The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #592 Jan. 31, 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. Valentine’s Day Story Ideas

2. See You in San Francisco

3. Follow Journalists on Facebok

4. Promoting Calendars for Vets

5. Media Lead

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Valentine’s Day Story Ideas
=====================================

Nobody beats Publicity Hound Shawne Duperon when it comes to
pitching story ideas for Valentine’s Day.

These are particularly good if you want to get on your local TV
news:

–If you have Valentine’s-related fun products, send one to the
morning show anchor. “They may showcase it live on the set,” she
says.

–Relationship experts and psychologists: Any stats on the number
of people using website dating services? They’re staggering.

–What about tips on how to search for the love of your life on
one of those sites, so you don’t waste time?

–Give tips on how to write the perfect love profile.

–What about data on the state of marriage as an institution?
Ministers, are you seeing more or fewer couples renewing their
vows?

–How do birds (or any other animal) mate? What is their love
dance?

–And what about job trends for 2012 that are for hopeless
romantics?

Subscribe to Shawne’s free ezine at http://shawnetv.com/

Check out the teleseminar I hosted with Shawne on “116 ‘WOW!’
Story Ideas from January Through June at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JanIdeas.htm

=================================
2. See You in San Francisco
=================================

If you’re attending the Independent Book Publishers Association’s
annual Publishing University March 9-10 in San Francisco, you can
see me present three times on Saturday. I’ll be on these panels:

–Advanced Techniques for Creating Websites/Blogs That SELL at 9
a.m.

–Using Facebook and Twitter to Jump-start Sales at 1:45 p.m.

–Getting Attention: Promoting Your Titles to Bloggers and Online
Communities at 3:15 p.m.

Register at http://thepublishinguniversity.com/

While I’m in San Francisco, I’d like to host a public workshop on
publicity or social media a day or two before the IBPA event. If
your company or nonprofit is interested in partnering with me, or
you want to book me for your next event, email
JStewart@PublicityHound.com and let’s talk.

I’m back on the speaking circuit!

======================================
3. Follow Journalists on Facebook
======================================

Thousands of journalists are flocking to Facebook’s “subscribe”
feature which means you can now see their scoops, stories and
squibs right in your Facebook news feed.

The VentureBeat blog has a good explanation of this:

“Before the subscribe button, Facebook supplied purely reciprocal
profiles. Meaning, if you wanted to follow someone’s updates, you
had to be a friends with them, and they, in turn, had to be
friends with you. Social networks like Twitter and Google+,
however, do not require a symmetrical relationship to add
someone’s updates to your stream of social consciousness. There
was little commitment involved, so people flocked to those sites
for news and quick information, while Facebook remained a source
of personal news.

“The subscribe button changed this, allowing people to see
analysis, links to posts and other content outside of their day-
to-day updates on friends’ activity.”

So far, more than 1,000 reporters, editors and freelancers are
using the subscribe button, including more than 90 people from
the Washington Post and more than 50 from The New York Times.

Read more about it at
http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/25/facebook-subscribe-button-3/

Then find out 33 ways you can attract fans to your Facebook page,
courtesy of Mari Smith who appeared on a webinar with me:
http://www.publicityhound.com/facebookpages.htm

=====================================
4. Promoting Calendars for Vets
=====================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Gina Elise of
Redlands, CA, founder of Pin-ups for Vets, which supports
hospitalized veterans and deployed service members. She needs
ideas on how to promote her group’s pin-up calendars.

From Sophie Wajsman:

“Perhaps she could organise an old-fashioned bathing beauty
competition where contestants are asked to dress in the style of
the 40s – bathers, shoes, hair and make-up. This event could be
used to launch the latest calendar, and major media outlets could
be invited to the event. It would provide an opportunity for
great black and white shots or even footage for TV.”

From Karen Zapp:

“There are hundreds of veteran groups on LinkedIn. But don’t
limit yourself to those centered on Iraq and Afghanistan. This is
because there are tens of thousands of vets willing to help those
serving now who didn’t happen to serve in these conflicts. Just
search for ‘veterans’ in LinkedIn Groups and you’ll get a long
list.

