July 28th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #515 July 27, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. Five Killer Social Media Strategies
2. How to Get on Top TV Shows
3. Book Bloggers
4. Subject Lines That Scream “Open!”
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Five Killer Social Media Strategies
=====================================
If you’ve been following the series of free videos that Don
Crowther has been sharing this past week, you’re already adopting
some of his killer strategies on how to make more money than
friends on the social media sites.
If you missed any of the videos, you can still access them here:
https://btconsulting.infusionsoft.com/go/reverse/JoanStewart
Even if you don’t watch them all, I don’t want you to miss the
replay of a special webinar that Don did last week for Jeanne
Hurlbert, my business partner, and me. It’s at
http://www.mysocialmediarx.com/downloads/media/donc/ In it, Don
explains his strategies on exactly how often you should be
posting on sites like Twitter and Facebook, and the exact types
of content you should be sharing to make money, not just friends.
For example, if it’s more sales you want from these sites, stop
tweeting about what you had for lunch, what’s new in your pet’s
life, or the latest sob story about your aches and pains. Don
lays it out in step-by-step detail and shows you exactly how to
come across as trusting, competent, confident and helpful so
people will be practically begging to buy from you.
I also learned about a clever strategy that Don uses on LinkedIn.
He encourages other people to answer a question but it makes HIM,
not THEM, look like the expert.
He shared free Google tools that will make your social media
tasks so much easier and help you determine exactly which links
are bringing in leads and sales.
All of this free content is to promote his Social Profit Formula
product. To encourage you to buy it from me (I earn a
commission), I’m adding this bonus: $500 worth of my products or
consulting.
That’s in addition to bonuses he’s offering. They include:
–”How to Make a Living as a Social Media Consultant” (this is
the hottest job market and he explains in detail how to make a
living even with no previous Social Media knowledge. It includes
guidelines on how to price your services.
–”How to be a Super Affiliate using Social Media.” It’s a
complete step-by-step module that gives every detail on keeping
customers while sending them offer after offer that convert to
sales.
Bottom line: Don has a $5,000 guarantee he is offering if you
implement everything he teaches and still don’t recoup the cost
of the course.
Watch the webinar he did last week, and then decide if you’re
ready to take the next step:
http://www.mysocialmediarx.com/downloads/media/donc/
======================================
2. How to Get on Top TV Shows
======================================
Most people who dream of being on “Oprah” and other major TV talk
shows have no business being there.
Either their topic isn’t a good fit for the show, or they can’t
articulate a convincing pitch in 15 seconds or less. Yet they
continue to flood the producers with lousy pitches that label
them as pests.
On Thursday, July 29, Steve Harrison will host a teleseminar on
the three biggest tips you need to know to get onto major TV
shows. You’ll learn what NOT to send to producers, what NOT to
pitch to guest bookers, and mistakes you should never make, or
they’ll blackball you forever.
Then you’ll learn about the 3 big secrets for doing it the right
way. Read more about what you’ll learn and register for the call
at one of two times–2 or 7 Eastern Time
http://www.tvpublicityteleseminar.com/?10011
If you can’t make the call, recruit somebody to take notes for
you. (I’m a compensated affiliate.)
=====================================
3. Book Bloggers
=====================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Regina Lundgren of Kennewick, Wash.,
for tipping us off to this long list of book bloggers that she
found in the Publisher’s Weekly ezine:
http://bookbloggerconvention.com/attendees/
Some of them discuss books. Many write book reviews.
The timing couldn’t be better, as more newspapers and magazines
are eliminating book review sections.
Check them out if you need to promote a book. And then add
bloggers to your list of targeted media. See “How to Create a
Media Plan” at http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm
=====================================
4. Subject Lines That Scream “Open!”
=====================================
Here’s some really bad advice that the so-called PR experts
dispense: Your email pitches to journalists and bloggers should
be as short as possible. No more than three or four words.
Why is it bad advice? Because it forces people to make their
subject lines sound cute rather than informative.
Publicist Michelle Tennant, a master at booking her clients on
top-tier TV and radio shows, often uses as many words as
necessary in her subject lines so they scream, “Open me!”
And wow, do journalists ever open them!
During last week’s webinar on “How to Tie Your Pitch to Breaking
News and Make the Media Interview YOU,” Michelle dissected three
email pitches that scored publicity in major media outlets. All
three had the critical elements of an email pitch and made the
journalist’s job incredibly easy. You can adopt them for your own
use.
News is breaking all around you–and that’s the very best time to
pitch. I recorded the webinar and you can watch it at your
computer, or download it along with the MP3 file, the handouts
and Michelle’s sample pitches. Read more about what she taught at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/breakingnews.htm
======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================
Cathy Berger of Roslyn, New York, writes:
I keep having to cancel events because I don’t have enough paid
registrations.
I have a live, hands-on “dress better” fashion company full of
classes. Most are $36 for 90 minutes of instruction, and
attendees can take individual courses whenever they are held, but
they must be physically near to New York City or Long
Island/Nassau County. You can learn more about it at
http://www.fashionsociete.com/
The “What’s Your Body Type? Now Dress For It” class, for
example, includes:
–Topics such as an analysis of your present style
–A real measurement of key body areas
–A professional determination of your true body type
–Techniques to create the illusion of a slimmer (or custom) look
–Slides showing ways to dress for it and how to create a
wardrobe for it
–How to use items already in your closet to pull your new look
off.
What are some quick and creative ways I can market the event
calendar and reach the right people—women who want or need to
look and dress their best?
The Publicity Hound says: Cathy, I encourage you to use social
media and Internet marketing to help solve people’s problems and
pull them to your live events, and also to create products for
women who don’t live in the New York area. Don Crowther’s
excellent series of social media videos at
https://btconsulting.infusionsoft.com/go/reverse/JoanStewart that
I referred to in the lead item will show you how to do that.
Hounds with other ideas for Cathy can comment at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6727
=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================
“The dog is a yes-animal. Very popular with people who can’t
afford a yes man.” — Robertson Davies, Canadian author
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Consider retweeting:
How to write a guest post for my publicity blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6573
Get the monkey off your back using VAs, subcontractors
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6758
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737
»
July 21st, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #514 July 20, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. A Poop-Free Zone
2. How to Follow Up
3. Five Social Media Tactics
4. Your Survey Questions Answered
5. Back-to-School Stories
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. A Poop-Free Zone
=====================================
When employees of an ad agency in Roanoke, Va., became annoyed
with local dog owners whose pets were pooping on the sidewalk
outside the agency’s offices, they fought back with a clever
publicity stunt.
The Becher Agency posted signs outside its building declaring the
area on Warehow Row a poop-free zone. They even created a special
Facebook Fan Page called “A Partnership for a Poop-Free
Workplace” at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Partnership-for-a-Poop-Free-
Workplace/129321853770020?ref=ts
And they proved themselves true Publicity Hounds when they called
Dan Casey, Metro columnist for the Roanoke Times, to let him know
about the campaign. Brilliant!
Thanks to Publicity Hound Brett LaGue of Roanoke for tipping us
off to this one. You can read Dan’s column about it at
http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/casey/wb/253427
The next time you’re thinking about a publicity stunt, remember
this. And consider all the ways you can use a Facebook Fan Page.
See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm
Note: We’ve updated the handouts for the third time since this
teleseminar was presented, to reflect all the new changes on
Facebook.
======================================
2. How to Follow Up
======================================
Five annoying things you should never do when following up with a
journalist or blogger who doesn’t reply to your pitch:
–Emailing and asking, “Did you get my email?”
–Calling and leaving a voicemail message reminding them that
they haven’t replied to your pitch.
–Emailing the same pitch with an obnoxious reminder in the
subject line that says something like “Second attempt to contact
you.”
–Any type of message that berates the recipient for not
replying.
–Stopping by the magazine or newspaper office unannounced and
asking the receptionist to call the reporter to the front desk to
meet you so you can pitch in person. (Yes, clods actually do
this.)
