The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #598 March 13, 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. Pinterest: Digital Crack for Women

2. Hottest Topic at IBPA: Ebooks

3. March 30 Deadline for Facebook

4. A Dozen Mistakes Experts Make

5. Grab My CDs for 80 Percent Off

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

8. Where to See & Hear The Hound

=====================================
1. Pinterest: Digital Crack for Women
=====================================

Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak calls Pinterest, the
wildly popular social media tool, “digital crack for women.”

She’s addicted to it. So are millions of other women. (The guys
are finally catching on.)

And it’s time for Publicity Hounds everywhere to use this site to
pull traffic. Pinterest, a digital pinboard that lets you “pin”
photos and videos, has reached the 10-million-user mark faster
than any other social media site.

Best part is, you don’t have to spend a ton of time on it. Just
“pin” photos you love. But understand that this site is more than
just stunning images of cupcakes and wedding dresses.

If you’re smart, you can use it to pull traffic back to your
website or blog.

Look at this colorful board called “Give Books,” created by
Chronicle Publishing, a book publishing company:
http://pinterest.com/chroniclebooks/give-books/

Each photo leads you to its website where you can buy the book.

A state’s travel and tourism department can pin photos of
destinations that tourists will love. A local chamber of commerce
can pin photos of products and services offered by local
merchants. A nonprofit can share photos taken at its most recent
fund-raiser.

That’s just one of the many examples I’ll be sharing when I host
the webinar “How to Use Pinterest to Generate Clicks, Traffic,
Links, Leads and Sales” at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March
15.

Can’t attend? Register anyway and you’ll get the replay and my
handy checklist that you can print and keep nearby so you don’t
miss a step as you’re getting your account set up. Register at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pinterest.htm

===================================
2. Hottest Topic at IBPA: Ebooks
===================================

At the Publishing University hosted by the Independent Book
Publishers Association over the weekend, no other topic had
authors and publishers buzzing louder than ebooks.

Ebook sales have surpassed sales of print books, thanks to the
Kindle, the Nook, tablets and other devices that make ebooks easy
to buy, read and carry.

Speakers couldn’t have said it any louder: If you have a printed
book, convert it to an ebook, or leave money on the table.

If you’ve had no interest whatsoever in publishing an expensive
print book, you can publish an ebook for next to nothing. You can
sell it, or give it away at sites like Amazon.com as a lead
generator.

The other big takeaway from the conference: Despite shrinking
book review sections in major newspapers, millions of book
reviewers are just waiting to review your print book or ebook.
They’re clustered all over the Internet. I gave a presentation on
this topic, and I’m creating a webinar right now to show you
where to find the best book review sites and forums, and how to
use them.

Millions of readers are just waiting to get their hands on your
books. Details next week.

======================================
3. March 30 Deadline for Facebook
======================================

The other complaint I heard at IBPA, all weekend, was that many
authors don’t know how to gain traction on Facebook. They’re
frustrated, understandably, that the site keeps rolling out major
changes.

The latest one is that Facebook users have until March 30 to redo
their pages to accommodate the Timeline layout. There’s a good
Q&A at
http://www.hyperarts.com/blog/facebook-timeline-for-fan-pages-
frequently-asked-questions/ that explains what you need to know.

I’m joining the legion of grumblers who think that for those of
us who are using Facebook for business, the constant changes take
way too much time for too little return on investment. Am I
wrong?

======================================
4. A Dozen Mistakes Experts Make
======================================

If you’re an expert in your field, think far beyond what you
already sell.

If you’re a consultant, consider a paid membership site and a
mentor program.

If you’re writing a book, or planning to write one, don’t think
only about selling a book.

Think spin-off products like wall calendars, board games and
coffee mugs. Think paid services like coaching programs, speaking
engagements and consulting.

Authors and experts make 12 big mistakes, and failing to think
beyond their core products and services is one of them.

Learn about the other 11, and 22 super-lucrative income streams
that most authors overlook, when Steve Harrison hosts the
webinar, “How to Thrive as an Author/Expert in Any Economy” at 7
p.m. Eastern Time today, March 15.

Even though the call is free, I promote this as an affiliate
because I don’t want to see you missing numerous opportunities to
grow the bottom line.

