The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #514 July 20, 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. A Poop-Free Zone

2. How to Follow Up

3. Five Social Media Tactics

4. Your Survey Questions Answered

5. Back-to-School Stories

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. A Poop-Free Zone
=====================================

When employees of an ad agency in Roanoke, Va., became annoyed
with local dog owners whose pets were pooping on the sidewalk
outside the agency’s offices, they fought back with a clever
publicity stunt.

The Becher Agency posted signs outside its building declaring the
area on Warehow Row a poop-free zone. They even created a special
Facebook Fan Page called “A Partnership for a Poop-Free
Workplace” at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Partnership-for-a-Poop-Free-
Workplace/129321853770020?ref=ts

And they proved themselves true Publicity Hounds when they called
Dan Casey, Metro columnist for the Roanoke Times, to let him know
about the campaign. Brilliant!

Thanks to Publicity Hound Brett LaGue of Roanoke for tipping us
off to this one. You can read Dan’s column about it at
http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/casey/wb/253427

The next time you’re thinking about a publicity stunt, remember
this. And consider all the ways you can use a Facebook Fan Page.
See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

Note: We’ve updated the handouts for the third time since this
teleseminar was presented, to reflect all the new changes on
Facebook.

======================================
2. How to Follow Up
======================================

Five annoying things you should never do when following up with a
journalist or blogger who doesn’t reply to your pitch:

–Emailing and asking, “Did you get my email?”

–Calling and leaving a voicemail message reminding them that
they haven’t replied to your pitch.

–Emailing the same pitch with an obnoxious reminder in the
subject line that says something like “Second attempt to contact
you.”

–Any type of message that berates the recipient for not
replying.

–Stopping by the magazine or newspaper office unannounced and
asking the receptionist to call the reporter to the front desk to
meet you so you can pitch in person. (Yes, clods actually do
this.)

The best publicists know all kinds of sneaky ways to follow up
without making it look like they’re following up. Publicist
Michelle Tennant of Wasabi Publicity does this better than
anybody I know. She has a particularly clever strategy of
following up when news is breaking and she’s trying to place one
of her clients on a TV news or talk show to comment on the news
event.

Michelle will share that tip and others when she’s my guest on
“How to Tie Your Story Idea to Breaking News and Make the Media
Interview YOU,” a webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, July
21.

Your email pitches will be a lot easier if you follow Michelle’s
lead and pattern your pitches after hers. The handouts will
include two email pitches she used successfully to land her
clients fabulous publicity.

Get a taste of the type of tips she’ll be discussing, and
register for the session, at http://publicityhound.net/?p=6699

If the time is inconvenient, register anyway and you’ll get a
link where you can watch the video replay.

=====================================
3. Five Social Media Tactics
=====================================

If you missed my email yesterday, this is a reminder that today’s
free webinar with social media expert Don Crowther is at 3 p.m.
Eastern Time.

He’ll share 5 social media tactics that will help you make more
money than friends on social media sites. I promise your time
will be well spent.

Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/250760784

=====================================
4. Your Survey Questions Answered
=====================================

Taking a survey on a burning hot topic and reporting the results
is one of the best ways to generate publicity. The more
controversial, the better.

But if you don’t have the time to take a survey, the next best
thing is to piggyback onto one that’s already been taken, and
offer your commentary.

Really smart Publicity Hounds do both. My partner, Jeanne
Hurlbert, a survey expert, will answer all your questions about
surveys when she hosts a free Q&A coaching call from 3 to 4 p.m.
Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 21. Come with as many questions
as you can think of and Jeanne will get you off to a great start.

Register at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826

======================================
5. Back-to-School Stories
======================================

This is the time to pitch back-to-school stories to bloggers,
newspapers, TV stations, and magazines with short lead times.

Tie your expertise to topics like drugs and binge drinking, how
to decorate dorms, eating on a budget, bullying, discipline in
the classroom, mobile phones and texting in class, preparing for
the job market, staying fit, and good study habits.

If you do PR for a school, college or university, you should be
in high gear right now, laying the groundwork for working with
local and national media throughout the new school year, from
lining up campus experts to educating your faculty and staff
about how the media game is played. See “Special Report #15:
Publicity Tips for Schools, Colleges and Universities” at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

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

“I named my dog Stay so I can say ‘Come here, Stay. Come here,
Stay.” — Steven Wright

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

Consider retweeting:

Commenting at blogs? Mention your expertise
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6721

6 ways to tie your pitch to breaking news for PR, publicity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6699

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #505 May 18, 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. Why You Shouldn’t Quit Facebook

2. Questions the Media Love

3. How Survey Publicity Snowballs

4. Story Ideas for June

5. Hound Joke of the Week

6. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. Why You Shouldn’t Quit Facebook
====================================

A lot of angry Facebook users are abandoning the site and urging
their friends to bolt, too, because of its confusing privacy
policies.

You have to navigate through 50 settings with more than 170
options. By default, Facebook can share your profile information
with third-party sites, and if you don’t want that, you have to
opt out. Many users think that’s deceptive and that it should be
the other way around.

I won’t abandon Facebook, where I’ve managed to attract more than
5,000 friends and fans–at least not yet.

With enough pressure, Facebook might alter its policy and reach
some kind of compromise that won’t necessarily placate users, but
will at least encourage them to refrain from jumping ship.

Already, the marketplace is stepping in. ConnectInPrivate.com,
developer of a comprehensive suite of anonymous surfing and
Internet privacy tools, will soon announce the launch of its new
“Secure My Profile” application for Facebook.

Hang in there a little while longer and let’s see how this plays
out. In the meantime, check out this two-minute video that
explains how to adjust your privacy settings:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/13/facebook-privacy-
settings_n_575732.html

Now, use the site to its greatest advantage. See “11 Ways to
Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

====================================
2. Questions the Media Love
====================================

The next time a journalist interviews you, or a blogger is
interested in an idea you’re pitching, ask this question: “Do you
need other sources?”