The best publicists know all kinds of sneaky ways to follow up
without making it look like they’re following up. Publicist
Michelle Tennant of Wasabi Publicity does this better than
anybody I know. She has a particularly clever strategy of
following up when news is breaking and she’s trying to place one
of her clients on a TV news or talk show to comment on the news
event.
Michelle will share that tip and others when she’s my guest on
“How to Tie Your Story Idea to Breaking News and Make the Media
Interview YOU,” a webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, July
21.
Your email pitches will be a lot easier if you follow Michelle’s
lead and pattern your pitches after hers. The handouts will
include two email pitches she used successfully to land her
clients fabulous publicity.
Get a taste of the type of tips she’ll be discussing, and
register for the session, at http://publicityhound.net/?p=6699
If the time is inconvenient, register anyway and you’ll get a
link where you can watch the video replay.
=====================================
3. Five Social Media Tactics
=====================================
If you missed my email yesterday, this is a reminder that today’s
free webinar with social media expert Don Crowther is at 3 p.m.
Eastern Time.
He’ll share 5 social media tactics that will help you make more
money than friends on social media sites. I promise your time
will be well spent.
Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/250760784
=====================================
4. Your Survey Questions Answered
=====================================
Taking a survey on a burning hot topic and reporting the results
is one of the best ways to generate publicity. The more
controversial, the better.
But if you don’t have the time to take a survey, the next best
thing is to piggyback onto one that’s already been taken, and
offer your commentary.
Really smart Publicity Hounds do both. My partner, Jeanne
Hurlbert, a survey expert, will answer all your questions about
surveys when she hosts a free Q&A coaching call from 3 to 4 p.m.
Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 21. Come with as many questions
as you can think of and Jeanne will get you off to a great start.
Register at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826
======================================
5. Back-to-School Stories
======================================
This is the time to pitch back-to-school stories to bloggers,
newspapers, TV stations, and magazines with short lead times.
Tie your expertise to topics like drugs and binge drinking, how
to decorate dorms, eating on a budget, bullying, discipline in
the classroom, mobile phones and texting in class, preparing for
the job market, staying fit, and good study habits.
If you do PR for a school, college or university, you should be
in high gear right now, laying the groundwork for working with
local and national media throughout the new school year, from
lining up campus experts to educating your faculty and staff
about how the media game is played. See “Special Report #15:
Publicity Tips for Schools, Colleges and Universities” at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html
=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================
“I named my dog Stay so I can say ‘Come here, Stay. Come here,
Stay.” — Steven Wright
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Consider retweeting:
Commenting at blogs? Mention your expertise
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6721
6 ways to tie your pitch to breaking news for PR, publicity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6699
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737
»
July 13th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #513 July 13, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. Make Friends or Make Money?
2. Tie Your Pitch to Breaking News
3. Last Chance to Get Onto for “Oprah”
4. Fatal Email Marketing Mistakes
5. Goodwill’s Donations Calculator
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
=====================================
1. Make Friends or Make Money?
=====================================
If you’re participating in social media, and you’re not seeing a
return on your investment, it could be because you’re more
concerned about making friends than making money.
People who are seeing huge ROI know their goals. They know what
they want to sell and to whom.
They know the problems and concerns of their target markets. They
know how to promote their expertise. And they spend the majority
of their time writing about those topics at their blogs and other
social media sites.
My friend Don Crowther said too many people are more concerned
about making friends. They participate in idle chitchat that gets
them nowhere. And they make numerous other mistakes at sites like
Facebook and Twitter.
Don has created a series of free videos and a free worksheet that
will help you understand why your social media efforts might not
be working out as well for you as you had hoped.
Take a look:
https://btconsulting.infusionsoft.com/go/social/JoanStewart
Read the more than 170 comments from people who watched the
video. Many of them admitted that the light bulb finally went on.
Will yours?
======================================
2. Pitch Yourself During Breaking News
======================================
When news is breaking and you’re the local angle to a national
story, or you can comment on the hot topic of the day, you can be
sure that TV producers, daily and weekly newspaper reporters and
bloggers will practically be begging to talk to you.
But too many Media Mutts don’t bother picking up the phone or
emailing. They think the media are too busy. Or they don’t know
what to say.
Let’s stop this nonsense. This is the very best time to pitch!
Crackerjack publicist Michelle Tennant, who got one of her
clients booked on “Dr. Phil” the very day the client signed the
PR contract, will show you how it’s done. Michelle, a graduate of
The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, uses very simple email
subject lines, includes three important elements in every pitch,
and moves mountains to make her clients accessible to reporters.
She’ll be my guest during the webinar “How to Tie Your Pitch to
Breaking News and Make the Media Interview YOU” at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time on Wednesday, July 21. She’ll share 7 places to look for
news and she’ll tell you about a free media resource website she
uses, thus saving her thousands of dollars on media directories.
Everyone who registers will receive handouts so you can read the
email pitches she sent to the media–the ones that got her
clients phenomenal publicity.
Register for the webinar at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/breakingnews.htm
even if the time is inconvenient, because you’ll get a link where
you can watch the video afterward.
=====================================
3. Last Chance to Get Onto “Oprah”
=====================================
Faith, fidelity and food are continuing hot topics with Oprah.
Managing our inner life: Our thoughts, feelings and beliefs
fascinate her audience.
Fidelity: How we are true, or untrue, to our lover/partner/self
is a consistent pressing issue.
Food: So much of family, friends and fun centers around food.
Delicious, healthy, beautifully presented food gets the
producer’s attention.
So says Susan Harrow, author of the recently updated “Ultimate
Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah.” I’m promoting it as an
affiliate, because you don’t have much time left. Oprah’s show
concludes in September 2011 and the producers are already booking
guests far in advance. There will be a last-minute rush of
pitches. Learn how you can beat the crowd and make Oprah’s
producers snap to attention. Go to
http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/?af=307515
=====================================
4. Fatal Email Marketing Mistakes
=====================================
If you use email to market, here’s a mistake that can get your
business closed down–fast: Buying or renting email lists.
Many people on those lists have not given you permission to email
them, and they might complain to your Internet service provider
or email management company that you’re spamming. That can close
down the Internet part of your business, pronto. Besides, you
have no guarantee that the email addresses are current.
You can also get into trouble if you automatically add people
like me to your newsletter list, thinking that if you sign up for
my newsletter, I’ll be willing to sign up for yours.
Wrong.
You don’t have to use those tactics to build a list. Instead, you
should be doing 7 other things to direct people to your website
or blog. Millionaire entrepreneur Ali Brown uses them all, and
she’ll be sharing them during a free teleseminar at 7 p.m.
Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 14.
You can register at http://bit.ly/9xLbo9
Learn how to create a slow and steady flow of prospects as well
as fast gushes of list growth (and why you need both). And listen
for Ali’s tips on 3 new list-building methods you should try.
They replace 3 others that are out of date.
======================================
5. Goodwill’s Donations Calculator
======================================
Goodwill uses a really clever calculator at its website at
http://donate.goodwill.org/ to show you exactly how many hours of
career training time you can give a worthy recipient by donating
certain types of household items.
For example, a donated coat, a bike and three CDs can give
someone 48 minutes of career counseling.
A calculator is one of dozens of enticing ways you can pull
people to your website. Learn the others in “Special Report #51:
55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or Capture
People’s Email Addresses” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport51
=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================
Thanks to Dan Poynter, the self-publishing guru from Santa
Barbara, California, for sharing these great photos of “upside
down dogs.” They made me laugh:
http://upsidedowndogs.com/
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Consider retweeting:
American Way magazine searching for Road Warriors
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6673
Why holding a press conference can backfire
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6657
Moderate comments at your blog using these 7 tips
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/?p=418
Connect with journalists through media leads service
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/?p=420
3 email marketing mistakes that can kill your business
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6645
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737
»
June 8th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #508 June 8, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. How to Catch CNN’s Attention
2. Add Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button
3. Still Not Done Writing Your Book?
4. Promoting a Course for Execs
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
1. How to Catch CNN’s Attention
====================================
If you’ve been pitching CNN and you’re getting nowhere, take
matters into your own hands.
Go to the network’s IReport page at http://www.ireport.com/ where
you’re invited to write your own story, be heard and shape what
CNN covers.