Register for the call at
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/QL15Thrive/A10011

=====================================
5. Grab My CDs for 80 Percent Off
=====================================

I’m eliminating most CDs from my inventory very soon, and
scrapping some old titles altogether.

This means unheard of discounts for Publicity Hounds who love
sniffing out bargains.

The discount is good only for titles on this list and only if you
use the coupon code CLOSEOUT80 when you check out.

http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/inventorycloseout.htm

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

Here’s one of my favorite oldies but goodies. Watch how Denver
reacts when he’s reprimanded for eating the cat’s treats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ISzf2pryI

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

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

Great content for retweeting:

Pinterest: Digital crack for women (Hooked yet?)
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10682

Dog Tweets: The very best way to receive a LinkedIn
recommendation
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10669

Photos Rule, Video Drools: It’s Photography, Not Videos, That
Engage Users
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10637

How to Build Your Media Empire (Guest Post)
http://www.talkbusinesswithhoward.com/business/how-to-build-your-
media-empire/

=======================================
8. Where to See & Hear The Hound
=======================================

Wednesday, March 14:
“You Are the New Media: How to Create
Your Own Media Empire to Promote Your Business”
Podcast at 11 a.m. Eastern on “Talk Business With Howard”
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/talkbusinesswithhoward/2012/03/14/jo
an-stewart-the-publicity-hound

Thursday, March 15:
Webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time: “How to Use
Pinterest to Generate Clicks, Traffic, Links,
Leads and Sales”
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pinterest.htm

Friday, Oct. 12:
“How to Harness Your Expertise Online and Make Your Website Go
‘Ka-Ching! Ka-Ching!’”
Career Directors International
Global Career Empowerment Summit
San Diego, CA
http://www.careerdirectors.com/conv_pro.htm

——————————————

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

Join my Facebook Fan Pages:
http://www.facebook.com/publicityhound
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
The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #597 March 7, 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. Interest in Pinterest Skyrockets

2. Is This Pitch Too Creepy?

3. Don’t Make These Website Mistakes

4. Authors: Why Persistence Pays

5. Grab My CDs for 80 Percent Off

6. Hound Photo of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Interest in Pinterest Skyrockets
=====================================

It’s been around for two years. But in the last few months,
interest in Pinterest, the social media site that lets you “pin”
images onto a virtual corkboard, is off the charts.

Before you start groaning because it’s one more program to learn,
check out these stats:

–From December 2011 to January 2012, unique visitors to
Pinterest.com increased by 155 percent.

–More than one in four users earns more than $100,000 a year.

–The site registered more than 7 million unique visitors in
December, up from 1.6 million in September.

–It’s pulling more traffic to company websites and blogs than
YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn combined, according to one study.

–Research shows that many people are spending more time
“pinning” than they are connecting with their friends on the
almighty Facebook.

Why do Publicity Hounds need to know about Pinterest?

–By putting the “Pin It” button on your pages, all of your pins
will include a link back to the source, such as your website or
blog, a great way to revive interest in old content.

–You can connect Pinterest to your Twitter and Facebook
accounts, which means you don’t initially need a huge number of
followers on Pinterest to start picking up steam.

–You can create boards around topics that tie into your products
and services, being careful not to overtly promote.

–Users admit that Pinterest is absolutely addictive. That’s
because, unlike other social media sites, it’s filled with
millions of colorful, captivating photos and a clean design that
pulls you in.

–I’ve seen far more excitement and chatter about Pinterest than
I have for Google+, which suddenly seems like a dinosaur.

And I’ve received many questions, including “How do I get an
invitation for Pinterest?” As a result, I’m hosting a 90-minute
webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 15. It’s
called, “How to Use Pinterest to Generate Clicks, Traffic, Links,
Leads and Sales,” and is for beginners as well as pinners who
have been on the site for a while.

Register here even if the time is inconvenient because I’ll be
recording it and making the downloads available:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/pinterest.htm

For an invitation to join Pinterest, go to http://pinterest.com/
and click on the red button “Request an Invite.”

If you’ve done something really cool on Pinterest that ties into
your business or hobby, hit “Reply” and let me know. I might
feature your board in my webinar.

===================================
2. Is this Pitch Too Creepy?
===================================

A friend says she thinks this is “somewhat creepy but smart.”

It definitely isn’t for everybody. But I guarantee it will get
attention.

