The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #594 Feb. 14, 2012
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. The Truth About Pricy Media Lists

2. Don’t Send Junk to TV Producers

3. Pinterest: The Shiny New Bauble

4. Patch Scales Back

5. Follow Up Your Pitches

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. The Truth About Pricy Media Lists
=====================================

Big media directories are like expensive security blankets.

Armed with contact information for thousands of newspapers,
magazines, TV shows, radio shows, bloggers and more, you know
that when you need it, it’s there.

Problem is, by the time you get around to using only a miniscule
number of the listings, many of them are out of date. Big PR
firms that serve dozens of clients can afford these expensive
databases. Most do-it-yourself Publicity Hounds, nonprofits and
small boutique firms cannot.

Help is on the way.

On Thursday, I’ll show you how to create your own directory of
media contacts and fill it with juicy nuggets that you’ll never
find in the big directories. If you register, you’ll receive
eight templates I use for newspapers, magazines, TV shows, radio
shows, freelancers, bloggers, websites, and print newsletters and
ezines.

Media relations is about building relationships. That means no
blast emails and no “spray and pray” pitches–a sin you’ll be
tempted to commit with thousands of email addresses at your
fingertips.

Join me at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Feb. 16, when I host
the webinar, “How to Build Your Own Database of Valuable Media
Contacts.” Whether you’re doing publicity for yourself or your PR
clients, you’ll learn about the types of information to include
in your database, shortcuts that will help find the best contacts
quickly, and the most important details to include in each entry.

Here’s the best part. The morning of the webinar, I’ll email you
a link where you can download my eight fill-in-the-blank
templates, so you don’t have to start from scratch.

Don’t miss this one. It’s going to fill up fast. Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/mediadatabase.htm

=================================
2. Don’t Send Junk to TV Producers
=================================

Here’s a small sampling of the junk that TV shows receive from
Publicity Hounds who want to get booked as guests:

Expensive press kits. Multiple copies of the author’s book (one
for everybody on the staff). Press clippings. CDs. DVDs.
Envelopes stuffed with brochures and other marketing materials.
Even gag gifts that the sender tries to tie into a clever pitch.

But the staff doesn’t have time to wade through it. So it ends up
in the trash.

If you want to get onto shows like “Rachael Ray,” “The Wendy
Williams Show” and “Live with Kelly,” don’t pester them with
things they don’t want.

Instead, find out what they DO want from you and what you must do
to make them say “yes.” Steve Harrison will interview producers
and bookers from those three shows, and others, during a 90-
minute webinar at 2 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16.

If you can’t attend, register anyway:
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/tvcall/A10011/

If you want to attend my webinar on media databases and Steve’s,
his afternoon session overlaps with mine. You have two options.
Attend his evening session so you don’t miss any of mine. Or,
attend his afternoon session and watch the video replay of mine.
He almost never records his webinars. I do. And anyone who
registers, but cannot attend, can access my replay and all the
handouts.

======================================
3. Pinterest: The New Shiny Bauble
======================================

Pinterest, the online social media corkboard, is the new kid in
the social media classroom and grabbing most of the attention.

It’s almost all visual–and so doggone beautiful.

Create an account at Pinterest.com. You can then start creating
boards where you can “pin” photos and videos around a common
theme that you find when browsing the Web, and write a short
description of each. I’ve started a board called “My Favorite
Products.” People who follow you can “repin” your board and share
it with others.

About three-fourths of the more than 3 million users are women,
perhaps because most of the topics fall into the lifestyle
category: parenting, home/family, bridal, baby, hobbies and
collectibles, food and fashion/cosmetics.

The big temptation is to turn your boards into giant commercials
for your products and services, but there are many better
options. This article at Copybloger explains “56 Ways to Market
Your Business on Pinterest”:

http://www.copyblogger.com/pinterest-marketing/

If you’re using Pinterest, join the conversation on my Facebook
page, tell me what you like or don’t like about it, and offer
your own tips:
https://www.facebook.com/publicityhound/posts/311749112207011

=====================================
4. Patch Scales Back
=====================================

If you’ve come to love Patch.com as I have, you’ll be
disappointed to hear reports that AOL is planning to drastically
reduce staff and change the editorial focus.

Jim Romensko reports that the site, which serves 22 states in the
U.S. and the District of Columbia, is planning to lay off from
one-half to all of its freelancers. He also says a Patch insider
told him they’re planning “easy, quick-hitting, cookie-cutter
copy.”

Read the sad news at
http://jimromenesko.com/2012/02/08/patch-to-reduce-staff-change-
editorial-focus/

Patch is one of the many websites where you can promote your
local events. Learn about 50 more sites here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/events.htm

======================================
5. Follow Up Your Pitches
======================================

When you hear journalists say, “Please don’t follow up,” what
they really mean is “Please don’t follow up and waste my time.”

Here’s how not to waste their time:

If you pitch and hear nothing within, say, a week or two, email
again and offer a little extra. If you pitched a story on how
parents can deal with cranky toddlers, offer a list of the “Top
10 Ways to Tame the Terrible Twos” to accompany the story.

That’s the fifth part of my formula on how to pitch. Learn about
the first four parts here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitchingformula.htm

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio for
this oldie-but-goodie video of two dogs eating, side by side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=
EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125

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

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

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

Great content for tweeting:

6 ways to overcome a writing setback
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10389

TV producers will share pitching tips Thursday
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10375

Sidestep expensive media directories:
Create your own
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10346

Dog Tweets:
7 crucial tactics for writing
a radically successful guest post
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10340

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #581 Nov. 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. What Was Sandusky’s Lawyer Thinking?

2. Worst Way to Monetize Your Blog

3. Publicity for Handmade Things

4. Your Own TV Show

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. What Was Sandusky’s Lawyer Thinking?
=====================================

Crisis Communications 101 teaches that before you agree to a
media interview, you must anticipate every killer question you’ll
be asked.

Create a well-thought-out response to each one, and rehearse
until you can answer each question confidently.

Criminal Law 101 teaches that your client who is charged with a
crime has the right to remain silent.

It was disaster on both fronts last night when Bob Costas of
NBC’s “Rock Center” interviewed disgraced Penn State football
coach Jerry Sandusky, charged with sexually abusing children.

Sandusky denied being a pedophile but said he had a serious lapse
in judgment when he showered with young boys.

Here’s an excerpt, in which Sandusky was interviewed by phone,
with his lawyer seated next to Costas.

Costas: “Are you sexually attracted to young boys, to underage
boys?”

Sandusky: “Am I sexually attracted to underage boys…sexually
attracted? No, you know, I enjoy young people. I love to be
around them….I…I…But no, I’m not sexually attracted.”

