The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week » Press Releases

Publicity Tips—Let a Geek Help with PR

JStewart — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:45:09 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #591 Jan. 24, 2012
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Let a Geek Help with PR

2. Membership Has Its Privileges

3. Make Your Book a Bestseller

4. Sponsoring a Contest on Flickr

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Let a Geek Help with PR
=====================================

Nothing stalls a publicity campaign quicker than a niggling
little technology problem that, within minutes, turns into a
major disaster.

If you’re like me, you waste days of time and work yourself into
a lather trying to figure out how to do things like:

–Retrieve the press release that disappeared from your screen
after you’ve been working on it for an hour without saving it.

–Fix a problem in your online pressroom.

–Install the latest widget on your WordPress blog.

–Touch up a publicity photo. (I still can’t figure out
“layering” in Adobe Photoshop, and I’ve given up trying to
learn.)

–Trying to format an article at my website that was created in
Word, which always throws in screwy coding and creates a royal
mess.

And that’s just the simple stuff. Don’t get me started on editing
and publishing videos.

One of my resolutions for 2012 is hiring a team of techies, all
independent contractors, to help make my life easier. But I’m
never sure where to start looking and if they’re going to rip me
off. I have one local techie so far, and he’s great. But he’s not
always available when I need him.

Last week, I discovered Zach Swinehart’s ebook called “The Geek
Guidebook: How to Find Local Geeks to Solve Your Tech Problems
for Pennies on the Dollar.” He explains the five different types
of geeks and how each one can benefit you. He gives step-by-step
directions on four ways to find geeks and questions to ask them
before you hire them so you don’t get stuck with a loser.

The book includes an outline of how long it takes professionals
to do things, so you’ll know if your geek is slacking off. And
Swinehart even explains how to keep your information secure, so
your geek doesn’t compromise your security.

At $27, this is a steal. Read more about how to stop wasting time
trying to figure out this stuff by yourself.

http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=191035&AdID=
582342

Yes, I earn a commission for each book sold. But it’s pennies
compared to the amount you’ll save in lost time and aggravation
by getting these problems off your back and loading them onto the
shoulders of geeks who are a lot smarter than you and,
especially, me.

=================================
2. Membership Has Its Privileges
=================================

If you’ve written a compelling blog post that carries readers
straight through to the end, don’t let them click off of it
before letting them have more of you–for a price.

Consider moving them into a paid membership program where they
can read more about your topic, and discuss it with you and
others, in an exclusive “members only” forum.

How much to charge? That’s up to you.

But this is one way to turn your blog into a revenue-generator.
If you’re writing your fingers off each week and seeing little in
return, it’s time to stop treating your blog like a hobby and
start turning it into a business.

When I hosted the webinar “27 Ways to Monetize Your Blog” a few
weeks ago, I found four more ideas that I shared with the
Publicity Hounds who attended. The webinar resulted in more
questions than any other training program I’ve taught.

If you couldn’t attend, access the replay at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/howtomonetizeyourblog.htm

If you live near Milwaukee, WI, join me on Friday, Jan. 27, at
the Wisconsin Business Owners Lunch & Learn at 11:15 a.m. I’ll be
talking about the Top 10 ways to monetize your blog. I just
booked this yesterday and the details may not be posted yet. But
go ahead and register anyway at
http://www.meetup.com/wisconsin-business-owners/events/43777912/

======================================
3. Make Your Book a Bestseller
======================================

Blueprints. Formulas. Systems.

Find one that solves your problem, and the rest is easy.

Author Peggy McColl has created a system for getting her book to
the Amazon, Barnes & Noble and New York Times Bestseller lists.
It’s a five-step blueprint that any author can use to make a book
a bestseller at almost no cost. The method works for all types of
books, fiction or non-fiction, regardless of subject including
self-published, POD, ebooks, newly published or even those that
have been out for years.

She’ll explain it during a free webinar at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern
Time on Thursday, Jan. 26, with my friend, Steve Harrison.

I’m promoting this webinar as a compensated affiliate, because
I’m tired of hearing sob stories from authors who’ve invested
years, and their life’s savings, trying to promote books without
a system or formula to help them.

=====================================
4. Sponsoring a Contest on Flickr
=====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Chris Stephenson
of Madrid, Spain, who wants to know if it’s OK to use Flickr to
host a photo contest. He wants to ask people to submit photos of
a variety of airports, highways, bridges and all types of
buildings that his company is managing or building.