Mention the name of a blogger’s or journalist’s dog, cat or kid
in your pitch–with care.

I walk you step-by-step through the entire process of how I did
this in less than 60 seconds.

Are you brave enough to pull this off? The Comments section
awaits at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10510

======================================
3. Don’t Make These Website Mistakes
======================================

Nothing frustrates visitors to your website more than searching
for something to buy, credit card in hand, and not being able to
find your phone number when they have a question about shipping
or another topic.

That’s my Number One pet peeve. I created this little video in
which I explain two more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxOHt97boGs

======================================
4. Authors: Why Persistence Pays
======================================

If you wrote a book that you wanted picked up by a publisher, how
many times would you be willing to hear the word “no” before you
gave up?

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen heard it 144 times before a
small publisher agreed to pick up their first “Chicken Soup for
the Soul” book. Since then, more than 500 million copies have
been printed.

What kept them moving forward?

Two mindsets that they had kept them going. Canfield will explain
what they are when Steve Harrison interviews him during a 90-
minute webinar at your choice of two times on Thursday, March 8.

You’ll also learn how to get started as a public speaker and what
to do if you need to make money within 30 to 60 days. Even though
the webinar is free, I promote it as an affiliate because too
many authors give up too quickly. Register at
https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/JackQL15/A10011/

=====================================
5. Grab My CDs for 80 Percent Off
=====================================

I’m eliminating most CDs from my inventory very soon, and
scrapping some old titles altogether.

This means unheard of discounts for Publicity Hounds who love
sniffing out bargains.

The discount is good only for titles on this list and only if you
use the coupon code CLOSEOUT80 when you check out.

http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/inventorycloseout.htm

====================================
6. Hound Photo of the Week
====================================

This photo of a Flying Maltese is courtesy of Jenny XOXO on
Pinterest, where you’ll find more cute dog photos on the left.
Warning: This site is addictive. (See Item #1 above.)

http://pinterest.com/pin/206110120415904307/

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

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

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

Great content for retweeting:

Publicists: Can I buy you coffee in San Francisco?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10616

Find the name of a blogger’s dog, cat, kid in 60 seconds
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10510

Authors: If publishers reject your
book title, don’t give up
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10589

Dog Tweets: 50 Ways to Get More People to Like Your Facebook Page
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10570

——————————————

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

Join my Facebook Fan Pages:
http://www.facebook.com/publicityhound
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
The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #595 Feb. 28, 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. A Really Impressive PR Pitch

2. How Pinterest Violates Copyright

3. LinkedIn’s New “Follow” Button

4. Authors: Meet Me in San Francisco

5. Write for My Blog

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. A Really Impressive PR Pitch
=====================================

Trust me when I tell you that a media list chock full of juicy
personal details about a journalist or blogger can be your ticket
to publicity.

BL Ochman agrees. She’s a social media expert and a prolific
blogger who writes about online promotions.

On Friday, she wrote about a pitch she received from Rob Toledo,
of Distilled Creative, calling her attention to a social media
campaign roadmap.

BL, who has seen her share of lame pitches, was bowled over by
the personal details about her that Rob, whom she doesn’t know,
included in his pitch. Impressed, she wrote a post titled “Dear
PR Peeps: please read this *really great* PR pitch! (And what he
was pitching).”

BL analyzed Rob’s pitch to show you exactly what made her pay
attention. The screenshot she used at her blog is a little
difficult to read, and she gave me permission to reproduce it at
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10470

Please, please, please read it. Study it. And use Rob’s
techniques the next time you pitch a blogger or journalist.

For more tips on how to do some good, old-fashioned sleuthing and
find personal details about the people who you will be pitching,
check out the webinar I hosted recently on “How to Create Your
Own Database of Valuable Media Contacts” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/mediadatabase.htm. It included the eight templates I use
for my own database because I want to save you time and not make
you start from scratch.

===================================
2. How Pinterest Violates Copyright
===================================

Thousands of people who use Pinterest, the social media site that
lets you “pin” images to a digital corkboard, are violating
copyright by pinning other people’s artwork, photographs,
trademarks, logos and more.

Many give the source credit, but some don’t.

Pinterest’s terms of use place the responsibility for following
copyright laws not on itself, but on its users. Pinterest also
gives itself the right to actually sell content that users place
on its site.

