Publicity tips/When editors have to beg March 28, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #287 - March 28, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 14,705

=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop:
http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/
=====================================

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.

***************************************************
New Teleseminar: "Do-It-Yourself PR for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget"

When: 8 to 9:10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29

Guest: Bob Baker, author, independent musician and former music magazine publisher

To register or buy the CD or electronic transcript: http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm
***************************************************

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

1. When Editors Have to Beg

2. The Perfect Pitch

3. What I Learned on a Radio Show

4. Upcoming Deadlines

5. How to Promote a Book for Parents

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


==================================
1. When Editors Have to Beg
==================================

It's a sad day in Publicity Land when editors have to beg people for articles they can print in their newspapers and magazines.

When I spoke to a group of micro entrepreneurs last week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the editor and publisher of a new business magazine in Milwaukee called Magazine SOHO, was in the audience. Her name is Cd Vann. I gave her 30 seconds to invite the group of more than 120 business owners to submit how-to articles and shorter lists of tips for the magazine (circ. 3,000) that she publishes for owners of small office/home office businesses.

When we had breakfast together yesterday morning, I asked her if she was inundated with content. I almost choked on my eggs when she told me how many people had responded to her offer.

None. Nada. Zip. Zero.

"You're kidding," I said.

Then she opened one of the magazines she had brought with her and pointed to a big chunk of white space on Page 7 of an issue from last year.

"This is what I'm sometimes stuck with," she said. "This would have been the perfect spot for a list of seven tips. If people only realized how easy it is to get into this magazine."

So I promised her I'd call on my Hounds for help.

Here's the deal. She needs content for the May/June "moving away from home" issue, designed to help SOHOs know when it's time to move their businesses outside of their homes. She wants how-to articles of 350 to 625 words from commercial real estate agents on how to find space, tips from interior designers and office furniture stores on how to design an office on a budget, and advice from people who have bought used office equipment.

The May/June issue will deal with the business of golf. Perhaps you're a golf instructor who knows how to conduct business on the golf course. Or maybe you're a sales trainer and golfer who knows how to get the order without asking for it on Hole 14. Or an etiquette expert who can discuss do's and don'ts.

An upcoming issue will focus on diversity in the workplace. Cd, who is African-American, says she doesn't want tips only from or about African-Americans and Latinos. "Diversity encompasses the entire range--American Indian, Eastern Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Chinese..." What diversity issues do SOHOs need to know about?

Mailto:cdvann@sohobusinessmagazine.com and remember to include your print-quality photo.

Most of you have these same types of niche publications in your own communities. And many editors like Cd would be happy to let you offer the article to other non-competing publications.

Need help? "How to Write How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines & Trade Journals" gives you easy, step-by-step instructions on how to write a 500-word article that any editor would love. It comes with lots of tips on how to work with editors and includes a downloadable "template" for a how-to article. Just follow my directions and you'll have your own article in no time. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/hwymo

No time to write an article? Learn how to write and submit a short list of tips with your contact information. See "Special Report #16: How to Write Tip Sheets That Catch the Media's Attention" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


===============================
2. The Perfect Pitch
===============================

When you email a story idea to the media, does it include the eight key elements of the perfect pitch?

--A compelling, not cute, subject line

--No more than one screen of type

--Mentioning a specific section of the newspaper or magazine, or a specific part of a TV or radio show, where your story would be a good fit. This lets them know you are familiar with what they cover.

--Just enough information about the story so that journalists want more.

--Why people should care or why the story is important. (Quote statistics or mention a trend.)

--The little "extras" that will score you points such as offering photos or information for graphics. Or letting journalists know you can provide names and contact information of other people who they can interview.

--No attachments. But you can link to a website where they can find more information.

--No mass emails. Send separate emails to each journalist and address them by name.

I mentioned the eight traits of the perfect pitch yesterday, when I teamed up with Dan Janal of PR Leads. We were the guest presenters for the monthly telephone seminar for intermediate level members of the Internet Association of Information Marketers.

To illustrate my point about pitching, I created this fictional email pitch.

The subject line was "Story idea: Fake ID cards."

"Hi Bob:

"Fake ID cards are popping up all over town. College students are using them to get into bars. Drunks who have had their licenses yanked for drunken driving are reproducing fakes. And illegal immigrants are using fake green cards.

"I'm a local private investigator who can supply eight tips on how local businesses can spot fake IDs and what they should do when they come across one. This story would be a perfect fit for the "News you can use" section in Saturday's Daily Tattler. I can also supply four fake ID cards, which you can use in a photo to accompany the article.

"You can call me at 262-284-7451 or on my cellphone at 262-826-7945."

Short. Sweet. Packed with details. What journalist wouldn't pounce on that story?

If your news releases aren't getting the response you had hoped, turn them into pitch letters that you can email. On the CD or electronic transcript called "How to Write a Pitch Letter More Powerful Than a News Release," BL Ochman shows you how to write chatty, compelling pitches that leave a journalist wanting more. Her pitch letters have landed her clients in top-tier publications such as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/6yd65

If you sell anything online, learn how to sell lots more by joining the Internet Association of Information Marketers at http://tinyurl.com/54dp6


==================================
3. What I Learned from a Radio Show
==================================

Remember me telling you about the hour-long Milwaukee radio show for entrepreneurs that hosted me as their guest expert on Saturday afternoon?

I was disappointed that we didn't get any calls from the audience. But here's what happened and what I learned as a result of that program:

--The host, Diane Chamness, was joined by Paul Kronforst, who moderated the show, decided when we had to break for commercials and attended to the all the little details. He joined the conversation with his own comments and questions. It's the first time I ever did a radio show with two other people on the other side of the table. So I had to be careful to give them both a chance to speak and not hog the microphone.

--On the show, we discussed the strategy of Publicity Hounds bringing or sending food to radio and TV stations they want to get onto. During a commercial break, Paul told me his radio station doubles as a smorgasbord many days of the year. Advertisers, politicians, Publicity Hounds and lots of other people send free food to the station, to be enjoyed by hosts, guests, the engineers, the sales crew and anybody else. "Bring it on...We love it!" he said. But remember, don't send free food to print publications.

--Since Saturday, I've seen a nice little spike in the number of new subscribers to this newsletter.

--I just hung up with a Wisconsin business owner who heard the show on Saturday. His company is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and he wanted help with publicity. I referred him to an associate who will be perfect for him.

--I sent handwritten thank-you notes to Diane and Paul.

What radio shows in your community can you get onto to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation and sell more products and services? My friend George McKenzie, a veteran of radio and TV, says drive-time radio shows are publicity gold mines, but only if you know the kinds of guests the hosts are looking for. The CD or electronic transcript "How to Get onto Drive-Time Radio Shows" gives you dozens of ideas on how to pitch the hosts and producers, how to give a great performance, how to weave your products into the show, and how to get invited back. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/663ow


===============================
4. Upcoming Deadlines
===============================

--March 31: The last day to take advantage of early-bird registration for "Savvy Media Relations, How to Get Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity" May 16 in Washington, D.C. This is perfect for corporate, nonprofit or government PR people as well as authors, speakers and experts. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/washingtondc.htm

--March 31: The deadline for registering for the 25th Yearbook of Experts. You'll get two bonuses. A free annual subscription to Talkers Magazine, including the current issue with the top 100 Talk Shows in America. You'll also get a free mailing of one news release of your choice to 100 selected leading journalists. If you're an expert at anything, you belong in this book and at this website. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/f5evn

--April 15: The last day to create your own day, week or month of the year and submit it to Chase's Calendar of Events so you're included in the next print edition. Submit it at http://www.chases.com/. Once you've done that, start using it as a springboard for publicity. See "Special Report #45: How to Generate National Publicity from Your Own Holiday (or Day, Week or Month of the Year)" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


================================
5. How to Promote a Book for Parents
================================

This week, 12 Publicity Hounds pitched in to help Tim Martin of Corona, California and his friend, Rex Bowlby, come up with ideas on how to market Rex's 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" at http://www.rexbowlby.com/about-books-whytoy.html. The book shows parents how to bond with their kids by using everyday items that will stimulate their imaginations such as big cardboard boxes or a pile of dirt.


From Molly Cook:

"This is a natural for grandparents--we’re the ones who remember the time when this kind of creativity was fun--and necessary with small budgets. We’re tired of buying super expensive gadgets for the grandkids...A story in the AARP publications would go over big!"


From Thom Thom Reece:

"This sounds like a natural for article marketing. No doubt the author has dozens of ideas and tips that he could weave into free-standing articles of around 500 words or less. Couple the article with a great bio/resource box which contains a solid offer for his book, with links that lead to a sales page, and submit to any one of dozens of article directories. Don’t make the mistake of submitting just one article. Submit a hundred or more." (The Publicity Hound uses ArticleSubmitterPro software to submit articles to these directories. You can find it at http://tinyurl.com/kf5jt)


From Kami Huyse:

"How about sending the book to a handful of Mommy bloggers that are well-read, say in the Technorati 'magic middle,' which are blogs that have from 20 to 1,000 unique links from other blogs. You can start at http://www.technorati.com/blogs/motherhood

"Ask them to read the book and give you their feedback, maybe on a Survey Monkey survey. This will give you data that you can use to promote the book and some of these 'connectors' might blog about the book too.

Read all the responses at http://publicityhound.net/?p=541


The Publicity Hound says: Book publicist Lissa Warren says sales typically drop about six months after a book has been published. That's when many authors give up! And that's a mistake. Lissa has a checklist of proactive steps authors can take to get sales back up to a respectable level, primarily through publicity. She explains them all on the CD or electronic transcript called "How to Revive a Dying Book Marketing Campaign." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/67bhu


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

Publicity Hound Jennifer Raaths of Barrington, Illinois writes:

"I am working on a Mother's Day gift idea for my client, a liquor store. The gift idea is a handmade purse by my friend, a local stay-at-home mom. Each purse is unique. No two are the same. And they're filled with a bottle each of red and white wine. The wines happen to be from Argentina and are very popular at resorts and spas.

"I plan on taking photos of this and sending press releases soon, but here's where I'm stumped. What would be a catchy way to promote this? And would this be worthy of going after the national shows? If so, what angle? You can see the bags at http://bagsbycarrie.com/


The Publicity Hound says: Let's first toast all my Hounds who are going to respond to this fun query. I can hardly wait to read their ideas. You can post them to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=551

Here's my own idea. If the bags are customized, how about making separate bags for Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer and the other female celebrities who host the morning TV talk shows? You'll score extra points if your friend does a little research and ties into the design their favorite color, or something that represents their favorite hobby. Or, since Carrie hosts make-your-own purse parties, pitch a segment in which Carrie teaches Katie or Diane how to make their own customized bags. (Note: Katie might jump ship and become an news anchor for CBS.)

Get a head start with the CD or electronic transcript called "How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows." You'll find dozens of pitching tips, contact information and clever hooks. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ab86x


================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Julie Hunt of San Diego for this one:


On the first day, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the animals of the earth (especially the horse) to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and the man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but He had to walk the dog.


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 Blog...
================================

Radio talk shows: 6 traits of ideal hosts, guests
http://publicityhound.net/?p=549

Food nutrition facts will beef up food pitches
http://publicityhound.net/?p=547

Book marketing during the holidays will help book sales
http://publicityhound.net/?p=548

State of the Media Report shows journalists more stressed than ever--good news for PR people
http://publicityhound.net/?p=546

---------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®:

May 16: Washington, D.C.

I'll be hosting a half-day public seminar called "Savvy Media Relations: How to Use Your Expertise to Get Thousands of Dollars in F~ree Publicity." Register by Saturday so you don't miss out on the early-bird sign-up. Read all about it at http://www.Publicityhound.com/washingtondc.htm


May 17: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington D.C. Convention Center. Robin Bartlett and I will present "Advanced Website Tricks to Pull More Traffic and Sell, Sell, Sell," 8:30-10:00 a.m. Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm


May 18: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Penny Sansevieri and I will present "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine." Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm


***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 Hound® 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

Publicity tips/Don't forget the kids March 21, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #286 - March 21, 2006

Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

The Publicity Hound®
Circulation: 14,634

=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

Receive this ezine direct to your desktop:
http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/
=====================================

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.

***************************************************
New Teleseminar: "Do-It-Yourself PR for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget"

When: 8 to 9:10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29

Guest: Bob Baker, author, independent musician and former music magazine publisher

To register or buy the CD or electronic transcript: http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm

(See Item #3 below)

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

1. Don't Forget the Kids

2. Publicity for Fiction Titles

3. Write Seasonal Songs

4. NPR and The Hollywood Reporter

5. How to Promote Spy Moms

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. Don't Forget the Kids
==================================

If you're an expert who can share advice, write a how-to article, create a quiz, take a poll or survey, dream up a clever holiday, offer a Q&A, or show someone how to do something, don't forget the kids.

I don't have children. But while at the local library last week, I paged through three magazines for parents to see what kinds of publicity tips I could find. The exercise reminded me that experts in a wide variety of specialty areas should be pitching articles aimed not only at adults, but at children, or articles dealing with children.

Here's what I found:

--Information from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation on whether your kids' symptoms are allergies or a common cold. Doctors, health clinics and other health-related groups could pitch something like this.

--Tips on how to teach your children to save money. Couldn't bankers, financial planners and stock brokers offer this kind of advice?

--Clever ways to get rid of kids' clutter. I'll bet any professional organizer or any store that sells storage containers could share tips on keeping a kid's bedroom clean.

--Caring for kids' hair. Specifically, curls, kinks and cowlicks. Many hairdressers, whose clients include children, would be able to share their best hair care tips for the little ones.

--I even found a feature called "Diaper Dramas: Everything you ever wanted to know about baby's poop." What a great story idea for pediatricians! (Wouldn't you love to have seen the face of the journalist who was on the receiving end of that pitch?)

--How to prevent children from getting fat. Fitness centers, chefs, nutritionists and food scientists should be able to rattle off a dozen tips in no time.

--And, finally, The Publicity Hound's favorite: How to raise a media-savvy kid. It offered tips on how parents can teach their small children to recognize the difference between paid ads and the actual TV shows. Couldn't ad agency execs and PR people pitch a story like this?

What's your area of expertise and how many ways can you spin it into a pitch for children?


TV reporter Shawne Duperon knows that stories about children play a prominent role when assignment editors decide what gets on the air and what doesn't. She helped me brainstorm the best print and broadcast stories that reporters and assignment editors love. We came up with 219 of them, some involving children, and they're featured on two CDs we created. You can download the handout, which includes the entire list of tips, as soon as your order has been approved.

116 WOW! Story Ideas from January through June
http://tinyurl.com/6k7zk

103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July through December
http://tinyurl.com/54y6f

If you're short on story ideas right now, steal as many of these as you like.


===============================
2. Publicity for Fiction Titles
===============================

Authors who write fiction think they face an uphill battle trying to get publicity for their books.

That's because most fiction authors see themselves as storytellers, not experts. Yet many of them do far more research before writing their books than authors of non-fiction.

Here are five ways authors can get publicity for their fiction titles:

--Piggyback onto an upcoming major or minor holiday, or a day, week or month of the year. Did you write a romance novel? If so, supply tips on how to be romantic to tie into Valentine's Day, or Sweetest Day in October.

--Offer helpful how-to advice that ties into your topic. Bill and Susan Albert have a series of mystery books featuring China Bayles, the main character, who has an herb shop, and they've promoted themselves as experts on the topic of herbal lore. Their email newsletter includes information and recipes about herbs, in addition to news about their latest books.

--Sponsor a contest that ties into the topic of your book. The bigger the prize, the better the publicity.

--Create your own day, week or month of the year that's associated with the topic, and submit it to Chase's Calendar of Events at http://www.chases.com/ Then tie news releases and other promotions to the special day.

--In her book "Jump Start Your Book Sales" at http://www.communicationcreativity.com/js/, Marilyn Ross suggests that authors can ask their local newspapers to sponsor a "complete the short story" contest. You write the beginning and readers submit their own endings. "This has been done very successfully on the Web by celebrity authors," Marilyn writes.

Read about more ways that fiction authors can promote their books in an article written by publicist Marcia Friedman for the March/April issue of The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter. The current issue also includes tips on how to write killer blog posts, 9 ways to customize one press release, 3 rules for working with celebrities who you want to appear at your special event, how to follow up with reporters, 4 new magazines and a new technology column to add to your media list, an inexpensive subscription service where you can have access to pitching tips for 149 magazines, where to learn what's hot at Los Angeles radio stations, where to get a free manuscript critique and a free book marketing newsletter, and how to be a guest on an Atlanta talk radio show. All for only $10.

Order the March/April issue at http://tinyurl.com/rg7zs

Or save time ordering individual issues and get a year's subscription for $49.95 at http://tinyurl.com/co57d


==================================
3. Write Seasonal Songs
==================================

Musician Bob Baker says that unless you have friends in high places, your independent CD release barely stands a chance of getting radio airplay on commercial stations.

You'll even find that it's difficult to convince college and community stations to give your CD a substantial number of plays on the airwaves.

Bob says that one way to sneak into a station's rotation is to write a novelty song that relates to a current topic in the news or an upcoming holiday. For instance, Christmas songs almost always get some airplay during the Yuletide season. But that's far too obvious.

Try creating songs that pay tribute to more musically obscure holidays such as Thanksgiving or Groundhog Day. And what about Easter, President's Day, Valentine's Day or Columbus Day?
But don't stop there.

Create songs about a local political scandal, winning or losing sports teams, elections or famous local people in the news. Consider a theme song or jingle for one of the popular morning radio shows.

"Believe it or not, novelty songs have a much better chance of getting commercial airplay, which will get your name out there, possibly paving the way for your more serious songs later," Bob says. "Just make sure the novelty or theme song you write and pitch to the station is in line with your overall musical style and identity."

Bob, who also worked as a music magazine editor, will be my guest during the teleseminar "Do-it-Yourself PR Tips for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget" from 8 to 9:10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29. He'll spill the beans on lots of creative, low-cost ways musicians can get valuable publicity for their bands and their CDs--online and offline. You can register for the teleseminar, or buy the CD or electronic transcript, at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm


===============================
4. NPR and The Hollywood Reporter
===============================

If you're an author, entertainer, speaker or expert who wants to get onto National Public Radio or into the Hollywood Reporter, pay attention.

Nancy Mills, a former journalist who was my guest during a teleseminar a few weeks ago on how to use Craigslist as a free publicity tool for just about anything you're selling (see http://tinyurl.com/mj7rd), hosts her own teleseminar series for women, and she's featuring two guests you won't want to miss.

At 1 PM Eastern Time on April 4, you can listen as NPR radio personality Frances Halpern talks about how she went from radio guest to popular host, what makes an author interesting, the best way to get on a radio show, your to promote yourself, and more.

Frances has interviewed everyone from authors Ray Bradbury to Sue Grafton on her long-running NPR radio show, Beyond Words, on KCLU in California. A successful author herself, Frances knows the tricks of the trade.

At 1 PM Eastern Time on May 2, you can listen as Selena Templeton, calendar editor for The Hollywood Reporter, shows you how to pitch in 50 words or fewer. She monitors a weekly and online listing of entertainment industry events seen by 24,000 people daily. And she receives almost 100 press releases and pitches a day. She says nothing gets your press release into the trash faster than a rambling six-pager that doesn't even state the title of your event.

You can sign up for either of these two teleseminars or the entire series at The Spirited Woman website at http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/

If you're itching to get booked on NPR and you can't wait to listen to Frances Halpern, or you want tips from as many NPR experts as possible, you'll want to hear from book publicist Lissa Warren, who has booked more than 100 of her clients on NPR shows. The CD or electronic transcript called "How to Get Booked on National Public Radio" shows you how to navigate NPR's labyrinth, where to find the shows that need what you can offer, and how to pitch concisely and convincingly. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ayms6


================================
5. How to Promote Spy Moms
================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have ideas for Valerie Agosta of Boise, Idaho. Valerie and her partner work as Spy Moms, a business that does most types of investigative work such as infidelity, lost loves, child custody, insurance fraud, elder abuse, background checks, etc. They received a glut of publicity more than two years ago and now need ideas on how to get back into the media.


From Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell:

"Don’t overlook community/public access television. In Idaho, I believe you have two outlets...Imagine the possibilities: re-dramatizing some interesting cases that you have worked on, or offering a reality kind of spin and giving viewers a moment-to-moment account of some of your current cases (identities, of course, protected.) Who knows. Maybe a bigger network will pick it up."


From Miriam Silverberg:

"Invite a journalist along on one of your forays."


From Angela Moore:

"If that doesn’t scream reality TV, I don’t know what does! Start contacting cable channel programming departments: CourtTV, Discovery, A&E, and Oxygen. Oxygen is looking for atypical programming that empowers women."


The Publicity Hound says: Start writing briefs, one of the very best ways to get into national magazines. Since broadcasters get many of their story ideas from magazines, you may get two hits for the price of one. Briefs include surveys Q&As, Top 10 lists, tip sheets, how-to advice, resource boxes, etc. Talk about trends you're seeing, and if you can tie them into celebrities in the news, do so.

The CD "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to Write Them and Why Editors Love Them" explains the various types of briefs, how to write them, how to work with editors and what to do after your briefs have been printed. It's also available as an electronic transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d74h7

Read all the comments at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=532#comments


===================================
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" at http://www.rexbowlby.com/about-books-whytoy.html

"It provides a treasure chest full of ideas on teaching and bonding with your kids using everyday items that will stimulate their imaginations, such as empty cardboard boxes, which can double as a fort, a robot, a train, a storage container, a house, a basketball hoop, a tunnel, and a pet house.

"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?

"This author isn't in it for the money. He's in it to make a difference."


The Publicity Hound says: Hundreds of authors, publishers and book publicists read this newsletter, and I know they'll have great ideas on how to move these books. Hounds with great ideas should post them to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=541

Before Rex does anything, he needs to make sure he has the eight vital promo pieces that will help sell his book. This is the critical step that many authors skip. Dawn Josephson, a book publisher and publicist, explains the eight marketing pieces and how to create them on a CD called "How to Create Eye-opening Promo Pieces That Sell Books."

I use it when coaching authors in my mentoring program. It's also available as an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d7tus

Or read about how to have unlimited access to me as a member of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program at http://tinyurl.com/3tamf


================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
================================

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

"The noblest dog is the hot dog because it feeds the hand that bites 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/


================================
8. And at My Blog...
================================

PR agency websites rank among the lowest
http://publicityhound.net/?p=540

People magazine will listen to pitches even if you aren’t a celebrity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=537

Better Business Bureau logo lends credibility for publicity, Internet marketing
http://publicityhound.net/?p=538

PR Web Canada a great way for fitness trainer to give advice to Canada’s portly prime minister
http://publicityhound.net/?p=536

---------------------------------------------------------------

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®:


March 22: Waukesha, Wisconsin

2006 Micro Entrepreneur Expo, "How to Get F~ree 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.


March 25: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I'll be a guest on "Business Solutions," the radio show for entrepreneurs, on WISN-AM 1130, from 2 to 3 PM Eastern Time. Listen to the feed at http://www.newstalk1130.com/pages/streaming.html


May 16: Washington, D.C.

I'll be hosting a half-day public seminar called "Savvy Media Relations: How to Use Your Expertise to Get Thousands of Dollars in F~ree Publicity." Don't miss out on the early bird sign-up. Read all about it at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/washingtondc.htm


May 17: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington D.C. Convention Center. Robin Bartlett and I will present "Advanced Website Tricks to Pull More Traffic and Sell, Sell, Sell," 8:30-10:00 a.m. Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm


May 18: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Penny Sansevieri and I will present "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine." Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm

***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 Hound® 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

Publicity tips/Call talk radio shows March 14, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week

Issue #285 - March 14, 2006

Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 14,601

=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop:
http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/
=====================================

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.

***************************************************
New Teleseminar: "Do-It-Yourself PR for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget"

When: 8 to 9:10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29

Guest: Bob Baker, author, independent musician and former music magazine publisher

To register or buy the CD or electronic transcript:
http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm

(See Item #2 below)
***************************************************
================================
In This Issue
================================

1. Call Talk Radio Shows

2. PR for Musicians, Songwriters

3. Fake Press Passes

4. Write Better Blog Posts

5. How to Promote Custom Insoles

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. Call Talk Radio Shows
==================================

Smart Publicity Hounds listen to talk radio and use every chance to promote their product, service, cause or issue on a show--whether it's national shows like Howard Stern or Sean Hannity or the rinky-dink shows in your own community.

So there I was on Saturday afternoon, driving to the supermarket near my home for a dozen eggs. The radio was tuned to WISN-AM 1130 in Milwaukee, far from a rinky-dink station. Diane Chamness was halfway through her show called "Business Solutions," which features marketing tips for entrepreneurs.

"When we come back, we'll spend the remainder of the show taking calls from small business people who have clever names for their businesses," the host said.
I looked at my watch and still had 25 minutes. So I raced to the store, bought the eggs, flew home, called, and immediately got on the air.

I explained what I do and how I came up with the name The Publicity Hound. Then I carefully worked in a plug for my website without making it sound like a blatant promotion.

"Small business people should make sure their website domain names tie into the name of their company," I said. "When I decided on the name, I immediately bought the domain names PublicityHound.com and ThePublicityHound.com."

Then Diane said, "I'm familiar with your business, and I'd love to have you on the show sometime."

I followed up with an email to her, offering to fill in if any of her guests cancel. She asked if she could book me for March 25 for an hour. It was as easy as that. Mark your calendars and listen the live feed at 2 PM Eastern Time at http://www.newstalk1130.com/pages/streaming.html
WISN reaches 11 counties in southeastern Wisconsin, and I'd be surprised if the gig didn't lead to more many more readers for this newsletter, visits to my website and blog, and maybe even a few requests for speaking engagements. I'll share the results with you.

A year's subscription to Talkers magazine, which includes a list of the top 250 talk shows in the February issue, is one of two bonuses you'll get when you sign up to be included at Expertclick.com. The second bonus is a free mailing of one news release of your choice to the 100 top talk radio hosts, otherwise knows as "the Talkers Heavy Hundred."

Plus, Publicity Hounds get $100 off but only if they use this link:http://tinyurl.com/f5evn
If you're a journalist who reads this newsletter, you can register at http://www.expertclick.com/expertclick/signup/ to get a f*ree copy of the Yearbook of Experts so you have a variety of experts at your fingertips.


===============================
2. PR for Musicians, Songwriters
===============================

Within two short years, John Taglieri, a solo singer/songwriter from New Jersey, went from being a frustrated veteran musician who spent years in the bar band trenches to a one-man success story and a PR machine.

His pop-rock CD, Leap of Faith, sold more than 4,000 copies. He landed an appearance on one of the biggest morning radio shows in New York. Since then, he has toured, performed at music conferences, landed two major sponsors and has been signed to an independent label. He also was able to snag investors who paid for his next album and tour.

"The problem was, I couldn't figure out how to keep it going," he says. "As a solo artist, I had no band to book clubs with, so touring was not an option."

He took his PR campaign online with phenomenal results.

"I would find one website for my type of music and contact them about the possibilities of reviews and promotion, then go to their links page and go to every site on that page," he said. "I kept up this routine for every site I went to. For every one I visited, I wound up on 25 more, which led me to 75 more. Before long, I had made contact with dozens of webmasters who were willing to mention me or do a review."

His online and offline promotion success story is courtesy of Bob Baker, who will be my guest during the teleseminar "Do-it-Yourself PR Tips for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget" at 8 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29. Bob is a musician, former music magazine publisher and author of several books and music resources. I've been reading his stuff for years and am so impressed with his breadth of knowledge in the area of PR for musicians that I invited him to be my teleseminar guest. You can register, or buy the CD or electronic transcript, at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm


==================================
3. Fake Press Passes
==================================

I attend a popular trade show each year where several people I know create fake press passes so they don't have to pay the hefty admission fee.

It's easier than ever, thanks to desktop publishing. But get caught, and you risk looking like a cheapskate. Even worse, you can ruin your reputation within that industry.

If your organization issues press passes to the media, or you're a journalist or blogger who requests press passes and has had problems getting them, I'd like to interview you for a freelance story on fake press passes that I'm writing for PR Tactics, the magazine for the PR industry.

The kinds of sources I'm looking for include:

--Convention and visitors bureaus

--Anyone in the hospitality industry

--Groups that sponsor major special events and issue press passes

--Bloggers, ezine publishers and other online media that have had problems getting press passes

--Anyone who has caught anyone else using a fake press pass

--Anyone who has used a fake successfully

Email me with comments that I can use in the article and I may follow up with a longer interview.
Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=PressPasses

If you issue press passes to special events, make sure you're giving out lots of passes and generating lots of publicity. But don't spend sleepless nights worrying about whether you'll attract enough attendees or media. My friend Debra J. Schmidt, a former event planner for a Milwaukee TV station, teamed up with me a few years ago to pool our best ideas and create "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events." The set of 6 audio CDs includes a seventh CD with 15 can't-do-without checklists for meeting planners. You can download 5 sample checklists and read more about what this package includes at http://publicityhound.com/publicity/promote.html

It's also available as an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.
http://publicityhound.com/publicity/promote.html


===============================
4. Write Better Blog Posts
===============================

One of the best ways to become a better blogger is to read the best blogs on topics in your area of interest.

My favorites include BL Ochman, who blogs about Internet and corporate blogging strategy at http://www.whatsnextblog.com/

She's edgy. She's on top of breaking PR news within minutes. And best of all, she teaches the rest of us how to do it right.

BL suggests, for example, that bloggers write long headlines, rather than short ones.
"Most people use news feeders like Feed Demon to scan blog headlines," she says. "They decide after seeing the headline to click into the post. So tell as much of the story as you can in the headline."

She also urges bloggers to link like crazy to other blogs and websites. It's a value added for the reader and one of the biggest things that separates bloggers from traditional media.

Her article "How to Write Killer Blog Posts & Comments" is featured in the March/April issue of The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter. The issue also includes 9 ways to customize one press release, 3 rules for working with celebrities who you want to appear at your special event, how to follow up with reporters, 4 new magazines and a new technology column to add to your media list, how to write killer blog posts and comments, an inexpensive subscription service where you can have access to pitching tips for 149 magazines, where to learn what's hot at Los Angeles radio stations, where to get a free manuscript critique and a free book marketing newsletter, and how to be a guest on an Atlanta talk radio show. All for only $10.

Order the March/April issue for $10 at http://tinyurl.com/rg7zs

Or save time ordering individual issues and get a year's subscription for $49.95 at http://tinyurl.com/co57d

================================
5. How to Promote Custom Insoles
================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have ideas for Louise Epic of Calgary, Alberta, Canada who asked for advice on how to promote her company's custom insoles or foot beds. Their website is at http://www.yoursole.com/

From Carol Adams:

"April is Foot Health Awareness Month. Why not pitch the product to a segment producer at one of the national morning shows? Offer to send them a few pair to test. They are always looking for timely health-related stories. They would likely use your product alongside others in the 'foot health' segment. (See "How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows" at http://tinyurl.com/ptb9e )


From Marcia Yudkin, author of "6 Steps to Free Publicity":

"You’ll get the most publicity mileage out of sponsoring walking and running events that tend to draw a lot of amateurs. For instance, there’s a 60-mile three-day walk benefiting breast cancer in cities all over the U.S. These are ordinary women, not athletes, participating. Do a workshop beforehand for participants and have representatives offering foot care advice during the event. Do media interviews on how it is possible for an ordinary person to walk 60 miles in three days without injury. Offer tips for posting at the web sites for these sorts of events. The reason I say to target events for amateurs is that they are really likely to be concerned about and to develop foot problems and participants are not a tight little group who all know each other, but a very widely dispersed and diverse group of people who will spread the word about your products to the general public."


From Sophie Wajsman:

"How about injecting a little fun into your promotion to attract some media publicity? Make a couple of sample products for a fictional character like King Kong, then get someone dressed in a gorilla outfit to show off your product. What about casting a footprint the size of Bigfoot and announcing the ‘discovery’ of this new footprint to the media."

Read all the comments at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=521#comments

The Publicity Hound says: I suggested her company start an electronic newsletter, like this one, or a simple email tip of the week. If you're selling a product or service and you're not emailing regularly to a targeted list of people who have given you permission to market to them, you're leaving lots of revenue on the table. See "Special Report #38: How to Publish a Profitable Electronic Newsletter" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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

Valerie Agosta of Boise, Idaho writes:

"More than two years ago, Spy Moms (consisting of two previous stay-at-home moms) had a flood of publicity on local and national TV, radio and newspapers for our undercover service.

"We work the mean streets of Boise, Idaho and anywhere else we are asked to go. We do most types of investigative work that does not appear outright dangerous: infidelity, lost loves, child custody, insurance fraud, elder abuse and background checks.

"We are so grateful for the publicity we received from the 'Today' show, MSNBC, Good Housekeeping and More Magazine, as well as local newspapers. It did generate a lot of individual business. But now the ride has stopped. We need some inspiration about how to capture more clients, especially more businesses and attorneys. Spy Moms is also known as Hanady Investigations at http://www.hanadyinvestigations.com/ and desperately needs help from your Hounds."

The Publicity Hound says:

I'll put my Hounds on this case immediately, Valerie. Hounds who are experts at solving promotion dilemmas like this one should post their best ideas to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=532

In the meantime, how about trying to get back onto your local TV news shows, since you're doing most of your PI work in Boise? You can use dozens of different angles, and TV reporter Shawne Duperon show you how on the CD or transcript "How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow" at http://tinyurl.com/4zpuz


================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Ger Thatcher for this one:


"They say the dog is man's best friend. I don't believe that. How many of your friends have you neutered?"

--Comedian Larry Reeb


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 Blog...
================================

Hot magazines for 2006 appeal mostly to women
http://publicityhound.net/?p=530

Learn online PR, Internet marketing tips in trade association of information marketershttp://publicityhound.net/?p=529

How to address journalists might phase Miss Manners, but not the journalistshttp://publicityhound.net/?p=528

Article directories, free online press releases work hand in hand to generate publicityhttp://publicityhound.net/?p=531


***If you missed my recent teleseminar on "How to Use Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool" you can order the CD or electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/mj7rd

---------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®:


March 22: Waukesha, Wisconsin

2006 Micro Entrepreneur Expo, "How to Get F~ree 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.


March 25: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I'll be a guest on "Business Solutions," the radio show for entrepreneurs, on WISN-AM 1130, from 2 to 3 PM Eastern Time. Listen to the feed at http://www.newstalk1130.com/pages/streaming.html


May 16: Washington, D.C.

I'll be hosting a half-day public seminar called "Savvy Media Relations: How to Use Your Expertise to Get Thousands of Dollars in F~ree Publicity." Don't miss out on the early bird sign-up. Read all about it at http://www.Publicityhound.com/washingtondc.htm


May 17: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington D.C. Convention Center. Robin Bartlett and I will present "Advanced Website Tricks to Pull More Traffic and Sell, Sell, Sell," 8:30-10:00 a.m. Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm


May 18: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Penny Sansevieri and I will present "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine." Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm

***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 Hound® 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

Publicity tips/10 offbeat questions March 7, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #284 - March 7, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®
Circulation: 14,478

=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

Receive this ezine
direct to your desktop:
http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/

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

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.

***************************************************
Host The Publicity Hound in Chicago, Illinois:

I'm looking for a Hound in Chicago to host me for a half-day public seminar on the morning of Friday, April 7. If you can provide a venue, I'll make you an offer you can't refuse. Interested? This is ideal for colleges, universities, nonprofits or PR firms. Email me at mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HostingtheHound

***************************************************

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

1. 10 Offbeat Questions

2. How to Snag a Celebrity

3. Pitching InformationWeek

4. Publicity Leads

5. How to Promote a Webzine for Gays

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. 10 Offbeat Questions
==================================

I'm going to ask you three questions and I want you to take as much time as you need to think about each one before you answer. Here we go:


--If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? And why?

--If you were on a desert island, what three CDs would you take along, and why?

--If you won the lottery today, describe your life six months from now.

Canadian journalist Gregg McLachlan suggests reporters ask interview subjects those three questions, and seven others.

"The answers can't be rehearsed beforehand," Gregg says. "Your subject will have to look to his/her inner self to answer. It may take a minute. There may be silence for an extended period. That's OK. That's exactly what we want. We want the subject to dig deep for an answer."

Gregg, who has almost 20 years of journalism experience, launched his website, NewsCollege, in February. It includes a wide variety of tips for media people in Canada, the United States, Caribbean, Malaysia, Europe, South Africa and South America.

In his article at http://newscollege.ca/p48.htm, he encourages reporters to stray from the standard "name, rank and serial number" questions during interviews so they can really get to know their subjects.

His 10 questions are exactly the kind you need to be braced for if a reporter is interviewing you. Don't mention the first thing that comes into your head. Really take time to think about it, and don't be shy about asking the reporter, "Can I have a few minutes to think about this? It's such a good question that I want a little time to develop my answer."

As Gregg said, the reporter will probably be grateful you're taking the question seriously.

If you're doing a taped TV interview, you can even ask the reporter to turn off the camera for awhile until you have time to collect your thoughts.

Al Guyant, a former newspaper reporter, says Publicity Hounds need to know the differences between reporters at newspapers, magazines, TV stations, radio stations, Internet news sites and news services. He also says you must know all the trick questions they'll use to get you to spill the beans or say something you might regret saying. When he was my guest during a teleseminar called "Dangerous Hidden Secrets of Print & Broadcast Reporters," he outlined the strengths and weaknesses of each type of reporter, and explained how to hold your ground with each. It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript you can be reading as soon as your order is approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/g54jk

===============================
2. How to Snag a Celebrity
===============================

Hoping to book a big-name celebrity for your next special event?

It's not as easy as it sounds. One thing must remember is that for celebrities, time is their most precious commodity.

That's one of several tips from Rita Tateel, president of The Celebrity Source in Hollywood, California whose company recruits celebrities for special events.

Rita says a famous actor might have a commercial agent, talent agent, business manager, personal manager, personal publicist, film publicist, accountant, lawyer and a few personal assistants. Then there's the actor's family, friends and relatives.

"They all want a piece of the celebrity's time, so the last thing you want to do is have them feel like you are wasting it," she says.

That means if you're asking celebrities to appear at your function, allow them to arrive just before they are needed, and allow them to leave after they've fulfilled their duties. You'll score extra points with the celebrity if you're providing limo service so they don't have to worry about traffic, directions or parking.

Her other tips for working with celebrities are in the March/April issue of The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter. The newsletter also includes 9 ways to customize one press release, how to follow up with reporters, 4 new magazines and a new technology column to add to your media list, how to write killer blog posts and comments, an inexpensive subscription service where you can have access to pitching tips for 149 magazines, where to learn what's hot at Los Angeles radio stations, where to get a free manuscript critique and a free book marketing newsletter, and how to be a guest on an Atlanta talk radio show. All for only $10.

Order the March/April issue for $10 at http://tinyurl.com/rg7zs

Or save time ordering individual issues and get a year's subscription for $49.95 at http://tinyurl.com/co57d


==================================
3. Pitching InformationWeek
==================================

Rob Preston, the new editor in chief of Information Week, feels a sense of urgency in showing readers how consumer products are starting to drive their jobs.

"We are going to be upping our coverage a notch in the sense of urgency and depth," Preston said. "That is going to be the overall tone we bring to every piece of content."

This article at The Navigator website offers tips on what Preston is looking for and the best way to get your technology news into his magazine. Read more about it at http://navigator.bacons.com/current/Rob_Preston.asp

Make sure, however, that when you're contacting journalists, you aren't wasting their time with long, rambling pitches. "How to Create the Perfect 30-second Pitch" shows you how trim your story pitches from a minute to 15 seconds by including only the pertinent facts journalists need to know. Nobody pitches better than Raleigh Pinskey, who walks you step-by-step through the finer points of communicating with the media. It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/6xghx


===============================
4. Publicity Leads
===============================

--OverTime Magazine, an elite business and lifestyle publication that serves readers with a household income of $1.5 million, is looking for items to distribute in gift bags for 25 VIP guests and female professional athletes at The Billies dinner benefit gala featuring Sir Elton John. The Billies is scheduled for April 20 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel and recognizes media excellence in women's sports and physical activity. OT is looking for exclusive and unique items--everything from cosmetics to spa treatments to apparel. Send your gift bag pitches and, if you have them, low-resolution photos, to Anjie Delgardo at mailto:adelgardo@ot-magazine.com.


--Are you a mom author looking for publicity for your book? Mom Writer’s Talk Radio, the premier online talk radio show for writing moms, is starting a Mom Writer’s Blog Tour. Blog tours, which have been gaining in popularity among authors, are a way for writers to gain publicity without spending a dime. The author sends information to a group of bloggers. Some bloggers simply post promotional materials from the author, such as press releases and summaries, while others choose to interview the authors. The blog tour, which launches this month, will include 30 bloggers. Each member will be required to post on their assigned day and all involved will have the opportunity to get books donated by the authors on the tour. Bloggers who would like to be a tour stop or authors who are interested in being promoted on the tour should contact Alana Morales at mailto:Alana@MomWritersTalkRadio.com or 877-871-1744. Visit her website at http://www.momwriterstalkradio.com/

If you're not blogging yet, you could be missing out on thousands more website visitors each month. In February, I had 10,745 hits to my blog--and I sold lots of ebooks as a result. Don Crowther's excellent ebook "Blogging for Business" presents a convincing case of why you need to spend only 10 minutes a day blogging, then you can reap the benefits of all that website traffic. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/7fjrk


================================
5. How to Promote a Webzine for Gays
================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have advice for Tom Wray of Chicago, Illinois. Tom publishes a webzine for gays and wants to boost readership. He wants to encourage groups to send him their news releases but has no budget for promotion.

From Pat Luebke:

"In regard to encouraging companies and organizations to send you news releases, I’d go out there and ask yourself. I’d just go from site to site--tourist bureaus, museums, hotels, whatever and write a note asking to be added to their media list. Include a sentence or two about your site, and you’ll very quickly have lots of news."

From Nina:

"How about having local DJs at gay nightclubs talk your site up while they’re spinning tunes, or even asking the club manager to let you hand out uniquely designed post cards? Finally, if you have a local gay health clinic that offers free STD testing or any other health services, see if they are looking for ways to advertise themselves and maybe you can promote for each other."


From The Publicity Hound:

"Tom, you’d be smart to invest your time posting items to Craigslist at http://www.craigslist.org/

"My recent teleseminar with Nancy Mills on 'How to Use Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool' at http://tinyurl.com/geog2 explains how to do this. But if I were you, I wouldn’t publicize the website. Instead, publicize the fact you are looking for news about certain topics, and encourage people to send their news to you. Then slip in a reference to your website.

"Craigslist has lists for several cities in the region you serve: Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, Detroit, Indianapolis, etc."


Read all the comments at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=507#comments


Tom could also review books at Amazon.com that tie into his topic. Reviewers are able to include their website URL in their review, and this will help drive traffic to his website. In fact, this strategy is good for almost anybody. Randy Gilbert explains how to do this on the CD called "How to Make Amazon a River of Gold (for Authors, speakers and Consultants)." Read about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/7u76e

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6. Help This Hound
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Louise Epic of Calgary, Alberta, Canada writes:

"I’m looking for some ideas to incorporate in an awareness and product publicity program for custom insoles or foot beds. This product is unique in two ways: made of a special technology where, after heating them in the oven and imprinting your foot, provide a custom fitting; and competitive price point. The company has asked for one or two creative guerilla PR initiatives and I was hoping your readers might have some suggestions.

"To date, the company has an impressive list of high profile testimonials (well-known athletes, celebrity chefs, etc), success stories, excellent retail distribution, online sales and athlete/sport event sponsorships. Work/military represents about half of sales. Sports/medicine represents the other half. The owner really likes the idea of including an education component and using a long-standing debate between foot experts on 'what orthotic products are best’ to raise the profile of this product. Do your Hounds have any other ideas? Our website is at http://www.yoursole.com/."


The Publicity Hound says:

You're certainly on the right track using all those testimonials, but I know my Hounds will have lots of other ideas on how to publicize your soles. Hounds with great ideas can post them to my blog at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=521

How about writing articles on food care and orthotics for online article directories? On the CD or electronic transcript titled "How to Submit Online Articles That Pull Traffic to Your Website," Sharron Senter walks you step-by-step through the entire process of how to write articles and submit them but, more importantly, how to follow up on all the sales leads you'll start getting as a result. You can read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/5zvga


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7. Hound Joke of the Week
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The other day I saw two dogs walk over to a parking meter. One of them says to the other, "How do you like that? Pay toilets!"


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/


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8. And at My Blog...
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PR people think AP stylebook is still important
http://publicityhound.net/?p=520

Attend business journal meetings on how to use the paper as a prospecting toolhttp://publicityhound.net/?p=519

Know when it's OK to use stock photos in your PR campaign
http://publicityhound.net/?p=518

Learn the strategy behind promoting your product, service, cause or issue to Craigslist
http://publicityhound.net/?p=517

To improve your pitches, think like a freelance writer
http://publicityhound.net/?p=515

***If you missed my recent teleseminar on "How to Use Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool" you can order the CD or electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/jmkg3

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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®:

March 22: Waukesha, Wisconsin

2006 Micro Entrepreneur Expo, "How to Get F~ree 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 16: Washington, D.C.

I'll be hosting a half-day public seminar called "Savvy Media Relations: How to Use Your Expertise to Get Thousands of Dollars in F~ree Publicity." Don't miss out on the early bird sign-up. Read all about it at http://www.Publicityhound.com/washingtondc.htm


May 17: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington D.C. Convention Center. Robin Bartlett and I will present "Advanced Website Tricks to Pull More Traffic and Sell, Sell, Sell," 8:30-10:00 a.m. Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm


May 18: Washington, D.C.

PMA University, Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Penny Sansevieri and I will present "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine." Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm

***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.


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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."

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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