The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #485 Dec. 30, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Meet My (Unlikely) Business Partner

2. Dumbest Excuses for Not Blogging

3. Media Leads

4. Regift My ‘Best of’ Ebook

5. Promoting a Web Design Company

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Video of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

======================================
1. Meet My (Unlikely) Business Partner
======================================

If you asked me to describe my ideal business partner, never in a
million years would I envision someone with a PhD in sociology.

Such degrees, I always believed, are expensive pieces of paper
printed by the diploma factories otherwise known as universities.
They seldom lead to “real world” jobs outside of academia.

I certainly wouldn’t want a Phi Beta Kappa tagging along with me.
Such a highfalutin academic would be horrified to hear that I
flunked five college courses and almost didn’t graduate because I
was three credits short of a diploma just six weeks before
graduation.

Meet Jeanne Hurlbert, a PhD sociologist at Louisiana State
University, a survey expert and Phi Beta Kappa, who was studying
social networks long before Facebook?s Mark Zuckerberg was born.
When I heard her on a teleseminar in January this year, I was
hooked less than 10 minutes into the call. I emailed the
teleseminar host immediately and gushed, “This woman is
brilliant! Where did you find her?”

She’s my new business partner. Continue reading more about her,
and what we’ve cooked up for you, at my blog at
http://budurl.com/jeannehurlbert

===================================
2. Dumbest Excuses for Not Blogging
===================================

If you aren’t blogging yet, or you’ve stopped blogging, you can’t
use these three excuses:

–It takes too much time.

–I don’t know what to say.

–Nobody comments at my blog.

Let’s address them one by one.

Of course it takes time. But if I had to choose just one social
media tool, I’d probably choose a blog. It positions you as an
expert in your field far better than noisy sites like Twitter and
Facebook can.

You don’t know what to say?

Finding content is one of the biggest complaints I hear from
Publicity Hounds. But once you know about shortcuts like creating
Google Alerts at http://www.Google.com/alerts and checking them
each day for topics you can write about, you’ll have more content
than you’ll ever need. That’s what I do.

Nobody’s commenting at your blog?

It could be because your content isn’t compelling. Or perhaps you
aren’t feeding your blog into sites like Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn, where thousands more people can share your information
with friends, followers and fans. Or maybe you aren’t ending your
posts with questions like “Am I wrong?” or “What’s your take?” or
“Share your best tip here and let’s see how long a list we can
create.”

Results of my customer profile survey earlier this year show many
Publicity Hounds are hungry for time-saving tips on how to blog.
So I asked Patsi Krakoff of The Blog Squad to join me for a
teleseminar at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 13, called
“Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging.”

Make 2010 the year you finally commit to a blog and build in
efficiencies that will make the job go faster. Read more about
what you’ll learn and register at
http://budurl.com/smartbusinessblogs

=======================================
3. Media Leads
=======================================

–Are you chronically late? Read on. Diana DeLonzor, author of
the book Never Be Late Again: 7 Cures for the Punctually
Challenged at http://www.neverbelateagain.com/, will be featured
on CBS News in the next few weeks. The producers have asked her
to help them find one or more people who are chronically late and
would agree to be interviewed and possibly followed around for a
day by a camera crew. The segment will likely be shot sometime in
the first few weeks of January. The ideal interview subject is a
woman in her 30s or 40s who must balance a job with kids, doctors
appointments, chauffer duties, etc. But anyone chronically late
can apply. If you?re not chronically late, don?t respond. Please,
no time management experts either. Email Diana at
delonzor1@yahoo.com.

–Mildred Culp, who writes the syndicated column Workwise, is
looking for a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker who can
comment on revenge in the workplace. After the holidays, you must
have a digitized action photo taken by a colleague, friend or
relative. Email Mildred at workwise@comcast.net
.
===================================
4. Regift My ‘Best of’ Ebook
===================================

If you’re looking for a New Year’s gift for your clients,
customers or friends, consider “The Best of the Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week of 2009,” my gift to you.

It includes the top 26 tips from this year’s newsletters, or tips
that generated the most response from readers. Several thousand
people already have downloaded it, and many are retweeting this
link and sharing it on Facebook and LinkedIn:
http://tinyurl.com/bestof2009tips

Also consider giving this ebook as a bonus along with any
promotions you’re planning.

===================================
5. Promoting a Web Design Company
===================================

This week, 16 Publicity Hounds have tips for Alissa Rothstein of
Alissa Rothstein Design Studio in Woodbridge, NJ. She’s a
graphic/web designer who says small businesses can’t afford her,
or don’t want to pay for her services, and she’s looking for
marketing ideas.

From Mary Jane Hurley Brant:

“I would begin by offering to present a talk to your Chamber of
Commerce, then branch out to other areas because your business
can be accomplished via the Internet. They are always looking for
interesting speakers and you won?t have to write a different talk
each time.”