“Join some groups and post a clever discussion with a link to a
unique landing page with a photo and story of one veteran’s
response to receiving the calendar. Then, explain how donors can
help more vets with their donation.

“Hopefully you have a Facebook page and can do something similar.
You might consider running an ad on Facebook. They are rather
simple to create and you can control the budget similar to Google
Adwords.”

From Reece Franklin:

“I am very involved with many senior networking groups in
southern California, like Access to Seniors and Networking for
Seniors. Give me a shout and I will direct you to the presidents
and right people so you can begin to attend the free meetings,
meet the movers and shakers, and get them to know you and your
group. About 40 to 60 people attend each meeting. You don’t have
time to go to all, but after 13 years in the senior marketing
biz, I know which ones are good, and which are not.”

The Publicity Hound says:
My tail wags when I see responses like those! Read them all at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10243

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

======================================
5. Media Lead
======================================

A reporter at a national publication is exploring the phenomenon
of how smart people sometimes feel dumb in intimate social
settings and needs sources to interview.

Have you ever clammed up in a business meeting, at a cocktail or
dinner party, on jury duty, or at some other small social event—-
even though you know you’re as smart (or smarter) than anyone
else in the room? And is this a departure from your usual
personality?

If you have funny or interesting stories to tell about this
topic, please respond as soon as possible to aceb5@aol.com with
details of your anecdote and contact information. Anyone quoted
must be willing to use to use their name.

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Christine Buffaloe of Serenity Virtual
Assistant Services for this video of eight commercials that show
how the Subaru is “dog tested and approved.” Save this one for
when you’re having a really bad day. You’ll howl!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5wpWGnu3Ms

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

Doing business locally? Share your blog at Patch.com
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10262

Dog Tweets: Write clever headlines using this clever trick
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10254

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #590 Jan. 17, 2012
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Sick of Your Blog? Sell It

2. Know When Reporters Need You

3. Media Lead

4. Ideas for a Quirky Facebook Page

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

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

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

Or maybe you’re just tired of your topic.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publicity Hound Ileana Kane offered these ideas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Stephenson of Madrid, Spain, asks:

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

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

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

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #588 Jan. 3, 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. Missing the Publicity Target

2. Embarrassing Online Pressrooms

3. Make Your Bio Fun

4. Twitter Resolutions

5. Promoting a Book Giveaway

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Missing the Publicity Target
=====================================

Here are the top three problems Publicity Hounds are facing, in
order, based on the 298 people who completed my survey in
December:

–Leveraging the power of social media, including blogs.

–Generating online publicity.

–Generating publicity in traditional media.

No surprises there.

But I was shocked to see the number of people who mentioned in
their comments that they either don’t know how to find their
target audience or, once they’ve found it, they don’t know how to
create a compelling message that brings results. Dozens of
Publicity Hounds also complained that they’re overwhelmed with
all the work and don’t understand how to focus their energies on
the things that really matter.

Here’s a sample:

–”Social Media: What a time suck!”

–”Engaging with the right audience and finding ways to measure
success.”

–”Creating a list of all the places that would be appropriate
for my client’s publicity. How to go about creating that list.”

–”How do I get momentum and people wanting to follow me and like
my Facebook page and download my promo video?”

I also found a disturbing number of comments from Publicity
Hounds who were frustrated that their press releases aren’t
resulting in major publicity.

Hint: Press releases seldom generate major publicity, so don’t
waste your time. You need to create targeted pitches for targeted
media outlets. Use press releases primarily to pull traffic to
your website or blog, or as back-up information for journalists
who have already responded to your pitches.

So where do we go from here?

I’ve studied the results and I have some ideas on how to help you
simplify your life, save time, and reach the right audiences with
the right message. I’m creating a video right now that addresses
some of your major concerns, and it will be ready next week.

Stay tuned, and hang in there!

=====================================
2. Embarrassing Online Pressrooms
=====================================

If your online pressroom looks anything like mine did yesterday,
it’s time to drag out the dust mask, the Shop-Vac® and maybe even
a garbage dumpster.

