The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #550 April 12, 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. Journalists’ Trick Questions

2. Cross-promote on Social Media

3. Don’t Upgrade on LinkedIn

4. For Non-fiction Authors Only

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Journalists’ Trick Questions
=====================================

Let’s see how savvy you are when it comes to interviewing with
journalists.

Which of the following would you consider a trick question:

A. “What’s your annual revenue?”

B. “I know you feel uncomfortable commenting on that topic, but
how about telling me off the record?”

C. “What’s the worst business mistake you’ve ever made, and what
have you learned from it?”

Take a minute and actually write your answer on a piece of paper.
A, B or C, or any combination of the above?

As a former journalist, I’ve asked those three questions many
times.

Now, go to my blog to find out whether you’re correct:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8208

======================================
2. Cross-promote on Social Media
======================================

Now that you’re on a variety of social media sites, do your
friends, followers and fans know where to find you on other
sites?

Let’s say that after searching online for information, they end
up on one of your YouTube videos. Do you have a YouTube channel
that explains where they can find you on LinkedIn and Facebook?

Linking to the channel is easy. But, too often, we forget to
link from it. On my YouTube channel, I include links to several
social media sites from the sub-head that says, “About Me”:
http://www.youtube.com/publicityhound

I’m also revisiting my Google profile and adding links to social
media sites, like Quora, that I’ve added in the last few months.

Those are only two of 13 ways I cross-promote on the social media
sites. Read about the other 11 at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8176

=====================================
3. Don’t Upgrade on LinkedIn
=====================================

In some LinkedIn groups, members are discussing whether it’s
worth it to upgrade to the paid version of LinkedIn.

The concensus is that unless you’re a recruiter, or you’re using
the site for a very active job search, it isn’t worth it to pay.

LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth says LinkedIn has enough other
features, like the ability to ask for an introduction, that let
you do just about anything other than having direct access to
more people.

When he was my guest on a webinar last month, he demonstrated
several ways to use the Advanced Search feature to find sales
leads within minutes. And he explained what to do with those
leads once you have them.

Regardless of your industry, if you’re not using Advanced Search,
you’re leaving money on the table. Learn more about what Wayne
taught, and how you can access the video replay and all the
materials we covered during the webinar at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

=====================================
4. For Non-fiction Authors Only
=====================================

Have you ever wondered why some authors make a fortune while so
many others with equally good books always seem to struggle
financially?

Would you like to make a whole lot more from your own non-fiction
book(s), without a lot of work or expense?

After working with 9,300+ authors over the last 20 years, Steve
Harrison knows that rich authors simply do seven key things
differently than poor authors.

Some are very famous bestsellers, like the creators of the
Chicken Soup for the Soul series and Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Others are happily not so famous but quietly raking in high six-
figure and even seven-figure annual incomes without ever being on
Oprah or hitting any bestseller list.

To learn what rich authors know that poor authors don’t, join
Steve for a free 75-minute telephone seminar this Thursday, April
14, at your choice of two times: 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. Eastern.

There’s no cost to participate in the call, except for your
normal long distance charges. I’m a compensated affiliate.
Register here:

http://www.freepublicity.com/richauthorsecrets/?10011

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

Matthew Bivens of Gainesville, FL, writes:

“I work at a startup company called Fracture at
http://www.FractureMe.com, which gives people an innovative way
to print, mount and display their personal photographs. Send us a
photo and we’ll print it on a pane of shatter-proof glass.

“We’ve been in business a little over a year, and we’ve received
press from various news and media outlets (both local and
national), and our product has been pretty well received. For
example, a TechCrunch blog post back in October 2010 drove in
hundreds of orders in a matter of hours–a huge leap from the 10
to 20 orders per day we were seeing at the time.

“We’ve had other media coverage here and there, but we have yet
to see real sustained growth. All of our focus is currently on
sales and marketing, and we’d love any advice you or your readers
can give as to different cost-effective strategies a startup can
use to gain exposure and spread the word.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Hounds, keep this in mind for all your dog photos, too!

Take a minute and post your best marketing ideas for Matthew at
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=8200

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Meryl K. Evans of Plano, Texas, for
tipping us off to this journal of 16 photos of authors and their
dogs. They were taken by Jill Krementz, who says these top dogs
“over the years have wagged their tails into my photographs…and
into my heart.”

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/205235

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

13 ways to cross-promote on social media sites
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8176

Beware of journalists’ trick questions during an interview
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8208

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #545 March 15, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. How to Make Facebook Easier

2. 31 Definitions of PR

3. LinkedIn: Perpetual Leads Machine

4. Use Sizzling Statistics

5. Free Twitter Bird Icons

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. How to Make Facebook Easier
=====================================

If you’re like me, you want to throw your coffee cup through the
computer monitor when you can’t figure out how to do something on
Facebook.

Why do more than 200 million people use that site, then, if it’s
so darn complicated?

Several reasons:

–Many kids, who grew up with computers and practically live on
Facebook, are patient enough to figure out all the nuances.

–Many users have Facebook accounts, but they aren’t really
active on the site because it’s too confusing. So that 200
million figure is a bit deceiving.

–Business owners, like me, use Facebook primarily for business
because we know a lot of people in our target markets are there.
We also understand the value of creating fan pages and using a
powerful “welcome” page that encourages visitors to give us their
email addresses.

That’s worth putting up with all the aggravating changes that
Facebook makes every six months or so.

The most recent batch of changes, introduced last month, offers
opportunities galore for businesses, nonprofits and government
agencies to solidify their brand.

But some of the changes are more important than others. And
trying to understand all of them at the same time can make you
crazy.

My virtual assistant, Christine Buffaloe, who manages Facebook
accounts for many of her clients, is joining me this afternoon
for a webinar on “12 More Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on
the New & Improved Facebook.” It’s at 4 p.m. Eastern Time and we
have a few seats left.

We’ll explain only what we think you need to know so you aren’t
overwhelmed, and we’ll tell you about the two things you should
no longer be doing with Facebook.

You may have heard lots of people buzzing about another new
Facebook feature. But we aren’t using it, and we’ll explain why.

You’ll learn about a new tool we discovered that will help you
find other people’s fan pages where you can post helpful content
to their walls, talk directly to their thousands of fans, and get
a link back to your own fan page–without spamming.

Register here, even if the time is inconvenient for you, because
I’m recording it, and I’ll send you the replay link and all the
handouts:

http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/facebook12ways.htm

======================================
2. 31 Definitions of PR
======================================

Here’s one of my favorite explanations of the difference between
public relations, marketing, promotion and advertising:

“If the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying
‘Circus Coming to the Fairgrounds Saturday,’ that’s advertising.
If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into
town, that’s promotion. If the elephant walks through the
mayor’s flowerbed, that’s publicity. And if you get the mayor to
laugh about it, that’s public relations.”