“One of the goals of CNN IReport is to expand the current
definition of news. Please share the stories you think are
newsworthy and participate in discussions you think are
interesting. CNN’s producers will check out the most compelling,
important and urgent stories, so we can verify the information
and add them to CNN’s coverage.”
The stories in this section are not edited, fact-checked or
screened before they post. Only ones marked “CNN IReport” have
been vetted by CNN.
But if you can pique the network’s interest here, where you KNOW
they’re paying attention, you might end up on the televised news.
Be sure to stop by the assignment desk at
http://www.ireport.com/community/assignment so you know exactly
what kinds of sources they’re seeking. Your IReport article
doesn’t have to tie into one of the assignments, but it helps to
know what they need.
If you’re content with being on the news in your own community,
increase your chances. Check out the teleseminar I hosted with TV
producer Shawne Duperon on “How to Get on the Local TV News
Tomorrow” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/getinthenews.htm
======================================
2. Add Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button
======================================
Make it easy for people to spread the word about your website,
blog articles and other online content.
Add Facebook’s “Like” button to those pages.
The button lets users share content with their friends on
Facebook with just one click. Since the content is hosted by
Facebook, the button can display personalized content whether or
not the user has logged into your site. For logged-in Facebook
users, the button is personalized to highlight friends who have
also “liked” the page.
If you aren’t tech-savvy, let your webmaster insert the button
for you by following instructions here:
http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like
Then make sure you’re taking advantage of the power of Facebook.
See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm
=====================================
3. Still Not Done Writing Your Book?
=====================================
Is it taking you longer to write your book than you ever
expected…a lot longer?
Is watching the whole thing come together like watching grass
grow?
If so, you’re invited to a free telephone seminar on Thursday,
June 10, with Ann McIndoo, who has developed a unique system for
writing a quality non-fiction book in 90 days! I’m a compensated
affiliate for this program.
Discover the speed writing system she’s used to help 268 authors
get their books done quickly. Register at
Http://www.freeauthortraining.com/call/?10011
=====================================
4. Promoting a Course for Execs
=====================================
This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Anne Graham of
Vancouver, British Columbia who needs help launching a new
product,a toolkit for executives on how to survive and thrive
during the recession.
From Eric Gruber:
“Do article marketing. Target top websites and ezines. For
example, FastCompany.com (they have member blogs), CEO Refresher
and hundreds more.”
From Flo Selfman:
“Send the information to Karen E. Klein, a leading business
journalist who writes the InBox column every week in the Los
Angeles Times Business section. Karen could use you and your
product to answer a reader’s question. Reach her at
http://www.kareneklein.com/”
From The Publicity Hound:
Video, video and more video!
Create short videos of no more than two and a half minutes packed
with tips in a specific sub-category within your course or your
ebook.
Each video should include the landing page URL where people can
opt into the ebook.
The more videos you create, the more keywords, or tags, you can
use. All those keywords and videos will be pulling in traffic
from the search engines.
Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound question,
or join the discussion, at
http://publicityhound.net/consultant-needs-help-launching-new-
product-for-business-leaders/
Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.
======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================
Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. & Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D of Los Angeles,
Calif. write:
“We are family relationship experts who have developed an ebook,
‘Courage and Lessons Learned.’ It’s full of practical tips that
help you take the first steps toward a new goal–running a 5K,
starting your own business, reconnecting with an old friend. By
logging on to our blog at
http://www.nourishingrelationships.blogspot.com/, you can join the
email list and download a complimentary ebook, in PDF format.
“We’re looking for some creative ways to let bloggers and
organizations know about this free ebook. We already have an auto
responder on our blog and website at
http://www.hermentorcenter.com/ But a broader reach would help us
spread the word.”
The Publicity Hound says:
One of the first things you should do is get your blog off of
Blogspot’s server and onto another server where you have complete
control over it. I learned this the hard way. With no warning,
Blogspot denied me access to my ezine archives, and I never
learned why. Luckily, I backed up the archives and was able to
import almost all of it into a Wordpress blog at
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ where it’s now safe.
Hounds with other tips on how to promote your ebook can post them
to my regular blog at
http://publicityhound.net/family-relationship-experts-need-tips-
for-promoting-free-ebook/. What are some ways that Rosemary and
Phyllis can tie into breaking news events?
=====================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================
Dogs are better than kids. They eat less, don’t ask for money all
the time, are trained, usually come when called, never drive your
car, don’t hang out with drug-using friends, don’t smoke or
drink, don’t worry about whether they have the latest fashions,
don’t wear your clothes and don’t need a gazillion dollars for
college.
And if they get pregnant, you can sell the pups.
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Consider retweeting:
New to publicity? Here’s a free 6-part email course
http://publicityhound.net/new-to-publicity-heres-a-free-6-part-
email-course/
Think social media is a fad? I dare you to watch this video
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/think-social-media-is-a-fad-
i-dare-you-to-watch-this-video/
Online visibility: 13 ways to build a following
http://publicityhound.net/online-visibility-13-ways-to-build-a-
following/
2 ways to use controversy: At your blog and in a poll
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/2-ways-to-use-controversy-
at-your-blog-and-in-a-poll/
Need an expert? Look at one of the article directory sites
http://publicityhound.net/need-an-expert-look-at-one-of-the-
article-directory-sites/
——————————————-
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
——————————————–
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737
»
June 1st, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #507 June 1, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. BP’s Fake Twitter Account
2. Publicize Your Social Media Successes
3. Cosmo’s Racy Headlines
4. Promoting Novelty Soaps
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
1. BP’s Fake Twitter Account
====================================
Here’s a tweet posted this morning from the Twitter account known
as @BPGlobalPR:
“Best part of the BP Memorial Day Picnic? The custom made oily
dunk tank! So far we’ve dunked 4 ducks, a dolphin, 2 otters and
@bpTerry!”
That’s just one of a steady stream of sarcastic tweets at a fake
BP PR account on Twitter that, as of this morning, has attracted
more than 97,000 followers at http://Twitter.com/BPGlobalPR
It’s also one more episode in the PR nightmare tied to the Gulf
oil spill.
What I find most bizarre is that Twitter hasn’t removed it and a
BP spokesperson says people have a right to lash out against the
company there.
Should BP fight to encourage Twitter to remove the fake account?
Go to my blog to see what I think, and then tell me if you think
I’m wrong. Go to
http://publicityhound.net/should-bp-pressure-twitter-to-remove-
the-fake-feed/
======================================
2. Publicize Your Social Media Successes
======================================
If you’re participating in social media and you’re seeing a
return on investment, use your success stories to generate
publicity.
Kim Duke, aka The Sales Diva, got a $7,000 keynote as a result of
Twitter.
Blogger Patsi Krakoff was surprised when a $600 project came her
way simply because somebody retweeted one of her tweets.
Freelance writer Angie Mangino got a $900 freelance writing
project only two weeks after she joined LinkedIn and signed up
for a group devoted to writers, publishers and authors. That’s
where she found the query from a publishing company that needed a
freelancer for a fast turn-around project.
Pitch success stories like these to your local TV stations,
newspapers, trade publications, industry newsletters and
bloggers. Turn them into items for your own newsletter, blog and
podcast.
If you’re not seeing social media ROI, you’re a great candidate
for the Social Media Fast-track Program that my business partner,
Jeanne Hurlbert, PhD and I will be teaching. Read about what
you’ll be able to do by the time you’re done with the program:
http://www.MySocialMediaRx.com/fast-track.htm
=====================================
3. Cosmo’s Racy Headlines
=====================================
Admit it.
You read the covers of those racy magazines when you’re waiting
in line at the supermarket check-out.
I do.
But not because I’m interested in the articles. I’m looking for
enticing headlines I can steal. When I see a headline I love,
I’ll remove one or two words in Cosmo’s headline and substitute
one or two of my own.
The very best magazine for this little exercise is, without a
doubt, Cosmopolitan, which you can find at
http://www.magazines.com/ Let’s say you’re a financial planner.
Here’s how you can steal a Cosmo headline and turn it into your
own.
