video you can use in a publicity campaign and
share on the social media sites.

I created a two-and-a-half-minute video yesterday in less than
an hour, from start to finish, to promote my local garden club’s
plant sale. You can learn more about Animoto and see the video at
my blog at http://budurl.com/p3hs

Here are six ways Publicity Hounds can use Animoto videos:

–Authors, promote a new book.

–Speakers, create a video showing you at various presentations–
and the audience applauding and laughing.

–Nonprofits, appeal for volunteers or donations. And visit my
blog to learn how you can apply for a complimentary account.

–Artists ,you can create a video showing your artwork in various
stages of completion, or show a collage of different works.

–PR people, publicists and virtual assistants, add this to your
line-up of services. Your clients will think you belong in
Hollywood.

–Business owners, create a video demonstrating how to use your
products or services.

Share your Animoto video links with other Hounds in the comments
section at http://budurl.com/p3hs

=================================
2. 7 Deadly SEO Mistakes
=================================

If bringing more traffic to your website isn’t very important,
skip this item.

Stompernet, the Internet marketing membership association, has
identified seven deadly mistakes that people are making when
optimizing their web pages for the search engines.

Here’s Mistake #1: Badly written page titles.

On Windows, the page title is on the blue bar at the top of the
screen. I see this mistake all the time, and it’s one of the
first things I mention when I do telephone consultations with
clients.

My nominations for the worst page titles:

–”Home”

–”Welcome to my website”

–The name of your company

–Your name

–Your tagline or motto

Missing from all of the above are keywords that people would type
into the search engines if they didn’t know you but were looking
for the kind of information, products or services you provide.

The fix is fairly simple, but only if you know what you’re doing.
Full instructions, including the maximum length of each page
title, is in the f*ree report “7 Deadly SEO Mistakes.”

I’m a StomperNet member and give them my enthusiastic “two paws
up” endorsement.

Claim your course here:
http://budurl.com/37uz

===================================
3. ‘World’s Best Job’ PR Stunt
===================================

If you’re in charge of promoting a destination right now, while a
worldwide recession is putting travel plans on hold, there’s
nothing like a PR stunt to catch people’s attention.

Tourism Queensland, in charge of promoting Australia, dreamed up
the “World’s Best Job” contest in which people competed for the
job of caretaker of picture-perfect Hamilton Island, on
Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.

The winner, 34-year-old Ben Southall, a charity fundraiser from
Petersfield, Hampshire, must live alone on the island for six
months and then report back to the world via blogs, a photo
diary, video updates and interviews.

More than 34,000 people applied for the job that pays $150,000
and comes with a three-bedroom beach home, a swimming pool and
golf cart.

The job description requires the winner “to explore the islands
of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel, make friends with the
locals and generally enjoy the tropical Queensland climate and
lifestyle.”

Thanks to Publicity Hound Gary Knowles of Madison, Wis. for
sharing this one.

This promotion was all over the social media sites, a reminder
that if you’re not including these sites in your publicity
campaigns, you’re missing reaching millions of people.

“How to do Social Networking, Run a Business & Still Have a Life”
explains how to get started, how to save time, sites where you
must have a presence, and tips for letting people know, like and
trust you BEFORE you promote. Learn more at
http://budurl.com/g6j6

========================================
4. Dump That Default Avatar
========================================

I mentioned this a few weeks ago but it’s worth repeating,
because many of you are making this mistake.

No reputable Publicity Hound would even THINK of commenting at a
blog or participating in social media without creating a
universal avatar that automatically displays their photo as they
go from site to site.

Create your own at http://www.Gravatar.com by first signing up
for an account. You can upload your smiling photo, which is far
better than those cartoon-character-like icons, or your company
logo, or a dumb photo of a landscape.

At my blog at http://www.PublicityHound.net, a small percentage
of people who comment have gravatars. Those who don’t have them
end up with my default avatar next to their comment. It looks
like a gray pawn on a chess board. What a missed opportunity to
display your smiling face in front of thousands of people!