It wasn’t until this morning that NBC released the full
transcript of the Costas interview, which is far more damaging
than just that sound bite. You can read it here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/jerry-sandusky-i-
seeking-young-person-sexual-helped-article-1.977730#ixzz1dniwDav7

PR experts and criminal defense attorneys said the interview will
work against Sandusky in his criminal case and in civil lawsuits
that will most likely be filed against him.

A USA Today poll asked, “Did Jerry Sandusky help himself with the
Costas interview?”

As of this afternoon, 85 percent of the 4,026 respondents said
no. I agree, and I was surprised the percentage wasn’t higher.

=====================================
2. Worst Way to Monetize Your Blog
=====================================

If you want to make money from your blog, don’t assume that
quality copy alone can make it happen.

You must be proactive and do things like go after sponsors, use
Google AdSense ads, and turn blog content into information
products that you can sell.

And you can do it all without aggravating your readers.

On Black Friday, while the masses are at the shopping malls
spending money, I’ll be teaching Publicity Hounds how to make
money by blogging. I’ve identified 27 ways to monetize your blog,
and I’ll explain them all during a webinar at noon Eastern Time.

If the time is inconvenient, sign up anyway because you’ll get
the video replay and other materials. Register here:
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/howtomonetizeyourblog.htm

If you have a clever way of monetizing YOUR blog, let me know. I
might include your tip in the webinar and help drive traffic to
your blog.

======================================
3. Publicity for Handmade Things
======================================

Thanks to the Etsy.com newsletter for four more websites where
Publicity Hounds who make handmade things can promote their
items:

http://craftmarketer.com/sites-for-getting-publicity-for-your-
handmade-things/

Artists, don’t miss out on the dozens of other tips I shared with
Ariane Goodwin when she interviewed me on “How Artists Can Sell
More Artwork through Online & Offline Publicity.”

You can access the CD or electronic transcript at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/artists.htm

=====================================
4. Your Own TV Show
=====================================

How much more credibility would you have with your audience and
customers if you had your own TV show?

It’s a powerful way to deliver your message, heighten your
platform and really make a name for yourself.

Wine expert Gary Vaynerchuck has his own WineLibraryTV show on
the web. It helped turn his family’s wine store into a $50
million
enterprise.

Relationship expert Tamara Schilling reaches a much larger
audience with her show, called “RelationShift TV.”

My friend Steve Harrison is hosting a webinar/telephone seminar
this Thursday, Nov. 17, with veteran video producer Perry
Lawrence, who’s helped many people launch their own direct-to-web
TV shows and use them to become the “go-to” experts in their
fields.

He’ll give lots of examples of other people who are using their
own web TV shows to enhance their expertise, and show you how to
get started.

Register here for this free call, which I’m promoting as an
affiliate:
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/webtv/A10011/

Here’s the best part: Your videos do NOT have to be perfect, just

good enough.

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

This week’s Help this Hound question is from Barbara Roy, a
communications specialist in Oakland City, IN:

“I need ideas on how to promote an upcoming charity car raffle in
2012 through the Mad Mac Foundation, a group that sponsors
educational programs for at-risk youth.

“Proceeds from the raffle will be used to get teenagers, who
illegally race their cars on streets, into the classroom where
they can learn how to build tuner cars from the ground up. The
training will help them transfer their skills, which they’ve been
using illegally, into career paths that might include auto
engineering and design, auto repair, and creating video games
that involve cars. The curriculum includes science, technology,
engineering and math.

“Two cars will be given away during the July raffle.

“The winter months will be spent on materials prep and strategy.
But beginning in January, we’ll focus more on going after
sponsors and businesses to carry the raffle tickets. I could
really use recommendations on how to gain mass awareness for this
nationwide event.

“We will have branding, messaging and content on the website by
January, as well as a Facebook event page. Can your Hounds offer
their best ideas on how to promote the raffle and the training?”

The Publicity Hound says:

I can think of so many ways to reach this niche audience,
particularly through social media. Hounds, start your engines and
race over to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9750 with
your best ideas.

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

Thanks to Meryl K. Evans of Plano, Texas, for these photos of 10
Extreme Dog Houses:
http://www.oddee.com/item_97267.aspx

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

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

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

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

Create sound bites that the media find scrumptious
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9727

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

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

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Tips for Your 2012 Media Plan

2. Your Competitors’ Press Releases

3. How to Find Influential People

4. Don’t Use Facebook’s Links Box

5. Artists Need International Publicity

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

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

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

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

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

Here are three more tips for creating a media plan:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

–Simply type the URL directly into your status update.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #571 Sept. 6, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Facebook Deadline Oct. 1

2. Make Your Blog Your Home Base

3. The Press Release Addiction

4. Repeat of TV Talk Shows Webinar

5. Help This HOund

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Facebook Deadline Oct. 1
=====================================

If you’re on Facebook and you have created a page that is
customized and hosted outside of Facebook, you will need to buy
an SSL certificate before Oct. 1. This affects almost all of us.
If you’re in doubt about whether you need it, talk to your web
consultant.

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It lets your customers know
that their transactions and other communications with you are
secure.

You can buy an SSL certificate from hosting services such as
HostGator at
http://secure.hostgator.com/~affiliat/cgi-
bin/affiliates/clickthru.cgi?id=pubhound and GoDaddy at
http://x.co/ZW1h for less than $100.

Please don’t ask me about SSL certificates, because this isn’t my
area of expertise. But this deadline is important enough to
mention here. If you have questions, ask your web consultant or
read this blog post, the best one I found that explains this
topic is at
https://ilocalsearch.net/facebook-pages-changes-ssl-certificate-
requirements-that-you-need-to-know-about

Once this is out of the way, you go back to your checklist of
things you can do at your Facebook account to build a loyal base
of fans who have Liked your pages, the only place on Facebook
where you can promote what you’re selling.

I created a checklist of 33 items that Mari Smith mentioned when
she was my guest during the recent webinar on “33 Ways to Attract
Facebook Fans, Provide Sterling Content & Keep Them Coming Back
for More.” Follow one tip each day, and watch the number of
“Likes” on your page skyrocket.

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

=====================================
2. Make Your Blog Your Home Base
=====================================

It’s darn near impossible to sell something directly from
Twitter, or even the snazziest Facebook page.

But not from your blog.

Your blog is the place where you can promote your expertise,
explain how to use one of your products, answer readers’
questions about your services, or go into great depth explaining
why visitors should donate to a worthy cause you’re promoting.
It’s also the place where you can convince journalists that you
know so much about your topic that they should be using you as a
source, and probably even interviewing you for their articles.

You can post photos and videos at your blog, too. After you’ve
hooked visitors and convinced them they need your products or
services, you can link to a sales page at your website.

The big mistake on social media sites is that most people skip
the blog. They try to take their followers directly from Twitter
to a sales page. Spend a few minutes reading all the junk in your
Twitter feed and you’ll see what I mean.

If you aren’t blogging yet, it isn’t too late to start. I have
yet another cheat sheet for you. It’s more than 100 ways to find
content for your blog so you’re never lacking for ideas. It comes
with the replay of the teleseminar I created with Patsi Krakoff
on “Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging.” Read about
what Patsi will teach you at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/businessblogging.htm

======================================
3. The Press Release Addiction
======================================

Writing press releases is like a drug addiction.

It’s a quick fix that feels good, because it makes you think
you’ve really accomplished something. But when you come down from
Cloud Nine, it dawns on you that the press release hasn’t moved
one journalist to call you. The problem of no media attention is
still there–staring you in the face.

Sound familiar?

If so, break the vicious cycle right now by vowing to never write
a press release and send it to a journalist or broadcaster if you
want them to cover your story. Instead, write a compelling,
personalized pitch that tells the journalist, “I know who you
are. I know what you cover. I know what you need. Here’s a story
idea that can help you.”

Keep the press release in your back pocket, just in case they
tell you they are interested in the story and would like a
release along with an interview.

A webinar I hosted recently, “A Simple 5-Part Formula for
Delivering the Perfect Media Pitch and Hitting it Out of the
Park,” shows you how to do what nine out of 10 other people
aren’t doing when they want media attention. They aren’t
customizing pitches.

The replay of the webinar includes handouts that offer samples of
compelling pitches that generated media coverage. When Publicity
Hound Mary Castillo used my formula, two journalists bit and said
they’d cover her client’s story. Find out what she did that you
could be doing at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitchingformula.htm

=====================================
4. Repeat of TV Talk Shows Webinar
=====================================

If you missed the webinar on how to get booked on big TV talk
shows like “Rachael Ray,” “Live with Regis & Kelly” and the
“Wendy Wilson Show,” you’re in luck.

Steve Harrison is repeating it at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on
Thursday, Sept. 8. When you pitch, producers and guest bookers
may ask you a question that you must be ready to answer, pronto.
Find out what it is and learn the inside secrets on exactly what
kinds of guests these shows are looking for. Register for the
call at http://www.tvpublicityteleseminar.com/?10011

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

Leticia Meireles of San Diego, CA, writes:

“I just had my birthday and, in lieu of gifts, I’ve been asking
friends to support a cure for breast cancer.

“Many generous business owners helped me to gather almost 100
items to be sold on my fundraising online auction—items on
Ebay, too. Many of them are from retailers and restaurants in San
Diego. Others are from national chains such as BestBuy. All
proceeds will benefit the Susan Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

“I need to raise $10,000, but no one seems to be bidding. What
should I do differently? You can see the items up for bid at
http://www.32auctions.com/organizations/1878/auctions/2039

The Publicity Hound says:

Social media to the rescue. At least that’s what I’d do. I’d find
every social media group possible near San Diego and ask people
to spread the message for you. But that’s just a start. What
about other online promotion ideas, and the many ways you can
spread the word offline? Hounds with ideas for Leticia can post
them to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9341

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

Check out this dog’s eyes as he stands before a plate of
cupcakes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTuOr2vlC-c&feature=
player_embedded

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

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

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

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

What Taylor Swift can teach you about book marketing
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9320

Press release mistake: Not including a call to action
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9311

Promoting fiction: Should authors fake a memoir?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9252

9 ways to sneak your website address into media stories
(A guest blog post I wrote)
http://www.arikhanson.com/2011/08/25/9-ways-to-sneak-your-
website-address-into-media-stories/

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #570 Aug. 30, 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. Surprising Source of Traffic

2. Write Razor-Sharp on Facebook

3. Pitch a “Follow Up”

4. Don’t Share Photo Albums

5. Sell My Products & Services

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Surprising Source of Traffic
=====================================

Which website is the biggest referrer of traffic on the Internet?

You get three guesses.

Nope, it’s not Twitter. It’s not Facebook either. And it’s not
LinkedIn.

If you guessed Google, that’s wrong, too. Google is a search
engine, not a website.

The one site that drives more traffic than any other is
StumpleUpon.com, a social bookmarking site.

I was shocked when I saw that statistic recently. But when you
stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. Social
bookmarking sites exist to share links to interesting content on
the Web. Sites like Facebook exist to keep you on Facebook,
interacting with your friends.

Why is StumbleUpon important for Publicity Hounds?

Because if you create a StumbleUpon account and share terrific
content, other “Stumblers” will view you as a reputable source.
You can then–very infrequently and very carefully–share your
own content, even though it’s better to have someone else share
it for you.

Colin Martin, a social bookmarking expert, says sites like
StumbleUpon also help you become a recognized expert within your
field. He explained how to use that site and Delicious, Digg and
Reddit, the three other major sites, during a teleseminar called
“How to do Social Bookmarking to Promote Your Expertise, Attract
Followers & Pull Massive Amounts of Traffic.” The audio replay or
electronic transcript comes with four short videos that show you
how to create your accounts at bookmarking sites, bookmark
content, make friends and join groups, and find everyday uses for
this powerful marketing tool.

Read more about what you’ll learn to do at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/social_bookmarking.htm

=====================================
2. Write Razor-Sharp on Facebook
=====================================

If you’re searching for a compelling topic to write about in your
next Facebook Status Update, and you’re in a hurry, consult this
infographic that lists eight clever ideas:

http://www.allfacebook.com/infographic-8-ways-to-conquer-
facebook-statuses-2011-08

Here’s one of them. Write a fill-in-the-blank sentence, like
this: “___________ always makes me smile.”

I used to think status updates like that were nonsense. But
people love responding to them. And as the infographic I linked
to above explains, the more Likes and Comments your content
receives, the higher your Edgerank score. And the higher your
score, the more your content will appear in your friends’ and
fans’ news feeds.

Of course, the fill-in-the-blank tactic can be used on your Pages
as well. One of the most frequent questions I receive is, “How
can I get more people to Like my pages?”

I hosted Mari Smith, the world’s Number One Facebook expert,
during a webinar recently on “33 Ways to Attract Facebook Fans,
Provide Sterling Content & Keep Them Coming Back for More.” The
webinar replay comes with a handy cheat sheet that lists all 33
tips. Follow one tip each day, and watch the number of “Likes” on
your Page skyrocket.