They love that question. It shows you’re trying to make their job
easy and you don’t want to hog the media spotlight.  If you can
provide a name, email address and phone number for an expert or
source who you know would agree to be interviewed, you’ll
position yourself as helpful.

After 22 years working at newspapers, I can tell you that almost
NOBODY asks that.

Here’s another question that people almost never ask: “Are you
looking for photo ideas?”

Those two questions are among 10 magic phrases to use with the
media. I’ll explain all of them when I present the 90-minute
webinar, “How to REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing
Channel and ZIG When Everyone Else is ZAGGING,” from 1:30 to 3
p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, May 19.

This session is perfect for beginner and intermediate self-
promoters. I presented it a few weeks ago to Stompernet, the
association of Internet marketers, to rave reviews.

Come with your questions and I’ll answer them all, either during
or after the call.

I’ll also explain the missing link–how to create relationships
with journalists and bloggers.  And I’ll share my favorite free
tools that help you know instantly which journalists need other
sources in addition to your expertise, and how to contact them.

The session will be recorded, and you can watch the video replay
after the call.

Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

=====================================
3. How Survey Publicity Snowballs
=====================================

Two weeks ago, I wrote about Brian Kluth, a former church pastor
who takes an annual “State of the Plate” survey that reports on
whether people are donating more or less money to their churches.

More than 160 media outlets covered the results of his most
recent survey.

Jeanne Hurlbert, my business partner who is an expert on surveys,
interviewed Brian. He explained how he got an initial story on
the front page of the Washington Times, how it snowballed from
there, the simple way he found names of religion editors, and how
he partnered with Christianity Today magazine.

This is great stuff for anybody who wants to use inexpensive
surveys to position themselves as experts, call attention to
emerging trends and build strong relationships with the media.

The best part is that Brian now has names and contact information
for 160 journalists and broadcasters who are interested in his
topic.

Jeanne is offering the free download of the half-hour interview
at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826 How about sharing it with your
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn friends?

======================================
4. Story Ideas for June
======================================

Here are five story ideas worth pitching during June:

–Speakers, authors and experts: Do you have advice for college
graduates? Offer tips on careers, finances and relationships.

–What about advice for newlyweds? Mortgage lenders, marriage
counselors and professional organizers, offer your best tips for
getting started on the right foot.

–Gardening is booming. How can people use small spaces to grow
veggies and save on grocery bills?

–What kind of summer clothing is unacceptable in the workplace?
Image consultants and HR experts, share your horror stories.

–Tell people how to save on summer travel. Share tips on saving
gasoline, buying cheap airline tickets and finding inexpensive
lodging.
Now, look ahead and start thinking about ideas you can pitch in
July and beyond. Shawne Duperon and I can help. We recorded the
teleseminar I hosted on “103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July
through December.” It includes a handout listing all of our
ideas, which we invite you to steal. Learn more at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JulyIdeas.htm

=====================================
5. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Maria Antonia for pointing out this
excerpt from the book “Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and
Light” that explains how Hitchcock directed Sean Connery on the
set of Marnie:

“Every once in a while the director did venture minor
‘adjustments and suggestions’ (Connery’s words) in the rhythm of
scenes–which, according to one Connery biographer, largely
consisted of advising the actor to shut his mouth while listening
for his cues, and inserting ‘dog’s feet’ into his lengthier
speeches.

“Dog’s feet?” asked a mystified Connery.

“Pawses,” Hitchcock drawled.

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/

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

Consider retweeting:
Calculate the value of your Facebook Fan Page
http://publicityhound.net/calculate-the-value-of-your-facebook-
fan-page/

Fiction authors: Blog about these 19 topics
http://publicityhound.net/fiction-authors-blog-about-these-19-
topics/

9 ways chambers of commerce can use social media
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/9-ways-chambers-of-commerce-
can-use-social-media/

———————————————

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #474 Oct. 20, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Experts Research; Amateurs Guess

2. Estee Lauder’s Makeover Promotion

3. Balloon Boy Hoax

4. How to Penetrate Pittsburgh TV

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

====================================
1. Experts Research; Amateurs Guess
====================================

One of the biggest mistakes I made early in my career cost me
dearly.

I assumed that people who wanted information on how to write
press releases were typing “news releases” into the search
engines. So I used the phrase “news releases” in my articles, at
my website and in the titles of products I created on that topic.

Then one day, an Internet marketer told me that people were
typing “press releases” into the search engines seven times more
often than they were typing “news releases.”

Seven times more! My heart sank. I could have had seven times
more traffic.

He was an expert because he had done his keyword research. I was
an amateur because I simply guessed.

If you sell telephones, do you know if people are typing
“telephones,” “phones” or “phone systems” into the search
engines?

If you’re a management consultant who teaches leadership skills,
do you know how many people search for “leadership skills” vs.
“lead more effectively” vs. “management coaching”?

The only way to know is to do your research, an important step
that nine out of 10 press release writers skip. The one in 10 who
do the research can know within a minute or two the answers to
the three questions above. If they take a few additional steps in
their research, they can also learn which keywords are the most
competitive. Using two or three keywords that don’t have as much
competition can still help your press releases and articles rank
on Page 1 on Google.

Press release expert Janet Thaeler has created three videos that
show you in step-by-step detail how to use two keyword research
tools that make you a whole lot smarter than the people who don’t
want to bother with this. The links are in handouts that I’m
emailing later this afternoon to everyone who has signed up for
tomorrow’s teleseminar on “How to Use Keywords: The ‘Magic
Magnets’ That Pull Consumers & Journalists to Your Press
Releases.”

The handouts also include a checklist you can refer to every time
you start writing a press release.

