Publicity tips/Include statistics in pitches December 27, 2005
The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #274 - December 27, 2005
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®
Circulation: 14,030
=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
=====================================
Please forward this ezine to anyone you know who needs free
publicity to establish their credibility, enhance their
reputation, position themselves as employers of choice, sell
more products and services, or promote a favorite cause or
issue.
**********************************************
Final Checks for Affiliates:
I'll be writing the final commission checks or my affiliates on
Saturday. If you aren't among the Publicity Hounds who have
been receiving checks regularly for selling my products to your
own customers, it isn't too late to get in on the action. Sign
up to be an affiliate and earn 40 percent commission on all my
products. I've made it easy for you with 17 sales tips that
will give you ideas galore on how to introduce your customers
to me. You can sign up at http://tinyurl.com/87tmr
**********************************************
================================
In This Issue
================================
1. Include Statistics in Pitches
2. Wild and Wacky Lists
3. New Inflight Magazine
4. Publicity via Meetup.com
5. How to Collect Donated Items
6. Help This Hound
7. Hound Joke of the Week
==================================
1. Include Statistics in Pitches
==================================
The next time you're reading a newspaper or magazine article,
notice how many times the reporter mentions statistics high in
the story.
You should do the same when you pitch. That's because
statistics help validate a story.
I found the following statistics in just one section of the
Weekend Edition of the Wall Street Journal:
--In November, video game sales were down 18 percent from a
year ago.
--A story about designer dogs said that most of the country's
73 million pet dogs are still purebreds or mutts from the local
pound. "Wallace Havens, whose Puppy Haven Kennel outside
Madison, Wis. sells 2,500 puppies a year, says requests for
$600 designer dogs grew by 10 percent over last year while
demand for Puggies (a cross between a Pug and a Beagle), has
tripled."
--An article about charitable giving in a year of disasters
said charitable giving in the U.S. totaled about $248 billion
in 2004, a 5 percent increase over 2003.
--An article about the ski season stated that despite a deluge
of snow in recent weeks on the East Coast and in the Rockies,
the ski-resort industry needs all the help it can get because
visitor traffic in the U.S. has grown just 13 percent since the
1981-82 season, according to the National Ski Areas
Association.
If you have a pitch, but no statistics, you can get them from a
variety of places, including Google searches, trade
associations, research papers, and the U.S. Census Bureau at
http://www.census.gov/
Using statistics is just one of 19 "rules of the road" for
Publicity Hounds, suggested by a panel of journalists that met
in New York in October. They included reporters from the Wall
Street Journal, Family Circle and NY1, New York's cable
station. The tips are included in the January/February issue of
The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter. The issue,
available only as a PDF, also includes articles on why you
should banish the words publicity and PR from your vocabulary
and concentrate instead on storytelling, an example of a pitch
from a storyteller, how a PR practitioner can manage client
expectations, how to write the perfect author resource box at
the end of an article, a book that offers numerous case studies
on marketing to Hispanics, how to attend f~ree monthly
teleseminars featuring publicity tips, what network news
program wants your "good news" stories, how to look like an
expert on TV, and January/February story ideas.
Order it at http://tinyurl.com/7adar
Or order a year's subscription (6 issues) at
http://tinyurl.com/4mz3x
===============================
2. Wild and Wacky Lists
===============================
This is the time of year to be pitching year-end lists.
Thanks to Publicity Hound Scott Hansen of Carnation,
Washington, for alerting us to the "2005 Most Unbelievable
Workplace Events" issued by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray
and Christmas, Inc. They're designed to make you ask, "What in
the world was that company thinking?" The list includes:
--A German company that initiated a strict whine-free policy.
Whiners and other boat rockers are under a "two whines and
you're out" rule. At least two people already have been fired
because of it.
--A Michigan woman was fired from her part-time receptionist
job for failing to show up for work the day after seeing her
husband off to war as a National Guardsman.
--Two Spanish-speaking hair stylists in Chicago claim in a
federal lawsuit that the company they worked for strictly
banned the use of Spanish, even when employees were on their
breaks. A sign at the company read, "Speaking a language other
than English is not only disrespectful, it's prohibited."
You can read the entire list at http://tinyurl.com/awndf I
love the list, but it would have been stronger if the
outplacement firm had identified the companies.
What lists can you pitch to the media this week? Think wild and
whacky, the "most" or "least," the funniest, the most unusual,
the scariest, etc.
Editors love lists because they're short and fill odd-size
holes on a page. They can also be trimmed easily. If you submit
a "Top 10" list and the editor only has room for six items, he
can trim the list and call it the "Top 6." Learn about the nine
types of briefs in "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to .Write
them and Why Editors Love Them," available as a CD or an
electronic transcript that you can download and be reading
within a few minutes after your order is approved. Read more
about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d74h7
==================================
3. New Inflight Magazine
==================================
US Airways magazine, created from the merger of US Airways and
America West, will debut in January. It will replace Attache,
which ended an eight-year run in November.
Like most other inflight magazines, this one will focus on
lifestyle, fashion, pop culture and travel. But it will be a
whopping issue, with more than 200 pages. Read more about what
Editor Lance Elko wants at
http://navigator.bacons.com/current/US_Airways_Mag.asp
Inflight magazines can be a publicity gold mine because these
magazines reach a well-educated, affluent audience. "Special
Report #29: Fly High with Publicity in Inflight Magazines"
gives you contact information for 36 magazines, and a long list
of pitching tips. This report was recently updated a few months
ago, so most of the contact information is current. Order it at
http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g
===============================
4. Publicity via Meetup.com
===============================
If you're looking for a group with interests similar to yours
and near your own community, or you want to target a group of
people with a particular interest, consider Meetup.com.
Formed in New York three years ago, the group has spawned
smaller groups in 1,432 cities worldwide, including more than
1,200 in the United States. Pick a topic and you'll probably
find a group that's meeting to discuss it. There's the Human
Rights Meetup in Falworth, Texas; the Knitting Meetup in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and the Chihuahua Meetup in New York
City, New York.
What do these groups have to do with publicity?
--If you're in a Meetup group, let your local media know.
Reporters love stories like this one because your group is the
local angle to the national story. Be sure to check out the
group's press kit at http://press.meetup.com/pdfs/mediakit.pdf
where you'll find lots of statistics about Meetup.com that you
can weave into your pitch.
--If you're pitching a story and you want to offer journalists
contacts for other people who they can interview, you can check
the Meetup website and perhaps steer them to a Meetup group.
--Several Meetup.com groups are comprised of people who are
advocating a certain cause or issue. There's no reason why
members of those groups can't write letters to the editor of
newspapers and magazines. Just be sure one person signs her
name to the letter, then identifies herself as being a member
of the Meetup.com group. Never write one letter and ask
multiple people to sign it.
If you can't convince a journalist to cover your story, there's
always the editorial page of your local, regional or national
newspapers. "How to Use Newspaper & Magazine Editorial Pages"
shows you how to write compelling letters to the editor and
op-ed columns, and how to ask for a meeting with the powerful
newspaper editorial board, made up of editors who decide what
position the newspaper will take in their editorials. It's
available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading within minutes after your order is
approved. Read more about what you'll learn at
http://tinyurl.com/5wh45
================================
5. How to Collect Donated Items
================================
This week, six Publicity Hounds have advice for Leah Ingram.
She wants ideas on how to promote a service that serves as a
clearinghouse for anyone who wants to donate anything of value
to any group that would gladly accept their donations.
"Wouldn't it be great if there was a website that acted as a
clearinghouse of information?" she asked. "Thus my new
website/philanthropic venture WhereToDonate.org was born."
(It's at http://www.WheretoDonate.org )
From Kay Pinkerton:
"eBay would be the perfect 'piggy-back' partner for your
website. A hyperlink on the eBay site would offer a convenient
one-stop shop for aficionados unable to sell their wares the
eBay way. eBay's management team may even work with you as part
of the company's community relations/philanthropic initiative."
From Ron Chapman:
"I would conduct a web search of chambers of commerce in the 50
largest metropolitan areas and ask each for the regional
non-profit support activity in their area. That should net a
good list of contacts."
From Victoria Wiedel:
"Many United Ways have 'Gifts In Kind' programs for you to
approach as partners. If you search for 'United Way gifts in
kind' you will come up with a list of local programs you can
contact (and send your form to)."
Read all the responses at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=433
Non-profits everywhere, particularly those with a paltry budget
and no staff, can find dozens of tips on how to generate
thousands of dollars in publicity from "Failproof Publicity
Tips for Your Nonprofit." It's available as a CD or electronic
transcript. Read more about what you'll learn at
http://tinyurl.com/7of78
===================================
6. Help This Hound
===================================
Publicity Hound Tim Martin of Corona, California writes:
"I am working with Rex Bowlby, the author of the book 'Why
Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box?...101 Ways
to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your
Wallet.' It provides a treasure chest full of ideas on teaching
and bonding with your kids using everyday items--such as a
pile of dirt or a big cardboard box--that will stimulate their
imaginations and creativity.
"But the book hasn't gotten the exposure it needs. Are there
any Hounds with unique ideas on how to spread the word
about this book? Maybe even a way to move a truckload of
copies at a time through a huge church or family organization,
perhaps as a fund-raiser? (I've heard of people finding ways
to sell tens of thousands of copies at a time.) This author isn't
in it for the money. He's in it to make a difference. You can
read more about the book at his website at
http://www.rexbowlby.com/about-books-whytoy.html "
The Publicity Hound says: It sounds to me like the big morning
TV talk shows are a natural for this story because it has all
the things TV producers love: people, color and motion. Can't
you just see Katie Couric or Matt Lauer playing with a big
cardboard box? Hounds with other great ideas can post them to
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=439
"How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows" explains how
to catch the attention of producers at the seven big morning
show like "Good Morning, America," "Fox & Friends" and the
"Today" show. It tells you the five types of stories producers
want most, and the one show that is perfect for light features
like this one. It's available as a CD or electronic transcript
that you can be reading in a few minutes. Read more about what
you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ab86x
==================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
==================================
Thanks to Antoinette de Janasz of The Twooth Timer Company,
Inc. for this animal truism:
Cat's motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to
make it look like the dog did it.
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/
---------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®:
January 19: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs Racine-Kenosha Chapter, "How to
Organize Your 2006 Media Campaign and Get Thousands of Dollars
in Free Publicity," 5:30 P.M., UW-Parkside, Union Building,
Room 104, $19 for members and $24 for guests, including dinner.
To register, call 262-632-7993.
February 10: Washington, D.C.
National Speakers Association Winter Workshop, concurrent
session for staff on "How to Position the Boss as an Expert the
Media Love," 4:30 to 5:45 p.m., Crystal Gateway Marriott.
Details and registration at
http://www.nsaspeaker.org/dc/online_schedule.shtml
March 22, 2005: Waukesha, Wisconsin
2006 Micro Entrepreneur Expo, "How to Get Free Publicity," Part
1 from 5:30-6:15 and Part 2 from 8-8:45 PM, Waukesha Area
Technical College; pre-registration $25 or $30 at the door
(includes dinner). To register, call 262-695-3468.
May 18: Washington, D.C.
PMA University. "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine."
Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. 8:30-10:15 a.m.
Details pending.
***If you're in the National Speakers Association or the Public
Relations Society of America--or another business, marketing or
PR group--and you want details on how to bring in The Publicity
Hound to do a fund-raiser for your chapter, or you want me to
host a teleseminar customized just for your group, contact me
at mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=speaker_inquiry
or call 262-284-7451.
***Attention Meeting Planners: If you're booking speakers for
winter, spring or summer conferences or events, keep me in
mind--even if you have a last-minute cancellation. I deliver
high-content, interactive programs that are lots of fun. Call
262-284-7451 or
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=speaker_inquiry for
details.
PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "The
Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week" in your own print or
electronic newsletter. But please include the following
paragraph:
Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free
ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free
publicity. Subscribe at http://www.PublicityHound.com and
receive free by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a News
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 HoundR website at http://www.PublicityHound.com or
you told me you want to subscribe.
PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound will never distribute
your address to anyone. Period.
Promise.
=======================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.A. Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737