I found so much outdated information and ancient publicity photos
in the pressroom at my website that I almost didn’t recognize
myself! And then it dawned on me that the current photo at my
blog is several years old and needs to be replaced.

If you go to your pressroom right now, I bet you’ll find lots of
embarrassing things like:

–Old photos that look nothing like the way you look now.

–Old phone numbers, email addresses and even fax numbers that
have been disconnected.

–An absence of links to social media profiles.

–No references to things like your blog or ezine. Remember that
many of your website visitors aren’t necessarily entering your
site from your homepage but from dozens of internal pages.

–Old logos, taglines and other marketing materials that are out
of date.

–Dusty bios, with no references to recent awards, major media
hits, new books you’ve written or other bragging rights.

Read my entire blog post on this topic at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10025 and then update your
pressroom.

======================================
3. Make Your Bio Fun
======================================

What’s the most memorable sentence in your bio, the one thing
people comment on most often?

If you don’t have one, it’s time for a rewrite. Also consider
rewriting the one- or two-sentence author blurb that’s at the end
of articles you write.

Here are a few fun blurbs that caught my eye recently:

–Jason Whitlock writes about the sports world from absolutely
every angle, including angles other writers can’t imagine or
muster the courage to address. His columns are humorous, thought-
provoking, agenda free, honest and unpredictable. (He writes for
FOXSports.com.)

–Naomi Dunford is the woman Brian Clark lovingly refers to as a
marketing genius and Tourette’s survivor. She is the author of
IttyBiz and co-author of How To Launch The **** Out Of Your
Ebook. Her alleged potty-mouth is prominent in the former and
virtually non-existent in the latter.

–Michelle Pierce is the editor-in-chief (and word ninja) for
Aqua Vita Creative, and she is very picky about spelling,
grammar, and punctuation. She would like to remind the entire
Internet that there is no “a” in “definitely.”

Want lots more examples, including complete bios that really
command attention? See “Special Report #46: Tips for Rewriting
Your Boring Bio” at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

=====================================
4. Twitter Resolutions
=====================================

Here are three things to consider doing differently on Twitter
this year so that you tweet smarter and more efficiently:

–Rewrite your best tweets and post them at different times
throughout the day. Don’t let your followers miss a terrific
article or video you’re linking to, just because they weren’t
reading their feed at the exact time your tweet showed up.

–Don’t tweet identical information you’re also sharing on
Facebook and Twitter. You can share the same article, but rewrite
it for each of the three sites. These sites are all very
different, and people who follow you on all three sites don’t
want to keep seeing duplicate content.

–Every few weeks, go to your Twitter profile and click on
“Listed” in the upper right corner. You’ll see the names of all
the lists that others have created and where you appear. It’s a
fascinating glimpse into how others view you. Let’s say you’re a
book marketing expert, but you don’t see any lists named “book
marketing” or “book marketers.” That tells you something is
wrong, and you need to start sharing more content on your topic.

Read two more resolutions at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10039

======================================
5. Promoting a Book Giveaway
======================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for Anne Roos of South
Lake Tahoe, CA, an author looking for ideas for a “giveaway”
contest for her two books, “The Musician’s Guide to Brides: How
to Make Money Playing Weddings” and “The Brides Guide to
Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable.”

From Marcia Yudkin:

“You’ll get the biggest bang for your giveaway copies if you
contact popular blogs for 1) Musicians (the type who do wedding
gigs) and 2) Brides. Offer each blog one or two free copies to
give away. Let them decide how best to run the giveaway as
they’re likely to know their audience quite well.

“Give them each a short one-paragraph description of the book
they can use in the giveaway.”

From Maria Mar:

“How about doing a blog book tour? If you have a book to publish,
this is the best route. But you can adapt this to other goals and
offers. Network with other bloggers who already do contests for
your market and topic. Offer them a prize for a contest. Find one
blogger for each of the books you have available or offer several
books to a handful of bloggers with high traffic. Everyone wins.”