After you’ve created your avatar, make sure your profile is as
good as it can be. Almost every profile I read can be improved.
Social networking expert Nancy Marmolejo explained what the ideal
profiles include, during the teleseminar I recorded with her,
with step-by-step instructions on how to dress up yours. It’s
called “Can Your Social Networking Profile Pass the 10-Second
Test?” and you can read more about it at http://budurl.com/ru5e

=====================================
5. How to Reach Doctors, Attorneys
=====================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for Karen Carnabucci
of Racine, Wis. who’s looking for ideas on how to draw
professionals, like doctors and attorneys, to her training
programs, individual consultations and in-service programs
dealing with psychodrama. She has a blog at
http://midwestpsychodrama.blogspot.com.

From Marilynn O’Leary:

“It’s important that you tie your offering to an outcome that is
on their mind. Lead with a tangible result and compel them to
take some action such as joining your list. And then, educate
them on your work.”

From Gail Sideman:

“I would create a separate blog/blogs that speaks directly to
these two audiences (physicians and attorneys). Share thoughts
and tips in posts and, at the end of those, post links to
information about your training programs.”

From Sophie Wajsman:

“Why not contact organisors responsible for finding guest
speakers at major conferences for doctors or lawyers? You might
offer to perform a small role play based on a real life topical
situation (you could easily find something appropriate through
your local or national media).”

The Publicity Hound says:

Using a social networking directory like Ning, at
http://Ning.com, look for niche social networking sites for
doctors and attorneys. I did a search for doctors and found 282
social networking sites for docs! Not all will fit your target
audience, but this is a good place to start. Hand-pick a half
dozen of the best sites and spend some time at the discussion
boards.

Read all the answers to this “Help This Hound” question
http://tinyurl.com/d2fndd

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

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

Karren Jeske, APR of Milwaukee, Wis. writes:

“My friend is an emerging fine artist in the Washington, D.C.
area.

“He was recently featured in Elan magazine, a publication that
showcases talented North Virginia artists. The magazine included
a photograph of one of his paintings on the magazine cover and
included photos of six more inside.

“What are some creative ways that my friend could leverage this
fantastic publicity? He has a few solo shows coming up in the
next few months.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I have three ideas.

–As I explained in item Number One above, Animoto lets you
create videos from your pictures and images and puts them to
music. It’s a fast, easy way for artists to create videos from
their artwork. People can’t steal the images. Ask the magazine
for permission to include the cover within the video. Then create
a video and upload it to the video-sharing sites with relevant
tags. Learn more about Animoto at http://budurl.com/zlye

–Tell your friend to follow Publicity Hound Alyson Stanfield, an
art marketing coach, at http://www.artbizcoach.com/

–The 2009 smARTist Telesummit, hosted by art marketing expert
Arianne Goodwin, is now available as a product. Alyson and I
presented separate sessions, and we were joined by an amazing
line-up of art experts who gave hundreds of tips on how to turn
an art hobby into a career. You can read more about it at
http://budurl.com/ew6c

Hounds with other great ideas can post them to my blog at
http://budurl.com/5mx4

================================
7. Hound Quote of the Week
================================

A groaner, but kind of cute:

What do you get when you cross a chili pepper, a steam shovel and
a chihuahua?

Hot diggity dog!

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

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

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

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

Promote anything by creating quick videos with Animoto
http://budurl.com/p3hs

————————————

Where to See & Hear The Publicity Hound:

Follow me on Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

Friend me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joan_Stewart/541605146

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound® website 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®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity Tips – When Oprah Calls on Sunday

January 27th, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #435 Jan. 27, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 43,505

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me that you want to subscribe. If you didn’t subscribe, you
can unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of the
newsletter.

Please forward this ezine to anyone you know who needs free
publicity to establish their credibility, enhance their
reputation, position themselves as employers of choice, sell more
products and services, or promote a favorite cause or issue.

******************************************

New Teleseminar:

Can Your Social Networking Profile Pass the 10-Second Test?

Next time you’re surfing around Facebook or LinkedIn, pay
attention to how much time you spend on other people’s profiles
before you click away.

Then, be honest. How boring is your own? Online decisions are
made with clicks, and if your profile isn’t creating clicks TO
you instead of clicks AWAY from you, then chances are you have a
social networking profile that spells B-O-R-I-N-G.

Join Nancy Marmolejo and me for a paid teleseminar on Wednesday,
Feb. 11, when we ask the question “Can Your Social Networking
Profile Pass the 10-Second Test?”

Read about what you’ll learn, register for the session, and tell
us why Nancy should remake YOUR profile during the call. All the
details are at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/blvdby

*****************************************

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

1. When Oprah Calls on Sunday

2. 5 Big Blogging Boo-boos

3. Pitch Spring Gifts Now

4. I Don’t Want You to Disappear

5. Promoting Abstract Art

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

===================================
1. When Oprah Calls on Sunday
===================================

So there you are on a Sunday afternoon, watching TV with the
kids.

The phone rings. It’s one of Oprah’s producers, following up on a
pitch you sent several months ago.

Panic time! You can’t remember the details. You can’t even
remember the pitch!

That’s what happens when you send a story idea to Oprah or one of
the big TV talk shows and mistakenly assume that if they don’t
bite within a month or two, they’re not interested.

Big mistake.

Oprah’s producers work insane hours, including Sunday afternoons.
That’s why you must be ready at a moment’s notice to discuss your
story succinctly and with passion, even when the kids are
screaming and the dog is barking in the background.

But before you receive that phone call, your pitch has to catch
the producer’s attention. It’s one of the most difficult feats to
accomplish because it must be compelling enough to pique their
curiosity, but not so long that it’s rambling.

Michele Anton, a former guest booker for “Oprah,” has accepted
and rejected hundreds of pitches. She knows what works and what
doesn’t, and she’ll share her tips during a complimentary
teleseminar that my friend, Steve Harrison, is hosting on
Thursday, Jan. 29, at your choice of two times.

Michele will explain what NOT to send to producers, what NOT to
pitch to guest bookers, and mistakes you should never make, or
the decision-makers will blackball you forever.

Then, she’ll explain the three big secrets for doing it the right
way. You’ll also hear from other veteran TV producers and
surprise guests.

Then, read about my Number One tip for getting onto Oprah and the
other big TV talk shows. It’s at my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/ab9lkh

=======================================
2. 5 Big Blogging Boo-boos
=======================================

Working too hard on your blog and seeing little traffic, hardly
any comments and zero sales?

If so, Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka the Blog Squad, say
it might be because you’re making one of these five frequent
mistakes:

–You’re not blogging often enough, usually because you don’t
have time. Here’s my solution. Each week, I’m trying to reduce by
at least one hour the time I spend answering email (unproductive)
and using it instead to write on my blog.

–Your blog isn’t focused on a topic, or a series of related
topics. If your content is all over the landscape, you can’t get
the Google juice necessary to pull in traffic for specific
keywords.

–Your readers don’t know who you are because your name, or your
photo, or both, are missing from your blog. If they don’t know
who you are, how in the world can they eventually like and trust
you?

–There’s no way for your readers to subscribe to your blog
updates. Either you aren’t offering an RSS feed, or you’re not
letting readers subscribe to automatic email alerts each time you
post.

–You aren’t engaging your readers and making them part of the
conversation. Instead, you’re writing only about topics you like.
Offer quizzes, write about controversial topics and ask for their
opinions, find out what topics they what to read about, or
challenge them to do something that will improve their lives.
Keep them engaged, and they’ll keep coming back.

Those are only five little morsels from the dozens of tips The
Blog Squad shared during yesterday’s teleseminar on how to “Build
Your Biz with a Blog: It’s Not an Option Anymore!–How to Build a
Professional Blog that Turns Prospects into Clients.”

You can listen to the replay at
http://blogsquad.audioacrobat.com/download/bizblog_012609.mp3

Important Note: Wednesday night, Jan. 28, at midnight is the
deadline for The Blog Squad’s special offer for Publicity Hounds
who want to take 20 percent off the price of any of their three
levels of coaching. That means that if you want them to do
everything for you, including setting up your blog so you don’t
have to bother with all that techie stuff, you can save $400.

Go to http://www.theblogsquad.net/joan and at check-out, use the
code js20 so you don’t have to pay full price.

Grab it now, or kick yourself later.

========================================
3. Pitch Spring Gifts Now
========================================

With all the shake-ups in the newspaper, magazine, TV and radio
industries the last few months, you can’t afford to rely on
outdated reference materials.

If you sell a consumer product, including a book, that would make
a great gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation Day, a
prom, a wedding, or any other event taking place in April, May or
June, you must know about the Gift List. It’s a subscription
service that provides contact information and leads for more than
1,000 media outlets.

It profiles new product editors from a range of national
magazines, regional publications, news wires and syndicates,
national broadcast television, syndicated television, national
radio, and the top daily newspapers.

The Gift List interviews them and profiles their interests from
fashion, beauty, tech, home, fitness and more. This is the time
to kick your spring publicity campaign into high gear because
deadlines are now for major national magazines.

Nobody produces a more extensive list of consumer product media
interests, submission guidelines, contact preferences, deadlines
and more.

Learn more about the service and take a test drive at
http://tinyurl.com/9es8y

=======================================
4. I Don’t Want You to Disappear
=======================================

I recently changed servers at the list management company that
distributes this newsletter, and I don’t want you to drop off my
list.

Please add galaxy.sparklist.com to your Friends list or Whitelist
and contact me immediately if you suddenly stop receiving the
newsletter so we can find out what went wrong.

You can find back issue you have missed in the archives at
http://www.publicityarticles.net/archive/

Thanks for your loyalty, Hounds, and for your great ideas,
publicity success stories and other content for this newsletter.

Making sure readers continue receiving your newsletters is a
major problem, but the rewards are worth it. You will increase
your chances of generating publicity if you have both a blog and
an ezine, and cross-promote from each.

I interviewed online marketing expert Don Crowther, who is a
stickler for testing, on all the ways to cross-promote. He
explained the results of his tests during our teleseminar on “How
to Use a Blog and an Ezine Together to Grow Your Business.” It’s
available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Read more about what you’ll learn at http://tinyurl.com/79383q

Coming soon: My survey, asking you about what you want to read
here, how I can serve you better, and what products and services
you need that I don’t offer. And you’ll love the way I’ll say
“thanks” to everyone who completes it.

==========================================
5. Promoting Abstract Art
==========================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Beth Stafford of
Concord, N.C., an abstract artist who is looking for a few quick,
simple ways to promote her website at
http://www.bethstafford.com/ and her blog at
http://www.airedale-art.blogspot.com/

From Michele Bailey-Lessirard:

“Your art and website are beautiful. My first reaction is why not
blog more. The last post was back in October. It’s about UFOs
which was very interesting and leaves me wanting to know more
about you–and then there is nothing…Join Facebook. Start
twittering in your dog Cassie’s voice, from Cassie’s perspective.
Play up the PiCassieO angle. It’s original and fun.”

From Shelli Johannes-Wells:

“Market to dog organizations, hotels that allow dogs, pet stores,
veterinarians, etc…”

From The Publicity Hound:

Dive into social networking right now, or leave a lot of money on
the table. Here are three of my best tips:

–Create a profile on Facebook and build one or more fan pages.
This is the place to display and promote your artwork. Fans do
not have to be followers. That’s why these pages are so valuable.