From Angela, who suggests he consider using a third-party
platform like Shortstack.com to promote the contest on Facebook:

“You have a beautiful advantage because you know the cities
you’ll be targeting. I’d suggest you connect with photography
clubs in those cities, universities that may have photography
programs, as well as the major businesses that lease space in
these buildings.”

From Christina Steder:

“You might want to look into holding the competition on
Pinterest. Although Pinterest is still invitation only, it’s easy
to get in and the people on the site are extremely active!”

From The Publicity Hound:

“Chris, I did a quick Google search and found this post, which
explains that Flickr makes photo contests easier. You can find it
at
http://rising.blackstar.com/flickr-makes-photo-contests-
easier.html

“I’m not sure when it was written or whether Flickr’s terms of
service have changed. Try contacting the PR department at HP and,
also, someone from the Angkor Photography Festival. Also, you can
post your question at Quora.com where experts on almost any topic
are standing by, ready to help.”

Read all the responses at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10230

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

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

Gina Elise of Redlands, CA, writes:

“I am the founder of Pin-ups for Vets, a non-profit organization
that supports hospitalized veterans and deployed service members.
We’re using hundreds of volunteer hours to keep the organization
operating.

“Our biggest challenge has been to get the word out there to the
rest of the U.S. about our small organization with the big heart.
We produce World War II-style pin-up calendars that raise money
for hospitalized veterans. We use the money to buy rehabilitation
equipment to help our veterans in their physical, occupational
and cognitive therapy sessions.

“As the 1940’s-style calendar girl in the Pin-Ups for Vets
calendar, I have made thousands of personal bedside visits to ill
and injured vets in VA and military hospitals across the U.S. and
overseas to present the donated calendar gifts from my
supporters. You can visit our website at
http://www.PinUpsForVets.com.

“Can your Publicity Hounds give us some ideas on how to spread
the word about what we’re doing so we can sell more calendars and
help more injured vets?”

The Publicity Hound says:

Gina, what a great service you’re providing to our wounded
warriors! I know my Hounds will jump in and help with this.
Hounds, post your best ideas in the comments section at my blog
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10243

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

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Dan Janal of Shorewood, MN, for the GoD
and DoG video by Wendy J. Francisco, which has been viewed by
more than 3.1 million people at YouTube. I watched it three times
and can’t get the tune–or the message–out of my head. Dog
lovers, don’t miss this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY&feature=
player_embedded

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

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

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

Rethinking the press release:
A content marketing & SEO view of a proven tool
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10084

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Publicity Tips—No More Passwords

JStewart — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:23:06 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #587 Dec. 27, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. No More Passwords

2. Best of 2011 Publicity Tips

3. Free Photos, Fast

4. Include Links on Twellow

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. No More Passwords
=====================================

What makes you different from everyone else–your voice, your eyes,
etc.–will be used to safeguard your identity online and you’ll
never need passwords again.

That’s one of five predictions that IBM made last week, to signal
innovations it sees in 2012. Its annual predictions have been
covered by top-tier media outlets like Forbes magazine, FOX News,
The Washington Post and The New York Times, in addition to dozens
of techie blogs.

It isn’t too late to compile your top five predictions for next
year, or even just one prediction, and write a press release. Or
pitch it to your favorite blogger. You can even offer to write a
guest blog post.

Your predictions don’t have to be serious. They can be humorous and
off the wall.

Predictions are just one of thousands of ideas I give you in my
ebook, “How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound.” This is the Number
One all-around resource to get you through 2012 if you need help
promoting in traditional media and social media.

Learn more about the book here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity/publicityhound.htm

=====================================
2. Best of 2011 Publicity Tips
=====================================

If you know a small business owner who’s struggling with promotion,
a PR pro who’s running out of story ideas for her clients, or a
nonprofit that needs to ramp up its publicity, let them know about
my free ebook, “The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week
of 2011.”

It’s filled with 24 of the best tips from this newsletter the past
year.

The tips are divided into four categories:

–Traditional media

–Social media

–Online publicity

–Building your business and nonprofit

Go ahead. Regift the book by sending your friends, followers and
clients here:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9935

======================================
3. Free Photos, Fast
======================================

Need photos for your website, blog, online press room or marketing
materials, but can’t afford the stock photo services?

