The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #542 Feb. 22, 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. Steal This Headline

2. Startling LinkedIn Statistic

3. No More Boring Tweets

4. Twitter One-liners

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Steal This Headline
=====================================

Don’t worry. I won’t sick the police dogs on you for stealing
headlines, tweaking them and using them on your own blog posts,
articles and content for the social media sites.

I steal them all the time. So do other journalists.

They’re called formula headlines and they’re all over the covers
of consumer magazines and on blogs. They often beg to be stolen,
like this one:

Authors, Publishers: 50 things under $50 to promote your book

I saw that headline on a blog published by author Lisa Peitsch.
Think of the ways you can tweak it to suit your needs. Some
examples:

–Eat at your desk? 5 things under $5 to keep your keyboard clean

–Moms: 10 things under $10 to occupy a cranky toddler

–Drivers: 20 things under $20 to store in your trunk for
emergencies

You get the idea. Make a list of formula headlines you like and
then tweak them when needed.

You’ll find formula headlines galore at Copyblogger, one of the
top blogs in the world for writing sterling copy. Scroll down and
see many of the formula headlines under the title “Popular
Articles” in the right margin: http://www.CopyBlogger.com

======================================
2. Startling LinkedIn Statistic
======================================

BNET Blogger Jim Edwards wrote about a surprising nugget of
information tucked inside the document that LinkedIn wrote for
its initial public offering recently:

Most of its 90 million registered users don’t visit the site on a
monthly basis, or hardly ever use it. In fact, Jim says, the
company can’t tell the difference between an inactive or deceased
member and an active user.

I blinked when I saw that. I read it again. Then I ventured an
easy guess as to why.

Most LinkedIn users simply don’t understand the power of making
connections, joining groups, answering questions, making and
receiving recommendations, promoting events, starting
discussions, and providing daily status updates. They aren’t
aware that they can ask their connections to introduce them to
powerful movers, shakers and other influential users who might
never take their phone calls or answer their emails.

Learning all that is time-consuming. And applying it can eat up
precious weeks and months.

Even if less than half of those who have accounts on LinkedIn use
the site monthly, that’s still more than 44 million people who
do. LinkedIn has turned into the go-to destination for companies
and nonprofits that are checking out job applicants, looking for
recommendations for vendors, and searching for experts who can
solve their problems.

I’ve heard one success story after another of LinkedIn users who
have used the site to sign book contracts with publishers, find
paid speaking engagements, and attract consulting clients.

Tom Beug, one of my fellow management consultants in The Summit
Group in Milwaukee, used LinkedIn to contact a former client and
say hi. Turns out the company needed an executive, and signed a
contract with Tom to conduct the search.

If you’re on LinkedIn but you’re confused about how to use the
site, don’t spent weeks or months learning.

Join LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth 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

=====================================
3. No More Boring Tweets
=====================================

OK, so you’ve stopped tweeting about boring topics like when
you’ve logged onto your computer, what you ate for lunch, and
which coffee shop you’re tweeting from.

That’s a start. But how do you find compelling, interesting
content that fills the void and forces your followers to retweet
what you’ve written?

MediaBistro.com suggests these five tips for spicing up your
Twitter feed:

–Say something controversial.

–Sprinkle in some quotes.

–Add humor.

–Tweet breaking news.

–Join a hashtag conversation.

You can read the entire log post here:
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/5-types-of-tweets-that-
will-get-you-retweeted_b3431

I’ve also started following more influential people who
generously share information like the type listed above. One very
easy way to find them is to visit the profiles of Twitterers I
admire, check out their lists, and then subscribe to the ones I
like.

If you’re not using Twitter lists, you’re missing out on a
powerful, timesaving tool that can also help you promote your
expertise.

I hosted a webinar recently on “How to Use Twitter Lists &
Directories to Generate Business & Build Your Brand.” The replay
is available at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm

=====================================
4. Twitter One-Liners
=====================================

If you like the tips you read here, but you aren’t following me
on Twitter, go to the dog house without your dinner because
you’re missing hundreds of helpful tips.

This morning, for example, I shared this link where you can find
41 terrific one-liners, perfect for Twitter. Many of my followers
are already retweeting it:
http://hubpages.com/hub/funny-one-liners-for-twitter

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

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

Michael Smith of Philadelphia writes:

“My brother is the chef/owner of Fletcher’s BBQ, a restaurant
that opened in September in a working middle-class neighborhood
in the Philadelphia suburbs.

“It offers take-out and delivery only. The motto, emblazoned on
T-shirts and the menus, is ‘Dig the Pig!’

“My brother already has landed a great story in the local paper,
and that drove some customers to the venue. Now we’re looking to
keep the momentum going. By the way, he provides 10 percent
discounts to the local VFW, policemen, firefighters and active
military, and also donates to local churches.

“In addition to ads and publicity in local papers, what are other
effective ways to spread the word? There are a lot of other
eateries in the neighborhood but not authentic BBQ food, so it’s
filling a niche.

“Any advice you and your Publicity Hounds can offer to promote a
new take-out only BBQ food venue? I’m sure there are some great
ideas out there among your readers.”

The Publicity Hound says:

There sure are, Michael. Help This Hound questions from
restaurant owners always seem to generate a lot of ideas. I love
the logo of the pig on the motorcycle and the “Dig the Pig”
motto. Hounds with ideas for Michael’s brother can post them to
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7866

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Sophie Wajsman of Melbourne, Australia
for this one:

If a fire hydrant has H2O inside, what does it have outside?
Answer…K9P

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

Need story ideas? Here are 6 to pitch in March
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7854

Why half of LinkedIn users aren’t active on the site
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7848

——————————————-

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 #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

——————————————-

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 #529 Nov. 2, 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. LinkedIn Adds Recommendations

2. 60+ Places to Promote Offline

3. Speak on Cruise Ships

4. Promote a Bistro/Wine Bar

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Quote of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. LinkedIn Adds Recommendations
=====================================

Starting this week, LinkedIn is offering its more than 80 million
members a chance to recommend other companies’ products and
services on Company Pages, under the Products tab.

Initially, LinkedIn users can offer recommendations for only 40
large companies like Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Dell, JetBlue,
AT&T, Citibank and Volkswagen. But LinkedIn will expand the
feature to include all companies and small businesses during the
next week.

Every Publicity Hound should be paying attention to this.

Each time a LinkedIn member endorses your products or services,
their recommendation becomes visible to all of their connections
and could spread virally. When you promote and curate these
recommendations, you have some of the most credible, authentic
endorsements of your products on your Company Page?s Product tab.

You can read about LinkedIn’s new review feature at its blog at
http://blog.linkedin.com/2010/11/01/linkedin-company-pages/

From what I can see so far, this doesn’t allow users to actually
write anything like they can when they’re writing a personal
recommendation on LinkedIn. All they can do is recommend a
product or service. When they do, their photo shows up next to a
checkmark and the phrase “I recommend this product,” and they get
a link back to their own LinkedIn profile.

If your company doesn’t have its own page on LinkedIn, create one
right now. Go to Companies > Find Companies > Add a Company.

Online reviews are becoming increasingly important. How should
you respond to a bad review on other websites? What steps can you
take to decrease the chances of a bad review appearing? And what
can you do to make it easier for your own customers to post
glowing reviews about your great products and services?

Tom Antion tackled this topic during his teleseminar, “Reputation
Management: How to Build and Protect a Great Reputation Online.”

His strategy is simple. Create a huge and positive profile for
yourself at high-traffic, authoritative sites so that when
someone posts something negative about you, the good information
comes up higher in the organic search listings. I never heard of
a lot of the sites he found, but I’m busy creating my own
profiles there.

What would you rather do, manage your own reputation or let
others, including your competitors, manage it for you? Learn more
about Tom’s strategy at http://tinyurl.com/2eyyljb

======================================
2. 60+ Places to Promote Offline
======================================

My recent webinar, “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live &
Virtual Events to Reach Your Target Market & Pull Sell-out
Crowds,” was such a hit, that many Publicity Hounds who
registered for it have been asking for a follow-up session on how
to promote offline.

Let’s do it! I’ve scoured my file cabinet, hard drive, handouts
from my workshops, back issues of my newsletter and my blog, and
I’ve come up with more than 60 places offline to promote not only
your events, but your product, service, cause or issue. Many of
them are free.

I’m hosting the webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time. The first 20 registrants will receive a free copy of my
cheat sheet, “13 Ways to Involve Journalists and Bloggers in
Whatever You’re Promoting.” Example: Don’t ask a local blogger to
write about your cooking classes for kids. Invite her to bring
her own child and participate.

Sign up for “60+ Places Offline to Promote Your Product, Service,
Cause, Issue or Event to Build the Buzz and Encourage Others to
Promote for You” at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/promoteoffline.htm. Also, let me
know about offline tactics you use to promote, and send a photo
if you can. I can work the idea into my presentation and create
even more publicity for you!

=====================================
3. Speak on Cruise Ships
=====================================

Right now, as you’re reading this, program coordinators for
luxury cruise lines all over the world are reviewing the
materials they’ve received from speakers who want to get booked
to speak on next year’s cruises.

There’s still time for you to submit your materials and take
advantage of the greatest gig on the seven seas.

Here’s how it works.

You furnish the cruise lines three or four 1-hour lectures on
subjects you love, from business topics like leadership and time
management to fun topics like how to perform simple magic tricks
or cook up a gourmet meal on a tight budget.

In exchange for your lectures, you get a free cruise for yourself
and a companion. Since the lectures are usually scheduled on sea
days, you’ll have every port day totally free to explore.

Swarms of speakers apply for these coveted slots. But most of
them make several critical mistakes that kick them out of the
running.

Daniel Hall, who has more connections with cruise line program
coordinators than anyone else on the planet, will be my guest
expert during a free webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday,
Nov. 5.

I know Fridays are bad, but I didn’t want to wait until next week
because program coordinators are hiring speakers NOW. You can
register for the webinar at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/132750273

======================================
4. Promoting a Bistro/Wine Bar
======================================

This week, 14 Publicity Hounds have tips for Timothy Nishimoto,
owner of Vino Paradiso Wine Bar & Bistro in Portland, Ore., on
how to market his restaurant. He’s having a hard time convincing
local restaurant reviewers to write about it.

From Michael Carr:

“Since your establishment is a well-regarded wine bar, start
there. Develop monthly wine pairing dinners. Invite Oregon (and
Washington) based wine makers to participate, and reach out to
bloggers who write about food, wine and regional travel. Roll
out your seasonal menu and alert the media. Include the usual
outlets, but don’t forget the business press and media focused on
hospitality, wine and food.

“If you’re a member of the Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau,
see if they have a program for visiting journalists. If so, offer
to provide hospitality to travel journalists. Don’t forget to
reach out to the concierges at hotels in town. Host them for
coffee and make sure you keep them up to date with what’s
happening at the restaurant.”

From Etc. Communications:

“You’re missing a huge potential clientele in Boomers, singles
and couples. If you designate a night as Boomer Night, you’d be
surprised at how quickly you would get covered by media!”

From Janet Thaeler:

“Host a bloggers event. Find someone who has hosted successful
ones in your area and who reaches the type of people you want to
reach. It may be that there’s a good mix of design bloggers, food
bloggers and mom bloggers.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I was bowled over by the responses to this question! Read all of
them at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7232

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

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

This week’s “Help this Hound” question is from me and my fellow
members of the Port Washington Garden Club in Port Washington,
Wisconsin:

We’re sponsoring our first-ever daylong lecture series on Feb.
26, and we’re looking for a catchy title that will really build
the buzz and draw a huge crowd.

Guest experts from within and outside the club will be speaking
on topics that include tips for gardening with your pet, how to
incorporate native plants and dramatic grasses into your garden,
unusual plants for shade gardens, how to create a kitchen garden,
and how to create a worm farm for richer soil. The event will
give local gardeners something to do in the dead of winter in
Wisconsin.

So far, the working title is “Throw off the Winter Blues with a
Day of Gardening.” Can you do better than that?

I’m offering a $50 gift certificate for Publicity Hound products
to the person who suggests a title we end up using.

Post your best ideas to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7272

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

“No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation
as the dog does.” — Christopher Morley

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

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

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

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

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

Here are posts from the last seven days:

Use hyperlinks in press releases: Here are 19 ideas:
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7243

Here’s a handy checklist for writing press releases
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7259

Speakers & hobbyists: Get booked on cruise ships
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7266

——————————————-

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 #526 Oct. 5, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)
http://www.MysocialMediaSolution.com/blog

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Traditional PR Fading Fast

2. 50+ Places to Promote Events

3. Twitter’s New Look

4. Seven Things Rich Authors Know

5. Carve a Pumpkin & Get on TV

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you agree with the findings?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/promotevents.htm

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

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

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

Read more about it at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitter.htm

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t end up with them.

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

Register for the call at
http://www.freepublicity.com/richauthorsecrets/?10011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

–Monica Piper

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

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

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

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

Great fodder for retweeting:

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

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

——————————————-

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

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

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

——————————————–

Permission to Reprint:

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

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 #510 June 22, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

ADV:
Why agonize when you can energize & italicize
your bio with ‘Bio Whisperer’ Nancy Juetten’s
expert help?
http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/rent-a-brain

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

1. The Stealth Interview

2. Blog Effortlessly on Vacation

3. The Power of Guest Blogging

4. Sneak Your URL into Media Stories

5. Read In-flight Magazines Online

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. The Stealth Interview
====================================

You’re reading USA Today and you see yourself quoted in an
article.

Problem is, you never talked the reporter who wrote it, or any
other reporter for that newspaper. In fact, you never remember
anyone interviewing you on that topic.

Welcome to what blogger BJ Ochman calls The Stealth Interview. It
happens when a journalist, freelancer or blogger lifts quotes or
other material from you that they find online, and attribute it
to you. That material can include:

–A tweet.

–A status update on Facebook.

–Comments you made at someone else’s blog.

–A LinkedIn question you answered, or a discussion in which you
participated.

–Material from an email newsletter, yours or someone else’s,
that’s archived online.

–Quotes taken from a podcast you hosted, or one in which you
appeared as a guest expert.

–An email you sent to someone.

–Anything you’ve said in an online forum.

In her blog post on this topic at
http://www.whatsnextblog.com/archives/2010/05/the_stealth_intervi
ew_yet_another_reason_to_think_before_you_hit_submit.asp, BL
writes: “You will definitely be quoted out of context in a
Stealth Interview because there is no context. The interview
never happened. But you’re quoted nonetheless, and you did make
the statement. You just didn’t think you were saying it to a
reporter.”

It’s another reason, she says, to think before you hit “Submit.”

BL, a prolific blogger and social media expert, explains how she
juggles it all in the teleseminar I hosted on “How to do Social
Networking, Run a Business and Still Have a Life.”  Learn more
about you can juggle it all, too, at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/socialnetworking.htm

======================================
2. Blog Effortlessly on Vacation
======================================

If you’re planning a vacation this year, you don’t have to hustle
like a lot of other bloggers do and crank out lots of content for
your blog, and then schedule it to appear when you’re gone.

Do what I do. Recruit a guest blogger, or several, to write for
you.

You can also use guest bloggers when you’re knee-deep in a major
project that eats up all your time, on the long July 4 weekend,
during the last two weeks of the year when you’re busy with the
holidays, or when you’re just plain sick of writing for your own
blog. (C’mon, admit it. We all get that way sometimes.)

But where do find guest bloggers? How do you work with them to
make everything go smoothly? And what happens if they submit a
post that has material you object to?

How do you find guest bloggers and know if they’re any good
before you commit to publishing their content?  Why do some
bloggers reject duplicate content like last week?s leftovers, and
should you?  How much liberty can you take editing someone else?s
copy?  And what if you disagree vehemently with the opinions of a
guest-blogger?

I’ll give you those answers and show you how to let guest
bloggers do some of the heavy lifting for you, when I host a
webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 30.  Join me
for “How to Find Valuable Guest Bloggers (and Be One Too!).”
Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/guestblogging.htm

If the time is inconvenient, sign up anyway.  You’ll get the link
afterward where you can watch the video.

=====================================
3. The Power of Guest Blogging
=====================================

One of the best ways for corporations to market themselves is
through experts like Brendon Burchard and Jacqueline Whitmore and
maybe even you.

After a lot of trial and error, Brendon cracked the code and
developed a surprisingly easy way to get major companies like
Wachovia, Coke, Toyota and Sony Pictures to promote and sponsor
his books, publicity and speaking tours.

Jacqueline has had equally impressive success.

She’s the gift-giving expert for Sam’s Club, the gift buying
expert for Office Depot, and a national spokesperson for Sprint.
She also has partnered with Clarisonic skin care products and
Hologic, which sells imaging equipment for the health care
industry.  In both cases, Brendon and Jacqueline found companies
that were a perfect fit with their area of expertise and have
received mountains of free publicity from national print and
broadcast media.

“When you?re aligned with a corporation, especially a Fortune 500
company or one that has a reputable name, you’re perceived as
more credible because that corporation has chosen you as its
spokesperson,” she said.

In fact, at the National Speakers Association convention a few
years ago, Jacqueline heard Brendon speak about how to land
corporate sponsors and said he was one of the highest-rated
speakers at the event.

This year, Brendon will share his secrets during a free
teleseminar this Thursday, June 24, with Steve Harrison.
Discover how you can use his methods to promote your own book,
product or business, just like Brendon and Jacqueline do, and get
PR firms to pay all your expenses.

The call will be presented twice–at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern.  If
you can’t make it, please recruit someone to listen and take
notes for you. Register at
http://www.SponsorshipTrainingTeleseminar.com/?10011 (I’m a
compensated affiliate for Steve Harrison).

=====================================
4. Sneak Your URL into Media Stories
=====================================

When a reporter is interviewing you, on of the worst questions
you can ask is, “Can you please be sure to print my website
address in your article?”

You must give her a good reason to include it. Here are five
ways:

–Instead of identifying your company by its correct name, The
Widget Company, tell her it’s TheWidgetCompany.com.

–Offer a free download at your website.

–Offer a quiz or poll at your website.

–Offer a free cheat sheet on how to (fill in the blank).

–Share with her five tips on how to solve a problem that’s
related to the interview. Tell her that readers can find 15 more
tips on that topic in an article at your website, and give her
the URL.

I shared dozens more tips like that during the webinar “How to
REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When
Everyone Else is ZAGGING.” Regardless of what you’re selling,
you’ll trounce the competition when you start adopting killer
strategies that few other Publicity Hounds are using.  Read more
about it at http://www.PublicityHound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

======================================
5. Read In-flight Magazines Online
======================================

In the old days, if you wanted to read an in-flight magazine,
you’d have to pester a friend who was traveling by air to bring
the magazine with him and then snail-mail it to you.

No more.

Most in-flight magazines now have an online archives where you
can page through each edition. Not only that, but some of the
bigger magazines even let you sign up for a free subscription. As
soon as a new issue is published, the airline will email it to
you.

So what do you do if you’re reading it and you suddenly want to
pitch one of the writers or an editor? The magazines,
unfortunately, don’t tell you how to do that.

But I do. The 2010 update of “Fly High with Publicity in the In-
flight Magazines” includes contact information and pitching tips
for 56 magazines. We’ve even included something you won’t find in
any of the other media directories: links to the journalists’
blogs and social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn. We’ve even included links to the in-flight magazines’
Facebook fan pages.

The database includes a very cool interview with Orion Ray-Jones,
the editorial director for Ink Publishing, which publishes more
than 30 in-flight magazines in the database. You’ll get both the
MP3 download and the electronic transcript.

Read more about what you’ll know how to do when you read my new
report:
http://www.InflightMagazinePublicity.com

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

Thanks to Darlene Arden of Framingham, Massachusetts for this
one.

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he
planned to visit on his vacation.  He wrote:

Dear Hotel,

I would very much like to bring my dog with me.  He is well-
groomed and very well-behaved.  Would you be willing to permit me
to keep him in my room with me at night?

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who said, “I’ve
been operating this hotel for many years.  In all that time, I’ve
never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures
off the walls.  I’ve never had to evict a dog in the middle of
the night for being drunk and disorderly.  And I’ve never had a
dog run out on a hotel bill.  Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at
my hotel.  And, if your dog will vouch for you, you’re welcome to
stay here, too.”

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

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

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

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

Consider retweeting:

How to find journalists online and wow ‘em with your pitch
http://publicityhound.net/how-to-find-journalists-online-and-wow-
em-with-your-pitch/

Definitions of advertising, publicity, promotion and PR:
http://publicityhound.net/definitions-of-advertising-promotion-
publicity-and-pr/

——————————————-

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 #509 June 15, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

ADV:
Why agonize when you can energize & italicize
your bio with ‘Bio Whisperer’ Nancy Juetten’s
expert help?
http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/rent-a-brain

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

1. LinkedIn’s Badge of Honor

2. How to Get LinkedIn Recommendations

3. The Power of Guest Blogging

4. Advice for Family Experts

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Video of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. LinkedIn’s Badge of Honor
====================================

Here’s a powerful way to promote your expertise and outstanding
work.

Generate more than 10 recommendations on your LinkedIn profile
and you can become a member of LinkedIn’s Top Recommended People
group. Its logo will show up on your profile, along with those of
your other group memberships.

You’ll also find six sub-groups. You can join at the Gold level,
like I did, if you have from 25 to 99 recommendations, at the
Platinum level for 100 to 499 recommendations, and at the Elite
level for more than 500.

Of the more than 50 million people on LinkedIn, only about 1,600
are in the TRP group, so you’ll be in elite company.

Learn more about TRP, which was created by LinkedIn member Ross
Dodwell, at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1857786

After you join, you can also display the badge proudly at your
website or blog, and in your online press kit. Mention that
you’re a member of LinkedIn’s Top Recommended people in your
email signature, and in your social media profiles.

A gourmet doggie treat for Dustin Martin, one of my LinkedIn
connections, who tipped me off to this group.

======================================
2. How to Get LinkedIn Recommendations
======================================

How do you get LinkedIn recommendations so you can become a
member of Top Recommended People?

Here are my three favorite ways:

–Give recommendations. Every time you recommend someone,
LinkedIn will notify that person and ask them if they want to
recommend you. But don’t go hog wild. Space out your
recommendations every few days or you’ll raise a red flag on
LinkedIn.

–Every time someone compliments you, tell them, “I’d be honored
if you’d say that in a recommendation on my LinkedIn profile.”
That’s what I do, and many people reciprocate. Pay particular
attend to compliments in your email.

–Ask co-workers, people in your trade associations, clients and
vendors. But be very careful. Make absolutely sure they are
familiar with your work.

Social media strategist Scott Allen (who has 70 recommendations
on LinkedIn) was my guest during a teleseminar on How to Use
LinkedIn to Promote Anything–Ethically & Powerfully.” Learn
about how to create a promotional campaign on this high-powered
site without looking like you’re promoting. He shows you how at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedin.htm

=====================================
3. The Power of Guest Blogging
=====================================

The two biggest complaints from people who blog is that they
don’t have enough time to write, and their blogs aren’t
generating enough traffic.

Smart bloggers have this indispensable tool at the top of their
toolbox: guest-blogging.

They can recruit guest bloggers to provide content for their blog
over the holidays or while they’re on vacation.

They can offer their own expertise to other high-profile blogs
and reach audiences they could never reach on their own.

If they write a guest blog for a popular site, it can bring tons
of traffic, give them valuable back-links, and attract more
subscribers to their own blog and newsletter.

But there’s a lot of confusion. How do you find guest bloggers
and know if they’re any good before you commit to publishing
their content? Why do some bloggers reject duplicate content like
last week’s leftovers, and should you? How much liberty can you
take editing someone else’s copy? And what if you disagree
vehemently with the opinions of a guest-blogger?

I’ll give you those answers and show you how to let guest
bloggers do some of the heavy lifting for you, when I host a
webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 30. Join me for
“How to Find Valuable Guest Bloggers (and Be One Too!). Register
at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/guestblogging.htm

If the time is inconvenient, sign up anyway. You’ll get the link
afterward where you can watch the video.

=====================================
4. Advice for Family Experts
=====================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Rosemary Lichtman,
PhD, and Phyllis Goldberg, PhD, of Los Angeles, Calif., family
relationship experts, on how to promote their blog and ebook.

From Mary Jane Hurley Brant:

“Put an additional link on your email signatures indicating that
you are offering a free ebook.”

From Rekaya:

“Set up a Virtual Book Tour. It’s an online tour of websites,
blogs, radio shows, etc. Research the ones that are a good fit.
Ask the blog owner if you can be a guest, or stop by their site
during your tour. Some will ask you to complete interview
questions about your book or write a short piece. During a set
amount of time, such as two weeks, your information will appear
on a series of websites/blogs. Don’t forget to mention your free
ebook and to include the link to your blog.”

From Bruce Jones:

“I have no idea what your book is about, so I would put a picture
of it right above the sign-up box and a short text description
right below. Make sure the picture is really clear, with oversize
type because it will be just a thumbnail on the blog. You could
even use a different picture for the blog than it is in reality
so that the image really stands out.”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week?s “Help This Hound” question
http://publicityhound.net/family-relationship-experts-need-tips-
for-promoting-free-ebook/

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

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

I’m all out of questions, so here’s one of mine (send
questions!):

“If you use coupons on your Facebook Fan Pages, particularly if
those coupons are bringing more leads and sales, I’d like to see
them.

“Include the link in the comments section at my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/wanted-examples-of-facebook-fan-page-
coupons/ and explain how you created the coupon, and the results.

“I’m looking for examples for a course I’m teaching. I’m familiar
with coupons used by the big companies like Coke and  Zappos. But
I’m particularly interested in those used by entrepreneurs and
small businesses.”

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

You’ll love this “Bailey Plays Dead” clip from a segment of David
Letterman’s Stupid Pet Tricks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DalB-CvO7Qc

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

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

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

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

Consider retweeting:

12 more fill-in-the-blank headlines for your articles, blog
http://publicityhound.net/12-more-fill-in-the-blank-headlines-
for-your-articles-blog/

Wanted: Examples of Facebook Fan Page coupons
http://publicityhound.net/wanted-examples-of-facebook-fan-page-
coupons/

——————————————-

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.

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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

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #507 June 1, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

1. BP’s Fake Twitter Account

2. Publicize Your Social Media Successes

3. Cosmo’s Racy Headlines

4. Promoting Novelty Soaps

5. Help This Hound

6. Hound Joke of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. BP’s Fake Twitter Account
====================================

Here’s a tweet posted this morning from the Twitter account known
as @BPGlobalPR:

“Best part of the BP Memorial Day Picnic? The custom made oily
dunk tank! So far we’ve dunked 4 ducks, a dolphin, 2 otters and
@bpTerry!”

That’s just one of a steady stream of sarcastic tweets at a fake
BP PR account on Twitter that, as of this morning, has attracted
more than 97,000 followers at http://Twitter.com/BPGlobalPR

It’s also one more episode in the PR nightmare tied to the Gulf
oil spill.

What I find most bizarre is that Twitter hasn’t removed it and a
BP spokesperson says people have a right to lash out against the
company there.

Should BP fight to encourage Twitter to remove the fake account?
Go to my blog to see what I think, and then tell me if you think
I’m wrong. Go to
http://publicityhound.net/should-bp-pressure-twitter-to-remove-
the-fake-feed/

======================================
2. Publicize Your Social Media Successes
======================================

If you’re participating in social media and you’re seeing a
return on investment, use your success stories to generate
publicity.

Kim Duke, aka The Sales Diva, got a $7,000 keynote as a result of
Twitter.

Blogger Patsi Krakoff was surprised when a $600 project came her
way simply because somebody retweeted one of her tweets.

Freelance writer Angie Mangino got a $900 freelance writing
project only two weeks after she joined LinkedIn and signed up
for a group devoted to writers, publishers and authors. That’s
where she found the query from a publishing company that needed a
freelancer for a fast turn-around project.

Pitch success stories like these to your local TV stations,
newspapers, trade publications, industry newsletters and
bloggers. Turn them into items for your own newsletter, blog and
podcast.

If you’re not seeing social media ROI, you’re a great candidate
for the Social Media Fast-track Program that my business partner,
Jeanne Hurlbert, PhD and I will be teaching. Read about what
you’ll be able to do by the time you’re done with the program:
http://www.MySocialMediaRx.com/fast-track.htm

=====================================
3. Cosmo’s Racy Headlines
=====================================

Admit it.

You read the covers of those racy magazines when you’re waiting
in line at the supermarket check-out.

I do.

But not because I’m interested in the articles. I’m looking for
enticing headlines I can steal. When I see a headline I love,
I’ll remove one or two words in Cosmo’s headline and substitute
one or two of my own.

The very best magazine for this little exercise is, without a
doubt, Cosmopolitan, which you can find at
http://www.magazines.com/ Let’s say you’re a financial planner.
Here’s how you can steal a Cosmo headline and turn it into your
own.

Their headline: “Hot, healthy women share: The best thing I ever
did for my body”

Your headline: “Smart, savvy financial advisors share: The best
thing you can do to save for retirement”

I shared dozens more tips like that during the webinar “How to
REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When
Everyone Else is ZAGGING.” Regardless of what you’re selling,
you’ll trounce the competition when you start adopting killer
strategies that few other Publicity Hounds are using. Read more
about it at http://www.PublicityHound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

=====================================
4. Promoting Novelty Soaps
=====================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Cindy Tollen of
El Paso, Texas. She has created an array of novelty soaps that
resemble pies and pastry, and she needs advice on how to market
them on a limited budget.

From Laura Rolands:

“I think you could reach a large number of customers through
Twitter. The key is to build relationships first on Twitter, and
your followers will help you build sales. I recommend following
@TimeOutMom and @MomBizCoach. I would also recommend
participating in a weekly Twitter chat called #gno.”

From Karen Rosenzweig:

“You could have a lot of fun, and gain a ton of visibility, with
a Twitter contest. You create a short tweet asking people to
follow you AND retweet the message to be entered for a chance to
win one of your products. Let them know that everyone who follows
you by 6 p.m. that day will be entered in a drawing for one free
product. Then when you draw the winner, you can tweet that too,
getting additional visibility.  And if it goes well, repeat that
once a week or so, until you have a robust group of followers.
It’s a fun product and you’ll have a great time getting the word
out!”

From Sharon Z:

“Seems like a natural cross-marketing opportunity with event
planners (think bridal and baby showers), women’s organizations
and florists. The fact that these items are so unique and
reasonably priced makes them a great giveaway item.”

The Publicity Hound says:

I can picture your lemon meringue pie soaps as favors at a
national convention of bakers.

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at
http://publicityhound.net/creator-of-novelty-soaps-needs-social-
media-marketing-advice/

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

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

Anne Graham of Vancouver, British Columbia writes:

“I’ve developed a great toolkit for business leaders, with 33
specific techniques they can use to lead their firms out of the
recession. It’s called ‘Recession Proof and Recovery Ready: The
91 Day Business Tune-up Toolkit.’

“It’s a 314-page physical product, stuffed full of every
instruction, checklist, etc. that they’ll need to understand and
implement each of the 33 ideas. It’s designed to be implemented
by a small team, so the product is actually a set of 10 binders
(one for each team member), plus a DVD virtual seminar.

“I’m about to do a launch with a wonderful Online Launch Manager
handling my tweets, blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, SEO, article
marketing, the whole nine yards. But I’d love to hear some
creative ideas from fellow Hounds on how THEY would reach an
audience of motivated business leaders in their city or town. I
have a compelling free ebook called Powerful Pricing Strategies:
10 High Impact, Low Risk Ways to Increase Prices…Even During
the Recession, Even Before the Recovery, at
http://www.recessionproofandrecoveryready.com/. It’s available to
hounds and those motivated business leaders I’m looking for. All
I need now is a stampede of traffic!

“Can your Hounds help?”

The Publicity Hound says:

The topic of how to raise prices during a recession is fabulous.
Let’s put my Hounds to work figuring out how to leverage it. If
you have a great idea for Anne, post it to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/consultant-needs-help-launching-new-
product-for-business-leaders/

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

“Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.”  – Franklin P.
Jones

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

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

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

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

Consider retweeting:

Should BP pressure Twitter to remove the fake feed?
http://publicityhound.net/should-bp-pressure-twitter-to-remove-
the-fake-feed/

How a guest blogger pitched me and made me say “yes”
http://publicityhound.net/how-a-guest-blogger-pitched-me-and-
made-me-say-yes/

————————————

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

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

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

—————————————

Permission to Reprint:

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

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

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

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

Privacy Statement:

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

================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.
Phone: 262-284-7451
Fax: 262-284-1737