Their headline: “Hot, healthy women share: The best thing I ever
did for my body”
Your headline: “Smart, savvy financial advisors share: The best
thing you can do to save for retirement”
I shared dozens more tips like that during the webinar “How to
REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When
Everyone Else is ZAGGING.” Regardless of what you’re selling,
you’ll trounce the competition when you start adopting killer
strategies that few other Publicity Hounds are using. Read more
about it at http://www.PublicityHound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm
=====================================
4. Promoting Novelty Soaps
=====================================
This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Cindy Tollen of
El Paso, Texas. She has created an array of novelty soaps that
resemble pies and pastry, and she needs advice on how to market
them on a limited budget.
From Laura Rolands:
“I think you could reach a large number of customers through
Twitter. The key is to build relationships first on Twitter, and
your followers will help you build sales. I recommend following
@TimeOutMom and @MomBizCoach. I would also recommend
participating in a weekly Twitter chat called #gno.”
From Karen Rosenzweig:
“You could have a lot of fun, and gain a ton of visibility, with
a Twitter contest. You create a short tweet asking people to
follow you AND retweet the message to be entered for a chance to
win one of your products. Let them know that everyone who follows
you by 6 p.m. that day will be entered in a drawing for one free
product. Then when you draw the winner, you can tweet that too,
getting additional visibility. And if it goes well, repeat that
once a week or so, until you have a robust group of followers.
It’s a fun product and you’ll have a great time getting the word
out!”
From Sharon Z:
“Seems like a natural cross-marketing opportunity with event
planners (think bridal and baby showers), women’s organizations
and florists. The fact that these items are so unique and
reasonably priced makes them a great giveaway item.”
The Publicity Hound says:
I can picture your lemon meringue pie soaps as favors at a
national convention of bakers.
Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at
http://publicityhound.net/creator-of-novelty-soaps-needs-social-
media-marketing-advice/
Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.
======================================
5. Help This Hound
======================================
Anne Graham of Vancouver, British Columbia writes:
“I’ve developed a great toolkit for business leaders, with 33
specific techniques they can use to lead their firms out of the
recession. It’s called ‘Recession Proof and Recovery Ready: The
91 Day Business Tune-up Toolkit.’
“It’s a 314-page physical product, stuffed full of every
instruction, checklist, etc. that they’ll need to understand and
implement each of the 33 ideas. It’s designed to be implemented
by a small team, so the product is actually a set of 10 binders
(one for each team member), plus a DVD virtual seminar.
“I’m about to do a launch with a wonderful Online Launch Manager
handling my tweets, blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, SEO, article
marketing, the whole nine yards. But I’d love to hear some
creative ideas from fellow Hounds on how THEY would reach an
audience of motivated business leaders in their city or town. I
have a compelling free ebook called Powerful Pricing Strategies:
10 High Impact, Low Risk Ways to Increase Prices…Even During
the Recession, Even Before the Recovery, at
http://www.recessionproofandrecoveryready.com/. It’s available to
hounds and those motivated business leaders I’m looking for. All
I need now is a stampede of traffic!
“Can your Hounds help?”
The Publicity Hound says:
The topic of how to raise prices during a recession is fabulous.
Let’s put my Hounds to work figuring out how to leverage it. If
you have a great idea for Anne, post it to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/consultant-needs-help-launching-new-
product-for-business-leaders/
=====================================
6. Hound Video Joke of the Week
=====================================
“Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” – Franklin P.
Jones
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Consider retweeting:
Should BP pressure Twitter to remove the fake feed?
http://publicityhound.net/should-bp-pressure-twitter-to-remove-
the-fake-feed/
How a guest blogger pitched me and made me say “yes”
http://publicityhound.net/how-a-guest-blogger-pitched-me-and-
made-me-say-yes/
————————————
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
—————————————
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website or you told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy at http://www.Publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737
»
March 17th, 2010 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #496 March 16, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. How Topsy Can Help Your Blog
2. Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Out of Luck
3. What Publicity Superstars Know
4. When Your Links Won’t Open in Gmail
5. Marketing an Expert on Mold
6. Help This Hound
7. Hound Joke of the Week
8. And at My Blogs…
=======================================
1. How Topsy Can Help Your Blog
======================================
When you see scads of people tweeting about your competitors and
their great blog posts, do you ever just sit there and wonder,
“How do they manage to attract so much attention?”
Stop wondering.
Head over to Topsy at http://www.topsy.com/. You can use this
search engine to do some competitive intelligence, and find out
fairly quickly exactly which of your competitors’ topics are
causing the buzz. Then, start writing about those topics
yourself, or pitching them to the media, so you can capitalize on
the market insights your competitors have identified or stumbled
onto.
There are several other ways to use this site:
When you search for something on Topsy, such as “health care
bill,” Topsy finds snippets of conversations on Twitter that
match what you’re looking for. It returns to you a list of things
people link on for that search term.
Topsy ranks its results based on how well they match your search
terms and–here’s the important part–the influence of the people
talking about them. Topsy has pages for every person it listens
to, and it lists the things each person has been talking about.
My friend, social media marketing expert Don Crowther, wrote a
great blog post about 5 ways to use Topsy to help your blog at
http://tinyurl.com/howtousetopsy
Use his tips and then, check out what Patsi Krakoff has to say
about “Time-saving Tips for Smart Business Blogging.” She covers
all the basics for beginning bloggers and shares lots of tips for
advanced bloggers, including 101 places to find content for your
blog. Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/businessblogger
=========================================
2. Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Out of Luck
=========================================
When you send an email to your list of customers or contacts, it
isn’t unusual to learn that only 12 percent of the people who
receive it open it. Only 12 percent!
Compare that to the whopping 95 percent open rate that’s easy to
achieve when you send a text message to people’s mobile phones
telling them about a new product or service, or giving them a tip
that will solve a problem or make their lives easier.
Starting with a single blog post, a retail store in California
generated online publicity and made $20,000 in a mere three hours
last year by using a combination of a compelling offer, text
messages, email and social media. It didn’t pay a penny for
print, radio or Internet ads.
Here’s the kicker. The people who stood in a line that snaked
around the store even before the doors opened weren’t allowed in
unless they showed proof of the text message they received. All
others were turned away.
If you know how to incorporate mobile messaging into your
marketing campaign, and you’re in front of your prospects on
their mobile phones, your competitors who don’t have the first
clue how to do what you’re doing will be out of sight, out of
mind, and out of luck.
Download the quick case study of the success story above,
courtesy of StomperNet, and see the replay of last week’s webinar
from Dan Hollings, the guy who created the mobile marketing
campaign for “The Secret.”
http://tinyurl.com/out-of-luck
========================================
3. What Publicity Superstars Know
========================================
Jen Groover launched her career making Butler Handbags that
organize women’s essentials in little compartments inside each
purse, much like the utensils compartment inside your dishwasher.
In February and March this year, her media appearances include
stints on MSNBC’s “Your Business,” FOX Business’s “Happy Hour,”
the “Good Morning Colorado” radio show and ABC News. She appeared
on FOX Business’s “Your Questions Your Money,” “Washington
Business Tonight” on News Channel 8 in D.C., and Better TV.
Jen became a regularly featured lifestyle expert on the Fox News
Channel and the Early Show as well as scoring coverage in
hundreds of print media outlets including O the Oprah Magazine,
Redbook, US Weekly, Success and Entrepreneur, and then, used that
coverage to catapult her business to sales of over $10 million a
year.
One reason she landed so many media appearances is that she’s
able to tell a compelling story of how she refused to listen to
her friends, relatives and industry experts who pooh-poohed her
idea for a well-organized handbag.
But she does far more than just tell stories. On Thursday, you’ll
hear about the secrets that she and other media superstars know
about, like how to become a sought-after news source and guest on
radio and TV talk shows, even with no fancy credentials or
academic degrees.
The free 90-minute webinar titled “Discover the Secrets of the
Publicity Superstars,” hosted by Steve Harrison (I’m an
affiliate), will be broadcast at 2 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, March
18. If the times are inconvenient, recruit somebody to listen and
take notes for you. Register at
http://www.freepublicity.com/superstars/?10011
=====================================
4. When Your Links Won’t Open in Gmail
=====================================
If you’re sending emails to the media, bloggers and others who
use Gmail, but few people are responding, or they’re complaining
that the links won’t open, it’s because of a change Google made
recently.
For a URL to be a live link in Gmail, it cannot have a capital
letter after “http://” without using “www.”
That means links like http://PublicityHound.com aren’t live. But
http://publicityhound.com/ is.
Read more about it, and watch the video that explains it all, at
Alex Mandossian’s blog at http://ow.ly/1lq20
Now that you know how to configure your links, learn how to send
great email or telephone pitches. Raleigh Pinskey shows you “How
to Create the Perfect 30-Second Pitch.” She is the MASTER of
pitches, and she shares her secrets. Learn more at
http://tinyurl.com/30secondpitch.
======================================
5. Marketing an Expert on Mold
======================================
This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips for Susan Murphy of
Pleasant Ridge, MI on how to promote her client, Connie Morbach,
an expert on mold.
From Julie Gabrielli:
“Join the U.S. Green Building Council and get active in your
local chapter. They usually have ongoing monthly programs, so you
could do a session on mold. They also have a huge, yearly
conference (15,000 to 20,000 people), and you could submit a
proposal as a speaker.”
From Doreen Overstreet:
“Not sure who your target audience is, but I bet the National
Apartment Association’s publication (and others like it) would be
interested in using her as a resource or running any of her
articles. Many in the industry are interested in learning more
about this subject–and preventing it.”
From Don Power:
“Your client could talk about how to safely remove small amounts
of mold encountered in the upcoming spring cleaning ritual.
Millions of people do this every spring and it is almost
guaranteed you will encounter some mold (but not enough to call
in a professional removal company). Therefore, there is a real
need to know how to remove small amounts of mold safely and your
client could address that!”
The Publicity Hound says:
Connie should refer to herself everywhere as a “mold expert.”
This should appear on the title bar of the home page of her
website, in her bio, in press releases, in the mini-bios she
writes at the social media sites–everywhere she has info about
her background. And she should buy a profile in “Expertclick: The
Online Yearbook of Experts” at
http://www.Expertclick.com/Referral/PublicityHound (I’m an
affiliate).
Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
http://ow.ly/1g9z9
Send your own question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.
===================================
6. Help This Hound
===================================
This week’s question is from me:
Almost every Tuesday, without fail, during the last decade, my
readers and I have been sharing our best tips in this newsletter.
If it’s Tuesday, and it’s Christmas, the ezine arrives via email
on Christmas Day, and the other 51 Tuesdays of the year.
In just a few weeks, on April 16, I’ll publish Edition Number
500,and I’m looking for a clever promotion or contest that will
engage current readers, create a buzz on the social media sites,
and attract new subscribers.
Because I’m knee-deep in three other projects, I’m not even sure
I’ll have time to pull this off. But I’d be crazy not to ask my
Hounds for help.
What can I do to promote the newsletter, pull in new readers,
attract attention for the archived issues at
http://www.publicityarticles.net/, encourage people to submit
questions for Help this Hound, and make this a really fun
celebration?
Submit your best ideas to my blog at http://ow.ly/1mX4z and
retweet if you’re so inclined.
And then send your “Help this Hound” question to me at
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound.
I have only one left, and I’ll include it here next week.
=================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
=================================
In an upscale pet-supply store, a customer wanted to buy a red
sweater for her dog. The clerk suggested that she bring her dog
in for a proper fit.
“I can’t do that!” The owner said. “The sweater is a surprise!”
Dog Jokes & Quotes Ebook: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
Http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
==================================
8. And at My Blogs…
==================================
Consider retweeting these blog posts:
How engaging is your blog? 17 metrics to measure
http://ow.ly/1hbuK
Pros & cons of using Facebook, Twitter geo-location features
http://ow.ly/1hizB
How to generate publicity from Pi Day
http://ow.ly/1lrRS
————————————
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy. Read my privacy policy at
http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
»
December 1st, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #481 Dec. 1, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. What if Your Lawyer is Wrong?
2. Website Magnets: Pet Ecards
3. Pitching Ellen, Rachael & Cavuto
4. Promoting a Book About Christians
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Video of the Week
7. And at My Blog…
8. Correction
====================================
1. What if Your Lawyer is Wrong?
====================================
If you’re faced with a PR nightmare, don’t assume that your
lawyer’s advice will save you.
Just ask Tiger Woods, whose legal advice might well be
responsible for the public relations mess that’s been getting
even messier since last week’s car crash.
On TV talk shows and all over the Internet, media experts, crisis
counselors, PR pros and even attorneys are admonishing Woods for
flunking PR 101 since crashing his car into a fire hydrant, and
then a tree, outside the couple’s home Thanksgiving night.
They say he erred by:
–Holing up inside his home and refusing to talk to the police or
the public, making it look like he has something to hide and
fueling speculation about what happened.
–Waiting until Sunday to post a statement on his website, thus
letting anyone with an opinion take control of the story. PR pros
say that even though all the details aren’t necessary, he should
have given a more substantive response.
–Canceling an appearance at the Chevron World Challenge golf
tournament this weekend.
During an interview I did with crisis counselor Clarence Jones
several years ago, Jones said that attorneys, who usually tell
their clients not to comment, are concerned primarily about
winning in the court of law, not in the court of public opinion.
That’s why clients who have won in the court of law sometimes
emerge with their reputations in ruins. By that time, the PR
damage has been done.
Jones advises that if you find yourself in a PR crisis, weigh
your lawyer’s advice along with the advice of others such as a
good crisis counselor. Read more about what he discussed during
the teleseminar “In a Media Crisis, Your Lawyer Will be Wrong” at
http://budurl.com/yourlawyer
===================================
2. Website Magnets: Pet Ecards
===================================
When BL Ochman and her business partner, Caimin Jones, realized
their new company, Pawfun.com at http://www.pawfun.com, needed to
have more traffic before they could expect to make a profit
selling customized pet T-shirts, totes and other items, they
decided to change their business model.
They added the kind of social media tools they create to help
their corporate clients build traffic and sales–a free service
that lets anyone create free pet ecards. Take a look:
http://www.pawfun.com/send-ecard/
Upload your own pet photo to the site, and add pithy, funny or
endearing comments to the bubble that comes out of the pet’s
mouth. Then share the card with your social media friends,
followers and fans.
“In order for us to make money, we need a high volume of
traffic,” BL said. “We really needed to turn that site into a
social media lab for ourselves–something that does all the
things we tell our clients to do.”
The result?
“It’s really starting to work,” she said. “Traffic is doubling
every week, and there are hundreds of ecards featured in our
gallery.”
They’ve even landed two corporate sponsorships. The first is with
StacksandStacks.com, which sells organizing tools for humans and
pets. The other is with Simon & Schuster, publisher of the book
“Cowboy and Wills” about the Golden Retriever and the autistic
boy who loved him. Pawfun will give the books as contest prizes.
“We know that those are the kinds of sponsorship deals that are
possible,” BL said.
What free magnets are you offering at your own website? “Special
Report #51: 55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or
Capture People’s Email Addresses” give you dozens of ideas. Read
more about it at http://budurl.com/specialreport51
====================================
3. Pitching Ellen, Rachael & Cavuto
====================================
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that big, celebrity-driven TV
talk shows only want celebrities.
Even though “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” loves celebrities and A-
list interviews, Ellen loves human interest stories like child
inventors, variety acts, and social causes like Hurricane Katrina
or animal rights. But how would you know that unless you watch
the show every day?
Get free detailed profiles with key contacts and how-to-get-on
info for five top shows including ABC’s “20/20,” “The Ellen
DeGeneres Show,” “Rachael Ray,” “Book TV” and “The Neil Cavuto
Show” by going to http://www.AppearOnTopTVShows.com/?10011
The five profiles are drawn from “Harrison’s Guide to the Top
National Talk & Interviews TV Shows,” which is on sale through 6
p.m. Eastern this Friday, December 4. Subscribe now and you’ll
also get a 30-minute consultation with a former national TV
producer who’ll help you get on TV. (I get a commission if you
buy this directory.)
===================================
4. Promoting a Book About Christians
===================================
This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Mitch Carnell of
Charleston, SC, who needs ideas on how to market his book,
Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.
From Gail Sideman:
“I would take some of the elements in this book and create story
angles and tips about why they apply to life in and outside
religious practices.
“Create a tips list with the top bits of advice in the book and
pitch them to media and as a column for consumers to use. This
would be a good way to begin to help people relate to the book in
general and not corner it into a religious how-to book.”
From Christine Buffaloe:
“The first thing would be to create a presence on Facebook. If
you don?t already have a profile, create one at
http://www.facebook.com/. It?s easy to do. Then join groups that
are within your niche and, from there, connect with the people in
those groups.
“Then, create a Facebook fan page. This is where you can really
promote your book. You can send updates and link to your blog.
The possibilities are endless.”
From The Publicity Hound:
“Mitch, how about trying to get booked on niche radio talk shows
that will reach your niche audience?
“Francine Silverman?s ebooks that offer contact info are a good
place to start. I blogged about these this morning at
http://budurl.com/talkradioinfo
“Under the self-help category, I see several possibilities on how
you can spin your topic to match those topics.”
Read all the responses to this week’s ?Help This Hound” question
http://budurl.com/gjzx
Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.
=================================
5. Help This Hound
=================================
Ted Fuller of Lafayette, Calif., writes:
“Thanks to you and Paulette Ensign, the Tips Booklet Queen, I
have completed my first two booklets.
“The Best Ideas Yet About Aging Successfully is 16 pages, and
Tips for Writing a Great Memoir is 12 pages. Now comes the grind
of contacting book and gift store distributors, retirement home
companies, and other organizations serving seniors.
Any suggestions on how one gets these charming publications
publicized so the purchasing departments seek me out with their
orders??
The Publicity Hound says:
Mitch, I urge you to think far beyond nursing homes for your
target audience. Many of today’s senior citizens run marathons
and climb mountains. You don’t have a website, and that’s
compounding your problem. So I hope my Hounds make some
suggestions on how to also sell these booklets online. Hounds,
post your best ideas to my blog at
http://budurl.com/seniorsbooklets
==================================
6. Hound Video of the Week
==================================
Meet Cowboy and Wills. Cowboy is the Golden Retriever puppy that
brought joy and love to Wills Holloway, an autistic boy. They’re
the subject of the book “Cowboy & Wills,” by Monica Holloway.
This isn’t your typical book promo, and it made my day. Thanks to
BL Ochman of New York City (See Item #2 above), for sharing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjyUJGw7urk
Dog Jokes & Quotes Ebook: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
==================================
7. And at My Blog…
==================================
Ebooks offer talk radio contact info for specific niches
http://budurl.com/talkradioinfo
==================================
8. Correction
==================================
In last week’s issue, I incorrectly identified Scott Martin of
Lake Mary, Fla., who runs DivorceDirection, a financial advisory
firm and who was quoted recently in the New York Times. I
apologize for the error.
————————————
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
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http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy. Read my privacy policy at
http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
»
November 19th, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #479 Nov. 17, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. How to Promote Your Experts
2. Pay Attention to Media Websites
3. Oprah/Palin Outtakes
4. How to Promote a Book on Autism
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Videos of the Week
7. And at My Blog…
====================================
1. How to Promote Your Experts
====================================
If you’re an expert in your industry, or you have a team of
experts, let the world know.
During yesterday’s teleseminar for members of The Publicity Hound
Mentor Program, I shared 14 ways to promote your experts. Here
are four of them:
–Create an Experts Directory. If you have many experts, list
them by category, in alphabetical order, and include all contact
information. Make sure your experts have given you permission to
include their names. If they’re at all shy about talking to
reporters or bloggers, pay for media training or don’t include
them. Send hard-copy directories to targeted media, and make the
directory available at your website, in your media room.
–Include one page at your website for each expert. Make sure the
title bar includes a keyword phrase that will help the media find
your expert quickly through the search engines. Example:
“Employee recruitment and retention expert.”
–During a big breaking news event that ties into an expert’s
topic, call or email your media contacts and offer your expert
for background, commentary and story ideas that tie into the
breaking news.
–Give your experts prominent exposure in online experts
directories.
Each year, I subscribe to Expertclick: The Online Yearbook of
Experts. PRWeek calls this the “Dating Service of PR” because it
connects experts and journalists. I’ve been a member for years,
and my Press Room Page has helped me capture the top two or three
positions on Google for the phrase “publicity expert.”
The deadline is Friday, Nov. 20, for their 25th Anniversary 2010
Yearbook of Experts. See the full brochure at
https://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/Publicity-Hound and take
advantage of their special for Publicity Hounds. They’ll shave
$100 off your subscription. Or call 202-333-5000. They answer
their phones live and have great customer service.
===================================
2. Pay Attention to Media Websites
===================================
Before you pitch journalists or broadcasters, know all your
options by visiting their websites.
I wanted to pitch a story idea to the news department at Fox 6, a
Milwaukee TV station, recently and visited their site to see what
I could find. I learned they now accept news tips and pitches at
the site during their 1:45 p.m. news meeting each day.
They broadcast video of the meeting. And even though you can’t
hear the audio, you can pitch your story idea right at the
website. That’s exactly what I did.
The producer who was reading the pitches on his laptop while
attending the meeting responded immediately and said he loved my
idea. But he thought it was more appropriate for the station’s
early-morning news/feature program. I pitched that program, and
the host responded the next day and booked a segment with my
client for next month. Is that cool or what?
These websites often include other valuable nuggets. You might
find bios of the on-air reporters and anchors. You can upload
photos and videos at many newspaper, TV and radio websites. You
can submit items for their event calendars. You can also find
mini profiles of all their local programs. Many media outlets
also include links where you can follow them on Facebook and
Twitter.
Now that you know how to find them and pitch them, start building
relationships with them. “Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build
Valuable Relationships with Media People” shows you how. Only
$10. Order at http://budurl.com/lzge
===================================
3. Oprah/Palin Outtakes
===================================
Oprah’s taped interview with Sarah Palin, which was broadcast
yesterday, attracted so many viewers who love her or hate her
that Oprah’s smart producers did something that we can do.
They posted five outtakes from the interview at Oprah’s website
under the headline “What You Didn’t See.” Take a look:
http://budurl.com/oprahandsarah
If you’re shooting video for whatever reason, and you have some
great outtakes, here are six ideas for using them:
–Edit them into separate videos and upload them to your YouTube
channel and to other video-sharing sites so they pull in traffic
from the search engines. Use different keywords for each video so
you pull the maximum amount of traffic possible.
–Insert the video links into press releases.
–Post the videos in your online press room.
–Use them at your blog.
–Include the links in articles you write for the article
directory sites.
–Share them with your social media friends, fans and followers.
Videographer John Easton of Charlotte, N.C. knows creative, easy
ways to use video to generate publicity and sales leads, even if
you only do business locally. I interviewed him about “9 Clever
Ways to Use Video to Become a Publicity Darling in Your Industry
or Community.” Learn more at http://budurl.com/sttl
===================================
4. How to Promote a Book on Autism
===================================
This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Mary Ann Puckett
from Oklahoma City, OK, author of a self-published book, “Take
Him Home and Love Him: A Story of Autism and How to Cope with
It.” She needs tips for promoting the book to parents and
caregivers.
From Linda Kotzian:
“Contact Care Trak at http://www.caretrak.com/news.htm They sell
tracking devices for those afflicted by Alzheimer?s and autism.
They might share their mailing list with you, or even promote
your book as part of their service.”
From Eric Gruber:
“You should be writing articles and submitting them to the top
parenting and health websites, blogs, ezines and article
directories–as well as focusing on those sites that deal with
autism specifically. For example, you should target
http://autism.about.com/ ”
From Margaret Vos:
“Perhaps your high school, college, or university would LOVE to
hear about your accomplishment. Not just a ‘local girl does good’
story, but one that can help other parents too–and targeted to
an educational field but with a different angle. You could
include special needs schools that have newsletters for parents.”