Read more about how to access the replay and the cheat sheet at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

======================================
3. Pitch a “Follow Up”
======================================

One of the easiest ways to generate publicity is by pitching a
story that’s a “follow up” to a story about you that a media
outlet already has covered.

Let’s say you’re a nonprofit that received publicity a year ago
for several new partnerships you formed with local businesses to
place people with disabilities in jobs at those companies.

Don’t let the publicity end there. Return to the same media
outlets and let them know the rest of the story. How are the
employees doing?
Do they have good attendance records? Have any of them been
promoted? Have you placed additional people with disabilities in
jobs?

These stories are easy to place because the media already have
covered you. “Follow up” is media lingo, so use that phrase when
you pitch.

Publicity Hound Mary Castillo of Orange County, Calif., used the
other pitching tips I shared during a webinar earlier this month
and, within 15 minutes of pitching, received two confirmations
from reporters who agreed to run her story. A radio show that
she’s been trying to get her client onto for a year also
expressed interest.

Read more about what I taught Publicity Hounds how to do, and
access the video replay and handouts that include pitches that
received media attention:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitchingformula.htm

=====================================
4. Don’t Share Photo Albums
=====================================

If a family member or employee who is very famous in your
community dies, and the local newspaper or TV station asks you
for photos, don’t hand over your entire photo album when they ask
for it.

This is an old reporter’s trick, and the media will sometimes try
to pull this off so competing media can’t get access to your
photos.

Offer a few photos, but save several for other media. One way
around this problem, of course, is to offer digital photos.

This tip comes from my ebook, “How to Use Photos & Graphics in
Your Publicity Campaign” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicityphotos.htm

If you’re only pitching stories, you’re missing half your chances
for publicity.

=====================================
5. Sell My Products & Services
=====================================

If you love my products and services and want to recommend them
to your own followers, and earn a hefty commission for every
sale, sign up for my affiliate program at
http://www.publicityhound.com/affiliateinstructions.htm

And stay tuned for a webinar I’ll be hosting next month, filled
with helpful tips that will explain the best ways to promote, all
within guidelines from the Federal Trade Commission.

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

The Publicity Hound asks:

When dog food is “new and improved” and better tasting, who tests
it?

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

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

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

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

Promoting fiction: Should authors fake a memoir?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9252

Prepare your PR company for hurricanes, earthquakes
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9233

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #567 Aug. 9, 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. Piggyback Onto the Crash

2. Make Animated Graphics Quickly

3. Spray & Pray

4. Tips from Rachael Ray

5. How to Promote Hair Accessories

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

***********************************
ADVERTISEMENT:

Get timely, relevant clips about your business or interests from
newspapers, television, radio and the Internet from Wisconsin
News Tracker.com.
http://www.wisconsinnewstracker.com

Want your ad here? Read how:
http://publicityhound.net/the-publicity-hounds-tips-of-the-week-
now-accepts-ads/
***********************************

=====================================
1. Piggyback Onto the Crash
=====================================

It’s been a bumpy roller-coaster ride so far today on the U.S.
Stock Exchange after yesterday’s gut-wrenching crash that saw
investors lose a trillion dollars in just one day.

Time to take a break from fretting about your 401K and figure out
a way to tie into this breaking news event that will be with us
for a long time.

Here are five ideas:

–All polls show that voters are furious at the Washington
politicians. Call your local TV station and ask for the newsroom.
Tell them why you’re mad, and what you’re doing about it, and
agree to be on camera. TV loves people, color and motion. Are you
posting a sign in the window of your business? Printing bumper
stickers? Protesting with signs outside your Congressman’s
office?

–How will the crash affect your small business or nonprofit?
What are you doing differently?

–Do you work in a business in which you’re seeing a trend
develop from today’s bad news? Restaurant owners, are you selling
more liquor? Therapists, are more people suffering from
depression over their finances? Financial planners, are clients
yelling and screaming at you? If so, how are you handling it and
what are you telling them?

–What’s happening as a result of the skyrocketing price of gold?
Jewelers, are more people bringing in grandma’s jewelry for some
quick cash? Bankers, are more customers buying safety deposit
boxes to store their gold?

–The downgrade will mean higher interest rates for things like
credit cards and student loans. How are college students reacting
to the bad news? If you’re in a business, nonprofit or government
agency that deals with teen-agers, let the media know what you’re
hearing from them.

Learn dozens more tips on how to tie your news into the bad
economy. This is the time when the media are hungry for sources
like you. See “How to Tie Your Pitch to Breaking News & Make the
Media Interview You”
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/breakingnews.htm

=====================================
2. Make Animated Graphics Quickly
=====================================

Did you ever land at a blog, and spend more time staring at a
clever graphic than you did reading the post?

I have. And I’ve thought, “I wonder how they did that?”

My paws couldn’t move the mouse fast enough when I stumbled upon
an incredibly cool, free generator that lets you make 10 types of
customized graphics, some of them animated.

I played around with it last night and made my own newspaper with
the front-page headline “Publicity Hounds Rock!” and then wrote
an article below it explaining how savvy you are for suggesting
wonderful ideas in the periodic Help This Hound section of this
newsletter.

You can create your own talking cat, talking owl, talking veggies
and a customized cigarette pack that would be perfect for anyone
who sells products or service that help people quit smoking. You
can use many of these animations and graphics at your website and
blog, in your online press kits and elsewhere in a PR campaign.

I demonstrate how it works and give you lots of ideas at my blog
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9064

======================================
3. Spray & Pray
======================================

Have you ever created a publicity pitch, and then send it to a
half dozen journalists or more?

That’s called the “spray and pray” technique. You spray a pitch
to whoever is on your media list–sometimes dozens of journalists
and bloggers–and then you pray that somebody bites.

Problem is, nobody ever bites. Then you moan and groan that you
can’t get publicity because “nobody cares about our story.”

The secret to perfect pitching is a customized pitch that you
change each time you deliver it, depending on whom you want to
receive it.

If you’re pitching your story to a TV station, there’s nothing
wrong with calling, particularly if you’re piggybacking onto a
breaking news event and your story would be perfect for that
night’s news.

But if you’re pitching the same story to a national magazine,
you’d almost never call.

So how do you know when to call and when to email? How do you
pitch on Twitter? Or would you?

I’m hosting a webinar from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on
Thursday, Aug. 18, to explain “A Simple 5-Part Formula for
Delivering the Perfect Media Pitch and Hitting it Out of the
Park.” If the time is inconvenient, register anyway because
you’ll receive the video replay and other materials within 72
hours.

You can use my formula as a cheat sheet every time you pitch. And
I’ll give you 27 story angles you can steal on days when the idea
well is dry.

