Publicity Tips/Lighten Your Load April 14, 2009

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #446 April 14, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 41,324

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

==========================================
********************************************

Authors, Don't Miss this One:

Jack Canfield of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" fame, learned early
how to handle rejection--and overcome it. He and Mark Victor
Hansen went on to sell more than 100 million 'Chicken Soup" books
despite the army of people who said it couldn't be done. Learn
his inside secrets during a f*ree teleseminar with Steve Harrison
on Thursday, April 16, at your choice of two times. Register at
http://budurl.com/sv7g

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

1. Lighten Your Load

2. Where to Find Speaking Gigs

3. Tea Party Publicity

4. Use a Gravatar

5. Promote a Consignment Shop

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=================================
1. Lighten Your Load
=================================

One of the biggest misconceptions of social networking is that
you must produce mountains of content--and still keep your day
job.

Yes, you need content galore for your blog, articles, Facebook
page, press releases, Squidoo lenses, HubPages and video-sharing
sites.

But here's a little secret.

You don't have to produce all of it yourself, or even most of it.
Outsource, outsource, outsource.

Thousands of competent people, many of them unemployed, would
love to work with you right now, at prices you can afford.

And smart Publicity Hounds who realize that a bad economy is the
very best time to outsource are casting their nets for the best
writers, photographers and video producers. Those include a glut
of newspaper journalists who have joined the already crowded
market for freelance writers.

Here are five tips to get started:

--Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can help you
find freelancers fairly quickly. Just let people know what you're
looking for and they'll spread the word.

--If you want a wide range of candidates from which to choose,
post your project to sites like Elance.com, Guru.com or
RentaCoder.com. They will put the fee in escrow and release it
only after you've signed off on the project, thus eliminating a
lot of squabbles. I've used Elance and RentaCoder many times with
good results.

--Hire fast, and fire faster. Never let freelancers learn on your
nickel.

--Reward outstanding work.

--Require freelancers who bid on writing projects to speak
English as a first language. I made the mistake of hiring someone
offshore and was disappointed.


Leili McKinley, one of my business coaches, says there are other
traps to avoid when working with freelancers. She explained them
all and offered dozens of helpful tips on how to keep the best
freelancers working for you when she was my guest during a
teleseminar I hosted on "Outsourcing Secrets: How to Get the Best
Quality, Price & Teamwork from Freelancers." Read more about how
to get started and how to order the CD or electronic transcript
at http://budurl.com/uw5j

Still not convinced you need to outsource? Publicity Hound Debra
Condren explains why trying to do it all yourself can actually
cost you money. Read her article at http://budurl.com/gpy4


=================================
2. Where to Find Speaking Gigs
=================================

Speakers, if you're spending hours searching for events where you
can speak for a fee, or no fee, here's a handy tool that will
make your job easier.

SpeakerLeads.com at http://www.SpeakerLeads.com is a wiki that
lets meeting planners everywhere provide information on events
that need speakers. It includes other helpful details like the
deadline for speakers to apply, the major market in case you want
to search by city, and the website where you can find more
information about the event.

You can search the database, the wiki or you can opt-in and they
will send you updates--all f*ree.

Already, the wiki has about 1,000 events, as far as three years
away, that need all types of speakers for keynotes, panels and
break-out sessions. In some cases, meeting planners want only
speakers who are already planning to attend the event. But that's
OK. Speakers who need experience on the circuit will gladly take
these gigs.

Meeting planners, add this website to the list of places where
you can promote your event.

It's brought to you by the Yearbook of Experts, the service that
provides expert sources and contact information for journalists,
as well as press release distribution services for experts.

I've subscribed to this service for several years and have
received many phone calls from reporters seeking my commentary on
publicity topics. If you're an expert, this service is for you.

Mitchell Davis and his staff answer their own phones at
202-333-5000 and can get you set up. Before you call, check out
their website at http://www.expertclick.com/ and tell them I sent
you. They'll knock $100 off the price of your subscription.


=================================
3. Tea Party Publicity
=================================

Thousands of anti-tax protesters will attend tea parties in more
than 300 cities throughout the United States tomorrow.

If you're one of them, or not, here are ways to promote your
cause:

--Provide updates throughout the day on Twitter and Facebook. Use
the hashtag "#teaparty" in your tweets. Learn more about hashtags
at http://budurl.com/b8x9

--Shoot video and offer it to your local TV stations and
newspapers. Even if you're traveling hundreds of miles to
participate, you're still the local angle to this national story.