The Publicity Hound says:
Mary Ann, you need to reach out to two huge segments of bloggers:
mommy bloggers and home-schoolers. Go to Google and search for
?top 20 mommy bloggers? and see what you find. Also, ?top 20
home-school bloggers.?
Make sure you visit their blogs and post a comment or two before
you pitch. And, of course, make sure the blog is a good fit with
the book.
Read all the responses to this week?s ?Help This Hound” question
at http://budurl.com/tvxv
Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city, state or province.
=================================
5. Help This Hound
=================================
I’m out of questions (send questions!) so this week’s is from me:
Publicity Hounds who responded to my Customer Profile Survey in
the spring said blogging was one of the top three topics they
wanted to know more about.
I’m planning one or more paid teleseminars on blogging for
business soon, and I want to make sure I’m teaching things you
need to know.
If you’re interested in this topic, let me know which sub-topics
interest you:
–How to find compelling content
–Shortcuts and time-saving tools
–Commenting at other blogs
–The best blog directories where you should submit your blog
–How to pull traffic to your blog
–Using photos and images
–How to pitch a guest blog post to someone else
–How to find guest bloggers
–Feeding your blog posts into social media sites
–Writing compelling headlines
–Or any topics I haven’t mentioned here.
Also, please let me know if you consider yourself a beginning,
intermediate or advanced blogger.
Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com and put “Blogging” in the
subject line.
==================================
6. Hound Videos of the Week
==================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Jacqueline Simonds of Reno, NV for
these three videos that show sheer joy, yelps of delight and lots
of tail-wagging as these four-legged hounds welcome home their
owners from Iran and Afghanistan. (This’ll cheer you up if you’re
having a really bad day.)
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324
Dog Jokes & Quotes Ebook: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
Http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
==================================
7. And at My Blog…
==================================
Oprah’s producers blog & drop clues about what they like
http://budurl.com/oprahproducersblog
8 ways public speaking produces multiple revenue streams
http://budurl.com/malinchakspeaking
————————————
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy. Read my privacy policy at
http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
»
November 11th, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #478 Nov. 11, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. How to Follow Up
2. Predict Top Trends of 2010
3. Gary V’s 5 Commandments
4. How to Promote a Floral Shop
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blog…
====================================
1. How to Follow Up
====================================
When you pitch a story idea to a journalist or blogger and hear
nothing, what do you do? Figure they’re not interested and move
on?
If so, it could be a missed opportunity. I’ve heard of cases in
which journalists won’t cover a story until a year or two after
someone pitched it.
If you’re following up with a phone call, don’t just call and ask
“are you covering the story?” That makes you sound desperate.
Instead, have a reason to follow up. Here are five things to
offer when you call:
–Additional sources for the story.
–Graphics or photos.
–A sidebar, like a quiz.
–A Top 10 list (see Item 2 below).
–A video that a newspaper reporter can refer to in a story, or
that any media outlet can post at its website.
You can also score points by asking this question: “Is there
anything else you need or any other way I can help?”
Chicago publicist Rickey Gold used the tips she learned during
the teleseminar on “Fail-proof Ways to Follow Up After Sending a
News Release or a Story Idea” and landed a product review for her
client in a magazine eight months after her original pitch. Read
more about the tips she followed at
http://budurl.com/7zsx
===================================
2. Predict Top Trends of 2010
===================================
Any Publicity Hound in any industry can do this. Predict the top
trends for next year.
Every year, about this time, media everywhere are on the lookout
for predictions about what the new year will bring. Ditto for
bloggers. I found a great example at the RunningRestaurants.com
website last week where a chef/owner offered his top predictions
for restaurant trends next year. Take a look:
http://budurl.com/elqx
These make great tip lists, blog posts, guest blog posts, notes
for your Facebook fan page and even videos. You can send these
lists to multiple media outlets.
If you work at a company, you can ask five or six experts to
predict one top trend for next year and combine them all into one
list. Provide head shots of your experts.
“Special Report #16: How to Write Tip Sheets That Catch the
Media’s Attention” offers dozens of other ideas and suggestions
on how to use tip sheets, one of the most powerful tools in your
publicity toolkit. Read more at http://budurl.com/6j5h
===================================
3. Gary V’s 5 Commandments
===================================
The friend that listens is better than the friend that talks.
So says Gary Vaynerchuk, aka Gary V, one of the hottest stars in
the social media world. The thirtysomething son of Russian
immigrants hosts weekday podcasts about wine at
TV.WineLibrary.com.
His brash style and unpretentious approach to wine appreciation
have attracted an average 40,000 viewers to each podcast, more
than 85,000 followers on Twitter, and more than $60 million a
year in sales at the Wine Library, the New Jersey wine store he
co-owns with his father.
Here are Gary V’s 5 commandments for social media, as listed in
the Wall Street Journal:
–Treat it like a cocktail party. Don’t pitch as soon as you meet
someone.
–Don’t draw lines in the sand and call sites like Twitter
“stupid” just because you don’t know how to use them.
–Humanize yourself and your brand with personal information, but
only 2 percent of the time.
–Understand the authenticity and the incredible power of social
media sites and the voices of consumers to make or break
companies.
–Interacting with potential clients and becoming part of the
community is a real job. Listen before you talk.
Read the entire interview with him at http://budurl.com/lmru
Learn more about the teleseminar I hosted with blogger and social
media consultant BL Ochman on “How to do Social Networking, Run a
Business & Still Have a Life” at http://budurl.com/wmv2
===================================
4. How to Promote a Floral Shop
===================================
This week, 13 Publicity Hounds have tips for Cheryl Muskus of Oak
Creek, WI, owner of The CarmelRose, a floral shop. She needs
ideas for events and other pitches she can use with the local
media to promote her shop.
From C.M. Mayo:
“One of the things that has always really perplexed me is that
when I order flowers over the phone, I never know what the
delivered arrangement actually looks like. So if you would offer
to send your customers a .jpg photo via email of their
bouquet-?the actual one that just went out the door to Aunt
Bess?-I would think that would be a big plus. And then, you’d
have their emails for future promotional offers, a big plus for
you.”
From Debra Arrato:
“Start branding your business. How about a new tag line like,
‘CarmelRose ? we SEND what?s in your heart.’ Use the tagline on
everything. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and then join a
leads group within the Chamber. It?s worth every penny. The leads
groups usually meet once a week or twice a month and they only
allow one person in each industry/business.”
From Linda Swisher:
“Partnerships for weddings/proms: bridal and tux shops,
photographers, limo companies, reception venues, bakeries,
salons/spas, gift shops, caterers, wedding planners, stationers.
Partnerships for funerals: funeral homes, cemeteries, funeral
luncheon venues.
“Partnerships for decor or entertaining: interior designers,
local furniture stores, adult classes through park districts or
colleges, real estate stagers, model home builders, gift basket
shops, bakeries or specialty/imported food shops.”
The Publicity Hound says:
This question generated fabulous responses from my Hounds. Read
them all at http://budurl.com/s64s
Artist John Unger also received many wonderful responses to his
“Help This Hound” question two weeks ago on how to defend a
lawsuit filed against him by someone who is copying his artwork
and selling it. He chose the comment by former journalist Bonnie
Boots as the best one, and he’ll thank her with a beautiful
shovel mask, which he has created. Bonnie suggested that John
pitch his story to specific craft magazines. You can read all the
comments at http://budurl.com/4eeu
Email your own “Help this Hound” question to
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
and include your city and state or province.
=================================
5. Help This Hound
=================================
Mary Ann Puckett from Oklahoma City, OK writes:
“I am the author of a self-published book, ‘Take Him Home and
Love Him/A Story of Autism and How to Cope with It’, which is
currently on eBay and Amazon.com. I published the book in 2005
and have received orders from around the world.
“It is a narrative of my son Stephen’s life from birth to age 23.
He is now 28 years old and has made great progress due to
therapies and medical interventions I share in the book.