Register here:

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

=====================================
4. Tips from Rachael Ray
=====================================

Tommy Crudup, senior talent producer for Rachael Ray, is on the
receiving end of lots of those “spray and pray” pitches I
mentioned above.

You can’t treat Tommy the same way you’d treat one of Regis &
Kelly’s guest bookers.

They have their own checklists of “What I’m looking for in a
guest.”

Still, their checklists have a common theme. They want to be sure
that if they book you to be on the show, you won’t bomb on
camera. You need to be animated and interesting, but you can’t
upstage the host.

If you want to understand the mindset of national TV producers
and what entices them to book you as a guest, don’t miss Steve
Harrison’s teleseminar with several national producers who book
guests for ABC, NBC, and CBS. They’ll explain what they’re
looking for, and you’ll learn the most important question you
must be able to answer after you pitch. Tommy Crudup will be
there.

Choose from one of two times and register here:
http://www.tvpublicityteleseminar.com/?10011

This is a free call, but I earn a commission if you buy any
products or services from Steve.

=====================================
5. How to Promote Hair Accessories
=====================================

This week, 15 Publicity Hounds have tips for Juliet Hartley of
St. Petersburg, Fla., on how to pitch her chic hair accessories
for women and girls to magazines.

From Luke Vorstermans:

“How about a contest: How many bows can you put in your hair?”

From Cristina Salinas:

“Look at the pre-Christmas buying and decorate a tree in a high
traffic store with Bow Allure bows. Have fun with it!”

From Carol Stevens:

“The pitch is too salesy. But what I recently learned the hard
way was don’t just send a pitch and a photo. They need to see the
product!

“I was pitching a line of skin care products. Emails resulted in
no response. So I sent out products with a letter and, then,
called to arrange a desk side, which is an in-person ‘meet and
greet.’ I got the responses I was after by trying that tactic.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Sometimes you amaze me. You really do. I was bowled over by all
the creative suggestions at my blog. Read them all at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9030

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

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

30 Dogs Attacking Bubbles (some of these are really funny):

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/ferocious-dog-attacks-caught-on-
camera

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

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

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

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

Once-sacred Google PageRank doesn’t matter anymore
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9073

Create animated graphics for PR with free generator
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9064

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #566 Aug. 2, 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. The Most Powerful Twitter Strategy

2. It’s Fair Time; Start Pitching

3. Webinar on Webinars Replay Link

4. Correcting Corrections

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

***********************************
ADVERTISEMENT:

Get timely, relevant clips about your business or interests from
newspapers, television, radio and the Internet from Wisconsin
News Tracker.com.
http://www.wisconsinnewstracker.com

Want your ad here? Read how:
http://publicityhound.net/the-publicity-hounds-tips-of-the-week-
now-accepts-ads/
***********************************

=====================================
1. The Most Powerful Twitter Strategy
=====================================

Here’s the best way to attract thousands of raving fans on
Twitter if you’re using it primarily for business:

–Provide a steady stream of useful content that helps your
followers solve their problems. That includes links to other
people’s content such as articles and blog posts. Twitter is all
about your followers. It shouldn’t be all about you.

–Link to infographics, photos and videos that explain
complicated topics and offer how-to information.

–Humor your followers occasionally with pithy one-liners,
particularly those about your industry. I tweet about “Dumb
Headlines” like this one: “Stiff opposition expected to
casketless funeral plan.”

–Answer questions when people ask. Don’t tell them “It’s on Page
44 of my book.”

–Be one of the first in your industry to share breaking news.

–Keep promotion to an absolute minimum. Push your Twitter
followers to your blog, where you should also be sharing helpful
content, but where you can promote all you wish.

Use these guidelines, and your followers will retweet your
content. Their followers will retweet it too, and so on.

Don’t fret if you’re still not on Twitter, or if your tweets
aren’t gaining traction.

I’m hosting a webinar on “Twitter for Beginners: A Step-by-Step,
Can’t-Fail System for Experts and Influencers (and Those Who Want
to Be).” It’s at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Aug. 4.

This webinar is perfect for Publicity Hounds who manage their own
Twitter accounts and for PR people who are training clients on
how to manage theirs. Read about what you’ll be able to do after
the webinar:
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterforbeginners.htm

=====================================
2. It’s Fair Time; Start Pitching
=====================================

This is the month for state and county fairs. The media love
story ideas like these:

–If you’re an expert on household budgets, invite a reporter to
accompany you and your family and see the fair on the cheap. What
food and entertainment can be had for next to nothing? Where can
people find coupons for the fair?

–At the Wisconsin State Fair, beer on a stick and butter on a
stick are among the new foods being featured this year.
Nutritionists and cookbook authors can pitch a story on “State
fair food that can kill you.” Suggest healthy options offered by
fair vendors.

–The merchants building is filled with businesses hawking car
polish, knives, cookware, mops and massage machines. If you have
a booth, pitch a story on what you’re doing differently this year
to try to get fair-goers to part with their credit cards. Free
samples? Contests? Free bottled water?

–Doctors, hospitals and clinics: Offer tips on how fair-goers
can survive the heat.

–Floral shop owners: Pitch a story on how to keep fresh-cut
flowers looking their best for a week, even in the heat. Lots of
gardeners are competing for blue ribbons. Even those who aren’t
going to the fair will love this story.

–Chiropractors: What midway rides are the most dangerous for the
spine and back?

What happens if you pitch, but no one responds? Should you follow
up? Of course. But do it the right way. Jill Lublin shows you
how. See “Failproof Ways to Follow Up After Sending a News
Release or a Story Pitch” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/failprooffollowup.htm

======================================
3. Webinar on Webinars Replay Link
======================================

Publicity Hounds’ tails were wagging during the webinar I hosted
last week with Daniel Hall on “Step-by-Step Insider Secrets To
Producing Highly-Profitable Webinars.”

Why? Because Daniel told us what webinar company to use. He gave
us specific instructions on exactly what to put on our PowerPoint
slides, word for word. And he showed us how to “close the deal”
at the end. If you want to use free webinars to sell a product or
service, don’t miss the replay:

http://www.realfastwebinars.com/joanwebinar.html

Even if your webinar participants don’t buy anything from you,
they’ll still love you for providing high content.

The replay link is live only until Sunday. Then it’s paid access
only.

Even if you don’t take up Daniel on his offer, which also ends
Sunday night, you’ll want to get your hands on this formula.

http://www.realfastwebinars.com/joanwebinar.html

I bought his product. Once I’ve studied all of it, I’ll be
inviting you to free webinars on a variety of publicity and
social media topics, and they’ll be very different than the ones
you are use to seeing.

=====================================
4. Correcting Corrections
=====================================

One of the mistakes that will send you to the dog house without
your dinner is contacting a media outlet or a blogger about bad
information you provided to them, asking for a correction, and
then screwing up the information in the correction.