If you don’t want Pinterest members to violate copyright and
steal your work, and if you don’t want Pinterest to sell your
work, you can opt out by going to
http://pinterest.com/about/help/ and scrolling all the way to the
bottom to the category “Linking to your blog or website.” Click
on “What if I don’t want images from my site to be pinned?” and
you’ll see a snippet of code that you can add to the head of any
page on your site.

When a user tries to pin from your site, they will see this
message: “This site doesn’t allow pinning to Pinterest. Please
contact the owner with any questions.”

Here’s a very helpful blog post, with lots of links, where you
can read more about how people violate copyright on Pinterest:
http://greekgeek.hubpages.com/hub/Is-Pinterest-a-Haven-for-
Copyright-Violations

======================================
3. LinkedIn’s New “Follow” Button
======================================

Let people interested in your company stay connected to you on
LinkedIn by adding a “Follow Company” button to your website or
blog.

LinkedIn rolled it out yesterday and explains how to use it at
http://blog.linkedin.com/2012/02/27/linkedin-follow-button-for-
companies/.

To grab the code, click here:

https://developer.linkedin.com/plugins/follow-company

While you’re at it, give people an easy way to stay abreast of
new products and services you’re offering. Create Company Pages
on LinkedIn and fill them with lots of content. It’s the perfect
place to promote!

LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth shared all the little tricks on
how to use Company Pages when he was my guest on the webinar
“Your LinkedIn Power Formula Part 2: Advanced Strategies for
Writing a Killer Profile, Cashing in on Groups and Creating
Company Pages.” Read more about how to access the video replay at
http://www.publicityhound.com/linkedinpowerformulapart2.htm

======================================
4. Authors: Meet Me in San Francisco
======================================

If you’ll be at IBPA’s Publishing University in San Francisco on
March 9-10, attend at least one of three panels where I’m
presenting on Saturday:

–9 to 10:15: Advanced Techniques for Creating Websites/Blogs
That SELL

–1:45 to 3: Using Facebook and Twitter to Jump-Start Sales

–3:15 to 4:30: Getting Attention: Promoting Your Titles to
Bloggers and Online Communities

I’m back on the speaking circuit, sharing my publicity and social
media expertise. Email me at JStewart (at) PublicityHound.com if
you’d like to host The Publicity Hound at your event.

=====================================
5. Write for My Blog
=====================================

Get in front of PR people, publicists, authors, speakers,
experts, do-it-yourself Publicity Hounds and others who read my
blog by writing a guest post.

It will expose you to a new audience. And I’ll promote you like
crazy on the social media sites.

Read more about how to pitch me:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6573

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

If you can stand two and a half minutes of cuteness, watch this
mama Husky love her baby, and watch the pup tell its mom in
puppy-speak, “I love you more.”

http://youtu.be/PkUVnYG27Vc

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

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

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

Great content for retweeting:

Expert on gossip? Top-tier reporter needs sources
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10535

Check your Pinterest influence score with PinClout
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10517

Pitch stories about employees in their 80s, 90s
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10496

Personal details in your pitch is your ticket to publicity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10470

——————————————

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

Join my Facebook Fan Pages:
http://www.facebook.com/publicityhound
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
The Publicity Hound

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #595 Feb. 21, 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. Barking Up the Front Page

2. How Freelancers Can Help You

3. Publicity Tips for Local Events

4. Create Event Videos from Photos

5. Red-hot Pinterest

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Barking Up the Front Page
=====================================

Michelle Tennant knows how much the media loathe press
conferences.

She heard me preach that repeatedly when she was in my mentor
program many years ago.

Today, she’s a successful publicist who has landed many of her
clients in top-tier media like the New York Times, the Wall
Street Journal and on “Good Morning, America.”

But she was especially tickled when her local newspaper, the
Hendersonville Times, featured a front-page story on Saturday
about the Blue Ridge Husky Rescue, an organization that saves
Huskies that are abandoned by their owners and often turn up in
animal shelters.

The Husky Rescue is close to Michelle’s heart. So are Huskies.
When she heard the group needed publicity, she steered them away
from a press conference to a media event.

Right there on the front page was a photo of Michelle on
rollerblades, being pulled around Jackson Park on a leash by
Smokey, a three-year-old Siberian Husky that found a new home
through the rescue group.