Thousands of free photos await you on Flickr at
http://www.Flickr.com, under the Creative Commons license. Problem
is, it can be a real pain navigating that site to find them.

Instead, use Compfight.com, a search engine that uncovers
Creative-Common-tagged freebies in the Flickr archives. There’s
even a search box so you can find what you’re looking for quickly.

But don’t just use them without crediting the photographers. Pay
attention to the terms of use for each photo.

Thanks to CopyBlogger.com for this tip.

For more tips, see “How to Use Photos & Graphics in Your Publicity
Campaign” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicityphotos.htm

=====================================
4. Include Links on Twellow
=====================================

If you’re listed on Twellow, the giant Twitter yellow pages (and
you certainly should be), you can now display the links to your
other social networking profiles on your Twellow profile.

Log into Twellow and click on the “Settings” link. You can now
display links for Facebook, Delicious, Flickr, LinkedIn, and many
more. This is a great way for your friends and future Twitter
followers to see your social networking activity on the web.

Still not tweeting? It isn’t too late. If you’re confused by what
all the fuss is about, or if you’re on Twitter but can’t gain
traction, shorten your learning curve by watching the replay of a
webinar I hosted on “Twitter for Beginners: A Step-by-Step,
Can’t-Fail System for Experts and Influencers (and Those Who Want
to Be).”

I explain how to use Twitter to establish your credibility,
influence your followers, share great content and attract the
types of people who need your expertise as well as your products
and services. Read more about what you’ll learn how to do
at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-tapes
/twitterforbeginners.htm

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

This week’s “Help This Hound” question is from Anne Roos of South
Lake Tahoe, CA:

“I’m an author and I’ve received 40 free books from the publicist I
used last year, 20 copies each of “The Musician’s Guide to Brides:
How to Make Money Playing Weddings” and “The Brides Guide to
Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable.”

“They were copies supplied without cost from the publisher to be
sent out for review. Since I didn’t pay for them, I want to do a
giveaway.

“What’s the most effective way to do a contest/giveaway? Where do I
post it to get it noticed? Should it be a quiz with a question of
the day? Should it be some kind of silly trivia? I just don’t know
how to attract people to a little contest.

“Even when I had a big grand prize giveaway that I tried out about
a year ago, it garnered very little interest. I’d love ideas from
your Hounds on how to really attract attention with this.”

The Publicity Hound says: OK, Hounds, have at it. Help Anne
generate the most publicity possible for this book giveaway. Post
your best ideas to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9991

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Meryl K. Evans of Plano, Texas for these
photos of the 10 Weirdest Dog Toys. My favorite is the red lips!
Go to http://www.oddee.com/item_97297.aspx

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

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

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

10 best Dog Tweets listed each week here
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10006

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Publicity Tips—Make it Easy for People to Donate

JStewart — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:12:45 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #579 Nov. 1, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Make it Easy for People to Donate

2. Overused Words in Press Releases

3. ProfNet Leads on Twitter

4. Overcome Publicity Shyness

5. How to Time Your Facebook Posts

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

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

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

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

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

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

Make these options part of your publicity campaign.

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

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

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

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

And my personal favorite: Announced.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many people are.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Publicity Tips—Tips for Your 2012 Media Plan

JStewart — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:00:06 +0000

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

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Tips for Your 2012 Media Plan

2. Your Competitors’ Press Releases

3. How to Find Influential People

4. Don’t Use Facebook’s Links Box

5. Artists Need International Publicity

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

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

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

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

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

Here are three more tips for creating a media plan:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

–Simply type the URL directly into your status update.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

Publicity Tips—Lots of Sample Press Releases

JStewart — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:21:44 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #527 Oct. 12, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)
http://www.MysocialMediaSolution.com/blog

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Lots of Sample Press Releases

2. Promote Events These 5 Ways

3. Virtual Assistants Can Do PR

4. Win Lunch with Jack Canfield

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Lots of Sample Press Releases
=====================================

If you struggle figuring out how to write press releases, why
reinvent the wheel?

Mickie Kennedy is giving away a free ebook of 75 sample press
releases to give you ideas on all the different ways you can
write your own releases (a $49 value). Download it at
http://www.ereleases.com/ph

You’ll find 35 industry-specific press releases, 40 occasion-
specific releases, tips for formatting and getting your press
release noticed, and ticklers that will help you generate ideas
for your own press releases.