Read more about what you’ll learn on tomorrow’s call, and
register at http://tinyurl.com/yeygbqb

========================================
2. Estee Lauder’s Makeover Promotion
========================================

I love Estee Lauder’s recent promotion that offers free makeovers
and photo shoots at its cosmetics counters so women can use them
for their online social media profiles.

The promotion, which started Oct. 16 at Bloomingdale’s department
stores in New York, will extend to Macy’s, Saks and other
Bloomingdale’s stores in Southern California, Miami and Chicago.

After a free makeover, Estee Lauder will shoot your photo which
you can then use as the avatar at sites like Facebook, LinkedIn
and Match.com. The company’s logo is in the background and, if it
isn’t erased with Photoshop, can live on the social media sites
forever.

You can read about the promotion in an AdAge article at
http://adage.com/article?article_id=139524 and see the great
before-and-after photos of Kunur Patel, an Ad Age reporter who
took advantage of the makeover and then wrote about it at
http://adage.com/article?article_id=139749

If you aren’t getting journalists and bloggers involved in your
promotions, you’re missing a great opportunity. See “Special
Report #42: Tips for Letting Reporters Experience Your Story, Not
Just Write About It.” You’ll learn how to create memorable
experiences for the media and entice them to cover your product
or service. Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/invitereporters

========================================
3. Balloon Boy Hoax
========================================

So much for publicity stunts gone bad.

Law enforcement officials say that if Richard Keene is charged
with perpetrating the hoax, it probably won’t be until next week.
That means there’s plenty of time to piggyback off this story and
get some good publicity for yourself. The most obvious angle is
the way the parents recruited their children to be part of the
hoax.

–Mommy and daddy bloggers, what are your readers saying about
what happened? Share your comments with other bloggers and the
media.

–Child development experts, what do stunts like this teach
children about right and wrong and common sense? What’s the long-
term damage?

–PR experts, what should the Keenes have done when their 6-year-
old son vomited on the set of the “Today” show? I found it
unsettling that they barely skipped a beat and continued the
interview, as if nothing unusual had happened.

Authors, speakers and experts, if your topic ties into this
bizarre story, pitch it.

=======================================
4. How to Penetrate Pittsburgh TV
=======================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for John and Bobbi
Robinson of Vanderbilt, PA on how to pitch local TV stations for
their non-profit organization that makes wishes come true for
people with severe illnesses.
From Gail Sideman:

“With a family?s permission, invite one of these television
reporters to accompany Unity to an event with a local recipient.
Suggest that reporters talk to the family, someone from your
organization and a physician about how these outings and trips
help them forget about their health challenges and simply focus
on a good time.”
From Bonnie Harris:

“TV stations are more willing to run footage they take
themselves. Extend individual invitations to members of your TV
stations to accompany you on these outings. If you get no takers,
ask just one of their team to go along, perhaps the weather
person. A good reporter will also want to talk to participants
about what the program means to them.”
From The Publicity Hound:

Try pitching the morning news/feature shows in Pittsburgh,
including the weekend shows. They’re often easier to get onto
than the weekday news, where you’re facing more competition from
hard news stories. If you’re granting a wish that ties into
Thanksgiving, like sending someone to see their relatives on
Turkey Day, pitch that a few days before Thanksgiving. Likewise
with Christmas.”
Read all the responses to this week?s ?Help This Hound” question,
or add your own, at http://budurl.com/5krx

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

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

Ivy Mendoza of Manila, Philippines writes:

“My small PR firm just got an account that needs a lot of
exposure in the lifestyle sections. The previous PR person had
been sacked due to some anomalies which she was supposed to have
committed while conniving with the client?s marketing department.

“To neutralize the situation, the marketing people have gradually
been replaced, the marketing manager was asked to resign, and the
contract of the old PR consultant was no longer renewed.

“The problem is that the previous PR person has already started
badmouthing the client to editors whom she is very close to. One
particular editor of a very highly circulated newspaper has
already declared that our client?s press releases will not see
print in her section anymore. They liked the old PR person and
they believed everything that person said about the client.

“The client (not us, the PR firm) wants us to start on a clean
slate, so they made an effort to appease this particular editor
by setting up a meeting. But the editor flat out refused to meet
with them and directly said that she cannot help the client
anymore as far as press releases are concerned.

“What should we do? Her paper and her section are very important
for our client because of its target readership and circulation.
I advised the client to let the editor ?thaw? first and just use
other sections of the same newspaper (Business, Entertainment,
etc.) in the meantime. Would you have other tips for me as far as
?power tripping? media is concerned?
The Publicity Hound says:

Ouch! There’s more than one way around this problem, however.
Let’s see what my media-savvy Hounds would do. If you have ideas
on how Icy can deal with this problem and generate publicity for
her client, post them to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/editorsaysno

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Barry Lebow of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
for this one:

A dog went to a telegram office, took out a blank form and wrote:
“Woof.  Woof.  Woof.  Woof.  Woof.  Woof.  Woof.  Woof.  Woof.”

The clerk examined the paper and politely told the dog: “There
are only nine words here. You could send another ‘Woof’ for the
same price.”

The dog replied, “But that would make no sense at all.”
Dog Jokes & Quotes Ebook: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.

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

==================================
7. And at My Blog…
==================================

How to thrive as an author, speaker, expert in any economy
http://tinyurl.com/thriveasanauthor
————————————

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

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

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

         The Publicity Hound’s
           Tips of the Week
       Issue #461 July 28, 2009
        Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
     http://www.PublicityHound.com
  http://www.publicityhound.net/  (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net  (Ezine Archives)

       Circulation: 38,964

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

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

1. It’s All About Relationships

2. Social Bookmarking How-to

3. TV Interviews from Hell

4. Growing Hunger for Food News

5. Promoting a Website for Black Doctors

6. Have You Signed Up for My Newsletter?

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

=====================================
1. It’s All About Relationships
=====================================

When Publicity Hound Gail Sideman met freelancer Alyson McNutt
English at a writers’ conference more than a year ago, she
pitched a story about her client, a Wisconsin jeweler who makes
diamond encrusted jewelry and other blingy rings, necklaces and
baubles for professional athletes.

Soon after the interview, Alyson wrote the story for ESPN the
Magazine. But with the economy headed south, Gail said, “I
figured it was a dead story. The last thing people want to read
about is athletes buying expensive jewelry.”

Gail kept the relationship with Alyson alive. They followed each
other on Twitter, connected on LinkedIn, and stayed in even
closer contact on Facebook.

Then it happened.

A few weeks ago, Gail learned that her client, jeweler Harry
Glinberg, is shown in a huge photo on Page 2 of the July 27 issue
of the ESPN magazine, holding up a fistful of flashy necklaces
and diamond-studded brooches. It accompanies a feature titled “6
Things About Dealing Athlete Ice.”

Read it, and check out the great quotes, at
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?id=4344204

The story caught the attention of Charlie Villanueva, who plays
for the Detroit Pistons and is one of Harry’s clients.

“Charlie’s active on Facebook and Twitter and asked on those
sites how his jeweler got into ESPN’s magazine,” said Gail, a
sports publicist.

Traditional and social media publicity, she says, can work hand
in hand.

“A traditional pitch to a freelance reporter who writes for a
magazine turned into publicity on the social media sites. As a
publicist, that’s what I’m aiming for.”

While face-to-face communication with journalists isn’t always
possible, Gail says it can cement the relationship. Alyson has
since invited Gail to join her Fantasy Football League.

As you know if you’ve been reading this newsletter,
relationships with freelancers can prove incredibly lucrative. A
freelancer who writes for several publications might come back to
you again and again.

Publicity Hounds can meet writers, editors, freelancers and
broadcasters face to face at the National Publicity Summit Oct.
21-24 in New York City. Only 100 people will be chosen for this
event. Learn more about how to attend at
http://www.NationalPublicitySummit.com/?10011

=====================================
2. Social Bookmarking How-to
=====================================

I know what you’re thinking. One more social media task to worry
about.

That’s right. It’s called social bookmarking, and it can increase
the power of everything you do in social media.

Unlike your blog, or Facebook pages, you don’t have to create
massive amounts of content. Instead, you simply need to find it
elsewhere online, and then bookmark it for others to enjoy. And,
yes, you can also bookmark your own content, with care.

Here’s the best part. Once you get the hang of social
bookmarking, you can turn over much of this to an assistant who
can do most of the nitty-gritty work for you.

The results of my Customer Profile Survey show many of you want
more how-to information on this topic. So I’m hosting a
teleseminar on “How to do Social Bookmarking to Promote Your
Expertise, Attract Followers & Pull Massive Amounts of Traffic”
at 8 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, Aug. 13. If the time is
inconvenient, sign up anyway and receive the MP3 download.

My guest is Colin Martin, a social media expert and avid
bookmarker who will share his best tips on how to use bookmarking
to build valuable relationships online.

About a week before the call, everyone who registers will receive
a link to four videos Colin is creating. They show in step-by-
step detail how to create your accounts at these sites, how to
bookmark content, how to make friends and join groups, and
everyday uses and results of this powerful marking tool.

Read more about the teleseminar and register at
http://www.snipurl.com/social_bookmarking_teleseminar

=====================================
3. TV Interviews from Hell
=====================================

Don’t feel bad if you make mistakes when you appear as a guest on
TV news or talk shows. It’s part of the learning curve.

Being boring, overtly promoting your book, talking too much, and
failing to deliver pithy sound bites pale in comparison to the
mistakes two authors have made on shows where they appeared.

Watch both videos, which I’ve posted at my blog, and then comment
on which of the two you think is the worst. Promise me you’ll
watch both of them to the bitter end.

I can’t wait to see your comments.

Go to http://budurl.com/c764

=====================================
4. Growing Hunger for Food News
=====================================

You can say what you want about the bad economy. Foodies haven’t
cut back on their intake of food and beverage news.

I know. I’m a foodie from way back. And I’m still devouring the
Food Network, new recipes I find in magazines, and food feature
stories in local and national newspapers.

If you’re trying to pitch a food or beverage story idea, tying it
to the economy, or an emerging trend, or a celebrity, can be the
best way to grab a journalist’s attention.

But what if the newspaper you want to get into has laid off the
food editor? With so many journalists losing their jobs these
days, a good story idea just isn’t enough. You need to know how
to contact them and keep them on your radar screen.

Bulldog Reporter’s PR University will host an audio conference at
1 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 30, on “Maximizing Food and
Beverage Media Coverage in the New Economy: Epicurean Journalists
Field Live Pitches, Reveal Best PR Practices and Top Food Media
Trends.”

Learn how to tap into a growing hunger for food and beverage
news–and get your culinary offering on the menu at top
media today. Panelists include Hugh Garvey of Bon Appetit, Regina
Ragone of Family Circle, Megan Steintrager of Epicurious.com and
Nancy Hopkins of Better Homes & Gardens will explain how.

Learn more and register at http://snipurl.com/foodpublicity

========================================
5. Promoting a Website for Black Doctors
========================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have ideas on how Cynthia Barnes
of Fort Wayne, Ind., can market her website,
http://www.BlackHealthCareProviders.org  It’s a nationwide free
referral service that helps consumers find African-American
health care providers in their own neighborhoods.

From Sonia Singh:

“Get involved with your local Black Chamber of Commerce.”

From Jen Fitzgerald:

“Create a competition nominating your favourite African-American
doctor. Also, there could be an African-American doctors’
association you could target.

From Jeff Rutherford:

“I would be willing to bet that there are online listservs or
LinkedIn groups for African-American doctors and medical
professionals to network. Start making personal, one-on-one
connections with five to 10 African-American doctors. Once you’ve
built a rapport, explained your site, and ask them to alert their
colleagues.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week’s Help This Hound question
at http://budurl.com/e7xr

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

=========================================
6. Have You Signed Up for My Newsletter?
=========================================

Help This Hound takes a vacation this week, a great opportunity
for me to remind you to be sure to sign up for the new version of
this newsletter, or risk being dropped.

I’m changing email marketing companies and don’t want to lose
you. To stay with me, you must do two things:

First, subscribe to the new version of the newsletter by going to
http://www.PublicityHound.com/aweber/optin.htm and entering your
name and email address into the form.

Second, check your email inbox for a message with the subject
line: “Response Required: Confirm Your Publicity Hound
Subscription.” Click on the link inside the email. If you miss
this step, you’ll miss receiving the weekly tips and you’ll be
like a lost puppy wandering the streets, looking for its mama.

Questions? Email me at mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com  If you
ever suddenly stop receiving the newsletter, let me know and
we’ll get you back onto the list.

P.S. I need Help This Hound questions. Send them to
JStewart@PublicityHound.com?=HelpThisHound   Be sure to mention
where you live.

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

You’ll love this “Bailey Plays Dead” clip from a segment of David
Letterman’s stupid pet tricks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DalB-CvO7Qc

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 and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.

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

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

Which of these author TV-interviews-from-hell is the worst?
http://budurl.com/c764

Meeting a journalist? 9 magic phrases the media love
http://budurl.com/vsjv

Blog content in short supply? 9 ideas for bloggers
http://budurl.com/5uab

————————————

Where to See & Hear The Publicity Hound:

Aug. 5 — Teleseminar for Restaurants

“How Restaurants Can Use Social Media to Create a Loyal Following
and Keep Customers Coming Back–Even in a Rotten Economy.” 3 p.m.
Eastern. Host: Jaime Oikle of RestaurantReport.com. Register at
http://budurl.com/m6tl

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

Friend me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/joanstewart

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/  or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #456 June 23, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)

Circulation: 39,405

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

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

1. Would You Embarrass the Host?

2. Gift Guides Stress Value

3. Write a Book in a Weekend

4. Brag About Publicity on Facebook

5. Promoting a Book on Marketing

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

=====================================
1. Would You Embarrass the Host?
=====================================

What would you do if this happened to you?

You and your business partner take turns appearing as guest
experts on a weekly TV talk show in your community. The
interviewer, one of the best in the business, has been
interviewing you and your partner for several months, so he knows
you fairly well.

During one segment, which is broadcast live, he accidentally
calls you by your partner’s first name. Would you correct him on
camera and risk embarrassing him in front of thousands of
viewers?

Be honest. Would you? Should you?

A reader called to tell me that’s exactly what happened to her
recently when she was being interviewed. She gently corrected the
host without making a big deal out of it.

After the show, he was furious–not at her, but at the producer
who put the wrong name on the teleprompter.

The woman asked me if she did the right thing, even though she
embarrassed him. I said I thought that what she did was fine.
But I wanted a second opinion and forwarded the question to
Connie Dieken, a Cleveland TV personality and media coach.

Connie said:

“Your reader was right to offer a gentle correction. Here’s why.
A guest’s primary responsibility is to the television audience,
not the host. The host is the conduit to the audience.

“I know how embarrassing it can be for a TV host to use the wrong
name. But it’s a shame that the host lashed out at the producer
for writing the wrong name on his script. Producers have a lot
on their plates–they’re under pressure writing and organizing
loads of reports as well as making sure their shows start and
stop on time.

“Bottom line, the host was livid because he was embarrassed and
had to take the blame publicly. It’s the reverse of the famous
Broadcast News movie scene where the producer (Holly Hunter)
spoon-fed the anchor (William Hurt) with intelligent remarks and
made him look good. It goes both ways.

“Your reader made the right call with a calm correction of
her name. Kudos for having the grace to do it politely.”

Connie gives more great advice on how to act–and react–when
you’re the guest on a TV talk show. When I interviewed her on
“How to be a TV Talk Show Host’s Dream Date,” she offered sage
advice to guest experts who must handle difficult questions from
TV interviewers, look cool under the hot studio lights, and give
such a sterling performance that when the interview ends, the
producer invites them back.

Read more about what we discussed at http://budurl.com/lbvr

=====================================
2. Gift Guides Stress Value
=====================================

If you sell a consumer product or service that would make an
ideal gift, you should be trying to generate publicity in holiday
gift guides, even though the economy stinks.

Gift guides are special sections in newspapers and magazines,
and special features on TV and radio, devoted specifically to
holiday gift giving.

Between now and December, journalists and broadcasters will be
looking for press kits about products and services tied to three
angles:

–If the gift you sell costs under $50, or even under $25, you
have a golden opportunity to play up that pricing because of the
bad economy. Even if the media aren’t looking for strict price
guidelines, a pitch that highlights the value of your product
will catch their eye. Most luxury-oriented media outlets are
mentioning value for price. AARP, Real Simple, and Good
Housekeeping are just a few magazines that are looking for low
price gifts this season.

–If your brand is involved with a charitable group, say so when
you pitch. Economic downturns hit charitable organizations hard,
and the media want to know about companies that are still giving
back to society. Self, Family Circle and Seventeen magazines are
all looking for gifts that have a charitable component. Readers
feel good about supporting these products and appreciate hearing
about them.

–During a period of high unemployment, you have ample
opportunity to pitch regional publications if you keep your
manufacturing on-shore.

The trick is finding these media outlets. You can make hundreds
of phone calls and spend weeks researching on the Internet. Or
you can subscribe to The Gift List, which features contact
information, pitching tips and background on hundreds of media
outlets.

Each journalist profile is packed with details on which consumer
products they cover, what interests them the most, how they like
to hear about new products, specifications for sending photos,
whether they welcome press kits for your books, and more.

The Gift List will knock 15 percent off the subscription price if
you subscribe by June 30 using this link:
http://www.giftlistmedia.com/?link=ph

Many national magazines work six months ahead of the publication
date and they’re reviewing pitches right now. So get going, or
lose out.

=====================================
3. Write a Book in a Weekend
=====================================

If you’re thinking of writing a book to promote your expertise,
do you dread having to devote your entire vacation, and precious
time away from your family, to write the first draft?

If so, you’re one of the lucky ones. Some authors quit their
full-time jobs and take sabbaticals so they can spend years
writing and rewriting.

Ann McIndoo, the former creative assistant to motivational
speaker Tony Robbins, has developed a system for writing the
first draft of a non-fiction book in just one weekend–a fraction
of the time it takes most authors.

She has helped 238 authors write their books in just three days,
thanks to time-saving shortcuts.

Her system works best for authors who are writing non-fiction
books on topics they know well, particularly how-to, leadership,
business, self-help and autobiographies.

Ann will explain her system during a free telephone seminar with
Steve Harrison at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, June 25.

Register at http://www.WriteYourBookInAWeekend.com/call/?10011

If the times are inconvenient, recruit someone to listen and take
notes for you.

========================================
4. Brag About Publicity on Facebook
========================================

When you score publicity in traditional media outlets or
online, be sure to let your Facebook Friends and Fans know.

–Post a Note to your Fan Page and link to the online video or
radio interview. But go one step further. Ask your Fans to
critique your performance.

–If you’re included in an article that appeared online, link to
it.

–Excerpt tips you’ve offered to newspapers and magazines and
tell your Friends and Fans where they can find the article
online.

–Has a blogger written about you? Link to the post, and
encourage your Facebook Friends and Fans to comment at the blog.

–Share with your Friends and Fans what it was like to be
interviewed by the media. How did you prepare for difficult
questions? Did you take advantage of media training before
appearing on a TV show? What little extras did you include in
your pitch that tipped the scales in your favor?

–Don’t forget about Internet radio shows. Let your Friends and
Fans know how to find the archives.

Do you know the difference between Facebook Friends and Fans? Do
you know where on Facebook you can and can’t promote? Do you know
about other social media sites that let you sync your Facebook
account with theirs so you can save valuable time and recycle
content?

If not, “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook”
explains how. The audio and electronic transcript of the
teleseminar I hosted several weeks ago is now available. They
discuss common errors that newbies and others make when they
don’t understand all the ways to build a huge following on
Facebook.

Read more about how to use Facebook at http://budurl.com/jfgw

=====================================
5. Promoting a Book on Marketing
=====================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for Judith Sherven and
Jim Sniechowski, of Las Vegas, Nev., on how to market their new
book “The Heart of Marketing: Love Your Customers and They
Will Love You Back.”

From Marcia Yudkin:

“The website for your book does not contain a way to contact you.
Therefore, it is impossible for someone who sees the publicity
you are generating to contact you with just a click. During your
publicity efforts, you should always make it possible for one
publicity effort to build from another, which requires providing
contact information to allow that to happen.”

From Shel Horowitz:

“This is a perfect book for partnership marketing (something I
know Judith and Jim are already skilled at). Find newsletter
editors already reaching the audience of soft-sell marketers,
ethical marketers, green marketers, etc. Run an excerpt or an
interview or make a special offer to their readers”

From Donna Cook:

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, go for it (if you haven’t
already).

The Publicity Hound says:

Does your Facebook profile include a Fan Page for the book? Have
you joined marketing Groups on Facebook? Are you “dripping” out
your tips on Twitter? Are you creating short videos on soft-sell
marketing and uploading them to the video-sharing sites? Are you
writing book review for other books on marketing? If not, you’re
missing opportunities galore to market your book on your
competitors’ Amazon pages. Randy Gilbert and Don Mitchell show
you how. Read more about it at http://budurl.com/xcf6

Read all the responses to last week’s Help This Hound question at
http://budurl.com/zr4t

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

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

Jeanette Simpson of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., writes:

“I have just published my first book, From Interior Design Intern
to Employee: How to be a ‘Keeper’ (Including Tips from Those Who
Hire).

“It’s written specifically to help interior design interns
transition from college to career.

“Aside from social networking, contacting university design
departments and all vendors, reps, designers and architects I
know, how can I reach my target audience–college students?

The Publicity Hound says:

Targeting a niche is often much easier than targeting a more
general group. I’m sure Jeanette would also love to hear ideas
from my Hounds on what she can do at the social networking sites
to catch the attention of college students studying interior
design.

Hounds with marketing ideas for her book can post them to my blog
at http://budurl.com/cahj

================================
7. 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

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

Squidoo to limit number of outbound links to the same domain
http://budurl.com/jedx

20 social media tips point to four common mistakes
http://budurl.com/twq5

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/

————————————

Where to See & Hear The Publicity Hound:

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

Friend me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/joanstewart

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #433 Jan. 14, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 43,767

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

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

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

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

Teleseminar: Build a Better Blog

Attention bloggers, or those who are just creating a blog. Learn
proven tips on how to drive thousands more visitors to your blog,
sell your products and services there, and write compelling posts
that build a loyal customer following and position you as an expert.

Here’s the best part. You don’t have to be a techie. Join me as I
interview Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka The Blog Squad,
during a free teleseminar called “Boost Your Biz with a Blog”
from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 26. Register at
http://www.blogsquadteleseminars.com/joan/

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

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

1. It’s Not About You

2. The Power of Surveys

3. Sell Books by the Truckload

4. Create Your Own Holiday

5. Promoting a Book on Marriage

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

===================================
1. It’s Not About You
===================================

Trusting the wrong doctor almost killed motivational speaker
Edward Leigh of Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1997, at age 39, Edward started having abdominal pains. His
doctor prescribed Pepto-Bismol. The doctor then performed a
sigmoidoscopy, which came back normal.