From Shawn Hansen:

“Are you a member of a writing group? If not, get involved! These
organizations are great ways to network as well as to find out
where and when local signing events are happening. Give a book or
two away in drawings that require folks to fill out their name
and email address. Instant mailing list! If you don’t know where
to begin, look into the California Writers Club, Sacramento
Branch. It’s a bit far from Tahoe, but I live about 20 minutes
west of you, and I am an active member of that organization.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this “Help This Hound” question at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9991

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

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

“You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give
you a look that says, ‘My God, you’re right! I never would’ve
thought of that!’” — Dave Barry

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

Have an online pressroom you can be proud of–update it!
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10025

5 Twitter resolutions that will help you tweet smarter
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10039

Nice year-end gift for clients, and more tweets
(Top tweets from last week)
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10015

——————————————-

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 #585 Dec. 13, 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. 52 Headline Hacks

2. Heads-Up: Deadline Tonight

3. No-no’s for Nonprofit Publicity

4. Holiday Greetings for Journalists

5. 17 Freebies for Publicity

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. 52 Headline Hacks
=====================================

When it comes to writing headlines, pretend like you never heard
of the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.”

There’s nothing wrong with stealing other people’s headlines. I
do it all the time. So do magazine copywriters. You should too.

We’re stealing formula headlines–the type that force people to
pick up a magazine and head for the checkout counter. Formula
headlines usually have a few words or a phrase which can be
removed and substituted with another that will serve the purpose
of whatever you’re writing. Like this:

–How [Blank] Gamble with Your [Blank]. 7 Ways to Protect
Yourself

–10 Shortcuts for [Completing Tedious Process] in Record Time

–7 Things Your [Target Audience] Needs to Hear You Say

–How to be Smart in a World of Dumb [Group of People]

–What [World-Class Example] can Teach Us About [Blank]

Those five examples are from the free report “52 Headline Hacks–
A Cheat Sheet for Writing Blog Posts That Go Viral.”

Blogger Jon Morrow wrote it. Copyblogger, the popular writing and
blogging site, offered it this morning as its holiday gift to
readers. I want you to have it, too. Even if you don’t blog, you
can use the headlines for articles and press releases.

You don’t need to buy anything. You don’t need to give up your
email address. Just click here and save it to your hard drive:

http://headlinehacks.com/

My annual gift to you, “The Best of the Publicity Hound’s Tips of
the Week” ebook, will be ready for you next week. Share it on the
social media sites and re-gift it to friends and clients.

=====================================
2. Heads-Up: Deadline Tonight
=====================================

You only have until 11:59 p.m. tonight to answer several
questions at http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com.

You only have until 11:59 p.m. Friday to use the $25 coupon
that’s my way of thanking you.

What’s your Number One problem with publicity or social media?
And how can I help?

Publicity Hounds who already have answered those questions are
using their coupon and claiming special reports, CDs, transcripts
and ebooks they’ve been eyeing. They are also eligible to win one
of three $50 Amazon gift certificates. The first two winners are
Publicity Hounds Victor Brodt and Ernie Boxall.

I’m wrapping up the survey tonight and compiling the results
tomorrow. So don’t miss out. Go here now, answer a few questions,
grab your coupon code, and choose the training tools that will
help you most: http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

The third $50 Amazon gift certificate winner will be chosen
tonight when the survey closes. Don’t miss out. Go to
http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

======================================
3. No-no’s for Nonprofit Publicity
======================================

Your mailbox is probably overflowing with appeals from nonprofits
this time of year, when you’re feeling most generous.

Nonprofit marketing expert Sandy Rees says these two themes are
showing up repeatedly in direct mail pieces, press releases and
pitches to the media. And they’re a big turn-off:

–What your organization needs. Nobody cares that you’re short-
staffed. The public doesn’t give a hoot about your high utility
bills. And stop grumbling about a lack of volunteers.

–The bad economy. The constant “woe is us” mantra gets very old,
very quickly. And it won’t endear people to your cause. Forget
about the bar charts showing the big difference in donations at
this time last year compared to this year.

Instead, concentrate on the almost-guaranteed strategy that will
force donors to dig into their pockets for money, and compel
journalists to cover you.