From MaAnna Stephenson:

“One of the best ways to meet these clients is to get busy
posting on the social media sites on which you already have
accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter. And, it?s a great way to
meet other folks that offer complementary services to these
clients, like Joan here at Publicity Hound. There are thousands
of people who consult blog users. Perhaps, following and making
friends with these folks would lead to some cross-promotion and
possibly, joint ventures.”

From Phyllis K. Twombly:

“You may want to consider linking with another company or
business such as a local printer who recommends you. You might
have to design one or two sites at a special deal (or even, gasp,
free!) just to get your name out there. Make sure those sites
give your company credit for their design.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Response to this simple question was overwhelming, and it’s
gratifying to see so many creative ideas from you Hounds. Well
done! Many of the comments apply to other businesses, not just
web design. You can read all the responses to this question at
http://budurl.com/webdesignmarketing

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

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

Jeanne Krieg of Savage, Minnesota writes:

“DryMate at http://www.drymate.com/ is a manufacturer in Minnesota
with a line of absorbent and washable mats for home, pets, autos,
hunting, garage and outdoors. We even sell a mat that goes under
your Christmas tree stand to catch spills, dirt, etc.

“Since our product is made from a fabric with a bonded backing,
do we want to reach textile editors of publications? Or category-
specific editors? Or both? To whom do we send pitches and press
releases?

“And can your Hounds suggest ideas on how we can pitch our
product to either consumer or industry publications?”

The Publicity Hound says:

I see lots of possibilities for trade and consumer publications,
as well as numerous opportunities at the social media sites. How
about it, Hounds? Let’s help Jeanne pitch this one and hit it out
of the park. Post your best comments to my blog at
http://budurl.com/washablemats

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Tracey Bennett of Honolulu, Hawaii for
this or this great video of the surfing dog that raises money for
a quadriplegic surfer. Have you seen it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

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

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

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

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

Like my blog? Nominate it for Writer’s Digest award
http://budurl.com/websiteaward

————————————

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #481 Dec. 1, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. What if Your Lawyer is Wrong?

2. Website Magnets: Pet Ecards

3. Pitching Ellen, Rachael & Cavuto

4. Promoting a Book About Christians

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

8. Correction

====================================
1. What if Your Lawyer is Wrong?
====================================

If you’re faced with a PR nightmare, don’t assume that your
lawyer’s advice will save you.

Just ask Tiger Woods, whose legal advice might well be
responsible for the public relations mess that’s been getting
even messier since last week’s car crash.

On TV talk shows and all over the Internet, media experts, crisis
counselors, PR pros and even attorneys are admonishing Woods for
flunking PR 101 since crashing his car into a fire hydrant, and
then a tree, outside the couple’s home Thanksgiving night.

They say he erred by:

–Holing up inside his home and refusing to talk to the police or
the public, making it look like he has something to hide and
fueling speculation about what happened.

–Waiting until Sunday to post a statement on his website, thus
letting anyone with an opinion take control of the story. PR pros
say that even though all the details aren’t necessary, he should
have given a more substantive response.

–Canceling an appearance at the Chevron World Challenge golf
tournament this weekend.

During an interview I did with crisis counselor Clarence Jones
several years ago, Jones said that attorneys, who usually tell
their clients not to comment, are concerned primarily about
winning in the court of law, not in the court of public opinion.
That’s why clients who have won in the court of law sometimes
emerge with their reputations in ruins. By that time, the PR
damage has been done.

Jones advises that if you find yourself in a PR crisis, weigh
your lawyer’s advice along with the advice of others such as a
good crisis counselor. Read more about what he discussed during
the teleseminar “In a Media Crisis, Your Lawyer Will be Wrong” at
http://budurl.com/yourlawyer

===================================
2. Website Magnets: Pet Ecards
===================================

When BL Ochman and her business partner, Caimin Jones, realized
their new company, Pawfun.com at http://www.pawfun.com, needed to
have more traffic before they could expect to make a profit
selling customized pet T-shirts, totes and other items, they
decided to change their business model.

They added the kind of social media tools they create to help
their corporate clients build traffic and sales–a free service
that lets anyone create free pet ecards. Take a look:
http://www.pawfun.com/send-ecard/

Upload your own pet photo to the site, and add pithy, funny or
endearing comments to the bubble that comes out of the pet’s
mouth. Then share the card with your social media friends,
followers and fans.

“In order for us to make money, we need a high volume of
traffic,” BL said. “We really needed to turn that site into a
social media lab for ourselves–something that does all the
things we tell our clients to do.”

The result?

“It’s really starting to work,” she said. “Traffic is doubling
every week, and there are hundreds of ecards featured in our
gallery.”