“Do you know how rrrrrough it is to score front page ink? [Dog
whine.] Rrrrrough,” wrote Michelle at her blog at
http://michelletennant.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/barking-up-the-
front-page/.

Remember that the next time you’re tempted to stage a boring
press conference.

Interested in joining my mentor program? Yesterday, I taught
people in the program how to use two helpful, easy-to-remember
formulas (not mine, somebody else’s) when writing press releases
and pitches. They work almost every time. If you want to join us,
read more about the program at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mentorprogram/intro.html or call me
at 262-284-7451 and let’s see if we’re a good fit.

=================================
2. How Freelancers Can Help You
=================================

Here are four reasons why freelance journalists can sometimes be
more valuable to your publicity campaign than journalists who
work full-time for one media outlet:

–Because they write for multiple outlets, they can interview you
multiple times for different stories they’re selling.

–You don’t have to pitch busy reporters or grumpy editors. They
do.

–Freelance journalists often blog. That means one more place
where they might give you publicity and a backlink to your
website.

–Freelancers know each other and attend the same conferences. If
they know you’re a good source, but they don’t need what you’re
offering, they might share your contact information with a
colleague who does.

If you have a media database, there’s certain information about
freelancers that should be included within it. That’s why I have
a separate template for freelancers. I shared it–along with
seven other templates for newspapers, magazines, TV shows, radio
shows, bloggers, newsletters and websites–when I hosted the
webinar “How to Create Your Own Database of Valuable Media
Contacts” on Thursday. It’s available as a PDF or Word document
so you can just cut and paste the information into your own
database.

If you missed the webinar, you can order the video replay and
access all the other materials here:
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/mediadatabase.htm

======================================
3. Publicity Tips for Local Events
======================================

The next time you do publicity for a local event, remember my 11
handy tips.

I’ve been compiling them since I volunteered to do publicity for
my garden club’s annual gardening seminar, which was held on
Saturday.

We got mountains of publicity, but I also made a few boo-boos. I
mistakenly assumed that the gardening newsletters in Wisconsin
had short lead times for calendar items. Was I wrong! One of them
works three months ahead, and I missed the deadline.

I was also disappointed to learn that the photos I took on
Saturday had no crowd shots.

On the plus side, a big feature story with several photos
appeared in our local weekly, and fliers distributed at the local
tech college resulted in seven attendees from that school.

Read all my tips at my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10437

======================================
4. Create Event Videos from Photos
======================================

Here’s a fun way to create a post-event video and use it for PR
if you’re only shooting photos at your event.

Create an account at Animoto, a website that will let you gather
a collection of your best photos, type some text, arrange them
like you’d arrange letters on your wooden Scrabble letter holder,
choose your music, and–voila!–produce it. That’s what I did
after my garden club hosted our annual garden seminar on
Saturday.

We didn’t shoot video. But used the photos I took to create one.
It’s at our website at http://www.PortGardenClub.org

You can post your video on your website, and share it on the
social media sites and anywhere else you want to promote next
year’s event.

A free Animoto account will let you produce videos of no more
than 30 seconds. Paid accounts, for as little as $5 a month, let
you produce longer videos, but only for non-commercial use.

Go ahead. Play around with it and see how much fun it is (using
this affiliate link):

http://animoto.com/?ref=obcetdav

=====================================
5. Red-Hot Pinterest
=====================================

Users spend more time on Pinterest, the bulletin board social
media site, than they do on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+
combined, according to a new study.

After I wrote about Pinterest here last week, my email inbox has
been clogged with messages telling me that people, mostly women,
are following me there.

Read more about the study here:
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/usa-social-network-
use_b18798

Read the 10 reasons Pinterest booked 10 million visitors a month
so quickly:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/02/18/10-reasons-
pinterest-booked-10-million-visitors-a-month-so-fast/

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

Have you seen this one of the Dalmation riding a bike? OK, so the
bike has training wheels. But it’s still worth a look.

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

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

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

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

Great content for tweeting:

11 local publicity tips: Start early, pitch often
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10437

Dog Tweets:
Follow these PR rules if
you want to raise some real capital
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10414

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #593 Feb. 7, 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. Lessons from a Speech on Farts

2. Build Your Own Media List

3. Don’t Say This to Journalists

4. No Experience Necessary

5. Free Webinar for Authors

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

=====================================
1. Lessons from a Speech on Farts
=====================================

You can read all the articles and books in the world about
writing a compelling speech.