Tell a compelling story of how your nonprofit has changed lives.
It might be a rags-to-riches story about one of your clients. Or
a hero-of-the-day profile of one of your volunteers who made a
big difference.

For more nonprofit publicity tips, including an easy formula for
profiling and finding your ideal donors, access the video replay
of a webinar I hosted a few months ago with Sandy, “Failproof
Publicity Tips for Cash-strapped Nonprofits to Raise Money,
Recruit Volunteers & Promote a Worthy Cause”:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/nonprofitpublicity.htm

You can use your $25 coupon. (See Item #2 above.)

=====================================
4. Holiday Greetings for Journalists
=====================================

Skip the gifts and food trays.

If you want to say “thank you” to a favorite journalist or
blogger this year, send a holiday greeting card in the mail.
(Email seems too lazy and impersonal.)

This isn’t the time to pitch. But you CAN mention that you enjoy
working with them.

Return to them next month with a story idea, or an idea for a
guest blog post their readers will enjoy.

See “How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity
Explosion” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitch_bloggers.htm

======================================
5. 17 Freebies for Publicity
======================================

If you’re a smart Publicity Hound, you know that the easiest sale
of all is a sale to someone who already knows, likes and trusts
you.

One of the best ways to create loyalty long before a customer
buys from you, or generate fabulous publicity for your business,
is to offer a valuable freebie that ties into your topic. A free
ebook, White Paper, quiz, special report or a calculator can be a
convenient way to enhance your expertise, position yourself as
the go-to expert in your field, and generate free publicity for
your business or nonprofit.

Journalists and bloggers love telling their readers about these
freebies. Readers love getting them, and they’re eager to share
the goodies with their friends and followers on the social media
sites.

When Distribion, Inc. invited me to write a guest post for The
Distributed Marketing Blog, I agreed. It’s a high-traffic blog
for marketers at big companies in regulated industries, and it
gives me exposure to an audience that might not know about me.

You can read the post here and share it at your own blog or on
the social media sites:
http://distributedmarketing.org/2011/12/12/17-fun-freebies-that-
build-thought-leadership-2/

Next week, I’m going to feature a guest post at my own blog from
Deb McAlister-Holland, director of marketing at Distribion,
explaining how she publicizes guest bloggers. It’s fascinating,
and I asked her to write about it. She sure taught this old dog
some new tricks! Stay tuned.

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

If you don’t like the thought of stuffing a puppy into a
cardboard gift box, don’t watch this video. But if you want to
see sheer happiness and yelps of joy from the new puppy owners,
check out this “Puppies for Christmas” video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDgh14043dA

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

Piggyback PR onto Baldwin & celebrities behaving badly
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9867

Nominate a newspaper for a notable idea, achievement
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9884

Guest blog post:

17 Fun Freebies that Build Thought Leadership
http://distributedmarketing.org/2011/12/12/17-fun-freebies-that-
build-thought-leadership-2/

——————————————-

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 #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 #579 Nov. 1, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Make it Easy for People to Donate

2. Overused Words in Press Releases

3. ProfNet Leads on Twitter

4. Overcome Publicity Shyness

5. How to Time Your Facebook Posts

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

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

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

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

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

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

Make these options part of your publicity campaign.

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

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

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

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

And my personal favorite: Announced.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many people are.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #578 Oct. 25, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Your Twitter Reputation Score

2. A Nonprofit’s Ideal Donor

3. Cool Tool for Getting onto CNN

4. Don’t Solicit Reviews on Yelp

5. For Authors, Speakers, Experts

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Your Twitter Reputation Score
=====================================

If you’re on Twitter, Twitter has assigned you a “reputation
score.”

It has a system in place to gauge who you follow and, in turn,
who they follow and who follows them. It uses that information to
suggest the “Who to Follow” avatars in the right-hand column of
your profile.

So far, your score is still a secret. So why am I mentioning it?

Because I’m betting that Twitter will make it public very soon–
simply because other sites are starting to score and grade us.
For example:

–If you’re on Klout.com, you have a score, from 0 to 100,
largely determined by how often you tweet.

–Influencer Exchange, the new subscription-based software
program that I’ve been promoting, assigns a score to influencers
in thousands of niches, depending on who’s discussing the
influencer in traditional media or social media and how important
those people are. You can read more about this, and find out how
to sign up for a free 14-day trial, at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9613

–On Quora, the question and answer site, users “vote up” or
“vote down” your answers. The answers with the most votes show up
on top.

–On review sites like Yelp, consumers assign you from one to
five stars.

–Facebook doesn’t assign you a score–yet. But how often you
interact with your friends, and those who have Liked your pages,
determines how often the information you share shows up in their
news feeds.

–On Yelp and other review sites, consumers assign scores of from
one to five stars for restaurants, hair salons and even the local
furnace repair company.

–Google, perhaps the world’s ultimate “grader,” has been using
its secret algorithm to reward or penalize our websites in
organic search results.

I can’t help but envision the day when we all have one overall
“reputation score” that’s seared onto the flesh on our hips with
a hot branding iron.

The score could eventually determine if you’re the top candidates
for a job, or get a lucrative consulting contract, or a reporter
from the New York Times calls you for an interview because you
have a higher score than the other people who the reporter
researched.

Not tweeting yet? Don’t miss the boat. See “Twitter for
Beginners: A Step-by-Step, Can’t-Fail System for Experts and
Influencers (and Those Who Want to Be)” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterforbeginners.htm

=====================================
2. A Nonprofit’s Ideal Donor
=====================================

When Sandy Rees worked as marketing director for the Knoxville
Second Harvest food bank in Tennessee, her most successful
strategy was creating a profile of the ideal donor, and then
marketing to that niche.

The food bank did its research and discovered that the vast
majority of donors were women over age 50, who attended church
regularly.

“We needed to be speaking in front of every woman’s group in
every church in town,” she said. “We did. We knocked their socks
off with the presentation and we had a special call to action at
the end. It worked like a charm.”

Rees says nonprofits that don’t take the time to research, study
and market to their ideal donors are leaving money on the table.
They’re also missing numerous publicity opportunities because if
you don’t know your donors’ profile, you can’t target the media
that are reaching them.

She will team up with me this Thursday, Oct. 27, to present her
best tips for nonprofit PR during the webinar “Failproof
Publicity Tips for Cash-strapped Nonprofits to Raise Money,
Recruit Volunteers & Promote a Worthy Cause.”

We’ll share dozens of tips, tricks and tools that will help you
save time and money communicating your story to the masses–and
achieve the results you need.

Read more about what we’ll be discussing, and register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/nonprofitpublicity.htm

======================================
3. Cool Tool for Getting onto CNN
======================================

Want to position yourself in front of the producers at CNN?

Share your news story with the world at the iReport Assignment
Desk. (PR people: Work this into your client’s media plan.)

“The most compelling iReports from these assignments often end up
on CNN television and CNN.com,” the website says.

Find out how you can participate by reading the frequently asked
questions at http://www.cnn.com/help/i-report.html

This site was one of many tools I shared during the webinar “60
Ideas in 60 Minutes: Free (or Practically Free) Tips, Tricks,
Tools & Tutorials for Publicity & Social Media.” If you missed
it, you can access the replay and the entire list of all 60 ideas
at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/60ideas.htm

=====================================
4. Don’t Solicit Reviews on Yelp
=====================================

A few favorable reviews on a site like Yelp.com can have
customers lining up at your doorstep. Here are the three most
important things business owners need to know about Yelp:

–Use it. It’s powerful.

–You shouldn’t solicit favorable reviews from customers or
you’re violating the Terms of Service. And no swinging a deal
with another business to “write a good review about me and I’ll
write a good one about you.”

–You should respond to bad reviews publicly and privately. Don’t
waste time trying to convince Yelp to remove them.

My friend, a small business owner, won’t create a profile on Yelp
because she’s afraid of a bad review. Big mistake. Find out why
by reading the blog post I wrote on “11 ways for small business
to use Yelp, respond to bad reviews” at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7464

Yelp is one of more than 50 places I recommend to promote your
live and virtual events to reach your target market and pull
sell-out crowds. Learn more about the other places at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/promotevents.htm

======================================
5. For Authors, Speakers, Experts
======================================

One of the biggest mistakes authors make is overlooking the 22
streams of revenue that go far beyond just selling books.

Speakers often fail to realize they, too, have talents–such as
the ability to guide CEOs and company presidents through
corporate consulting–that transcend the speakers’ circuit.

And experts? They can earn money as an expert witness in trials.

If you’re ready to make a quantum leap in your career as an
author, speaker, consultant or expert in your field, and share
your message with a lot more people while also developing new
income streams from what you know, join Steve Harrison for a free
telephone seminar today at your choice of two times: 2 p.m.
Eastern or 7 p.m. Eastern. He’ll sharing strategies which can
propel you to a whole new level of income and influence.

Even though the call is free, I promote his products and services
as an affiliate. Register at
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/Thrive/A10011NO/

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

Thanks to Dan Poynter of Santa Barbara, CA, for this video of a
dog puppet playing catch with a toddler. The puppet almost looks
real!

http://www.flixxy.com/dog-puppeteer.htm

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

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

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

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

5 website gems for nonprofit PR, fundraising, marketing
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9625

How long before we’re branded, like cattle,
with a “reputation score”?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9640

——————————————-

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 #572 Sept. 13, 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. Lazy, Cop-out Photos

2. Bad Guest Blogger Pitches

3. Your Book: A Premium Incentive

4. Promoting a Breast Cancer Auction

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Lazy, Cop-out Photos
=====================================

“We can’t think creatively. We’re lazy. And we don’t mind boring
you with this photo, which you’ve seen a thousand times before.”

That’s the message you send when you use these three types of
photos in a publicity campaign:

–The dreaded ribbon cutting, with the giant cardboard scissors.

–The ghastly check passing, with the oversized check that often
dwarfs the people on each end who are holding it.

–The uninspired groundbreaking, with eight guys in suits, ties
and hard hats, lined up side by side, each with a foot poised on
the shovel.

C’mon. You can do better than that.

Instead of a ribbon cutting, take a photo that shows how the
money is being spent. If it’s for the local food pantry, take a
photo of a volunteer stocking the shelves.

Dispense with the ribbon cutting. Instead, photograph the store’s
first customer making a purchase at the check-out counter.

Rather than a groundbreaking photo, create a helpful info-graphic
that explains various stages of the project, or a timeline for
completion.

Or hire a local artist to create an oil painting of the project.
Make inexpensive reprints available to the public. That’s a much
more interesting story.

That last idea comes from Dan Collins, the PR expert who was my
guest during the teleseminar on “Fun Alternatives to Boring
Groundbreakings, Ribbon Cuttings and Check Passings.” He has so
many creative suggestions for sidestepping boring photos that
you’ll swear off using the lazy ones forever. Read more about how
to access the transcript or audio replay at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/groundbreakings.htm

=====================================
2. Bad Guest Blogger Pitches
=====================================

This is starting to happen with annoying frequency.

Somebody emails me, offers to write a guest blog post and then
asks, “What would you like me to write about?”

I barely have time to figure out what topics I can write about.
The last thing I need is a guest blogger who I have to baby-sit.

Pitch a blogger the same way you’d pitch a journalist. Let them
know, without coming right out and saying it, that you’ve read
their blog. You know the kinds of topics their audience loves,
and you have an idea that’s a perfect fit. Also, explain your
area of expertise and why you’re the best person to write about
it.

Better yet, pitch two or three ideas. Include a link to your
blog, but do not tell the blogger to “visit my blog, take a look
around and let me know what you think.”

If you want exposure to my audience, make my job so easy that
publishing your post on my blog is a no-brainer.