So it looks like no dinner tonight for this Hound. In last week’s
newsletter, I wrote a correction for an item that appeared here
the week before about basketball star Dwyane Wade of the Miami
Heat. But in the correction, I misspelled his name. Another
alert Hound caught my error.

With my tail between my legs, I’m slinking off to my dog house.
And no treats for a week!

What’s that? You say you don’t ask for corrections? Big mistake!
Find out why by reading my article “How to Ask for a Correction”:

http://publicityhound.com/pics/free_publicity/Articles/ask_for_a_
correction.html

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

Publicity Hound Juliet Hartley of St. Petersburg, Fla., writes:

“I’ve been sending a lot of pitches to different magazines about
my chic handmade hair accessories at http://www.BowAllure.com,
but I just don’t hear anything back from them. It’s very
frustrating.

“I’m attaching a copy of a pitch I sent to a few magazines and
would love to hear your input. I’ve contacted a couple of
reputable publicists but I just cannot afford to pay for their
services at this moment.

“The magazines I’m trying to send pitches to are very hard to
reach, like Parents magazine or Pregnancy and Newborn magazine.
They don’t give you the email address of the editor.”

The Publicity Hound says: As soon as I read Juliet’s pitch, which
I’ve posted at my blog, I spotted a problem instantly. There are
others. Let’s see if you can find them, get Juliet back on track
and make some suggestions on how she can pitch a story about hair
accessories. Or should she?

Post your comments to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9030

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Meryl K. Evans of Plano, Texas, for
this funny photo collection of dogs shaking off water:

http://www.petapixel.com/2011/07/28/portraits-of-dogs-as-they-
shake-off-water/

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

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

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

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

5 things they never tell Twitter newbies, but should
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9015

Muck Rack lists 140+ journalists on Google+
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9043

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #565 July 26, 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. A Cheap Website You Can Be Proud of

2. Twitter Tips for Beginners

3. It’s Time to Pitch Food Stories

4. Webinar on How to Host Webinars

5. Publicity Summit Registration

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

8. Correction

=====================================
1. A Cheap Website You Can be Proud of
=====================================

Gone are the days, thankfully, when you no longer have to pay a
web design company $6,000 for an attractive website.

Or $3,000. Or even $1,000.

Tom Antion, one of my Internet marketing mentors, goes berserk
when he hears from Publicity Hounds and others who have been
taken to the cleaners by web design companies that charge a
fortune. I do, too.

That’s why I listened to a free webinar Tom hosted on Saturday on
“How to Create Websites the Search Engines Love for Less Than 20
Bucks.”

Tom advocates using the free WordPress blogging platform to build
your website. Your biggest expense is hosting.

You can still have an impressive online pressroom and a
collection of helpful articles and videos that promote your
expertise.

If you want to break free of your expensive web designer, watch
the free video replay here, and take lots of good notes because
Tom gives you step-by-step instructions:

http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=43188&u=

http://www.kickstartvideo.com/evp/cheapwebsites/

=====================================
2. Twitter Tips for Beginners
=====================================

If you aren’t among the more than 20 million people on Twitter,
you may feel like you’re late to the party.

That’s OK. There’s no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed that
you don’t understand what all the fuss is about.

Twitter, I’ve discovered, is one of the best and quickest ways to
build a huge following of people who are hungry for what’s in
your brain.

But one of the biggest Twitter myths is that the person with the
most followers wins.

If only a minuscule percentage of my more than 20,000 followers
care about the information I share, but a majority of your 300
followers can hardly wait for you to tweet, you could be more
successful than I’ve been.

So what makes an irresistable tweet?

Content-rich articles, videos and infographics. I throw in an
occasional funny headline or a pithy one-liner just to keep
things interesting. And I have 4 or 5 formulas for writing tweets
that tease my readers and almost force them to click on the links
I’m sharing.

I don’t write about what I ate for lunch, what time I woke up, or
what the peoplewatching is like when I’m at the coffee shop. That
just adds to the noise and is of no help to the people who follow
me to learn about publicity tips.

But that’s only a small part of my strategy.

Many Publicity Hounds still aren’t tweeting because they aren’t
sure where to start, and they’ve heard that it can be a huge
time-suck. I’m hosting a webinar next week on “Twitter for
Beginners: A Step-by-Step, Can’t-Fail System for Experts and
Influencers (and Those Who Want to Be).” It’s at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time on Thursday, Aug. 4.

This webinar is perfect for Publicity Hounds who manage their own
Twitter accounts and for PR people who are training clients on
how to manage theirs. Read about what you’ll be able to do after
the webinar:
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterforbeginners.htm

======================================
3. It’s Time to Pitch Food Stories
======================================

These are the stories the media love this time of year:

–Odd-shaped garden veggies that look like real people.

–Key lime pie on a stick, chicken-fried bacon and other unusual
foods at state and county fairs.

–Healthy, ice-cold treats you can make and keep in the freezer,
to enjoy on sweltering hot days.

And the record 51 containers of basil pesto that my friend, Ann
Dekorsi, and I made over the weekend. It’s an annual ritual in
which we pour, measure, whirl and taste-test basil, walnuts,
olive oil, cheese and plenty of garlic which we turn into
luscious, fattening sauce that’s as good right from the food
processor bowl as it is on pasta.

Our recipe, and lots of tips we’ve learned over the years, are at
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=8981

=====================================
4. Webinar on How to Host Webinars
=====================================

Here’s another tool to add to your PR or marketing campaign: free
webinars.

–Use them to show customers how to use a product or service.

–Offer them to people who might want to join your coaching or
mentoring program.

–Surprise your followers and devote an entire webinar to
answering their questions on any topic.

–Use them as an enticement to sell just about any product or
service, but only after you’ve delivered a high-content program
that helps your audience solve a problem.

My friend, Daniel Hall, has been my guest on three free webinars
during the last few years, and Publicity Hounds always rave about
how much material he offers.

We’re doing it again from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on
Wednesday, July 27. But this time, Daniel will show you his
step-by-step formula on how to host free webinars, just like he
does.

Join us for “Step-by-Step Insider Secrets to Producing Highly-
Profitable Webinars.”

Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/395111240
and come with lots of questions. Daniel will answer them all.

=====================================
5. Publicity Summit Registration
=====================================

The National Publicity Summit, where you can meet journalists and
broadcasters from top national TV shows and leading newspapers
and magazines, is accepting applications starting at 3:30 p.m.
Eastern Time tomorrow–Wednesday, July 27.

The summit, hosted by Steve Harrison, will be held Oct. 12-15 in
New York City.