“Autism is now the Number One childhood disability, and diagnosis
of this disorder is increasing rapidly. I am looking for ways to
get my information to parents and caregivers. The book is
endorsed by medical doctors, the Department of Human Services and
has received 100 percent positive responses from buyers on eBay.
“Can your Hounds help me promote my book to parents and
caregivers who need it?”
The Publicity Hound says:
Using social media sites, there are dozens of ways to find people
in niche audiences, like parents of autistic children. Let’s see
if my Hounds can help you find them, and spread the word about
your book online and offline. Hounds, post your best comments to
my blog at http://budurl.com/tvxv
==================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
==================================
In order to keep a true perspective of your importance, you
should have a dog that will worship you and a cat that will
ignore you.
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…
==================================
Learn how to teach, sell and create products with teleseminars
http://budurl.com/gph7
————————————
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http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
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Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
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================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
»
September 23rd, 2009 by JStewart in Publicity Tips
The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #470 Sept. 22, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.PublicityArticles.net (Ezine Archives)
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityarticles.net/feed/rss/
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. How to Promote Local Events on Twitter
2. Five Social Media Marketing Ideas
3. Entertainment Tonight Needs Pitches
4. Promoting a Reading Program
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blog…
=========================================
1. How to Promote Local Events on Twitter
=========================================
You can find some of the best tips by reading comments at blogs.
For example, if you’re curious about how to use Twitter to
publicize local events, you’ll find a slew of tips in the
comments at http://budurl.com/uymm
They include:
–Use Twitter Grader at http://twitter.grader.com/ After entering
your Twitter username and getting your grade, click on your city,
state or country. A list of local tweeters will appear. If you
find them of like mind, you could choose to follow them. Then
tweet about your event so they’ll see it.
–Download and install Tweetdeck, a browser that will let you
organize your tweets and see everything all at once. Then set up
search columns based on your local area. You’ll then “see” people
talking about that area. Chances are that if they are talking
about it, they either live there, or visit regularly, so follow
them. Chances are also good they’ll follow you, too.
–Follow the premiere local tweeters in your area, including
bars, hotels, clubs and local businesses whose target customers
are the people you want to attract. Retweet events and posts they
tweet. This will tell them you’re interested in promoting what
they’re doing and, in turn, they may follow you and promote your
event.
–Two good tools for finding Twitterers in your area are
http://TwitterHawk.com and http://Twellowhood.com
Be sure to read the rest of the comments for lots more tips.
Now that you have the tools, adopt a good strategy. Warren
Whitlock shows you how. See “How to Use Twitter to Amass an Army
of Followers, Customers & Valuable Contacts–and Promote” at
http://budurl.com/b8nj
=======================================
2. Five Social Media Marketing Ideas
=======================================
Social media is more than just collecting Facebook fans, sending
tweets and joining the conversation. It’s also about making all
that hard work pay off.
Here are five great social media marketing ideas, courtesy of DP
Dialogue, a social media marketing agency in Australia. All of
them are free. Pick and choose which ones are best for you:
–Start a Twitter account and give people incentives to follow
you. Read their blog post to see how Domino’s Pizza did this at
http://budurl.com/8flq
–Use Google’s keyword tool at
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal to find
whatever keywords related to your business are being searched for
the most. Blog about them and make videos about them.
–Become an expert and start blogging or podcasting. (Read the
excellent Expertise Imperative White Paper that explains how to
become an expert at http://www.PublicityHound.com/expertise.pdf
It was written specifically for professional speakers from a wide
variety of backgrounds. Use it as a starting point to grow your
own expertise.)
–Start a Facebook group that people will want to join and subtly
sponsor it. If you sell candles, start a Facebook group for
people who are afraid of the dark. (See “11 Ways to Avoid Missed
Opportunities on Facebook” at http://budurl.com/wcxb
–Figure out who the key influencers are for whatever it is
you’re selling. Read their blogs and leave comments on them
regularly. (When it comes time to pitch them, see “How to Pitch
the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion” at
http://budurl.com/xlgw
========================================
3. Entertainment Tonight Needs Pitches
========================================
Entertainment Tonight has asked PitchRate.com, a media leads
service, to suggest segment ideas and experts to be featured in
short segments of three to five minutes. Segments must be unique
and interesting.
PitchRate will review your pitches and pass along the best ones
to Entertainment Tonight. If the producers are interested,
they’ll contact you.
If you’ve already signed up as a Publicity Hound at
http://www.PitchRate.com, simply visit the site again, log in,
and at the top of the requesst list, you’ll see the request for
Publicity Hounds only. If you haven’t signed up yet, use this
link: http://www.PitchRate.com/PublicityHound
P.S. Shannon Nicholson says PitchRate’s recent request for women-
related tips, advice and success stories resulted in 17 great
pitches from Publicity Hounds. He will forward all of them to
PitchRate’s top media contacts, including O Magazine, Montel
Williams, the Associated Press, and more.
Not sure how to craft a great pitch? See “How to Write a Pitch
Letter More Powerful Than a Press Release” at
http://budurl.com/rphb
=======================================
4. Promoting a Reading Program
=======================================
This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Suzanne Wood, of
Raleigh, NC, who is starting an after-school writing academy to
help kids in grades 8-12 improve their writing.
From Meryl Evans:
“Contact local school PTAs to offer a free presentation on a
topic of value. I am sure there’s something you can offer to help
parents with kids and writing.”
From Karen Zapp:
“Look for any club or group for Home Schooling. Then meet with a
few moms to demonstrate how you can help them and the kids, and
the word will start to spread. These moms can also help spread it
to parents in the neighborhood who don’t home-school.”
From Shel Horowitz:
“Do a free demo for teachers and guidance counselors who then
could send a steady stream of referrals.”
The Publicity Hound says:
Read all the responses from last week’s “Help This Hound”
question at http://budurl.com/3f5n
Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city, state or province. I need questions!
===================================
5. Help This Hound
===================================
Vicki Young of Dallas, Texas, writes:
“What’s the best way for a very worthy nonprofit agency to get
free help with their PR campaign?
“I’ve been doing PR work for Captain Hope’s Kids as a nonprofit
client for years, but I have to step down. It’s a great
organization in Dallas, Texas, that’s dedicated to meeting the
critical needs of homeless children in North Texas.
“They need an annual marketing and public relations plan
developed, and help publicizing their annual special events.
“I know this agency isn’t the only one that needs volunteer PR
help, so I’m hoping your Publicity Hounds can recommend ideas
that will help many other groups, too. Where should we be looking
for volunteer PR people who can write press releases, or at least
advise nonprofits on how to create a good marketing plan?”
The Publicity Hound says:
I hear this question all the time, so I hope my Hounds can
suggest ideas for nonprofits or any other company on a budget.
How about it Hounds? Are unemployed PR people, particularly
beginners, a possibility? What about college journalism classes?
Or stay-at-home moms who once worked in PR? Ideas? Post them to
my blog at http://budurl.com/vfe6
If you can find a great volunteer, I can do all the training for
you. See “How to Create a 12-Month Media Plan” at
http://publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm
==================================
6. Hound Joke of the Week
==================================
The front door was accidentally left open and our dog was gone.
After unsuccessfully whistling and calling, my husband got in the
car and went looking for him.
He drove around the neighborhood for some time with no luck.
Finally he stopped beside a couple out for a walk and asked if
they had seen our dog.
“You mean the one following your car?” they asked.
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…
===============================
Stompernet taking new members: Here’s what you’ll get
http://budurl.com/wwpm
80+ free social media policies: Add yours to the list
http://budurl.com/sr6m
How to publicize your ‘Make a Difference Day’ activities
http://budurl.com/n28y
Gift List offers 25 percent discount until Sept. 30
http://budurl.com/lv6c
————————————
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
Permission to Reprint:
You may reprint any items from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the
Week” in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include
the following paragraph:
Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine
featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity.
Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email
the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”
If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends,
clients and colleagues.
You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you
told me you want to subscribe.
Privacy Statement:
The Publicity Hound respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy. Read my privacy policy at
http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737
»