When you submit the post, include one or two screenshots or
images. Write your own short author resource box. Link within the
post to other websites, when appropriate. And adhere to
Associated Press style. If you don’t have a stylebook, you can
buy one for less than $20 at http://ow.ly/6sXPb

Learn dozens more ideas on how to make a journalist’s or
blogger’s job easy by watching the video replay of a webinar I
hosted recently on “A Simple 5-Part Formula for Delivering the
Perfect Media Pitch and Hitting it Out of the Park.” You an
access it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pitchingformula.htm

======================================
3. Your Book: A Premium Incentive
======================================

Many big companies offer books as “premium incentives” to
encourage people to buy a particular product, much like your
favorite magazine might offer you a clock, T-shirt or other bonus
when you renew your subscription.

Some companies also buy books to give to their customers as
“thank you” gifts. Other firms buy books in quantity to train or
inspire their employees and buy 5,000, 10,000 or as many as
20,000 books from an author or publisher.

It’s not as hard as you might think to land these kinds of super-
lucrative deals–IF you know how the corporate market really
works.

Matthew Bennett, a self-published author who’s relatively unknown
to the general public, has sold more than 5 million books in
quantity to Fortune 500 corporations including Disney, Reebok,
NBC, Abbott Labs, Pfizer, US Healthplans, Subway and many others.

Want to learn how he does it and how you too can get started
selling your books by the truckload to big companies?

You’re invited to a free webinar (or telephone seminar) on
Thursday, Sept. 15, to hear Steve Harrison interview Matthew
about his methods and proven system for selling tons of books.
Register here:

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

Even though the call is free, I promote it as a compensated
affiliate, because too many authors spend far too much time and
effort selling single-copy books, and not enough on bulk sales.

Note: Steve has only 11 spots remaining for his National
Publicity Summit Oct. 12-15 in New York City, where you can
personally meet more than 100 producers and journalists who do
stories and shows for many of America’s biggest media outlets.
The price goes up after tomorrow, Sept. 14. Apply here:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit2011.com/applyhere/?10011

=====================================
4. Promoting a Breast Cancer Auction
=====================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips for Leticia Meireles
of San Diego, CA, on how to get more traffic to her online
auction that’s raising money for breast cancer research.

From Christel Hall:

“Leticia may get a big boost from social media. In fact, I just
tweeted for her cause:

“Birthday girl asks for friends/family to bid & buy to donate to
cancer cause, rather than give her b-day gifts:
http://www.32auctions.com/organizations/1878/auctions/2039.”

From Judith Bron:

“Every community has a hospital, hospice, health center or some
other health facility that works with breast cancer patients and
breast cancer survivors. Try contacting them and asking if you
can publicize your auction on their website, on their Facebook
page or other communications. If one of these organizations is
holding a dinner to raise funds for the cause, ask if you can
place flyers on tables at the event. Ask if you can put flyers at
health care facilities and in the cafeterias at local hospitals.”

From The Publicity Hound:

“Some big brands have donated items to your auction. Do they have
Facebook pages? If so, thank them publicly for the donation, tag
them, and link to the auction page. Same for all the local
businesses that have donated gift certificates and other items.
Their customers and fans might be very interested in bidding.”

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=9341

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

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

Carrie Steuer of Itasca, IL, writes:

“I am a ‘Bra Lady’—a direct seller for Essential Bodywear.

“This month, I’m being featured in Family Circle magazine. It’s
an article about me, being a wife and mom and managing my bra
business.

“I am considering writing a press release or something else, but
I don’t know how to do that, or what to say, or what else I
should be doing.

“Can your Hounds lead me in the right direction? My website is
http://www.MyEssentialBodywear.com/breastfriend.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I love the bra care advice at your website I’ll bet other
magazines, women’s newsletter editors and bloggers would too.
Create a simple “tips list” and start pitching. Let’s see what
other suggestions my Hounds can post to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9401

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

Thanks to Christel Hall of Minden, NV, for this video of a dog
that just couldn’t make it as a service dog and became a SURFice
dog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?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/

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

10 ways to be an indispensable media source
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9348

Need a 2-page website? You can be a beta tester
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9386

——————————————-

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

——————————————-

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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

——————————————–

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Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
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If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
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=======================================
Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound