The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #597 March 7, 2012
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. Interest in Pinterest Skyrockets

2. Is This Pitch Too Creepy?

3. Don’t Make These Website Mistakes

4. Authors: Why Persistence Pays

5. Grab My CDs for 80 Percent Off

6. Hound Photo of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Interest in Pinterest Skyrockets
=====================================

It’s been around for two years. But in the last few months,
interest in Pinterest, the social media site that lets you “pin”
images onto a virtual corkboard, is off the charts.

Before you start groaning because it’s one more program to learn,
check out these stats:

–From December 2011 to January 2012, unique visitors to
Pinterest.com increased by 155 percent.

–More than one in four users earns more than $100,000 a year.

–The site registered more than 7 million unique visitors in
December, up from 1.6 million in September.

–It’s pulling more traffic to company websites and blogs than
YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn combined, according to one study.

–Research shows that many people are spending more time
“pinning” than they are connecting with their friends on the
almighty Facebook.

Why do Publicity Hounds need to know about Pinterest?

–By putting the “Pin It” button on your pages, all of your pins
will include a link back to the source, such as your website or
blog, a great way to revive interest in old content.

–You can connect Pinterest to your Twitter and Facebook
accounts, which means you don’t initially need a huge number of
followers on Pinterest to start picking up steam.

–You can create boards around topics that tie into your products
and services, being careful not to overtly promote.

–Users admit that Pinterest is absolutely addictive. That’s
because, unlike other social media sites, it’s filled with
millions of colorful, captivating photos and a clean design that
pulls you in.

–I’ve seen far more excitement and chatter about Pinterest than
I have for Google+, which suddenly seems like a dinosaur.

And I’ve received many questions, including “How do I get an
invitation for Pinterest?” As a result, I’m hosting a 90-minute
webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 15. It’s
called, “How to Use Pinterest to Generate Clicks, Traffic, Links,
Leads and Sales,” and is for beginners as well as pinners who
have been on the site for a while.

Register here even if the time is inconvenient because I’ll be
recording it and making the downloads available:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pinterest.htm

For an invitation to join Pinterest, go to http://pinterest.com/
and click on the red button “Request an Invite.”

If you’ve done something really cool on Pinterest that ties into
your business or hobby, hit “Reply” and let me know. I might
feature your board in my webinar.

===================================
2. Is this Pitch Too Creepy?
===================================

A friend says she thinks this is “somewhat creepy but smart.”

It definitely isn’t for everybody. But I guarantee it will get
attention.

Mention the name of a blogger’s or journalist’s dog, cat or kid
in your pitch–with care.

I walk you step-by-step through the entire process of how I did
this in less than 60 seconds.

Are you brave enough to pull this off? The Comments section
awaits at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10510

======================================
3. Don’t Make These Website Mistakes
======================================

Nothing frustrates visitors to your website more than searching
for something to buy, credit card in hand, and not being able to
find your phone number when they have a question about shipping
or another topic.

That’s my Number One pet peeve. I created this little video in
which I explain two more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxOHt97boGs

======================================
4. Authors: Why Persistence Pays
======================================

If you wrote a book that you wanted picked up by a publisher, how
many times would you be willing to hear the word “no” before you
gave up?

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen heard it 144 times before a
small publisher agreed to pick up their first “Chicken Soup for
the Soul” book. Since then, more than 500 million copies have
been printed.

What kept them moving forward?

Two mindsets that they had kept them going. Canfield will explain
what they are when Steve Harrison interviews him during a 90-
minute webinar at your choice of two times on Thursday, March 8.

You’ll also learn how to get started as a public speaker and what
to do if you need to make money within 30 to 60 days. Even though
the webinar is free, I promote it as an affiliate because too
many authors give up too quickly. Register at
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/JackQL15/A10011/

=====================================
5. Grab My CDs for 80 Percent Off
=====================================

I’m eliminating most CDs from my inventory very soon, and
scrapping some old titles altogether.

This means unheard of discounts for Publicity Hounds who love
sniffing out bargains.

The discount is good only for titles on this list and only if you
use the coupon code CLOSEOUT80 when you check out.

http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/inventorycloseout.htm

====================================
6. Hound Photo of the Week
====================================

This photo of a Flying Maltese is courtesy of Jenny XOXO on
Pinterest, where you’ll find more cute dog photos on the left.
Warning: This site is addictive. (See Item #1 above.)

http://pinterest.com/pin/206110120415904307/

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…
======================================

Great content for retweeting:

Publicists: Can I buy you coffee in San Francisco?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10616

Find the name of a blogger’s dog, cat, kid in 60 seconds
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10510

Authors: If publishers reject your
book title, don’t give up
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10589

Dog Tweets: 50 Ways to Get More People to Like Your Facebook Page
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10570

——————————————

Read my publicity tips on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #595 Feb. 21, 2012
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. Barking Up the Front Page

2. How Freelancers Can Help You

3. Publicity Tips for Local Events

4. Create Event Videos from Photos

5. Red-hot Pinterest

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Barking Up the Front Page
=====================================

Michelle Tennant knows how much the media loathe press
conferences.

She heard me preach that repeatedly when she was in my mentor
program many years ago.

Today, she’s a successful publicist who has landed many of her
clients in top-tier media like the New York Times, the Wall
Street Journal and on “Good Morning, America.”

But she was especially tickled when her local newspaper, the
Hendersonville Times, featured a front-page story on Saturday
about the Blue Ridge Husky Rescue, an organization that saves
Huskies that are abandoned by their owners and often turn up in
animal shelters.

The Husky Rescue is close to Michelle’s heart. So are Huskies.
When she heard the group needed publicity, she steered them away
from a press conference to a media event.

Right there on the front page was a photo of Michelle on
rollerblades, being pulled around Jackson Park on a leash by
Smokey, a three-year-old Siberian Husky that found a new home
through the rescue group.

“Do you know how rrrrrough it is to score front page ink? [Dog
whine.] Rrrrrough,” wrote Michelle at her blog at
http://michelletennant.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/barking-up-the-
front-page/.

Remember that the next time you’re tempted to stage a boring
press conference.

Interested in joining my mentor program? Yesterday, I taught
people in the program how to use two helpful, easy-to-remember
formulas (not mine, somebody else’s) when writing press releases
and pitches. They work almost every time. If you want to join us,
read more about the program at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mentorprogram/intro.html or call me
at 262-284-7451 and let’s see if we’re a good fit.

=================================
2. How Freelancers Can Help You
=================================

Here are four reasons why freelance journalists can sometimes be
more valuable to your publicity campaign than journalists who
work full-time for one media outlet:

–Because they write for multiple outlets, they can interview you
multiple times for different stories they’re selling.

–You don’t have to pitch busy reporters or grumpy editors. They
do.

–Freelance journalists often blog. That means one more place
where they might give you publicity and a backlink to your
website.

–Freelancers know each other and attend the same conferences. If
they know you’re a good source, but they don’t need what you’re
offering, they might share your contact information with a
colleague who does.

If you have a media database, there’s certain information about
freelancers that should be included within it. That’s why I have
a separate template for freelancers. I shared it–along with
seven other templates for newspapers, magazines, TV shows, radio
shows, bloggers, newsletters and websites–when I hosted the
webinar “How to Create Your Own Database of Valuable Media
Contacts” on Thursday. It’s available as a PDF or Word document
so you can just cut and paste the information into your own
database.

If you missed the webinar, you can order the video replay and
access all the other materials here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/mediadatabase.htm

======================================
3. Publicity Tips for Local Events
======================================

The next time you do publicity for a local event, remember my 11
handy tips.

I’ve been compiling them since I volunteered to do publicity for
my garden club’s annual gardening seminar, which was held on
Saturday.

We got mountains of publicity, but I also made a few boo-boos. I
mistakenly assumed that the gardening newsletters in Wisconsin
had short lead times for calendar items. Was I wrong! One of them
works three months ahead, and I missed the deadline.

I was also disappointed to learn that the photos I took on
Saturday had no crowd shots.

On the plus side, a big feature story with several photos
appeared in our local weekly, and fliers distributed at the local
tech college resulted in seven attendees from that school.

Read all my tips at my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10437

======================================
4. Create Event Videos from Photos
======================================

Here’s a fun way to create a post-event video and use it for PR
if you’re only shooting photos at your event.

Create an account at Animoto, a website that will let you gather
a collection of your best photos, type some text, arrange them
like you’d arrange letters on your wooden Scrabble letter holder,
choose your music, and–voila!–produce it. That’s what I did
after my garden club hosted our annual garden seminar on
Saturday.

We didn’t shoot video. But used the photos I took to create one.
It’s at our website at http://www.PortGardenClub.org

You can post your video on your website, and share it on the
social media sites and anywhere else you want to promote next
year’s event.

A free Animoto account will let you produce videos of no more
than 30 seconds. Paid accounts, for as little as $5 a month, let
you produce longer videos, but only for non-commercial use.

Go ahead. Play around with it and see how much fun it is (using
this affiliate link):

http://animoto.com/?ref=obcetdav

=====================================
5. Red-Hot Pinterest
=====================================

Users spend more time on Pinterest, the bulletin board social
media site, than they do on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+
combined, according to a new study.

After I wrote about Pinterest here last week, my email inbox has
been clogged with messages telling me that people, mostly women,
are following me there.

Read more about the study here:
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/usa-social-network-
use_b18798

Read the 10 reasons Pinterest booked 10 million visitors a month
so quickly:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/02/18/10-reasons-
pinterest-booked-10-million-visitors-a-month-so-fast/

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

Have you seen this one of the Dalmation riding a bike? OK, so the
bike has training wheels. But it’s still worth a look.

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

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…
======================================

Great content for tweeting:

11 local publicity tips: Start early, pitch often
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10437

Dog Tweets:
Follow these PR rules if
you want to raise some real capital
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10414

——————————————-

Read my publicity tips 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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #590 Jan. 17, 2012
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. Sick of Your Blog? Sell It

2. Know When Reporters Need You

3. Media Lead

4. Ideas for a Quirky Facebook Page

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Sick of Your Blog? Sell It
=====================================

Maybe you’re weary from grinding out content for your blog
several times a week.

Or maybe you’re just tired of your topic.

If you’ve gotten some decent traffic, the time might be right to
sell your blog.

Who’d buy it? One of your competitors, perhaps.

But before smart buyers will part with their money, they’ll want
to know things like how much traffic it gets, sources of revenue,
the number of incoming links, its ranking on Technorati and
Alexa, the number of posts or articles, the number of comments,
sponsors and advertisers, publicity the blog has received, how
often you post, and how many people write for it.

Selling your blog is one of 27 ways you can make money from it,
and I explained them all during a webinar I hosted on Saturday.
But you can’t make REAL money unless you have significant traffic
and revenue.

Beginners who are already providing solid content can use many of
the tips I shared. Others are for more advanced bloggers who have
built a brand and a solid reputation.

Actually, I came up with a list of 31 ways to make money from
your blog, so you get the last four as a little bonus. If you
missed the live webinar, you can access the video and audio
replays and the PowerPoint slides I used. (If you participated,
you should have received my email with the link to the download
page.)

Participants asked more questions on this webinar than any other
I’ve hosted. Learn more about how to monetize your blog and also
get the inside scoop on my new program called “Blog with the Dog”
at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-
products/marketingtapes/howtomonetizeyourblog.htm

PR People: Coaching your clients on how to make money from their
blogs is a fabulous value-added service you can provide.

=================================
2. Know When Reporters Need You
=================================

The absolute easiest time to get publicity is when a journalist
or producer has already decided they’re doing a story on your
subject and are actively seeking people like you to interview.

But they don’t have time to track down the perfect source. So
they submit a lead, or query, to Reporter Connection, a service
that forwards all the leads to you, for free.

If a lead is a perfect fit, you contact the journalist or
broadcaster on your own, make a short pitch explaining why you’re
a good source, and hope they call. I’ve been interviewed myself
after responding to several Reporter Connection leads.

But there’s no guarantee. Still, publicists and do-it-yourself PR
types would be crazy not to subscribe to this free service. If
you have an assistant, let her cull through all the leads for
you. If she finds one that’s perfect for you, you respond.

Their service is completely free, though they have other
publicity-related products and services you can buy (and I may
get a commission if you do).

Go here now to get their free daily media leads:
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/RC/A10011/

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

Here are two media leads I received from the same reporter.

A columnist who writes about relationships for a top-tier media
outlet (you or your PR clients will want to get into this one)
wants to develop relationships with people who do research on
psychology or relationships, particularly psychologists or
academics.

“One of my frustrations in my column is that I don’t often hear
about the research early,” the columnist says.

Respond by sending an email to aceb5@aol.com.

This same journalist is looking for sources for an article on
nagging. Does your spouse or significant other nag you? Or do you
nag your S.O.? She’s exploring the topic (with humor) and looking
for people who have personal stories about how nagging has driven
them nuts–or how they have solved the problem. If you and your
S.O. are willing to be interviewed–using your names–please
email her as soon as possible, with details and contact info, at
aceb5@aol.com.

What do you do when it’s time to pitch other journalists? You
follow a formula I created. As a newspaper editor, I accepted and
rejected thousands of story ideas spanning a 22-year career, and
this is the Number One most effective way to pitch. Read more
about “A Simple 5-Part Formula for Delivering the Perfect Media
Pitch & Hitting it Out of the Park” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitchingformula.htm

=====================================
4. Ideas for Quirky Facebook Page
=====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Diane Kline of
St. Louis, MO, co-author of QuirkOut! Crazy Things Women do to
Stay Sane, a blog and a weekly newspaper column in the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch. She is trying to increase her Facebook “likes” on
the page and wants to encourage women to post their QuirkOut!
moments there.

Publicity Hound Ileana Kane offered these ideas:

–Create a really cool contest for the “quirkiest” laugh-out-loud
QuirkOut! moment. To win the contest they have to “like” your
page.

–Have EVERY one you know twitter about the contest and send them
to your Facebook page.

–With all of the submissions, create a really cool “quirky” book
(or booklet) with some fun and delightful illustrations.

–Write a press release about your contest while educating them
on the new trend with women letting their “Quirkouts” out (it
must have a great psychological positive effect) and you will be
the TREND setters).

The Publicity Hound says:
Read all the responses at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10134

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

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

Chris Stephenson of Madrid, Spain, asks:

“I’d really like to use Flickr to host a competition. I’d ask
people to submit photos of a variety of airports, highways,
bridges and all types of buildings that the company I work for
has or is currently managing or constructing.

“Potentially, I could offer a prize of photo equipment to attract
interest. It’s unclear whether Flickr would perceive this as
commercial use because I don’t plan to sell anything, but rather,
generate community and interest in the company.

“I’m also looking for any other suggestions your Publicity Hounds
might offer on how to promote this.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I’m not familiar with Flickr’s Terms of Service, Chris, but I’ll
bet many Publicity Hounds are. Hounds, can you help clarify this?
Post your comment, and any other ideas for promotion, to my blog
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10230

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

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Ann Dekorsi of Glendale, WI, for this
video of a dog that looks spellbound while a little boy eats a
sandwich nearby. Then watch what happens.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dog-steals-sandwich-video.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/

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

Relationships columnist needs tips on psychology research
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10224

Dog Tweets: 10 content marketing tips for 2012
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10214

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #589 Jan. 10, 2012
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Make Your Blog Go “Ka-ching”

2. Host a Scavenger Hunt

3. No Corrections on Facebook

4. Do You Make This Typing Mistake?

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Quote of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Make Your Blog Go “Ka-Ching”
=====================================

Make this the year you finally start treating your blog like a
business and not a hobby.

That’s what 54-year-old Jim Hopkins is doing. The former reporter
and editor for USA Today has been blogging about Gannett Co. for
several years. His snarky blog at
http://gannettblog.blogspot.com/, which is not affiliated with
his former employer, keeps journalists informed of layoffs,
budget cuts, ethics issues, and other news at Gannett.

Hopkins, who is unemployed, also does what most other bloggers
would never do. He asks his incredibly loyal readers–mostly
journalists or former journalists—for donations. They pay by
cash, check or PayPal.

Want to contribute regularly? Use PayPal’s recurring payments
option, Hopkins reminds readers on the front page of his blog
where they see the big yellow “Donate” button.

Last year, he made about $5,000 in donations from readers and
$11,000 from Google Adsense ads. He also has turned his appeal
for donations into a fun game, with periodic posts whenever he
gets another check in the mail. The posts even include little
photos of $20, $50 and $100 dollar bills and headlines like “A
sudden embarrassment of riches” (when one donor gave him $225
within two days) and “In an envelope with no address: $60.”

Nonprofits, are you listening? Steal this idea and run with it!

I’m sharing 26 more ideas on how to monetize your blog at a
webinar I’m hosting this week. And I’m doing something I’ve never
done before. I’m holding it at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday
to gauge interest for weekend training sessions. If you can’t
attend, sign up anyway. You’ll get the video replay and other
goodies I’m offering as bonuses.

Read more about Hopkins’ blog at my own blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10130. Or go directly to the
Register here for registration page for Saturday’s session at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/howtomonetizeyourblog.htm

=====================================
2. Host a Scavenger Hunt
=====================================

Here’s a clever idea for pulling more fans to your Facebook page
or traffic to your website, courtesy of small business marketing
expert Janine Popick of VerticalResponse.

Host a scavenger hunt.

“Hide a badge on your blog or website and give your social media
audience hints for what they are trying to find. The first person
that sends you an email with a correct guess will be featured in
your next email newsletter. An even better idea would be to get
together with a few of your partners and each hide something on
your blog – the first person to get all of the items correct wins
a prize. This would help you get in front of a much larger
audience while still engaging your current one.”

She has four more ideas at http://ow.ly/8mNYQ

Like those?

Facebook expert Mari Smith has several dozen more, which she
shared in the webinar I hosted on “33 Ways to Attract Facebook
Fans, Provide Sterling Content & Keep Them Coming Back for More.”
Read more about how to access the handout and the video replay at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

======================================
3. No Corrections on Facebook
======================================

If you’re following a media outlet like a newspaper or magazine
on Facebook, and you see an error in the publication, don’t ask
for a correction on their Facebook page.

Send an email. Or better yet, call the reporter.

While looking at the Facebook page of a weekly newspaper in
Wisconsin this week, I saw a comment from someone who thought
that the reporter included incorrect information about someone in
a story. The man said a correction was needed and the reporter
should apologize to the source.

What happens if the reporter never sees the comment? Sometimes I
don’t see comments on my own Facebook page until days later.

Never rely on Facebook to communicate this important information.
And ALWAYS ask for corrections–not only so readers can see them
on the bottom of page 18, but also so the media outlet has a
permanent record of the error, and the correct information. I’ve
seen mistakes repeated two and three times because people didn’t
want to “bother” journalists or “make them mad” by asking for
corrections.

=====================================
4. Do You Make This Typing Mistake?
=====================================

This common typing mistake in email pitches, articles, blogs and
press releases sends the message “I’m out of it” and “I was born
in the Dark Ages.”

The mistake looks like this. Can you spot it? Look closer. See
it now?

At the end of a sentence, after the period, hit the space bar
only once, not twice, before typing the next sentence.

The double space rule went out with the typewriter. Read why at
http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/42683.aspx

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

Diane Kline of St. Louis, MO, writes:

“I am the co-author of QuirkOut! Crazy Things Women do to Stay
Sane. It’s a blog and weekly column, for women 20 through death,
in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper on Sundays—sort of a
Martha Stewart meets Tina Fey.

“We all have QuirkOut! moments. We just named them. They are
quirky behaviors that help women of all ages get through our busy
lives – such as taking three purses on an overnight trip or
keeping shoes in the oven when we run out of closet space.

“We’re trying to increase the number of Likes on our Facebook
page at http://www.Facebook.com/quirkout and encourage women to
submit their QuirkOut! moments to use on our blog. We
occasionally feature some of these items in our Post-Dispatch
column.

“We’re hoping your Publicity Hounds can offer some helpful tips
on how we can reach women by using both traditional and social
media.”

The Publicity Hound says:

You bet! Many of my Hounds already belong to active women’s
communities online and off. They’d love to share your column,
Facebook page and your call for QuirkOuts! OK, ladies, let’s see
who can come up with the best ideas for Diane. What have you done
at your own Facebook page to attract and engage readers? How have
you used traditional media? Post your answers to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10134

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

====================================
6. Hound Quote of the Week
=====================================

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

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…
======================================

Want (recurring) donations from blog readers? Just ask!
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10130

Top 10 creative writing blogs and more top tweets
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10105

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #587 Dec. 27, 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. No More Passwords

2. Best of 2011 Publicity Tips

3. Free Photos, Fast

4. Include Links on Twellow

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. No More Passwords
=====================================

What makes you different from everyone else–your voice, your eyes,
etc.–will be used to safeguard your identity online and you’ll
never need passwords again.

That’s one of five predictions that IBM made last week, to signal
innovations it sees in 2012. Its annual predictions have been
covered by top-tier media outlets like Forbes magazine, FOX News,
The Washington Post and The New York Times, in addition to dozens
of techie blogs.

It isn’t too late to compile your top five predictions for next
year, or even just one prediction, and write a press release. Or
pitch it to your favorite blogger. You can even offer to write a
guest blog post.

Your predictions don’t have to be serious. They can be humorous and
off the wall.

Predictions are just one of thousands of ideas I give you in my
ebook, “How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound.” This is the Number
One all-around resource to get you through 2012 if you need help
promoting in traditional media and social media.

Learn more about the book here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity/publicityhound.htm

=====================================
2. Best of 2011 Publicity Tips
=====================================

If you know a small business owner who’s struggling with promotion,
a PR pro who’s running out of story ideas for her clients, or a
nonprofit that needs to ramp up its publicity, let them know about
my free ebook, “The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week
of 2011.”

It’s filled with 24 of the best tips from this newsletter the past
year.

The tips are divided into four categories:

–Traditional media

–Social media

–Online publicity

–Building your business and nonprofit

Go ahead. Regift the book by sending your friends, followers and
clients here:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9935

======================================
3. Free Photos, Fast
======================================

Need photos for your website, blog, online press room or marketing
materials, but can’t afford the stock photo services?

Thousands of free photos await you on Flickr at
http://www.Flickr.com, under the Creative Commons license. Problem
is, it can be a real pain navigating that site to find them.

Instead, use Compfight.com, a search engine that uncovers
Creative-Common-tagged freebies in the Flickr archives. There’s
even a search box so you can find what you’re looking for quickly.

But don’t just use them without crediting the photographers. Pay
attention to the terms of use for each photo.

Thanks to CopyBlogger.com for this tip.

For more tips, see “How to Use Photos & Graphics in Your Publicity
Campaign” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicityphotos.htm

=====================================
4. Include Links on Twellow
=====================================

If you’re listed on Twellow, the giant Twitter yellow pages (and
you certainly should be), you can now display the links to your
other social networking profiles on your Twellow profile.

Log into Twellow and click on the “Settings” link. You can now
display links for Facebook, Delicious, Flickr, LinkedIn, and many
more. This is a great way for your friends and future Twitter
followers to see your social networking activity on the web.

Still not tweeting? It isn’t too late. If you’re confused by what
all the fuss is about, or if you’re on Twitter but can’t gain
traction, shorten your learning curve by watching the replay of a
webinar I hosted on “Twitter for Beginners: A Step-by-Step,
Can’t-Fail System for Experts and Influencers (and Those Who Want
to Be).”

I explain how to use Twitter to establish your credibility,
influence your followers, share great content and attract the
types of people who need your expertise as well as your products
and services. Read more about what you’ll learn how to do
at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-tapes
/twitterforbeginners.htm

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

This week’s “Help This Hound” question is from Anne Roos of South
Lake Tahoe, CA:

“I’m an author and I’ve received 40 free books from the publicist I
used last year, 20 copies each of “The Musician’s Guide to Brides:
How to Make Money Playing Weddings” and “The Brides Guide to
Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable.”

“They were copies supplied without cost from the publisher to be
sent out for review. Since I didn’t pay for them, I want to do a
giveaway.

“What’s the most effective way to do a contest/giveaway? Where do I
post it to get it noticed? Should it be a quiz with a question of
the day? Should it be some kind of silly trivia? I just don’t know
how to attract people to a little contest.

“Even when I had a big grand prize giveaway that I tried out about
a year ago, it garnered very little interest. I’d love ideas from
your Hounds on how to really attract attention with this.”

The Publicity Hound says: OK, Hounds, have at it. Help Anne
generate the most publicity possible for this book giveaway. Post
your best ideas to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9991

====================================
6. Hound Photos of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Meryl K. Evans of Plano, Texas for these
photos of the 10 Weirdest Dog Toys. My favorite is the red lips!
Go to http://www.oddee.com/item_97297.aspx

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…
======================================

10 best Dog Tweets listed each week here
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10006

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #586 Dec. 20, 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. Best of 2011 Ebook

2. Add Skills to Your LinkedIn Profile

3. Guest Host a Radio Show

4. Thanks for Completing My Survey

5. Master Facebook Changes in 3 Steps

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Best of 2011 Ebook
=====================================

Your contributions to this newsletter are what keeps me going,
and this is the time of year to say thanks.

Every year, I do that by excerpting 24 tips from the past year,
including some that have generated the most response from
readers, and compiling them into a free ebook.

Here are several ways to use “The Best of the Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week of 2011.”

–Regift it to your friends, clients and business associates.

–Share it on the social media sites.

–Speakers, use my tips in your presentations, and include this
link in your handouts so your audience can download it, too.
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9935

–Authors, use my tips in your books.

–Write a blog post and comment on one or more of my tips, and
please include the link.

–Go to a LinkedIn group and start a discussion on something
within the book.

–Save it to your hard drive, in a safe place, so you can dig it
out in a week or two when you’re creating a strategy for 2012.

For a full list of everything that’s included in the book, go to
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9935

=====================================
2. Add Skills to Your LinkedIn Profile
=====================================

One of the items in my “Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” ebook lists six places online where you can find your
profile so you can update it.

One of those is LinkedIn. If you’re editing your profile, it’s a
perfect time to also add skills you might have acquired since you
wrote it originally, or skills you might have forgotten about.

LinkedIn emailed me a few weeks ago and suggested four skills I
should add to my profile.

Why add skills? Because those keywords are what other LinkedIn
users might be typing into the search box when they’re looking
for job candidates, speakers, consultants, coaches, joint venture
partners or news sources.

Wayne Breitbarth, one of the foremost experts on LinkedIn, has a
three-part strategy for creating an influential circle of
contacts who are like gold. He explained it during a webinar I
hosted with him earlier this year. You can access the video
replay at
http://www.publicityhound.com/linkedinpowerformulapart2.htm

======================================
3. Guest Host a Radio Show
======================================

This is the time of year when radio stations are scrambling to
find guest hosts.

And even though chances are slim that you’ll be chosen for the
gig if you don’t have any radio experience, it’s worth trying.
Talkers magazine says the holiday season creates a bonanza of
fill-in work. This year, the Christmas holidays coincide with a
big election cycle, which creates even more pressure to keep
stations on track.

Bill White, program director of WGN in Chicago, says he equates a
fill-in host to someone hosting a dinner party in someone else’s
home.

“Fill-in hosts should be respectful of the regular host’s
audience but not rearrange all the furniture,” he said. “We also
look for fill-in hosts who will be comfortable and compliment the
regular host’s audience.”

Ideal hosts can be politicians, community leaders, or people who
have participated on a talk show. They should feel comfortable
behind the microphone and share similar philosophies of the host.

Interested? Call the program director at your local radio station
and make your best pitch. If the answer is no, they might use you
instead as a guest. Read the entire story in Talkers at
http://www.Talkers.com.

=====================================
4. Thanks for Completing My Survey
=====================================

A big thank you for completing the short survey about what you
need most in the areas of publicity and social media.

I found some interesting trends in the data, and your comments
really helped me understand where you need the most help.

I’m still sorting through it all, but I already have some ideas
about things I can do to make it easier for you.

Let’s get through the holidays first, and I’ll explain more after
the first of the year.

Help is on the way!

======================================
5. Master Facebook Changes in 3 Steps
======================================

Facebook rolled out its new Timeline feature last week. It’s a
chronological listing of posts, photos, shared links, check-ins
and other content.

The changes make it easier for people to scrutinize your life.
But you can personalize, privatize and tweak this new feature.

Wired magazine offers a quick guide on how to hide things on
Facebook, how to tell your life story by adding past events, and
how to customize your timeline–all in five minutes.

Read it at
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/12/facebook-timeline-tips/

If 2012 is the year you finally start getting series about
pulling people to your page, use Mari Smith’s 33 tips that will
pull them in. She explained them all during a webinar I hosted
with her earlier this year, and when you order the video replay,
you get all 33 tips on a handy cheat sheet. Read more about “33
Ways to Attract Facebook Fans, Provide Sterling Content & Keep
Them Coming Back for More” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

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

Here’s what puppies do on Christmas morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzyryg1Rn18

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…
======================================

Great content for retweeting:

24 juicy publicity, social media tips in free “best of” ebook
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9935

Create Top 10, 20, 50 lists for year-end publicity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9924

Ask visitors who complete a web form to tweet about you
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9894

Blogging cheat sheet and more tweets from this past week
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9905

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #584 Dec. 6, 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. OK, What’s Bugging You?

2. Attention Amazon Authors

3. Your Own Amazon URL

4. Twitter Tweekly

5. My Gift to You–It’s Almost Here

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. OK, What’s Bugging You?
=====================================

I can hear it in your voice when you call.

You sound frustrated.

At times, you sound lost, like you’re not quite sure where you’re
going with publicity and social media, and sometimes you’re
unsure that you’re even on the right road.

You’ve got success stories to share with other Publicity Hounds,
but they’re hit or miss.

During those weeks when you’re clicking on all cylinders, you
sometimes stall. And it’s usually so difficult to start back up.
So you plod along, all alone.

There’s a better way. I can help.

But to make sure I know exactly what you’re looking for, I need
your input. So I’m asking you to answer just a few quick
questions at http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

To thank you for your time and input, I’ll give you a $25 gift
certificate good for any Publicity Hound product, as soon as you
finish the last question. Consider this your Deal of the Day.

Go here now: http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

Oh, as an additional “thank you,” I’ll also enter you into a
drawing for one of three $50 Amazon gift cards. Now wouldn’t THAT
be a super-cool treat that would make your holiday shopping a
whole lot easier?

Just make sure you give me your email address, so I can contact
you if you win!

Here are the questions:

http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

The quicker you finish, the quicker you can use your gift
certificate.

=====================================
2. Attention Amazon Authors
=====================================

With so many authors formatting their books for the Kindle, I
want to remind you about Amazon.com’s Author Central.

It’s a page on Amazon just for you, so you can tell them a little
about yourself, promote your expertise, and tell them about your
books. You can list your website addresses, too. But the links
aren’t live. That’s because–duh–Amazon wants you to stay on the
site and buy.

As soon as you sign up for Author Central, you can start adding
content to your page, even though it can take from three to five
days for the page to show up on the site.

You can learn all about Author Central at
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/help

Warning: Authors write some of the dullest, most boring bios on
earth. Don’t you be one of them.

See “Special Report #46: Tips for Rewriting Your Boring Bio.” I
show you how to find great materials for your bio, share examples
of some of the best bios I’ve read, and explain how to
incorporate key events from your childhood that will make your
writing come alive. All for only $10. Order at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport46

======================================
3. Your Own Amazon URL
======================================

Thanks to Publicity Hounds Anne Roos (the Celtic harpist) and Bob
Baker (the indie music PR guy) for tipping us off to this new
Amazon feature that authors will love.

If you sell books on Amazon and you’ve already created a page for
yourself using Amazon’s Author Central (see item above), you can
now have a customized web address or your profile.

A simple URL makes it a lot easier to share the link on your
Facebook page, in a tweet, in your email signature, and on
marketing materials.

You’re limited to only one URL but you can use any combination of
letters, numbers, dashes, periods and underscores.

You’ll find detailed instructions on how to claim it at
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/help?ie=UTF8&topicID=
200799660

=====================================
4. Twitter Tweekly
=====================================

I love the way art marketing expert Alyson Stanfield updates her
blog readers on all the content they’ve been missing if they
don’t read her Twitter feed.

Every Friday, she publishes a post titled “Twitter Tweekly.” It’s
a simple list of her favorite tweets from that week, with links.

I’ve started doing that, too, though I wouldn’t dare steal her
fun title. The list reminds my readers who subscribe to the RSS
feed that they need to follow me on Twitter. It also flags
readers who might have found out about me for the first time by
coming to my blog through one of the search engines.

You can see Alyson’s latest Twitter Tweekly here:
http://www.artbizblog.com/2011/12/tweekly-19.html

Here’s mine:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9838

Notice how the blog promotes Twitter and this newsletter promotes
the blog. If you have a blog and an ezine, there are dozens of
ways you can use them to cross-promote. The blog pulls in
traffic. Once you can capture the reader’s email address, you can
use it to push out your message with an ezine.

That pull-push cycle is an incredibly powerful marketing tool.
Don Crowther explained all the ways you should be using them in
tandem when he was my guest during the teleseminar “How to use
Blogs & Ezines Together to Grow Your Business.” Read more about
it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/blogs_and_ezines.htm

======================================
5. My Gift to You–It’s Almost Here
======================================

How would you like to be able to help your clients, boss and
friends with publicity, and look like a hero when they show up on
the front page of the local business journal or on TV?

Give them my free ebook, “The Best of the Publicity Hound’s Tips
of the Week of 2011.” It’s chock full of more than two dozen
publicity and social media tips that will have their tails
wagging.

Each year, I comb through every item in this newsletter, pluck
out the 24 or more that received the greatest response from
readers, and compile them into an ebook that makes a valuable
holiday gift for Publicity Hounds on your list.

The book will be ready for you on Tuesday, Dec. 20, and you’ll
read about it here. Stay tuned…

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

Dread trimming the tree this year?

You’ll find some inspiration in this video, courtesy of Publicity
Hound Kathleen Mahan of San Juan Capistrano, CA. Watch how these
clever four-legged Hounds trim their own tree. One even climbs up
on a ladder. If they can do it, we two-legged Hounds can do it!

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

Dog Jokes & Quotes Ebook: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

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

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

How to piggyback PR onto top consumer trends for 2012
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9846

Fast Company tips and other tweets from this past week
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9838

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #583 Nov. 29, 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. Create a Top 10 List

2. Cyber Monday Sale Ends Tonight

3. Powerful Twitter Tip

4. Attract Kindle & Nook Readers

5. Promote a Microsoft Office Book

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Create a Top 10 List
=====================================

Give your publicity campaign a big push at the end of the year by
creating a “Top 10″ list that ties into your topic or area of
expertise.

The media and bloggers love these lists.

They can be controversial, thought-provoking, educational or just
plain fun. Your list can be the “best of” or “worst of” whatever
topic you choose for either 2011 or 2012.

Examples:

–The Top 10 Website Mistakes People are STILL Making in 2011

–The Top 10 PR Blunders of 2011

–The Top 10 Social Media Time-Savers of 2011

–The Top 10 Careers for 2012

–The Top 10 Best Cities for Families in 2012

–The Top 10 Worst Cities for Singles in 2012

When you’ve created your list, write a press release. Offer to
write a guest blog post. Include it on your Facebook page and tag
other pages that would be interested. Tweet it. And Share it on
LinkedIn.

Your list doesn’t even have to be in text format. It can include
photos only and you can turn it into a slideshow.

By the way, I’m compiling my annual “Best of The Publicity
Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2011,” my annual gift to you. Feel
free to regift it to your friends, followers and fans. It will be
ready by mid-December.

If you missed any books from the past six years, you can find
them at http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/free.html

=====================================
2. Cyber Monday Sale Ends Tonight
=====================================

You blew the doors off the doghouse during my Black Friday sale
over the weekend.

But several Publicity Hounds who took a long weekend off missed
it, and they asked if I’d extend it through Cyber Monday.

I did. And I’m giving you and other ezine readers one more extra
day to grab a big 40 percent discount for any products you order
from my website at http://www.PublicityHound.com. The discount
goes away at 11:59 p.m. tonight.

If you’ve been eyeing my video replays of webinars, or CDs,
ebooks or special reports, claim them now at
http://www.PublicityHound.com. To get the discount, type the word
“black” into the coupon box, hit “apply,” and check out.

======================================
3. Powerful Twitter Tip
======================================

Thanks to Amy Porterfield, a social media strategist, for this
powerful tip about how to drive more traffic and leads from
Twitter to your website.

Twitter now lets you add a second URL to your profile.

In addition to linking to her website, Amy links to an opt-in
page where people can give her their email address in exchange
for a replay of a Facebook webinar.

You can watch her short video here to see how she does it:
http://www.amyporterfield.com/2011/11/how-to-get-more-leads-on-
twitter/

The secret to Twitter is writing tweets that encourage people to
do what you want them to do: click on a link and opt in to a
freebie, or hit “Reply,” or retweet your message, or watch a
video.

If you’re already tweeting but you don’t understand how to gain
traction, check out “Twitter for Beginners: A Step-by-Step,
Can’t-Fail System for Experts and Influencers (and Those Who Want
to Be).” It’s a replay of a webinar I hosted several months ago
in which I demonstrate how to use Twitter to establish your
credibility, influence your followers, share great content and
attract the types of people who need your products and services.

Take advantage of the 40 percent discount until 11:59 p.m.
tonight at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterforbeginners.htm

=====================================
4. Attract Kindle & Nook Readers
=====================================

One of my goals for next year is offering most of my special
reports, ebooks and transcripts available to Publicity Hounds who
want to read them on the Nook and Kindle.

You should, too. If you don’t have any information products yet,
you can create them fairly quickly.

Ebook sales grew 177 percent last year. Amazon now sells 143
ebooks for every 100 hardcover books they sell, and that includes
hardcovers not available in ebook format.
Barnes & Noble, which sells the Nook, now accounts for at least
20 percent of ebook sales.

You can take an existing hard cover book and convert it to an
ebook. Or, create your ebook from scratch.

If you don’t have time to do it yourself, outsource the work to a
virtual assistant or one of the many subcontractors on sites like
ODesk.com and Elance.com.

During two free webinars I hosted this year, guest expert Daniel
Hall gave step-by-directions on how to format books for the
Kindle and Nook, or create them from scratch.

You can access the free video replay about the Nook at
http://realfastbook.com/joannook.html

Access the free video replay for the Kindle at
http://www.realfastbook.com/joanweb.html

======================================
5. Promote a Microsoft Office Book
======================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Karin Rex of
Lansdale, Pa., who needs tips on how to publicize her book,
“Microsoft Office 2010 Demystified.”

From Cheryl Pickett:

“This book sounds like a good one to try to sell in bulk. If
there are any local business supply stores or even computer
service shops left near you (as opposed to Office Max), see if
you can partner on a live event. They would sponsor and purchase
a book for everyone who attends. You could speak on a specific
skill and highlight the fact that the store sells the software
etc.”

From Janine Gregor:

“Promote the book in a tongue-in-cheek way, by saying, ‘Think you
know all there is to know about Office 2010?’ or ‘Are you really
sure you’re using all of Office 2010 to its full potential?’ or
‘Test Yourself. Pass our Office 2010 quiz for bragging rights.’
And then, offer a fun quiz on a sales page (directed from your
third party social media sites), which allows people to purchase
the book directly from that page.”

From Ileana Kane:

“Create a whole list of vertical markets when you do your
brainstorming. Shoot for a list of 30…Sponsorships are a great
way to go because there are many companies that have budgets to
buy books ‘by the truckload.’ Once you get your vertical markets,
it will be simple to create lists of sponsors that you can go
to.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to last week’s “Help This Hound” question
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9806

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

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Jacqueline Simonds of Reno, NV, for
these eight videos that show sheer joy, yelps of delight and lots
of tail-wagging as these four-legged hounds welcome home their
owners from Iran and Afghanistan. (This’ll cheer you up if you’re
having a really bad day.)

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324

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…
======================================

7 reasons to embrace nasty comments at your blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9783

Cool PR finds and other tweets from this past week
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9820

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #580 Nov. 8, 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. Welcome to My Addams Family Basement

2. Research Reporters Before Pitching

3. How You’re Doing on Twitter

4. Product Review Template

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Welcome to My Addams Family Basement
=====================================

Do you hate recording talking-head videos as much as I do?

There. I’ve said it. I hate recording talking-head videos!

Here’s why.

Before I can hit the “record” button, I must:

–Clean my home office. This includes ripping all the
inspirational post-its and to-do notes from the walls, and then
scooping up papers, notebooks, periodicals and other junk from my
desk and throwing it into a pile in the corner.

–Drag out my big wooden ladder so I can clip one of the lights
onto the side of it.

–Look for the blue gel sheets that I attach to the lights with
wooden clothes pins.

–Search for the damn clothes pins.

–Retrieve my tripod from the closet, set it up and attach the
camera, then reposition it until it’s perfect.

–Wash and style my hair.

–Paint my face.

–Find something decent to wear.

–Tape my talking points to the wall behind the camera.

Only then can I start recording a few dry runs. When I’m done
recording, I rip everything down and put the office back together
again.

Last night, I decided to turn a small corner of the apple cellar
in my Addams Family basement into a video studio. I can set up
the equipment once and everything stays in place forever. When
it’s time to record a video, all I have to do is gussy up, run
downstairs, turn on the lights and start recording.

My basement is fine for Lurch and Uncle Fester. But not for
video. Here’s where you come in. Click here to keep reading.
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9689

=====================================
2. Research Reporters Before Pitching
=====================================

Don’t pitch, ever again, unless you research the journalist
you’re pitching.

Check out the bio box along the right side of this article by
Kashmir Hill, who writes about privacy and technology for Forbes
magazine:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/11/02/the-spy-who-
liked-me/

The bio gives you golden nuggets of information that help you
pitch her. Click on “Show More” and then “Circle Me” and you’ll
find even more on her Google profile.

Researching journalists is just one part of “A Simple 5-Part
Formula for Delivering the Perfect Media Pitch & Hitting it Out
of the Park,” a webinar I hosted recently. Access the video
replay and the handouts here, including 27 angles for stories:

http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitchingformula.htm

======================================
3. How You’re Doing on Twitter
======================================

If you don’t have time to keep checking how many people are
following you on Twitter and how much of your content has been
retweeted, let TwentyFeet.com do it for you.

The “egotracking” service collects all your online stats in one
place for Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google Analytics, and
Bit.ly.

For example, TwentyFeet told me that last week on Twitter, I had
97 retweets, 2 new listings, 55 new followers and 27 mentions.

For the first 30 days, TwentyFeet is free of charge. Apart from
that, one account with Twitter and one profile with Facebook are
free of charge forever.

I don’t use the paid service, but you might want to. Click here
to learn more: https://www.twentyfeet.com/

=====================================
4. Product Review Template
=====================================

Are you reviewing products at your website, blog or within
articles or your newsletter?

Reviews are a great service and help promote your expertise.

Here’s a simple template on how to write product reviews:

http://blog.ezinearticles.com/2011/11/Product-Review-article-
Template.html

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

Joyce Restaino of Newfoundland, NJ writes:

“We’re on the final push seeking contributing authors for the
forthcoming book: Jersey Women Mean Business: Big, Bold Business
Advice from 100 New Jersey Women Business Owners–Practical
Pointers, Solutions, and Strategies for Business, which will be
published by Woodpecker Press, a company that helps authors self-
publish.

“The investment is $595 and 50 New Jersey women business owners
have already committed to write chapters. Since this is a self-
published book, the media typically aren’t interested. However,
there are plenty of benefits for those contributing a chapter,
such as a professional video clip of each author talking about
her chapter and her business ($600 value); an opportunity to be a
guest on a blog talk radio business show; PR and social media
training; opportunities to appear on business panels after the
book is published in 2012; discounts and special author-only
programs.

“To attract authors we have used email, direct mail, phone
follow-up, workshops, and in-person appearances to talk about the
book and its benefits. We’re making one final push for
contributing authors and would love suggestions from all of your
Publicity Hounds.”

The landing page is at http://bigboldbiz.com

The Publicity Hound says: These books are popular with writers
who don’t want to publish an entire book. So I know my Hounds
will have lots of ideas on how to promote it. Post your comments
to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9709

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Dr. David Lee Scher of the Pennsylvania
State University College of Medicine in Harrisburg, Pa., for this
video of Tootsie Roll, the Yorkie that’s VERY particular about
where her treats come from. I howled as I was watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgcis4h3jX4

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…
======================================

11 qualities to look for when hiring a publicist
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9678

Help me turn my apple cellar into a video studio
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9689

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #579 Nov. 1, 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. Make it Easy for People to Donate

2. Overused Words in Press Releases

3. ProfNet Leads on Twitter

4. Overcome Publicity Shyness

5. How to Time Your Facebook Posts

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Make it Easy for People to Donate
=====================================

Nonprofits and any business that’s asking website visitors for
donations: This tip is for you.

Make it as easy as possible for people to give to your worthy
cause.

Don’t just ask them to send a check. Let them pay by credit card,
or PayPal. Consider letting them donate stock, or give a
corporate matching gift. What about payroll deductions?

The Wikimedia Foundation, the folks that manage Wikipedia, gives
its website visitors nine ways to donate. You can read about it
at my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9667.

Make these options part of your publicity campaign.

Include a reference in paid ads, press releases, your press kit,
the press room at your website, from a “Ways to Donate” link at
your blog, and on the social media sites.

Nonprofits that need publicity tips, or businesses that do joint
ventures with nonprofits, can find dozens more tips in the video
replay of a webinar I hosted last week with nonprofit marketing
expert Sandy Rees. If you’re sponsoring an event, looking for
donors, recruiting volunteers or trying to persuade the public to
support your cause, this is for you. Read more about what you’ll
learn and how to do it at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/nonprofitpublicity.htm

=====================================
2. Overused Words in Press Releases
=====================================

Delighted. Best of breed. Scalability. Unique. Innovative. New.

And my personal favorite: Announced.

Those words appear everywhere in press releases, making the news
sound boring and trite.

Steve Farnsworth, chief digital strategist for Jolt Media, is
asking you to cast your vote.

“What overused drek is clogging the heart of news releases these
days? You can select up to 3!”

Vote at
http://stevefarnsworth.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/overused-
words-in-press-releases-what-words-would-you-outlaw/

And then learn how to write press releases the correct way. Take
my free email course, “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases.” By
the time you’re done, it will be the equivalent of earning a
master’s degree in press releases. Opt into the course at
http://www.89pressreleasetips.com

======================================
3. ProfNet Leads on Twitter
======================================

ProfNet, the subscription service that provides leads Monday
through Friday from print and broadcast journalists looking for
sources, can be pricey if you’re a sole proprietor or your
company is on a tight budget.

That’s why following Proftnet’s Maria Perez on Twitter can pay
huge dividends. You won’t see all the leads, or most of them, but she
shares a few juicy ones.

Today, for example, she tweeted a lead from the Wall Street
Journal, which is looking for a forensic accounting expert. She
tweeted about the New York Post, which is looking for experts in
home health care. Another tweet mentioned that the Christian
Science Monitor is looking for experts in the Occupy Oakland
strike who can comment on what it will or won’t accomplish.

Follow Maria Perez on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/ProfNet.

That tip was one of more than 60 I shared recently when I
gathered my favorite free (or almost free) tools to share during the
webinar “60 Ideas in 60 Minutes: Free (or Practically Free) Tips, Tricks,
Tools & Tutorials for Publicity & Social Media.” You can access
the video replay, handouts and slides I used during the presentation.
at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-tapes/60ideas.htm

=====================================
4. Overcome Publicity Shyness
=====================================

Most publicity advice is of the “here’s how to approach
journalists” variety.

But what if you’re reluctant, shy, embarrassed or uncomfortable
promoting yourself?

Many people are.

There’s a simple, profound principle that changed Steve
Harrison’s life when he started his business two decades ago. He’ll share
it, and explain the one marketing lesson that took him from
struggling to successful, when he hosts a free webinar tomorrow at 2 and 7
p.m. Eastern on “Fast-Track Strategies for Becoming a Well-Known,
Well-Paid Author, Speaker Or Expert In Your Field.”

Even though the call is free, I’m promoting it as a paid
affiliate because so many experts spend too many years trying to build
their platform, only to be disappointed in the end.

Don’t miss out, register for the call at
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/QL14FT/A10011/

======================================
5. How to Time Your Facebook Posts
======================================

This is way more work than you might be willing to do, but if you
love analyzing numbers, you can learn when to time your Facebook
posts so they reach the most fans.

Follow the directions given by Jeff Widman at the Mashable blog:
http://mashable.com/2011/10/26/time-facebook-posts/

And then discover all the other ways to attract Facebook fans.
Mari Smith, the world’s Number One Facebook expert, ticked them off
one by one, and demonstrated many of them, during my webinar, “33
Ways to Attract Facebook Fans, Provide Sterling Content & Keep Them
Coming Back for More.” You can access the video replay, the
handout listing all 33 tips and more. at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

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

Meet Daniel, the 20-pound miracle Beagle that’s up for adoption
after surviving a gas chamber in Florence, AL. What a great
mascot for dog-related company or nonprofit.

http://video-embed.nj.com/services/player/
bcpid651974715001?bctid=1242628019001

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…
======================================

Nonprofit Marketing Tip: Explain all 9 ways people can donate
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9667

Write killer headlines: 102 fill-in-the-blank formulas
http://publicityhound.net/write-killer-headlines-102-
fill-in-the-blank-formulas/

——————————————-

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