Only 100 Publicity Hounds will be accepted at this event, which
lets you pitch journalists directly. Having a face-to-face
meeting with an editor or producer dramatically increases the
chances they’ll write about you–or put you on their show.

After attending the summit:

–Gary Cora became a regular on Fox News Channel.

–Connie Bennett got coverage in Time magazine.

–Ron & Lisa Beres appeared on the Today Show. So did Linda
Franklin as well as Dave Farrow.

Mark Amtower and Rory Cohen each landed a full-page story in
Entrepreneur (and Rory also scored The View!).

Apply for the National Publicity Summit here:

http://www.nationalpublicitysummit2011.com/?10011

I’m an affiliate who earns a commission from products and
services you buy from the Harrisons.

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Colleen Robinson of Everett, WA, for
this video of Dozer the dog that unintentionally ran a half-
marathon.

“I love the story, but I also love how his ‘mom’ took that event
and turned it into a bigger money-maker for the cancer fund-
raiser,” Colleen said.

http://www.ummsfoundation.org/dozer

More than 2,300 people have Liked his Facebook page!

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

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

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

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

Need more guest blog posts? Say so in “About Me”
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8968

Presto! 51 containers of delicious pesto
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8981

Free webinar July 27 on how to host webinars
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8977

5 best places to answer questions & promote your expertise
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8899

=====================================
8. Correction
=====================================

In last week’s newsletter, I transposed the first and last names
of basketball star Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat. Thanks to
Publicity Hound Lorie McClory, a proofreader, for the catch.

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #563 July 12, 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. What You Must Know About Google +

2. Don’t Let Interns Pitch

3. Secret Tool to Get Facebook Likes

4. Use Flickr to Promote Your Business

5. Social Media Webcast

6. Best-seller Blueprint for Authors

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. What You Must Know About Google +
=====================================

If you’ve been searching for a good explanation of Google +, the
social media platform that’s the newest hot thing, you may have
been frustrated, as I have, by the lack of helpful content.

But I found a really good explanation of what it’s about,
including lots of links, at Janet Fout’s blog. Take a look:
http://janetfouts.com/google-and-world-domination/

Google + makes it imperative that you update your Google profile
now. If you don’t have a Google profile, create one at
https://profiles.google.com.

Do yourself a favor and double-check all your links to make sure
they lead to the right pages. If you’ve created new social media
profiles, or Facebook pages, be sure to add those to the list of
links.

Is the explanation of what you do recent?

Do you have new bragging rights to add to your profile? Last
week, the Business2Community blog at
http://www.Business2Community.com named me to their list of the
40 Most Approachable A-Listers on Twitter. I added that to my
Google profile and noticed how quickly it had gotten stale.

Update yours today.

=====================================
2. Don’t Let Interns Pitch
=====================================

This time of year, the debate about whether PR interns should
pitch stories to the media surfaces.

There’s a good discussion at the Get Social PR blog at
http://www.getsocialpr.com/2011/07/11/public-relations-
professionals-should-pr-interns-pitch-to-the-media/

Rodger Johnson, a PR counselor and blogger, argues in favor of
letting interns pitch, with supervision.

“Interns need to learn how to pitch and the best way to do that
is to pitch,” he says.

I disagree.

If they fail–and that’s entirely possible, even with a PR pro as
the coach–the client’s reputation is on the line.

Put yourself in the client’s shoes. What would you say if you
knew that an amateur was representing you and your brand?

Besides, too many interns are ill prepared to answer a reporter’s
questions about the company.

I wouldn’t let most virtual assistants pitch on behalf of clients
either. I know of one or two who specialize in PR and work more
as publicists than virtual assistants. But the vast majority of
them should not be pitching. It sends the message that “Miss Big
Shot is too important to be calling you herself, so she sent me.”

Am I wrong? Comment at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8854

=====================================
3. Secret Tool to Get Facebook Likes
=====================================

Thanks to Greg Mischio, a member of The Publicity Hound Mentor
Program, for this tip on how to encourage people visiting your
business to Like your Facebook page.

Let them borrow your iPad, suggest they visit your page and Like
it, and then tell them to look around on the page. They can sign
up for your newsletter, write on your wall and leave a comment on
something you’ve written.

Greg manages PR and social media for his client, The Vision
Therapy Center, Inc., in Brookfield and Madison, Wi. He thinks
that would be a great way to occupy patients who are waiting in
the lobby to see the doctor.

His idea can work at lots of other businesses, too. Just be sure
your customers don’t walk off with the iPad.

During our conversation, Greg and I used the 33-point checklist
that I compiled last week, after the webinar I hosted with Mari
Smith, on “33 Ways to Attract Facebook Fans, Provide Sterling
Content and Keep Them Coming Back for More.” We discussed which
tactics on the list his client should use first.

You can download the checklist, the video replay of the webinar,
and Mari’s slides, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

======================================
4. Use Flickr to Promote Your Business
======================================

What if photos of your products appeared all over the Internet–
at blogs, to illustrate other people’s articles, and at other
people’s websites?

And the people who see your photos could also click on the link
that leads them to your website.

For many companies, that’s nothing more than a dream.

But not for Publicity Hounds who know how to use Flickr, the
mammoth online photo management and sharing website that makes it
easy to:

–Make your photos available to the people who matter to you,
including current customers and your target audience.

–Organize your photos in one place online where people can share
them on the web, on mobile devices, from the users’ home
computers and from whatever software they are using to manage
their content. Flickr lets you push them out in as many ways as
possible: on the Flickr website, in RSS feeds, by email, by
posting to outside blogs or numerous other ways that tie into a
PR campaign.

Flickr calls itself “the WD-40 that makes it easy to get photos
or video from one person to another in whatever way they want.”

Are you using it yet to promote your business?

If not, guest blogger David Murton has nine ideas for using
Flickr to promote your product, service, cause or issue.

Even if you don’t have a treasure trove of photos, I’m betting
you have at least several that you can upload today.

Read David’s tips at my blog:

http://publicityhound.net/9-ways-to-use-flickr-to-promote-your-
business/

=====================================
5. Social Media Webcast
=====================================

I’m flying to San Diego today to be one of Don Crowther’s guests
on a live webcast tomorrow (Wednesday, July 13) to discuss my
successes with social media.

I’m scheduled to be on at 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time, though that
time might change. I hope you’ll join us. In fact, check out the
entire live webcast from 5 to 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You’ll see
Don interviewing lots of other people who have great social media
tips to share.

We’re all case studies he’s using to promote Social Profit
Formula 2.0, the new, updated follow-up to the original Social
Profit Formula course, which I’ve taken.