Now that you know what public relations is, how do PR people
explain what they do?

You’ll find 31 definitions of PR at Heidi Cohen’s blog at
http://heidicohen.com/public-relations-definition/

Fascinating reading.

=====================================
3. LinkedIn: Perpetual Leads Machine
=====================================

Few social media sites will keep working for you 24/7, even when
you’re asleep.

But LinkedIn will. Let’s say you’re looking for journalists who
live within a 100-mile radius of Chicago.

You plug in the details of what you’re looking for and click.
After you review the results, you can save your search.

Here’s the best part: You can tell LinkedIn to send you an email
weekly or monthly to notify you if a new journalist who meets
your search criteria has been found in your network (including
Levels 1, 2 and 3 and Groups.) You can keep up to three searches
in a free account.

It’s a perpetual leads generator. LinkedIn expert Wayne
Breitbarth recommends getting on the phone as soon as you see
that someone new has become part of your network. Set up a
meeting. It could be a home run.

Read more about what Wayne taught recently during my webinar,
“Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer Contacts, Pull
Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry & Track Down Leads
Like a Bloodhound.”

I recorded the webinar and you can download the video replay, the
MP3 and all the handouts at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

=====================================
4. Use Sizzling Statistics
=====================================

The next time you write a press release or a pitch, think of a
clever way you can introduce sizzling statistics to really
attract attention.

Brad Phillips uses them all the time. He publishes the Mr. Media
Training Blog, which offers daily media and presentation training
tips. And he wrote a super guest blog post for me with five
examples of how to make boring numbers come alive.

For example, percentages, he says, are a drag on your copy.

“Instead of proclaiming that your plant’s new energy efficient
manufacturing equipment will cut your company’s carbon footprint
by 35 percent, tell your audience what that means. Does your new
efficiency mean that you will save 20,000 barrels of oil this
year? Say so!”

Read the other four tips and leave a comment about how you used
statistics. Go to http://publicityhound.net/?p=7994

======================================
5. Free Twitter Bird Icons
======================================

Looking for some attractive Twitter icons to place at your blog
or website or use on your marketing materials?

You can download an entire set of six incredibly cute birds, some
with their “Follow Me” and “Tweet About Us” signs. Kudos to Gopal
Raju of Convax Solutions for offering these under Creative
Commons, which means you can freely use them for your private and
commercial projects, including software, online service,
templates and themes.

Smart Publicity Hounds can also use them in online media rooms
and press kits.

Grab ‘em now at
http://www.productivedreams.com/free-twitter-bird-icon-set/

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

A police dog responds to an ad for work with the FBI.

“Well,” says the personnel director, “you’ll have to meet some
strict requirements. First, you must type at least 60 words per
minute.”

Sitting down at the computer, the dog types 80 words per minute.

“Also,” says the director, “you must pass a physical and complete
the obstacle course.”

This perfect dog specimen finishes the course in record time.

“There’s one last requirement,” the director continues. “You must
be bilingual.”

With confidence, the dog looks up at him and says, “Meow!”

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 Promote Events on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn
http://publicityhound.net/?p=8006

Why statistics can be your greatest PR ally–or enemy
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7994

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #545 March 8, 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. Don’t Fight Facebook

2. LinkedIn Sleuthing

3. Wanted: Milk Mustache Stars

4. Publicity Hound Charlie Sheen

5. What’s Your Klout Score?

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Don’t Fight Facebook
=====================================

Just when I start feeling comfortable with the latest round of
changes to Facebook, along comes another series of new features
that throw me into a tailspin.

For example, I voluntarily converted to the new format rather
than waiting until later this month when everyone will be forced
to convert. But that places an ugly photo ribbon right at the top
of my fan page.

That’s prime real estate, darn it!

Most of the photo ribbons I’ve seen on other people’s pages
include a series of five unrelated photos that show fan page
owners posing with people they’ve met at events. The photos are
usually poorly cropped, too dark, or so small that people looking
at the page can’t identify who’s in the photo.

Nor do they care.

But I’ve figured out a way to manipulate that photo ribbon so I
use it to promote my business and bring visitors to my website,
blog, Twitter profile and even product pages–without being
obnoxious.

You can check it out by going to
http://www.Facebook.com/publicitytips

While you’re there, click on the Like button at the top of the
page. Then click on each of the five photos and see what happens.

Knowing how to use the photo ribbon to help your visitors and to
promote–and understanding what you can do with all the other new
Facebook features–will give you incredible power that you never
knew you had.

Three years ago, when I hosted the webinar “11 Ways to Avoid
Missed Opportunities on Facebook,” Christine Buffaloe, my virtual
assistant, walked participants through Facebook and demonstrated
how to use the site to attract friends and fans, join the
conversation, find your target audience and make people love you.

But that was three years ago. So much has changed on Facebook
that some of the strategies we recommended back then can actually
waste hours of your precious time due to the numerous changes on
Facebook.

I’ve fielded so many questions about Facebook’s new look and
navigation that Chris and I are hosting a webinar at 4 p.m.
Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 15. It’s called “12 More Ways to
Avoid Missed Opportunities on the New & Improved Facebook.”

If you participated three years ago, or you’re confused by any
aspect of Facebook, you owe it to yourself to take this crash
course to learn about the new tools and how to use them to
promote your expertise.

We’re even going to be sharing a cool new tool I discovered that
will help you find other people’s fan pages where you can post
helpful content to their walls, talk directly to their thousands
of fans, and get a link back to your own fan page–without
spamming.

Register here, even if the time is inconvenient for you because
I’m recording it, and I’ll send you the replay link and all the
handouts:

http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/facebook12ways.htm

======================================
2. LinkedIn Sleuthing
======================================

Last week, I explained how LinkedIn’s Advanced Search Feature
serves as your own Lt. Columbo and helps you track down important
people with whom you want to connect.

But here’s the best part.

Advanced Search can deliver to you a long list of purchasing
managers, event planners, journalists, bloggers, publishers, or
other business people in almost any industry who you’d like to
meet–within just a few seconds.

Let’s say you need only names of people with a certain job title,
in a certain state, and within a 50-mile radius of a certain zip
code. Lt. Columbo can deliver that, too.

Once you see the list of results, then what do you do? One answer
is to choose someone from that list who’s a second- or third-
level connection, and then look for people who are connected to
you and to them. Ask the mutual connection to introduce you.

But what if you have no mutual connections? And what if the list
includes someone identified only by first name and last initial?
Then what do you do?

Wayne Breitbarth, who was the expert guest last week on my
webinar, “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer
Contacts, Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry &
Track Down Leads Like a Bloodhound,” shared a sneaky little trick
that can let you penetrate even big companies and go directly to
the decision-maker you need even if you aren’t connected to them
yet on LinkedIn.

I recorded the webinar and you get download the video replay, the
MP3 and all the handouts at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

=====================================
3. Wanted: Milk Mustache Stars
=====================================

If you know a wholesome teen-age girl who would be the perfect
spokesperson to promote milk, tell her that she could one of the
next stars of the “got milk?” ads–complete with the signature
milk mustache.

Seventeen magazine is looking for nine teen-agers for its
campaign.

Joining these kinds of contests, by the way, is great training
for publicity puppies who might want to become full-fledged
Publicity Hounds when they grow up.

Send your publicity pups to my blog to learn more about this:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7956

=====================================
4. Publicity Hound Charlie Sheen
=====================================

Ideas for piggybacking your story idea onto the Charlie Sheen
drama:

–Parenting experts, how would you advise the parents of the two
goddesses living with Charlie? Should mom or dad try to talk some
sense into their daughters, or is it beyond too late? (I often
ask myself, where are these girls’ mothers?)

–Addiction experts, what’s your advice to alcoholics or drug
addicts who might think they “aren’t as bad as Charlie”?

–Teachers, how are impressionable kids responding to the
publicity stunts? And what are you telling them?

–Write an article on “5 Things Charlie Sheen Can Teach You About
(fill in the blank)”

Can’t think of an idea that ties into Charlie? How about stealing
an idea from “116 WOW Story Ideas from January through June” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JanIdeas.htm

======================================
5. What’s Your Klout Score?
======================================

Klout is quickly becoming one of the most popular tools for
measuring your influence online and in social media circles.

Go to http://www.Klout.com. Type your Twitter handle into the
box and hit “View.”

Now, go through the same process for your competitors and see how
your score compares to theirs.

Your score will fluctuate a little from one day to the next, so
return periodically and check it.

Today, my score is 60 and I’m working like crazy to improve it.

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

This video, about three and a half minutes, has had more than 2
million views on YouTube. It features an exercise instructor who
looks like a poodle and her obedient students–a pack of poodles
that look like the exercise instructor.

Is this an optical illusion? How do think they made this look so
lifelike? It starts slow, but stay with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdX_OBUeHb4

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

Girls, you could be the next Milk Mustache star
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7956

Publicity Hounds are still posting dozens of comments to my piece
on whether to accept a journalist’s invitation for an email
interview:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7900

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #543 March 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. LinkedIn: Your Own Lt. Columbo

2. More Facebook & Twitter Followers

3. Email Interviews with Reporters

4. For Authors & Publishers Only

5. Promoting a BBQ Restaurant

6. Hound Quote of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. LinkedIn: Your Own Lt. Columbo
=====================================

Stop waiting for your ideal customers and clients to invite you
to connect with them on LinkedIn.

Go find them.

LinkedIn’s Advanced Search feature is like having your own Lt.
Columbo right at your fingertips.

And it could very well be the most powerful feature on the
world’s largest business networking site. If you know how to
search correctly, your efforts just might lead you to a company
that’s looking for what you’re selling.

Wayne Breitbarth, who sells office furniture in Milwaukee, told
me two amazing stories about the power of Advanced Search.

His company used it to track down a Milwaukee company that needs
to buy a truckload of office furniture. One thing led to another,
and now Wayne’s company is vying with one other vendor for the
contract, thanks to LinkedIn.

In another instance, one of Wayne’s friends who sells promotional
items was trying to get into a sizable company in the Madison
area for years but direct mail and phone calls proved futile.

Using LinkedIn’s Advanced Search function, Wayne was able to
track down the correct department that was looking for vendors.
But who within that department was the right person to contact?

Advanced Search to the rescue once again. He found the right
person, and his friend was able to submit a bid for a $1 million
contract.

Wayne has become such an expert on LinkedIn, that he’ll be
speaking at Inc. magazine’s Growco conference in Las Vegas in
April.

He’s also agreed to demonstrate how to use Advanced Search, and
many other LinkedIn features, when he’s my guest during a webinar
at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 3.

It’s called “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer
Contacts, Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry &
Track Down Leads Like a Bloodhound.” His handouts include 12 ways
to use LinkedIn to promote live or virtual events.

Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what else
you’ll learn, at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

======================================
2. More Facebook & Twitter Followers
======================================

During Thursday’s LinkedIn webinar, I’m going to share a trick I
discovered last week on my own.

It started with a wild idea on how I can use LinkedIn to attract
more Twitter followers and Facebook fans.

It worked like a charm. I saw a nice little bump in the number of
people who are now following me on both of those sites.

Here’s the best part. I’ve figured out a way to make sure this
task doesn’t take more than about 10 seconds of my time each when
I use it.

I ran it by Wayne Breitbarth and he loved it!

You will too. But I’m sharing it only with people who sign up for
the webinar.

Register here:
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

=====================================
3. Email Interviews with Reporters
=====================================

The blog post I wrote yesterday on whether to accept invitations
from journalists who want to interview you by email resulted in
more comments to my blog than I can ever remember.

Would you allow a reporter, editor or freelancer to send you a
list of questions, then include your email responses in an
article, without every talking to the interviewer on the phone?

Take a minute and really think about your answer.

Then go to my blog and see if your decision is the right one:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7900

Tell me in the comments section if you think I’m wrong.

=====================================
4. For Authors & Publishers Only
=====================================

Want to find out how one author made her book an Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble and New York Times Bestseller?

Join my friend, Steve Harrison, tomorrow, March 2, for a free
webinar (or telephone seminar) and discover the ingenious, yet
simple “bestseller blueprint” you can use to sell more books in a
week than most authors sell all year.

You’ll hear from four authors who’ve used it to make their books
bestsellers and one who sold $184,256.00 of copies at zero cost!

To register go here now:
http://www.bestsellerblueprintcall.com/?10011

I’m promoting this call as a compensated affiliate because I get
a glut of phone calls from authors who can’t park in their
garages that are filled with cardboard boxes of books they can’t
unload.

======================================
5. Promoting a BBQ Restaurant
======================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have advice for Michael Smith
of Philadelphia. Michael’s brother owns a BBQ restaurant for
take-out and delivery only and needs ideas on how to market it to
people in the Philadelphia area. The motto, emblazoned on T-
shirts and the menus, is “Dig the Pig!”

From Debbie Gioquindo:

“Claim your business on FourSquare and offer some promotions with
the badges. Also create a Facebook page, and post promotions and
specials daily. You can even target clientele in your small
target area. Follow that with a Twitter account to begin to
create relationships with the neighborhood.”

From Dale Hutchings:

“Sponsor a contest to name the pig.”

From Ron Wood:

“Send your discount offer to the editors of (local) publications.
I was an editor for a long time and was always looking for a way
to help my readers.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Here are my two ideas. First, make sure local Harley Owners
Groups (HOGS) know about the “Name the Pig” contest.

Then, get your restaurant onto Yelp. It’s a review site, where
people post reviews of local restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc.

Don’t solicit good reviews because that’s against Yelp’s Terms of
Service. Rather, let customers know you’re on Yelp. Put “See us
on Yelp” on receipts, flyers, signs near the cash register, etc.

Yelp is one of “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live or Virtual
Events to Reach Your Target Market & Pull Sell-out Crowds.” It’s
a video recording of a wildly popular webinar I hosted a few
months ago that packed the virtual house. Learn more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/events.htm

======================================
6. Hound Quote of the Week
======================================

I talk to him when I’m lonesome like,
and I’m sure he understands.

When he looks at me so attentively,
and gently licks my hands

Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
but I never say naught thereat.

For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
but never a friend like that.”

–Author W. Dayton Wedgefarth

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

Authors, the media don’t care about your books
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7886

Use LinkedIn to attract more fans on Twitter, Facebook
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7895

Email interview with journalists? Yes or no?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7900

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #543 Feb. 15, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Quick, Upgrade Your FB Fan Page

2. Pesky Facebook Birthday Greetings

3. The Power of LinkedIn Groups

4. You Don’t Need this for Publicity

5. Tips for Hounds with Disabilities

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Quick, Upgrade Your FB Fan Page
=====================================

If you’re using a Facebook Fan Page to brand your business, as
every savvy Publicity Hound should, do yourself and your fans a
favor and upgrade to the new layout.

Here’s a recap of what’s new:

–The tabs are gone. Navigation is now where people expect to
find it–on the left, under their profile photos.

–You now have the flexibility to interact with the other areas
of Facebook as a Page, or as a person. To do that, go to Account
in the upper right corner and click on the drop-down arrow to
“Switch back to…” This toggle lets you decide if you want to
comment on other people’s pages under your own name, or under the
name of your Fan page. Commenting under the name of your Fan
Page could pull people back to your own Page.

–Get notifications when fans interact with your Page or posts.
You can see activity from the Pages you like in your news feed.
You can “Like” other Pages and feature them on your Page.

–You have new Settings. You can set defaults for your email
notifications and how you post to your Page–as yourself or your
Page. You can also select which featured Pages appear in the left
column.

–The most recent photos that you post to your Wall, or photos
that you tag your Page in, will appear at the top of the Page. To
hide a photo, roll over it and click X. I don’t like this change
because photos junk up the Page and claim prime real estate.
Please, Facebook, give us the power of making these photos go
away. Until that happens, I’m going to make the photos that
appear at the top of my page more interesting by including more
interesting photos in the content I post to my Fan Page Wall.

Facebook is rolling out the new look right now and you’ll
eventually be forced to convert to the new format next month. But
don’t wait. Do it now.

======================================
2. Pesky Facebook Birthday Greetings
======================================

I’m re-evaluating everything I do on Facebook, including sending
birthday greetings that once were cool but are quickly losing
their luster.

So I asked my Facebook fans if they still send birthday
greetings.

What a response!

Several fans suggested clever ways to make your birthday greeting
really stand out from the hundreds of others. Somebody even
commented that she doesn’t have her real birthday listed on
Facebook. I don’t either. Why make it easy for thieves to steal
my identity?

Go to my Fan Page and take a look. The post is the second from
the top.

If you’re not a fan yet, you first must “Like” my Page. Do that
by clicking on the thumb-up “Like” box on the right side, near
the top.

http://www.Facebook.com/publicitytips

Please join in the conversation and tell me if I’m wrong.

=====================================
3. The Power of LinkedIn Groups
=====================================

With a few exceptions, the Groups function on Facebook has proven
to be a time-waster if you’re using Groups primarily to promote
your expertise and your business.

That’s because Groups have turned into a haven for spammers.
Unless a Facebook Group is really serving your needs, you’d be
wise to spend the majority of your time on your Fan Page.

Not so on LinkedIn.

Wayne Breitbarth, an expert on how to use the world’s top
business networking site, says his research shows that LinkedIn
users rate Groups as the second most important part of LinkedIn.
(People-searching is rated the most useful function.)

Groups are very easy to join, and Wayne recommends that you join
several DOZEN. That’s right, as in 40 or 50 (the limit). Here’s
why:

–It will be easy for people to find you.

–Joining Groups in which your customers, suppliers or vendors
hang out is a way to connect, answer questions and share
expertise and resources.

–You can promote an event you’re hosting to a group of people
who have the same interests, even if they aren’t connected to
you. I get lots of LinkedIn invitations from people who I meet in
Groups.

Still need convincing? Join Wayne and me for a webinar on March 3
on “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer Contacts,
Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry & Track Down
Leads Like a Bloodhound.”

Inc. magazine is so impressed with Wayne that the magazine has
invited him to speak at its Growco conference April 6-8 in Las
Vegas.

Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what you’ll
find on the killer handouts, at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

Time conflict? Sign up anyway. I’ll send you the link for the
video replay and all the downloads.

=====================================
4. You Don’t Need This for Publicity
=====================================

Authors, speakers, experts and business owners who try to get
booked on big TV talk shows or into major newspapers and
magazines–and fail–mistakenly think it’s because they don’t
have one of these three things:

–A pretty face. They see drop-dead gorgeous TV talk show hosts
and think they have to look that good, too, just to be invited
onto the set. Wrong.

–A college degree or fancy credentials. Nope.

–An expensive publicist. A good one can cost more than $2,000 a
month. (Who has that kind of money?)

Many experts who get booked repeatedly don’t have any of those
things. In almost every field, there are people who are very good
at getting publicity.

The media loves them and they’re regularly on radio/TV shows and
featured in print publications. They not only get a ton of free
publicity but they also know how to really profit from the media
coverage through increased sales, name recognition, speaking
engagements and more.

To discover how these “publicity superstars” do it and how you,
too, can get more coverage using their strategies, join Steve
Harrison, this Thursday, Feb. 17, for a free webinar (or
teleseminar if you prefer):

http://www.freepublicity.com/superstars/?10011

P.S. Even though the call is free, I’m a compensated affiliate if
you buy any of Steve’s products or services.

======================================
5. Tips for Hounds with Disabilities
======================================

This week, two Publicity Hounds have tips on how Judith Bron of
Spring Valley, NY, who is blind, can deal with the problem of
typing letters into a captcha box when she wants to create a
social media account.

From Christine Buffaloe:

“I just did a Google search and found this posting:

“Making Facebook Accessible for Everyone, at
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=71852922130, then leads to
another article as well:

“Accessibility and Assistive Technology at
http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=440

From Raghava Satish:

After giving specific instructions on how to install a Firefox
plug-in, Raghava says:

“I am also blind, and if you would like to know more about
accessible social networks, visit this site
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com which is an accessible social
network website for people with visual challenges. Here, people
share software, books and music.”

Read the comments at my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7772

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

Meet Chaser, the border collie that knows 1,022 words and can
find objects by name.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41489081/ns/today-
today_pets_and_animals/?gt1=43001

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

Why LinkedIn Groups put Facebook Groups to shame
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7839

6 ways to romance journalists with your pitch
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7817

9 ways to connect with LinkedIn pals who change jobs
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7810

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #541 Feb. 8, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Your LinkedIn Power Formula

2. Washington Post Book Reviews

3. How to Avoid Corrections

4. If “Good Morning America” Calls

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Quote of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Your LinkedIn Power Formula
=====================================

When someone on LinkedIn types keywords into the search box to
find someone with your expertise, how close to the top of the
list will your profile appear?

That depends. One very important factor is whether others have
recommended you on LinkedIn.

Recommendations are the only outside verification of the
information you have provided in your profile. Also, words
included in the recommendations are keyword searchable.

LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth says it’s imperative that you
collect recommendations that are specific and strategic. But to
get them, you don’t always have to ask. There are other ways to
generate them, and they’re part of Wayne’s three-part LinkedIn
formula that he shares with audiences as he travels throughout
the U.S.

I’ve been reading and applying his tips for several months and
invited him to be my guest during a webinar March 3. It’s called
“Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer Contacts, Pull
Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry & Track Down Leads
Like a Bloodhound.”

Inc. Magazine has invited Wayne to speak at their Growco
conference, April 6-8 in Las Vegas.

By the way, he isn’t one of the big social media “gurus.” He
sells office furniture not far from me in Wisconsin. But he’s
become such an expert on how to use LinkedIn strategically that I
want you to see him in action.

LinkedIn isn’t the same social media site you might have joined
three years ago. It has a variety of new apps, features and tools
that can quickly put you in front of the most influential people
in your industry. Wayne will explain how.

Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what you’ll
find in the killer handouts at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm

======================================
2. Washington Post Book Reviews
======================================

Good news for authors.

The Washington Post has divided its Sunday Arts & Style section
into two new sections.

In the Arts section, the newspaper is adding one additional
review of an arts-related book. In the Style section, it will be
adding one additional review of a pop culture book.

The Post has added other new features, too. Read about all of
them at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2011/01/13/AR2011011303449.html

Authors, don’t rely only on print publicity for your books.
“Special Report #40: 42 Publicity Tips for Authors and Small
Publishers” will give you ideas galore for reaching your target
market. Only $10. Order at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-
products/reports.html#SpecialReport42

=====================================
3. How to Avoid Corrections
=====================================

The next time you’re ready to send a press release, post an
article to an online directory or publish a blog post, make sure
it’s error-free.

Mistakes are a bigger problem than you might think. The Sheboygan
Press in Wisconsin, where I worked as the editor, says at its
website that one-third of the corrections it prints are due to
incorrect information in press releases and from sources. One
third!

Here are six tips on how to avoid corrections:

–Ask someone else to proofread your work. Every editor needs an
editor.

–Tell your proofreader to actually call the telephone numbers
that appear in the release, and type website URLs into a browser
window to make sure they are correct.

–Make sure dates are consistent. If the date of an event is Feb.
12 in the headline, is it Feb. 12 in the body copy?

–Don’t rely on spell-check. If it’s supposed to be “their,” and
the release says “there,” spell-check won’t catch it.

–Double-check the spelling of all names.

–Use the Associated Press Stylebook, the essential tool
journalists use to determine things like the correct names of
government agencies, whether certain words should be capitalized,
and when names of groups should be abbreviated, like AARP.

What if you learn you’ve erred AFTER you’ve sent your press
release? Read more about corrections at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7782

=====================================
4. If “Good Morning America” Calls
=====================================

Do you remember every pitch you’ve emailed or called in to
journalists the last 12 months? What about the last 3 months?

Of course you don’t.

But if a guest booker for “Good Morning America” calls this
afternoon and asks for more details regarding the pitch you
emailed her in July, you’d better be ready. I’ve heard of
Publicity Hounds getting calls up to two years after delivering a
pitch.

On Thursday, Feb. 10, Steve Harrison will host a free 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 free
call at one of two times-2 or 7 p.m. Eastern Time–at
http://www.tvpublicityteleseminar.com/?10011

If you can’t make the call, recruit somebody to take notes for
you. (I’m a compensated affiliate.)

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

Judith Bron of Spring Valley, NY, writes:

“I’m not the only blind person in the world, nor am I the only
one who doesn’t have a Facebook account.

“However, I wouldn?t mind having Facebook and Twitter accounts or
an active LinkedIn account. The problem is that whenever I go to
these sites, I’m asked to identify something visually. Like the
deaf can?t hear, the blind can’t see. What can be done with
social networking sites to make them accessible to everyone?

“And does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get around
this problem?”

The Publicity Hound says:

With tens of millions of people using these sites, I’m surprised
there isn’t a way around the captcha problem. Hounds, do you have
ideas for Judith? If so, post them to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7772

======================================
6. Hound Quote of the Week
======================================

To err is human, to forgive, canine.

–Unknown

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

Hear my business blogging tips Feb. 16 in Milwaukee
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7757

6 ways to avoid errors in press releases, blog posts
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7782

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #540 Feb. 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. How to Find a Missing Fan Page

2. LinkedIn Correction

3. Blizzard Story Ideas

4. Remember the Meteorologists

5. Media Lead: Big Butts

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. How to Find a Missing Fan Page
=====================================

If your Facebook Fan Page disappeared tomorrow, taking with it
all your valuable content and hundreds or thousands of fans, what
would you do?

I’ve been writing about my Fan Page nightmare for several weeks,
poring over suggestions on how to find the elusive Page, and
connecting with social media experts to ask their advice.

Facebook was of no help whatsoever. And it was only through my
social media connections that I was able to finally find Dave
Kerpen who earned his wings in Social Media Heaven by solving my
problem.

Now that it’s over, I want to help you avoid the many sleepless
nights I had the last few months. Had I known then what I know
now, I could have found the Page on my own.

I also could have enlisted the help of a PR agency to contact
Facebook on my behalf. But you don’t need a big budget to find a
missing Fan Page.

You’ll find five tips at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7720

======================================
2. LinkedIn Correction
======================================

One of the things I love about social media is the instant whack
on the head you get when you screw up badly.

But after somebody knocks you down, you can stand up, brush
yourself off and get on with it.

One of my LinkedIn connections whacked me, rightly so, when she
pointed out a really dumb mistake I made a few weeks go–one that
you may have made, too, after reading about it here.

I wrote a blog post about the clever LinkedIn headline I created
for my profile: “#1 Publicity Expert on Google. President, The
Publicity Hound. Call me at 262-284-7451 & ask how I can help
you?

But she said that the phone number in the headline violates
LinkedIn Terms of Service. Indeed. So I removed it.

LinkedIn says you cannot “Include information in your profile or
elsewhere, except in designated fields, that reveals your
identity or sensitive personal information such as an email
address, phone number or address or is confidential in nature.”

I’d link to the long list of other do’s and don’ts, but the Terms
of Service prohibit users from deep-linking into the site.

After I published the blog post, I wrote about it in last week’s
newsletter, then tweeted it, and then it appeared on my Facebook
Fan Page. That means I need to set the record straight in each of
those places, and here.

So if you followed my lead, correct it. Or risk having your
LinkedIn account suspended temporarily (I’m told they seldom
suspend it permanently).

=====================================
3. Blizzard Story Ideas
=====================================

The blizzard that’s making its way from the Rockies to New
England is creating havoc for travelers and commuters. But it’s
an ideal opportunity for Publicity Hounds to promote a product,
service, cause or issue that ties into the snowstorm.

Piggyback onto the weather by sharing tips, Good Samaritan
stories, videos, photos and other content.

I posted a note to my Facebook Face Page this morning that
includes five story ideas that tie into what could be the worst
snowstorm of the decade, according to the National Weather
Service.

A few fans added their own terrific ideas. Take a look:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/publicity-and-public-relations-
tips-ideas-and-strategies/5-story-ideas-to-pitch-about-the-
blizzard-can-you-add-more/10150391837205323

“Special Report #37: How to Tie Your Product, Service, Cause or
Issue to the Weather” is one of 52 reports chock full of tips on
how to convince traditional media and bloggers to tell your
story–a steal at $10 each. See them all at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

=====================================
4. Remember the Meteorologists
=====================================

This three-day blizzard is the kind of weather that TV
meteorologists live for, so they probably won’t have time to
listen to your pitch. So call the news department.

But on any other ho-hum day when it’s partly cloudy and 50
degrees, and the five-day forecast calls for much of the same,
don’t forget the weather guys and gals.

If you can tie your story idea to the weather, even boring
weather, you could score a publicity hit.

For example, a psychologist could talk about the long-term
effects of cloudy weather and how it affects our moods. Tie the
weather to an upcoming holiday or the first day of winter,
spring, summer or fall, and you could score again.

Those are some of the tips that Shawne Duperon and I brainstormed
during the teleseminar we hosted called “116 WOW Story Ideas from
January Through June.” Read about it, and the handout that
accompanies the audio, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JanIdeas.htm

======================================
5. Media Lead: Big Butts
======================================

I can’t help it. I just have to share this with you after I
learned about it on Twitter.

From Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News:

“Has anyone authored any books on America’s current preoccupation
with booties, or given much thought as to what’s behind all the
Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian phenomena? I’m on a tight
deadline, so please e-mail me your thoughts directly. Contact:
Jenice Armstrong at heyjen@phillynews.com”

Note: It’s Jenice, Not Janice. And she’s a woman.

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Kerry Hargraves of Oakland, Calif., for
this one:

Little Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while
his father was trying to read in the den.

The family dog was lying in the den, and as the screeching sounds
of little Harold’s violin reached the dog’s ears, he began to
howl loudly. The father listened to the dog and the violin as
long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the
floor and yelled above the noise, “For Pete’s sake, can’t you
play something the dog doesn’t know?”

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

5 things to do if your Facebook Fan Page disappears
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7720

Help me with a creative wager for the Super Bowl
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7746

5 ways to spark more comments at your blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7708

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #540 Jan. 25, 2011
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Whom to Pitch: Blogs or Press?

2. The Feature Facebook Forgot

3. Your LinkedIn Headline

4. Why Your Book Isn’t Done Yet

5. Explain Your Awards

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Whom to Pitch: Blogs or Press?
=====================================

I’ll bet you’ve found yourself in this quandary:

You have a great story idea, but you have a decision to make. Do
you pitch it to traditional media, or to bloggers?

There’s no right answer. It depends on the story idea, your
target market, and a variety of other factors.

The next time you face this decision, read the thorough summary
of the pros and cons of pitching the press vs. bloggers from
David Spinks, at the Social Fresh blog at
http://socialfresh.com/pitching-bloggers-mainstream-media-or-
both/

Here’s a quick recap:

Blogs will help you reach a more targeted but smaller audience.
Less popular bloggers are more accessible.

Bloggers can sway their audiences much easier than traditional
media, because people trust them more. But, because they publish
far less frequently, you may have to wait awhile before they
finally use your idea.

Traditional media are generally far less accessible. Because your
audience isn’t targeted, you can see a boost in website traffic
that levels off over time. But a story in USA Today, or even your
local weekly newspaper, can give you instant credibility.

My advice: Use both.

Don’t forget to research before you pitch, however. I wrote a
lengthy comment under David’s blog post that underscores the
importance of research.

One of the best ways to increase the chances of being covered is
to piggyback your story idea onto breaking news. Michelle
Tennant, a publicist who regularly places stories about her
clients in top-tier media outlets, explains how she does it in
the video replay of a webinar I hosted with her recently. Read
more about “How to Tie Your Pitch to Breaking News and Make the
Media Interview YOU” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/breakingnews.htm

======================================
2. The Feature Facebook Forgot
======================================

If you manage your own Facebook Fan Pages, you know how
frustrating it can be to constantly check to see if anyone has
commented on notes, photos, videos or other content you’ve
shared, so you can write a timely reply.

HyperAlerts to the rescue!

It’s a new, free app that sends you an email notice every time
someone posts or comments on one of your pages. You can decide
how often you want to be notified–as soon as possible, daily,
weekly or monthly.

I added it to my Facebook Fan Page at
http://www.Facebook.com/publicitytips and decided I want to be
contacted as soon as possible, because if I show up late to my
own party, my guests could be long gone by then.

You can monitor as many pages as you wish, and even create
multiple alerts for the same page. Maybe you want an alert
immediately, as well as a weekly report of all activity.

Add it to your Fan Page now at http://alerts.hyperinteraktiv.no/

Thanks to Christine Buffaloe, my virtual assistant, for letting
me know about HyperAlerts. She’s a Facebook expert extraordinaire
who was my guest during the webinar “11 Ways to Avoid Missed
Opportunities on Facebook.” Read more about the things she can
teach you to do at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

=====================================
3. Your LinkedIn Headline
=====================================

Does your LinkedIn headline set you apart from everyone else in
your field? It should say to journalists and others who find you:
“You need to contact this person, pronto!”

Until recently, my headline was lame. It made me sound like every
other publicity expert. So I came up with one that I think really
sets me apart, and includes a call to action:

“#1 Publicity Expert on Google. President, The Publicity Hound.
Call me at 262-284-7451 & ask how I can help you”

A week after I changed it, the phone rang. It was Matt
Schumacher, a financial services consultant from Milwaukee. The
first words out of his mouth were, “How can you help me?”

I explained how, and now he subscribes to this newsletter, and
knows all about my free content that’s available. I also told him
about my telephone consulting, and where he can find the products
I’ve created that can help him market his practice.

Your headline, by the way, is the two lines of type that appear
to the left of your photo on your profile page. It should include
keywords that the search engines can find.

You’re allowed 120 characters. So use them! No wimpy one-liners.

The LinkedIn headline isn’t necessarily the same as the profile
you write for the other social media sites. Let Nancy Marmolejo
show you how to write a sizzling profile that says, “Call me.”
See “Can Your Social Media Profile Pass the 10-Second Test?” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/socialnetworkingprofile.htm

=====================================
4. Why Your Book Isn’t Done Yet
=====================================

If you’re writing a book, and it’s taking much longer than you
expected, it could be because you’ve fallen into one or more
common traps:

–You’re taking way too long to do your research.

–You’re striving for perfection.

–You’re putting off the task because you’re not sure if you’re
doing it correctly.

You’re invited to a free webinar (or telephone seminar) on
Thursday, Jan. 27, with a woman who’s developed a unique system
for writing a quality non-fiction book in 90 days. I’m a
compensated affiliate for this program.

Click here to register:
http://www.freeauthortraining.com/call/?10011

Discover the speed writing system she’s used to help 268 authors
get their books done quickly.

See you on the call!

======================================
5. Explain Your Awards
======================================

If you’re publicizing an industry award, for heaven’s sake,
please explain what you did to earn it.

Even better, offer a list of tips on how other people can do what
you do, whether it’s selling more computers, or designing a
better building, or writing a prize-winning novel.

Too many press releases and other promotions that announce awards
fail to do this.

And when you receive the award, make sure you give a gracious and
professional acceptance speech. Speech coach Patricia Fripp
explains how at
http://billionaires.forbes.com/article/09nL48j9Df1u3

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

Have you seen this one of the dog playing basketball? Two points!

http://www.funnydogsite.com/videos/basketball.htm

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

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

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

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

Paint a picture with your blog, article headlines
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7679

Look far beyond your topic for publicity ideas
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7670

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #539 Jan. 18, 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. Promote Your Expertise on Quora

2. My Facebook Fan Page is Back!

3. Raise Your Klout Score

4. Heads Up for Event Publicity

5. Top 10 Social Media Blogs

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Promote Your Expertise on Quora
=====================================

The more places online where you can convince people you’re an
expert, the more attention you’ll receive and the more traffic
you can pull to your website and blog.

Add Quora at http://www.Quora.com to the list of online Q&A sites
where you can really flaunt your expertise.

It’s a cross between LinkedIn’s Q&A feature and Wikipedia. As
soon as I created my Quora account last week, my email inbox was
inundated with messages saying people are following me on Quora.
That says something about the popularity of the site.

Quora is a continually improving collection of questions and
answers created, edited and organized by everyone who uses it.
Quora wants each question page to become the best possible
resource for someone who wants to know about the question.

There are many reasons you should at least start experimenting
with this site. It’s quickly gaining considerable traffic,
traciton and attention. It’s used by journalists and boggers as a
research tool. If they’re looking for an expert on your topic,
and they like your answer to a certain questions, they might use
you as a source. I give four more reasons to use Quoara and you
can read them at my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7658

======================================
2. My Facebook Fan Page is Back!
======================================

I’ve been tweeting about my Facebook Fan Page, which disappeared
a few months ago, along with my more than 2,500 fans.

Dave Kerpen of http://www.Likeable.com, who doesn’t know me, read
about my dilemma when somebody retweeted me. He emailed me, asked
me to make him administrator of my Fan Page, and within a few
hours, he solved the problem and brought the page back to life.

How did he do it?

I’m not sure yet. But I’m interviewing him tomorrow and hoping to
write an article about what you can if this happens to you. Do a
Google search for “Facebook Fan Page disappeared” and you’ll see
a long list of frustrated, angry people, many of whom still
haven’t found their pages.

If you have a tip you’d like to contribute to my article, email
me at JStewart@PublicityHound.com. And then check out Dave’s blog
at http://www.likeable.com/blog/

Many people are still arguing the merits of spending time on
social media and not seeing a return on their investment. My
story is one of the best reasons why I actively participate in,
and teach, social media.

If you aren’t a fan yet, c’mon over to
http://www.Facebook.com/publicitytips and ask me any question
about publicity, promotion or social media.

=====================================
3. Raise Your Klout Score
=====================================

When I checked out Dave Kerpen’s blog, mentioned in item #2
above, I was fascinated by the post “All About Klout! 5 Ways to
Raise your Klout Score” at
http://www.likeable.com/2011/01/all-about-klout-5-ways-to-raise-
your-klout-score/

Klout is quickly becoming the industry standard for measuring
your influence on social media sites. Go to http://www.Klout.com
and type your Twitter handle. Within seconds, Klout will return
your influence score. You can see on a small illustration which
of four areas you need improvement.

You can also use Klout to check the influence of your
competitors.

One of my goals for this year is to raise my Klout score of 51.
The tips at the Likeable.com blog are even better than the tips
Klout gives at its own blog.

The Likeable blog post, by the way, received some of its tips
from folks on Quora.

=====================================
4. Heads-Up for Event Publicity
=====================================

When planning your next event, nail down all the details early
enough to generate maximum publicity, particularly in magazines
with long lead times.

If your event is at the end of the month, you’ll need even more
time for publicity.

That’s what I discovered when doing publicity for my garden
club’s day-long gardening seminar, planned for Feb. 26. We didn’t
finish the registration page at our website until the end of
December which seemed like enough time–a full two months before
the event. But to get the event listed in several local
magazines, the page should have been completed by Dec. 1, the
deadline for inclusion in the Feb. issue.

Luckily, we’re still able to rely on lots of online calendar
directories, where we’ve posted the event.

You can, too.

I explained them all, including the Top 10, during the webinar on
“50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live or Virtual Events to
Reach Your Target Market & Pull Sell-out Crowds.” The handt cheat
sheet that accompanies the video replay lists the several dozen
places, and it will save you valuable time when doing publicity
for your next event. But it at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/events.htm

======================================
5. Top 10 Social Media Blogs
======================================

Thanks to Social Media Examiner for this list of the Top 10
Social Media Blogs:

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/top-10-social-media-blogs-
of-2011/

I’m adding them to my RSS Reader, so I’ll have plenty of helpful
content to share and learn from. I’m also adding them to the
Twitter lists I’ve created for “blogs on blogging” and “social
media experts.”

Are you creating Twitter lists? If not, you’re missing out on a
powerful way to stay organized and find compelling content to
share quickly.

My webinar on “How to Use Twitter Lists & Directories to Generate
Publicity and Build Your Brand” also explains how to get onto
other people’s Twitter lists which also helps with your Klout
score. You can buy the replay at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pitch unusual angles, like witches, on how to sell a home
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7621

6 reasons to use Quora to promote yourexpertise
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7658

——————————————-

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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #534 Dec. 7, 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. Where to Find Labor for $5

2. Kindle Webinar Replay Link

3. Write a “Top Trends” List

4. Promoting a Heart Health Website

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Where to Find Labor for $5
=====================================

Need a snappy headline for your press release?

What about a logo for your business? Or a cartoon for a special
report you’re publishing?

Need help installing a WordPress blog? Or creating a Twitter
account?

Head on over to Fiverr.com at http://www.Fiverr.com where
thousands of people have posted little ads about what they’re
willing to do for $5.

Daniel Hall mentioned this site last week when he was my guest
during the webinar on how to create an ebook for the Kindle (see
next item below). He suggested it as a place to find a dirt-cheap
artist who can create an ebook cover, or a proofreader who can
make sure your ebook is error-free.

When I shared the link on Friday, during my presentation on
blogging for the Wisconsin Business Owners Association, several
people in the audience raved about the site. One guy said he paid
$5 to have someone install his WordPress blog.

Fiverr.com can be a thrifty alternative to sites like Elance.com,
ODesk.com and Vworker.com, particularly if you have a small
project and you’re in a hurry.

======================================
2. Kindle Webinar Replay Link
======================================

If you missed last week’s webinar with Daniel Hall on how to
create an ebook for the Kindle–fast–not to worry.

Here’s the replay link:

http://www.realfastbook.com/joankindle.html

This webinar was more than four hours, because Daniel offered
complete step-by-step directions and added two bonus sessions at
the end. He has sliced and diced the video into 11 sections that
will tell you everything you need to know about how to create an
ebook within just a day or two.

As I mentioned last week, Google is preparing to enter the ebook
marketplace and will launch its own ebook site within a few
months. That should tell you all you need to know about where
ebooks are headed.

If you don’t have an ebook to sell to a buyer who needs help with
a problem, someone else will. And as Daniel explained, the ebook
is the calling card that can result in speaking engagements,
publishing contracts, consulting assignments and more.

Hounds, this one is a no-brainer. I already have my first ebook
on Kindle and I’ll be adding the remainder of my ebooks and more
than 50 of my special reports. Watch the webinar here:
http://www.realfastbook.com/joankindle.html

=====================================
3. Write a “Top Trends” List
=====================================

“Top Trends for 2011″ have started to pop up everywhere.

They make great year-end news stories and blog posts, and they
position you as an expert in your field.

Press release expert Dan Janal offers these tips for writing a
“Top Trends for 2011″ press release:

–List 10 trends, thoughts or ideas that you think are likely to
happen.

–Explain why each is important.

–Offer a short story or anecdote that illustrates that point, if
you can. You don?t need to do this for each tip, but it’s a good
way for people to follow your train of thought.

–Add a bit of humor. One humorous prediction is always relished.
In fact, if you have a cool wit, the entire press release could
be done with tongue in cheek. People love to pass around funny
material, so this press release could go viral.

–Show why you’re the expert to write this piece. Refer to your
consulting, coaching or books. That way, you subtly market your
services so you can attract new business.

–Keep the press release to 750 words or less.

–Use keywords in the headline and first paragraph to grab the
attention of the search engines.

–Insert links to specific web pages into your press release. For
example, you could lead people to your home page, your squeeze
page, your blog or your sales page.

–If you don’t have time to write this, find someone who can. The
chance for positive exposure is well worth it.

–Post the press release to your blog. Share the link with your
followers on Linked In, Facebook and Twitter.

Need help with writing and distribution? Call Dan at 952-380-1554
and tell him I sent you. He’ll write your press release and send
it to top news media outlets and reporters who cover specific
topics. He’ll even guarantee that at least 40 media websites pick
up the press release. Learn more at
http://www.prleadsplus.com/publicityhoundpr

=====================================
4. Promoting a Heart Health Website
=====================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for Teri Arnold of
Norfolk, Va., who needs help pulling traffic to
http://www.MyLifeCheck.org where the American Heart Association
offers a self-assessment for heart health.

From Gayle Carson:

“This definitely lends itself to articles and press releases. I
would, also, do as much talk radio as possible, as well as
Internet radio and TV. I would give any speeches you can
emphasizing heart health, also getting in your pitch for the
website. You can also give away free reports and booklets if
people check out your site.”

(The Publicity Hound says: National Public Radio has many health-
related programs where this topic would be a good fit. See “How
to Get Booked on National Public Radio” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/NPR.htm

From Lorie McClory:

“Have your local chapters contact assisted living facilities, 50+
communities, fitness centers, etc. with information. I’d love to
put this in our community’s weekly e-newsletter.”

From Daphne Gray-Grant:

“Tweet a series of factoids relating to blood pressure, BMI,
weight, etc. and then publish the link. That should get you some
traffic!”

The Publicity Hound says:

I suggested Teri go to http://Search.Twitter.com and search for
“#heart” or “#hearthealth” or “#heartdisease” and she’ll find a
lot of people to follow. Many of them will follow her, too, and
see her tweets about the assessment.

Read all the responses to this “Help This Hound” question at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7498

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

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

Bonnie Boots of Tampa Bay, Fla., writes:

“I’m working with a client who offers training for business
consultants through a membership site, Consultants Gold, at
http://consultantsgold.com.

“The faculty of Consultants Gold is made up of top-shelf experts
who’ve successfully transitioned from business executive to
independent business consultant. The ideal member for Consultants
Gold is a business executive close to retirement age who wants to
transition to a second career as a self-employed consultant.

“I’m finding it a real challenge to locate this target market.
Extensive keyword research has turned up very little. Can your
readers suggest some ways we can connect with age 50+
executives?”

The Publicity Hound says:

LinkedIn seems like the obvious solution, Bonnie. OK, LinkedIn
experts. How can Bonnie best use that site to connect with her
target market? Any other ideas on what she can do to reach older
execs who might want to be consultants? Post your ideas to my
blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7516

======================================
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 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 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’s my one post from this past week:

Does your “Contact Me” page say “Go Away”?
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7467

——————————————-

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