They’ve even landed two corporate sponsorships. The first is with
StacksandStacks.com, which sells organizing tools for humans and
pets. The other is with Simon & Schuster, publisher of the book
“Cowboy and Wills” about the Golden Retriever and the autistic
boy who loved him. Pawfun will give the books as contest prizes.

“We know that those are the kinds of sponsorship deals that are
possible,” BL said.

What free magnets are you offering at your own website? “Special
Report #51: 55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or
Capture People’s Email Addresses” give you dozens of ideas. Read
more about it at http://budurl.com/specialreport51

====================================
3. Pitching Ellen, Rachael & Cavuto
====================================

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that big, celebrity-driven TV
talk shows only want celebrities.

Even though “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” loves celebrities and A-
list interviews, Ellen loves human interest stories like child
inventors, variety acts, and social causes like Hurricane Katrina
or animal rights. But how would you know that unless you watch
the show every day?

Get free detailed profiles with key contacts and how-to-get-on
info for five top shows including ABC’s “20/20,” “The Ellen
DeGeneres Show,” “Rachael Ray,” “Book TV” and “The Neil Cavuto
Show” by going to http://www.AppearOnTopTVShows.com/?10011

The five profiles are drawn from “Harrison’s Guide to the Top
National Talk & Interviews TV Shows,” which is on sale through 6
p.m. Eastern this Friday, December 4. Subscribe now and you’ll
also get a 30-minute consultation with a former national TV
producer who’ll help you get on TV. (I get a commission if you
buy this directory.)

===================================
4. Promoting a Book About Christians
===================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Mitch Carnell of
Charleston, SC, who needs ideas on how to market his book,
Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.

From Gail Sideman:

“I would take some of the elements in this book and create story
angles and tips about why they apply to life in and outside
religious practices.

“Create a tips list with the top bits of advice in the book and
pitch them to media and as a column for consumers to use.  This
would be a good way to begin to help people relate to the book in
general and not corner it into a religious how-to book.”

From Christine Buffaloe:

“The first thing would be to create a presence on Facebook. If
you don?t already have a profile, create one at
http://www.facebook.com/. It?s easy to do. Then join groups that
are within your niche and, from there, connect with the people in
those groups.

“Then, create a Facebook fan page. This is where you can really
promote your book. You can send updates and link to your blog.
The possibilities are endless.”

From The Publicity Hound:

“Mitch, how about trying to get booked on niche radio talk shows
that will reach your niche audience?

“Francine Silverman?s ebooks that offer contact info are a good
place to start. I blogged about these this morning at
http://budurl.com/talkradioinfo

“Under the self-help category, I see several possibilities on how
you can spin your topic to match those topics.”
Read all the responses to this week’s ?Help This Hound” question
http://budurl.com/gjzx

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

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

Ted Fuller of Lafayette, Calif., writes:

“Thanks to you and Paulette Ensign, the Tips Booklet Queen, I
have completed my first two booklets.

“The Best Ideas Yet About Aging Successfully is 16 pages, and
Tips for Writing a Great Memoir is 12 pages. Now comes the grind
of contacting book and gift store distributors, retirement home
companies, and other organizations serving seniors.

Any suggestions on how one gets these charming publications
publicized so the purchasing departments seek me out with their
orders??

The Publicity Hound says:

Mitch, I urge you to think far beyond nursing homes for your
target audience. Many of today’s senior citizens run marathons
and climb mountains. You don’t have a website, and that’s
compounding your problem. So I hope my Hounds make some
suggestions on how to also sell these booklets online. Hounds,
post your best ideas to my blog at
http://budurl.com/seniorsbooklets

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

Meet Cowboy and Wills. Cowboy is the Golden Retriever puppy that
brought joy and love to Wills Holloway, an autistic boy. They’re
the subject of the book “Cowboy & Wills,” by Monica Holloway.
This isn’t your typical book promo, and it made my day. Thanks to
BL Ochman of New York City (See Item #2 above), for sharing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjyUJGw7urk

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…
==================================

Ebooks offer talk radio contact info for specific niches
http://budurl.com/talkradioinfo

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

In last week’s issue, I incorrectly identified Scott Martin of
Lake Mary, Fla., who runs DivorceDirection, a financial advisory
firm and who was quoted recently in the New York Times. I
apologize for the error.

————————————

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

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

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #479 Nov. 17, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. How to Promote Your Experts

2. Pay Attention to Media Websites

3. Oprah/Palin Outtakes

4. How to Promote a Book on Autism

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Videos of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

====================================
1. How to Promote Your Experts
====================================

If you’re an expert in your industry, or you have a team of
experts, let the world know.

