The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #522 Sept. 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)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Link Surveys & Social Media

2. Create Your Own Cartoon

3. You Must be on Listorious

4. Promote Others on Shoutworthy

5. Magic Phrases for More Publicity

6. Hound Photos of the Week

7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Link Surveys & Social Media
=====================================

One of the best ways to keep people interested on social media
sites–and talking about you to their friends, followers and
fans–is to ask them to complete a survey.

Ask their opinion on a controversial topic, or encourage them to
name a favorite company they love doing business with, or urge
them to give advice to someone who needs it.

You can create surveys for free, and within minutes, but you must
know the right way to ask questions. You can push your audience’s
hot buttons by choosing fun, divisive or newsworthy topics that
your followers will not only participate in, but promote to their
own followers. You can publicize the survey many ways and pull
traffic to your Facebook Fan Page, blog or website where
respondents take the survey.

You can then turn the survey results into your own breaking news
story, share results at the social media sites and pitch the
story to freelancers, beat reporters, industry publications and
bloggers.

My partner, Jeanne Hurlbert, who’s an expert in surveys and
social media, is the only one teaching how to do this in any
depth.

She’s hosting a teleseminar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday,
Sept. 14, that will show you how to use surveys and link them to
your social media efforts. She’ll teach you new, proven
techniques for getting a return on investment from social media
and building a huge following. If you’ve been looking for ways to
create products that will sell, new ways to do affiliate
marketing, and more, you’ll get those tips, too. Listen to Jeanne
explain more about what she’ll be teaching you during the webinar
“Create Community, Conversions and Cash by Teaming Surveys and
Social Media”: http://mixiv.com/vp/87944/18826/

======================================
2. Create Your Own Cartoon
======================================

Want an unusual way to promote a book or anything else?

How about creating your own animated cartoon, and then uploading
it to video-sharing sites, or linking to it from an online press
release, or placing the video at your blog or website?

Michael Keller, author of “Life In A Week; Book Two – What Is
Spirituality?”, created his own cartoon at Xtranormal’s site at
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7020117 to tie into his book.

The site’s terms of service say that “you agree not to use the
site for any commercial use unless you purchase a commercial
account” and that all content is their property.

I didn’t have time to experiment with this, but it looks like
fun.

=====================================
3. You Must be on Listorious
=====================================

If journalists are searching for experts to interview on
Listorious at http://www.Listorious.com, and you aren’t there,
you could blow your chances for publicity.

Listorious is my favorite directory for finding experts on
Twitter, as well as Twitter lists.

It has the best Twitter people search on the web so you can find
anyone by topic, region or profession–powered by data from the
tens of thousands of list curators. Once you find the right
person, you can interview them by asking questions over
Listorious.

By answering some questions through Listorious rather than
directly on Twitter, your answers are organized, in depth, and
have archive value. It’s like a magazine interview.

I recommended four other Twitter directories and shared dozens of
tips during the recent webinar on “How to Use Twitter Lists &
Directories to Generate Publicity and Build Your Brand.” Order
the video, MP3 and the handouts which include step-by-step
instructions on how to create, use and promote your lists at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm

======================================
4. Promote Others on Shoutworthy
======================================

Give to get. That’s the mantra in social media.

Promote others, and others will promote you.

Shoutworthy at http://ShoutWorthy.com/ is a cool new tool you can
use to compliment, recommend and showcase vendors, clients,
bloggers and even journalists whose work you love. These posts
are easier to write than LinkedIn recommendations because you
must keep them to within 140 characters. (Keep recommending
people on LinkedIn, but use Shoutworthy when your time is at a
premium.)

On Shoutworthy, you type your message into a window, much like
you do on Twitter and then, specify if you want to also send it
to your Twitter account and auto-post it to the recipient?s wall
on Facebook.

======================================
5. Magic Phrases for More Publicity
======================================

When you’ve completed an interview with a journalist or blogger,
ask:

“May I contact you again in about three months if I have
something you’d be interested in? If so, is there a good time to
call?”

Most likely, the answer will be, “Of course” and you’ll know
exactly which times or days are most convenient for a call.

Then, when it’s time to pitch again, you can contact the
journalist or blogger and say, “You said it would be OK to call
if I had something else you’d be interested in.”

That lets them know you already have their permission, and
because you called when they told you to, it lets them know that
you respect their time.

Those two phrases are among the 10 I listed during the webinar I
hosted recently on “How to REALLY Use Publicity as an Online
Marketing Channel and ZIG When Everyone Else is ZAGGING.” You’ll
learn lots of smart strategies that will give you a huge edge on
your competitors, including how to research journalists and
bloggers before pitching them. Read more about what you’ll learn
at http://www.publicityhound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

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

This isn’t a joke, but it will make you smile. It’s a gallery of
15 photos of dogs, captured and edited on the iPhone, from
talented photographers all around the world:

http://mashable.com/2010/09/06/iphone-dog-photographs

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:

23 ways to find media where you want publicity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7002

——————————————-

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 #518 Aug. 17, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Grade Your Online Presence

2. TweetBeep Saves Time

3. Your Darn Smart Competitors

4. Make Money While Writing Your Book

5. Publicity & Survey Secrets

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Video of the Week

8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Grade Your Online Presence
=====================================

For all the time we spend discussing how to build an online
presence, we spend too little time talking about how to measure
the results.

That’s why Hubspot’s 10 grading tools at http://grader.com/ are a
good place to start.

They grade your influence on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. They
measure the effectiveness of your website and press releases.
There’s even a fun little tool that shows you how to get the most
out of FourSquare.

Authors, there’s one for you, too, that helps you improve the
marketing of your books.

If you sell anything online, http://Action.Grader.com lets you
optimize your calls-to-action. You can determine which content is
likely to generate the most clicks.

I used several of the tools to see how I rank and found some of
my scores overly generous, particularly my 100 percent Twitter
ranking, or falling far below where I thought they should be.
This isn’t scientific, but it’s one way to get a quick overview
of your online presence. In a few cases, your results will
include specific instructions on how to improve your scores.

Try it and let me know what you think.

======================================
2. TweetBeep Saves Time
======================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Tom Ciesielka, a PR pro from Chicago,
Ill., for recommending TweetBeep.com, a free tool at
http://www.TweetBeep.com that can save you hours of time hunting
for conversations about your area of expertise.

The web-based application lets you create a search for any
keyword or phrase on Twitter, and receive hourly updates via
email when any tweets include that keyword, phrase or hashtag.

“TweetBeep is an easy tool for tracking talk on Twitter about
your company, website, events or products and services,” Tom
says. “By monitoring the conversation about your brand, you can
make sure you are managing your reputation and engaging with
people who are interested in you–people who can become potential
clients.”

You can also use TweetBeep as a way to measure the level of
interest in various campaigns, or track the reactions to your
company’s announcements or events.

“With targeted information delivered directly to your inbox,
you’ll be sure to never miss a beat–or a tweet,” says Tom, who
included this tip in his excellent PR newsletter at
http://www.tcpr.net/tips.php

=====================================
3. Your Darn Smart Competitors
=====================================

Ever read a blog post, article, or tweet from one of your
competitors, and wonder how Little Miss Smarty Pants got so darn
smart?

I have. But I don’t just sit here and scratch my head. I go to
her Twitter profile and check out her Twitter lists.

Does she have a list of the smartest PR people? The top marketing
gurus? The very best social media coaches? A list of people who
blog about blogging? If so, am I on any of them?

Whether I am or not, I’ll add her best lists to my lists. I’ll
read the tweets from top experts she follows, including those who
provide stellar content worth retweeting so my more than 15,000
followers retweet that information to their tribes, making me
look good.

But that’s only one way to use Twitter lists. Publicity Hounds
have sent me so many questions about this topic, and about
Twitter directories, that I’m hosting a webinar at 3 p.m. Eastern
Time on Thursday, Aug. 26. Come with questions! Register at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm and, as one of your bonuses, get a copy of
my special report “How to Use Twitter for Business to Network,
Promote, Sell, Recruit & Profit.”

======================================
4. Make Money While Writing Your Book
======================================

Yesterday, I emailed you the three disarmingly simple tips from
publishing and marketing mentor John Eggen on how to start making
money from your book long before it’s published.

John has many more tips he’ll share with you tomorrow night, Aug.
18, from 8 to 9:15 p.m. Eastern Time when we present the
teleseminar on how to “Write a Client-Attracting Book Fast that
Makes Up to $150,000 Before It’s Published.” He’s including a
package of three bonuses at the end that I’ve never seen offered
before, including one worth $265. Your time will be well spent.
Promise.

This session applies primarily to Publicity Hounds who are
writing or thinking of writing a non-fiction book. If you write
fiction, you’ll benefit, too.

We’re expecting several hundred people on the call. Register at
http://mypublishingopportunity.com/joans/ and come with your
questions!

======================================
5. Publicity & Survey Secrets
======================================

Two things you don’t want to miss:

–The replay of Jeanne Hurlbert’s content-packed session last
week on how to use surveys for PR and to grow your business. Find
out if you’re guilty of “survey suicide.” Grab the replay before
5 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, Aug. 18. Learn more about it at my blog
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=6893

–The video from Steve Harrison on “The Biggest Secret for
Getting Major National Publicity for Your Book, Product or
Message”:
http://www.thebigsecrettogettingpublicity.com/?10011

(Both are good fodder for retweets.)

======================================
6. Help This Hound
======================================

Lois Kirkpatrick of Fairfax, Va., writes:

“I work for a large county government that has a variety of
groundbreaking/grand opening events.

“The facilities range from libraries, parks and public safety
buildings to homeless shelters and mental health centers.

“What are some things we can do instead of the dreaded VIPs-
holding-shovels groundbreakings and VIPs-holding-scissors ribbon-
cuttings? I’m looking for general ideas that can be applied to
most types of facilities.”

The Publicity Hound says: While we’re on the subject, Hounds, how
about giving Lois some ideas for those equally obnoxious check-
passing ceremonies with the giant, oversized cardboard checks?
Post your best ideas to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6913

=====================================
7. Hound Video of the Week
=====================================

You’ll love this short video which proves that many dog owners
do, indeed, look like their dogs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=642qxehEcGg

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

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

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

Great fodder for retweeting:

7 ways to use surveys for publicity, PR, business-building
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6893

21 ways to promote your webinars and teleseminars
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6877

——————————————-

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 #517 Aug. 10, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com
http://www.publicityHound.mobi
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Grab Attention on LinkedIn

2. What’s Your #1 Free PR Tool?

3. How Others Perceive You on Twitter

4. Make Money While Writing Your Book

5. Read Your Customers’ Minds

6. Publicity Summit Discount Ends Today

7. Dog Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

=====================================
1. Grab Attention on LinkedIn
=====================================

With more than 70 million people on LinkedIn, it’s often
difficult to attract attention to your profile, particularly if
you’re in a crowded industry.

But Paul Furiga, owner of WordWrite Communications in Pittsburgh,
Pa., has found an unusual way to do just that.

In his LinkedIn profile, rather than stating his job title, he
includes a pithy one-sentence elevator pitch that quickly
summarizes what he does at his PR firm:

“I use every tool in the public relations toolbox to make our
clients the heroes in their own stories,” it says.

It’s easy enough to do. When creating your profile, you simply
include your elevator pitch where your job title would be.

I discovered this last week as I was posting a question to
LinkedIn about what PR people think is their Number One free PR
tool. I liked Paul’s idea so much that I wrote a blog post about
it for SocialMediaToday.com at
http://socialmediatoday.com/publicityhound/157407/how-tweak-your-
linkedin-profile-stand-out-crowd

You can even see how I illustrated it with screen shots to show
how his profile really stands out.

That’s one tiny way to promote on LinkedIn. Social media expert
Scott Allen shared more tips that involve well-thought-out
strategies, not just tactics, during the two-part teleseminar I
conducted on “How to Use LInkedIn to Promote Anything–Ethically
& Powerfully” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/linkedin.htm

======================================
2. What’s Your #1 Free PR Tool?
======================================

I’m compiling a list of free tools that Publicity Hounds use in
their PR and publicity campaigns, and I’d like to hear about your
favorite, not including this newsletter.

Examples:

–Any of the free media leads services like PitchRate, Reporter
Connection, HARO or the new service called NewsBasis.

–The free social media press release template from Shift
Communications at
http://www.shiftcomm.com/downloads/smprtemplate.pdf

–My free course on how to write and distribute online press
releases at http://www.89pressreleasetips.com

–A blog or ezine.

Let’s hear it. What’s the one free PR tool you absolutely cannot
live without? Email me, put “PR Tool” in the subject line and
explain where other Publicity Hounds can find it.

Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=PRTool

=====================================
3. How Others Perceive You on Twitter
=====================================

The two best ways to put yourself in front of influential people
on Twitter are to:

–Retweet them. Your tweets will show up in their Mentions
column, and if you retweet them often enough, they’ll know who
you are.

–Reply to their tweets. Many people, even big-wigs, will be more
than happy to carry on a conversation with you.

How do you find the most influential people in Twitter? One way
that really saves time is to check out other people’s Twitter
lists and see who they’ve identified as the best (fill in the
blank) within an industry. When you subscribe to THEIR lists,
you’ll see a list of all the tweets from people they’ve
mentioned.

Publicity Hounds have flooded my email inbox with Help This Hound
questions about how to use Twitter lists, a topic that isn’t
answered easily in a blog post. So I’m hosting a teleseminar at 3
p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Aug. 26, called “How to Use
Twitter Lists & Directories to Generate Publicity and Build Your
Brand.” I’ll even show you a nifty tool that you can use to find
out, within seconds, the Number One keyword or keyword phrase
that people on Twitter use to describe you.

If the time is inconvenient for you, sign up anyway because I’m
recording it. You?ll get a link where you can watch the streaming
video, or download the video. Read more about what you’ll be able
to do with Twitter lists and directories at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm

=====================================
4. Make Money While Writing Your Book
=====================================

The moment you decide to write a book, you can begin to leverage
that fact to attract new clients and revenue.

John Eggen, a publishing and marketing mentor, says one way to do
that is to include this one-liner in your email signature:
“Author of the forthcoming book, (insert your title and subtitle
here).”

Independent professional Jeanna Pool tried it. She reported, “I
got two new clients and $25,000.00 in income, all within 30 days
of starting my book. It took just three minutes to use John
Eggen’s simple technique.”

John has two more incredibly easy ideas that I’ll email you later
this week, along with information on how to join me when I
interview him during a teleseminar at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on
Wednesday, Aug. 18. Don’t miss this one if you’re writing a book,
or thinking of writing one.

You can sign up now at http://mypublishingopportunity.com/joans/
or wait to see the email.

======================================
5. Read Your Customers’ Minds
======================================

One of the worst mistakes I made when I started creating
information products was guessing what Publicity Hounds were
willing to buy.

A handful of the more than 100 products I’ve created turned out
to be stink bombs that, to this day, have fewer than five buyers.

Fortunately, I found Jeanne Hurlbert last year and hired her to
create a customer profile survey for me. The responses showed me
exactly what my customers wanted and how much they were willing
to spend. Ditto for services.

Jeanne is hosting a free webinar at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on
Thursday, Aug. 12. She’ll explain the four survey principles that
will let you read your customers’ minds to create products to
order that they will beg to buy.

She’ll show you how to leverage surveys for PR and publicity that
you couldn’t buy with a million-dollar advertising budget. You’ll
learn how surveys let you build a tribe that loves you, spelling
the difference between falling victim to an economic downturn and
making a fortune from it.

Jeanne will also explain how mobile surveys can put you on the
cutting edge of online marketing.

Register at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826

======================================
6. Publicity Summit Discount Ends Today
======================================

Today, Aug. 10, is the last day to get the full discount on your
tuition for the National Publicity Summit, October 20-23, in New
York City, where you can meet more than 100 top journalists and
broadcasters face to face and pitch your story ideas.

After today, the price goes up. Host Steve Harrison will begin
pre-Summit training for the 53 people who already have been
admitted to the summit.

To apply for one of the 47 open spots, go here now:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/apply/?10011

I promote the summit as an affiliate because many of my readers
have attended, and reported great results. Watch this video Steve
created, in which four people who attended past summits explain
what happened to them after the did:
http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/info/npsvideo.html?10011

=====================================
7. Dog Joke of the Week
=====================================

A 3-year-old boy went with his dad to see a new litter of
Labrador puppies.

When they returned home, the boy breathlessly informed his
mother, “There were three boy Labrador puppies and four girl
Labrador puppies.”

“How did you know that?” his mother asked.

“Daddy picked them up and looked underneath,” he replied. “I
think it’s printed on their bottoms.”

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

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

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

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

My blog at http://www.PublicityHound.net has a new look that
matches the HTML version of this newsletter. I’ll be adding
widgets, categories and other features in the next few weeks. In
the meantime, check out these posts:

13 fun, easy ways to find content for your blog
http://publicityhound.net/?p=6824

How to tweak your LinkedIn profile and stand out from the crowd
http://socialmediatoday.com/publicityhound/157407/how-tweak-your-
linkedin-profile-stand-out-crowd

——————————————-

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 #505 May 18, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. Why You Shouldn’t Quit Facebook

2. Questions the Media Love

3. How Survey Publicity Snowballs

4. Story Ideas for June

5. Hound Joke of the Week

6. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. Why You Shouldn’t Quit Facebook
====================================

A lot of angry Facebook users are abandoning the site and urging
their friends to bolt, too, because of its confusing privacy
policies.

You have to navigate through 50 settings with more than 170
options. By default, Facebook can share your profile information
with third-party sites, and if you don’t want that, you have to
opt out. Many users think that’s deceptive and that it should be
the other way around.

I won’t abandon Facebook, where I’ve managed to attract more than
5,000 friends and fans–at least not yet.

With enough pressure, Facebook might alter its policy and reach
some kind of compromise that won’t necessarily placate users, but
will at least encourage them to refrain from jumping ship.

Already, the marketplace is stepping in. ConnectInPrivate.com,
developer of a comprehensive suite of anonymous surfing and
Internet privacy tools, will soon announce the launch of its new
“Secure My Profile” application for Facebook.

Hang in there a little while longer and let’s see how this plays
out. In the meantime, check out this two-minute video that
explains how to adjust your privacy settings:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/13/facebook-privacy-
settings_n_575732.html

Now, use the site to its greatest advantage. See “11 Ways to
Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm

====================================
2. Questions the Media Love
====================================

The next time a journalist interviews you, or a blogger is
interested in an idea you’re pitching, ask this question: “Do you
need other sources?”

They love that question. It shows you’re trying to make their job
easy and you don’t want to hog the media spotlight.  If you can
provide a name, email address and phone number for an expert or
source who you know would agree to be interviewed, you’ll
position yourself as helpful.

After 22 years working at newspapers, I can tell you that almost
NOBODY asks that.

Here’s another question that people almost never ask: “Are you
looking for photo ideas?”

Those two questions are among 10 magic phrases to use with the
media. I’ll explain all of them when I present the 90-minute
webinar, “How to REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing
Channel and ZIG When Everyone Else is ZAGGING,” from 1:30 to 3
p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, May 19.

This session is perfect for beginner and intermediate self-
promoters. I presented it a few weeks ago to Stompernet, the
association of Internet marketers, to rave reviews.

Come with your questions and I’ll answer them all, either during
or after the call.

I’ll also explain the missing link–how to create relationships
with journalists and bloggers.  And I’ll share my favorite free
tools that help you know instantly which journalists need other
sources in addition to your expertise, and how to contact them.

The session will be recorded, and you can watch the video replay
after the call.

Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm

=====================================
3. How Survey Publicity Snowballs
=====================================

Two weeks ago, I wrote about Brian Kluth, a former church pastor
who takes an annual “State of the Plate” survey that reports on
whether people are donating more or less money to their churches.

More than 160 media outlets covered the results of his most
recent survey.

Jeanne Hurlbert, my business partner who is an expert on surveys,
interviewed Brian. He explained how he got an initial story on
the front page of the Washington Times, how it snowballed from
there, the simple way he found names of religion editors, and how
he partnered with Christianity Today magazine.

This is great stuff for anybody who wants to use inexpensive
surveys to position themselves as experts, call attention to
emerging trends and build strong relationships with the media.

The best part is that Brian now has names and contact information
for 160 journalists and broadcasters who are interested in his
topic.

Jeanne is offering the free download of the half-hour interview
at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826 How about sharing it with your
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn friends?

======================================
4. Story Ideas for June
======================================

Here are five story ideas worth pitching during June:

–Speakers, authors and experts: Do you have advice for college
graduates? Offer tips on careers, finances and relationships.

–What about advice for newlyweds? Mortgage lenders, marriage
counselors and professional organizers, offer your best tips for
getting started on the right foot.

–Gardening is booming. How can people use small spaces to grow
veggies and save on grocery bills?

–What kind of summer clothing is unacceptable in the workplace?
Image consultants and HR experts, share your horror stories.

–Tell people how to save on summer travel. Share tips on saving
gasoline, buying cheap airline tickets and finding inexpensive
lodging.
Now, look ahead and start thinking about ideas you can pitch in
July and beyond. Shawne Duperon and I can help. We recorded the
teleseminar I hosted on “103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July
through December.” It includes a handout listing all of our
ideas, which we invite you to steal. Learn more at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JulyIdeas.htm

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Maria Antonia for pointing out this
excerpt from the book “Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and
Light” that explains how Hitchcock directed Sean Connery on the
set of Marnie:

“Every once in a while the director did venture minor
‘adjustments and suggestions’ (Connery’s words) in the rhythm of
scenes–which, according to one Connery biographer, largely
consisted of advising the actor to shut his mouth while listening
for his cues, and inserting ‘dog’s feet’ into his lengthier
speeches.

“Dog’s feet?” asked a mystified Connery.

“Pawses,” Hitchcock drawled.

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

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

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

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

Consider retweeting:
Calculate the value of your Facebook Fan Page
http://publicityhound.net/calculate-the-value-of-your-facebook-
fan-page/

Fiction authors: Blog about these 19 topics
http://publicityhound.net/fiction-authors-blog-about-these-19-
topics/

9 ways chambers of commerce can use social media
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/9-ways-chambers-of-commerce-
can-use-social-media/

———————————————

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 #503 May 4, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.mobi/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
http://www.publicityarticles.net/ (Ezine Archives)

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

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

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

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

1. 5 Facebook Security Dangers

2. Press Release & Pitching Problems

3. State of the Plate Survey

4. Webinars & Teleseminars

5. Promoting Job Training

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…

====================================
1. 5 Facebook Security Dangers
====================================

If you’re on Facebook, LinkedIn or MySpace, Consumer Reports says
you’re putting your security in danger if you do these 5 things:

–List your correct birthday.

–Use a weak password.

–Overlook the control you have in your privacy settings.

–Post a child’s name in a caption.

–Mention being away from home. I’m astonished at how many people
do this, and about the popularity of FourSquare.com, the hot new
site where you can “check in” with your followers and advertise
where you are at any second of the day. Connect FourSquare with
your Twitter account, and you could end up on the site
PleaseRobMe.com.

Read about two other social media dangers at the L.A. Times blog
at http://ow.ly/1GSty

And then once you’re safety is assured, follow Christine
Buffaloe’s tips on 11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on
Facebook at http://budurl.com/facebookwithchris

====================================
2. Press Release & Pitching Problems
====================================

When other pubicity mutts are zigging, Publicity Hounds should be
zagging.

what’s zigging?

–Sending press releases and hoping they will result in major
stories. Too few mutts understand what press releaases can and
cannot do. They’re great if you want the search engines to find
you and reach consumers directly. But they seldom generate major
publicity.

–Pitching blindly, without taking the time to research
journalists and bloggers. Letting them know who you are BEFORE
you pitch says, “I care about the topics you cover, and I can
help you.” that’s o much better than delivering a pitch out of
left field that says, “I don’t know who you are or what you
cover, but I’m contacting you anyway.”

I’ll be hosting a webinar called “How to REALLY Use Publicity as
an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When Everyone Else is
ZAGGING.” It will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Wednsday, May 19,
and you can start registering next week. You don’t need to be in
front of a computer to participate. The session will be recorded
so you can watch it later.

=====================================
3. State of the Plate Survey
=====================================

Here’s a rare exception of when a press release results in a huge
story.

The headline on the release reads, “Economy Hits Churches at
Unprecedented Rate.” The release goes on to say that almost 40
percent of churches across the United States saw a decline in
church giving and offerings last year, according to a survey.

It was taken by Brian Kluth and Christianity Today International.
Kluth is a former church pastor and best-selling author who now
works as “Generosity Minister at Large” at the First Evangelical
Free Church of Colorado Springs. Two large colorful graphs within
the press release show the survey results at a glance, and
include regional statistics that the media can devour.

More than 150 media outlets covered the story. You can see the
press release, the survey results and the array of dozens of
media logos on Brian’s website at
http://www.stateoftheplate.info/

All that, from just one survey.

My business partner, Jeanne Hurlbert, is presenting a free
webinar at 2 p.m. Eastern Time today on how surveys can uncover
information about your customers, your market and other aspects
of your business that you could never imagine. You’ll learn how
to use surveys to guide you in creating products and services,
and spot trends within your industry that can result in fabulous
publicity. Register for the webinar at
http://snipurl.com/surveycustomers

=====================================
4. Webinars & Teleseminars
=====================================

Tuesday, May 4:

–”Words That Work in the Press, Politics & Public Relations,”
featuring word wizard Frank Lutz, sponsored by Bulldog Reporter.
1 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://ow.ly/1DtxK

–“How To Get A Whole Lot More Media Publicity And Exposure And
Make A Name For Yourself As An Expert In Your Field,” sponsored
by Steve Harrison, at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern. Register at
http://www.YourQuantumLeap.com/PreviewCallFour/?11577

–”Your Cash-Generating Crystal Ball: How to Use Simple Surveys
to Read Your Prospects’ and Customers’ Minds, Build Lists, Create
Products and Make Money,” featuring Jeanne Hurlbert, PhD, 2 p.m.
Eastern. http://snipurl.com/surveycustomers

======================================
5. Promoting Job Training
======================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips for Deborah Avens of
Temple Hills, MD, on how to market job training programs for
disadvantaged girls and women.

From Doug Smith:

“Networking with some of the organizations serving the D.C. area
may be helpful. There is a group out of Oakton, VA, called Women
Entrepreneurs, Inc. Also, the National Association of Women
Business Owners is based there in DC. I am sure the DC and
Maryland Better Business Bureau and Chambers of Commerce would
assist in getting the word out.”

From Eric Barton:

“With no budget, social media would be great and free. Articles,
blogs, press releases and YouTube videos all generate leads and
customers/clients.”

From Margaret Vos:

“Contact the Junior League. I think they would LOVE to help.
Other non-profits can be just what you’re looking for!”

The Publicity Hound says:

Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at http://ow.ly/1DHuq

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

=====================================
6. Help This Hound
=====================================

Katie Schwartz Chattanooga, TN, asks:

“What are some ways to reach education reporters, or parents of
students about to enter college?

“I have written an ebook called Portable Parent at
http://www.portableparent.com/contents.htm for parents and
college students, with advice the students need on life skills
such as time and money management, as well as much more. Parents
download it, add their input and upload it to the students’
computers so the advice is ready when they are. Instant info,
with a parent’s input, 24/7. How can I publicize this?”

The Publicity Hound says:

Back-to-school sections, which magazines and newspapers print in
late summer, are ideal places to publicize your book. Google
“back to school section” and see if you can find contact
information for editors. Start pitching magazines right now.
Pitch newspapers in mid-summer. Don’t forget bloggers who write
about parenting issues. See “How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and
Create a Publicity Explosion” at
http://snipurl.com/pitchbestbloggers

Hounds with other ideas can post them to my blog at
http://snipurl.com/collegestudentebook

=====================================
7. Hound Quote of the Week
=====================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Michael Acklam for this one:

“We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we
can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best
deal man has ever made.”

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

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

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

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

Consider retweeting by coping these headlines and links into
Twitter:

Do you say ‘I love you’ to your pet? Guess how many owners do?
http://snipurl.com/petownersurvey

Speakers: 7 ways to use text messages to wow audiences
http://ow.ly/1GPgg

———————————————

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.

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