March 2nd, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #543 March 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. LinkedIn: Your Own Lt. Columbo
2. More Facebook & Twitter Followers
3. Email Interviews with Reporters
4. For Authors & Publishers Only
5. Promoting a BBQ Restaurant
6. Hound Quote of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. LinkedIn: Your Own Lt. Columbo
=====================================
Stop waiting for your ideal customers and clients to invite you
to connect with them on LinkedIn.
Go find them.
LinkedIn’s Advanced Search feature is like having your own Lt.
Columbo right at your fingertips.
And it could very well be the most powerful feature on the
world’s largest business networking site. If you know how to
search correctly, your efforts just might lead you to a company
that’s looking for what you’re selling.
Wayne Breitbarth, who sells office furniture in Milwaukee, told
me two amazing stories about the power of Advanced Search.
His company used it to track down a Milwaukee company that needs
to buy a truckload of office furniture. One thing led to another,
and now Wayne’s company is vying with one other vendor for the
contract, thanks to LinkedIn.
In another instance, one of Wayne’s friends who sells promotional
items was trying to get into a sizable company in the Madison
area for years but direct mail and phone calls proved futile.
Using LinkedIn’s Advanced Search function, Wayne was able to
track down the correct department that was looking for vendors.
But who within that department was the right person to contact?
Advanced Search to the rescue once again. He found the right
person, and his friend was able to submit a bid for a $1 million
contract.
Wayne has become such an expert on LinkedIn, that he’ll be
speaking at Inc. magazine’s Growco conference in Las Vegas in
April.
He’s also agreed to demonstrate how to use Advanced Search, and
many other LinkedIn features, when he’s my guest during a webinar
at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 3.
It’s called “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer
Contacts, Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry &
Track Down Leads Like a Bloodhound.” His handouts include 12 ways
to use LinkedIn to promote live or virtual events.
Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what else
you’ll learn, at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm
======================================
2. More Facebook & Twitter Followers
======================================
During Thursday’s LinkedIn webinar, I’m going to share a trick I
discovered last week on my own.
It started with a wild idea on how I can use LinkedIn to attract
more Twitter followers and Facebook fans.
It worked like a charm. I saw a nice little bump in the number of
people who are now following me on both of those sites.
Here’s the best part. I’ve figured out a way to make sure this
task doesn’t take more than about 10 seconds of my time each when
I use it.
I ran it by Wayne Breitbarth and he loved it!
You will too. But I’m sharing it only with people who sign up for
the webinar.
Register here:
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm
=====================================
3. Email Interviews with Reporters
=====================================
The blog post I wrote yesterday on whether to accept invitations
from journalists who want to interview you by email resulted in
more comments to my blog than I can ever remember.
Would you allow a reporter, editor or freelancer to send you a
list of questions, then include your email responses in an
article, without every talking to the interviewer on the phone?
Take a minute and really think about your answer.
Then go to my blog and see if your decision is the right one:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7900
Tell me in the comments section if you think I’m wrong.
=====================================
4. For Authors & Publishers Only
=====================================
Want to find out how one author made her book an Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble and New York Times Bestseller?
Join my friend, Steve Harrison, tomorrow, March 2, for a free
webinar (or telephone seminar) and discover the ingenious, yet
simple “bestseller blueprint” you can use to sell more books in a
week than most authors sell all year.
You’ll hear from four authors who’ve used it to make their books
bestsellers and one who sold $184,256.00 of copies at zero cost!
To register go here now:
http://www.bestsellerblueprintcall.com/?10011
I’m promoting this call as a compensated affiliate because I get
a glut of phone calls from authors who can’t park in their
garages that are filled with cardboard boxes of books they can’t
unload.
======================================
5. Promoting a BBQ Restaurant
======================================
This week, eight Publicity Hounds have advice for Michael Smith
of Philadelphia. Michael’s brother owns a BBQ restaurant for
take-out and delivery only and needs ideas on how to market it to
people in the Philadelphia area. The motto, emblazoned on T-
shirts and the menus, is “Dig the Pig!”
From Debbie Gioquindo:
“Claim your business on FourSquare and offer some promotions with
the badges. Also create a Facebook page, and post promotions and
specials daily. You can even target clientele in your small
target area. Follow that with a Twitter account to begin to
create relationships with the neighborhood.”
From Dale Hutchings:
“Sponsor a contest to name the pig.”
From Ron Wood:
“Send your discount offer to the editors of (local) publications.
I was an editor for a long time and was always looking for a way
to help my readers.”
The Publicity Hound says:
Here are my two ideas. First, make sure local Harley Owners
Groups (HOGS) know about the “Name the Pig” contest.
Then, get your restaurant onto Yelp. It’s a review site, where
people post reviews of local restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc.
Don’t solicit good reviews because that’s against Yelp’s Terms of
Service. Rather, let customers know you’re on Yelp. Put “See us
on Yelp” on receipts, flyers, signs near the cash register, etc.
Yelp is one of “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live or Virtual
Events to Reach Your Target Market & Pull Sell-out Crowds.” It’s
a video recording of a wildly popular webinar I hosted a few
months ago that packed the virtual house. Learn more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/events.htm
======================================
6. Hound Quote of the Week
======================================
I talk to him when I’m lonesome like,
and I’m sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
and gently licks my hands
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
but I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
but never a friend like that.”
–Author W. Dayton Wedgefarth
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…
====================================
Authors, the media don’t care about your books
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7886
Use LinkedIn to attract more fans on Twitter, Facebook
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7895
Email interview with journalists? Yes or no?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7900
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
February 23rd, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #542 Feb. 22, 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. Steal This Headline
2. Startling LinkedIn Statistic
3. No More Boring Tweets
4. Twitter One-liners
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Steal This Headline
=====================================
Don’t worry. I won’t sick the police dogs on you for stealing
headlines, tweaking them and using them on your own blog posts,
articles and content for the social media sites.
I steal them all the time. So do other journalists.
They’re called formula headlines and they’re all over the covers
of consumer magazines and on blogs. They often beg to be stolen,
like this one:
Authors, Publishers: 50 things under $50 to promote your book
I saw that headline on a blog published by author Lisa Peitsch.
Think of the ways you can tweak it to suit your needs. Some
examples:
–Eat at your desk? 5 things under $5 to keep your keyboard clean
–Moms: 10 things under $10 to occupy a cranky toddler
–Drivers: 20 things under $20 to store in your trunk for
emergencies
You get the idea. Make a list of formula headlines you like and
then tweak them when needed.
You’ll find formula headlines galore at Copyblogger, one of the
top blogs in the world for writing sterling copy. Scroll down and
see many of the formula headlines under the title “Popular
Articles” in the right margin: http://www.CopyBlogger.com
======================================
2. Startling LinkedIn Statistic
======================================
BNET Blogger Jim Edwards wrote about a surprising nugget of
information tucked inside the document that LinkedIn wrote for
its initial public offering recently:
Most of its 90 million registered users don’t visit the site on a
monthly basis, or hardly ever use it. In fact, Jim says, the
company can’t tell the difference between an inactive or deceased
member and an active user.
I blinked when I saw that. I read it again. Then I ventured an
easy guess as to why.
Most LinkedIn users simply don’t understand the power of making
connections, joining groups, answering questions, making and
receiving recommendations, promoting events, starting
discussions, and providing daily status updates. They aren’t
aware that they can ask their connections to introduce them to
powerful movers, shakers and other influential users who might
never take their phone calls or answer their emails.