--Provide video comments to videos that generate a lot of traffic
on sites like YouTube. David Mathison offered this tip during the
teleseminar I hosted with him last week on how to use social
media to help you "be the media." Listen to the replay at
http://budurl.com/a7p5

--Take photos and upload them to photo-sharing sites like
Photobucket and Flickr. Some tea parties are encouraging
participants to bring food for food pantries. Shoot photos and
videos when you're delivering it.

--Blog about the experience.

--Offer to be a correspondent for a media outlet or website
that's interested in covering the event. The Huffington Post is
looking for local correspondents. Sign up at
http://budurl.com/jcuz

--Call your U.S. congressmen and let them know how you feel.

--Call your local TV stations and see if they're sending
reporters. If so, offer to do an on-camera interview or be their
mini-correspondent. For inside secrets on how to contact the TV
newsroom's "Queen Bee" who decides what they will and won't
cover, read about the teleseminar I hosted with Shawne Duperon on
"How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow" at
http://budurl.com/y5ty


If you're on the other side and want to protest the protests,
you can use many of these tactics.


=================================
4. Use a Gravatar
=================================

Why is it that when you leave a comment at someone's blog, your
photo doesn't show up next to your comment, but photos of the
other Publicity Hounds who comment are everywhere?

Could be you don't have a gravatar.

A gravatar is a globally recognized avatar, an image that follows
you from site to site and appears beside your name when you
participate. It's a powerful tool because your smiling face might
be the first thing that catches a reader's attention.

To create your own gravatar in a few minutes, go to
http://budurl.com/ahzh

Once you've done that, it's time to set up gravatars on your blog
or forum. Plug-ins are available for leading blog software and
content management systems. Watch the tutorials at the link above
for more information.

Publicity Hound David Leonhardt wrote a great blog post on "10
Ways to Make Your Gravatar Sell" at http://budurl.com/cdet and
included my gravatar and several others as examples of those he
loves.

I prefer a gravatar of someone smiling rather than a cartoon-
character depiction, or a company logo, or an inane illustration
that has nothing to do with the person behind the curtain. Social
media is all about transparency and forming relationships with
people.


At social networking sites, people can decide within a few
seconds whether to follow you when they see your gravatar and
read your profile. Almost every profile I read can be improved.
Social networking expert Nancy Marmolejo explained what the ideal
profiles include, with step-by-step instructions on how to dress
up yours during the teleseminar I recorded with her. It's called
"Can Your Social Networking Profile Pass the 10-Second Test?" and
you can read more about it at http://budurl.com/ru5e


==================================
5. Promote a Consignment Shop
==================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Karen Nardella of
Conway, N.H. She owns a consignment outlet and home staging
center for high-end furniture and needs to know how to spread the
word, on a very tight budget, about what she's doing.


From Howard Pierpont:

"With your location, I would look for local coverage in the
tourist media. There is a high traffic count from the Boston and
North Shore markets. They're looking for a quality and price that
beats their neighborhood locals."


From Alan McBride:

"What about a massive upper-scale garage sale? Maybe get the
local newspaper to host it. Let them think it's their idea too.
They could hire a hall or other area, sell stalls (yours is
free), and advertising is theirs."


From Cheryl Kurland:

"Go back through your previous sales receipts and make a customer
list. Create a letter and mail it to each previous customer
offering a 10 percent discount on anything purchased between
[date] and [date]. Include two business cards--one for them, one
to pass along to a friend who might be in need of your products.


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at
http://tinyurl.com/dyscmt


I'm running low on HTH questions. Send yours to
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound and include your city and state.


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

Karen Kalisek of Escondido, Calif. writes:

"WomensMedia.com is a seven-year-old website that has undergone a
major overhaul and is in the process of relaunching.

"We pride ourselves in offering expert advice for working
women. Currently, we have 30,000 unique website followers each
month (20 percent of those are overseas), 10,000 follow the blog,
Women's Lunch Talk, and 1,000 listen to our podcast, Working in
Heels.

"We don't male bash, but do offer realistic advice concerning
working women. We also have a library with over 200 articles
written by people such as Madeline Albright, Suze Orman, and many
other notables. We also are proud of our Google ranking of 5.

"We have done all this with no advertising or sponsorship. With
the new 'look' we want to increase our followers, create revenue
channels, offer classes, provide speakers and build
relationships. Where do we start getting the word out that we
exist? Any suggestions for a media kit, PR kit, etc. would be
greatly appreciated. We have no money, but we have a great
message with a proven history."


The Publicity Hound says:

With millions of women participating in social networking sites
and just waiting to spread the word for you, you don't need a
huge budget, or any budget for that matter, to make a splash. How
about it Hounds? How can Karen use social media as well as
traditional media to promote the site? Post your best comments to
my blog at http://budurl.com/chzf


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

Sign inside my hair salon: Unattended children will be given an
espresso and a f*ree puppy.


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...
================================

Hate Twitter? Claim your username to protect your brand
http://budurl.com/8a8n


Social media tips for getting email addresses & selling products
http://budurl.com/a7p5


Financial advisers, use WSJ section to market yourselves
http://budurl.com/qafa


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

Where to See & Hear The Publicity Hound:


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


Friend me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joan_Stewart/541605146


Connect with me on LinkedIn:
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 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® respects your privacy and has a strict anti-
spam policy. Read my privacy policy at
http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

=======================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/What Tim Russert Taught Us June 17, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week Issue
#403 June 17, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/(Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 47,359


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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The
Publicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me that you want to subscribe. If you didn't subscribe, you
can unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of the
newsletter.

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.

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

Save the Date:

June 18: Teleseminar

Business coach Leili McKinley shows you "Outsourcing Secrets: How
to Get the Best Quality, Price and Teamwork from Freelancers."
3-4:10 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at
http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm See Item #4 below.


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

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

1. What Tim Russert Taught Us

2. Facebook and The Life Changing Box

3. Tie Story Ideas to the Weather

4. Get Rid of Work You Hate to Do

5. Promoting Nursing Homes

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=====================================
1. What Tim Russert Taught Us
=====================================

After almost five days of non-stop tributes to Tim Russert, none
was as fascinating as the five-year-old article I found last
night titled "How to Beat Tim Russert" at
http://www.slate.com/id/2085153/

Jack Shafer, who writes the press column for the online magazine
Slate, dissected in step-by-step detail the strategy that any
guest can use to disarm Russert, the toughest interviewer in
broadcast journalism.

The article explains how David Duke, one-time grand wizard of the
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, threw Russert off guard when he
appeared on the show in March 1999 during his Louisiana campaign
for a seat in the House of Representatives.

"Unable to stick it to Duke with his time-proven techniques,
Russert sputtered, steamed, and almost boiled over," Shafer
wrote.

But few other politicians have come even close to rattling him.
Here's what Tim Russert taught Publicity Hounds about
interviewing:

- -Know your interviewer inside and out. If you agree to an
interview and you have time, research clippings and past shows so
you know what to expect. I suggest you even call other people
who have been the subject of interviews by that reporter and ask
questions like "What was the worst thing about the interview?"
And "What was the biggest surprise?"

- -Anticipate all the tough questions. Shafer's suggestion to
have somebody on your staff prepare a mock interview and compose
answers for the most challenging questions you can imagine is the
same advice every good crisis counselor recommends.

- -Know what has been written about you and what hasn't,
particularly sensitive information in public records like nasty
divorce proceedings, lawsuits, or arrests for things like driving
while under the influence. Be ready to concede those issues if
you must, and then move on.

- -Put reporters on the defensive. Russert seldom fell for this
trick, but your run-of-the-mill beat reporter for your daily
newspaper certainly might. If reporters ask questions that
include inaccurate facts or unfair assertions, call them on it
and challenge them. Reporters aren't the only ones who are
allowed to ask questions. You can, too. But only if you
understand how the game is played.

- -If the interviewer asks you a question you don't understand,
feel free to interrupt. And don't answer until you understand it
completely. "Too many of Russert's guests allow him to fling
enormous, mattress-sized paragraphs at them that are far too
complicated to answer on television," Shafer writes. "Interrupt
him when a question needs clarification. Interrupt him when he's
startled you with something fresh. Interrupt him back when he
interrupts you. Interrupt him for the hell of it. It drives him
crazy, and when he's crazy, he loses his place in the script, his
face goes a tad red, and he loses his momentum."

I'm guessing that crisis counselor Jonathan Bernstein would
describe Tim Russert as a "media wolf." Jonathan knows media
wolves very well and makes a living helping his clients confront
them, or stay out of trouble so they don't see the wolves at
their doorsteps.

"How to Keep the Media Wolves at Bay," a recording of a one- hour
interview I did with Jonathan, explains the tricks of his trade
and what to do and say when you're confronted by a media wolf.
It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Find out how to disarm the media wolves at
http://tinyurl.com/b8wcy


=====================================
2. Facebook and the Life Changing Box
=====================================

Here's an unusual promotion and an interesting way to use a
Facebook application to build the buzz about, presumably, a new
product.

The Life Changing Box is possibly the first big-ticket,
promotional Facebook app. You have a chance to win 20 prizes
with values ranging from $400 to $14,000, including a 52-inch
super- big flat screen TV, home theaters, tickets to exclusive
baseball games, domestic and international trips, and more.

The game resembles Hot Potato in reverse. But the potato is a
box, and inside each box is a prize. The goal is to be in
possession of the box when it opens, thus winning the prize.

There are 10 boxes total and the game lasts four weeks. To gain
possession of a box, participants use a currency called a
"Touch." All players get 24 touches per day. Each Touch enters
the player into a round.

Part of the fun of Facebook is the option to invite your friends
to install an application you enjoy. If someone you invited into
the game wins a prize, you win the exact same prize.

But you must be extremely patient to understand out how this
works. And you'll have to endure the headache-inducing white
print on a black background on the social media press release
that explains the game at http://lifechangingbox.smnr.us. (If you
can't figure it out, please don't ask me to explain it).

You can start playing the game by visiting my Facebook page at
http://tinyurl.com/4cwjbu. Then tell your friends about it. By
the way, the Facebook site has been down several hours today. If
you can't get to my page, try again later today.

Internet marketing expert Don Crowther says Facebook is one of
seven social media marketing sites where everyone should have a
presence. If you're pitching only traditional media, you're
missing a huge opportunity to use online tools like Facebook to
promote. Learn about the other six websites Don recommends. His
interview is included in the eight-part series "How to Create a
Media Plan," available as a series of Cds, MP3 audios on a CD, or
electronic transcripts. Each comes with handouts that include a
fill-in-the-blanks template for a media plan.

Read more about how you can take the pain out of creating a media
plan at http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm


=====================================
3. Tie Story Ideas to the Weather
=====================================

Flooding in the Midwest. Wild fires in California. Snow in the
Northwest. Scorching heat on the East Coast.

And it’s still only spring.

This is the time to pitch weather stories. If you sell or give
away a product or service to help people cope with the weather,
let the media know. They’re hungry for any tie-in.

Several years ago, after terrible flooding in the Midwest, the
president of a Minnesota company that sells dehumidifiers called
a local drive-time radio show on a popular Milwaukee station. It
was during a week when homeowners had bought every small engine
and generator in the state, which they used to remove water from
basements. On that afternoon, there wasn’t a generator to be
found anywhere in Wisconsin.

For at least 10 minutes, the host interviewed the company
president who explained how his machine works. The host even
repeated the company’s toll-free phone number several times. I
remember thinking, "Now THAT’S smart!"

What story idea can you pitch to help people cope? My "Special
Report #37: How to Tie Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue to
the Weather" offers lots of ideas for piggybacking onto weather
news, explains how to pitch these story ideas to the media and
shares tips on the little "extras" you can offer the media to
convince them to cover you. Only $10.

Get started today pitching great weather stories by going to
http://tinyurl.com/yna28c


=====================================
4. Get Rid of Work You Hate to Do
=====================================

I hate balancing my checkbook every month, so I outsource it to a
small business consultant who also prepares quarterly reports for
my accountant.

I would never think of spending my precious time transcribing a
teleseminar so I can sell it as an electronic transcript. So I
hire a freelancer to do it for me, and another freelancer to edit
it.

Customer service can eat up hours of time, yet I'm fanatic about
customer service. So that's one of the tasks my virtual
assistant manages.

And when it's time to create a new product, I'll sometimes farm
out the work to a freelance writer. I've even outsourced press
releases and articles that carry my byline.

Identify successful businesses and chances are good the owners
outsource work they hate doing, don't have time to do, or lack
the talent and skills to do.

If you're not outsourcing, you're missing a powerful strategy
that's the next best thing to cloning yourself. But outsourcing
is filled with land mines.

How do you know a writer you've hired hasn't plagiarized somebody
else's work? How do you know whether freelancers are any good
before you hire them? How do you avoid a lawsuit from a
freelancer who claims that you owe him a percentage of all sales
from the ebook he wrote for you?

Leili McKinley, an expert at outsourcing, has made mistakes just
like I have. She'll be my guest on a teleseminar at 3 p.m.
Eastern Time tomorrow, June 18, called "Outsourcing Secrets: How
to Get the Best Quality, Price and Teamwork from Freelancers."
If you can't make the live call, sign up anyway because you'll
get a copy of the MP3 audio to listen to at your convenience.

Start benefiting from outsourcing right now by signing up for the
call and for Leili's five free outsourcing tips via email at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


=====================================
5. Promoting Nursing Homes
=====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have story ideas for Lisa
Cupolo of Ballston Spa, New York. She wants to pitch her local
business journal but isn't sure what business-related ideas to
suggest.


From Scott Anthony:

"A story on how 'green' you are would be timely. Use angles like
ways you are energy-efficient while transporting patients, and
using more efficient light bulbs. Do you use biodegradable
plates and napkins and environmentally friendly detergents?"


From Kim Duke, The Sales Diva:

"What are the costs behind living wills and what are the steps
necessary to implement them?...Even hard core business reporters
will still spin other ideas. For example, are any of the doctors
or nurses involved in 'Doctors Without Borders' or other similar
non-profits?

"What are the upcoming trends in health? A great resource is
http://www.trendwatching.com"


The Publicity Hound says:

How do you find and keep good employees? Business journals
frequently write about recruitment and retention.

Attend events the newspaper is sponsoring. Get to know reporters
and editors and ask them "What do you see as the biggest issues
in health care this year?" If their answer fits in with a story
you can contribute to, let them know. Then share your thoughts
on emerging trends.

Paul Furiga, former editor of The Pittsburgh Business Times, says
attending business journal events is a powerful way to start
building relationships with reporters and editors. He was my
guest during a teleseminar on "How to Use Business Journals to
Tell Your Story."

It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can
download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.
Learn the easiest ways to land a coveted spot in a business
journal at http://tinyurl.com/q4rf7.


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


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

Tracy Arceo of Gretna, LA writes:

"I am a publicist for Pelican Publishing Company. The publicists
have been presented with a challenge and we're having trouble
coming up with ideas.

"Our company has two rather large series of books. One series is
based on the classic children’s poem "'Twas the Night Before
Christmas," each book with a spin specific to a genre, region or
occupation.

"The other series is based on the classic recipes and dishes of
some of the major cities in the South such as New Orleans,
Charleston and Savannah. We have been asked to come up with some
form of promotion for each of these series.

"Do your Publicity Hounds have any suggestions on what we can do
to generate interest in each of these groups of books?"


The Publicity Hound says:

OK, Hounds give this one your best shot. What would you do if
you were on Tracy's team? Remember that she needs to be pitching
Christmas ideas right now if she wants the Christmas books
mentioned in national magazines, which often have long lead
times.

As for the cookbook series, how about suggesting some really fun
ways to promote? How can she use videos to publicize these
books? How can she use social networking to build a buzz? How
about a contest? Post your best ideas to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/4orekj

I think the cookbooks are ideal for the morning TV talk shows
like the "Today" show and "Good Morning, America." Can't you
just see the author teaching Diane Sawyer how to whip up a pan of
jambalaya?

Competition to get onto these shows is less intense if you know
what you're doing. I interviewed book publicist Lissa Warren,
who has placed dozens of her clients on these shows. "How to Get
Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows" is available as a CD or an
electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as
soon as your order has been approved.

Learn how to get through to the producers whose audiences need
what you're offering at http://tinyurl.com/ab86x


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Sophie Wajsman 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. At My Blog...
================================

Unusual weather a chance to pitch weather stories
http://tinyurl.com/6avrs6


Dairy Queen joins Girl Scouts to create Thin Mint Blizzard
http://tinyurl.com/6hjmeu


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


June 18: Teleseminar on Outsourcing

Business coach Leili McKinley shows you "Outsourcing Secrets:
Your Guide to Getting the Best Quality, Price and Teamwork from
Freelancers." 3-4:10 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


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 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® respects your privacy and
has a strict anti-spam policy. Read my privacy policy at
http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

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Joan Stewart
a. k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074 USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Give Bloggers a Scoop June 10, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #402 June 10, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 46,929

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"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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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.

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Save the Dates:

June 11: Teleseminar

PR whiz Robert Smith explains "How to Earn An Extra $100,000 This Year as a Publicist, Even in a Bad Economy." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm


June 18: Teleseminar

Business coach Leili McKinley shows you "How to Outsource Almost Any Part of Your PR Campaign or Your Business." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm See Item #2 below.

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In This Issue
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1. Give Bloggers a Scoop

2. The Big Myth of Outsourcing

3. Wal-Mart's Online Classifieds

4. Media Lead

5. Promoting a Wardrobe Survey

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. Give Bloggers a Scoop
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If you write and distribute press releases online, you're in an ideal position to give bloggers a scoop.

Before you distribute the release, simply email your favorite blogger with a "heads up" that you'll be posting the release later that day. Explain the essence of the release, or just give it to them.

A blogger who knows the information is exclusive to him or her will give it better play. (If you're a publicly held company, make sure you abide by SEC regulations and safe harbor statements.)

I blog, and I prefer that people who pitch me send the release in the body of an email instead of attaching it, or asking if I'm interested in seeing it.

This tip is among several from four tech bloggers, shared by blogging expert Sally Falkow via Bulldog Reporter's Daily Dog newsletter at http://www.infocomgroup.net/falkow/?p=198

Other tips worth flagging:

- -In a Web 2.0 world, graphics are vitally important so have plenty of images from which to choose.

- -Make it easy for bloggers to get the data. Create a section on your website with information, images and multi-media for bloggers.

- -Video that bloggers can't use on their blogs is useless. Offer them the code so they can embed the video. An easy way to do that is to upload the video to YouTube and use the coding that YouTube provides.

- -Make it easy for bloggers to get the data. Create a section on your website with information, images and multi-media for bloggers.

- -Don't embargo news to bloggers--by the time the embargo is up they've moved on to other news and forgotten it.

"How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion," one of my most popular teleseminars, is available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your order is approved. Stop relying only on traditional media and start tapping into the incredible power of blogs to spread your message. Learn how at http://publicityhound.net/cdpitchbestbloggers/


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2. The Big Myth of Outsourcing
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Several weeks ago, when I started writing about the importance of outsourcing work in your PR campaign, several Publicity Hounds wrote to tell me they'd love to farm out work to others, but they just can't afford it.

Outsourcing, they said, is too expensive. Let's explode that myth right now.

You don't need a huge budget--or any budget--to persuade other people to work for you. One of the best resources for free or inexpensive labor is in your own community: at your local college, university or tech school.

Once you've identified a job that needs to be done, like writing a how-to article or producing a video, call the department that teaches that skill and ask a professor to assign it as a class project. Or ask the instructor to identify the brightest students who might be willing to take on the project for extra credit.

Students, particularly seniors, are eager to work on projects that they can eventually add to their portfolios and show prospective employers during job interviews. You might also find an instructor or a teaching assistant who would be willing to work for you for free or next to nothing.

Projects you can outsource include:

- -Press releases

- -Creating your online press room

- -Researching journalists who you'll include in your publicity plan or media plan

- -Administrative work

- -Creating information products or reports you can offer at your website in exchange for someone's email address

- -Photography

- -Managing your social networking requests

- -Writing, editing and proofreading

- -Transcription

- -Graphics and artwork

- -Updating your website

- -Blogging

Now that you've identified tasks you can outsource, learn what you must do before you assign the work. Leili McKinley, an outsourcing expert, will be my guest during a teleseminar on outsourcing from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 18.

"Outsourcing Secrets: Your Guide to Getting the Best Quality, Price and Teamwork from Freelancers" is for anyone who can't do it all and needs help growing their business.

Register and watch the video to find out how to get five free outsourcing tips from Leili: http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


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3. Wal-Mart's Online Classifieds
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Craigslist, the world's largest community bulletin board, and Ebay's popular Kijiji have a new competitor.

It's Wal-Mart's new f*r*ee online classifieds which debuted two weeks ago at http://WalMart.Oodle.com/. The giant retailer is partnering with Oodle.com, a classified ad website.

Classifieds are f*r*ee to buyers and sellers. You can post ads in six categories: cars, real estate, for rent, job, items for sale, and tickets. You can also search for items by city.

Walmart.com classifieds says it reaches more than 5 million consumers each month through a network of sites including newspapers, portals such as Lycos, and online communities such as Military.com.

If what you're selling fits into one of the six categories, you'd be crazy not to advertise here.

But don't forget good old Craigslist which can be a publicity gold mine if you know how to use it. Nancy Mills, a Craigslist expert, explains "How to Use Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool," a one-hour interview that will explain the smartest ways to use Craigslist to promote your product, service, cause or issue--and follow the Craigslist rules so you aren't banned from the site forever.

It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Learn what other smart Craigslist posters have learned at http://tinyurl.com/geog2


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4. Media Lead
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- -Freelance writer Leah Ingram is looking to develop relationships with responsive and reliable media relations staff at medical centers, hospitals and health systems that also have an emergency room. "I am searching out stories for a new magazine from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). These stories are about real-life people who ended up in the ER because of an accident or health condition along with the ER doc who treated the person. Here's the catch: The docs must be ACEP members. Additionally, I'm look to hear about ER stories that have appeared in local papers or that people know about from a personal connection. We've already covered a skateboarding accident, heart attacks and aneurysms, so please don't pitch me stories on those three topics." Mailto:leah.ingram@comcast.net

If you do PR for a hospital, check out "How to Make Hospital PR an Easy Pill to Swallow," an interview I did with Dan Collins, chief media officer at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your order is approved. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/lr6qf


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5. Promoting a Wardrobe Survey
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This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips on how Merri Cvetan of Big Bend, Wisconsin, an interior decorator, can promote a fun survey to find out the relationship between a woman's wardrobe and the colors she decorates her home with.


From Nika Stewart, The Designers' Success Coach:

"Why not do a joint venture with a local women's clothing store? You could even put on an event relating to the survey, i.e. on the event day, each customer who comes into the store and purchases an item of clothing gets an analysis of their ideal home style (based on the clothing they chose). You can pass out printed copies of the survey to everyone who comes by the store, and tell them to enter their results on your blog to receive two $10 gift certificates--one for your design services and one for the clothing store."


From Donna Cook:

"I would do more to update your blog--great ideas, but you need much more visual information--you are a designer!!! Show it off on your blog. Have some links on your blog, and offer some little contests there for people who post comments."


From Kathleen Lisson:

"The local radio stations in my area have a segment where the DJ asks a 'question of the day,’ and listeners call in with their opinions. Perhaps radio stations in the Big Bend, WI area would want to ask 'Does your wardrobe match your home decor?' And tie the story in to your website."


The Publicity Hound says:

This survey screams for a video. Once you've created it, be sure to share it with your local newspapers, magazines and TV and radio stations for use at their websites. John Easton explained how during the teleseminar "9 Clever Ways to Use Video to Become a Publicity Darling in Your Industry or Community." It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

Learn more about John's secrets at http://tinyurl.com/66xshb


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/6bq6ns

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


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6. Help This Hound
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Lisa Cupolo of Ballston Spa, New York writes:

"I handle public relations and marketing for four rehabilitation and nursing home facilities that offer pediatric through geriatric care.

"I'm looking for story ideas that I can pitch to the local business journal. The newspaper only focuses on hard business stories as opposed to human interest stories. For example, the health reporter will write stories related to how health facilities, such as hospitals, are surviving within the trying times of the health care industry.

"I also see several articles published in this particular publication regarding our competitors. Readers are decision makers as far as the health care needs of their families. That's why we're targeting the business journal."

Their website is at http://www.northwoodshealth.net/


The Publicity Hound says:

Hounds, when offering ideas for Lisa, remember that business journals want multiple-source stories. They seldom write a story about a business without input from other sources. Post your best ideas for Lisa at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3wd6vv


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7. Hound Quote of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Viveca Stone-Berry of DogCaptions.com, where you can find wonderful dog greeting cards.

"His ears were often the first thing to catch my tears."

- -Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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. At My Blog...
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New social networking site for New Age, spiritual communities
http://tinyurl.com/6czaeo


Why few journalists comment at blogs or in forums
http://tinyurl.com/5bgvj2


Crisis at your company? Consider embedding reporters
http://tinyurl.com/5peguq


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Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


June 11: Teleseminar for Publicists

PR whiz Robert Smith explains "How to Earn An Extra $100,000 This Year as a Publicist, Even in a Bad Economy." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm


June 18: Teleseminar on Outsourcing

Business coach Leili McKinley shows you "Outsourcing Secrets: Your Guide to Getting the Best Quality, Price and Teamwork from Freelancers." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


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 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® respects your privacy and has a strict anti-spam policy. Read my privacy policy at http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

=======================================================
Joan Stewart
a. k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737