During the next two and a half years, his condition worsened and
included nausea, dizziness and rectal bleeding. His doctor
recommended that Edward continue with over-the-counter
medication.

When his symptoms became so severe that he collapsed on the
bathroom floor, he sought help from another doctor who ordered a
colonoscopy. The diagnosis: Stage III Colon Cancer.

The initial test he had, a sigmoidoscopy, is a partial colon exam
that views only the left portion of the colon. The complete colon
exam, the colonoscopy, found his right-sided tumor.

After his surgery and chemotherapy, Edward joined the Colon
Cancer Alliance and later joined a colon cancer listserv via the
Association of Cancer Online Resources.

In March 2000, when “Today” show host Katie Couric was creating
her series called “Confronting Colon Cancer” following the death of
her husband from that disease, Katie’s producer contacted the
Colon Cancer Alliance seeking people who had been diagnosed
and survived.

Edward stepped forward.

“The producer interviewed me, checked back with Katie who was
the decision maker, and she said ‘Bring him to New York.’ A week
later, we did the taping and I was part of Katie’s week-long series
that won a Peabody Award.”

From there, the publicity snowballed to include:

–An appearance on “Mystery Diagnosis” on the Discovery Health
Channel which is now being repeated on the Learning Channel.

–An interview with Montel Williams in March last year. You can see
it at http://tinyurl.com/9xsvy3

–Numerous requests for speaking engagements and consulting for
the health care industry. Today, Edward teaches doctors how to
communicate better with their patients. He also helps patients
become their own health care advocates.

He said he uses many of the tips he reads in this newsletter to
pitch media large and small. Even though he has a compelling
story to tell, he follows his own advice when pitching.

“Don’t be focused on your own agenda. You have to be focused on
your topic and the media outlet’s audience when you’re talking to a
producer. It’s not all about you. If you make it all about you, that’s a
death sentence as far as the media is concerned.”

Ditto when the cameras are rolling. TV talk show host Connie
Dieken, who also hails from Cleveland, says that if you’re bombing
on the air, producers will cut the interview short and hustle you out
of the studio–pronto–before you can do any more damage.

But why take that chance?

Know exactly how to endear yourself to the host and the producers
and get invited back. Connie explained how when she was my
guest during a teleseminar on “How to be a TV Talk Show Host’s
Dream Date.” It’s available as a CD or an electronic transcript that
you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been
approved.

Read more about what you’ll learn at http://tinyurl.com/3z7ut

Edward, by the way, says he’ll be glad to answer colon questions
from Publicity Hounds if you contact him at
mailto:Edward@EdwardLeigh.com

===================================
2. The Power of Surveys
===================================

If knowledge is power, then surveys are like a giant jackhammer in
your marketing toolbox.

You can take a fun, controversial or timely survey and report results
to the media and to consumers.

Or, you can do what I’m doing and survey your customers to see
what else they need from you that you’re not currently providing.
That survey should be ready for you in a few weeks, and I’ll even
reward you with some cool stuff to encourage you to complete it.

Business consultant Paul Lemberg says too many business
owners are obsessed with chasing down new leads when they
should be spending some of that time also figuring out how to sell
more products and services to their existing customers. That’s one
of his five formulas for any business that wants to double its
business this year: sell more stuff to the same people.

During last week’s teleseminar on “5 Ways to Double Your
Business in 2009,” Paul explained that you don’t need an elaborate
survey like the one I’m creating. Instead, one phone call to just one
customer can result in valuable information that can lead to new
products and services.

In fact, he suggests just one short question and he tells you
exactly how to word it. About 200 people joined us on last week’s
call and heard Paul’s other valuable advice on how to raise prices in
a meltdown economy, one task to do at the beginning of every day
that will make your business soar, and a really clever way to reward
your customers for bringing you new leads, without breaking the
bank.

You can read more about his tips and listen to the replay at my
blog at http://tinyurl.com/9fzrq9

Paul’s Formula Five series of videos and checklists will be available
soon from Stompernet at http://tinyurl.com/a6j4pw where you’ll find
an entire series of videos on this program, and dozens of take-away
tips you can start using today.

========================================
3. Sell Books by the Truckload
========================================

Too many authors try to sell books the hard way. They look for
10,000 customers so they can sell 10,000 books.

It’s sometimes a lot easier to sell all those books–or even 100,000
books–to only one customer.

How? By searching for companies that typically buy books in mass
quantity and give them away as free “premium incentives” to
encourage people to buy their products. Many of these same
companies:

–Give away the books as thank-you gifts to people who buy other
products and services.

–Use the book to thank members or subscribers who renew.

–Rely on the book to help train their employees.

Matthew Bennett has used this simple strategy as an unknown,
self-published author to sell more than 5 million books.

He has written books on health, pets, fitness and inspiration and
then sold them in quantity to companies like Disney, Reebok,
NBC, Abbot Labs, Pfizer, US Healthplans and Subway.

Steve Harrison is hosting a free one-hour teleseminar with Matthew
on Thursday, Jan. 15, at your choice of two times. If you cannot
make either call, find someone who can listen and take notes for
you.

Matthew will share his tips on how he sold more than 80,000
copies of an inspirational book in just one phone conversation.
He’ll also explain how you can tie in with major charities like the
March of Dimes and the American Heart Association to sell
truckloads of books and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for
charity. You’ll also learn the three things you absolutely must arm
yourself with before ever pitching your book.

Like most free teleseminars, Steve is hoping that after you listen to
the call, you’ll buy their consulting services to learn how to do this
in detail. So just sit back, relax and listen.

Click here to continue reading about what you’ll learn and to sign
up: http://www.freepublicity.com/mattbennett/?10011

=======================================
4. Create Your Own Holiday
=======================================

If you haven’t created your own holiday, or your own day, week or
month of the year, you’re missing out on the chance to generate
tons of print, broadcast and online publicity.