But none comes close to what you can learn from sixth-grader
Sophie Paterson’s speech about farts.

I usually ignore funny emails, jokes and other trivia people send
to me, but the topic caught my attention and I couldn’t help but
read the newspaper clipping.

The speech competition, which sounds as though the local Rotary
Club in New Zealand sponsored it, featured Sophie in the front of
the room rattling off a Top 10 list of animals that fart the
most. Her younger brother stood nearby, holding up placards that
illustrated what she was explaining.

When I finished reading the article, I was struck by all the
lessons Publicity Hounds can learn from Sophie’s speech, which
won first place.

For example, when you’re writing an article, a blog post, or even
a pitch to journalists, use statistics. (Who knew that the
average person farts 14 times a day, expels a half liter of gas,
or that hydrogen sulphide is the compound that makes them stink?)

I found four other lessons from Sophie’s speech. Read them at my
blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10293 and join the
conversation. What lessons did you learn from the speech?

=================================
2. Build Your Own Media List
=================================

You see those ads all the time from the big companies selling
elephant-size media databases.

“Which of those big expensive lists is the best one to use?” many
Publicity Hounds ask.

Unless you have a lot of PR clients, you don’t need an expensive
database. In fact, those big directories can actually slow your
publicity efforts because you’ll be tempted to send one-size-
fits-all pitches to several dozen outlets at the same time. And
we know how well that works.

I recommend you build your own list from scratch, using a wide
variety of resources, all free, that you can find online.

Yes, it’s a lot of work. But once you’ve created your list–and
done it correctly–it will include golden nuggets of information
that you’ll NEVER find in the big media directories.

That’s because the big directories often get their information by
asking busy journalists to complete a questionnaire. And what’s
on the questionnaire goes into the directory. Problem is, most
journalists never take the time to give thorough answers, and
they don’t include the kinds of valuable details that will really
help you.

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

Here’s the best part. Everyone who registers gets a package of
eight templates, the same ones I use, so you don’t have to start
from scratch.

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

======================================
3. Don’t Say This to Journalists
======================================

When I worked as a newspaper reporter, nothing was more annoying
than interviewing a source, only to have the source ask, after
I’d been taking notes for 20 minutes, “You’re not going to print
any of this, are you?”

That’s just one of dozens of things you should never say to a
journalist.

You can read them all at Quora at
http://www.quora.com/Cultural-Faux-Pas/What-are-some-faux-pas-
when-speaking-to-a-journalist

Quora is the giant website where anyone can ask a question about
any topic (even farts) and anyone can provide the answer.

I was among the 22 people who answered the question, “What are
some faux pas when speaking to a journalist?”

Here’s what I said Publicity Hounds should never do:

“Assume Chris is a woman, Terry is a man, Val is a woman and
Billie is a man. Don’t address a journalist as ‘Dear Mr. Smith’
unless you know for sure he’s a man.”

Also, I said using the word “publicity” in your pitch is
forbidden, as in “Can you give us some good publicity?”

Now that you know what NOT to say, learn WHAT to say. I’ve
explained it in my ebook, “How to be a Kick-butt Publicity
Hound,” a one-stop resource for anyone who’s promoting a product,
service, cause or issue. Read more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity/publicityhound.htm

=====================================
4. No Experience Necessary
=====================================

The quickest path from knowledge to profit is simple. First,
find a system that works. Then take action.

I found a system that’s going to save you years of time and a ton
of money and heartache trying to get your info products to
market. It’s called Make, Market, Launch IT and it works fast.

Creators Pam Hendrickson and Mike Koenigs have a client, Karen
Waksman of San Francisco, who made, marketed and launched a
product in just two weeks–and generated $10k in sales with their
system.

Now Pam and Mike are going to promote her to over 200,000 people
for free.