During yesterday’s teleseminar for members of The Publicity Hound
Mentor Program, I shared 14 ways to promote your experts. Here
are four of them:

–Create an Experts Directory. If you have many experts, list
them by category, in alphabetical order, and include all contact
information. Make sure your experts have given you permission to
include their names. If they’re at all shy about talking to
reporters or bloggers, pay for media training or don’t include
them. Send hard-copy directories to targeted media, and make the
directory available at your website, in your media room.

–Include one page at your website for each expert. Make sure the
title bar includes a keyword phrase that will help the media find
your expert quickly through the search engines. Example:
“Employee recruitment and retention expert.”

–During a big breaking news event that ties into an expert’s
topic, call or email your media contacts and offer your expert
for background, commentary and story ideas that tie into the
breaking news.

–Give your experts prominent exposure in online experts
directories.
Each year, I subscribe to Expertclick: The Online Yearbook of
Experts. PRWeek calls this the “Dating Service of PR” because it
connects experts and journalists. I’ve been a member for years,
and my Press Room Page has helped me capture the top two or three
positions on Google for the phrase “publicity expert.”

The deadline is Friday, Nov. 20, for their 25th Anniversary 2010
Yearbook of Experts. See the full brochure at
https://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/Publicity-Hound and take
advantage of their special for Publicity Hounds. They’ll shave
$100 off your subscription. Or call 202-333-5000. They answer
their phones live and have great customer service.

===================================
2. Pay Attention to Media Websites
===================================

Before you pitch journalists or broadcasters, know all your
options by visiting their websites.

I wanted to pitch a story idea to the news department at Fox 6, a
Milwaukee TV station, recently and visited their site to see what
I could find. I learned they now accept news tips and pitches at
the site during their 1:45 p.m. news meeting each day.

They broadcast video of the meeting. And even though you can’t
hear the audio, you can pitch your story idea right at the
website. That’s exactly what I did.

The producer who was reading the pitches on his laptop while
attending the meeting responded immediately and said he loved my
idea. But he thought it was more appropriate for the station’s
early-morning news/feature program. I pitched that program, and
the host responded the next day and booked a segment with my
client for next month. Is that cool or what?

These websites often include other valuable nuggets. You might
find bios of the on-air reporters and anchors. You can upload
photos and videos at many newspaper, TV and radio websites. You
can submit items for their event calendars. You can also find
mini profiles of all their local programs. Many media outlets
also include links where you can follow them on Facebook and
Twitter.

Now that you know how to find them and pitch them, start building
relationships with them. “Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build
Valuable Relationships with Media People” shows you how. Only
$10. Order at http://budurl.com/lzge

===================================
3. Oprah/Palin Outtakes
===================================

Oprah’s taped interview with Sarah Palin, which was broadcast
yesterday, attracted so many viewers who love her or hate her
that Oprah’s smart producers did something that we can do.

They posted five outtakes from the interview at Oprah’s website
under the headline “What You Didn’t See.” Take a look:
http://budurl.com/oprahandsarah

If you’re shooting video for whatever reason, and you have some
great outtakes, here are six ideas for using them:

–Edit them into separate videos and upload them to your YouTube
channel and to other video-sharing sites so they pull in traffic
from the search engines. Use different keywords for each video so
you pull the maximum amount of traffic possible.

–Insert the video links into press releases.

–Post the videos in your online press room.

–Use them at your blog.

–Include the links in articles you write for the article
directory sites.

–Share them with your social media friends, fans and followers.
Videographer John Easton of Charlotte, N.C. knows creative, easy
ways to use video to generate publicity and sales leads, even if
you only do business locally. I interviewed him about “9 Clever
Ways to Use Video to Become a Publicity Darling in Your Industry
or Community.” Learn more at http://budurl.com/sttl

===================================
4. How to Promote a Book on Autism
===================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Mary Ann Puckett
from Oklahoma City, OK, author of a self-published book, “Take
Him Home and Love Him: A Story of Autism and How to Cope with
It.” She needs tips for promoting the book to parents and
caregivers.

From Linda Kotzian:

“Contact Care Trak at http://www.caretrak.com/news.htm  They sell
tracking devices for those afflicted by Alzheimer?s and autism.
They might share their mailing list with you, or even promote
your book as part of their service.”

From Eric Gruber:

“You should be writing articles and submitting them to the top
parenting and health websites, blogs, ezines and article
directories–as well as focusing on those sites that deal with
autism specifically. For example, you should target
http://autism.about.com/ ”

From Margaret Vos:

“Perhaps your high school, college, or university would LOVE to
hear about your accomplishment. Not just a ‘local girl does good’
story, but one that can help other parents too–and targeted to
an educational field but with a different angle. You could
include special needs schools that have newsletters for parents.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Mary Ann, you need to reach out to two huge segments of bloggers:
mommy bloggers and home-schoolers. Go to Google and search for
?top 20 mommy bloggers? and see what you find.  Also, ?top 20
home-school bloggers.?

Make sure you visit their blogs and post a comment or two before
you pitch. And, of course, make sure the blog is a good fit with
the book.

Read all the responses to this week?s ?Help This Hound” question
at http://budurl.com/tvxv

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

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

I’m out of questions (send questions!) so this week’s is from me:
Publicity Hounds who responded to my Customer Profile Survey in
the spring said blogging was one of the top three topics they
wanted to know more about.

I’m planning one or more paid teleseminars on blogging for
business soon, and I want to make sure I’m teaching things you
need to know.

If you’re interested in this topic, let me know which sub-topics
interest you:

–How to find compelling content

–Shortcuts and time-saving tools

–Commenting at other blogs

–The best blog directories where you should submit your blog

–How to pull traffic to your blog

–Using photos and images

–How to pitch a guest blog post to someone else

–How to find guest bloggers

–Feeding your blog posts into social media sites

–Writing compelling headlines

–Or any topics I haven’t mentioned here.

Also, please let me know if you consider yourself a beginning,
intermediate or advanced blogger.
Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com and put “Blogging” in the
subject line.

==================================
6. Hound Videos of the Week
==================================

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

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

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

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

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

Oprah’s producers blog & drop clues about what they like
http://budurl.com/oprahproducersblog

8 ways public speaking produces multiple revenue streams
http://budurl.com/malinchakspeaking

————————————

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

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

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #475 Oct. 27, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Got Blogger Butt?

2. Rub Elbows with Editors

3. Tips from ‘Mars/Venus’ Author

4. How to Deal with Media Bias

5. Help This Hound; Win a Shovel Mask

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog…

====================================
1. Got Blogger Butt?
====================================

Thanks to those three little words, Publicity Hound Michelle
Tennant landed an interview with FOX News later today on the
topic of how women can stay healthy while in front of their
computers 14 hours a day.

When Michelle’s doctor ordered her to take off 50 pounds by
August of next year, she bought a treadmill. Her woodworker
husband made her a handy treadmill desk, a removable desk
attachment that lets her work on her laptop while working out.

Michelle, a publicist, blogged about it at
http://budurl.com/bloggerbutt and then pitched the story to FOX.
A producer called her, and she’ll use a webcam and Skype for the
interview later tonight. FOX is taping segments now for November
sweeps and loves any kind of angle that will appeal to the
masses.

You can do what she did. You can come up with a clever angle for
even the most routine story. Here are four tips from Michelle on
how to find a clever angle:

–Use alliteration in your pitch. “Blogger butt” turns the pitch
into a sound bite that’s irresistible to broadcasters.

–Magazine covers offer ideas galore for angles. “Women should
get out of their comfort zone and read the cover of a men’s
magazine, and men should read the cover of a women’s magazine,”
she says. Look for headlines you can steal. By substituting just
a few words, you’ve got an angle. Example from Cosmopolitan
magazine: 26 gutsy ways to make a fresh start. Your headline: 8
gutsy ways to make your office a fun place to work.

–Tie into breaking or seasonal news. “In this case, I tied my
breaking news into women in the workforce and weight gain in the
digital age.”

–Look for problem/solution angles that appeal to the masses. The
best angles tie into topics like saving money, staying young,
looking and feeling better, and being more successful.

Watch the video she produced about blogger butt at
http://storytellertothemedia.com/

Michelle, a graduate of The Publicity Hound Mentor program, has a
long track record of getting her clients into top-tier media. She
explained how she does it, and shared inside secrets on how she
connects with journalists, when I interviewed for my series of
lessons on “How to Create a Media Plan.” Learn more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm

========================================
2. Rub Elbows with Editors
========================================

Telephones and email aren’t the only ways to contact editors.
Here are three great ways to meet journalists face-to-face:

–At events sponsored by your local press club. Many press clubs
allow people who work outside the media to join. It’s a chance to
meet editors in a relaxed setting.

–At events sponsored by local business journals and magazines.
Business Journals generate a huge chunk of their revenue from
corporate sponsors at events such as power breakfasts, the 40
Under 40 awards ceremony, and the Book of Lists party. Pay
attention to what events they’re sponsoring and attend. Don’t
pitch at these events. Concentrate on building the relationship.

–By hanging out near the media room at trade shows. If you’re
attending a trade show as a participant, speaker or vendor, there
are lots of things you can do before, during and after the event
to make valuable media connections. Example: When you meet a
journalist at a trade show, invite him for coffee.

“Trade Show PR: How to Rise Above the Noise Level,” a recording
of an interview I did with PR expert Dan Janal, offers dozens of
tactics and strategies you can use long before trade shows begin,
and long after they’re over, to build valuable relationships with
the media. Learn more about the CD at
http://budurl.com/tradeshowpr

========================================
3. Tips from ‘Mars/Venus’ Author
========================================

John Gray says one of the biggest mistakes an author can make is
not understanding how to survive financially while writing and
promoting a book.

I know what he means. I’ve worked with clients who have taken
sabbaticals from their businesses or their corporate jobs to
write their books, only to reluctantly take out a second mortgage
just to pay the bills until their books hit the bookstores.

A second mistake, he says, is that they relied on the book for
revenue.

During a short interview with Steve Harrison, Gray discusses the
rocky road he traveled as a self-published author, long before
his ‘Mars/Venus’ success, and how anyone who is writing a book or
wants to write one can learn from his experiences.

You’ll also hear the one thing he did to come up with a memorable
title for his book on relationships. I’ve never heard this tip
mentioned anywhere. It worked. “Men Are From Mars, Women Are from
Venus” went on to sell 30 million copies and spent seven years on
the New York Times Best Seller List.

Listen to the interview, including what he learned about
appearing on Oprah, at http://budurl.com/menarefrommars

=======================================
4. How to Deal with Media Bias
=======================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Ivy Mendoza of
Manila, Philippines on how to deal with a local newspaper editor
who refuses to print press releases about her client.
From Nancy Binzel Pierce:

“I suggest finding a neutral third party who is friendly with
both sides. Explain the situation to her (or him) and ask her to
help you re-establish a relationship.”
From Gin:

“Write a press release around the subject of forgiveness and bad
work ethics, then invite feedback from the public, adding
information about other available business services. The feedback
may indirectly reflect and change the opinion of the editor.”
From the Publicity Hound:

Forget about the Lifestyles editor. Call her direct supervisor
and explain what happened. If you don?t like that answer, keep
working your way up the ladder to the publisher. Everybody works
for somebody.

I’m also willing to guess that far more people read Craigslist in
the Philippines than that newspaper. See “How to Use Craigslist
as a Global Publicity Tool” at
http://budurl.com/howtousecraigslist

Read all the responses to this week?s ?Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/editorsaysno

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

=====================================
5. Help This Hound; Win a Shovel Mask
=====================================

John T. Unger of Mancelona, MI writes:

“My original art, including my fire bowls, which I’ve been making
since 2005, has been copied by a manufacturer.

“He is now suing me in federal court to overturn my existing
copyrights and continue making knockoffs. I have a strong case, a
great lawyer and believe that if I can continue to defend myself,
the case will be resolved in my favor.

“I did not initiate this lawsuit, but am defending my art, my
creative rights, my reputation and my livelihood. I’ve already
spent over $50,000 out of pocket in defense of my original
designs. Seeking a judicial ruling in federal court will cost
more than most artists or small businesses can afford, but
attempts at settlement have been unsuccessful. I am holding a
fundraising sale of my artwork to finance a defense in court.

“What ideas do your hounds have for raising awareness of the
story, its broader implications for other creative professionals
and raising funds to see that the laws which protect copyright
are not weakened for other artists?”
The Publicity Hound says:

John called me to ask for my help with this problem, and I told
him my Publicity Hounds will come through with some great
suggestions on how he can defend he lawsuit without going broke.
What can he do in traditional and social media to spread the word
and muster support? Post your best ideas to my blog at
http://budurl.com/firebowl

The Publicity Hound who suggests the best idea will win a
beautiful shovel mask, made by John. The winner will be announced
here in two weeks. Check by blog post for photos of the shovel
mask and the fire bowl.

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

It’s almost Halloween and you can’t forget about your dog. Here
are several clever ideas for dog costumes.
http://ow.ly/wKW7

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…
==================================

PR/social media book perfect for wanna-be publicists
http://ow.ly/wKRL

Want a Bulldog award? Teleconference explains how to win
http://ow.ly/wtww

Avoid press release buzzwords; use press release keywords
http://ow.ly/wtvO

————————————

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

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

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

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #440
March 3, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 42,341

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

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

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

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

My Survey is Being Emailed Now:

During the next several days, you’ll receive my Customer Profile
Survey. Complete it, and you’ll get $40 off of any products or
services I sell, by March 13. Your name will also be entered in a
drawing for a Kindle 2, the new wireless reading device that
Amazon sells for $359. If the winner doesn’t want the Kindle,
I’ll send an Amazon gift certificate for that amount.

We’re already tabulating responses, and the results are
illuminating. I’ll share them with you in a few weeks once all
the surveys are tabulated.

If you’ve already completed yours, thank you! Your honest
feedback will help me improve this newsletter and every other
aspect of doing business with me.

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

1. How About a Little Good News?

2. It’s Square Root Day

3. 3 Teleseminars to Help You

4. The Advantage of Freelancers

5. Ugly Patio Furniture

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog…

====================================
1. How About a Little Good News?
====================================

You and I aren’t the only ones sick of bad news.

TV news producers are sick of it too. That’s what my friend, TV
producer Shawne Duperon, told me a few days ago. We were talking
about the demise of the Rocky Mountain News, one of Colorado’s
two biggest daily newspapers.

“Are things as bad in the TV industry as they are at newspapers?
“I asked her.

“It’s not even the same conversation,” she said. “Everything is
fine. But TV people are sick of all the gloom and doom.

“What does that mean to Publicity Hounds?

Pitch good news stories:

–My local newspaper had a story on Page 1 yesterday about how a
little small-town bank, where the bosses commute to work on foot,
is doing just fine, thank you, while bigger financial
institutions are grabbing bail-outs right and left. That bank
might never have received front-page publicity in a boom economy.
But today, it’s the exception to the rule.

–Has your family found creative ways to skirt high grocery
bills? Are you and the kids cooking more instead of eating out
and, in the process, learning more about each other? If so, pitch
lifestyle reporters, bloggers, and explain your own story at your
blog.

–My friend opened The Chocolate Chisel, a gourmet chocolate shop
in my town of Port Washington, Wisconsin a few weeks ago. When I
asked her if she had second thoughts about opening in this
economy, she said no. While creating her business plan with her
partner, they researched the history of chocolate and learned
that it’s one product that does well during bad times. People
might not be able to afford a $300 day at the spa, but a $10
sample pack of gourmet chocolates makes the world right again. I
told her that’s a terrific angle she ought to pitch.

–Moore Oil Company in Milwaukee has its own economic stimulus
plan. President Scott Haag is offering employees $2,000 if they
buy a new car, or $1,000 for a used car. “It’s just a gift.
There’s no there’s no payback,” he said. “It’s tough out there,
and a little positive news today goes a long way.

“Indeed. That story made it onto the local ABC station’s news last
night.What good news story can you pitch? If you’re having trouble
identifying it, you can learn all their inside secrets about what
TV stations want. Shawne Duperon was my guest during a
teleseminar on “How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow.” We
recorded it and it’s available as a CD or an electronic
transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your
order has been approved.

Read more about how to get your story onto TV at
http://tinyurl.com/4zpuz

Learn three more ideas on how to piggyback your story idea onto
the economy by joining my “Friends of The Publicity Hound”
Facebook group at http://tinyurl.com/bawp2z

In the next day or two, I’ll email the group with more ideas on
how to piggyback your story ideas onto the economy.

====================================
2. It’s Square Root Day
====================================

Today is Square Root Day, a holiday celebrated on dates where the
day and the month are both the square root of the last two digits
in the current year.

For example, the last square root day was March 3, 2009 (3-3-09),
and the next square root day will be April 4, 2016 (4-4-16). The
final square root day of the century will occur on September 9,
2081 (9-9-81). Square root days fall on the same nine dates each
century.

Ron Gordon, a Redwood City, California high school teacher, first
created the day for 9-9-81. He’s the official PR person and sends
press releases to media outlets around the world.

There’s even a Facebook group devoted to Square Root Day at
http://tinyurl.com/d7gz39 and it has more than 2,600 members.
Many of them have written wall posts that explain how they’re
celebrating.

For all you foodies, one suggested way of celebrating the holiday
is by eating square radishes, or other root vegetables cut into
shapes with square cross sections.

If you think this is silly, check out the mountains of publicity
Square Root Day has received throughout the world:
http://tinyurl.com/ak4hjs

Now quite smirking. Go over to Chase’s Calendar of Events at
http://www.Chases.com and create your own holiday, or your own
day, week or month of the year by clicking on “Submit an Entry”
on the left side of the screen. You have until April 15 to submit
an entry for the 2010 printed edition.

Once you’ve created your day, use it as a springboard to pitch to
the media. When Dan Janal interviewed me about how to pitch, I
explained all the ways sources caught my attention with their
pitches when I worked as a newspaper editor. I shared them all in
the recording “Secrets of Perfect Pitching.”

It’s available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.
Read more about how to pitch the right way at
http://tinyurl.com/s3tyx

===================================
3. 3 Teleseminars to Help You
===================================

–”Media Star Power: How To Become a Celebrity and a Media
Darling All at the Same Time,” with Tom Antion and Judy Jernudd.
Judy is a former Los Angeles talk show host who has interviewed
presidents, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Selleck, Tom Cruise, Regis
Philbin, Larry King, Barbara Walters and hundreds of other
superstars. At 9 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, March 5. This is a
paid teleseminar. Register at http://tinyurl.com/ako5×7

–”Best-seller Blueprint–How To Make Your Book An Almost Instant
Best-seller and Sell Tons of Copies Even if You’re A Marketing
Novice,” with Steve Harrison, Randy Gilbert and Peggy McColl. At
2 or 7 Eastern on Thursday, March 5. Register for this
complimentary call at http://tinyurl.com/ccdbb7

–”How to Create Your own Strong Economy This Year with Online
Information Marketing,” with Alexandria Brown, The Ezine Queen,
on Thursday, March 5. Learn 5 ways to recession-proof your
business. Register for this complimentary call at
http://tinyurl.com/bnh627

=====================================
4. The Advantage of Freelancers
=====================================

How many freelance writers have you built relationships with this
past year?

How many freelancers are you trying to court this year?

Publicity Hound Pam Lontos of PR/PR at http://www.prpr.net says
getting to know freelancers has paid off big.

Her company pitched one if its clients, Dr. Kenneth Christian, a
psychologist and author of “Your Own Worst Enemy,” to a writer at
Self Magazine a few years ago.

The writer, a freelancer, was going to interview Dr. Christian,
but the magazine decided to kill the story. The writer also wrote
for Parade magazine and decided to write the whole story for
Parade around Dr. Christian’s new book. In fact, she needed more
sources so she ended up using another one of PR/PR’s clients, Dr.
Pamela Brill, author of “The Winner’s Way.” The story skyrocketed
the ranking for both authors’ books on Amazon.

Dr. Christian’s new book jumped from 35,000 to 35. Dr. Brill’s
book, which was available pre-sale, jumped to 300 before it was
even released.”

Be helpful and give the media more story ideas and resources
than they ask for,” Pam says. “You never know which small town
newspaper writer also writes for a major media outlet.”

“Special Report #40:42 Publicity Tips for Authors and Small
Publishers” shows you how to target niche markets, position
yourself as an expert and pull the media and others to your
website. Only $10, and you can download it as soon as your order
has been approved. Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

====================================
5. Ugly Patio Furniture
====================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips for Jill Cranford of
Livermore, Colo., on how to publicize her “Ugly Patio Furniture”competition at http://tinyurl.com/auhj8e

From Tonya:

“I am a huge fan of design, especially green design and I have a
Google reader full of design blogs. I would recommend that Jill
put together a little blurb about the competition along with some
photos of her products, and submit them to different design
blogs. I have a bunch of them in a list if she’d like to email
me, but she can go to Google and type in ‘design blog’ and she
will find a ton of them.”

From Hendry Lee:

“These competitions are all over the place within Twitter. Zappos
has done it successfully, as well as solopreneurs.

“Nothing allows you to interact with your target market more
directly than Twitter. With the power of retweets, your info
can go viral. Not to mention that it makes a good case study for
many bloggers to write about, increasing your publicity even
more.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I love those ideas. Twitter expert Warren Whitlock shows you “How
to Use Twitter to Amass an Army of Followers, Customers &
Valuable Contacts–and Promote.” My teleseminar series with him
is available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Read more about all the ways you can use Twitter at
http://tinyurl.com/3lbcaw

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

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

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

Colleen Schmid of Heathrow, Fla. writes:

“I’ve recently started a new business teaching families how to
start going green in their homes. I go through their homes and,
room by room, show them what things they can be doing to save on
power and water bills as well as removing toxins. I will also
begin showing small businesses how to do the same.

“Earth Day is on April 22, and I’m trying to come up with a big
idea to get media attention for my business. It’s so critical
that we all become aware of what we’re are doing to harm our
environment, waste precious resources and pollute. It’s also
important to show people how living green saves them money and
takes care of our Earth.

“Can your Hounds thing of some powerful ways for me to tie my
business into Earth Day for some publicity?” Her website is at
http://green-colleen.com

The Publicity Hound says:

Some media people say they’re suspicious about green pitches
which seem to be everywhere. So my Hounds need to come up with
some really clever angles for you, Colleen. Hounds with tips for
Colleen can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/besbzg

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

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.- Andy Rooney.

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

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

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

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

Hiring a VA to book speaking gigs sends a bad message
http://tinyurl.com/akmxfv

—————————————

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:

March 6-8–Atlanta, Ga.
I’ll be at the Stompernet Live 7 event. If you’re going, let’s
meet for coffee.

March 16–Teleseminar on Internet Marketing

I’ll be Marilee Tolen’s guest from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time for
her teleseminar series “Introduction to Internet Marketing” for
nurses, healers, coaches and holistic professional solopreneurs.
If this is your niche, and you’re tired of running after the next
client, this is the training session for you. It starts Feb. 23.
Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/dl3xhm

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 News Release.”

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

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

PRIVACY STATEMENT:

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

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