If you see a release format that you like, make note of it, and
use it as a template the next time you need to write one.

He’s also giving you two free ebooks on how to use Facebook and
Twitter. Download them here: http://www.ereleases.com/ph

======================================
2. Promote Events These 5 Ways
======================================

Here are five types of websites you should be targeting when
you’re promoting a live or virtual event:

–Location-based social networks like http://www.FourSquare.com
and http://www.Yelp.com where thousands of people search daily
for fun, interesting or educational things to do in their cities
or neighborhoods.

–Social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, where you can
create events, and invite your connections, followers and fans to
attend.

–Niche sites like Haunted House Magazine at
http://www.hauntedhousemagazine.com/myaccount/new_sign_up.cfm
which offers free calendar listings for haunted houses, corn
mazes, hayrides and other Halloween and autumn events.

–Websites for your local convention & visitors bureau, state
department of economic development and other government bodies
that specialize in promoting tourism. Many of these websites will
then distribute your event listing to several smaller calendar
sites.

–Websites for traditional media outlets. Shrinking newspapers,
for example, usually don’t have room for all the news, so they
have event listings at their websites. Remember, too, that many
people have canceled their subscriptions because they can get
most of the same information online. If you aren’t reaching those
people with your event promotion, you’re leaving money on the
table.

You won’t believe the incredibly cool websites I found while
doing research for my webinar, “50+ Places Online to Promote Your
Live & Virtual Events to Reach Your Target Market and Pull Sell-
out Crowds.” It’s from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Eastern, and if the time is
inconvenient, sign up anyway because you’ll get the video replay
link and the handouts.

I’ve been inundated with registrations since last week because
Publicity Hounds everywhere are looking for ways to fill seats
during a time when everybody is pinching pennies.

=====================================
3. Virtual Assistants Can Do PR
=====================================

Never ask a virtual assistant to call a media outlet or blogger
and pitch a story idea about you. That sends the message: “You’re
not important enough for her to make the call, so she sent me.”

But I assign my virtual assistant all types of PR-related tasks:

–Uploading press releases to distribution sites. (Experts, did
you get your free Press Room Page yet and free news release
distribution from Expertclick at
http://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/PublicityHound?)

–Updating media databases.

–Doing research you can use to write articles, blog posts, tips
sheets and other content.

–Proofreading.

–Monitoring your social media accounts and telling you when you
need to spend time at those sites replying to comments and
questions.

A virtual assistant is an independent contractor who works
remotely. Even though she might live 2,000 miles from you,
today’s technology makes that a moot issue.

Read my free article on other PR tasks that virtual assistants
can do:
http://www.publicityhound.com/free_publicity/Articles/Virtual_Ass
istants_Publicity_Training.html

======================================
4. Win Lunch with Jack Canfield
======================================

Would you like to have lunch with Jack Canfield, and pick his
brain about your own book or project?

Jack was featured in the movie “The Secret” and co-created the
“Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, which has sold over 115
million books.

In fact, at one point he had seven books on the New York Times
Best Seller List simultaneously–a world record.

My friend, Steve Harrison, is offering a free 90-minute telephone
seminar with Jack this Thursday, Oct. 14. I’m a compensated
affiliate.

Go here now to register for the call and you’ll be entered into a
drawing to have lunch with Jack and Steve and a maximum of three
other people.

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

Even if you don’t win the lunch, this is a call you won’t want to
miss. You’ll hear about Jack’s journey from inner city public
school teacher to best-selling author and speaker, how he and co-
creator Mark Victor Hansen kept going when “Chicken Soup” was
rejected by 144 publishers, and savvy advice on what to do if you
find yourself reluctant to aggressively market your work.

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

Dr. Stephanie Buehler of Orange County, Calif., writes:

“I am a psychologist and sex therapist who is publishing the book
Sex, Love, & Mental Illness: A Couple’s Guide to Staying
Connected. It’s geared toward couples in which one (or both)
partners has a mental health problem, and toward the therapists
and others who may help them.

“It discusses how a spectrum of problems affect sexuality,
including side effects of medication–and ways couples can work
together to overcome them. The problems include depression,
bipolar disorder, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADD,
substance dependence, and Asperger’s Syndrome, among others.

“The book offers examples of struggles couples have faced and
provides pragmatic activities including sensual touching and
mindfulness.

“I’m looking for ideas on how to market to specific niches like
psychotherapists and pastoral counselors who may want to buy my
book and use the info with their clients. Hounds, can you help?”

The Publicity Hound says:

They sure can! They’ll give you a bunch of great ideas for
reaching your target market and building buzz for your book.
Hounds, don’t prove me wrong. Share your best ideas for Dr.
Stephanie at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/how-can-an-author-reach-therapists-
pastoral-counselors/

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

Maybe you’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places. A dog
will treat you better than anyone you’ll meet at happy hour.
Trust me. I’ve been to happy hour.

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

You can now sign up to receive email notifications every time I
publish a new blog post. Submit your email address to “Subscribe
to Email Updates” on the right side of my blog at
http://www.PublicityHound.net

Here are posts from the last seven days:

This blog now part of Bulldog Reporter’s ‘Dog blogs
http://publicityhound.net/this-blog-now-part-of-bulldog-
reporters-dog-blogs/

Make event promotion/PR easy: 27 questions spark ideas
http://publicityhound.net/make-event-promotionpr-easy-27-
questions-spark-ideas/

——————————————-

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Traditional PR Fading Fast

JStewart — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:39:30 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #526 Oct. 5, 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)
http://www.MysocialMediaSolution.com/blog

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Traditional PR Fading Fast

2. 50+ Places to Promote Events

3. Twitter’s New Look

4. Seven Things Rich Authors Know

5. Carve a Pumpkin & Get on TV

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Traditional PR Fading Fast
=====================================

If the increasing use of social media keeps building, social
media will overtake traditional media as a PR tool within two
years.

That’s one of the findings of a recent survey by
StevensGouldPincus, merger and management consultants to the
communications industry.

Currently, the total percentage of work devoted by communications
consulting firms to social media as opposed to traditional media
is 30 percent overall. Next year, the percentage will increase to
an average of 42 percent, with firms over $3 million in revenue
increasing to 46 percent.

“If this trend persists,” said managing partner Art Stevens,
“within the next two years, social media will replace traditional
media as PR/PA?s primary tool for reaching client audiences with
news and information. When you consider that traditional media
have been the bedrock of professional PR/PA practice for more
than 100 years, the implications are profound.”

You can read more about the survey and request a copy at
http://www.gspm.org/820_Social-Media-Will-Overtake-Traditional-
Media-as-PR-Tool-in-Next-Two-Years

Do you agree with the findings?

Tell me in my own quick survey that will take you less than a
minute to complete at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5KQTX52 and,
if you wish, comment. I’ll report on the findings next week.

======================================
2. 50+ Places to Promote Your Events
======================================

When it’s time to promote a live or viral event, do you rely on
the same old websites to spread the word?

Posting on Craigslist, Facebook and LinkedIn is a no-brainer. But
if you aren’t doing much more than that, you could be missing the
smaller niche websites where you can target your ideal attendees
like a laser beam.

For example, did you know that more than 25,000 musicians have
used the free account at http://www.ArtistData.com to promote
more than 4.9 million shows, events and other news across
MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and other websites that reach their
niche audiences? You can submit information about a gig and it
will automatically post your music-related calendar listing to
more than 25 sites. That’s a lot of eyeballs reading about you.

But that’s just for musicians. Major websites and niche sites
abound for businesses, tourist attractions, authors, speakers,
experts, nonprofits, sports events and more.

Join me from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Oct. 19, for
the webinar “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live & Virtual
Events to Reach Your Target Market and Pull Sell-out Crowds.” The
first 20 people who sign up get my handy checklist of all the
sites I mention during the webinar, plus a long list of offline
places to promote events.

=====================================
3. Twitter’s New Look
=====================================

If you’ve heard a lot of buzz about Twitter’s new look, and
you’re confused about what’s new, or if the new changes haven’t
taken effect yet on your profile, watch this helpful video. It’s
the best one I found that explains the new changes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9xh_N_pzNE

If you’re still stumped about how to profit from Twitter and
really build a following, stop tweeting a series of free
commercials. Instead, you should be promoting your expertise by
sharing helpful advice and promoting others. Warren Whitlock
explains how he does it in the two-part teleseminar recording
“How to Use Twitter to Amass an Army of Followers, Customers &
Valuable Contacts–and Promote,” available as CDs, MP3s and
electronic transcripts.

======================================
4. Seven Things Rich Authors Know
======================================

Last week, I talked my cousin out of her hair-brained idea of
publishing a book of poetry.

She has $10,000, her life’s savings, to spend producing and
publicizing it.

If my cousin followed through on her plan, she’d be a dirt-poor
author. First, most poetry books are duds. Second, she isn’t
interested in producing any spin-off products or services from
the book.

Unfortunately, authors who publish really impressive books with
compelling content have the same attitude. They, too, belong in
the dirt-poor category.

Don’t end up with them.

Join Steve Harrison for a free teleseminar on Thursday, Oct. 7,
when he shows you “How to Achieve A Lot More Success As An Author
By Discovering The Seven Things Rich Authors Know That Poor
Authors Don’t.” Sign up for slots at 2 or 7 p.m. Eastern. Even
though the call is free, I promote it as a compensated affiliate
because I know too many authors whose dreams of selling their own
book are deflated by the cold, hard reality of the cut-throat
publishing business.

======================================
5. Carve a Pumpkin & Get on TV
======================================

If you want to make it onto the local TV news, here’s an idea for
companies and nonprofits everywhere.

Host a pumpkin-carving contest and ask your employees to
participate. Nothing new about that idea, but here’s the kicker
that just might bring the TV cameras to your doorstep.

Tell the TV station that someone from your company will carve the
TV station’s call letters into a pumpkin, so they can show it as
part of the news clip. You can also ask if someone at the station
will choose a winner during the actual competition, when
employees can carve whatever they wish into their pumpkins.

This is a schmaltzy idea, but TV producer Shawne Duperon says it
works and, right now, the timing is perfect. Shawne was my guest
during the teleseminar on “How to Get onto the Local TV News
Tomorrow,” available as a CD or electronic transcript. Read more
about the other smart, sneaky and clever ways to find your way
onto your local TV news at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/getinthenews.htm

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

“I like driving around with my two dogs, especially on the
freeways. I make them wear little hats so I can use the car-pool
lanes.”

–Monica Piper

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

Great fodder for retweeting:

How to work with a PR firm: 15 do’s and 8 don’ts
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7109

Free, colorful data charts for your website, blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7097

——————————————-

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Experts Directory Listing, No Charge

JStewart — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:49:45 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #525 Sept. 28, 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)
http://www.MysocialMediaSolution.com/blog

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Experts Directory Listing, No Charge

2. Promote Facebook, Twitter Offline

3. Look for Bloggers in Magazines

4. Press Release Keyword Phrases

5. Hound Joke of the Week

6. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Experts Directory Profile, No Charge
=====================================

Are you an expert, authority or spokesperson with real
credentials? If not, skip this item.

If you are, make sure you take advantage of a free Press Room
Page in the “Expert Book” at http://www.ExpertClick.com, edited
by Mitchell Davis of the Yearbook of Experts, Authorities &
Spokespersons.

I’ve promoted these listings over the years because the Yearbook
of Experts is one of the first places that many journalists look
when searching for sources in a particular industry or topic. But
until now, you had to pay to get a News Room Page at his website.

No more. Now, you can join for free and get a News Room Page and
your photo, text and link to your website.

But here’s the really valuable part. You’ll also get to post and
have distributed one news release each month, for free. News
releases posted to Expertclick are picked up by the Google and
Lexis news feeds, so your news will get wide exposure. This is a
wonderful alternative if you can’t afford paid news release
distribution services.

Mitch cautions that you shouldn’t even bother applying for a
listing if you aren’t a bona-fide expert. Within the last week,
he has turned down five people who claimed to be experts, but
aren’t. One doesn’t have a website. Another claimed she had a
variety of credentials from her industry groups, but Mitch
checked and discovered that she didn’t.

Join free, or save $100 on a paid profile that’s chock full of
other benefits, when you click from my link at
http://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/PublicityHound

This is a no-brainer. Do it today.

======================================
2. Promote Facebook, Twitter Offline
======================================

It’s all too easy to forget about offline tactics you can use to
promote your presence on social media sites.