Even if you don’t want to spend a penny with Don, you can watch
the entire webcast for free by using this link:

https://btconsulting.infusionsoft.com/go/livecast/a342/

Because it’s live streaming video, we’ll be taking your questions
and responding to your comments.

(Tune in to see if Don lets me wear my Publicity Hound T-shirt!)

=====================================
6. Best-seller Blueprint for Authors
=====================================

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, on Thursday, July 14, for a free
webinar (or telephone seminar) and discover the ingenious, yet
simple “best-seller blueprint” you can use to sell more books in
a week than most authors sell all year. I promote this webinar as
a compensated affiliate because I’ve heard from far too many
authors who are doing it the hard way.

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

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

9 ways to use Flickr to promote your business
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8739

5 reasons why PR interns shouldn’t be pitching the media
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8854

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #561 June 28, 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. I am Not a Flake

2. Use Glue to Grab Facebook Fans

3. Pull Journalists with Video

4. Why You Should Care About Klout

5. Confidence in Media Still Low

6. Hound Quote of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. I am Not a Flake
=====================================

Pay attention to the way the 2012 presidential candidates answer
tough questions on the talking head shows.

On “Fox News Sunday” with Chris Wallace this past weekend, GOP
candidate Michele Bachmann–love her or hate her–gave Publicity
Hounds a valuable lesson on how to bridge from a very difficult
question to a talking point.

Wallace told Bachmann that she has a history of making
“questionable statements” or gaffes.

“Are you a flake?” he asked.

Without flinching, Bachman responded, “I think that would be
insulting to say something like that because I’m a serious
person.”

She launched into a recitation of her background and
accomplishments.

Here’s the important part. At no time did she ever respond, “I am
not a flake.”

If she had, the video clip of her saying, “I am not a flake”
would have been rebroadcast thousands of times between now and
the election–on political ads, news shows, blogs, YouTube and
elsewhere.

If a reporter asks you a question that you think is unfair,
insulting, or irrelevant to the interview, say so. Then, use a
transition and bridge to one of your talking points.

Wallace, it turns out, ended up issuing a video apology to
Bachmann and also calling her.

In my “Special Report #2: Questions You Can Expect Reporters to
Ask During an Interview,” I explain which questions are innocent,
and which are deliberate traps. If you want to be media-savvy,
you must know the difference.

Read more about the report here and stay out of trouble for only
$10:
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport2

=====================================
2. Use Glue to Grab Facebook Fans
=====================================

Why is it that some people have so much trouble generating
interest in their Facebook pages?

Yet, other people, like Mari Smith, one of the world’s foremost
experts on Facebook, seem to have a big pot of glue that they
slather onto their pages and capture whoever happens to stop by?

Mari’s glue is in the form of interesting videos, status updates
that tip off fans to other people’s how-to articles about
Facebook and Internet marketing, and compelling polls and
surveys. She promotes other people’s webinars, teleseminars and
products that she thinks her fans will find valuable.

And she sparks lively discussions that make readers stick like
glue to the page and, often, participate.

Mari does something else that keeps those fans coming back for
more—-and this is the page’s real value. Almost every day, she
answers people’s questions about Facebook and a variety of other
topics. Sometimes the same questions keep popping up. And she
keeps giving the answers. And attracting even more fans.

Tomorrow, at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, she’ll dip into her Facebook
glue pot and show you what’s inside, when she’s my guest on the
webinar, “The Best Ways to Attract Facebook Fans, Provide
Sterling Content and Keep Them Coming Back for More (Just Like
the Celebrities Do).”

In my eyes, Mari is the Number One expert on Facebook. You do not
want to miss this one.

Join us by registering here:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=20214&AdID=
559760

=====================================
3. Pull Journalists with Video
=====================================

What are the two hottest online trends right now?

For my money, it’s online video and social media.

And the cool thing is, social media expert Don Crowther has just
posted a new free video revealing how his clients are combining
the two to generate a TON of traffic every month and make a LOT
of money. You can do the same thing they’re doing to attract the
attention of journalists who are searching online for people with
your expertise.

What’s really nice is that Don reveals his super simple, nothing-
fancy-needed, video creation strategy that lets you create
multiple videos in no time–maybe an hour tops.

He has made things even easier with a downloadable worksheet you
can use to brainstorm your video ideas and customize your own
traffic strategy.

Plus, Don’s giving away his list of exactly what you should buy
to put together your own video studio, no matter what your budget
is. Finally, someone is answering that key question for all of
us!

If you want to use social media to drive traffic, make money and
pull journalists to you, this video is a must.

Check out the driving traffic video here:
https://btconsulting.infusionsoft.com/go/vid3/a342/

======================================
4. Why You Should Care About Klout
======================================

If journalists are thinking of calling you, but want to find out
how influential you really are online, all they have to do is go
to Klout at http://www.Klout.com and plug in your Twitter handle
in the search box in the upper-right corner.

Klout will deliver your score, from 0 to 100.

This is quickly becoming the Number One site for measuring online
influence.

Previously, Klout based your score on your activity on Twitter
and Facebook. It recently added LinkedIn to its algorithm.

If you’re on LinkedIn, good for you. But are you using it to
connect with the right people, flaunt your expertise to your
target market, generate sales leads and raise your Klout score?

Let Wayne Breitbarth take you by the hand and walk you step-by-
step through the most important parts of LinkedIn. He was my
guest during the webinar on “Your LinkedIn Power Formula Part 2:
Advanced Strategies for Writing a Killer Profile, Cashing in on
Groups and Creating Company Pages.”

We recorded it, and I’m offering the video replay. Read more
about what he’ll teach you to do here:
http://www.Publicityhound.com/linkedinpowerformulapart2.htm

=====================================
5. Confidence in Media Still Low
=====================================

A new Gallup Poll shows Americans’ confidence in newspapers and
television news rebounded slightly in the past year, having been
stuck at record lows since 2007.

The 28 percent of Americans who express a great deal, or quite a
lot, of confidence in newspapers and the 27 percent who say the
same about television news still lag significantly behind the
levels of trust seen through much of the 1990s and into 2003,
however.

Newspapers and television news rank 10th and 11th in confidence,
respectively, among the 16 institutions tested.

Read the results here:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/148250/Americans-Regain-Confidence-
Newspapers-News.aspx

The results of this poll demonstrate why social media is
paramount in a publicity campaign.

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Paula Daniel Peconic, NY, for this
quote about dogs:

“A dog is not ‘almost human,’ and I know of no greater insult to
the canine race than to describe it as such.”

–John Holm

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

Mari Smith to share her Facebook ‘pot of glue’ Wednesday
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8764

——————————————-

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http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound

——————————————–

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