Publicity tips/Grand Slam Giveaway Feb 17, 2009

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #438 Feb. 17, 2009
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 42,573

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

"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.

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

Complete My Survey, Get a $30 Coupon & Chance to Win a
Kindle:

I'll be sending 500 readers of this newsletter, chosen randomly,
my customer satisfaction survey as soon as it's ready later this
week. If you complete it, you'll get a $30 coupon good for any
products or services I sell, and your name will be entered in a
drawing for a Kindle 2, the new wireless reading device that
Amazon sells for $359.

The first batch of 500 surveys will help me identify any glitches
I need to fix before sending it to everyone else. Your honest
feedback will help me improve this newsletter and give you
products and services I might not be aware that you need.

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

1. Grand Slam Giveaway

2. Don't Ask to Review an Article

3. How to Recycle Publicity

4. 2 Events for Hounds

5. Promoting a Farmer's Market

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


========================================
1. Grand Slam Giveaway
========================================

Call it what you want--a handout, a sample, a giveaway.

When the economy is tanking, consumers want a good deal. That's
exactly what Denny's restaurant delivered two days after the
Super Bowl when it gave away 2 million of its signature Grand
Slam Breakfasts.

Denny's reported that its $3 million commercial drew that many
people to its 1,600 outlets in North America and Puerto Rico. The
company spent $5 million for the promotion that generated $50
million in news coverage.

"A lot of people have forgotten what Denny's is, or they think
they know, while we've come out with a whole lot of new products.
We felt like we needed to jump start the brand," said Mark
Chmiel, Denny's chief marketing and innovation officer.

Mitchell Davis, who owns Expertclick.com and
NewsReleaseWire.com, loved the Denny's promotion.
If it could work for people who needto eat breakfast,
why can't it work for Publicity Hounds who need to
write press releases, he reasoned.

Mitch wants you to "taste his service" and send news releases
this week without cost or obligation.

"I got the idea after seeing Denny's give out 2 million Grand
Slam breakfasts and thought more people should see how good our
News Release Wire service works--and understand our
commitment to customer service," he said.

So here's the deal. For one week, you can test-drive his service
by sending press releases and creating a Press Room Page about
your business. Watch his video about how it all works at
http://www.ExpertClick.com/brochure

I subscribe to the service, which helps me claim the first three
spots on Google for the keyword phrase "publicity expert" and
drives my competitors crazy.

Don't expect those kinds of results within one week, however,
because Google probably won't index your pages that quickly. But
if you call Mitch at 202-333-5000 and ask him for The Publicity
Hound special, he'll set it up for you so you can see how the
service works--with no commitments to subscribe. I love the fact
that they answer their own phones and jump through hoops for
their customers--like the time I spotted a heinous typo after I
posted my release. I called them, and they corrected it within
minutes.

If you don't want to call Mitch, you can create the test-drive
yourself at https://www.ExpertClick.com/create

Choose the Gold Level at $995. Then scroll down and complete
the "Participant" information (who the account will be about)
and the "Subscriber" info (for the person in charge of the
account).

Check the credit card box but don't enter your number because you
aren't paying for this.

In the "Special Offer" box enter:"F*ree Week from Publicity
Hound." Then click on "Create Your Press Room Page" and you'll
be able to edit instantly. Once they approve your account, you'll
be able to start sending press releases instantly. Their standard
editorial policies at http://www.TermsandConditions.com apply, so
be sure to read them.

Try it for a week and let me know how you like it.


==============================================
2. Don't Ask to Review an Article
==============================================

Publicity Hound Gail Sideman saw a Twitter post that caught her
attention recently.

It was from someone who said that Inc. magazine was doing a
feature on him until he asked the magazine to let him review the
article for his final approval.

"Was I wrong to ask? Yes or no?"

She replied and told the guy he was wrong. That led to a spirited
debate on Twitter. So she emailed me and several others in the
journalism world and asked our opinions.

Here's what I told her:

--You were right. He was wrong. By asking that question, he
showed he wasn't media-savvy, and it sounds as though it cost him
publicity in Inc. magazine.

--He certainly could have asked the writer, "Would you be willing
to run by me any direct quotes you are attributing to me?" Some
journalists will say yes, some will say no. It never hurts to ask
because some journalists will want to make sure their quotes are
accurate. But the deal is, if you hear the quote and you know you
said it, but you don't like the sound of it, you can't ask the
writer to change it. That's one of the ground rules they never
teach you.

--He could also have asked if the magazine will fact-check the
story. Inc. most likely has its own fact-check department and
would do this anyway. But again, it never hurts to ask.


Bottom line: Never ask a journalist to show you a story before
it's printed so you can "approve" it. For sensitive interviews,
you can negotiate the terms of the interview, but little else.

I devoted an entire chapter of my ebook "How to be a Kick-butt
Publicity Hound" to what you should do before, during and after
an interview. These are the ground rules the media never tell you
about and hope you never learn. The ebook is the most
comprehensive product I offer on all aspects of generating free
publicity. The 2009 update includes six new chapters on social
media.

Read more about what you'll learn at
http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity/publicityhound.htm


========================================
3. How to Recycle Publicity
========================================

When you generate a publicity hit in a newspaper or magazine, on
a TV or radio station, or in the social media, don't be
satisfied.

Try to recycle that hit into multiple hits, or multiple
promotions.

I'm one of three experts featured in the January/February issue
of SUCCESS magazine, offering my advice on how to promote
online.
You can read more about it at my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/bg33ml

Here are six ways I've already recycled that publicity:

--I tweeted about it at Twitter.

--I included some of the tips that didn't make it into the
magazine in the "What's New" section of my Facebook group
called Friends of The Publicity Hound. If you already have a Facebook
profile, join the group by logging into Facebook, then pasting
this link into your browser and join: http://tinyurl.com/d2h8gk
I'll be sharing more tips over there and I might not always
remember to share them here.

--I went to the blog of Joel Comm, who was featured along with me
in the article. I posted a comment to an unrelated blog post and
then mentioned in a "P.S." how interesting it was to read his
advice alongside mine in SUCCESS.

--Ditto for Scott Fox, the other Internet marketer featured in
the article.

--I added a line to my email signature that lets people know I
was in the magazine, and I linked to the article.

--I'm writing about it here.

That's only six ways! And I know you Hounds can think of many
others. Add them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/bg33ml

Recycling publicity is an important part of a media plan because
you must follow up, follow up and follow up. I explain in step-
by-step detail how to create a yearlong plan, follow up, and take
advantage of every publicity opportunity in front of you. The
teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan" is available as
CDs, MP3s and electronic transcripts. Read more about why you
need a plan and how to create one at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm


==========================================
4. 2 Events for Hounds
==========================================

Event #1: Teleseminar on how to start a coaching program

Do you offer coaching services? If not, consider it.

Coaching is one of the quickest ways almost any non-fiction
author or anyone with expertise can make more while also helping
a lot of people. For example, I have three types of coaching
programs: one-on-one coaching over the phone, my group mentor
program at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mentorprogram/intro.html
and teleseminar series devoted to specific topics.

You'll be surprised how much others will gladly pay for what you
know, even though you take it for granted.

To discover how to get started offering coaching services, you're
invited to a free telephone seminar on Thursday, February 19.
Hear Steve Harrison interview Tim Paulson, an author, speaker and
coaching expert who's helped many people start thriving coaching
practices. You'll learn how to get others to pay you from $100 to
$1,000 an hour, or more, for your expertise.

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

If you have another commitment, register anyway and recruit
somebody to take notes for you. Steve doesn't record most of
these teleseminars and if you miss it, it's gone.


Event #2: Media event for products tied to celebrities or good
causes.

If you have a consumer product that's tied to a celebrity or a
good cause, consider displaying it at the annual Celebrity
Connections Media Event and the Good Causes Media Event, to be
held April 1 in New York City.

Journalists are always looking for a great angle when it comes to
covering new products, and many journalists are looking for
products with either a celebrity connection or products that help
worthy causes. The events draw an impressive list of top-tier
media.

Read more about them at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/awdwlx


==========================================
5. Promoting a Farmer's Market
==========================================

This week, 12 Publicity Hounds have tips for Rose Strong of
Springtown, Pa. on how to publicize a local farmer's market.


From LisaMarie Dias:

"Send an online newsletter through a company like Constant
Contact. You could profile the vendors, post a calendar and
include recipes. If you send the newsletter out monthly, you
could do weekly reminders in a smaller form--with links back to
your website. You could have prizes and giveaways to gather email
addresses."


From Michael Carr:

"Invite local chefs to create an ongoing set of promotional
opportunities. Book your chefs in advance and publicize their
participation. Your chefs can shop the market to select fresh
produce to use in their demonstrations. Customers will appreciate
sampling what the chef has made as well as learning about using
fresh seasonal ingredients at home."


From Tara Bright:

"Kick off your season with a Raw Food Uncook-off. Host a Green
Foodie Contest. Join forces or initiate a "Buy Local, Live
Sustainable" group. Host weekly potlucks on a day you are closed.

"Why not set aside a space where children can start seeds while
their parents shop? They will need to come back every week to
check the progress and water their little sprouts. Also, do a
comparison shopping trip at a local chain grocer. If your cart
ends up costing less at the farmer's market, publicize it."


The Publicity Hound says:

Team up with local artists, musicians and other entertainers. One
week, feature an art show and let the artists manage it. The
next week, how about a bluegrass band? The following week,
feature arts and crafts vendors. All would provide one more
reason to shop the farmer's market.

The teleseminar I hosted on "Publicity Tips for Restaurants,
Chefs & Foodies" offers 51 ideas you can use for almost any food-
related story. The recording is available as a CD or electronic
transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been
approved. Each includes a downloadable list of all 51 ideas.

Read more about how to generate food publicity at
http://tinyurl.com/clr26


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at
http://tinyurl.com/bayg2c

Send your own Help this Hound question to
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com and be sure to mention your
city and state.


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

Lori Feldman of St. Louis, Mo. writes:

"My client is a home and garden show that's produced in four
cities--Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Portland from
late February through early March.

"We're launching a social media plan for this company that has
done nothing but traditional advertising for the last 50 years!
Last year was the first time they even attempted to collect email
addresses from attendees, so we have a list of 20,000 we can use.

"As you can imagine, ad costs significantly increase each year
with significantly declining ROI. So the challenge was to find
alternative media to combat the ineffectiveness of old media.
They also face these hurdles: Home starts and real estate are way
down. Young people have not supported these live shows (but this
could be due to a lack of an online presence). All marketing is
local--you're not going to jump on a plane to attend.

"Because time is short, I'd like to get as many suggestions from
your readers as possible to consider every option to increase
traffic. The pre-show promotions site is
http://www.ImproveYourHomeAndGarden.com We'll be press
releasing, tweeting, and social networking between now and show day.
I can do a shopping spree contest winner. Thoughts?"


The Publicity Hound says:

You--and my Hounds--are up against a tough deadline. But that's
when my Hounds are most creative! I know a lot of them publicize
events, so they'll post their best ideas to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/atm843

Don't have time to wait to hear their ideas? "How to Plan &
Promote Sizzling Special Events" will give you hundreds of ideas.
Read more about what you'll learn at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity/promote.html


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Kerry Hargraves of Oakland, Calif. for
this one:

Little Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while
his father was trying to read in the den.

The family dog was lying in the den, and as the screeching sounds
of little Harold's violin reached the dog's ears, it began to
howl loudly. The father listened to the dog and the violin as
long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the
floor and yelled above the noise, "For Pete's sake, can't you
play something the dog doesn't know?"


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

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

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


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

Online promotion tips in Jan/Feb issue of SUCCESS magazine
http://tinyurl.com/bg33ml


The Number One mistake of online press releases
http://tinyurl.com/d86hxx


Media event to feature products tied to celebs, good causes
http://tinyurl.com/awdwlx


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

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:


March 6-8--Atlanta, Ga.

I'll be at the Stompernet Live 7 event. If you're going, let's
meet for coffee.


March 16--Teleseminar on Internet Marketing

I'll be Marilee Tolen's guest from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time for
her teleseminar series "Introduction to Internet Marketing" for
nurses, healers, coaches and holistic professional solopreneurs.
If this is your niche, and you're tired of running after the next
client, this is the training session for you. It starts Feb. 23.
Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/dl3xhm


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/My Gift to You Dec 17, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #429 Dec. 17, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 44,601

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

"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.

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

1. My Gift to You

2. 'I Blogged About You'

3. Choose the Right TV Show

4. Google Alerts for Twitter

5. How to Keep Track of Media Contacts

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


================================
1. My Gift to You
================================

This is the time of year when smart Publicity Hounds are creating
"Best of 2008" lists to squeeze a few more publicity hits into 2008.

As for me, it's time for my annual "Best of the Publicity Hound's Tips
of the Week" ebook, my gift to you at Christmas, Hanukkah and
New Year's. The ebook includes the best 24 tips from this past
year, or tips that generated a lot of response from readers.

I encourage you to regift it to your own blog readers, newsletter
subscribers, clients, customers, Twitter followers, and MySpace and
Facebook friends.

This year's book includes tips on:

--A fast, inexpensive way to catch the attention of journalists in
your community.

--A clever way to get onto the morning TV talk shows by
suggesting something out-of-the-ordinary.

--A place where you can connect daily with journalists who are
looking for sources. And it won't cost you a penny.

--What to do when you're tempted to strangle a reporter for
wasting your time interviewing you, and then leaving your name out
of the story.

--A news story that appears several times a year in almost every
community and is PERFECT for piggybacking onto.

--9 ways to use video to pull more traffic to your website, sell more
products, generate publicity, and build the buzz about your
product, service, cause or issue.

--11 ways to use a paid or unpaid assistant to help with publicity-
related tasks.

--How to make your local Chamber of Commerce one of your
biggest promoters.

--A f~ree tool that tell you whether your press release gets a
passing grade or falls flat on its face.

--How to use a popular social networking site to snoop on your
competitors

--What writers can learn from a beloved dog's obit.

--How to claim the Number 1 spot on Google.

--A publicity mistake that most companies make, and it kills their
chances of ever getting covered

You can get the ebook here, save it to your hard drive and then
share it on the social networking sites:
http://tinyurl.com/Bestof2008Tips


If you'd like to excerpt content from the ebook and then link to the
book, let me know and I'll send you the item as a Word document
so you can cut and paste.

Thanks to all of you for being loyal readers and to many of you for
being active participants in this newsletter. Each week, I receive
dozens of emails from Hounds who share publicity success stories,
contrarian viewpoints, helpful publicity tips, time- saving tools and
shortcuts and, of course, Hound jokes, quotes and hysterical
videos.

Thanks, too, for correcting me when I goof. I'm grateful that you're
part of my community, and it's because of you that I have the best
job in the world.

P.S. Regifting this ebook is entirely appropriate. Share this link:
http://tinyurl.com/Bestof2008Tips


====================================
2. 'I Blogged About You'
====================================

If you're following journalists or bloggers who are in an ideal position
to give you publicity, here's a great way to get their attention.

Set up a Google alert at http://www.Google.com/alerts for their
names. Every time you see that they've written a blog post or an
article that fits in with the content at your blog, comment on it at
your own blog and link to it.

Then send an email with the subject line "I blogged about you"
and provide the link. Every time I see subject lines like that one, I
open the email immediately, then I jump to the blog to see what
somebody said about me. I can almost guarantee they'll open your
email. And they might even reply.

You can keep the conversation going by:

--Inviting the blogger to write a guest post at your blog. don't
bother asking journalists who are too busy. You can, however, ask
permission to reprint a post from their blog on your own blog.

--Posting comments on the blogger's or journalist's blog. This is a
powerful way to get onto their radar screens BEFORE you pitch
them. In fact, comment several times over a few weeks and
chances are good they'll remember you when they see your pitch.

--Search for them on Twitter, follow them, and reply to their
tweets. Check out the Journalists Who Twitter wiki at
http://tinyurl.com/3erv9s

--Friend them on Facebook.

--Connect with them on LinkedIn. When extending an invitation, be
sure to mention you read their blog regularly. Some people, me
included, won't accept invitations from strangers who are trolling for
connections.

Now, for the hard part. None of this is much good if your blog
stinks.

My heart breaks when Publicity Hounds tell me they've stopped
blogging because they don't have time or can't think of anything to
write about. Or they've been blogging for two months and quit
because traffic is sparse and nobody bothers to comment.

Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka The Blog Squad, are
releasing their "Build a Better Blog" training system that helps you
create a blog from scratch, or shows you how to make over an
existing blog and pull traffic like a magnet. You can do most of the
work yourself using their step-by-step instructions, or let them build
the entire blog for you.

Read more about the three levels of training for "the best marketing
tool on the planet," offered by the two best blog teachers on the
planet, at http://tinyurl.com/ydew4w


===================================
3. Choose the Right TV Show
===================================

If you're angling to get onto TV, your pitch had better be a perfect
match with the content and tone of the show, its hosts and its
interviewers.

Take, for example, these five TV shows, all of which are very
different:

--ABC's "20/20"

--C-span's "Book TV"

--"The Ellen DeGeneres Show"

--"Hannity & Colmes" on Fox News

--"The Rachael Ray Show"

Ready for some tough questions? Then you might welcome a
chance to sit across from tough interviewers on "20/20."

Standing firm on the left or right of a political issue?
"Hannity & Colmes" (soon to be without Alan Colmes) might be
perfect for you.

Or do you prefer fun and games and an unpredictable host? If so,
you'll love Ellen, who features a mix of celebs, entertainers and
everyday people with extraordinary stories and talents.

If your product or service ties into food, there might be a spot for
you on the set of "Rachael Ray."

If you're an author, "Book TV" is one of the best media outlets
where you can feature your book and your expertise.

Even if you were only pitching two of those five shows, you must
customize your pitch, and then make sure it's delivered to the
correct person. Sometimes it's a guest booker, and sometimes it's
an assistant producer. Unless you have specific pitching
instructions and contact information, you can never know for sure.

Steve Harrison will give you exact pitching instructions for each of
those five shows, if you go to
http://www.freepublicity.com/freetvlistings/?10011

The listings are from "Harrison's Guide to the Top National TV Talk &
Interview Programs" database which gives you
1,122 key contacts at the top 323 national TV and cable shows
that interview guests.

If you like the samples and want the entire database, grab it before
6 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Dec. 19, and get up to $200 off,
depending on which option you choose. You'll also get the next
edition when it comes out in March.


===================================
4. Google Alerts for Twitter
===================================

Frustrated because you can't keep up with the waves of
information washing over you each day on Twitter? But you don't
want to miss who's talking about you and your products?

Welcome to TweetBeep, sort of a Google Alerts for Twitter.

It helps you keep track of conversations that mention you, your
products, your company or anything else you want to follow. You
can even keep track of who's tweeting your website or blog, even if
they use a Tiny URL.

This is a great service for reputation management, catching all
your replies, finding job/networking opportunities, and keeping up on
your favorite hobbies and TV programs.

Sign up for TweetBeep at http://TweetBeep.com


Then learn many more ways to use Twitter to promote whatever it
is you're selling, without being an obnoxious pest. Warren Whitlock,
one of the most well-respected Twitterers, walks you step by step
through the process of "How to Use Twitter to Amass an Army of
Followers, Customers & Valuable contacts--and Promote."

It's available as electronic transcripts and your choice of CDs or
MP3 downloads. Read more about how Twitter will make your
marketing and your life a lot easier at http://tinyurl.com/3lbcaw


==========================================
5. How to Keep Track of Media Contacts
==========================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Erin Portman of
Austin, Texas, a freelance writer, who is asking for ideas for a
better way to keep track of media contacts.


From Barbara Florio Graham:

"I use ClipMate at http://www.thornsoft.com to keep media contact
info on hand for insertion into email, letters, and my label program.
It allows you to store an unlimited amount of information, in an
assortment of categories, and I find it invaluable."


From Jeff "SKI" Kinsey:

"Please do not use MS Outlook on a Mac.

"For each person, there is a best solution. We don't know enough
about your needs to make recommendations. And wisely, you did
not ask for any.

"You simply asked what we use.

"Me? Apple Mac Mini and its Address Book and iCal plus my iPod
touch which syncs nicely, so I ALWAYS have all details with me at
all times. For those urgent interactions while enjoying a Frappuccino
at Starbucks, it offers free WiFi to card carrying fans, which allows
me to check (and send) emails from my iPod while on the road."


From Denise Dorman:

"I may be unique in my method because I have ADD, but for me,
once something is out of sight and touch, such as tucked away in
an Excel program or on an electronic hand held-device, I will never
think of it ever again. My system is tactile, visual, and cannot be
easily lost, flushed down a toilet or lost by electronics gone
haywire.

"I create old-fashioned, handwritten Rolodexes for each client's
media list. I also have an Excel sheet backup for email blasts, etc.,
and a Google shared document spreadsheet to share with my
cohorts, but I've found that for someone like me with ADD, I need
to see and touch those Rolodex cards to keep those journalists top
of mind."


The Publicity Hound says:

Because I'm not a publicist, I don't have a lot of use for a media
database. So I use ACT. My series of teleseminars on "How to
Create a Media Plan" includes a template for a 12-month plan, sort
of a "fill in the blanks" document that tells you exactly what kind of
information you need to keep on hand for every media outlet you
are target, regardless of which program you are using.

The package includes more than 200 story ideas for all 12 months
of the year. You'll also get a half-hour consultation with me to help
you get a running start.

Read more about the value of a plan and why you need one at
http://publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm

Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/5vf9pq

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


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

Kendra Hinzmann of Oshkosh, Wisconsin writes:

"I am the director for a fine art exhibit space within an upscale
retirement community. This new venture was mostly set in place as
life enrichment for the residents, but I really wanted to include the
community as well.

"I got on board with the local Gallery Walks (over 40 local
businesses) that occur monthly. That proved to be a good move
and attendance had been building with the last shows at 80 and
100 (including public) respectively. I was thrilled to have booked an
internationally known artist for November. He is very prestigious in
the art world and thought the community would be as ecstatic as
we were to have him. He generously donated his time for a great
presentation and an art piece for a silent auction that would benefit
our nonprofit.

"I feel like I used all the correct avenues--tying it to another
community event that pertained to the show’s holiday theme,
printed press releases, inviting pillars of the community, Chamber of
Commerce advertising that went out to 1,600 recipients, and on
and on. I was shocked at our lowest turnout yet!

"Do your readers have any ideas to salvage and re-promote this
show (without the artist present) that ends Jan. 15?"


The Publicity Hound says: My Hounds ALWAYS have a few last-
minute ideas up their sleeves and they'll post them to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/6eafms

Speaking of art, artists won't want to miss the 2008 smARTist
Telesummit, a series of teleseminars that teach you how to turn an
art hobby into an art career. I'm presenting a segment on how to
use social networking on Jan. 21. Learn more at
http://tinyurl.com/5axy3x


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

Top 10 things heard at Fido's office Christmas party:


10. "Wow! Check out the hot poodle with Rover."

9. "So I says to him, throw in toilet bowl privileges, and you
got yourself a deal."

8. "Look, I gotta go chase a cab..."

7. "Hey you--cat! You work here?"

6. "Not the Macarena again! Somebody cut off the boss' bar
tab..."

5. "Did you see the neat photocopies of Bowser's rear end?"

4. "Hey, good lookin'. Wanna swing by the ol' doghouse later?"

3. "Who ordered the hot dog pizza with everything?"

2. "Dead Cats--We're Still for 'Em!"

1. "Gainesburgers? Who catered this disaster?"


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

NPR canceling 'Day to Day,' 'News & Notes'
http://tinyurl.com/6f968j


How to write a guest post for Copyblogger.com
http://tinyurl.com/5wgytc


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

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:


Wednesday, Jan. 21--Teleseminar

Join me for the third annual smARTist telesummit where
photographers, jewelers, potters, painters, metalworkers,
woodworkers and other artists will learn all the secrets for growing
their art business. I'm presenting a session on how to use social
networking, from 2 to 2:45 Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Register for the telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/5axy3x



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/A Publicity Miracle Dec 9, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #428 Dec. 9, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 50,513

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

"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.

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

Announcements:

--Publicity Hounds have chosen Patricia Reszetylo the winner of
the $50 Amazon.com gift certificate for her idea of promoting an
ebook by hosting teleseminars that tie into the topic of the
book. You can see all the ideas at http://tinyurl.com/64jkzq
Thanks to everyone who voted.


--If you're new to the publicity game, here's a must-attend
teleseminar, join Steve Harrison for a free teleseminar on
Thursday, December 11, on "Practical Ways To Get More F~ree
Publicity In Top Magazines, Newspapers And On Radio/TV Shows," at
2 or 7 p.m. Eastern. He isn't recording it so if you can't
attend, recruit someone to listen and take notes for you. The
teleseminar includes a handout that will be available on
Thursday. Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/6cfrsn

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

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

1. A Publicity Miracle

2. Be the Expert in a Niche

3. Oprah Does it Again

4. PR Tips for Nonprofits

5. How to Promote Medical Guides

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=====================================
1. A Publicity Miracle
=====================================

One of the best ways to generate publicity is to be willing to
discuss your business problems and ways you are trying to solve
them, even if the solutions are so bizarre that people think
you're nuts.

For years, the real estate industry has known about the practice
of burying a St. Joseph statue upside down in your yard if
you want to sell your house.

In the mid-90s, my husband and I were so desperate to sell our
four-bedroom Colonial in Pennsylvania that had been on the market
for 14 months that we, too, buried a statue. Several weeks later,
we received three offers in one day and sold the house. I wrote
about it this week in my blog at http://tinyurl.com/6rkm75

I'm not alone.

The St. Joseph practice is so widespread that an entire industry
has been built around this superstition. Do a search for "St.
Joseph statue" and you'll find Phil Cates' website at
http://tinyurl.com/5lhyrg at the top of the list.

Phil, who has been in the real estate industry for 22 years, now
works full time selling a "St. Joseph Statue Home Sale Kit" that
includes a complementary online listing of the house you're
trying to sell. His website includes more than $2.7 billion in
real estate listings--all from people who have bought his home
sale kits.

"We've polled people who have bought our statues and 50 percent
of the real estate agents don't even tell their sellers that
they're burying it," Phil says. "And 50 percent of the sellers
don't tell their real estate agents they're burying the statues."

That means two St. Joseph statues, not one, are buried in
thousands of yards throughout the world.

This year alone, Phil has racked up publicity for his company in
more than 44 media outlets, blogs and social networking sites,
including the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, the
Dallas Morning News and Consumer Reports.

If you're a real estate agent or a home-seller willing to discuss
your experiences with the St. Joseph statue, publicity is almost
yours for the asking, particularly since the housing market is so
dismal. If you're pitching this fun story to TV stations, be sure
to have your own St. Joseph statue as a prop. You can get just
the statue or the entire kit at http://tinyurl.com/5lhyrg

Real estate agents, I know dozens of other ways to generate
publicity, and I shared them all during the interview I did with
real estate coach Jim Gillespie, available as a CD.

Read more about how to stop relying exclusively on expensive
newspaper classified ads at http://tinyurl.com/56waoa


=========================================
2. Be the Expert in a Niche
=========================================

A super way to promote your expertise within a niche and generate
publicity is to write a content-rich report that walks people
through the steps of how to solve a problem.

You can give it away if you wish and offer it to journalists who
write about topics within that niche.

Or sell the report for a low price. I sell 52 special reports on
all aspects of free publicity for only $10 each at
http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

But what if you don't have a website, a shopping cart, or email
addresses from people who have given you permission to market to
them? What if you don't want the hassle of creating a website,
processing the payments or delivering the product?

Problem solved.

Lynn Terry, who I met in Stompernet, the membership site for
Internet marketers, has figured out a way for anyone to sell
practically any product without email subscribers, without a
website and without a shopping cart--even in super-competitive
niches.

You only need two things: an email address and a PayPal account.

It's an easy seven-step process that she explains thoroughly in
her 13-page report called "Easy 7-Step Fast C*ash Strategy."
You'll also learn how to sell the product quietly before you
launch it, so you can get feedback and testimonials from happy
customers in time for the official launch.

It's perfect for:

--Consultants who want to promote their expertise within a niche.

--Authors who want to create a quick product that upsells people
to their printed book or ebook. Or create it as a spin-off
product for people who buy the book.

--Speakers who want speaking engagements in a particular
industry.

--Small-business owners who can explain a problem, and the
solution, that relates to a product or service they sell. The
report can generate leads that turn into paying customers.

--Publicists and PR agency owners who want more clients. Show how
much you know by concentrating on one aspect of PR. You can sell
the report from your blog and on the social networking sites, or
simply use Lynn's seven-step formula.

In some cases, you can create the report and start selling it in
well under a week. And if you have questions, go over to Lynne's
discussion forum where she'll be happy to help you.

The report is a steal at only $10, and she's offering it
exclusively to Publicity Hounds. Read more about it at
http://www.fastcashstrategy.com/PHprivateoffer.htm


========================================
3. Oprah Does it Again
========================================

If your Christmas list includes a Kindle, that nifty hand-held,
wireless portable reading device that has access to more than
200,000 books, sorry.

You'll have to wait until February to get one because they've
sold out. Blame Oprah Winfrey for the delay.

Amazon was confident that it had enough Kindles in stock for the
2009 holidays, but then along comes Oprah in late October,
christening the Kindle as her "favorite new gadget" on her TV
show, and then gushing about it at her blog at
http://tinyurl.com/5p9hlx

Now, the shelves are bare.

That's what happens when the most powerful woman celebrity
endorses your product. Just ask the numerous authors whose books
have catapulted to the top of the New York Times Best Seller list
after Oprah chose them for her book club.

And that's why authors, speakers, experts, nonprofits and
millions of others are hankering to get onto her show.

Did you know, however, that one of the best ways to get the
attention of Oprah's producers is to first get mentioned in O,
the Oprah Magazine? If you can get into the magazine, it's almost
as though you've already passed inspection, and her TV producers
will be more inclined to take a second look when they get your
pitch.

Or they might hand-pick you for the show, based on the story they
read in the magazine.

That's what happened to Genevieve Piturro. She's the founder of
The Pajama Program, a charity that gives new pajamas to needy
children.

Genevieve first appeared in O Magazine, and then on the TV show
two years ago. That one segment resulted in more than 32,000
pairs of pajamas being raised for charity. Producers at Oprah &
Friends XM radio booked Piturro for an interview on the radio
show--so it was a triple whammy in Oprah Land.

Sometimes it works the other way around. You can get onto the TV
show first, and then appear in the magazine. But because
competition for the TV show is so intense, it's often better to
try to get into the magazine first.

Read about the 12 topics the editors love at
http://tinyurl.com/6c6nsc

Then grab Susan Harrow's ebook "Get into O Magazine" at $100 off
the regular price, now through Dec. 18. But you must use this
coupon code: oprah

Susan explains how at http://tinyurl.com/fuxmn


=========================================
4. PR Tips for Nonprofits
=========================================

Publicity Hound Bob Crawshaw from Australia has come up with a
creative way to market his business, help his community and give
a special holiday gift to the nonprofit world:

"We deal a lot with community groups and to help them out, we're
compiling a list of practical PR tips for challenging times. We
intend to circulate this f~ree to community groups in the next
couple of weeks.

"We've started out with some ideas in our latest post. You're
invited to add to this list. And in return, we'll share the
gathered ideas with you (or groups you nominate) before
Christmas."

Publicity Hounds can contribute ideas for low-cost PR tools and
tactics at http://tinyurl.com/6y56jz


If you don't want to wait to see what will be added to his list,
Paul Hartunian has dozens of tips on how nonprofits can generate
publicity, even on a shoestring budget. He shared them during the
teleseminar on "Failproof Publicity Tips for Your Nonprofit."
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.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/29dba


==========================================
5. How to Promote Medical Guides
==========================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips for Winthrop Morgan of
Bethesda, Maryland, on how to raise awareness of a government
agency's comparative effectiveness summary guides for clinicians.


From Karen Cook:

"I have been creating a ton of podcasts and downloadable books
and seminars, even yoga classes for this generation of web-savvy
clients. We have found that it creates a buzz passed on by email
and Twitter/Facebook type applications. After the initial cost of
digitizing it, it's free advertising. You can attach these links
to every piece of correspondence."


From Bruce Jones:

"I would say produce some quick video guides and place them on
the popular web video hosting sites with links back to the
government sites. Promote that people can download them as PDF
files. You don't even have to use a camera. You can create four
or five slide presentations in PowerPoint and save them as a
movie, add a little music or see if you can read the copy into
your computer. Make sure you use keywords in the description and
title and add a link back to your website."

"Do an email blast to as many health sites as you can, offering
free publications that they can place on their site. Everyone is
looking for content.

"Set up a website with the copy of each book on a page, plus the
PDF download. Google loves good relevant copy."


From Paulette Ensign:

"Start by giving those PDFs and MP3s to every relevant
professional association for the association to provide to its
members. This is viral marketing at its finest, and costs zip!
The associations will be delighted, too, since they are always
looking for more member benefits to provide, as inexpensively as
possible. It doesn't get more inexpensive than free.

"The same is true for every relevant publication and website, for
each of them to use as bonuses to bring more traffic. "Visit our
site and get a free..."


The Publicity Hound says:

Winthrop, you should be reaching out to bloggers who write about
medical issues. They would love to know about your resources. See
"How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion"
at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/65dltt


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


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

Publicity Hound Erin Portman of Austin, Texas writes:

"I am a freelancer and have a ton of media contacts. My New
Year's resolution this year was to find a better way to track and
capture information about the media I work with. Excel
spreadsheets are getting old. Also, I should note that I use a
Mac, which may be limiting in some instances.

"I’d be interested to hear about how other Publicity Hounds keep
track of their media contacts."


The Publicity Hound says:

This is a great question because a media contact list is an
important part of any media plan. Hounds with tips for Erin can
post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/5vf9pq


Time's a wastin' if you haven't created your media plan for 2009.
Wait until next year and you might miss opportunities to get into
the spring issues of national magazines. My training program "How
to Create a Media Plan" comes with a half-hour of telephone
consulting. Let me critique your media kit, your online press
room or your press releases, or give you creative ideas to work
into the plan. Read more about how to create a plan that keeps
you on track, month by month:
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm


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

"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs
I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons."

--James Thurber


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

Can't sell your house? Bury St. Joseph for an offer & publicity
http://tinyurl.com/6rkm75


How to persuade newspaper editorial boards
http://tinyurl.com/5keakz


How to get Google juice from your LinkedIn profile
http://tinyurl.com/5wxnz9


When radio/TV talk show guests cancel, hosts need fill-ins
http://tinyurl.com/6cfpch



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

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:

Wednesday, Jan. 21--Teleseminar

Join me for the third annual smARTist telesummit where
photographers, jewelers, potters, painters, metalworkers,
woodworkers and other artists will learn all the secrets for
growing their art business. I'm presenting a session on how to
use social networking, from 2 to 2:45 Eastern Time on Wednesday,
Jan. 21. Register for the Virtual Opening Day Reception from 7
to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Dec. 4. It's a free
teleseminar leading up to the telesummit, in which all the
speakers offer a few of their best tips. Register for Thursday's
free call at http://tinyurl.com/5haqs5 or for the telesummit at
http://tinyurl.com/5axy3x

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/Avoid Spray-and-Pray Publicity Nov 18, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #425 Nov. 18, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 50,749

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

"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.

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

Let Corporate Sponsors Promote You on Their Dime

Of all the questions I receive each year from Publicity Hounds
who have a product or service to promote, one of the most
frequent is "How do I land a corporate sponsorship?"

I don't have a step-by-step guide on how to do that, but author
and speaker Brendon Buchard does, and he'll tell you about it
during a free teleseminar tomorrow.

See Item #2 below.

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

1. Avoid Spray-and-Pray Publicity

2. Let Corporate Sponsors Promote You

3. 'Buy My Stuff' Videos

4. LinkedIn Events

5. Promoting a Web Design Business

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


========================================
1. Avoid Spray-and-Pray Publicity
========================================

If you're guilty of any of the following, you could end up with a
publicity campaign that falls on its face:

--To reach journalists that write about your area of expertise,
you rely primarily on a list of media contacts you've bought from
a company, without knowing whether the contact information is a
month old, or a year old, or whether the journalist receiving
your pitch is dead or alive.

--You use the "spray and pray" method of distributing press
releases. You spray the same one-size-fits all release to a
variety of journalists and bloggers, and then pray that one of
them bites.

--You use the same "spray and pray" approach with pitches,
spraying the same pitch to everybody without bothering to
customize it for different audiences.

--You know you're supposed to post comments at other people's
blogs. But you don't know how to make them sound like anything
other than "Visit my website. I have something to sell to you."

--You don't know about the secret weapon that can penetrate TV
and radio newsrooms and get you on the air. Instead, you keep
spraying and praying.

--You "spray" your press releases and pitches to everyone at the
same time. You're unaware that you can sometimes get onto TV the
same day you pitch but that if you want that same story in a
national magazine, you must sometimes pitch six months before the
magazine hits the newsstands.

--You rely primarily on press releases to get big publicity hits.

--You think the word "media" refers only to newspapers,
magazines, TV and radio stations.

--If you're an author, you foolishly pitch your book.

Do any of these sound familiar? If so, I'm betting you don't know
how to create a media plan, also known as a publicity plan.

A well-thought-out plan tips you off to journalists and bloggers
who are hungry for the kind of content you provide. It will help
you know, instantly, which TV stations you should be pitching
TODAY so you can get onto tomorrow's shows and which magazine you
should be pitching TODAY so you can get into the May issue.

A good plan also includes lots of ideas you can pitch during the
months when there's absolutely nothing happening at your business
or nonprofit and the idea well is dry. It includes evergreen
story ideas that will work just as well next year as they did
five years ago.

I conducted a series of eight teleseminars that explain how NOT
to make the types of mistakes I've described above and how to
create a 12-month media plan that targets your message like a
laser to the audiences that want and need to hear your message.

It's called "How to Create a Media Plan," available as CDs or
electronic transcripts, and it comes with a half-hour of
consulting which you can use now or later. Let me help you devise
a strategy that will get you maximum exposure. We can even
brainstorm story ideas that are irresistible.

Read more about how to create a 12-month media plan at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
2. Let Corporate Sponsors Promote You
=========================================

Let's say you don't have the time or the inclination to create
the kind of media plan I've mentioned above. You'd rather have
somebody else do most of the work, but you can't afford a PR
firm.

In that case, go after a corporate sponsorship.

Brendon Buchard, an author and speaker, has figured out some
really ingenious ways to land corporate and nonprofit
promotional sponsorships and use them to fund his marketing
efforts.

--Sony, for example, featured his company on a website with more
than 5 million visitors for free. That allowed him to quickly
build a mailing list of more than 30,000 people.

--Brendon knows the magic phrase you must use to quickly convince
nonprofits to publicize your book or product to their thousands
or millions of members.

--His corporate sponsorships have been responsible for the
publicity he has gotten on ABC World News, Oprah & Friends,
National Public Radio and 63 major radio stations. (The company
pays its PR firm or uses internal PR staff to get him media
exposure.)

--Corporate sponsors have made it possible for him to receive
$500,000 in advances for his second book.

--He has figured out how to get major companies like Wachovia,
Coke and Toyota to promote and sponsor his books, publicity, and
speaking tours.

Are you listening, speakers and authors?

If you can convince a company to pay you to travel around the
country speaking about your topic, you don't have to join the
chorus of thousands of other speakers who are all pitching
meeting planners. All you have to do is mention the company's
product or service during your presentation and let your
audiences know about the corporate sponsor arrangement.

In other words, you're using somebody else's influence, somebody
else's contacts and somebody else's money.

But Brendon says the process most people use to do what he does
is hit and miss, at best. They don't know the right people to
approach within a company or nonprofit. They don't know the five
elements they must include in their written proposal. And they
don't know about the website they can use to find potential
sponsors and promotional partners.

Curious about how he does it?

Listen to him explain during a free teleseminar tomorrow with my
friend, Steve Harrison. You can choose from two times: 2 p.m.
Eastern or 7 p.m. Eastern.

Sign up here and Steve will send you the handout and details for
tomorrow's call: http://tinyurl.com/5eosqa


========================================
3. 'Buy My Stuff' Videos
========================================

We've all seen them, and we hate them.

Mike Koenigs calls them "Buy My Stuff" videos, and they're all
over the Internet.

You click on a video thinking you'll see something funny, or
inspiring, or helpful. It turns out to be an author or a business
owner hawking a book or a widget and leading you to a sales page
where you can place the order.

"Buy My Stuff" videos have their place. But the correct place to
use them is never in front of the prospect when you're connecting
with them for the first time.

Videos can be so incredibly powerful to your publicity campaign
because Google sometimes indexes them within minutes after they
appear at a video-sharing site. So why waste your time on "buy my
stuff" videos that send prospects running from you?

Mike has a strategy he calls the 10 x 10 x 4 formula that shows
you exactly when you can use your "buy my stuff" video and what
you must do first. He explains it in a 20-minute video, and once
you see it, you'll understand why his method is so much better.
It establishes you as a credible expert and authority who
educates, informs, entertains and builds rapport with your
prospective audience so they feel a sense of connection with you
and, eventually, buy your stuff.

He'll send you the link to the video in exchange for your name
and email address. The video explains, by the way, that asking
for the prospect's name and email address is part of his
strategy.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/6ay5ab and learn how, and when, to use
"buy my stuff" videos.


=========================================
4. LinkedIn Events
=========================================

LinkedIn has a new application that's perfect for Publicity
Hounds who are speaking, attending or exhibiting at a live event.

It's called LinkedIn Events and it appears on the right side of
every LinkedIn user's homepage (log into your LinkedIn account
and scroll down on your homepage).

It lets you know about live events you might be interested in
attending. LinkedIn chooses which ones to display, based on the
information you've included in your profile. Unfortunately, it
doesn't let you submit information about your own events, and it
doesn't include events like teleseminars and webinars.

You can watch a short video that demonstrates how it works at
http://tinyurl.com/642j7t

This information is valuable in several ways:

--The application shows which other LinkedIn users within your
network are attending the event, a great heads-up if you want to
make plans beforehand to connect with any of them at the event.

--You can search for events by industry, date and location.
Speakers can use this functions to search for events that would
fit perfectly with their topic and area of expertise.

--It lets you announce to your contacts whether you are speaking,
exhibiting or attending the event.

The application is in beta, and judging from comments to the blog
post at the link above, it has several bugs. But it's one more
way to spread the word about your expertise.

Don't just create a LinkedIn profile and let it sit there
gathering dust. Make sure you know all the ways to connect with
your contacts.

Social media expert Scott Allen was my guest during two
teleseminars earlier this summer in which he created for us an
entire timeline of everything you should be doing on LinkedIn
several months before you're launching a product or sponsoring an
event. Scott says the secret is not to promote directly to your
contacts but, instead, to encourage them to let their contacts
know what you're doing. In other words, ask for their help and
they'll oblige.

He walks you step by step through the entire process of "How to
Use LinkedIn to Promote Anything--Ethically & Powerfully." 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.

Read more about how to start using LinkedIn the right way at
http://tinyurl.com/5zvzyd


==========================================
5. Promoting a Web Design Business
==========================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips for Nancy Cavanaugh
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a web designer who needs quick ideas to
boost sales at her website, Cavanaugh Interactive, at
http://www.cavanaughinteractive.biz/


From Meryl K. Evans:

"Contact business and nonprofit organizations to offer to speak
to their members at no charge. Be sure the presentation adds
value. 'How to turn visitors into customers' sounds like a good
one for you." Do a good job presenting it and the members might
prefer to have you do the work for them."


From Efia Moore:

"It seems like your website is lacking a theme. Sure, everything
is neat and easy to navigate, but what is it that makes your site
stand out above the rest?

"Also, if you're an interactive design company, where is all the
Web 2.0 stuff? If I can't Digg you, add you to my RSS feeds, or
get your Twitter updates, what's the point of calling yourself
interactive?"


From Judy Vorfeld:

"The purpose of the first page above the fold is to connect with
the visitor. Instead of the two graphics in the middle column
(which are totally impersonal and not valuable enough to be near
the top of the home page), consider some text that addresses the
issues potential website owns have and show how you can make
their life a lot better."


The Publicity Hound says:

Even though you offer tips in the margins, your website cries out
for free articles. This is one of the first things visitors look
for, and it's a great way to build your expertise. If you have
difficulty writing, use the template I've provided that comes
with the CD or the electronic transcript on "How to Write How-to
Articles." You can use the same template over and over again.
Read more about what I taught during this teleseminar:
http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/6lzg8e


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


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

Publicity Hound Susan Sogaro of Trumbull, Texas writes:

I am an Italian Diorama artist, and my handmade, three-
dimensional Nativities include town scenes which have homesteads,
vendors, shops and market scenes. Our art and gift shop caters to
Italian art lovers in the U.S. and crafts range from the Dioramas
to small travertine coasters and ceramic boxes and tiles.

I can't find anyone in the Houston area doing the same work and
would really like to get the word out there about my artwork,
with very limited resources. We invested all our savings in
setting up the company. Do your Hounds have any suggestions on
how to promote the artwork and our online store? You can find us
at http://www.shsartandgift.com,
http://www.youtube.com/susansogaro and
http://www.susansogaro.blogspot.com/


The Publicity Hound says:

With the Internet, you should be thinking far beyond attracting
potential buyers only in the Houston area. Many of my Hounds do
just that, and some of them are artists. Hounds with great ideas
for Susan can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/6hycv8


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio for
this one:


Who is your REAL friend, your spouse or your dog?

If you're not sure, just try this experiment. Put your dog and
your spouse in the trunk of the car for an hour. When you
open the trunk, who is really happy to see you?


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

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

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


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

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:


Wednesday, Nov. 19--Teleseminar

"Write Like a Journalist: Media Wordsmiths Share Proven
Copywriting Secrets for Earning More Ink," 1 to 2:30 p.m.,
sponsored by Bulldog Reporter. Join me and three other panelists
for our best writing tips. Register at http://tinyurl.com/5cs6p7


Thursday, Nov. 20--Teleseminar

"How to Use Publicity To Become an Expert and Grow Your
Business," part of the Business Owner Super Conference. It's
already started, but you can still get in on the action at
http://tinyurl.com/633m83 A terrific training session for
business owners everywhere, with a line-up of top speakers.


Wednesday, Jan. 21--Teleseminar

Join me for the third annual smARTist telesummit where
photographers, jewelers. potters, painters, metalworkers,
woodworkers and other artists will learn all the secrets for
growing their art business. I'm presenting a session on how to
use social networking, from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. You can start
registering next week.


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

Publicity tips/Think Christmas in June June 24 , 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #404 June 24, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 47,857

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

"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.

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

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

1. Think Christmas in June

2. A Big Payoff of Social Networking

3. What You Can Learn from a Dog's Obituary

4. Get 'em to Mention Your URL

5. Promoting Books on Christmas, Cooking

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=====================================
1. Think Christmas in June
=====================================

Now is the time to start pitching if you're hoping to convince journalists to feature your consumer product or service in holiday gift guides.

Gift guides appear in many forms:

- -As special sections in newspapers, like holiday gift guides printed by USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.

- -As special holiday features in magazines like Redbook, Allure, Wired, Stereophile, Fast Company, Organic Gardening, Cooking Light, Shape, Atlanta Magazine, Cottage Living and Elite Traveler.

- -As special segments on TV such as Oprah's "Favorite Things" show each year in which she lists her favorite holiday gifts.

- -As special radio promotions.

- -As columns, reviews or special holiday features in online magazines.

- -Even bloggers feature their favorite things to give as holiday gifts.

If your consumer product or service would make the perfect gift, getting a placement in some of these media is easy--but only if you know where to look, whom to pitch, when to contact them, and if they want photos.

The Gift List can make your job easy. Its staff contacts the top 250 daily newspapers, all the major wire services, and television shows like "Filter," "The Look for Less," and, of course, MTV, "Ellen," "The View," and hundreds more.

It doesn't bother with media outlets that won't mention products by name or those with circulations under 25,000. Broadcast outlets must reach a national or significant regional audience.

Already, The Gift List has compiled a whopping 400 leads for this year's features. You can buy a subscription to either The Gift List for Holiday 2008 Print & Broadcast, or The Gift List for Holiday 2008 Web & Blog, or both.

What if "Oprah" or USA Today changes its feature focus the week before a deadline? Not to worry. The Gift List will notify subscribers who sign up for their ezine and email alerts. You won't miss a beat. And you'll be miles ahead of the competition.

Take a test drive today at http://tinyurl.com/9es8y


=====================================
2. A Big Payoff of Social Networking
=====================================

When the media are searching for interview subjects, or guests for a TV show, they often search profiles of people who participate at social networking sites.

That's how producers for a TV series found Publicity Hound Dorothy Neddermeyer of Phoenix, Arizona. She's a board-certified regression therapist who will be featured in the series "Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal" that's being aired right now on the A&E channel.

"My role in the documentary was doing a past life regression with an 8-year-old boy who had memories of his life in Egypt," she said. "The regression was revealing, and I was amazed at the outcome."

The production company, Four Seasons International, chronicles the lives and experiences of kids with psychic abilities.

The producers found her on Ziggs, a social networking site at http://www.Ziggs.com that is devoted to "organizing and connecting people in a professional way." You can join groups and make contacts through your Ziggs account to increase your company's presence online and further your own personal career.

"It shocked me because I had only recently added my profile there," Dorothy said. "It was just my lucky day. Of course, I don't believe in luck. I, no doubt, was prompted to start posting on social networking sites."

Internet marketing expert Don Crowther says everyone should have a presence on seven social media sites. If you're pitching only traditional media, you're missing a huge opportunity to use online tools like social networking sites to promote. Learn about the seven 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. What You Can Learn from a Dog's Obituary ===========================================

When Publicity Hound Michelle Tennant emailed me last week to let me know that her beloved pet, Lex, a strawberry blonde Siberian husky, had died, the obituary she wrote for him made me smile.

While reading it, I couldn't help but think that Lex's obituary is more interesting than the personal bios of many humans I know. As you read what Michelle wrote, notice the fun little details-- something that's sorely missing from so many human bios.

"Lexington (Lex) passed yesterday at 3:50 p.m. Eastern at our vet's with my husband Shannon and myself at his side holding his paws. He was the most gentle, loving dog one could know and love. He had complications from a lung condition, pancreatitis and diabetes. He is survived by Lou Lou, the black and white husky in the photos attached.

"In 1998, I rescued Lex from a Cincinnati kill shelter when he was six months and he's lived a fabulous, adventurous life traveling throughout Ohio, West Virginia and the Smoky Mountains (and other great places whitewater rivers run).

"His life's work: children.

"He attended children's birthday parties with me while I was living in Cincinnati and working on the weekends as a children's entertainer. He was my 'pirate' sidekick teaching children manners at the dinner table because he knew how to 'wait' until others were served before eating. (He would even WAIT with a small White Castle hamburger placed on his paw. Now that's a good dog.)

"He earned his 'good canine citizen award' in 1999. (This is like a Ph.D for dogs!)

"His favorite past-time--chewing/catching tennis balls, digging holes, and cooling off in a baby pool.

"Please have a moment of reflection today to celebrate this very special soul. And then hug a pet or person you love and remind everyone wanting a pet to adopt from shelters first. They are so appreciative of second chances."

We can learn two things from this:

- -Use details, details and more details.

- -Writing about the relationship with our pets in our professional bios can teach readers more about us than a monotonous list of academic degrees and other trivia we think are important.

Some of you might argue that details about your pets don't belong in a professional profile or bio. What do you think? Would you consider including information about your pet in your bio? If so, tell us something about your pet that lets us know more about you. Or link to a bio at your website that has information about your pet.

Post your comments at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/5b2nlu

"Special Report #46: Tips for Rewriting Your Boring Bio," gives you lots of examples of fun, compelling, witty bios and tips on how rework your bio--or start from scratch. Only $10. Order at http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html


=====================================
4. Get 'em to Mention Your URL
=====================================

A common frustration with media interviews results when the reporter, for whatever reason, never mentions your website.

Here's a way to solve that problem.

The next time somebody interviews you, and the reporter asks for the name of your company, use your website URL, not the actual company name.

Instead of me being the owner of "The Publicity Hound," my company is simply PublicityHound.com.

That little trick won't work every time, but it should work with telephone interviews, and especially when the reporter is rushed.

OK, but what happens if you can't even persuade reporters to call? You pitch a story and it goes nowhere. Then what?

Have you followed up your pitch at least seven times?

If you haven't, no wonder they're not calling you. Don't believe journalists when they tell you they hate follow-ups. They hate LOUSY follow-ups.

Jill Lublin, author of "Guerrilla Publicity," says following up your pitches is critical to catching the attention of hassled reporters and editors who sometimes let things fall through the cracks. I interviewed her about "Failproof Ways to Follow Up with Reporters."

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. Start following up today and getting the media stories you deserve by going to http://tinyurl.com/bmyn7


========================================
5. Promoting Books on Christmas, Cooking
========================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips on how Tracy Arceo of Pelican Publishing of Gretna, LA can generate interest in two separate series of books on Christmas and Southern cooking.


From Julia Hillegass:

"It shouldn't be difficult to promote these great southern cities. Try doing a tasting event with area restaurants creating the recipes for people to nosh on--like a progressive cocktail party in a ballroom or at a major landmark in that town. You could create the great southern Taste Series of events: "A Taste of Charleston," "A Taste of New Orleans" perhaps in Jackson Square or the French Market, "A Taste of Savannah" maybe at Forsyth Park. Price of admission could be donated to your local food bank, so party goers get to do good too."


From Rachelle Matherne:

"Numerous discussion groups online trade free recipes. Upload a recipe from the book to these sites and include the source information. Video of the author reading from the kids' book is always fun, and can include some of the illustrations as well."


From Stacey Kannenberg:

"Find regional 'all Christmas' stores and coordinate with them to be involved in a Christmas in July Party. I did a Google search and found a few of these stores: Traditions Year-Round Holiday Store in Canoga Park, CA and Kristmas Kringle Shoppe in Fond du Lac, WI.

"Since the recipes are classics, see if you can partner with Rachael Ray, the Food Network, Martha Stewart, or online places like Recipes.com to share some of the local flavor behind these classic recipes."


The Publicity Hound says:

I know I sound like a broken record. But reach out to bloggers. Those who write about children and parenting issues might want to hear about the Christmas books. Bloggers who write about food might appreciate some recipes and tips about southern cooking. "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" shows you how to find the bloggers who need what you have, and convince them to write about you.

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.

Read more about how to start pitching them at http://publicityhound.net/cdpitchbestbloggers/


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/4orekj

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


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

Patricia "Trish" Gallagher of Worcester, Pa. Writes:

"My husband, John, and I are doing a print on demand book and need help to publicize it and book paid speaking engagements.

"The book is 'Don't Jump! Out of the Shadows about Depression and Suicide.' It's about how John tried to commit suicide by jumping from a building onto a cement slab. The attempt failed, and he was seriously injured.

"For nine years, he stood behind a wall of silence, hiding the truth of his resulting injuries, and sabotaging his relationships. In January this year, after reading about a teenage boy who tried suicide but was unsuccessful, John knew it was time to end the silence.

"His message will help anyone who is personally dealing with a crisis or tragedy, and will inspire caregivers, people struggling with addictions, and anyone who wants to learn how to help others during times of despair.

"We have a possible 700 Club interview, a local NPR affiliate interview, and we did a Philadelphia Inquirer story you can read at http://tinyurl.com/3vfcd2 No luck with any paid speaking or major interviews that have helped with expenses. So we're putting out the white flag."


The Publicity Hound says:

Unless I'm missing something, Patricia, I don't see a website or even a single page at your site at http://www.teamofangels.com devoted solely to the book. I even Googled the title and couldn't find anything. That could be the main reason why the book isn't selling as well as you had hoped.

Let's see what other ideas my Hounds have on how to promote the book and get speaking engagements. Hounds with tips for Patricia can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/44vt26

Authors who are frustrated by their own books' slow sales can check out "Special Report #40: 42 Publicity Tips for Authors and Small Publishers" and get back on track quickly. See http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Kerry Hargraves of Oakland, California, for this one:


"Little Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while his father was trying to read in the den.

"The family dog was lying in the den, and as the screeching sounds of little Harold's violin reached his ears, he began to howl loudly. The father listened to the dog and the violin as long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the floor and yelled above the noise, "For Pete's sake, can't you play something the dog doesn't know?"


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

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

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


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

If a journalist uses humor in a query, use it in your pitch
http://tinyurl.com/3eme9u


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

Publicity tips/Crash Through TV Gatekeepers March 25, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #392 March 25, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 43,857

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

"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.

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

How to Find a Lost Dog:

Thanks to the dozens of Publicity Hounds who wrote with helpful tips on how to find a lost dog, and how to keep dogs safe while walking them. You inundated me with responses, and I'm grateful. Read them all at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2n5l9j

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

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

1. Crash Through TV Gatekeepers

2. The Power of Facebook

3. Speak at Colleges

4. New Inflight Magazine

5. Promoting Twin Authors

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. At My Blog...

===================================
1. Crash Through TV Gatekeepers
===================================

Most large TV talk shows--the ones authors and experts want to get onto--have their own gatekeepers, designed to keep pests away from busy producers who are working like mad to create the next segment.

That's because almost daily, boring guests, clueless publicists and people who refused to take no for an answer inundate anyone with the word "producer" in their title with emails and phone calls. It's gotten so bad that some TV talk shows have removed the producers' names from the rolling credits at the end of each episode.

Some shows, however, now assign one guest producer to sort through the entire mess, pick out the little gems, and forward them onto segment producers who might truly be interested in your story idea.

"The Rachael Ray Show," for example, funnels pitches through a booking producer who sifts through them and passes them along to his co-workers. But if you don't have his name or email address, who knows where your pitch might end up.

Knowing whom to contact still isn't enough. You also must know what a certain show wants.

One way is to watch, for two full weeks, a particular show you want to get onto, take notes, and look for a pattern of topics that starts to emerge.

Or you can consult a media directory that has all this information for you. Steve Harrison just finished updating his directory/database of top shows, and the ink is barely dry. "Harrison's Guide to the Top National TV Talk & Interviews Shows" gives you key contacts and "how to get booked" info for 259 top shows including Oprah, Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Larry King Live, Bloomberg TV and many more.

You can grab your copy at http://www.appearontoptvshows.com/special/?10011 The price is being reduced from $347 to $297 for a single-copy and $697 to $497 for a one-year subscription, including monthly updates.

In addition to the printed directory and database, you'll also get great bonuses including a special report "Getting On Oprah," plus a one-on-one, private telephone consultation with a former NBC producer to help craft your own strategy for getting booked on top national TV shows.

Also at that web page, you can get four free sample listings from Steve's directory, including those for ABC World News Now, Dateline NBC, Larry King Live and The Rachael Ray Show. Learn which Rachael Ray producer sifts through all those pitches and how to contact him.

This offer is good only until 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 28. Take advantage of it now at http://www.appearontoptvshows.com/special/?10011


====================================
2. The Power of Facebook
====================================

Here's another success story about Facebook, one of the top three social networking sites. Publicity Hounds who want to get in front of the right journalists will love it!

Three months ago, Peter Shankman of The Geek Factory, a New York boutique PR firm, started a Facebook group called "If I Can Help a Reporter Out, I Will." Its purpose was to link reporters who are researching stories with the right sources. Sort of like a mini ProfNet. Peter has many friends who are journalists, and they send him requests when they need certain kinds of sources to interview. He then emails his Facebook group.

Once the group reaches 1,200 members, Facebook won’t allow him to send mass messages. So he's launching the Help A Reporter website with the same mission. He's recommending that Publicity Hounds already in the Facebook group switch over to the website.

"It takes me a few minutes each day to do this, and the good Karma is immeasurable," Peter says. "So I'm not charging. If you really feel like sending me a donation or something, why not just send a few bucks to an animal hospital or animal rescue society somewhere. Some good places are Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, or The National Search Dog Foundation. That'll keep the good Karma flowing."

If you join the list, Peter wants you to promise that you'll ask yourself these questions before responding to a query: "Is this response really on target? Is this response really going to help the journalist, or is this just a BS way for me to get my client in front of the reporter?"

If you have to think for more than three seconds, he says, chances are, you shouldn't send the response.

To join Peter's list, go to http://www.helpareporter.com/

Facebook and sites like it are about more than just asking people to be your friend. Once you have a group of friends, you can do amazing things, like Peter is doing. The one-hour interview I conducted with social media marketing expert Don Crowther called "Extend Your Reach with Social Media" is part of the 8-part series on "How to Create a Media Plan."

If you don't have a plan in front of you, you're in danger of veering off track, targeting media too broadly and forgetting what you're supposed to do from one month to the next.

Everyone who orders the "How to Create a Media Plan" package gets a half-hour of consulting with me, to use when you need it. Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


======================================
3. Speak at Colleges
======================================

If you're a professional speaker, author, trainer, coach or consultant, or an expert with a topic that college students, faculty or staff would find appealing, market yourself as a speaker to colleges and universities.

The best topics include anything dealing with leadership, being successful in and out of school, relationships and dating, overcoming challenges, alcohol awareness and drug prevention.

If you book a gig at a college, you can get publicity:

--In college newspapers.

--On the college radio and TV stations.

--In the newspapers and radio and TV stations in communities where the college is located.

--In blogs and ezines read by students, faculty and staff.

--In alumni magazines for your college or the colleges where you speak.

Not only that, but if they like your program, they'll probably refer you to people at other colleges and universities who hire speakers.

James Malinchak, "The King of the College Speaking Market," says many colleges have up to 17 types of key people who book speakers for events. Those events include student leadership gatherings, student government events, lectures sponsored by fraternities and sororities, career and job fairs, commencements and graduations, student conferences and summer programs. Add to the list academic, athletic and club events, and other meetings where an "outside" expert is needed.

James also says there are enough colleges and universities to keep a speaker busy for the remainder of their speaking career. But you have to know how to get in front of the decision-makers who do the hiring.

Colleges have large budgets for booking speakers, authors, trainers, coaches and consultants. The trick is knowing who the people are who have the money.

Starting this Thursday, March 27, you can listen to a call with James, who will host his College Speaking Success Bootcamp May 1-4 in Las Vegas, and learn:

--Why there's BIG money in the college market.

--Which topics are most in demand and why?

--Which departments have the budgets to book you?

--Who are the people you must contact to get booked as a college speaker?

--How to create marketing materials that will get you noticed and booked.

And much more.

If you can’t attend the live calls, register anyway, and afterward James will send you a link to a recorded audio--you’ll be able to listen online or download it to your MP3 player.

Go now to: http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/stewart


====================================
4. New Inflight Magazine
====================================

EOS CLASS is the new in-flight magazine for Eos Airlines, which travels between London and New York City. In May, the airline will add Newark, New Jersey.

Topics cover lifestyle, business, and personal interests including travel, shopping, food and the arts.

The quarterly magazine is published by Elite Traveler. It is distributed onboard, in the Eos lounges and at selected businesses in the destination cities.

Are you using inflight magazines in your publicity campaign? If your target audience includes consumers who are upscale, well- educated and frequent travelers, these magazines could be powerful publicity tools for you.

Each year, my researcher contacts editors of more than 40 inflight magazines for updated pitching tips and contact information. I use this information annually to update "Special Report #27: Fly High with Publicity in the Inflight Magazines." You can order the report now for only $37 at http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html


========================================
5. Promoting Twin Authors
========================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips on how Sharon Dotson of Houston, Texas can promote identical twins Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, 35, of Redwood City, CA, who between them have survived three lung transplants.


From Stephanie Trahd:

"Sometimes it’s just a matter of building momentum. National TV shows often want to know that your topic was of interest to local markets first. Get booked on a few local TV news and talk shows (it’s a lot easier than national). You got some small mentions in a few periodicals--go for feature stories. If you can’t get them yourself, pitch some popular freelance writers. It will be a lot easier to get on national TV shows when you have a portfolio of published and television credits."


From Cheryle Gagnon:

"Who are the nonprofits that are widely known and respected for raising awareness and money for Cystic Fibrosis in New York City? Tell them you will do a FREE advertisement for their organization. And you will attend their annual fundraiser to help raise money for other kids who might die before their high school prom."


From Garth Gibson:

"If you haven’t already, remember to pitch Dr. Gupta, religious shows from Pat Robertson to Joel Olsteen, and local talk shows. Pitch ideas: Twins Who Made A Deadly Disease Come Alive; Why Miracles Happen In Twos; and Three Transplants, Two Hearts Of Gold, One Amazing Story


The Publicity Hound says:

Sharon, as you probably know, National Public Radio has numerous radio shows that invite guests to speak on health-related topics. Go to the NPR website at http://www.npr.org and use the search box at the top to search for shows.

Book publicist Lissa Warren has booked dozens of her own clients on NPR using that method and lots of other tricks. She outlines them all on the CD or electronic transcript titled "How to Get Booked on National Public Radio." 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.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://publicityhound.net/cdnpr


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


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

Nycole Pederson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota writes:

"My sister and I love to have garage sales and have always made our own fun, creative, bright signs to attract shoppers.

"We had so many people asking us where we bought our signs that we realized there really was a huge need for chic, funky, sassy garage/yard sale signs. We started doing some research and found there was nothing on the market other than the boring black/white, red/white garage sale signs.

"With a lot of hard work, we started Sassy Signs and are currently selling them at retail outlets such as Lowe’s, and independent hardware, scrapbook and party stores. We have also been selling online at http://www.sassysigns.com/ since we started the company two years ago.

"We would really like to increase our online sales and we’re hoping for advice on how to do this. We’re already paying for Adwords with Google and Yahoo, among other advertisers. We are also trying to get the word out with the bloggers of America. Do you have any other ideas?"


The Publicity Hound says:

The signs look like a lot of fun. Hounds with ideas for Nycole and her sister can post them to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/helpthishound/garagesalesigns


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

Thanks to Llewellyn Security, the Canadian canine security company, for this one:

One of the questions we're constantly asked is, "My Doberman is two years old. Is it true that they turn on their masters when they turn three?"

Or, "I heard that Shepherds turn on their masters when they are six years old."

Then there's, "How old are Rotts when they turn on their masters?"

My answer is: "We have had hundreds of dogs. The reason they don't turn on us, is because we never tell them how old they are."


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

High schools musical contest sponsored by USA Weekend http://publicityhound.net/cdhighschoolmusicals


Goodie bag, promo opps listed at ProfNet blog
http://publicityhound.net/bloggoodiebag


Associated Press hires 21 writers to cover celebrities http://publicityhound.net/blogapcelebrities


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


March 27: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"Red Hot Tips to Set Your Publicity Campaign on Fire," Menomonee Falls, Sussex and Germantown Business to Business Networking Breakfast; networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 8, presentation from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $15. Guests welcome. For reservations, call Diane Henning at the Menomonee Falls Chamber at 262-251-2430.


April 22: Shorewood, Wisconsin

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Online & Offline Publicity," 8:30 to noon, and "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists," 1 to 3:30 p.m.; North Star, 4515 W. Oakland Ave., sponsored by the Shorewood Business Improvement District. Tickets are $75 each or $65 for two or more persons. To register, contact Barb Caprile at barb@shorewood.com or 414-962-7008.


April 30: Teleseminar

"How to Create a Media Plan," part of the teleseminar series "Intro to Internet Marketing" for health professionals. Perfect for doctors, nurses, spa owners, holistic health counselors, massage therapists, etc. Register at http://publicityhound.net/introinternetmarketing


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
U. S.A. Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Be Like the Gabby Cabby Mar 18, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #391 March 18, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 43,546

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

"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.

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

I Lost My Dog:

I lost Bogie on Sunday night. And, of course, I figured out a way to tie it into a few publicity tips for you. The whole story about two horrible hours of my life is at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2n5l9j

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

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

1. Be Like the Gabby Cabby

2. AngryJournalist.com

3. An Idea for Computer Geeks

4. For Health Professionals

5. Promoting a Book for Children

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. At My Blog...

=================================
1. Be Like the Gabby Cabby
=================================

Radio talk show host Wayne Kelly says that if you've been booked as a guest on talk radio, forget about being politically correct.

Wayne says far too many guests try way too hard to sanitize their interview responses so that they don't offend listeners.

"I hate these interviews," he says.

I do, too, and I change the channel when I hear somebody trying to be overly polite.

Wayne co-hosts a morning drive-time show on KBS Radio in British Columbia, Canada. He offers these three tips for being the kind of guest who gives a prickly interview and gets invited back:

- -Be the kind of personality listeners can get excited about.

- -Give more information than anyone who has ever talked about your topic.

- -Have an opinion and say it LOUD (yes, I'm shouting).

One of his favorite talk show guests is Peter Franklin, aka The Gabby Cabby, a street-smart, Bronx-born cab driver who broadcasts news about New York City to over 300 million listeners in 71 countries around the world.

Wayne has been interviewing the Gabby Cabby on his radio show for eight years and even conducted one interview from inside Gabby's cab. Wayne knows that those interviews will always make somebody mad--so mad that if they're driving in their car listening to the radio, they'll pull over and whip out their cell phone and call the station.

In the world of talk radio, that's the goal.

Listen to Wayne's four-and-a-half-minute interview with Gabby, who weighs in on the current crop of presidential candidates. If you've already chosen your favorite candidate, and you're from a red state or a blue state, I guarantee you won't like what you hear. Go to http://publicityhound.net/gabbycabby and click on the arrow under the photo.

You can sign up for Wayne's free publicity tips at http://www.onairpublicity.com/ezine.shtml

Once you know how to interview, it's time to start pitching. Radio talk show host George McKenzie was my guest on a telephone seminar called "How to Get onto Drive-time Radio Shows." He explained how to "play the game" when you pitch TV and radio talk show hosts, the one word to never use in your pitch, how producers create programs, whom to call when pitching a radio station, and an example of a great pitch.

We recorded it and 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.

Read more about what you'll learn at
http://publicityhound.net/drive-timeradio


====================================
2. AngryJournalist.com
====================================

The next time a journalist hangs up on you, or yells "no thanks" into the telephone, or refuses to answer your emails, she might be more than just busy.

She might also be angry. Really angry.

At what?

Her lousy pay. Her horrible work schedule. Her editor who cow- tows to the advertising department. And bad PR people who make twice as much money as she does.

AngryJournalist.com is for "the underpaid, overworked, frustrated, (expletive deleted) off, and ignored media professionals to publicly and anonymously vent their anger."

It offers an inside look at the hundreds of things that journalists snipe about.

From Angry Journalist #2269:

"I'm a photographer or a photojournalist. Not a camera lady, photo lady or camera girl."

From Angry Journalist #2172:

"I contacted a pastor to do a story about his church’s expansion and he said the earliest he could meet with me was Tuesday. Please, give me a break, I'm sure you could find 20 minutes out of your day before then to talk to a journalist so I can do a puff piece on your stupid church."

From Angry Journalist #2185:

"I'm angry because my editor has a crush on a photographer I work with and he let’s (sic) this guy get away with all kinds of (expletive deleted)."

Warning for the easily offended: Many posts at this site include profanities and four-letter words.

Even though journalists are angry, they still need trustworthy sources and compelling stories. "Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People" explains all the ways to bring a little joy into their lives and get a great print or broadcast story. Only $10. Order at http://publicityhound.net/SpecialReports


====================================
3. An Idea for Computer Geeks
====================================

Within the last few years, several school administrators or teachers in Wisconsin have been caught visiting adult websites while using school computers.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

If you're a website developer, a computer geek or somebody who knows how computers work, and you see a story like this in your own community, it's a great chance to promote your expertise by offering your commentary to the local media and including advice in your blog and in online articles.

Most people know that if they simply clear the history of websites they've visited, it's usually difficult for a computer user in their household or company to follow the footprints. But computer experts will tell you that that isn't enough. An expert knows where to look to follow the trail.

Share your information by creating a quiz on how computer users can cover their tracks, or on how computers work. A quiz is one of nine types of briefs that can get you fabulous media publicity, particularly in national magazines, and pull traffic to your website.

A teleseminar I conducted explains all nine forms of briefs and how to use them to promote a product, service, cause or issue. It's called "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes" and 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.

Read more about what you'll learn at
http://publicityhound.net/briefs


====================================
4. For Health Professionals
====================================

Attention doctors, nurses, health educators, healers, spa owners, massage therapists, nutritionists, health care business owners, network marketers, and even stay-at-home moms.

Learn how to build a thriving Internet business and pull journalists and other customers to you, even if you already make significant revenue offline.

Marilee Tolen, a graduate of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, is presenting a series of teleseminars called "Intro to Internet Marketing" for health professionals. You can take the course over the phone on five consecutive Wednesdays starting April 2.

She'll cover dozens of topics, including affiliate commission, and explain how health professionals can earn money selling other people's products and services. Marilee, by the way, created a two-minute video on how women can "wear" essential oils in a neat charm bracelet, as well as on how to make their business cards smell nice by using the oils in a fancy business card holder.

She earns commission selling essential oils for another company. So she sent the link to the video to about 3,000 people who have given her permission to email them. Within one hour, she earned commission on a $400 sale from somebody who saw her email, watched her video and bought essential oils. You can see the video at http://snipurl.com/viewaromathxjewelry or see the entire line of jewelry at http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/?Clk=2299239

I'm one of the guest experts who will be teaching during Marilee's course. At 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 30, I'm presenting a one-hour session on "How to Create a Media Plan," with specific examples for health professionals and lots of story ideas they can steal from me.

Sign up for the entire course before it's sold out:
http://publicityhound.net/healthprofessionals


========================================
5. Promoting a Book for Children
========================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips on how Angie Dzalamanow of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina can promote picture books for children that include science, math and nature themed stories.

From Cheryl Stroup:

"I immediately thought of the home schooling community. Many, many resources for home schooling parents or sending a sample book or book list to the well-traveled home schooling resource sites could prove beneficial. Word of mouth is the best press you can get and from what I've seen, the home schooling community is a worthy ally.

From Yvette Stanton:

"I suspect that these sorts of books are likely to be purchased by grandparents for their grandchildren. As a grandparent, who could pass up something that will entertain AND educate the grand kiddies? I suggest you work on getting reviews into seniors media--newspapers, blogs, websites."

From Garth Gibson:

"Identify media/celebrity with children on the way and send them a book. I know, for example, that Penelope Cruz is very into having a family right now.

"I think TV’s Al Roker has a book review for kids that he does on air, so send him a book."

The Publicity Hound says:

If you're trying to contact celebrities or work them into your media plan, here are two great resources. ContactyAnyCelebrity at http://publicityhound.net/contactanycelebrity/ sells a database that will help you contact 54,565 celebrities worldwide. It includes contact information for more than 7,000 celebrity representatives and over 4,000 entertainment companies with phone, fax and email addresses--all cross-referenced and cross- linked so you can find who you need fast.

Also, my "Special Report #50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue" gives you lots of ideas of how to tie celebrities to your publicity campaign and pull tons of traffic to your website from all the surfers who are Googling celebrities' names. Only $10. Order at http://publicityhound.net/SpecialReports

Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/2lsp74

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


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

Publicity Hound Sharon Dotson of Houston, Texas writes:

"I am working with two other publicists to promote identical twins Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, 35, of Redwood City, CA, who between them have survived three lung transplants.

"Half Japanese and half-German, the sisters were born with cystic fibrosis and were not expected to live to adulthood, yet they have defied the odds. Cystic fibrosis is rare in people of Asian descent, and as daughters of a Japanese mother, their risk was supposed to be minuscule.

"Their father, a German physicist who loved statistics, calculated the odds when the twins were diagnosed with CF as infants: he and his wife had a 1 in 200 chance having identical twins, and the odds of having half-Japanese twins with CF were roughly 1 in 1.8 billion.

"Their recently-published autobiography, 'The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis,' has been well-received with small mentions in People, Publishers Weekly and USA Today. Last month, Reuters published a very nice feature on the Stenzels.

"Our job is to pitch national shows including Ellen, Rachael Ray, Montel, Oprah and the 700 Club. We also pitched half-Japanese Today show host Ann Curry. Other news hooks are Donate Life Month, Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and in July, the U.S. Transplant Games where the Stenzel twins will be among those competing.

"Thus far, we've scored zero on big-time TV shows. We're aiming high, but we're sure Anabel and Isabel have a message that could knock the socks off a broad segment of the media. Do you think your Publicity Hounds could throw in some new ideas?"

The Publicity Hound says:

What a great story, Sharon. I know my Hounds are already thinking of some super ideas on how to promote your clients. I noticed you never mentioned anything about online publicity. So I hope my Hounds include tips for scoring publicity online as well as offline when they post their best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2dxlgr


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

"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents a can. That's almost $7 in dog money." -- Joe Weinstein

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

How to find a lost dog or a lost (fill in the blank)
http://tinyurl.com/2n5l9j


Sploggers bring traffic, so why the complaining?
Http://tinyurl.com/2ajdbo


Health pros: Learn Internet marketing from the experts
http://tinyurl.com/yu3eeh


Media bias helped Spitzer's rise to power
http://tinyurl.com/2xw3y9


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound

March 27: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"Red Hot Tips to Set Your Publicity Campaign on Fire," Menomonee Falls, Sussex and Germantown Business to Business Networking Breakfast; networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 8, presentation from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $15. Guests welcome. For reservations, call Diane Henning at the Menomonee Falls Chamber at 262-251-2430.

April 22: Shorewood, Wisconsin

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Online & Offline Publicity," 8:30 to noon, and "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists," 1 to 3:30 p.m.; North Star, 4515 W. Oakland Ave., sponsored by the Shorewood Business Improvement District. Tickets are $75 each or $65 for two or more persons. To register, contact Barb Caprile at barb@shorewood.com or 414-962-7008.

April 30: Teleseminar

"How to Create a Media Plan," part of the teleseminar series "Intro to Internet Marketing" for health professionals. Perfect for doctors, nurses, spa owners, holistic health counselors, massage therapists, etc. Register at http://publicityhound.net/introinternetmarketing

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
U. S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/The Spitzer Scandal, Mar 11, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #390 March 11, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog) The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 43,792

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

"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.

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

To SMARTS students:

If you are part of the SMARTS social networking coaching program and you're going to the Stompernet conference in Atlanta April 4, 5 or 6, please email me and let me know. Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=SMARTS

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

1. The Spitzer Scandal

2. March Madness

3. Turn One Product into Three

4. Newspapers: Online vs. Offline

5. Promoting a Book on Military Wives

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. At My Blog...


=================================
1. The Spitzer Scandal
=================================

Just a few hours after the news broke about New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's hiring a high-priced prostitute, authors were all over national TV news shows commenting on the story.

And savvy book publicists were working the phones this morning, trying to get their clients onto shows like MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, "Hannity & Colmes" on FOX, and "Larry King Live" on CNN.

You don't have to be an author to find your way onto these national shows, or even local news shows in your own community. Here are some ideas on how to piggyback onto the Spitzer scandal and take advantage of the 24-hour news cycle:

- -What implications does the scandal have for the presidential campaign? Does Hillary Clinton, another woman who was wronged by her political husband, have anything to gain or lose in her race for delegates? Spitzer supports her candidacy.

- -Was Spitzer's minute-long press conference, with his wife by his side, appropriate? Or has he already put her through enough? Should he have stood behind the microphone alone? Crisis counselors and PR practitioners, how would you have advised Spitzer?

- -How does a wife forgive a husband who has put her through this? Therapists, mental health experts, marriage counselors and ministers can offer their thoughts.

- -Why do so many politicians, from former presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton to former Congressman Larry Craig and former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, have secret lives? If your book or area of expertise ties into this topic, let the media know.

- -The Number One question the last 24 hours seems to be "How could Spitzer have been so stupid?" Experts will be debating this one for months, so comment on your blogs and in op-ed columns.

- -Should history's oldest profession be legalized?

You'll find lots more ideas in this article at the Huffington Post website: http://publicityhound.net/spitzerreaction

Now that you have an idea, learn how to pitch it. Publicity Hound Julie Languille followed all the pitching tips I recommended in "Special Report #7: How to Write the Perfect Pitch Letter That convinces an Editor to Write About You" and scored a Page 1story in the Wall Street Journal. The report is $10. Order it at http://PublicityHound.net/SpecialReports


====================================
2. March Madness
====================================

This is the month to use the phrase "March Madness" in your pitches, even though the stories you're pitching have nothing to do with basketball or the NCAA tournament.

For example:

- -It's been March Madness for weather-watchers, like the blizzard that dumped two feet of snow on Ohio over the weekend. If you can tie your story to the crazy weather, "March Madness" is a great phrase to slip into the pitch.

- -Spring break is under way for many students at colleges and universities. I think the "March Madness" theme is a perfect fit.

- -If you're a Wall Street expert and you're commenting on the market's tumble this month, work that phrase into your pitch.

- -Ditto for the mortgage crisis.

If you can't think of any tie-ins to March Madness, that's OK. TV producer Shawne Duperon teamed up with me to brainstorm dozens of story ideas for the first half of the year. "116 WOW! Story Ideas from January through June" includes something for everybody. We encourage you to steal the best ideas and use them in your publicity campaign.

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. Read more about what you'll learn at http://publicityhound.net/116storyideas


====================================
3. Turn One Product into Three
====================================

If you create information products, don't make the big mistake that most information marketers make.

They create one product. Then they fail to understand all the ways they can turn that product into two additional products, or three, or four, or even five, with just a little more work.

For example, let's say you've written a book that sells for $25 in the bookstores. Why not create a spiral-bound workbook that ties into the topic of your book and that you can sell at your website?

For a third product, host a teleseminar, record it and sell it as a CD or MP3 file. But don't just offer the audio. Hire an inexpensive transcriber and offer the product as a downloadable PDF for all those people who prefer to learn by reading and not by listening.

Cathy Stucker, the Idea Lady, is an absolute genius when it comes to figuring out ways to tweak, retool, reposition, and slice and dice content into related products quickly and easily.

She was my guest during a teleseminar last week called "How to Turn Content into Cash" and shared lots of her tricks on how she turns one product into multiple products.

Many people on the call had questions about what technology she uses to make it happen, specific vendors she uses when creating products, and what she does to save time. You can listen to the recording at http://www.PublicityHound.net/contentcall

Another tip: Both of us made a special offer you'll want to know about, but it expires tomorrow night.


====================================
4. Newspapers: Online vs. Offline
====================================

If you're pitching reporters who write for daily newspapers, are you spending most of your time pitching the ones who write for the print versions?

Or have you taken the time to research whether different reporters write for the online versions?

This article by Scott Karp, president and CEO of Publish2 Inc., should be must reading for everyone who pitches newspaper reporters. He writes:

"Newspapers used to see the web as a complement, a value add to the print edition. Now they have to flip the equation. The web is at the center, and the print newspaper must add value, as a complement."

Read the entire article here: http://publicityhound.net/printversusonline

Now, work online reporters and editors into your media plan. If you don't have a plan, or you don't know where to start, let me and my team of experts help you. The training course "How to Create a Media Plan" walks you step-by-step through the process, gives you more than 200 story ideas you can use in your own campaign, and tells you which social media sites are the best ones to incorporate into the plan.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


========================================
5. Promoting a Book on Military Wives
========================================

This week, 13 Publicity Hounds have advice for Marna A. Krajewski of Wakefield, Rhode Island on other markets beyond just the military that she can target for her next book titled "HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: Celebrating the Lives of Military Wives."


From Linda Swisher:

"How about spouses of law enforcement officers, who also have esprit de corps (many are also ex-military or in the Guard/Reserves); veterans organizations and auxiliaries, base exchanges or card/bookstores near major posts, companies whose large international workforces frequently relocate, and moving companies (sell in quantity to movers specializing in military relocation--they can give the book as a good-bye or welcome gift)."


From Stephanie Trahd:

"Piggyback your press releases onto the Lifetime TV show 'Army Wives.' There is definitely a wider market for you, as evidenced by the intense popularity of that show. 'Civilians' are very curious and still romanticize Army life."


From Jenni Hilton:

"Another popular TV show that features military wives is 'The Unit.' You could offer expert advice about a problem featured in one of the shows and pitch your book. Blogging about military wife life might also help. Find stories in newspapers that are relevant and include links. Women’s magazines are always interested in your story as a woman and, more specifically, a military wife. What about writing tips for moving frequently and meeting new people, and contacting Welcome Wagons and other groups as well?"


The Publicity Hound says:

Using the tips above, how about reviewing books at Amazon.com that deal with themes such as the military and relocating?

Randy Gilbert and Don Mitchell explain many of the 17 ways to use Amazon.com to market yourself--even at pages where your competitors' books are listed! I interviewed them during a teleseminar on "How to Make Amazon.com a River of Gold (for Authors, Speakers and Consultants)."

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. Read more about what you'll learn at http://publicityhound.net/amazonriverofgold


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


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

Angie Dzalamanow of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina writes:

"I am the public relations manager for Sylvan Dell Publishing, a children’s book publisher committed to exciting children’s imaginations with artistically spectacular science, math and nature themed stories. We’re doing fairly well at securing reviews for our 29 titles with key trade publications, regional parenting magazines and bloggers, but we would like to create a bigger buzz and score some national attention.

"In the back of every book, we include a ‘For Creative Minds’ educational section with fun facts, crafts and other educational activities. We also offer free supplemental parent/teacher resources on our website, including 30-80 cross-curricular teaching activities, child-friendly learning links, audio readings, interactive quizzes and a bi-monthly e-newsletter.

"However, our books are first and foremost fun-to-read picture books, and we want parents and educators to understand that there doesn’t need to be a strict line between educational and entertaining.

"The public relations team consists of me and two interns, and our budget is limited. We need some creative, affordable ideas for media kits and pitches, but we’ve yet to think of that ‘big idea’ we need to garner national media. Help from your Hounds would be greatly appreciated!"


The Publicity Hound says:

Your books make me wish I were a kid again. Hounds, let's help Angie and her interns reach parents and kids all over the world. Post your best publicity ideas at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2lsp74


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

Two fleas are coming out of the movie theater and it's raining very hard outside.

One flea says to the other flea, "What should we do? Walk or wait for a 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. At My Blog...
=================================

Free ebook can help you promote your business or nonprofit http://publicityhound.net/freeebook


Marketing in a down economy? This webinar can help http://publicityhound.net/marketinginadowneconomy


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


March 27: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"Red Hot Tips to Set Your Publicity Campaign on Fire," Menomonee Falls, Sussex and Germantown Business to Business Networking Breakfast; networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 8, presentation from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $15. Guests welcome. For reservations, call Diane Henning at the Menomonee Falls Chamber at 262-251-2430.


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
U. S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/TV Talk Show Stunts Feb 26, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #387 Feb. 26, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 42,789

=====================================
"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.

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

Last Call for National Publicity Summit:

Steve Harrison's National Publicity Summit still has a few openings for Publicity Hounds who want to pitch top-tier journalists face-to-face. It's March 26-29 in New York City.

You'll meet with journalists and producers from top national TV shows like ABC's The View, CBS' 48 Hours, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News Channel, Montel, Fox & Friends and Live with Regis & Kelly.

You'll also personally meet writers who do stories for big-time print media like People magazine, Woman's Day, Alternative Medicine, Good Housekeeping, New York Times, Parents, Family Circle, INC., Time magazine and many other top publications.

In this newsletter, I've written many success stories about Publicity Hounds who have attended the summit, gotten huge media hits, sold tons of books as a result, and have raved about the event. If you're on the fence, at least read about what you'll learn at http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10011

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

1. TV Talk Show Stunts

2. The Mayo Clinic & Facebook

3. Create a Hall of Fame

4. Google Will Reward You for Video

5. How to Promote a College 'Care Package'

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. At My Blog...

9. At My Squidoo Lens...


======================================
1. TV Talk Show Stunts
======================================

In the old days, if you wanted to get onto one of the morning TV talk shows, you had to pitch a compelling idea that had the three magic elements that TV loves: people, color and motion.

These days, however, your chances improve drastically if your pitch includes a publicity stunt. Don't worry. You don't have to round up a stunt man. Instead, suggest the stunt be performed by one of the talk show hosts, anchors or reporters.

Like "Today" show news anchor Ann Curry bungee-jumping off a bridge in England.

Or her cohort, Meredith Vieira, jumping into frigid Lake Champlain in Vermont in February to promote the annual Penguin Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics.

Or Chris Cuomo, ABC's "Good Morning America" newsman, sky-diving off the roof of the Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City last week.

Why the stunts?

Simple. It helps the audience to connect to the personalities they see every day, said Jim Murphy, "Good Morning America" executive producer who was quoted in an Associated Press story.

Cancer patient Robin Roberts, co-host of "Good Morning America," even doffed her wig in public. Viewers flooded her and other personalities with email, saying they loved the stunts.

The next time you're looking for TV coverage, think of ways TV personalities can become directly involved in your story. See "Special Report #42: Tips for Letting Reporters Experience Your Story, Not Just Write About It" at http://www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

Can't think of a stunt? That's OK. There are many more ways to get onto the "Today" show, "Good Morning America" and "Fox & Friends." Lissa Warren explains them all on "How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows." 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.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://publicityhound.net/cdmorningtvtalkshows


=====================================
2. The Mayo Clinic & Facebook
=====================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Tom Ribar of Grafton, Wisconsin for alerting us to this article that explains why even the world- renowned Mayo Clinic has its own Facebook page: http://www.1to1media.com/Xfactor.aspx?DocID=30670&m=n

The clinic uses Facebook to post information about itself and link to its three websites for patients, consumers, and research and education. It also displays "wall post" messages and photos, offers video and audio podcasts, provides updates on news and events, and connects with its Facebook friends.

The clinic encourages patients to tell their own stories and describe what their experience was like at the clinic.

Tom Ribar and I are learning more about Facebook because we're among the hundreds of students in the SMARTS social media coaching program. If you missed signing up for the program, you can still get a taste of what we're learning by watching the 50- minute video and downloading the special report. Dozens of Publicity Hounds have thanked me for alerting them to these content-rich resources.

Watch the video and sign up for the free report at http://www.stompernet.net/jvp/aw.aspx?B=25&A=332

Then create your own Facebook page and ask me to be your friend. But please let me know that you subscribe to this newsletter. You can find my page at http://www.PublicityHound.net/facebookprofile

Facebook is one of seven sites where social media expert Don Crowther, our SMARTS coach, says you must have a presence. He explained more about Facebook and the other six sites during a one-hour teleseminar earlier this year as part of my training series "How to Create a Media Plan."

If you need help building a 12-month plan that will really reach your target audience, pull traffic to your website, and have journalists calling for interviews, take a look at what you'll learn: http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm

The training program includes a list of more than 200 story ideas, several for every month of the year. You can incorporate them into your own plan.


=======================================
3. Create a Hall of Fame
=======================================

When Publicity Hound Karla Kinstler of the Houston Nature Center in Houston, Minnesota read one of my tips about creating a Hall of Fame, she knew the idea was a perfect fit with the annual "Festival of Owls."

"We now recognize one owl and one human each year who have done extraordinary things to make the world a better place for owls," says Karla, who submitted a Help This Hound question several months ago.

The first year, the Oregon Associated Press picked up the story when Fat Broad, an owl in Oregon, was inducted into the hall of fame.

Last year, the nature center widened its search and made it the "World Owl Hall of Fame."

"Coverage of our hall of fame wound up in the Canberra Times in Australia, and was linked to from the New Zealand Journal of Birds website," she adds.

This year, the nature center has nominations from seven countries on four continents. It has added a "Special Achievement" award category since there were so many nominations.

"Now we call our festival the International Festival of Owls and have folks attending from the U.S., Canada, Jamaica and The Netherlands this year. I just wanted to let you know that starting a Hall of Fame is, in itself, an award-winning idea."

You can read more about the contest at http://www.festivalofowls.com/World%20Owl%20Hall%20of%20Fame.htm

The next step, Karla says, is to grow the Houston Nature Center into a North American Owl Center with its own room for the World Owl Hall of Fame.

Why not follow Karla's lead and create your own hall of fame that ties into your own product, service, cause or issue? Promote it by writing and posting online press releases, pitching bloggers who write about your topic, pitching journalists on your media hit list, using social media sites, and creating videos about inductees.

See "The New Rules of Press Releases" at http://publicityhound.net/cdnewrules


======================================
4. Google Will Reward You for Video
======================================

Are you tired of lousy Google rankings for your website or blog?

Are you wasting hundreds of dollars on Google pay-per-click advertising that isn't making anybody except the Google advertising people happy?

I hear from dozens of Publicity Hounds each week who are doing just that. That's why I tell them to start cranking out short videos as fast as they can. Google and the other search engines place a high premium on video, even low-cost videos made by amateurs.

Why? Because web surfers love watching video. Take a look at the statistics:

- -More than 141 million Americans viewed online video in December of last year alone.

- -YouTube is almost double the size of Google, the granddaddy of search engines, in the number of page views.

- -More than half of all videos online are being watched on other websites, not just on YouTube. That means that if you upload your video to YouTube, bloggers, website owners and anyone else can embed your video link at their blog or website, thus giving your video even more exposure and your website more traffic. And you don't pay them a cent for doing it.

- -Video can reward you with more traffic, a higher conversion rate on your sales pages and maybe even a call from a journalist who watches one of your videos and wants to interview you.

On Thursday night, I'll be on the phone taking notes furiously on Tom Antion's teleseminar on "How to Get Instant High Rankings on Google Using Short Videos." Then I'll be converting some of the videos I use in my live workshops for the web.

Don't miss this call, and his special bonus to the first 200 people who sign up. Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.net/antionvideo


=========================================
5. How to Promote a College 'Care Package'
=========================================

This week, 13 Publicity Hounds have tips for Patricia Hudak of Jersey City, New Jersey. She's creating an informational care package for college seniors and is looking for corporate sponsors who want to reach this niche audience.


From Paulette Ensign:

"Look at who else is already marketing to that population, such as big financial planning companies, gasoline companies, recruiting firms, and cruise lines. Contact their marketing departments with your proposal. Be prepared to modify your package if they are interested in parts of it. In fact, it may serve the sponsors better to pull apart your package and provide pieces of it spread out over time to keep them in front of that audience longer."


From Ann Wondra:

"While new college grads are often very savvy in technology and more globally aware, employers are dismayed at their lack of work ethic, top salary expectations with little or no experience to back it, attitudes of 'entitlement,' and weak written and verbal professional communication skills (text messaging doesn't fly well in most corporate business settings). If those kinds of skills are included in your Career module, those would be attractive selling points to businesses that are recruiting from the college of students you are targeting."


From A. Moore:

"Create a place online where you can interact with and share your ideas with college grads and young career enthusiasts. Offer portions of your programs as downloads. Spend the time to build a following for yourself and you'll be better positioned to engage sponsors. You'll probably even attract media and become a valuable resource, or you may get a book deal out of it or a radio show."


The Publicity Hound says:

Contact bloggers who write about corporate marketing and let them know what you're doing. They have a ready-made audience that would be perfect for you. See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://www.PublicityHound.net/cdpitchbestbloggers


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


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

Lori Feldman of St. Louis, Missouri writes:

"I am an ACT! Software consultant and I belong to The CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Alliance, a consortium of the top ACT! Consultants across the U.S.

"We have pooled resources to offer a $6,500 grand prize for a complete CRM/Email Marketing/Internet Marketing package for one winner, with other winners getting second- and third-place prizes. Your Hounds can read more about it at http://www.actsoftwarepromotion.com/

"Were launching the promotion next week and it will run through April 30. We're promoting it through our alliance members' lists, our vendor partners' lists and through two lists we just purchased. We're also using press releases before and after the event.

"Total value of the prizes is $17,000. That's pretty hefty for our little group, and I'd love to do as much as I can to get the word out. Help from you and your Hounds would be greatly appreciated."


The Publicity Hound says:

Maybe it's just because I've immersed myself in the SMARTS social media marketing program the last five weeks. But I can think of all kinds of great ways to use the social media sites to drum up interest in this. Let's see if my Hounds are thinking along the same lines. Hounds with ideas for online and offline promotion can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2wcw9g


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

My dog chewed the tongue on one of my new, very expensive running shoes. I hoped to save my investment, so I took the shoes to a shoe repair shop.

I placed them on the counter and told the man, "My dog got hold of this."

The repairman picked up the shoe, looked it over, and placed it back down on the counter.

"Well, what do you recommend?" I asked.

He looked at me and replied, "Give your dog the other shoe."


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

Best blogs for writers
http://publicityhound.net/index.php/best-blogs-for-writers/


LinkedIn can provide comments from experts
http://tinyurl.com/3c4aph


Top 10 tips for free publicity--in Italian
http://tinyurl.com/34zg3r


Hannah Montana--buckle your seatbelt!
Http://tinyurl.com/2j3dx2


=================================
9. At at My Squidoo Lens...
=================================

- -March and April Story Ideas


- -How Reporters Loosen Your Lips


http://www.squidoo.com/howtogetfree_publicity

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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


March 5: Teleseminar on "How to Turn Your Content into Cash"

Join me for a free teleseminar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time with Cathy Stucker. This one-hour call is perfect for authors, speakers and experts who have handouts in their file cabinets and on their bookshelves and hard drives. Cathy will show you how to take your content and spin, retool or tweak it to create information products and lots more. She promises a teleseminar packed with content, and she'll take your questions, too. This call is limited to the first 250 people. You don't have to sign up. Simply call 1-218-486-1300. The access code is 1-8-2-2-2-2#.


March 27: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"Red Hot Tips to Set Your Publicity Campaign on Fire," Menomonee Falls, Sussex and Germantown Business to Business Networking Breakfast; networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 8, presentation from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $15. Guests welcome. For reservations, call Diane Henning at the Menomonee Falls Chamber at 262-251-2430.


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
U. S.A. Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/The Power of Perfect Pitching Feb 5, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #384 Feb. 5, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 40,398


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

"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.


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

Spank the Hound on Super Tuesday:

While we're rooting for our favorite candidates to win tonight, I'll be blowing out 56 candles on the cake, then filling orders that will come pouring in from this year's birthday special.

Buy at least $100 worth of products, within the next 48 hours, and I'll knock off $56at the check-out counter. If you've been eyeing CDs, transcripts, special reports or my ebooks, take another look, and order before you forget.

This is a great time to buy the in-depth training programs "How to Create a Media Plan" and "How to Help Your Boss or Client with a Publicity Campaign" (for people new to PR and publicity). Both of these are on the CDs/Transcripts page, under the "In-depth training" category near the top.

You must first use this link which will take you to my website where you can order. The $56 coupon will be applied at the check-out counter: http://tinyurl.com/yoc9sy

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

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

1. The Power of Perfect Pitching

2. EzineArticles.com Rejects Articles

3. How Are You Dealing with the Economy?

4. A PR Crisis for PRWeek

5. Tips for Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Expert

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. The Power of Perfect Pitching
======================================

When Publicity Hound Julie Lanuille called last week to thank me for the huge publicity hit she scored on Page 1 of Thursday's Wall Street Journal, and then explained how she got it, I pumped my fist into the air and screamed "Way to go!" in her ear.

First, the background:

Julie's mother, Suzanne Davenport, suffers from Parkinson's disease. In 2004, she entered a clinical trial through the University of California. Doctors surgically implanted an experimental drug into her brain, with the intent of improving her motor skills.

After the trial, her health went from bad to worse. She could no longer walk or sit upright. She needed a diaper. Her mouth hung open. Within eight months, she required constant monitoring. Her family eventually put her into a nursing home.

At issue was the UCLA consent form she signed before the surgery. It states that if patients are injured as a direct result of research procedures, they will be treated at no cost, but that they cannot collect additional compensation.

Last year, Julie and other family members decided to sue Titan and Berlex, the two pharmaceutical companies involved in the trials, and the UCLA Board of Regents. The legal process hit a brick wall.

That's when Julie decided to go to the media and pitch the story to the Wall Street Journal. She bought "Special Report#7: How to Write the Perfect Pitch Letter that Convinces an Editor to Write About You," and followed the step-by-step directions. She did her homework, learned that reporter Sarah Rubenstein covered health issues, wrote a succinct pitch, and piggybacked onto the controversy surrounding drug trials.

The result? Thursday's front-page article which totaled 58 column inches. You can read it at http://tinyurl.com/2twzk6.

After the reporter contacted the university and the drug companies for comment, the legal process moved forward and both sides are on the brink of resolving it.

Julie's success story touched my heart because my own mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 39 and died from it at age 74.

Her call was an early birthday gift of sorts--one of the best I've ever received.


Why not try to score a big media hit like Julie did to promote a cause or issue close to your own heart? Read more about how to do it in "Special Report #7: How to Write the Perfect Pitch Letter That Convinces an Editor to Write About You" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


========================================
2. EzineArticles.com Rejects Articles
========================================

EzinerArticles.com, the granddaddy of the article directory sites, is cracking down on keyword abuse and rejecting thousands of articles by writers, many of whom are trying to beat the system.

Within the last month, the site rejected a whopping 2,416 articles.

Writers abuse keywords when they repeat them over and over again in the same article, hoping to trick the search engines and earn a high ranking.

Christopher Knight of EzineArticles.com gave this example of a paragraph that's stuffed with the keyword phrase "massage table."

"If you want to be a massage therapist, you'll have to buy a massage table. Massage tables come in many sizes, from big massage tables that are not portable to small massage tables that fold up for portability."

If keywords don't appear naturally in copy, they look, well, unnatural. And Google and the other search engines are smarter than we give them credit for. They spot that repetition within a split second and actually penalize the writer with a low ranking.

"I can't tell you specifically what our internal criteria is for when we'll reject an article for keyword and key phrase repetition vs. abuse because we need to be deliberately vague to prevent gaming of the system," he says.

Read his entire blog post, and the three tips he shares so you don't abuse keywords, at http://tinyurl.com/26jc5v

Then start writing articles and submitting them to his site.It's a fabulous way to flaunt your expertise and earn inbound links to your website or blog.

If you hate writing or you can't write, I've solved the problem for you. I've written a handy template for a how-to article.You can download it immediately when you buy the CD or electronic transcript called "How to Write How-to Articles."

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


=========================================
3. How Are You Dealing with the Economy?
=========================================

Stories about how people are coping with the uncertain economy are starting to pop up everywhere. Within the last several weeks, I've seen stories on:

--What restaurants are doing to offset the higher cost of food (perfect for food pages).

--How companies are dealing with skyrocketing premiums for employee health insurance (great for business journals--See "How to Use Business Journals to Tell Your Story" at http://tinyurl.com/q4rf7).

--Tips on how nonprofits can launch fund-raising campaigns when the economy is bad and still reach their goal (great for bloggers who write for nonprofits).

--Advice from mental health experts on how to cope with depression brought on by economic problems like bankruptcy and foreclosures.


If you're an expert who can pass along tips on how to cope, or your company or nonprofit has adopted a strategy that you hope will pull you through bad economic times, pitch away!

Write about it on your blog. Submit articles to article directory sites. Post your tips in the comments section at blogs that your target audience reads. Share your tips on social media sites like Squidoo. (More about Squidoo next week.)

Another great media outlet is National Public Radio. To find out which NPR program might be eager to book you as a guest, use the search box at the NPR website at http://www.npr.org/.
Listen to the program in the archives, and then pitch your idea. Learn how to navigate the NPR labyrinth and use pitching tips galore on the CD or electronic transcript "How to Get Booked on National Public Radio" at http://tinyurl.com/ayms6


=============================================
4. A PR Crisis for PRWeek
=============================================

On Friday, I blogged about a fascinating crisis involving PRWeek, a newspaper for the PR industry, and its email company, Adicio.com.

Thousands of subscribers to PRWeek found themselves the victims of an accidental s*pam attack that, in some cases, rendered the software programs on their computers ineffective. Online marketing expert BL Ochman, one of the victims, chronicled the ugly mess at Twitter.com, and at her own blog, then commented later on my post.

I'm calling your attention to it here because I'm challenging Publicity Hounds to explain how they would have dealt with it.You can read more about it my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2pcf7e

Crisis counselor Jonathan Bernstein says companies need to know how to handle ugly crises like this one BEFORE they happen. He explains what to say and when to say it after a disaster like this one. The CD "How to Keep the Media Wolves at Bay" is also available as an electronic transcript that you can read as soon as your order has been approved.

Continue reading more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/b8wcy.


==================================================
5. Tips for a Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Expert ==================================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips on how Sara Holliday of Poway, California, can capitalize on great media hits and turn them into paying customers at her website at http://www.fitbysara.com/.


From Heather Gallegos:

"A website redesign is needed to help focus the visitor on what you want them to do. You really want them to buy. But I had a hard time finding what you are selling. And I was looking for things to buy."


From Kim Bieler:

"I’ll be brutally honest about your store page: It doesn’t inspire confidence. Think about how you shop online--you want that feeling of trust that this is a legitimate business that sells things I want. Your store page starts with a bunch of scary-looking text. But what I want to see is gorgeous images of your products with persuasive marketing copy. What do you sell here? Why should I buy it?"


From Garth Gibson:

"Lots of celebs are getting pregnant these days, so you might want to put up a blog to design specific detailed programs for them.

"Word will get out that someone is designing a pre/post natal program for them and they might get curious to compare yours with what they are already doing. This also leads you into the possibility of tying your products to them like, 'Best Working Pre-Natal Health Program Female Stars Use To Look Good And Stay Healthy.'"


The Publicity Hound says:

Garth's idea of piggybacking onto celebrity pregnancies, if followed, should pull in lots of traffic from people who are searching online for info about a particular celebrity. See "Special Report #50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/2ogcrq


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

Dave Kessler of Richmond, Indiana writes:

"For the last 50 years, I've sold everything from airplanes to caskets. But I've got a challenge now that is proving more difficult.

"One of my ebooks published by Amazon.com is The Crapper Digest #1. It's available for 49 cents, and readers can download it for their lifetime use. It's a collection of the humor, doggerel and vulgar verse that I've collected from restroom walls all over America for the last six decades.

"Astute wall readers have sent some of the best they've found, and examples are included that date from 1896 to current days. An old school teacher, undertaker, truck drivers and college students have joined the fun sending me their finds which are included.

"What can I do to let the world know about this soon-to-be-coveted treasure of multi-generational pop art?"


The Publicity Hound says:

Start by going to the "Authors & Publishers" section of my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2xelpd and spend some time looking through the many posts that have great suggestions on how to market books. This should keep you busy for days.

Here's another idea. Write reviews of similar books at Amazon.com--a great way to call attention to your own book because you are able to mention it and link to it. (See "How to Turn Amazon into a River of Gold" at http://tinyurl.com/7u76e).


Now let's see what my Hounds have to say. Hounds with suggestions for Dave can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2jn6g9.


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

"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow."

--Jeff Valdez


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

Why I hate Amazon, B&N best-seller campaigns
http://tinyurl.com/yowdne


How should PRWeek, Adicio respond to this PR crisis?
http://tinyurl.com/2pcf7e


'Pink products' media event helps you meet journalists
http://tinyurl.com/2ho7j6


Why social media? Kids advise parents on purchases
http://tinyurl.com/28a9th


New mom asks: 'Where do we put the baby?'
http://tinyurl.com/34w4gg


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


March 27: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"Red Hot Tips to Set Your Publicity Campaign on Fire," Menomonee Falls, Sussex and Germantown Business to Business Networking Breakfast; networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 8, presentation from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $15. Guests welcome. For reservations, call Diane Henning at the Menomonee Falls Chamber at 262-251-2430.


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
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Embarrassing a Reporter Can Backfire Jan 1, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #379 Jan. 1, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,811

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

"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.

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

My Gift to You: The Annual "Best of" Ebook

If you're back from vacation, or you missed my free gift to you last week, there's still time to claim it. It's "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week of 2007," the best 28 tips from last year's newsletter. Put your 2008 publicity campaign into high gear by downloading the ebook now at http://tinyurl.com/32avtz

Once again, many thanks to all of you loyal Publicity Hounds who read this newsletter, contribute to it, and comment on it.
I wish you the best success this year.

--Joan

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

1. Embarrassing a Reporter Can Backfire

2. 11 Challenges for Digital Literacy

3. Ditch the Shovels, Scissors & Checks

4. Speak on Cruise Ships for Free

5. How to Promote a Decorators' Association

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Embarrassing a Reporter Can Backfire
======================================

Experienced Publicity Hounds know that when a reporter asks you a question you'd rather not answer, one of the worst things you can do is to say "no comment."

It labels you as:

--Guilty, even when you're not

--Wimpy and cowardly

--Unable and unwilling to defend yourself

So what's worse than "no comment"? Trying to embarrass the reporter by asking an unrelated question so preposterous that it's designed to throw him off guard. People who do that usually end up embarrassing themselves.

Sharon Dotson of Bayou City Public Relations in Dallas, Texas sent a link to a video interview conducted by investigative reporter Elliott Davis of WTVI Channel 2 in St. Louis, Missouri back in 2002. Elliott hosts a segment called "You Paid for It"
in which he uncovers government waste and corruption.

In this particular interview, he was asking St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth about the battle between Ortwerth and county judges over the new $5.3 million county justice center that had been standing vacant for several months. The judges wanted metal detectors and a full security detail in the building. Ortwerth refused. Taxpayers were left paying for utilities and other expenses while the disagreement wound its way through the courts.

When the reporter asked Ortwerth about the squabble, Ortwerth first said he would answer questions but only if the reporter submitted them in writing.

When Elliott Davis persisted with his questions, Ortwerth
asked: "Do you know that Jesus loves you, Elliott?"

"Yes, and I love Jesus," Davis replied. Then he kept questioning Ortwerth. The county executive continued digging a deeper hole for himself with responses and questions related to Jesus.

Instead of trying to embarrass the reporter, the politician ended up embarrassing himself. Not only did his responses make him look guilty, wimpy, cowardly and unable and unwilling to come to his own defense, they made him look clueless. The reporter, on the other hand, appeared cool, calm, collected-- and completely in charge of the interview. That, in turn, gave the investigation more credence.

Judge for yourself by seeing the entire interview at http://tinyurl.com/2pwkqk


If you know which questions to expect during an interview, you'll be better prepared to answer them. "Special Report #2:
Questions You Can Expect Reporters to Ask During an Interview"
lists the questions reporters ask frequently and explains which ones are trick questions designed to loosen your lips--and how you should respond. Only $10. Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


========================================
2. 11 Challenges for Digital Literacy
========================================

Online journalist Howard Owens has issued an interesting list of challenges to journalists everywhere to help them better use the Internet to report the news.

His list is so intriguing that I've turned it into my own to- do list. Publicity Hounds should, too, because the more you understand how journalists can excel at their craft online, the better you will understand the many online tools you can use to get through to them and to anyone who communicates online.

Owens is challenging journalists to do 11 things, from creating a blog to spending at least two hours a week for six weeks studying YouTube videos about any topic they wish.

You can read his entire list of challenges at http://tinyurl.com/22uasl

How can studying YouTube videos for 12 hours help you?

Seeing what other people have done online to promote their product, service, cause or issue will give you ideas galore on how to use videos to promote whatever you're selling.

For example, during my live presentations, I show my audiences a variety of videos I've created that demonstrate how to do things like capture email addresses at a website, or create a Google Alert, or write a press release that's optimized for the search engines.

I used a software program called Camtasia Studio which captures what it sees on my computer screen, then turns it into a video.
There's no reason I can't post snippets of some of those videos to YouTube to pull in traffic to my website and generate interest from people who don't already know about me.

Are you up to Howard's challenge? How many of his 11 tasks will you try to accomplish this year?

Some of the social media sites he suggests are among the seven that Internet marketing expert Don Crowther says you should be adding to your publicity toolbox. Don breaks through the confusing clutter of social media and recommends the top seven sites to concentrate on during 2008. The one-hour interview I conducted with him is part of the teleseminar series called "How to Create a Media Plan." Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
3. Ditch the Shovels, Scissors & Checks
=========================================

This week's edition of my local weekly newspaper had another one of those ghastly ground-breaking photos.

You know what it looks like because you've seen hundreds of them. Four guys wearing business suits and hard hats are posing, each with their foot on a shovel, looking very uncomfortable and out of place.

These photos belong in the same category with the photos of oversized cardboard checks being passed from one person to another, or the ribbon-cutting photos that feature a 3-foot pair of cardboard scissors.

C'mon, Hounds. You can do better than that.

How about promising yourself that from now on, you will never assign, allow, take or request one of those horrible ground- breaking, ribbon-cutting or check-passing photos?

Instead, think creatively about how to promote a donation, the opening of a new business, or a new construction project.

If you're coming up dry, Dan Collins can help. He's the creative media relations director at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. When I interviewed him during a teleseminar a few years ago on "Fun Alternatives to Boring Ground-breakings, Ribbon-cuttings & Check-passings," I knew there was no excuse to resort to those cliche photos or staged media events. The teleseminar is available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can be reading in minutes, as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/7cl6z

Dan offers dozens more creative ideas on how to promote a hos- pital or medical center. "How to Make Hospital PR an Easy Pill to Swallow" is also available as a CD or an electronic transcript. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/lr6qf


=========================================
4. Speak on Cruise Ships for Free
=========================================

If those enticing travel ads to warm-weather places leave you frustrated because you can't afford a winter vacation, this item is for you.

Daniel Hall says cruise ships everywhere need speakers year- round to teach and entertain their guests.

Here's the best part. You don't even have to be a professional speaker. If you teach arts and crafts, play bridge, or offer classes on how to use a computer, for example, you could be just the person they're looking for.

Daniel will present a free teleseminar for Publicity Hounds at
3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 16. He'll explain not only how to get booked on a cruise ship and travel free, but how to turn your presentation into a series of products you can sell long after the cruise is over. And, of course, he'll also explain how a gig on a cruise ship can generate lots of free publicity for you and your business.

Save the date: 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Sign- up details will be in next week's newsletter.


============================================
5. How to Promote a Decorators' Association ============================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips on how Nicka Stewart of Middletown, New Jersey can promote her organization, The Decorators' Alliance of North America.


From Wendy Terrado:

"Teaming up with Realtors, mortgage brokers, escrow offices and investors would serve DANA in two ways: 1) providing business to current members and 2) getting the word out about the organization. As a Professional Organizer, I'd recommend a DANA table at upcoming National Association of Realtors'
Conferences, which feature both local and national events. Do consult with your target regions' top Realtors to determine what venues they recommend for your target market.


From Ginny Wiedower:

"It might be wise to promote your organization through the Interior Design programs at colleges nationwide. This could help you recruit a young demographic that can remain involved in your organization for years to come. Another way to reach that demographic would be through social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. Look for groups focused on interior design and home decorating."


From Leyla Farah:

"You could partner with a local women's shelter or other type of home for those in need and donate decorating services to brighten their living space. You could get great media coverage for your organization, involve your members in a fun activity, and give back to the community at the same time."


The Publicity Hound says: Nicka, are you submitting press releases about your association to online press release distribution sites? If not, you should. Those releases live online forever, to be found by journalists and potential members. They will also pull traffic back to your website. Read my article "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write a Press Release for Buyers, Not Just for Journalists" at http://tinyurl.com/y8wgat

Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/38xorv


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

Genevieve Frederick of Carson City, Nevada writes:

"I am the executive director of Feeding Pets of the Homeless, an organization that helps to feed pets of the homeless and disadvantaged in cities across the country. Our website is at http://www.petsofhomeless.com/

"We enroll members who collect pet food and partner with a food bank that distributes the pet food to those in need. When pet- related businesses and veterinarian clinics and hospitals join, they received step-by-step instructions on how the program works and how they can receive publicity while helping pets in their community.

"We are going from for-profit to non-profit which will allow us to offer grants to vets so they can provide medical care for the pets of the homeless. What are some additional steps we can do to make our organization more visible?"


The Publicity Hound says: My two-legged Hounds love questions about four-legged hounds and other critters. And I know they'll have great ideas on how to promote your group. Hounds who want to help Genevieve can post ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/34smzz


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

You never realize a dog is a man's best friend until you start betting on horses.


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

Product launch publicity:
7 steps if you're on a small budget
http://tinyurl.com/345agn


Hollywood bad girls provide pitching opps galore
http://tinyurl.com/398324


New Year's resolutions: Don't make them on Jan. 1
http://tinyurl.com/3c3434


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register for a one- hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/How Not to Pitch a Reporter Dec. 25, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #378 Dec. 25, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,327

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

"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.

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

My Gift to You: The Annual "Best of" Ebook

I've compiled the best 28 tips from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week" from this past year and created a handy ebook you can download at http://tinyurl.com/32avtz

Review the ebook when you need an idea to jump-start your publicity campaign.

Many thanks to all of you loyal Publicity Hounds who read this newsletter, contribute to it, and comment on it. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all my best for the coming year.

--Joan

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

1. How Not to Pitch a Reporter

2. Pay-per-placement Pros and Cons

3. More on Dirty Hotel Glasses

4. Media Leads

5. How to Become a Newspaper Columnist

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. How Not to Pitch a Reporter
======================================

The next time you send an email pitch to a reporter, take an extra minute or two to send the email to yourself first so you can see what it looks like on the screen.

Laura Lorber, the Wall Street Journal's assistant news editor for WSJ.com, blogged about an email she received from an unidentified PR person.

The email message, apparently the victim of Microsoft Word’s quirky email editing, shows that the pitch accidentally includes at least one paragraph of information on a separate topic that had been part of an earlier release. Rather than starting from scratch, the writer took the old release and edited it to conform to the new topic. Problem is, all the original copy that the writer edited out shows up on the screen.

Yikes.

The pitch is typical of many I see--and quickly delete. See if you don't agree. You can read the entire email at http://tinyurl.com/2kw72u

Laura, by the way, says she was inundated with pitches from Publicity Hounds who read here Dec. 5 that she was looking for story ideas on how small business use public relations. She's still sorting through all the emails.

Dan Janal of PRLeads.com asked me to share my best pitching tips during an interview we conducted call "Secrets of Perfect Pitching to Reporters." I discussed the one word you must never use in a pitch, things you can do to sweeten your pitch and encourage a reporter to write about you, and how to avoid major mistakes when pitching by phone.

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.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/s3tyx


========================================
2. Pay-per-placement Pros and Cons
========================================

It's called pay-per-placement and it works like this.

Rather than paying a publicist or PR firm a retainer, regardless of whether they generate publicity for you, you pay for every placement they help you get.

No publicity equals no fee.

But if they pitch you to a national TV show like "Good Morning, America" and you end up on the show, the fee can be upwards of $10,000.

Let's say several newspaper and magazine journalists see the show and ask you for interviews. Depending on how the pay-per-placement contract is written, you'll have to pay the publicist an additional fee for each of those articles.

Pay-per-placement, one of the most controversial forms of PR services, isn't for everybody, particularly those on a shoestring budget. Critics say there's no justification for the outrageous fees. But advocates argue that it makes publicists work that much harder.

I've heard journalists complain that overly-aggressive pay-per-placement publicists can make pests out of themselves. I've also heard editors say they love PPP publicists who have pitching down to a science and will never waste the journalist's time pitching lousy story ideas.

The article at http://tinyurl.com/2f7v24 is a good example of how pay-per-placement is getting good results for the CEO of a Colorado gift basket company.

If you're hiring a publicist, don't interview any candidates until you know the right questions to ask, and you understand how they charge for their services.

My ebook "How to Hire the Perfect Publicist" walks you step-by-step through the entire process. It includes a list of questions to ask all potential candidates, shows you how to rank them, how to choose the best one, and how to work with your publicist. The ebook also explains the four ways publicists charge for their services, and the pros and cons of each one.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.publicityhound.com/hireapublicist.html


=========================================
3. More on Dirty Hotel Glasses
=========================================

More Publicity Hounds have responded to the items you've read here the last few weeks on the Atlanta TV station's I-team report about dirty hotel glasses than any other item in recently memory.

An observation:

I half-expected the PR departments at Embassy Suites, Sheraton Suites and the Holiday Inn in Atlanta to email me and explain improvements they've made to their housekeeping as a result of the I-team video. (If you missed it, you can see it at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a7f_1194813218)

After all, don't savvy Publicity Hounds create Google Alerts at http://www.Google.com/alerts so they know what people like me are saying about them online, and then follow up with journalists and bloggers to tell their side of the story? Don't they try to do damage control? So far, I haven't heard from anybody representing those hotels. Amazing.

A warning:

All you hotel PR people, don't be surprised if your hotel is the target of an I-team investigation like the one in Atlanta. When a story like that one uncovers wrongdoing, you can bet that one or more other stations will do an identical I-team story.

Creating Google alerts, and responding to bad news stories, are integral to your 2008 media plan. I discussed both of those topics and hundreds of others during my teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan." It comes with detailed handouts, including a fill-in-the-blanks template for a 12-month plan. Start laying the groundwork right now for next year's publicity campaign.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
4. Media Leads
=========================================

--Mildred Culp, who writes The WorkWise syndicated column, needs sources to comment about job hunting tactics. No newspaper columnists, please. mailto:workwise@comcast.net


--The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is looking for writers and photographers to participate as unpaid citizen journalists. It is looking especially for bloggers who can write about topics such as pets. "We want you to blog about anything you're passionate about: Hobbies, neighborhoods, sports, news, leisure activities...the list goes on. We can give your blog a home on one of the top-20 news sites in America and we'll give you the independence to say what you mean." Mailto:blog@seattlepi.com with your idea, your resume, a writing sample, and a link to your current blog (if you have one). We respond to every request, so contact us today." Thanks to book marketing guru John Kremer for this media lead.


============================================
5. How to Become a Newspaper Columnist
============================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips on how Kelly Moore of Des Moines, Iowa can turn her job as an unpaid blogger for a local magazine into a paying job as a newspaper columnist.


From Sarah Adams:

"I think you could use the upcoming primary to your advantage! If your numbers are as good as they seem, you could offer interviews to the many candidates on the topics of parenthood (and talk about guilt over the constant travel of a campaign). What about Chris Dodd who, I believe, moved his children to Iowa public schools? Great move, and I’m sure he would love to talk about that commitment to Iowa!


From Lois:

"The largest publisher of home, garden and niche magazines has its corporate headquarters in Des Moines. Meredith Corporation (Better Homes & Gardens) publishes Parents magazine. You might as well start at the top.

"Get the name of the editor from the masthead and pitch your idea to her. She is probably already aware of the local magazine, so be sure to mention your experience there."


From Brannan Vines:

"I just looked at your blog and I love it!

"Since your readers are your strongest ally, why not involve them? Post a short message explaining that you’re passionate about what you’re doing, list the reasons why, and then tell them you need their help to go global (regional, national, etc). You could either (1) ask them to post their reasons for supporting you, loving your blog, etc, (2) ask them to send you an email to the same effect and just include a few of the best in your blog or (3) set up a survey form asking them to rate, on a scale of 1to 10, how likely they would be to read a daily column that you wrote. Then you could take that feedback to the editors of the daily paper (or, like Lois suggested, to the editor of parents)...I’m the publisher of a South Carolina local newspaper and that approach would be most convincing to me. It would make the decision almost a no-brainer."


Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/2vkjod


The Publicity Hound says:

Kelly, before you pitch the editor for your own column, boost traffic to your blog by posting comments at other popular blogs on parenting. I teamed up with Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff and explained "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion." You can read more about the strategy of posting comments before directly pitching at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


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

Nicka Stewart of Middletown, New Jersey writes:

"I started an organization with a partner last May. The Decorators' Alliance of North America offers professional affiliation, certification and continuing education for interior decorators. DANA is dedicated to the personal and professional growth of its members. We offer resources, educational opportunities, industry discounts, and networking programs. Our website is at http://www.DecoratorsAlliance.com

"We have several hundred members, but there are many thousands of decorators who are still unaware of us. This is the first group devoted specifically to professional decorators (not licensed designers), and is open to all fields of home fashion (window treatment designers, home stagers, interior re-designers, organizers, etc.). We know that many other decorators will profit from DANA, as well. We just need to get the word out!

"Can your Hounds help?"


The Publicity Hound says:

Your group has lots to offer, Nicka, and the secret of promoting it is to direct your message to your niche audience. Hounds with ideas on how Nicka can do that can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/38xorv


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

I pulled into a crowded parking lot and rolled down the car windows to make sure my Labrador Retriever had fresh air. She was stretched out on the back seat, and I wanted to impress upon her that she must remain there. I walked to the curb backward, pointing my finger at the car and saying emphatically, "Now you stay. Do you hear me? Stay!"

The driver of a nearby car gave me a startled look.

"I don't know about you, lady," he said incredulously. "But Iusually just put my car in park."


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

Chicago media expand opportunities for commentary
http://tinyurl.com/38fb9f


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register for a one-hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/What? No Media Plan? Dec 5, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #375 Dec. 5, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 36,778

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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 Dates:


December 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

If you sell a consumer product, from something as simple as bottled water to something as lavish as diamond-studded jewelry--don't miss the one-hour telephone seminar I'm conducting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 13, with product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey.They'll share all the secrets of how to get your consumer product onto the sets of TV shows and movies. Register for the teleseminar at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


January 8: Artists, Don't Miss This One

Learn how to sell more artwork without wasting tons of time on dry business stuff and the wrong marketing strategies. Join Ariane Goodwin for a one-hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. It's a preview to her 2008 smARTist telesummit on artist marketing, and I'm a guest presenter who will talk about press releases. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr. Or, to sign up for the Jan. 8 preview call, click on that link, then click on "Register" at the top of the page.

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

1. What? No Media Plan?

2. Can't Write? "Talk" Your Book

3. Dust Off Your Crystal Ball

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Michigan Nature Park

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. What? No Media Plan?
======================================

Let's see a quick show of hands.

How many of you have high hopes for publicity for next year, whether it's finally landing a story about your PR client in USA Today, or--at long last--lolling around the set at Harpo Productions, chatting and laughing with Oprah?

That's what I thought. OK, put down your hands.

Now, how many of you have a media plan in place for next year that will make it happen?

That's what I thought. Don't worry. I'm not sending you to the dog house without your dinner.

Instead, I want to share with you some of the best nuggets from my recent teleseminar series on "How to Create a Media Plan."

--Don Crowther, who presented a full hour on how to use social media, says that during August this year, one out of every three people in the world who went online visited MySpace.

--MySpace is one of seven social networking sites, Don says, where where everyone--regardless of age or occupation--should have a presence.

--Don also says that if you're incorporating social media into your plan, you must take the opposite approach when pitching the media. With social media, it isn't about crafting a message. It's about joining the conversation. People who like what you have to say will want to find out what else you know that might help them. Then, and only then, you can promote.

--TV producer Shawne Duperon told us that at many local TVstations, as many as 8 out of 10 stories on the evening news get there because somebody called to pitch an idea. (Amazing.)

--Wayne Kelly, co-host of the radio talk show "The Wayne and Jayne Show" on KBS Radio in British Columbia, Canada, marvels at a publicity tactic used by a new restaurant owner whose business was flat. The restaurant delivered breakfasts to Wayne and Jayne and the staff with a greeting that read: "Hey, love the show. We just wanted to send you guys breakfast." The bribe worked. "We talked about it on the air because they were nice to us," Wayne said. "They got a ton of promotion which resulted in people coming through their doors."

Those are only five of the hundreds of tips, tactics and strategies that I and my team of guest experts presented during the eight-teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan." After Publicity Hound Cynthia D'Amour of Ann Arbor, Michigan took the course, she applied several strategies she learned and got two big media hits in just one day.

You can read testimonials from other happy students and learn about how you can get the course either as electronic transcripts, CDs, or MP3s on a CD. Each includes thorough handouts and a template for a 12-month plan, sort of a "fill in the blanks" checklist that will keep you focused and on track.

Read more about the fabulous bonuses that come with the package at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


========================================
2. Can't Write? "Talk" Your Book
========================================

No more excuses for not writing a book.

Adam Witty says that if you can't string a noun and a verb together on paper, but you can talk up a storm, and you're an expert on a particular topic, there's no reason you can't "talk" your book.

His company, Advantage Media, works with authors who love to write as well as those who either don't write, or simply cannot but want their own fiction or non-fiction book.

How does he prod authors to get what's in their brains onto the pages of a book? An interviewer sits with the author, sometimes for several hours, and conducts an interview. From there, ghostwriters and editors handle the project, and the author emerges with a book--and quite possibly a best-seller.

The big advantage?

An author who struggles with writing no longer has to tie up from three to five years learning how to write, then write the book and rewrite it.

On Monday night, during our 90-minute teleseminar, Adam explained how to "talk" the basics of your book in less than a week. He stayed on the line for 20 minutes longer than he promised and answered many questions from listeners.

That's one of the reasons Karen Hannon of SpotlightRichmond.com emailed us afterward to say: "I've have been on several calls lately and most have been an hour-long sales pitch. I thought your call was different--so much better. Adam, you sold yourself by being yourself and giving a lot of good information."

If you missed it, that's OK. We recorded it for you. Listen to Adam teach you "How to Write and Publish a Book Quicker and Easier Than You Ever Imagined" at http://www.advantageteleclasses.com/joan

Bloggers and newsletter editors, do your readers a favor and share this link with them.


=========================================
3. Dust Off Your Crystal Ball
=========================================

Thanks to Marcia Yudkin, one of the savviest Publicity Hounds I know, for reminding us in her excellent ezine that it's time for Hounds everywhere to drag out the crystal ball, make predictions for 2008, and then pitch them to the media.

Marcia writes:

"From mid-December through mid-January, the media like to do stories about predictions. This publicity window is all the more promising because traditional news usually becomes sparse this time of year.

"Issue a press release about just one provocative prediction for your industry--or a round number of them, like 10.

"Can't think up serious predictions? Then create some tongue-in-cheek ones.

"Can't see the future clearly? Then dig up predictions from 5, 10 or 50 years ago and discuss why they got it wrong or right."

Read about another terrific idea she suggests here: http://www.yudkin.com/marksynd.htm

Then follow her advice and start writing your press release or briefs.

What's a brief? It's a short nugget of information that fits nicely into a small hole on a newspaper or magazine page. Or share it with a blogger. I explain the nine types of briefs in"Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to Write Them and Why Editors Love Them."

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.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d74h7


=========================================
4. Media Leads
=========================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Nancy Juetten of MainStreetMediaSavvy at http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/ for calling my attention to the first one.


--The Wall Street Journal's "Small Business Link" section is doing a story on how small businesses can get the best--and most--PR exposure for the least money and effort. It will be printed Dec. 17, so email your idea immediately to mailto:sblink@wsj.com

--Rachel Bondi is writing an article for Aware Magazine at http://www.awaremagazine.net/ about philanthropy and nonprofits, and she wants to hear from nonprofits large and small about ideas that tie into that topic. The audience is primarily Baby Boomers who are retiring and increasingly interested in giving back. mailto:kizlerim@yahoo.com

--Kimberly Elliott, an author and certified rape/aggression/defense counselor, is writing a book and wants to hear from women who have been molested when they were children or teens. "We are looking for stories we can print (first name and last initial only unless you state otherwise). We'd like to know just a small portion of what happened, age, your feelings at the time, how it affected you, who you told at the time or years later, if you had to go to court and face your perpetrator, and did others believe you when you told your story. Then we want to know the good stuff...how you are thriving today." mailto:kelliott@execdeftech.com


Tip: When you contact any journalists or authors whose leads you see here, ask this question: "In what other ways can I help you?" It's all part of building the relationship. That one little question can lead to even more publicity hits. For other tips, see my "Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


============================================
5. Promoting a Michigan Nature Park
============================================

This week, 12 Publicity Hounds have dozens of tips for Walt Shiel of Lake Linden, Michigan. He wants to know how his publishing company and other volunteers can help promote a nature park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.


From Lisa Braithwaite:

"We have several areas like this in Santa Barbara, and they’re very popular for outdoor weddings. Perhaps you can promote the natural beauty of the park as a perfect place for weddings or other celebrations."


From Marcia Yudkin:

"Go to http://www.geocaching.com/, plug in your zip code and see what’s already hidden in your area and who the most active local geocachers seem to be. Then ask them for help. Don’t try to hide the caches yourself if you haven’t already tried to find some.

"For those who haven’t heard of this fast-growing hobby, geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt using a GPS (global positioning system).

"It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, find neat places in the woods that only other locals generally know about and experience a three-dimensional challenge, since some of the caches are rather hard to find even when you get to the GPS coordinates."


From Edward Vielmetti:

"There are a bunch of Michigan blogs that get good traffic. Absolute Michigan at http://www.absolutemichigan.com/ has regular reviews, and I know that they drive serious traffic to sites (one mention I had when the Sleeper Lake fire was going in Newberry generated hits week after week).

"Right in your back yard, Pasty Central at http://pasty.com/ has a daily photo and lots and lots of people who used to live in the area regularly commenting and linking and telling stories.

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/2nqmxs


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

Wayne Loder of Milford, Michigan writes:

"I'm the Public Awareness Coordinator for The Compassionate Friends/USA. a national self-help bereavement organization with a mission to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.

"The second week in September of 2008 has been designated as the first "Compassionate Friends Month." I want to give each of our 600 chapters in the United States, a CD or packet of materials they can use for PR. I have promised that I would also arrange national publicity. I want to give them a press release template to send to their local newspapers; a template poster to place at libraries, churches, grocery stores, etc.; Public Service Announcements for local radio and newspapers; and a template proclamation for local governmental bodies.

"On the national level, I plan to distribute a press release, and will also provide information to the major nursing magazines and funeral director publications, the two major bereavement magazines, and will contact state funeral director associations in all 50 states. I haven't, as yet, checked out what national magazines might have some type of calendar or announcement area where a notice could be placed.

Would you or your Publicity Hounds out there have additional suggestions on what other backup materials I could provide chapters, and where I could try for additional national coverage?


The Publicity Hound says:

Wayne, you've got so many bases covered already. But let's see what my Hounds can add to your already long list. I have a great idea I'll share next week. In the meantime, Hounds with tips for Wayne can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3adgay


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

Dogs come when they're called. Cats take a message and get back to you later.


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

Left-leaning PR flacks, spin doctors host media training
http://tinyurl.com/2sfogx


Press release faux pas of the day, and my blogging boo-boo
http://tinyurl.com/2rqsao


Celebrity sports gala wants items for gift bags, auction
http://tinyurl.com/397r9u


Why magazines are losing readers: No page numbers
http://tinyurl.com/3d8veg


How to sell 15,000 CDs in 18 months
http://tinyurl.com/2nhwdu



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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:

Dec. 13: Write Like a Journalist Teleseminar:

I'll be one of four guest experts on Bulldog Reporter's 90-minute teleconference "Write Like a Journalist: Newsroom Vets and PR Wordsmiths Reveal How to Write Compelling, Credible Copy That Sells." Come with your questions. Register at http://tinyurl.com/2vuku4


December 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

"How to Get Your Product onto the Sets of Movies & TV Shows," 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey will share the secrets of product placement. Register, or order the transcripts or recordings at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register for a one-hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Get Your Product into Target Oct 30, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #370 Oct. 30, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,734


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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm

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

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.

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

2 Deadlines on Wednesday, October 31:

--Wednesday, Oct. 31, is the deadline for the double-dip discount offered by Expertclick, the Online Yearbook of Experts that not only gets you into their experts database, but lets you post up to 52 press releases a year with no per-release charges. You get both their $100 Early Discount and a $100 Publicity Hound Discount when you join at http://tinyurl.com/253za3. Unlike most of the freebie press release distribution services, they have a customer service support line at 202-333-5000. You can call that number from 9 to 5 Eastern if you have questions about what your membership includes. I've been a member for several years. You can see my pressroom page and news releases at http://www.expertclick.com/19-2429

--Steve Harrison is accepting applications until 6 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, Oct. 31, for his Quantum Leap Marketing Coaching Program for authors, speakers and experts. Apply at http://www.YourQuantumLeap.com/apply/?10011 See Item #4 below.

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

1. Get Your Product into Target

2. Tweak Your Pitch

3. Confusing Social Networking

4. When Writing a Book is a Bad Idea

5. Promoting a Dental Drill

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

======================================
1. Get Your Product into Target
======================================

If you sell a book or other product that's a good fit with customers who shop at Target, you have a lot of work to do.

For starters, you should be pitching a story to the Minneapolis Star Tribune that ties into what you're selling. That's because most buyers for Target live in Minneapolis, where the chain is headquartered, and most of them read the local daily newspaper.

Let's say the Star Tribune prints a story. The long, arduous job of winning coveted shelf space in Target is just beginning and could take a year or more.

It will require a formal presentation to a buyer. At that meeting, you must provide details for your advertising and publicity campaigns, as well as your plans for marketing, merchandising, in-store demos, point-of-sale displays, giveaways, promotion with credit cards, special events and more.

Unless you're a huge household name, Target is unlikely to include you in their circulars or advertising, so you will have to help sell your products at Target through your own efforts and use every trick up your Publicity Hound sleeve.

Margie Zable Fisher, president of Zable Fisher Public Relations in Boca Raton, Florida, may well be one of the foremost experts on getting your books and other products into Target stores.

When a potential client asked Margie for help getting her products into Target, Margie could barely find any information. She spent hours researching the topic and talked to current and former Target buyers, manufacturers and distributors, licensing companies, sales rep companies and more. Most of them asked her to use the information anonymously.

The result of her research is the special report "Skyrocket Your Sales by Getting Your Product in Target." It shows you, step-by-step, how to do it, even if you're a small business.

I love Target, and I found the report fascinating. The next time I shop there, I'll be looking at the merchandise a whole new way. She even teaches you how to search the shelves for valuable clues about the kinds of products Target loves.

Even Guy Kawasaki, Entrepreneur magazine's "Wise Guy" columnist, endorses the report.

It's only $49, a real deal considering that the initial order for Target stores is often 9,000 products or more. Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2137388

What? You say you'd rather sell to Wal-Mart? Click anyway and you'll get 7 tips on how to do just that.

By the way, if Target, Wal-Mart or any of the other big box stores accepts your product, that's a terrific story for your trade journals and business publications.

========================================
2. Tweak Your Pitch
========================================

When you pitch a story to a magazine editor and the editor declines, sometimes all it takes is a little tweaking to change the editor's mind.

That's what happened when Tina Lancy emailed the editor of Go, Airtran's inflight magazine, last November. She pitched a story about College Assistance Plus, the Rochester, New York-based consulting firm she works for that helps high school students find the right college at the right price.

He liked the story idea but said it wasn't a good fit with his audience because Rochester isn't on Airtran's route.

"I told him this isn't a Rochester story," she said. "This is a story that affects business travelers who have college-age kids and families everywhere because high school students everywhere are looking for colleges. I also told him we are selling franchises in many cities the airline serves."

The franchise angle caught his attention. In March this year, Go featured a story and photos about College Assistance Plus that took up three and a half pages. The feature generated a whopping 40 applications for franchises.

"Not everyone who applied bought," Tina said. "But our company is still working off those leads."

Tina didn't stop there. When she pitched the editor of Entrepreneur magazine, she included in her pitch information about the story in Go, a non-competing magazine. Mentioning other major hits in non-competing media often works in your favor and lets journalists know you're already media-savvy.

Entrepreneur wrote a short story about Tina's company in the November issue, which has been on newsstands for about a week. That story already has generated nine more applications for franchises.

Tina, by the way, considers herself a publicity puppy. She has no formal training in PR and is self-taught. If she can do it, so can you.

If you're targeting inflight magazines like she did, but you're working off an old media list, you might be pitching editors who are long gone. "Special Report #29: Fly High with Publicity in the Inflight Magazines" offers updated contact information and lots of pitching tips for 42 inflight magazines. Only $37. Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

=========================================
3. Confusing Social Networking
=========================================

I don't know about you. But when I read about all the opportunities to do social networking, I feel like a rat in a maze.

It's all I can do to keep up with the emails and invitations from my MySpace and LinkedIn friends.

Then there's Twitter. Gather. SmugMug. Wetpaint. StyleHive. ShoutWire. Furl. MeetUp. Frappr. Flickr. 43 Things. Ma.gnolia. WikiHow. Del.icio.us. Reddit. And Ning.

Some of them look like typos. Others I don't know how to pronounce. My eyes glaze over just reading the list.

Do yours?

If so, don't miss my teleseminar series on "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008" which starts today. It includes a presentation on Wednesday by Internet marketer Don Crowther, who will name the top 8 social networking sites or tools that we should work into next year's media plan.

Convinced social networking isn't for you? Don will change your mind by the end of the hour.

If you can't participate in all eight teleseminars, that's OK. I'm recording them all, and you'll get the audio downloads, including 30 days of free email support.

Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://www.PublicityHound.com/MediaPlan.htm

I'll be offering the entire series as a product afterward, and I'll let you know as soon as it's available.


=========================================
4. When Writing a Book is a Bad Idea
=========================================

Heather Gallegos says it's a shame that so many women won't visit day spas because they're intimidated by the way they look sans clothes.

So she decided to write a book to bust day spa myths and explain that nobody cares what you look like at a spa. Besides, lots of other women are relaxing with cucumber slices over their eyes and can't look anyway.

Heather, a marketing business consultant to the day spa and medical spa industry, attended Steve Harrison's Quantum Leap program last November for authors, speakers and experts because she wanted the book to be a success.

She learned rather quickly, however, that the book must upsell readers to other products and services that she didn't have. That convinced her to put the book on hold and start creating products.

"The Quantum Leap coaching program was one of the best investments I ever made because it saved me a lot of time and alot of money publishing a book I wasn't ready to publish," she said.

Fast-forward to last week, when Heather approached me to help her create a training program that teaches day spa and medical spa owners about publicity. I said yes immediately because we're a perfect fit. We'll decide next week exactly what it will entail.

In the meantime, other authors, speakers and experts who don't want to make the mistake Heather almost made, or who want to take a quantum leap in their careers, have until 6 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, October 31, to apply for this year's program. Only 65 people will be accepted. Click here to read more about what the program can do for you: http://www.yourquantumleap.com/apply/?10011

If all you care about is selling books, consider attending Steve's "Sell Books by the Truckload" event in Philadelphia Nov 8-10. Southwest Airlines serves Philly, so you can save on travel. Click here to read more about what you'll learn: http://www.sellbooksbythetruckload.com/?10011

==========================================
5. Promoting a Dental Drill
==========================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips for Elbert Mackey of Austin, Texas. He wants ideas on how to promote a new FDA-approved disposable dental drill.


From Jessica Satterfield:

"Your customers probably don't know they need this product. So maybe your first step would be to pitch some trend stories to women's and men's health magazines (Self, Men's Health, Fitness, etc.) to shed some light on the issue. The story can be an exposé on the disturbing trend of disease being spread at the dentist’s office, and what readers can do to protect themselves. Then, your product can be part of the solution."


From Dory Willer:

"Affiliate with those that can endorse your product and sell it for you via an affiliation code, providing an incentive of passive income, such as 1-800-DENTIST at http://1800dentist.com/ Have their marketing team create the pitch to their customers. Or go the brokerage route where you add your product to a list of products that brokers present to dentists."


From Leo Willcocks:

"Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, in a radio interview, said his book was available at all bookstores. At the time, only one was stocking it! But it got people asking, and pretty soon all the bookstores were calling him to place orders. You could say that your product is available at all good dentists, and make sure you have the systems ready for when the orders pour in."


The Publicity Hound says:

Elbert, pitch this to the new product section of parents magazines. See "Secrets of Perfect Pitching to Reporters" at http://tinyurl.com/s3tyx and make sure you have a good-quality photo available.


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/223o3f


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

Tamra Engle of Oakland, California writes:

"I've worked for over 25 years as a musician. But the 'rock star' in the mirror is now in her late 40s, but still able to crank out tunes that TV, films and new media are willing to pay me for. I write songs to pitch to the few TV/film folks I am establishing relationships with.

"So my publicity focus is to that very small behind-the-scenes group of music supervisors and film producers who can give me the work, as well as any other company that needs music for their corporate presentation, video game, or whatever. What, pray tell, are the best publicity tactics I can use to convince those people I'm their gal? I have gotten on to blogs like The Muse's Muse and ProBlogger, I have a monthly newsletter that I send out to my fan base and have generated a few press releases to industry trades.

"Your Hounds can read about me and hear samples of some of my personal as well as TV music at http://www.tamraengle.com/ if that helps them formulate some suggestions."


The Publicity Hound says:

Lots of musicians and music publicists read this newsletter. They and other Hounds will hit the right notes when it comes to giving you lots of ideas. Hounds with suggestions for Tamra can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/36zm3l


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

I'm taking Bogie to her last dog-training class at the vet's office tomorrow night, where she will learn to "stay." So this one is appropriate:


Sign at a veterinarian's office:

"We will be back in five minutes. Sit! Stay!"


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

How to pitch bloggers: 21 tips
http://tinyurl.com/ytwkad


Entrepreneur's almanac features press release tips
http://tinyurl.com/yq7k2h


FEMA's phony press conference a PR disaster
http://tinyurl.com/youhan


CVBs, chambers: Bring 'Ellen' to your town
http://tinyurl.com/yqxwug


Learn 5 legal issues for online businesses
http://tinyurl.com/26rtub


Radio-TV Interview Report gets good reviews
http://tinyurl.com/2y386l


Holiday gift guide tips featured weekly in free ezine
http://tinyurl.com/yqhdhv


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Oct. 30-Nov. 2: "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008"

This teleseminar series features eight sessions that will show you how to create a media plan, research targeted traditional and social media and milk every opportunity to promote your product, service, cause or issue. Two one-hour teleseminars each day for four days. See the stellar line-up of guest experts at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


Nov. 8: Gurnee, Illinois

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," 9 a.m. to noon. "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time. At the Rink Side Sports & Family Entertainment Center meeting room in the Gurnee Mills Mall. Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.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
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Ellen, Moms and Mutts Oct 23, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #369 Oct. 23, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,734

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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.

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

Media Plan Teleseminar Series Starts Tuesday:

--Don't wait until January to start worrying about how you're
going to promote yourself or your PR client next year. Smart
Publicity Hounds will have done the bulk of their planning long
before that. And they'll be pitching in January, while the not-
so-savvy Media Mutts are bogged down with research and other
time-consuming chores they should have been doing right now. Get
a huge jump on your competitors, then leave 'em in the dust next
year, by creating a smart, efficient media plan that guides you
through the entire process of promoting a product, service, cause
or issue.

This series is filling up fast. Learn more at
http://publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm

See Item #3 below.

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

1. Ellen, Moms and Mutts

2. Replay of Last Night's Call

3. What the Best Media Plans Include

4. Halloween Ideas

5. Promoting a Small-Business Web Portal

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Ellen, Moms and Mutts
======================================

Too bad that TV talk show host Ellen Degeneres and the dog rescue
group Moms and Mutts didn't have Publicity Hound Joni Hubred-
Golden by their side last week to help avert a PR disaster.

Ellen, you may have heard, adopted a terrier mix dog named Iggy
from the nonprofit dog rescue group Moms and Mutts. When the dog
didn't get along with her cats, she gave it away to her
hairdresser--in direct violation of the organization's rules.

The dog rescue group ridiculed Ellen publicly. Ellen cried on her
show. The animal rights people went nuts. And the bloggers threw
gasoline on the fire. Even radio talk show hosts chastised Moms
and Mutts for yanking the dog out of the hands of the
hairdresser's two little girls who had bonded with it.

Joni, of Farmington, Michigan, reads this newsletter and offered
what would have been a terrific solution:

"Moms and Mutts really missed a GREAT opportunity to get some
national PR. They could have said, 'OK, you broke the contract,
but let's talk. We'll come on your show and discuss how important
it is to place dogs in the right homes, and why we have this
contract provision that you can't just give the dog away--and
we'll do our due diligence with your hairdresser to make sure
this is a good home for the dog, and everybody will be happy.'
Ellen gets great ratings, and this group wouldn't be seen
negatively by her loyal fans.

"These women need a good publicist!"

Indeed, Joni.

TV talk shows love controversy. An on-air love-fest between Ellen
and the moms, complete with a few mutts on the set, would have
made for great TV and fabulous publicity.

If you aren't afraid of controversy (and no Publicity Hound
should be), the TV talk shows will want to hear your pitch. Book
publicist Lissa Warren has regularly placed dozens of her clients
on shows like "Good Morning America" and the "Today" show. She
explains how she does it, and how you can too, on "How to Get
Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows."

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.
Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/ab86x

========================================
2. Replay of Last Night's Call
========================================

More than 500 authors, wanna-be authors, writers, publicists,
speakers, coaches, experts and other Publicity Hounds were on
last night's call and heard me interview Tom Antion and Adam
Witty about how authors can sell lots of books and related
products online.

If you missed the call, you can listen to the replay at
http://www.GreatInternetMaarketing.com/joan.htm

It was 90 minutes of solid content, including these tips:

--Authors, or anyone else for that matter, don't have to spend
several thousand dollars on a website. Tom explained how you
can create a simple website for under $100. (This is not a
typo.)

--Even fiction authors can set up lucrative membership sites.
Adam said: "As a fiction author, people care about not just what
you write about, but what you think, breathe and eat. They care
about other books you're reading." Smart fiction authors are
creating fan clubs and charging from $19.95 to $29.95 a month to
join. In return, fans receive a monthly newsletter. They get
sneak previews of new books the author has written. The author
even asks the fans for feedback on things like the title or
subtitle of their new book, or plot development.

--Smart authors repackage the content of their books and create
spinoff products such as CDs, DVDs, ebooks, special reports, home
study programs, and teleclasses. They create a higher-priced
product and call it a "system," a "method" or a "kit." Then they
create an even higher-priced mentor program. They are always
upselling and never use their book as their primary revenue
generator.

Listen for hundreds of other tips that explain Tom's and Adam's
three-pronged approach to making books and other products fly out
the door:
http://www.GreatInternetMarketing.com/joan.htm

Their ideas work equally well for many other kinds of products,
not just books.


=========================================
3. What the Best Media Plans Include
=========================================

When I created media plans for my PR clients, I always built in
time for them to meet their local media contacts in person.

Sometimes it was over lunch. If a journalist couldn't break away
for lunch, the client would offer to visit the newspaper office
which saved time.

Often, that getting-to-know-you session paid huge dividends. It
gave the journalist time to match a name with a face. And it gave
my client the chance to ask the most important question you must
ask every journalist you meet: "How can I help you?"

These days, the job of meeting your key contacts is more
difficult. That's because bloggers are now among the people you
should be targeting with your message.

A good media plan works bloggers into the schedule, too. Not by
in-person contacts but by doing things such as taking the time to
comment at their blogs so they know who you are long before you
tell them about your product, service, cause or issue.

I pay close attention to everyone who comments at my blog, and
you can bet that if someone who posted a comment later emails me
and mentions that they read my blog regularly and have commented,
I sit up and pay attention.

My media plans for clients usually included an extra little
publicity hit every time a newspaper or magazine wrote a story
about them. I'd tell the client to write a letter to the editor
of the publication that just wrote about them, and comment on an
aspect of the story that the journalist didn't write about.

This little trick delivered a one-two punch. It gave readers who
saw the original article another chance to read about my
client. It also gave readers who missed the original story a
chance to see my client's name in print.

I have lots more tricks like that up my sleeve, and I'll be
sharing them during the teleseminar series "How to Create a Media
Plan for 2008," which starts on Tuesday, October 30.

Everyone who registers receives a handy template they can use
when creating their own plan. They also receive a copy of my
ebook "How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound," 30 days of email
support at a password-protected discussion board, two handy
notepads with "10 Magic Phrases the Media Love" and a list of 219
story ideas that are ideal for print and broadcast media.

Continue reading more about my stellar line-up of guest
presenters at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
4. Halloween Ideas
=========================================

Here are some ideas on how to promote a product, service, cause
or issue by tying it to Halloween, the second largest retail
holiday of the year. They're courtesy of TV producer Shawne
Duperon, one of my guests during next week's media plan
teleseminar series:

--Sponsor a pumpkin-carving contest at your company. Challenge
participants to carve the call letters of a certain local TV
station. Then contact the station, invite them to bring their
camera and film the carvers whittling, cutting and slicing.

--Pitch the fear angle. What's our cultural fascination with
being frightened, watching horror flicks or going to haunted
houses? Experts, pitch away!

--Do you own a specialty shop? Do you create customized cookies
or cakes? The pumpkin-carving idea can also apply here. Bakers,
create a spooky confection with the call letters of your local TV
station. Send it to the "Queen Bee" in the TV newsroom. Your
confections and store could catch their eye for a story.

--The media always want to know about healthy alternatives to
trick-or-treat or tips on how to inspect candy and make sure it's
safe.


Shawn explains how to identify the Queen Bee in every TV
newsroom, how to make the QB interested in your pitch, and the
little extras you can offer to get yourself on TV. Shawne's tips
are featuring in "How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow."

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.

Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/yjrktx


==========================================
5. Promoting a Small-Business Web Portal
==========================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for John Easton of
Charlotte, North Carolina on how to promote his web video portal
called Broadcast Charlotte at http://www.broadcastcharlotte.com
It features local small business events such as on-demand video
coverage of grand openings and trade seminars.


From Renee Brown:

"Being from the Charlotte area, I know that there are a lot of
areas that can be marketed too. One of the main ones is all the
events that go on uptown...Attend the events, interview the main
person or someone who is directly involved with that certain
event, record some of the events if allowed and publish them.
Hand out your business card, fliers, and write articles on each
event and submit them to the Charlotte Observer."


From Jamie Foster:

"Have an event at a new restaurant and invite other businesses to
participate in the video coverage."


From Shonika Proctor:

"Have you considered speaking pro bono at a local Chamber or your
SBA’s Local Small Business Development Centers about a topic such
as '5 Ways For Time Strapped Small Businesses to Put More Time in
a Day?' and then you can introduce your video web portal as a
tie-in, or one of the five ways. You can play with the words in
the title and change 'small business' to: 'nonprofits,
solopreneurs/home based businesses or big businesses' to attract
your niche market and do other tie in products or services.


The Publicity Hound says:

John, offer your video to all local newspapers and TV stations.
Many of these media outlets, as you know, feature user-generated
video. You should also start collecting email addresses of local
business people who want to be notified each time you shoot a
video, or from people who want to learn how to shoot their own
videos. Collecting emails and publishing a "video tip of the
week" can pay off down the road.


Dan Janal interviewed me on "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash
Machine," and I explained all the ways I use this newsletter to
build a community of loyal Publicity Hounds and sell products and
services. Click here to continue reading more about how you can
do it, too: http://tinyurl.com/y6mp2c


Read all the responses to this Help this Hound question at
http://tinyurl.com/22eyn7


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

Elbert Mackey of Austin, Texas writes:

"I am interested in pitching a new FDA-approved disposable dental
drill that consumers buy from us for $49.95 and which we, in
turn, ship directly to their choice of dentists throughout the
United States. The FDA prohibits the sale of dental devices to
consumers.

"Our one-time-use dental drill eliminates patient concerns for
safety when visiting the dentist. In dentistry, secondary
diseases such as hepatitis and HIV viruses are transmitted
primarily to the patient or to the health care worker by the use
of contaminated dental instruments. The conventional reusable
dental drill’s sterility cannot always be assured by the patient.
Also, the drill has one of the highest risk factors for secondary
diseases.

"Our disposable one-time-use drill solves this problem and allows
consumers to take a more involved role in their own health care.
What tips do your Hounds have on how to publicize and market the
drill?"


The Publicity Hound says:

This is a tough one, Elbert, because I suspect that dentists
wouldn't endorse your product. That said, let's see what ideas we
can brainstorm. Hounds with marketing and publicity ideas for
Elbert can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/223o3f


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

Thanks to marketing guru Shel Horowitz of Northampton,
Massachusetts for this one:

A woman told a marriage counselor that her husband's complaint
that he leads a dog's life is probably well-founded.

"He comes in the house with muddy feet," she said, "tracks across
my clean floors, barks at nothing, growls at his food and makes
himself comfortable on my best furniture."


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

Free press release distribution for Calif. wildfire news
http://tinyurl.com/yv3d9o


Entrepreneur columnist focuses on do-gooders
http://tinyurl.com23v8ar


Treat your blog like a dog
http://tinyurl.com/2zhmrr


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Oct. 30-Nov. 2: "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008"

This teleseminar series features eight sessions that will show
you how to create a media plan, research targeted traditional and
social media and milk every opportunity to promote your product,
service, cause or issue. Two one-hour teleseminars each day for
four days. See the stellar line-up of guest experts at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


Nov. 8: Gurnee, Illinois

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in
Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," 9 a.m. to noon. "The
New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not
Only for Journalists" from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time. At the
Rink Side Sports & Family Entertainment Center meeting room in
the Gurnee Mills Mall. Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.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
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737