I just discovered two terrific tools:

–Hang a banner advertising your presence on Facebook, Twitter or
any other social media site, outside your store, restaurant,
park, school, museum, or wherever your target market gathers. I
saw an eye-catching banner over the weekend as I was driving by
the VanPatten Woods, part of the Lake County Forest Preserve in
Sterling Lake, Ill. See the photo I took and learn more about it
at the MysocialMediaSolution blog at
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/?p=448

–If you’re on Twitter, share your stream with customers,
patrons, colleagues, community, guests, family, friends and
passers-by via a Twisplay, an LED sign that allows you to
conveniently display whatever Twitter streams you wish. They’re
$299 each with free shipping for pre-orders. Their shopping cart
isn’t quite ready yet. But you can check it out at
http://www.twisplays.com/ and watch a demonstration of how Oprah
uses an LED sign in this YouTube video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cwreP9wmzs

I’m noticing that many Publicity Hounds still aren’t tagging
Friends on Facebook, creating their own Facebook badges, or
actively promoting other people’s Fan pages. Those are only three
of 11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook. Right now,
this is my fastest-selling product and available as a CD, MP3 or
transcript, complete with 28 pages of illustrated handouts. Learn
more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

======================================
3. Look for Bloggers in Magazines
======================================

The next time you read a consumer magazine, or even a trade
publication, pay attention to bloggers who are featured in those
magazines.

The September issue of Better Homes & Gardens includes a blurb
and photo about Meredith Schwartz, aka Penelope, who writes the
“Penelope Loves Lists” blog at http://www.penelopeloveslists.com

If I sold a product or service that keeps people organized, I’d
pitch it to her. But before I did, I’d inspect her blog, find
personal tidbits about her that I could include in my pitch, and
I’d take time to comment on one or two posts she has written.

That’s one of the tips I offered during the webinar “How to
REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When
Everyone Else is ZAGGING.” Learn more about what you can do if
you start zigging, and the great publicity hits that will result,
at http://www.publicityhound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

======================================
4. Press Release Keyword Phrases
======================================

Here’s a startling statistic that should change the way you write
press releases.

When people shop online, they typically type only one or two
keywords into the search engines. When they buy online, however,
they type four or more words.

Buyers who type those longer keyword phrases really narrow down
what they’re looking for. That means they’ll find fewer results,
but what the search engines return to them will be exactly what
they want to buy. And many of them will have credit card in hand.

If you use online press releases, one of the very best ways to
reach buyers directly without having to go through traditional
media outlets, you should be inserting longer keyword phrases,
also known as long-tail keywords, into your releases so people
can find you–and buy from you–more easily.

Press release expert Janet Thaeler has created three videos that
show you how to research keywords when writing press releases or
any other copy you’re using online. The videos are part of the 8
pages of illustrated handouts that come with the CD, transcript
or MP3 of the teleseminar I recorded with her called “Keywords:
The Magic Magnets That Pull Consumers & Journalists to Your Press
Releases.” Read more about what you’ll learn to do with keywords
and the 8-step checklist you can refer to every time you write a
press release, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/keywords_in_press_releases.htm

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

You know you are owned by a dog when you have a mental list of
people you would like to spay or neuter.

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

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

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

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

Great fodder for retweeting:

Latina bloggers a valuable PR tool, survey results show
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6922

Hang a banner advertising your Facebook Fan Page
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/?p=448

——————————————-

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Five Killer Social Media Strategies

JStewart — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:54:10 +0000

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Make Friends or Make Money?

JStewart — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:24:18 +0000

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:

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

Publicity Tips—Fast Company Wants Your Photo

JStewart — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:08:27 +0000

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #512 July 6, 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. Fast Company Wants Your Photo

2. Piggyback onto the Heat Wave

3. Start Your Online TV Show Quickly

4. Create a Memorable Tagline

5. Bad Advice on Press Releases

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

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

1. Fast Company Wants Your Photo

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

Fast Company magazine wants to include your photo in the
November 2010 issue, as part of a neat project it calls the
“2010 Most Influential People.”

This is a terrific chance to generate publicity from a magazine
with a circulation of more than 538,000, as well as knowing how
influential you really are.

Go here now to get a unique URL which you can then share with
your followers via email, at your website and blog, and on the
social media sites, but please be patient because their server is
getting huge amounts of traffic: http://fcinf.com/v/a3sr

It took me only a few minutes to sign up and upload my photo.

I’ll look for you in the November issue!

Go to http://fcinf.com/v/a3sr

P.S. You can track how your influence has grown and where you
stand at any time on the site. You’ll also get a welcome message
from Fast Company telling you that your photo will be in the
November issue.

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

2. Piggyback onto the Heat Wave

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

Today is expected to be one of the hottest days of the year in
the U.S., with temperatures expected to break 100 degrees along
the East Coast.

Here are ways to piggyback onto the heat wave:

–If you’re sponsoring an outdoors event, are you providing
special “cooling centers” where guests can cool off?

–Is your hospital or walk-in clinic seeing heat-related

illnesses and injuries? Offer safety tips for dealing with the
heat.

–Call the meteorologists at your local TV stations, and local
reporters who are covering the weather, and let them know what
your company is doing to cope with the heat, from loosening
policies on workplace attire to handing out free bottled water.

–Let the local newspapers know about weather-related photos they

can take at your business.

–Vets, dog obedience schools and other businesses that sell
products or services for pets should pitch tips about keeping
pets safe in the heat. Should you walk your dog when it’s 100
degrees?

The media, by the way, HATE covering the weather. The more
helpful you can be, the greater your chance for publicity.

You’ll find dozens more ideas in “Special Report #37: How to Tie

Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue to the Weather” at

http://publicityhound.com/publicity-

products/reports.html#SpecialReport37

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

3. Start Your Online TV Show Quickly

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

Three reasons why video is such a powerful way to pull traffic to
your website:

–52 percent of Internet traffic is now video

–70 percent of web surfers watch video online

–The average YouTube visitor spends 27 minutes a day watching

videos.

Using online video, such as creating your own online TV show, is
one of the very best ways to generate exposure for your book,
product, cause or issue. It can help you get high rankings in
Google and Yahoo for your keywords. You can also use video to
build an email list.

One nutrition expert got over 1.5 million video views on YouTube

and quickly parlayed the exposure into a nice passive income

stream.

To discover how to get started marketing with video–without
being a techie–join Steve Harrison on Thursday, July 8, for a
free webinar (or teleseminar if you can’t be near a computer).

He will be interviewing Mike Koenigs, an online video expert.

You’ll learn the system Mike uses to get him and others ranked as
#1, #2 and #3 on Google and Yahoo for particular keyword phrases.

You’ll also learn how to start your own online TV show quickly.

The webinar is free, and I’m promoting it as a compensated

affiliate.

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

4. Create a Memorable Tagline
=====================================

How compelling is the tagline for your business or nonprofit?

If you need inspiration, check out the 2010 Tagline Contest for
Nonprofits, sponsored by Nancy Schwartz, an expert in nonprofit
marketing.

My three favorite taglines from past contests:

Nothing But Nets:
Send a net. Save a life.

Homeboy Industries:
Nothing Stops A Bullet Like A Job

NYC Theatre Spaces:
Where Actors Find Their Space

Read about more of my favorites, and how to enter your tagline,
at
http://publicityhound.net/need-a-great-tagline-learn-from-
nonprofits-taggies-contest/

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

5. Bad Advice on Press Releases

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

So-called press release experts, bloggers and others who dispense
information on PR and publicity often give this very bad advice:

Your releases MUST be newsy.

That’s how it was 20 years ago when we wrote releases primarily
for the media. But today, we can write press releases and upload
them to our websites and press release distribution sites to pull
traffic, and drive that traffic to a landing page.

Instead of asking, “Is it news?” before you write, you should be
asking, “What keywords or keyword phrases do people type into
Google when looking for the kinds of products and services I
sell?” Use up to three keywords or keyword phrases within the
release.

Entire conferences are devoted to keyword research. But press

release expert Janet Thaeler has created three helpful videos

that show you in step-by-step detail how to do simple keyword

research before you write. The videos accompany the CD,

transcript or MP3 of “How to Use Keywords, the ‘Magic Magnets’

that Pull Consumers & Journalists to Your Press Releases.” You’ll

also get a simple-to-use 8-step checklist you can refer to every

time you write a release.

Read more about how to make your press releases traffic magnets
at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/keywords_in_press_releases.htm

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

A groaner, but kind of cute:What do you get when you cross a chili pepper, a steam shovel and
a Chihuahua?Hot diggity dog!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:

Moderate comments at your blog using these 7 tips
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/moderate-comments-at-your-
blog-using-these-7-tips/

Need a clever tagline? Learn from nonprofits “Taggies” contest
http://publicityhound.net/need-a-great-tagline-learn-from-
nonprofits-taggies-contest/

——————————————-

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