If you’ve ever considered turning your ideas, advice or knowledge
into a product that you can sell, Make, Market, Launch IT is the
shortest path to profits. Watch this video to see what I mean:
http://makemarketlaunch.com/aff.php?af=1427774&video=4

It doesn’t matter whether you’re starting from scratch or how
much experience you have. Most of their Product Creation Heroes
started with none. Watch their step-by-step tips on how to
package your ideas, knowledge or advice into a product you can
sell, even if you have little or no budget.
http://makemarketlaunch.com/aff.php?af=1427774&video=4

======================================
5. Free Webinar for Authors
======================================

What’s the one thing you need most to get booked as a guest on
the big morning TV shows like the “Today” show?

If you said, “A big PR firm with inside contacts,” you’re wrong.

Even if you did hire a big firm that knew producers at the show,
you’d never get on the air without a compelling topic, and unless
the producers knew you’d make a great segment.

A former NBC producer who booked guests for “Today” and “Dateline
NBC” will explain what it takes to become a regular guest on
national TV and even get offered your own show (think Dr. Phil).

Steve Harrison will interview the producer and explain how to
brand yourself for the media in a way that celebrates your
uniqueness while also separating you from all the other experts
in your field.

You’ll learn about publicity superstars like Jennifer, who became
a regularly featured lifestyle expert on Fox News Channel and the
Early Show, and scored coverage in hundreds of print media
outlets including O the Oprah Magazine, Redbook, US Weekly,
Success and Entrepreneur.

Join Harrison and his other guests for the webinar, “How To
Become A Regular Guest On National TV And Other Secrets Of The
Publicity Superstars,” at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday,
Feb. 9.

If you can’t attend because the times are inconvenient, sign up
anyway and find someone who can listen and take notes for you.
Register at https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/NPS18CallOne/A10011/

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

Great content for tweeting:

Publicity lessons from a first-place speech on farts
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10293

Dog Tweets:
How entrepreneurs decide how to post on
LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10302

Looking for San Francisco biz or
nonprofit to host me March 8-9
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10281

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #592 Jan. 31, 2012
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Valentine’s Day Story Ideas

2. See You in San Francisco

3. Follow Journalists on Facebok

4. Promoting Calendars for Vets

5. Media Lead

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Register at http://thepublishinguniversity.com/

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

I’m back on the speaking circuit!

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

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

The VentureBeat blog has a good explanation of this:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Sophie Wajsman:

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

From Karen Zapp:

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

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

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

From Reece Franklin:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #588 Jan. 3, 2012
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Missing the Publicity Target

2. Embarrassing Online Pressrooms

3. Make Your Bio Fun

4. Twitter Resolutions

5. Promoting a Book Giveaway

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site

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

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

–Leveraging the power of social media, including blogs.

–Generating online publicity.

–Generating publicity in traditional media.

No surprises there.

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

Here’s a sample:

–”Social Media: What a time suck!”

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

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

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

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

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

So where do we go from here?

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

Stay tuned, and hang in there!

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

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

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

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

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

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

–An absence of links to social media profiles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Marcia Yudkin:

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

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

From Maria Mar:

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

From Shawn Hansen:

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

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #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:

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #585 Dec. 13, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. 52 Headline Hacks

2. Heads-Up: Deadline Tonight

3. No-no’s for Nonprofit Publicity

4. Holiday Greetings for Journalists

5. 17 Freebies for Publicity

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://headlinehacks.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Skip the gifts and food trays.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guest blog post:

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #584 Dec. 6, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. OK, What’s Bugging You?

2. Attention Amazon Authors

3. Your Own Amazon URL

4. Twitter Tweekly

5. My Gift to You–It’s Almost Here

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. OK, What’s Bugging You?
=====================================

I can hear it in your voice when you call.

You sound frustrated.

At times, you sound lost, like you’re not quite sure where you’re
going with publicity and social media, and sometimes you’re
unsure that you’re even on the right road.

You’ve got success stories to share with other Publicity Hounds,
but they’re hit or miss.

During those weeks when you’re clicking on all cylinders, you
sometimes stall. And it’s usually so difficult to start back up.
So you plod along, all alone.

There’s a better way. I can help.

But to make sure I know exactly what you’re looking for, I need
your input. So I’m asking you to answer just a few quick
questions at http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

To thank you for your time and input, I’ll give you a $25 gift
certificate good for any Publicity Hound product, as soon as you
finish the last question. Consider this your Deal of the Day.