Take a look at some of the cool holidays that members of the
National Speakers Association have created. I found this list in the
current issue of NSA’s Speaker magazine:

–Steve Hughes created “Be Kind to Lawyers Day” the second
Tuesday in April.

–Laura Stack created “National Leave the Office Earlier Day” on
June 2 to promote her book, Leave the Office Earlier. It coincides
with her birthday. Problem is, so many media outlets want to
interview her that she ends up working 12 hours on her birthday just
to accommodate them all.

–Publicity Hound Michelle Nichols created a wildly successful
nationwide campaign to promote National Hug Your Kids Day, the
third Monday in July. She convinced Clear Channel Outdoor to
donate 135 digital billboards, eight Gannett newspapers to run
“Citymoms.com” contests, and three Major League baseball teams
to announce it on their Jumbotrons.

–Publicity Hound Carol Copeland has christened June as Student
Safety Month.

–Marilee Driscoll has designated October Long-Term Care Planning
Month.

What are you waiting for? Now, it’s your turn.

If you’re on LinkedIn, you can use that popular social networking
site to actually promote your holiday, just like Michelle Nichols did.
Scott Allen, an expert on LinkedIn, critiqued Michelle’s LinkedIn
campaign and made several suggestions which she used.
They resulted in instant feedback from the LinkedIn community
within only 48 hours.

Scott explained her campaign when he was my guest during a
teleseminar on “How to Use LinkedIn to Promote Anything–
Ethically & Powerfully.” It’s available as electronic transcripts and
your choice of MP3s or CDs. Read more about how to launch a
publicity campaign on the world’s largest business networking site
at http://tinyurl.com/5zvzyd

==========================================
5. Promoting a Book on Marriage
==========================================

This week, 11 Publicity Hounds have tips for Sheryl P. Kurland of
Orlando, FL, author of Everlasting Matrimony: Pearls of Wisdom
from Couples Married 50 Years or More. She needs new ideas to
stimulate sales of the book in time for Valentine’s Day.

From Lisa Lockwood:

“Announce your book in a press release on PR Web. I’m self-
published and landed a spot on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch
just by announcing that I was launching my book tour.”

From Cheryl Pickett:

“I suggest you check out the book The Daughter-in-Law Rules at
http://www.thedilrules.com. Author Sally Shields lists some of the
publicity success she’s had with her self-published book, and you
share a similar audience. I also know she’d be willing to share more
help if you contacted her.”

From Bonnie Lowe:

“Can you jump on the ‘bad economy’ bandwagon? Are there any
stories in your book that might show readers how to be romantic
without spending much money? Could you do a press release on
‘How to spend less on your Valentine without looking cheap’ or
something like that, and tie it into your book?”

The Publicity Hound says:

Sheryl, if you could round up a few couples who would be willing to
be interviewed, this would make a great segment for National Public
Radio. Go to the NPR site at http://www.npr.org and use the search
box at the top of the screen to search for words like “marriage” and
“matrimony” and see what you find. You can listen to many of the
shows in the archives before you pitch the producers.

But before you do, follow Lissa Warren’s tips on how to navigate the
NPR labyrinth because it can get confusing. Lissa, a book
publicist, has successfully pitched dozens of her clients to NPR,
and she shared all her secrets during a teleseminar I conducted
with her on “How to Get Booked on National Public Radio.”

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

Read more about what you need to get onto NPR at
http://tinyurl.com/ayms6

Read all the responses to this week’s Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/832mpk

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

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

Pegine Echevarria of Jacksonville, Fla. writes:

“I am launching a licensed training program called ‘White Guys Are
Diverse Too!’

“I want to capture the interest of corporate and government chief
diversity offers, chief learning officers and senior leadership of large
corporations who can purchase this program to spread the word to
their employees.

“The topic is controversial. In large organizations, Diversity and
Inclusion (D&I) programs are part of everyone’s training.
However, white guys tend to walk out of D&I programs thinking they
are excluded and not valued for the unique individualized impact
that they bring.

“‘White Guys Are Diverse Too!’ celebrates the diversity among white
guys, the value they bring to their organizations and teams along
with how managers can engage, motivate and inspire their white
male team members.

“I need ideas, help to get the word out that ‘White Guys are Diverse
Too!’ The website at http://www.WhiteGuysAreDiverse.com
offers a no-obligation special report. Can you give me some no
cost/low cost ideas?

P.S. I’ve spent my life savings on this product. It has to reach the
masses.

The Publicity Hound says:

See the fabulous movie “Gran Torino” in which Clint Eastwood
plays the racist Walt Kowalski, a tough, gruff, crotchety old man
who hates everybody who isn’t white–or at least thinks he does.

Start writing press releases and articles and using the social
networking sites to write about “What Would Walt Kowalski Do?”
and then tie it into your training. Piggybacking off celebrities and
red-hot movies (this one is a contender for several Oscars) is a
fabulous way to pull in traffic from the search engines.

My “Special Report #50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to
Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue” gives you lots
more ideas. Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/gy6bd

Hounds with other ideas for Pegine can post them to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/829jv3

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

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

–Yvonne Clifford, American actress

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

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

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

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

Why lowering your prices can ruin your business
http://tinyurl.com/9fzrq9

————————————–

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:

Wednesday, Jan. 21–Teleseminar

Join me for the third annual smARTist telesummit where
photographers, jewelers, potters, painters, metalworkers,
woodworkers and other artists will learn all the secrets for growing
their art business. I’m presenting a session on how to use social
networking, from 2 to 2:45 Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Register for the telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/5axy3x

Monday, Jan. 26–Teleseminar

“Boost Your Biz with a Blog,” from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern on Monday,
Jan. 26. Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka The Blog Squad,
will explain how to draw more traffic and boost more sales from a
blog. You’ll also learn about the biggest mistakes bloggers make
and how they sabotage their own success. Register at
http://www.blogsquadteleseminars.com/joan/

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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.
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================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737