Learning all that is time-consuming. And applying it can eat up
precious weeks and months.
Even if less than half of those who have accounts on LinkedIn use
the site monthly, that’s still more than 44 million people who
do. LinkedIn has turned into the go-to destination for companies
and nonprofits that are checking out job applicants, looking for
recommendations for vendors, and searching for experts who can
solve their problems.
I’ve heard one success story after another of LinkedIn users who
have used the site to sign book contracts with publishers, find
paid speaking engagements, and attract consulting clients.
Tom Beug, one of my fellow management consultants in The Summit
Group in Milwaukee, used LinkedIn to contact a former client and
say hi. Turns out the company needed an executive, and signed a
contract with Tom to conduct the search.
If you’re on LinkedIn but you’re confused about how to use the
site, don’t spent weeks or months learning.
Join LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth and me for a webinar on
March 3 on “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer
Contacts, Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry &
Track Down Leads Like a Bloodhound.”
Inc. Magazine is so impressed with Wayne that the magazine has
invited him to speak at its Growco conference April 6-8 in Las
Vegas.
Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what you’ll
find on the killer handouts, at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm
=====================================
3. No More Boring Tweets
=====================================
OK, so you’ve stopped tweeting about boring topics like when
you’ve logged onto your computer, what you ate for lunch, and
which coffee shop you’re tweeting from.
That’s a start. But how do you find compelling, interesting
content that fills the void and forces your followers to retweet
what you’ve written?
MediaBistro.com suggests these five tips for spicing up your
Twitter feed:
–Say something controversial.
–Sprinkle in some quotes.
–Add humor.
–Tweet breaking news.
–Join a hashtag conversation.
You can read the entire log post here:
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/5-types-of-tweets-that-
will-get-you-retweeted_b3431
I’ve also started following more influential people who
generously share information like the type listed above. One very
easy way to find them is to visit the profiles of Twitterers I
admire, check out their lists, and then subscribe to the ones I
like.
If you’re not using Twitter lists, you’re missing out on a
powerful, timesaving tool that can also help you promote your
expertise.
I hosted a webinar recently on “How to Use Twitter Lists &
Directories to Generate Business & Build Your Brand.” The replay
is available at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm
=====================================
4. Twitter One-Liners
=====================================
If you like the tips you read here, but you aren’t following me
on Twitter, go to the dog house without your dinner because
you’re missing hundreds of helpful tips.
This morning, for example, I shared this link where you can find
41 terrific one-liners, perfect for Twitter. Many of my followers
are already retweeting it:
http://hubpages.com/hub/funny-one-liners-for-twitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/PublicityHound
======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================
Michael Smith of Philadelphia writes:
“My brother is the chef/owner of Fletcher’s BBQ, a restaurant
that opened in September in a working middle-class neighborhood
in the Philadelphia suburbs.
“It offers take-out and delivery only. The motto, emblazoned on
T-shirts and the menus, is ‘Dig the Pig!’
“My brother already has landed a great story in the local paper,
and that drove some customers to the venue. Now we’re looking to
keep the momentum going. By the way, he provides 10 percent
discounts to the local VFW, policemen, firefighters and active
military, and also donates to local churches.
“In addition to ads and publicity in local papers, what are other
effective ways to spread the word? There are a lot of other
eateries in the neighborhood but not authentic BBQ food, so it’s
filling a niche.
“Any advice you and your Publicity Hounds can offer to promote a
new take-out only BBQ food venue? I’m sure there are some great
ideas out there among your readers.”
The Publicity Hound says:
There sure are, Michael. Help This Hound questions from
restaurant owners always seem to generate a lot of ideas. I love
the logo of the pig on the motorcycle and the “Dig the Pig”
motto. Hounds with ideas for Michael’s brother can post them to
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7866
======================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
======================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Sophie Wajsman of Melbourne, Australia
for this one:
If a fire hydrant has H2O inside, what does it have outside?
Answer…K9P
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…
====================================
Need story ideas? Here are 6 to pitch in March
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7854
Why half of LinkedIn users aren’t active on the site
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7848
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
February 15th, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #543 Feb. 15, 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. Quick, Upgrade Your FB Fan Page
2. Pesky Facebook Birthday Greetings
3. The Power of LinkedIn Groups
4. You Don’t Need this for Publicity
5. Tips for Hounds with Disabilities
6. Hound Video of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Quick, Upgrade Your FB Fan Page
=====================================
If you’re using a Facebook Fan Page to brand your business, as
every savvy Publicity Hound should, do yourself and your fans a
favor and upgrade to the new layout.
Here’s a recap of what’s new:
–The tabs are gone. Navigation is now where people expect to
find it–on the left, under their profile photos.
–You now have the flexibility to interact with the other areas
of Facebook as a Page, or as a person. To do that, go to Account
in the upper right corner and click on the drop-down arrow to
“Switch back to…” This toggle lets you decide if you want to
comment on other people’s pages under your own name, or under the
name of your Fan page. Commenting under the name of your Fan
Page could pull people back to your own Page.
–Get notifications when fans interact with your Page or posts.
You can see activity from the Pages you like in your news feed.
You can “Like” other Pages and feature them on your Page.
–You have new Settings. You can set defaults for your email
notifications and how you post to your Page–as yourself or your
Page. You can also select which featured Pages appear in the left
column.
–The most recent photos that you post to your Wall, or photos
that you tag your Page in, will appear at the top of the Page. To
hide a photo, roll over it and click X. I don’t like this change
because photos junk up the Page and claim prime real estate.
Please, Facebook, give us the power of making these photos go
away. Until that happens, I’m going to make the photos that
appear at the top of my page more interesting by including more
interesting photos in the content I post to my Fan Page Wall.
Facebook is rolling out the new look right now and you’ll
eventually be forced to convert to the new format next month. But
don’t wait. Do it now.
======================================
2. Pesky Facebook Birthday Greetings
======================================
I’m re-evaluating everything I do on Facebook, including sending
birthday greetings that once were cool but are quickly losing
their luster.
So I asked my Facebook fans if they still send birthday
greetings.
What a response!
Several fans suggested clever ways to make your birthday greeting
really stand out from the hundreds of others. Somebody even
commented that she doesn’t have her real birthday listed on
Facebook. I don’t either. Why make it easy for thieves to steal
my identity?
Go to my Fan Page and take a look. The post is the second from
the top.
If you’re not a fan yet, you first must “Like” my Page. Do that
by clicking on the thumb-up “Like” box on the right side, near
the top.
http://www.Facebook.com/publicitytips
Please join in the conversation and tell me if I’m wrong.
=====================================
3. The Power of LinkedIn Groups
=====================================
With a few exceptions, the Groups function on Facebook has proven
to be a time-waster if you’re using Groups primarily to promote
your expertise and your business.
That’s because Groups have turned into a haven for spammers.
Unless a Facebook Group is really serving your needs, you’d be
wise to spend the majority of your time on your Fan Page.
Not so on LinkedIn.
Wayne Breitbarth, an expert on how to use the world’s top
business networking site, says his research shows that LinkedIn
users rate Groups as the second most important part of LinkedIn.
(People-searching is rated the most useful function.)
Groups are very easy to join, and Wayne recommends that you join
several DOZEN. That’s right, as in 40 or 50 (the limit). Here’s
why:
–It will be easy for people to find you.
–Joining Groups in which your customers, suppliers or vendors
hang out is a way to connect, answer questions and share
expertise and resources.
–You can promote an event you’re hosting to a group of people
who have the same interests, even if they aren’t connected to
you. I get lots of LinkedIn invitations from people who I meet in
Groups.
Still need convincing? Join Wayne and me for a webinar on March 3
on “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer Contacts,
Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry & Track Down
Leads Like a Bloodhound.”
Inc. magazine is so impressed with Wayne that the magazine has
invited him to speak at its Growco conference April 6-8 in Las
Vegas.
Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what you’ll
find on the killer handouts, at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm
Time conflict? Sign up anyway. I’ll send you the link for the
video replay and all the downloads.
=====================================
4. You Don’t Need This for Publicity
=====================================
Authors, speakers, experts and business owners who try to get
booked on big TV talk shows or into major newspapers and
magazines–and fail–mistakenly think it’s because they don’t
have one of these three things:
–A pretty face. They see drop-dead gorgeous TV talk show hosts
and think they have to look that good, too, just to be invited
onto the set. Wrong.
–A college degree or fancy credentials. Nope.
–An expensive publicist. A good one can cost more than $2,000 a
month. (Who has that kind of money?)
Many experts who get booked repeatedly don’t have any of those
things. In almost every field, there are people who are very good
at getting publicity.
The media loves them and they’re regularly on radio/TV shows and
featured in print publications. They not only get a ton of free
publicity but they also know how to really profit from the media
coverage through increased sales, name recognition, speaking
engagements and more.
To discover how these “publicity superstars” do it and how you,
too, can get more coverage using their strategies, join Steve
Harrison, this Thursday, Feb. 17, for a free webinar (or
teleseminar if you prefer):
http://www.freepublicity.com/superstars/?10011
P.S. Even though the call is free, I’m a compensated affiliate if
you buy any of Steve’s products or services.
======================================
5. Tips for Hounds with Disabilities
======================================
This week, two Publicity Hounds have tips on how Judith Bron of
Spring Valley, NY, who is blind, can deal with the problem of
typing letters into a captcha box when she wants to create a
social media account.
From Christine Buffaloe:
“I just did a Google search and found this posting:
“Making Facebook Accessible for Everyone, at
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=71852922130, then leads to
another article as well:
“Accessibility and Assistive Technology at
http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=440
From Raghava Satish:
After giving specific instructions on how to install a Firefox
plug-in, Raghava says:
“I am also blind, and if you would like to know more about
accessible social networks, visit this site
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com which is an accessible social
network website for people with visual challenges. Here, people
share software, books and music.”
Read the comments at my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7772
======================================
6. Hound Video of the Week
======================================
Meet Chaser, the border collie that knows 1,022 words and can
find objects by name.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41489081/ns/today-
today_pets_and_animals/?gt1=43001
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…
====================================
Why LinkedIn Groups put Facebook Groups to shame
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7839
6 ways to romance journalists with your pitch
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7817
9 ways to connect with LinkedIn pals who change jobs
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7810
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
February 9th, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #541 Feb. 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. Your LinkedIn Power Formula
2. Washington Post Book Reviews
3. How to Avoid Corrections
4. If “Good Morning America” Calls
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Quote of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Your LinkedIn Power Formula
=====================================
When someone on LinkedIn types keywords into the search box to
find someone with your expertise, how close to the top of the
list will your profile appear?
That depends. One very important factor is whether others have
recommended you on LinkedIn.
Recommendations are the only outside verification of the
information you have provided in your profile. Also, words
included in the recommendations are keyword searchable.
LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth says it’s imperative that you
collect recommendations that are specific and strategic. But to
get them, you don’t always have to ask. There are other ways to
generate them, and they’re part of Wayne’s three-part LinkedIn
formula that he shares with audiences as he travels throughout
the U.S.
I’ve been reading and applying his tips for several months and
invited him to be my guest during a webinar March 3. It’s called
“Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer Contacts, Pull
Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry & Track Down Leads
Like a Bloodhound.”
Inc. Magazine has invited Wayne to speak at their Growco
conference, April 6-8 in Las Vegas.
By the way, he isn’t one of the big social media “gurus.” He
sells office furniture not far from me in Wisconsin. But he’s
become such an expert on how to use LinkedIn strategically that I
want you to see him in action.
LinkedIn isn’t the same social media site you might have joined
three years ago. It has a variety of new apps, features and tools
that can quickly put you in front of the most influential people
in your industry. Wayne will explain how.
Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what you’ll
find in the killer handouts at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm
======================================
2. Washington Post Book Reviews
======================================
Good news for authors.
The Washington Post has divided its Sunday Arts & Style section
into two new sections.
In the Arts section, the newspaper is adding one additional
review of an arts-related book. In the Style section, it will be
adding one additional review of a pop culture book.
The Post has added other new features, too. Read about all of
them at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2011/01/13/AR2011011303449.html
Authors, don’t rely only on print publicity for your books.
“Special Report #40: 42 Publicity Tips for Authors and Small
Publishers” will give you ideas galore for reaching your target
market. Only $10. Order at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport42
=====================================
3. How to Avoid Corrections
=====================================
The next time you’re ready to send a press release, post an
article to an online directory or publish a blog post, make sure
it’s error-free.
Mistakes are a bigger problem than you might think. The Sheboygan
Press in Wisconsin, where I worked as the editor, says at its
website that one-third of the corrections it prints are due to
incorrect information in press releases and from sources. One
third!
Here are six tips on how to avoid corrections:
–Ask someone else to proofread your work. Every editor needs an
editor.
–Tell your proofreader to actually call the telephone numbers
that appear in the release, and type website URLs into a browser
window to make sure they are correct.
–Make sure dates are consistent. If the date of an event is Feb.
12 in the headline, is it Feb. 12 in the body copy?
–Don’t rely on spell-check. If it’s supposed to be “their,” and
the release says “there,” spell-check won’t catch it.
–Double-check the spelling of all names.
–Use the Associated Press Stylebook, the essential tool
journalists use to determine things like the correct names of
government agencies, whether certain words should be capitalized,
and when names of groups should be abbreviated, like AARP.
What if you learn you’ve erred AFTER you’ve sent your press
release? Read more about corrections at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7782
=====================================
4. If “Good Morning America” Calls
=====================================
Do you remember every pitch you’ve emailed or called in to
journalists the last 12 months? What about the last 3 months?
Of course you don’t.
But if a guest booker for “Good Morning America” calls this
afternoon and asks for more details regarding the pitch you
emailed her in July, you’d better be ready. I’ve heard of
Publicity Hounds getting calls up to two years after delivering a
pitch.
On Thursday, Feb. 10, Steve Harrison will host a free teleseminar
on the three biggest tips you need to know to get onto major TV
shows. You’ll learn what NOT to send to producers, what NOT to
pitch to guest bookers, and mistakes you should never make, or
they’ll blackball you forever.
Then you’ll learn about the 3 big secrets for doing it the right
way. Read more about what you’ll learn and register for the free
call at one of two times-2 or 7 p.m. Eastern Time–at
http://www.tvpublicityteleseminar.com/?10011
If you can’t make the call, recruit somebody to take notes for
you. (I’m a compensated affiliate.)
======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================
Judith Bron of Spring Valley, NY, writes:
“I’m not the only blind person in the world, nor am I the only
one who doesn’t have a Facebook account.
“However, I wouldn?t mind having Facebook and Twitter accounts or
an active LinkedIn account. The problem is that whenever I go to
these sites, I’m asked to identify something visually. Like the
deaf can?t hear, the blind can’t see. What can be done with
social networking sites to make them accessible to everyone?
“And does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get around
this problem?”
The Publicity Hound says:
With tens of millions of people using these sites, I’m surprised
there isn’t a way around the captcha problem. Hounds, do you have
ideas for Judith? If so, post them to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7772
======================================
6. Hound Quote of the Week
======================================
To err is human, to forgive, canine.
–Unknown
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…
====================================
Hear my business blogging tips Feb. 16 in Milwaukee
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7757
6 ways to avoid errors in press releases, blog posts
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7782
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
February 3rd, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #540 Feb. 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. How to Find a Missing Fan Page
2. LinkedIn Correction
3. Blizzard Story Ideas
4. Remember the Meteorologists
5. Media Lead: Big Butts
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. How to Find a Missing Fan Page
=====================================
If your Facebook Fan Page disappeared tomorrow, taking with it
all your valuable content and hundreds or thousands of fans, what
would you do?
I’ve been writing about my Fan Page nightmare for several weeks,
poring over suggestions on how to find the elusive Page, and
connecting with social media experts to ask their advice.
Facebook was of no help whatsoever. And it was only through my
social media connections that I was able to finally find Dave
Kerpen who earned his wings in Social Media Heaven by solving my
problem.
Now that it’s over, I want to help you avoid the many sleepless
nights I had the last few months. Had I known then what I know
now, I could have found the Page on my own.
I also could have enlisted the help of a PR agency to contact
Facebook on my behalf. But you don’t need a big budget to find a
missing Fan Page.
You’ll find five tips at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7720
======================================
2. LinkedIn Correction
======================================
One of the things I love about social media is the instant whack
on the head you get when you screw up badly.
But after somebody knocks you down, you can stand up, brush
yourself off and get on with it.
One of my LinkedIn connections whacked me, rightly so, when she
pointed out a really dumb mistake I made a few weeks go–one that
you may have made, too, after reading about it here.
I wrote a blog post about the clever LinkedIn headline I created
for my profile: “#1 Publicity Expert on Google. President, The
Publicity Hound. Call me at 262-284-7451 & ask how I can help
you?
But she said that the phone number in the headline violates
LinkedIn Terms of Service. Indeed. So I removed it.
LinkedIn says you cannot “Include information in your profile or
elsewhere, except in designated fields, that reveals your
identity or sensitive personal information such as an email
address, phone number or address or is confidential in nature.”
I’d link to the long list of other do’s and don’ts, but the Terms
of Service prohibit users from deep-linking into the site.
After I published the blog post, I wrote about it in last week’s
newsletter, then tweeted it, and then it appeared on my Facebook
Fan Page. That means I need to set the record straight in each of
those places, and here.
So if you followed my lead, correct it. Or risk having your
LinkedIn account suspended temporarily (I’m told they seldom
suspend it permanently).
=====================================
3. Blizzard Story Ideas
=====================================
The blizzard that’s making its way from the Rockies to New
England is creating havoc for travelers and commuters. But it’s
an ideal opportunity for Publicity Hounds to promote a product,
service, cause or issue that ties into the snowstorm.
Piggyback onto the weather by sharing tips, Good Samaritan
stories, videos, photos and other content.
I posted a note to my Facebook Face Page this morning that
includes five story ideas that tie into what could be the worst
snowstorm of the decade, according to the National Weather
Service.
A few fans added their own terrific ideas. Take a look:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/publicity-and-public-relations-
tips-ideas-and-strategies/5-story-ideas-to-pitch-about-the-
blizzard-can-you-add-more/10150391837205323
“Special Report #37: How to Tie Your Product, Service, Cause or
Issue to the Weather” is one of 52 reports chock full of tips on
how to convince traditional media and bloggers to tell your
story–a steal at $10 each. See them all at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html
=====================================
4. Remember the Meteorologists
=====================================
This three-day blizzard is the kind of weather that TV
meteorologists live for, so they probably won’t have time to
listen to your pitch. So call the news department.
But on any other ho-hum day when it’s partly cloudy and 50
degrees, and the five-day forecast calls for much of the same,
don’t forget the weather guys and gals.
If you can tie your story idea to the weather, even boring
weather, you could score a publicity hit.
For example, a psychologist could talk about the long-term
effects of cloudy weather and how it affects our moods. Tie the
weather to an upcoming holiday or the first day of winter,
spring, summer or fall, and you could score again.
Those are some of the tips that Shawne Duperon and I brainstormed
during the teleseminar we hosted called “116 WOW Story Ideas from
January Through June.” Read about it, and the handout that
accompanies the audio, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JanIdeas.htm
======================================
5. Media Lead: Big Butts
======================================
I can’t help it. I just have to share this with you after I
learned about it on Twitter.
From Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News:
“Has anyone authored any books on America’s current preoccupation
with booties, or given much thought as to what’s behind all the
Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian phenomena? I’m on a tight
deadline, so please e-mail me your thoughts directly. Contact:
Jenice Armstrong at heyjen@phillynews.com”
Note: It’s Jenice, Not Janice. And she’s a woman.
======================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
======================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Kerry Hargraves of Oakland, Calif., for
this one:
Little Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while
his father was trying to read in the den.
The family dog was lying in the den, and as the screeching sounds
of little Harold’s violin reached the dog’s ears, he began to
howl loudly. The father listened to the dog and the violin as
long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the
floor and yelled above the noise, “For Pete’s sake, can’t you
play something the dog doesn’t know?”
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…
====================================
5 things to do if your Facebook Fan Page disappears
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7720
Help me with a creative wager for the Super Bowl
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7746
5 ways to spark more comments at your blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7708
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
January 26th, 2011 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #540 Jan. 25, 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. Whom to Pitch: Blogs or Press?
2. The Feature Facebook Forgot
3. Your LinkedIn Headline
4. Why Your Book Isn’t Done Yet
5. Explain Your Awards
6. Hound Video of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Whom to Pitch: Blogs or Press?
=====================================
I’ll bet you’ve found yourself in this quandary:
You have a great story idea, but you have a decision to make. Do
you pitch it to traditional media, or to bloggers?
There’s no right answer. It depends on the story idea, your
target market, and a variety of other factors.
The next time you face this decision, read the thorough summary
of the pros and cons of pitching the press vs. bloggers from
David Spinks, at the Social Fresh blog at
http://socialfresh.com/pitching-bloggers-mainstream-media-or-
both/
Here’s a quick recap:
Blogs will help you reach a more targeted but smaller audience.
Less popular bloggers are more accessible.
Bloggers can sway their audiences much easier than traditional
media, because people trust them more. But, because they publish
far less frequently, you may have to wait awhile before they
finally use your idea.
Traditional media are generally far less accessible. Because your
audience isn’t targeted, you can see a boost in website traffic
that levels off over time. But a story in USA Today, or even your
local weekly newspaper, can give you instant credibility.
My advice: Use both.
Don’t forget to research before you pitch, however. I wrote a
lengthy comment under David’s blog post that underscores the
importance of research.
One of the best ways to increase the chances of being covered is
to piggyback your story idea onto breaking news. Michelle
Tennant, a publicist who regularly places stories about her
clients in top-tier media outlets, explains how she does it in
the video replay of a webinar I hosted with her recently. Read
more about “How to Tie Your Pitch to Breaking News and Make the
Media Interview YOU” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/breakingnews.htm
======================================
2. The Feature Facebook Forgot
======================================
If you manage your own Facebook Fan Pages, you know how
frustrating it can be to constantly check to see if anyone has
commented on notes, photos, videos or other content you’ve
shared, so you can write a timely reply.
HyperAlerts to the rescue!
It’s a new, free app that sends you an email notice every time
someone posts or comments on one of your pages. You can decide
how often you want to be notified–as soon as possible, daily,
weekly or monthly.
I added it to my Facebook Fan Page at
http://www.Facebook.com/publicitytips and decided I want to be
contacted as soon as possible, because if I show up late to my
own party, my guests could be long gone by then.
You can monitor as many pages as you wish, and even create
multiple alerts for the same page. Maybe you want an alert
immediately, as well as a weekly report of all activity.
Add it to your Fan Page now at http://alerts.hyperinteraktiv.no/
Thanks to Christine Buffaloe, my virtual assistant, for letting
me know about HyperAlerts. She’s a Facebook expert extraordinaire
who was my guest during the webinar “11 Ways to Avoid Missed
Opportunities on Facebook.” Read more about the things she can
teach you to do at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm
=====================================
3. Your LinkedIn Headline
=====================================
Does your LinkedIn headline set you apart from everyone else in
your field? It should say to journalists and others who find you:
“You need to contact this person, pronto!”
Until recently, my headline was lame. It made me sound like every
other publicity expert. So I came up with one that I think really
sets me apart, and includes a call to action:
“#1 Publicity Expert on Google. President, The Publicity Hound.
Call me at 262-284-7451 & ask how I can help you”
A week after I changed it, the phone rang. It was Matt
Schumacher, a financial services consultant from Milwaukee. The
first words out of his mouth were, “How can you help me?”
I explained how, and now he subscribes to this newsletter, and
knows all about my free content that’s available. I also told him
about my telephone consulting, and where he can find the products
I’ve created that can help him market his practice.
Your headline, by the way, is the two lines of type that appear
to the left of your photo on your profile page. It should include
keywords that the search engines can find.
You’re allowed 120 characters. So use them! No wimpy one-liners.
The LinkedIn headline isn’t necessarily the same as the profile
you write for the other social media sites. Let Nancy Marmolejo
show you how to write a sizzling profile that says, “Call me.”
See “Can Your Social Media Profile Pass the 10-Second Test?” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/socialnetworkingprofile.htm
=====================================
4. Why Your Book Isn’t Done Yet
=====================================
If you’re writing a book, and it’s taking much longer than you
expected, it could be because you’ve fallen into one or more
common traps:
–You’re taking way too long to do your research.
–You’re striving for perfection.
–You’re putting off the task because you’re not sure if you’re
doing it correctly.
You’re invited to a free webinar (or telephone seminar) on
Thursday, Jan. 27, with a woman who’s developed a unique system
for writing a quality non-fiction book in 90 days. I’m a
compensated affiliate for this program.
Click here to register:
http://www.freeauthortraining.com/call/?10011
Discover the speed writing system she’s used to help 268 authors
get their books done quickly.
See you on the call!
======================================
5. Explain Your Awards
======================================
If you’re publicizing an industry award, for heaven’s sake,
please explain what you did to earn it.
Even better, offer a list of tips on how other people can do what
you do, whether it’s selling more computers, or designing a
better building, or writing a prize-winning novel.
Too many press releases and other promotions that announce awards
fail to do this.
And when you receive the award, make sure you give a gracious and
professional acceptance speech. Speech coach Patricia Fripp
explains how at
http://billionaires.forbes.com/article/09nL48j9Df1u3
======================================
6. Hound Video of the Week
======================================
Have you seen this one of the dog playing basketball? Two points!
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 Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Paint a picture with your blog, article headlines
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7679
Look far beyond your topic for publicity ideas
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7670
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
December 16th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #535 Dec. 15, 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)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. My Gift to You
2. Share Books on LinkedIn
3. Your Favorite Blog Post
4. How to Find Execs Near Retirement
5. Garden Club Winner
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. My Gift to You
=====================================
It’s time for my annual Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s gift
to you.
“The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2010″
includes the best 25 tips from this year’s newsletter, or tips
that generated the most response from readers.
Feel free to re-gift it to your own blog readers, newsletter
subscribers, clients, customers, Twitter followers, Facebook
friends and LinkedIn connections. They don’t even need to opt-in
with an email address. Just pass along this link:
http://Ez.com/bestof2010
If you work at a company, share it with your PR department. If
you work for a nonprofit, show it to your staff and even your
board members.
This version is chock full of tips for both traditional and
social media, with a heavier emphasis on social media. It
includes:
–The 4 big advantages of creating a Google profile, and what
you’re missing if you don’t have one.
–5 clever places to meet journalists. Ninety-nine out of 100
other publicity-seekers aren’t bothering with this.
–Where to find a handy, organized, color-coded social media
cheat sheet that will help you understand how various major
social media sites can help you.
–How to create a sizzling headline for an article or blog post
within seconds (this is a fabulous free tool that my readers
loved!).
–5 things that could put your security in jeopardy on Facebook.
–How to catch CNN’s attention and possibly end up in one of
their stories.
–How to earn a Badge of Honor on LinkedIn and impress people who
read your profile page.
–3 easy ways to prompt recommendations from other people on
LinkedIn without being pushy or feeling embarrassed.
–5 ways to encourage journalists to include your blog or website
address in their stories (and make it look like it was their
idea).
–8 ways you can become a victim of The Stealth Interview and be
quoted by journalists even though you never talked to them.
You can get the ebook here, save it to your hard drive and then
share it on the social networking sites: http://Ez.com/bestof2010
If you’d like to excerpt content from the ebook as a guest blog
post, and then link to the download page, or share the content on
Facebook, let me know and I’ll send you the ebook as a Word
document so you can easily cut and paste.
Thanks for being a loyal reader. I’m grateful that you’re part of
my community.
P.S. Re-gifting this ebook is entirely appropriate. Share this:
http://Ez.com/bestof2010
======================================
2. Share Books on LinkedIn
======================================
Wondering how to break through the noise on LinkedIn and connect
with a decision-maker who just might turn into your next client?
Go to your LinkedIn profile and add the “Reading List by Amazon”
application that allows you to share with the world what books
you’re reading, or books you want to read. I just added these two
books this week: Marcia Yudkin’s Publicity Tactics: Insights on
Creating Media Buzz, and David Meerman Scott’s Real-Time
Marketing & PR. Go ahead and add a book you’re reading for
pleasure, if you wish, but remember that this site is primarily
for business networking.
Many business people love to talk about what they’re reading,
recommend good books, and wave the “warning” flag when they come
across tomes that are time-wasting stinkers.
Another tip: If you’re dying to connect with someone you don’t
know very well, and the books they’re reading resonate with you,
that could be an effective talking point and a way of introducing
yourself. If you aren’t interested in those books, you can follow
their book list and stay atop they’re selections.
For B2B marketers, nothing else comes close to LinkedIn.
LinkedIn expert Scott Allen walks you through a step-by-step
process on how to use LinkedIn to promote absolutely anything,
ethically and powerfully. Read more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedin.htm
=====================================
3. Your Favorite Blog Post
=====================================
When I spoke last week at the Meetup hosted by the Wisconsin
Business Owners Network, the audience couldn’t get enough
information on blogging.
And this week, when I spoke about social media to a CEO
Roundtable at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, I convinced at least
one CEO to start a blog.
But I need more success stories from Publicity Hounds. And that’s
where you come in.
I’m curious about the one post you’ve published that makes you
glad you started blogging. Did you take a strong stand on a
controversial topic and start a brawl in the Comments section?
Did you write something that brought you a new consulting client?
Or sold dozens of books? Or started a relationship with someone
who has turned into a trusted business associate or a joint
venture partner?
If you’re on Facebook, please share the link on my Fan Page at
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
If you’re not on Facebook, share it in the Comments section at my
blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7557
I’ll be doing lots of speaking engagements and customized
training next year on blogging, and I may use your blog post
success story. More publicity for you!
=====================================
4. How to Find Execs Near Retirement
=====================================
This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips on how Bonnie Boots of
Tampa Bay, Fla., can find executives 50 and older. Her client
offers training for business executives who are nearing
retirement and thinking of becoming consultants.
From Patty Newbold:
“Try searching on job titles and individual ages, like ‘Corporate
Vice President 53′ or ‘Chief Information Officer 51.’ Avoid
acronyms. Add in Company or Corporate or Enterprise if the title
is also a political one, like President.
Also, you might present at Institute of Management Consultants
and American Society for Training and Development chapter
meetings, because people checking out the management consulting
world attend as non-members before they take the leap.”
From Jennifer:
“I would try LinkedIn groups. They offer groups geared toward
consultants. Some have over 23,000 members–executives and others
who are looking to start their own business group, which you can
join. Then try promoting your services to the members of the
groups.”
From Janine Libbey:
“You can use the discussion feature in LinkedIn groups to start a
dialogue with members of the group first, rather than going for a
hard sell to the group as a whole. I have ‘met’ people, who I
now do business with, through discussions.”
Read all the responses to this “Help This Hound” question
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7516
Send your own “Help this Hound” question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound and
include your city and state.
======================================
5. Garden Club Winner
======================================
My garden club in Port Washington, WI, says thanks to the dozens
of Hounds who submitted names for our February lecture series.
Publicity Hound Joy V. Smith ran my request by her sister, who
offered several suggestions. We loved this one: Green Up the
Winter Blues with a Day of Gardening.
Joy and her sister can choose up to $100 in Publicity Hound
products.
Are you using the social media sites to solicit ideas for event
titles, product names, article headlines and other things when
the creative well is dry? People love to help.
======================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
======================================
I thought about this recently when I saw a photo of those poker-
playing dogs. Do you think the dogs own paintings of humans
playing fetch?
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…
====================================
You can now sign up to receive email notifications every time I
publish a new blog post. Submit your email address to “Subscribe
to Email Updates” on the right side of my blog at
http://www.PublicityHound.net
Here are my posts from this past week:
Your favorite LinkedIn group for marketing, PR, publicity?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7548
5 ways to use Twitter lists for PR, marketing, spying
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7522
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
November 3rd, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #529 Nov. 2, 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. LinkedIn Adds Recommendations
2. 60+ Places to Promote Offline
3. Speak on Cruise Ships
4. Promote a Bistro/Wine Bar
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Quote of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. LinkedIn Adds Recommendations
=====================================
Starting this week, LinkedIn is offering its more than 80 million
members a chance to recommend other companies’ products and
services on Company Pages, under the Products tab.
Initially, LinkedIn users can offer recommendations for only 40
large companies like Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Dell, JetBlue,
AT&T, Citibank and Volkswagen. But LinkedIn will expand the
feature to include all companies and small businesses during the
next week.
Every Publicity Hound should be paying attention to this.
Each time a LinkedIn member endorses your products or services,
their recommendation becomes visible to all of their connections
and could spread virally. When you promote and curate these
recommendations, you have some of the most credible, authentic
endorsements of your products on your Company Page?s Product tab.
You can read about LinkedIn’s new review feature at its blog at
http://blog.linkedin.com/2010/11/01/linkedin-company-pages/
From what I can see so far, this doesn’t allow users to actually
write anything like they can when they’re writing a personal
recommendation on LinkedIn. All they can do is recommend a
product or service. When they do, their photo shows up next to a
checkmark and the phrase “I recommend this product,” and they get
a link back to their own LinkedIn profile.
If your company doesn’t have its own page on LinkedIn, create one
right now. Go to Companies > Find Companies > Add a Company.
Online reviews are becoming increasingly important. How should
you respond to a bad review on other websites? What steps can you
take to decrease the chances of a bad review appearing? And what
can you do to make it easier for your own customers to post
glowing reviews about your great products and services?
Tom Antion tackled this topic during his teleseminar, “Reputation
Management: How to Build and Protect a Great Reputation Online.”
His strategy is simple. Create a huge and positive profile for
yourself at high-traffic, authoritative sites so that when
someone posts something negative about you, the good information
comes up higher in the organic search listings. I never heard of
a lot of the sites he found, but I’m busy creating my own
profiles there.
What would you rather do, manage your own reputation or let
others, including your competitors, manage it for you? Learn more
about Tom’s strategy at http://tinyurl.com/2eyyljb
======================================
2. 60+ Places to Promote Offline
======================================
My recent webinar, “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live &
Virtual Events to Reach Your Target Market & Pull Sell-out
Crowds,” was such a hit, that many Publicity Hounds who
registered for it have been asking for a follow-up session on how
to promote offline.
Let’s do it! I’ve scoured my file cabinet, hard drive, handouts
from my workshops, back issues of my newsletter and my blog, and
I’ve come up with more than 60 places offline to promote not only
your events, but your product, service, cause or issue. Many of
them are free.
I’m hosting the webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time. The first 20 registrants will receive a free copy of my
cheat sheet, “13 Ways to Involve Journalists and Bloggers in
Whatever You’re Promoting.” Example: Don’t ask a local blogger to
write about your cooking classes for kids. Invite her to bring
her own child and participate.
Sign up for “60+ Places Offline to Promote Your Product, Service,
Cause, Issue or Event to Build the Buzz and Encourage Others to
Promote for You” at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/promoteoffline.htm. Also, let me
know about offline tactics you use to promote, and send a photo
if you can. I can work the idea into my presentation and create
even more publicity for you!
=====================================
3. Speak on Cruise Ships
=====================================
Right now, as you’re reading this, program coordinators for
luxury cruise lines all over the world are reviewing the
materials they’ve received from speakers who want to get booked
to speak on next year’s cruises.
There’s still time for you to submit your materials and take
advantage of the greatest gig on the seven seas.
Here’s how it works.
You furnish the cruise lines three or four 1-hour lectures on
subjects you love, from business topics like leadership and time
management to fun topics like how to perform simple magic tricks
or cook up a gourmet meal on a tight budget.
In exchange for your lectures, you get a free cruise for yourself
and a companion. Since the lectures are usually scheduled on sea
days, you’ll have every port day totally free to explore.
Swarms of speakers apply for these coveted slots. But most of
them make several critical mistakes that kick them out of the
running.
Daniel Hall, who has more connections with cruise line program
coordinators than anyone else on the planet, will be my guest
expert during a free webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday,
Nov. 5.
I know Fridays are bad, but I didn’t want to wait until next week
because program coordinators are hiring speakers NOW. You can
register for the webinar at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/132750273
======================================
4. Promoting a Bistro/Wine Bar
======================================
This week, 14 Publicity Hounds have tips for Timothy Nishimoto,
owner of Vino Paradiso Wine Bar & Bistro in Portland, Ore., on
how to market his restaurant. He’s having a hard time convincing
local restaurant reviewers to write about it.
From Michael Carr:
“Since your establishment is a well-regarded wine bar, start
there. Develop monthly wine pairing dinners. Invite Oregon (and
Washington) based wine makers to participate, and reach out to
bloggers who write about food, wine and regional travel. Roll
out your seasonal menu and alert the media. Include the usual
outlets, but don’t forget the business press and media focused on
hospitality, wine and food.
“If you’re a member of the Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau,
see if they have a program for visiting journalists. If so, offer
to provide hospitality to travel journalists. Don’t forget to
reach out to the concierges at hotels in town. Host them for
coffee and make sure you keep them up to date with what’s
happening at the restaurant.”
From Etc. Communications:
“You’re missing a huge potential clientele in Boomers, singles
and couples. If you designate a night as Boomer Night, you’d be
surprised at how quickly you would get covered by media!”
From Janet Thaeler:
“Host a bloggers event. Find someone who has hosted successful
ones in your area and who reaches the type of people you want to
reach. It may be that there’s a good mix of design bloggers, food
bloggers and mom bloggers.”
The Publicity Hound says:
I was bowled over by the responses to this question! Read all of
them at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7232
Send your own “Help this Hound” question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.
======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================
This week’s “Help this Hound” question is from me and my fellow
members of the Port Washington Garden Club in Port Washington,
Wisconsin:
We’re sponsoring our first-ever daylong lecture series on Feb.
26, and we’re looking for a catchy title that will really build
the buzz and draw a huge crowd.
Guest experts from within and outside the club will be speaking
on topics that include tips for gardening with your pet, how to
incorporate native plants and dramatic grasses into your garden,
unusual plants for shade gardens, how to create a kitchen garden,
and how to create a worm farm for richer soil. The event will
give local gardeners something to do in the dead of winter in
Wisconsin.
So far, the working title is “Throw off the Winter Blues with a
Day of Gardening.” Can you do better than that?
I’m offering a $50 gift certificate for Publicity Hound products
to the person who suggests a title we end up using.
Post your best ideas to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7272
======================================
6. Hound Quote of the Week
======================================
“No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation
as the dog does.” — Christopher Morley
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…
====================================
You can now sign up to receive email notifications every time I
publish a new blog post. Submit your email address to “Subscribe
to Email Updates” on the right side of my blog at
http://www.PublicityHound.net
Here are posts from the last seven days:
Use hyperlinks in press releases: Here are 19 ideas:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7243
Here’s a handy checklist for writing press releases
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7259
Speakers & hobbyists: Get booked on cruise ships
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7266
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
August 18th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #518 Aug. 17, 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)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. Grade Your Online Presence
2. TweetBeep Saves Time
3. Your Darn Smart Competitors
4. Make Money While Writing Your Book
5. Publicity & Survey Secrets
6. Help This Hound
7. Hound Video of the Week
8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Grade Your Online Presence
=====================================
For all the time we spend discussing how to build an online
presence, we spend too little time talking about how to measure
the results.
That’s why Hubspot’s 10 grading tools at http://grader.com/ are a
good place to start.
They grade your influence on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. They
measure the effectiveness of your website and press releases.
There’s even a fun little tool that shows you how to get the most
out of FourSquare.
Authors, there’s one for you, too, that helps you improve the
marketing of your books.
If you sell anything online, http://Action.Grader.com lets you
optimize your calls-to-action. You can determine which content is
likely to generate the most clicks.
I used several of the tools to see how I rank and found some of
my scores overly generous, particularly my 100 percent Twitter
ranking, or falling far below where I thought they should be.
This isn’t scientific, but it’s one way to get a quick overview
of your online presence. In a few cases, your results will
include specific instructions on how to improve your scores.
Try it and let me know what you think.
======================================
2. TweetBeep Saves Time
======================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Tom Ciesielka, a PR pro from Chicago,
Ill., for recommending TweetBeep.com, a free tool at
http://www.TweetBeep.com that can save you hours of time hunting
for conversations about your area of expertise.
The web-based application lets you create a search for any
keyword or phrase on Twitter, and receive hourly updates via
email when any tweets include that keyword, phrase or hashtag.
“TweetBeep is an easy tool for tracking talk on Twitter about
your company, website, events or products and services,” Tom
says. “By monitoring the conversation about your brand, you can
make sure you are managing your reputation and engaging with
people who are interested in you–people who can become potential
clients.”
You can also use TweetBeep as a way to measure the level of
interest in various campaigns, or track the reactions to your
company’s announcements or events.
“With targeted information delivered directly to your inbox,
you’ll be sure to never miss a beat–or a tweet,” says Tom, who
included this tip in his excellent PR newsletter at
http://www.tcpr.net/tips.php
=====================================
3. Your Darn Smart Competitors
=====================================
Ever read a blog post, article, or tweet from one of your
competitors, and wonder how Little Miss Smarty Pants got so darn
smart?
I have. But I don’t just sit here and scratch my head. I go to
her Twitter profile and check out her Twitter lists.
Does she have a list of the smartest PR people? The top marketing
gurus? The very best social media coaches? A list of people who
blog about blogging? If so, am I on any of them?
Whether I am or not, I’ll add her best lists to my lists. I’ll
read the tweets from top experts she follows, including those who
provide stellar content worth retweeting so my more than 15,000
followers retweet that information to their tribes, making me
look good.
But that’s only one way to use Twitter lists. Publicity Hounds
have sent me so many questions about this topic, and about
Twitter directories, that I’m hosting a webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time on Thursday, Aug. 26. Come with questions! Register at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm and, as one of your bonuses, get a copy of
my special report “How to Use Twitter for Business to Network,
Promote, Sell, Recruit & Profit.”
======================================
4. Make Money While Writing Your Book
======================================
Yesterday, I emailed you the three disarmingly simple tips from
publishing and marketing mentor John Eggen on how to start making
money from your book long before it’s published.
John has many more tips he’ll share with you tomorrow night, Aug.
18, from 8 to 9:15 p.m. Eastern Time when we present the
teleseminar on how to “Write a Client-Attracting Book Fast that
Makes Up to $150,000 Before It’s Published.” He’s including a
package of three bonuses at the end that I’ve never seen offered
before, including one worth $265. Your time will be well spent.
Promise.
This session applies primarily to Publicity Hounds who are
writing or thinking of writing a non-fiction book. If you write
fiction, you’ll benefit, too.
We’re expecting several hundred people on the call. Register at
http://mypublishingopportunity.com/joans/ and come with your
questions!
======================================
5. Publicity & Survey Secrets
======================================
Two things you don’t want to miss:
–The replay of Jeanne Hurlbert’s content-packed session last
week on how to use surveys for PR and to grow your business. Find
out if you’re guilty of “survey suicide.” Grab the replay before
5 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, Aug. 18. Learn more about it at my blog
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=6893
–The video from Steve Harrison on “The Biggest Secret for
Getting Major National Publicity for Your Book, Product or
Message”:
http://www.thebigsecrettogettingpublicity.com/?10011
(Both are good fodder for retweets.)
======================================
6. Help This Hound
======================================
Lois Kirkpatrick of Fairfax, Va., writes:
“I work for a large county government that has a variety of
groundbreaking/grand opening events.
“The facilities range from libraries, parks and public safety
buildings to homeless shelters and mental health centers.
“What are some things we can do instead of the dreaded VIPs-
holding-shovels groundbreakings and VIPs-holding-scissors ribbon-
cuttings? I’m looking for general ideas that can be applied to
most types of facilities.”
The Publicity Hound says: While we’re on the subject, Hounds, how
about giving Lois some ideas for those equally obnoxious check-
passing ceremonies with the giant, oversized cardboard checks?
Post your best ideas to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6913
=====================================
7. Hound Video of the Week
=====================================
You’ll love this short video which proves that many dog owners
do, indeed, look like their dogs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=642qxehEcGg
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Great fodder for retweeting:
7 ways to use surveys for publicity, PR, business-building
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6893
21 ways to promote your webinars and teleseminars
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6877
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website 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
»
August 11th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #517 Aug. 10, 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)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. Grab Attention on LinkedIn
2. What’s Your #1 Free PR Tool?
3. How Others Perceive You on Twitter
4. Make Money While Writing Your Book
5. Read Your Customers’ Minds
6. Publicity Summit Discount Ends Today
7. Dog Joke of the Week
8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Grab Attention on LinkedIn
=====================================
With more than 70 million people on LinkedIn, it’s often
difficult to attract attention to your profile, particularly if
you’re in a crowded industry.
But Paul Furiga, owner of WordWrite Communications in Pittsburgh,
Pa., has found an unusual way to do just that.
In his LinkedIn profile, rather than stating his job title, he
includes a pithy one-sentence elevator pitch that quickly
summarizes what he does at his PR firm:
“I use every tool in the public relations toolbox to make our
clients the heroes in their own stories,” it says.
It’s easy enough to do. When creating your profile, you simply
include your elevator pitch where your job title would be.
I discovered this last week as I was posting a question to
LinkedIn about what PR people think is their Number One free PR
tool. I liked Paul’s idea so much that I wrote a blog post about
it for SocialMediaToday.com at
http://socialmediatoday.com/publicityhound/157407/how-tweak-your-
linkedin-profile-stand-out-crowd
You can even see how I illustrated it with screen shots to show
how his profile really stands out.
That’s one tiny way to promote on LinkedIn. Social media expert
Scott Allen shared more tips that involve well-thought-out
strategies, not just tactics, during the two-part teleseminar I
conducted on “How to Use LInkedIn to Promote Anything–Ethically
& Powerfully” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedin.htm
======================================
2. What’s Your #1 Free PR Tool?
======================================
I’m compiling a list of free tools that Publicity Hounds use in
their PR and publicity campaigns, and I’d like to hear about your
favorite, not including this newsletter.
Examples:
–Any of the free media leads services like PitchRate, Reporter
Connection, HARO or the new service called NewsBasis.
–The free social media press release template from Shift
Communications at
http://www.shiftcomm.com/downloads/smprtemplate.pdf
–My free course on how to write and distribute online press
releases at http://www.89pressreleasetips.com
–A blog or ezine.
Let’s hear it. What’s the one free PR tool you absolutely cannot
live without? Email me, put “PR Tool” in the subject line and
explain where other Publicity Hounds can find it.
Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=PRTool
=====================================
3. How Others Perceive You on Twitter
=====================================
The two best ways to put yourself in front of influential people
on Twitter are to:
–Retweet them. Your tweets will show up in their Mentions
column, and if you retweet them often enough, they’ll know who
you are.
–Reply to their tweets. Many people, even big-wigs, will be more
than happy to carry on a conversation with you.
How do you find the most influential people in Twitter? One way
that really saves time is to check out other people’s Twitter
lists and see who they’ve identified as the best (fill in the
blank) within an industry. When you subscribe to THEIR lists,
you’ll see a list of all the tweets from people they’ve
mentioned.
Publicity Hounds have flooded my email inbox with Help This Hound
questions about how to use Twitter lists, a topic that isn’t
answered easily in a blog post. So I’m hosting a teleseminar at 3
p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Aug. 26, called “How to Use
Twitter Lists & Directories to Generate Publicity and Build Your
Brand.” I’ll even show you a nifty tool that you can use to find
out, within seconds, the Number One keyword or keyword phrase
that people on Twitter use to describe you.
If the time is inconvenient for you, sign up anyway because I’m
recording it. You?ll get a link where you can watch the streaming
video, or download the video. Read more about what you’ll be able
to do with Twitter lists and directories at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm
=====================================
4. Make Money While Writing Your Book
=====================================
The moment you decide to write a book, you can begin to leverage
that fact to attract new clients and revenue.
John Eggen, a publishing and marketing mentor, says one way to do
that is to include this one-liner in your email signature:
“Author of the forthcoming book, (insert your title and subtitle
here).”
Independent professional Jeanna Pool tried it. She reported, “I
got two new clients and $25,000.00 in income, all within 30 days
of starting my book. It took just three minutes to use John
Eggen’s simple technique.”
John has two more incredibly easy ideas that I’ll email you later
this week, along with information on how to join me when I
interview him during a teleseminar at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on
Wednesday, Aug. 18. Don’t miss this one if you’re writing a book,
or thinking of writing one.
You can sign up now at http://mypublishingopportunity.com/joans/
or wait to see the email.
======================================
5. Read Your Customers’ Minds
======================================
One of the worst mistakes I made when I started creating
information products was guessing what Publicity Hounds were
willing to buy.
A handful of the more than 100 products I’ve created turned out
to be stink bombs that, to this day, have fewer than five buyers.
Fortunately, I found Jeanne Hurlbert last year and hired her to
create a customer profile survey for me. The responses showed me
exactly what my customers wanted and how much they were willing
to spend. Ditto for services.
Jeanne is hosting a free webinar at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on
Thursday, Aug. 12. She’ll explain the four survey principles that
will let you read your customers’ minds to create products to
order that they will beg to buy.
She’ll show you how to leverage surveys for PR and publicity that
you couldn’t buy with a million-dollar advertising budget. You’ll
learn how surveys let you build a tribe that loves you, spelling
the difference between falling victim to an economic downturn and
making a fortune from it.
Jeanne will also explain how mobile surveys can put you on the
cutting edge of online marketing.
Register at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826
======================================
6. Publicity Summit Discount Ends Today
======================================
Today, Aug. 10, is the last day to get the full discount on your
tuition for the National Publicity Summit, October 20-23, in New
York City, where you can meet more than 100 top journalists and
broadcasters face to face and pitch your story ideas.
After today, the price goes up. Host Steve Harrison will begin
pre-Summit training for the 53 people who already have been
admitted to the summit.
To apply for one of the 47 open spots, go here now:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/apply/?10011
I promote the summit as an affiliate because many of my readers
have attended, and reported great results. Watch this video Steve
created, in which four people who attended past summits explain
what happened to them after the did:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/info/npsvideo.html?10011
=====================================
7. Dog Joke of the Week
=====================================
A 3-year-old boy went with his dad to see a new litter of
Labrador puppies.
When they returned home, the boy breathlessly informed his
mother, “There were three boy Labrador puppies and four girl
Labrador puppies.”
“How did you know that?” his mother asked.
“Daddy picked them up and looked underneath,” he replied. “I
think it’s printed on their bottoms.”
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
My blog at http://www.PublicityHound.net has a new look that
matches the HTML version of this newsletter. I’ll be adding
widgets, categories and other features in the next few weeks. In
the meantime, check out these posts:
13 fun, easy ways to find content for your blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6824
How to tweak your LinkedIn profile and stand out from the crowd
http://socialmediatoday.com/publicityhound/157407/how-tweak-your-
linkedin-profile-stand-out-crowd
——————————————-
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
——————————————–
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Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
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================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737
»