–Also, start uploading photos of your artwork to Flickr, the
photo-sharing site.

–Create videos, or an entire series of short videos (about 2
min, 30 seconds each) of you, dog Cassie and your artwork, and
upload to YouTube and the other video-sharing sites. These will
bring tons of traffic to your website.

If you’re new to social networking, find a teen-ager to walk you
through how to do all of the above. For many more tips, check out
“How Artists Can Sell More Artwork through Online & Offline
Publicity,” a recording of a teleseminar I did with art marketing
expert Ariane Goodwin, at http://tinyurl.com/yvewm8

Read all the responses to this week’s Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/7jqucq

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

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

Michele Lessirard of Vero Beach, Fla. writes:

“I have been blogging for more than seven years at New Moon
Journal http://www.newmoonjournal.com and my blog
http://newmoonjournal.blogs.com

“Now, there’s a high-profile Harry Potter-type author named
Stephanie Myer who’s written a series of vampire novels. One
best-seller is New Moon. Of course, I am competing now for search
engine optimization with her New Moon book and soon-to-be movie.
The New Moon Journal is an astrology blog dedicated to creativity
and personal growth using the lunar cycles for power, healing and
problem solving.

“How can I use this name recognition and ride on the coattails of
her book. Is it possible?”

The Publicity Hound says:

It sure is. The many authors, publishers and book publicity
experts who read this newsletter can post their best ideas to my
blog at http://tinyurl.com/dnju3x

Here’s my idea. Go over to Amazon.com and review Stephanie’s
books, which will let you link back to your blogs. You can also
create “best of” lists dealing with your topic and all kinds of
other content to attract the attention of her readers.

Randy Gilbert and Don Mitchell are all over that website and pull
in tons of traffic to their own sites as a result. They were my
guests during a teleseminar on “How to Make Amazon a River of
Gold (for Authors, Speakers & Experts).”

It’s available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Read more about how to piggyback onto the popularity of other
best-selling authors or products at http://tinyurl.com/7u76e

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

Thanks to Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio for this one, which
I ran by the censorship police. They said go for it.

Yesterday I was buying a two large bags of Purina Dog Chow at
Wal-Mart for my dogs Dexter, Gypsy, Sky, & Blade. I was about to
check out when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. (What did
she think, that I had an elephant?)

Since I had little else to do, on impulse I told her that no, I
didn’t have a dog, and that I was starting the Purina eating plan
again, although I probably shouldn’t because I ended up in the
hospital last time. On the bright side, though, I’d shaved off 50
p~ounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes
coming out of every hole in my body and IVs in both arms.

I told her that the way it works is to load your pockets with
Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel
hungry, and that the food is nutritionally complete so I was
going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically
everyone in the line was enthralled with my story by now.)

Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the
dog food had poisoned me. I told her no–a car hit me after I had
stopped in the middle of the parking lot to lick my butt.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack, he
was laughing so hard! Wal-Mart won’t let me shop there anymore.

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…
===================================

Show both sides of your life at social networking sites
http://tinyurl.com/cygctz

Here’s another keyword density tool for press releases
http://tinyurl.com/ca7haw

My #1 tip for getting onto ‘Oprah’ and other big TV shows
http://tinyurl.com/ab9lkh

Can your social networking profile pass the 10-second test?
http://tinyurl.com/blvdby

————————————–

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:

Monday, Jan. 26–Teleseminar Replay

During yesterday’s “Boost Your Biz with a Blog” teleseminar,
Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka The Blog Squad,
explained how to draw more traffic and boost more sales from a
blog. Listen to the replay at
http://blogsquad.audioacrobat.com/download/bizblog_012609.mp3

March 6-8–Atlanta, Ga.

I’ll be at the Stompernet’s Live7 event. If you’re going, let’s
meet for coffee.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT:

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound® website 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®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

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