Go here now: http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

Oh, as an additional “thank you,” I’ll also enter you into a
drawing for one of three $50 Amazon gift cards. Now wouldn’t THAT
be a super-cool treat that would make your holiday shopping a
whole lot easier?

Just make sure you give me your email address, so I can contact
you if you win!

Here are the questions:

http://www.PublicityHoundSurvey.com

The quicker you finish, the quicker you can use your gift
certificate.

=====================================
2. Attention Amazon Authors
=====================================

With so many authors formatting their books for the Kindle, I
want to remind you about Amazon.com’s Author Central.

It’s a page on Amazon just for you, so you can tell them a little
about yourself, promote your expertise, and tell them about your
books. You can list your website addresses, too. But the links
aren’t live. That’s because–duh–Amazon wants you to stay on the
site and buy.

As soon as you sign up for Author Central, you can start adding
content to your page, even though it can take from three to five
days for the page to show up on the site.

You can learn all about Author Central at
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/help

Warning: Authors write some of the dullest, most boring bios on
earth. Don’t you be one of them.

See “Special Report #46: Tips for Rewriting Your Boring Bio.” I
show you how to find great materials for your bio, share examples
of some of the best bios I’ve read, and explain how to
incorporate key events from your childhood that will make your
writing come alive. All for only $10. Order at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport46

======================================
3. Your Own Amazon URL
======================================

Thanks to Publicity Hounds Anne Roos (the Celtic harpist) and Bob
Baker (the indie music PR guy) for tipping us off to this new
Amazon feature that authors will love.

If you sell books on Amazon and you’ve already created a page for
yourself using Amazon’s Author Central (see item above), you can
now have a customized web address or your profile.

A simple URL makes it a lot easier to share the link on your
Facebook page, in a tweet, in your email signature, and on
marketing materials.

You’re limited to only one URL but you can use any combination of
letters, numbers, dashes, periods and underscores.

You’ll find detailed instructions on how to claim it at
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/help?ie=UTF8&topicID=
200799660

=====================================
4. Twitter Tweekly
=====================================

I love the way art marketing expert Alyson Stanfield updates her
blog readers on all the content they’ve been missing if they
don’t read her Twitter feed.

Every Friday, she publishes a post titled “Twitter Tweekly.” It’s
a simple list of her favorite tweets from that week, with links.

I’ve started doing that, too, though I wouldn’t dare steal her
fun title. The list reminds my readers who subscribe to the RSS
feed that they need to follow me on Twitter. It also flags
readers who might have found out about me for the first time by
coming to my blog through one of the search engines.

You can see Alyson’s latest Twitter Tweekly here:
http://www.artbizblog.com/2011/12/tweekly-19.html

Here’s mine:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9838

Notice how the blog promotes Twitter and this newsletter promotes
the blog. If you have a blog and an ezine, there are dozens of
ways you can use them to cross-promote. The blog pulls in
traffic. Once you can capture the reader’s email address, you can
use it to push out your message with an ezine.

That pull-push cycle is an incredibly powerful marketing tool.
Don Crowther explained all the ways you should be using them in
tandem when he was my guest during the teleseminar “How to use
Blogs & Ezines Together to Grow Your Business.” Read more about
it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/blogs_and_ezines.htm

======================================
5. My Gift to You–It’s Almost Here
======================================

How would you like to be able to help your clients, boss and
friends with publicity, and look like a hero when they show up on
the front page of the local business journal or on TV?

Give them my free ebook, “The Best of the Publicity Hound’s Tips
of the Week of 2011.” It’s chock full of more than two dozen
publicity and social media tips that will have their tails
wagging.

Each year, I comb through every item in this newsletter, pluck
out the 24 or more that received the greatest response from
readers, and compile them into an ebook that makes a valuable
holiday gift for Publicity Hounds on your list.

The book will be ready for you on Tuesday, Dec. 20, and you’ll
read about it here. Stay tuned…

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

Dread trimming the tree this year?

You’ll find some inspiration in this video, courtesy of Publicity
Hound Kathleen Mahan of San Juan Capistrano, CA. Watch how these
clever four-legged Hounds trim their own tree. One even climbs up
on a ladder. If they can do it, we two-legged Hounds can do it!

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

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

How to piggyback PR onto top consumer trends for 2012
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9846

Fast Company tips and other tweets from this past week
http://publicityhound.net/?p=9838

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Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound