Publicity tips/Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous Sept 25, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #365 Sept. 25, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,713

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"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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Please forward this ezine to anyone you know who needs free publicity to establish their credibility, enhance their reputation, position themselves as employers of choice, sell more products and services, or promote a favorite cause or issue.

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Announcements:

--James Malinchak, an expert on how to get onto the college speaking circuit and generate tons of publicity doing it, will be my guest once again during a complimentary teleseminar at 4 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, Oct. 9. This is a high-content call chock full of lists of tips that will whet your appetite for his boot camp Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Los Angeles. Warning: I got several complaints last year that the boot camp sold out early because James lets past attendees return as many times as they wish. So if you're thinking of going, don't wait until the last minute. Sign up for the teleseminar at http://tinyurl.com/fs56k

--Join me from 1 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, Sept. 27, for the teleseminar on "PR Writing Boot camp: Give Your PR Writing More Polish, Punch and Power." Sponsored by Bulldog Reporter, this session will be packed with tips and writing exercises designed to streamline the writing process and strengthen your press release or pitch. You'll learn how to craft the first 25 words of your pitch precisely the way a journalist would and why word choice matters. We'll share credibility-building language, as well as the fuzzy, jargon language traps that many PR people fall into. It includes a handout with tips, checklists and other goodies from me and the three other guest experts who will join me. Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/2dmtza

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In This Issue
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1. Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous

2. Attention Article Writers

3. Do You Do What Experts Do?

4. 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day

5. 'Best of' Website Competitions

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous
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Confession: I eat in my car.

That's why I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the glove compartment. I thought that was fine until yesterday when I was conducting a teleseminar for people in The Publicity Hound Mentor Program.

Marilee Tolen, an expert in holistic health marketing, rattled off a list of reasons why hand sanitizers--specifically, the Purell brand--can be dangerous to your health:

--Purell contains isopropanol which is used to denature the ethanol in Purell, and isopropanol is poisonous.

--On Feb. 1 this year, The New England Journal of Medicine published information on the dangers of ingesting hand sanitizers.

--Purell kills all of the bacteria on the skin, even the good bacteria, which help fight the bad bacteria. Eliminating the bad bacteria means skin is more "naked" than it already is--with lowered protection and lowered immunity.

Air fresheners also can be hazardous to your health. Last week, one day after a group of environmental organizations asked the federal government to start assessing the risk of air fresheners, Walgreens pulled three of its products off store shelves.

I asked Marilee how she's using both stories to her advantage.

--She's blogging about them at http://www.homespalady.com/blog/, and mentioning that essential oils, which she sells, are good alternatives to hand sanitizers and air fresheners.

--She's creating Google Alerts and posting comments at other blogs that discuss this.

--She's writing articles for online article directories.

--Tomorrow's issue of her ezine includes a lead story on the dangers of air fresheners.

When bad news breaks about a product or service that you compete with, are you jumping on every opportunity to offer yourself as the safe alternative?

Marilee is even hosting a series of teleseminars this week that teach holistic health counselors, nurses, doctors, therapists, educators, healers, massage therapists, nutritionists, spa owners and health care business owners how to create a huge presence for themselves online. Click to continue reading about what she's teaching: http://tinyurl.com/3xmbfb

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2. Attention Article Writers
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If you're posting articles to article directory sites, you may have felt the bottom drop out of your stomach when you discovered where some of these articles are showing up.

That's what's happened to me, and to other Publicity Hounds who have emailed me, when we discovered that our articles are appearing on some of the most sickening, disgusting websites out there. And it's all legit, since anybody can use our articles as long as the byline and author resource box remain intact. Even worse, one of my articles that included tips for taking great photos ended up on a website devoted exclusively to d*irty photos.

What to do?

Ignore it. That's what all the article experts I've contacted are doing.

Rebecca Morgan, editor of SpeakerNetNews, the excellent ezine for speakers at http://www.speakernetnews.com/, gives the best explanation I've seen:

"Stopping this would be a full-time job. There is no way to contact the owner from the site, so you have to look them up in Whois.com. They are often located in Eastern European countries or Asia. Emailing them gets no response. Contacting their ISP to take down the site will just mean they’ll be live from another site the next day."

Eric Gruber of http://www.articlemarketingexperts.com/ agrees.

"I've been getting a lot of questions like that lately. And I tell them that if their articles are on About.com and MarketingProfs.com, what are they worried about? These other sites do not generate traffic from their prospects."

Good point. Besides, what are the chances a prospect would email you and point out to you that your article appeared on a yucky site where they were lurking? If they did read your article and click through to your website and maybe even buy something, their money is as good as anybody else's.

If you want to learn more about how to set up Google Alerts so you can stay on top of what people, including bloggers, are saying about you, and where your articles are showing up, click here to continue reading, and watch the cool video on how to create a Google Alert: http://tinyurl.com/2d9wkz

Not worried about where your articles are showing up because you aren't writing them? Shame on you. It's time to start. If you can't write, download the incredibly easy template I've provided. It comes with the CD or electronic transcript titled "How toWrite How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines and Trade Journals."

Click to continue reading more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb

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3. Do You Do What Experts Do?
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Are you an expert in your topic?

Based on the reaction I receive when I ask this question during my workshops, three out of four people in the audience are reluctant or afraid to call themselves experts.

"I'm not one of the top people in the world who knows the most about my topic," one audience member said.

Another lamented: "I'd be mortified if a journalist interviewed me, discovered I wasn't an expert, and then uncovered me as a phony."

Typical responses, I believe, because most people don't know the definition of an expert. My own professional association, the National Speakers Association, has struggled with that same issue. Several years ago, five top speakers wrote an excellent 12-page White Paper on what constitutes expertise. You can download it at http://nsaspeaker.org/pdfs/Expertise_Wht_paper.pdf

They concluded that there are numerous levels of expertise, and that expertise shouldn't be measured only by what you know, but by what you do.

For example, experts at various levels write books, articles, newsletters and White Papers. Some of them hold copyrights,trademarks and patents. They receive awards, accolades and honors. They serve as trainers, expert witnesses, coaches, mentors, trusted advisors, arbiters and even sources quoted in the media.

Because the several thousand NSA speakers come from a variety of backgrounds, I recommend that Publicity Hounds, even those who are not professional speakers, use the White Paper as a starting point to identify their own level of expertise. Once you know whether you're an expert, the White Paper can explain what you need to do to become one, and then deepen your expertise.

Smart experts who want reporters, journalists and bloggers to find them make sure they're listed in Expertclick: The Online Yearbook of Experts, like I am.

A subscription helps you drive visitors to your website by writing and distributing press releases at http://www.newsreleasewire.com/ You can send releases without per-release charges when you register for an ExpertClick.com page. You get a search-engine optimized Press Room page, and you can add content instantly to the Web.

Only my Publicity Hounds get to lock in a $100 Publicity Hound discount on top of the double early-order discount, and drop the cost from $895 to $595. Save $300 when you order from the link below by Sunday, Sept. 30. Prices go up $100 in October.

Call the office in Washington, D.C., at 202-333-5000, and ask for the "Publicity Hound Discount" or order on-line at http://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/The_Publicity_Hound
You can use the $300 savings on any level of membership in the Yearbook of Experts, too. Click here to continue reading about all the benefits of a membership: http://www.ExpertClick.com/Brochure

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4. 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day
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It started as a joke several years ago.

But international "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on Sept. 19 turned out to be enticing enough that even Pulitzer prize-winning humor columnist Dave Barry, National Public Radio and other media wanted in on the fun.

John Baur and Mark Summers explain how they encouraged the columnist to write about their special day, and how the giant publicity snowball is still rolling downhill, growing bigger and bigger. Click here to continue reading:
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/about.html

"I think you will agree that these guys should win an award for being honorary Publicity Hounds," writes Julie Lichtman of Frederick, Maryland.

Shiver me timbers. She's right.

Does your company, nonprofit or government agency have its own special day, week or month of the year? If not, learn how to create it, what to do with it, and how to recycle all the great publicity that will result. I explain how in "How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound," my most popular ebook. Download a sample chapter designed to helped you identify story ideas the media will love.

Click to continue reading how to download the chapter:
http://tinyurl.com/2a3dp9

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5. 'Best of' Website Competitions
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This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips and alternatives for Donald Hansen of Issaquah, Washington who wants to know how to find "Best of" website competitions he can enter. He wants to promote his Viking Trader website at http://www.vikingtrader.net/where he sells Viking Age artifacts.


From Lois Carter Fay of MarketingIdeaShop.com:

"I know that the Web Marketing Association holds a competition for best sites. You can read about it here:
http://www.webaward.org/

"But even better, here's a link to a work sheet that lists lots of award competitions: http://www.website-awards.net/worksheet.htm"

From Christine Buffaloe of Mequon, Wisconsin:

"Joan often mentions capturing visitors’ email addresses with the Hover Ad Creator. I think this would be ideal. Not only would it track the visitors, but it would also capture them as well." Christine is referring to special HTML coding that you can buy at http://tinyurl.com/2zhj33

The Publicity Hound says:

Your time might be better spent on things like blogging, search engine optimization, posting articles to article directory sites, commenting at other blogs and doing joint ventures with merchants who target the same audience you do.

My mentor, Tom Antion, just updated 'Click,' his excellent ebook that explains how to do all of the above, and more. This ebook, now at a whopping 817 pages and with 150 new links you must know about, is my bible for Internet marketing. I refer to it at least a half dozen times a week. I’m buying the new version today at http://tinyurl.com/s57vc

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6. Help This Hound
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Brian James of Melbourne, Australia writes:

"My client wants his innovative portable water recycling device http://www.waterleech.com.au/ to break into the U.S. market.

"It's a small company with a limited budget. The Water-Leech is a portable water collector that sucks up water from showers, baths and washing machines. It is then wheeled outside to water gardens and wash cars.

"The company is looking to raise funds to grow large enough for Home Depot and other big stores to stock the product. So the devices may be test-marketed in California and include a certificate which gives the first 10,000 people 100 units in the company as well.

"What would it take to get the word out and what is the most effective means of getting into the U.S./California media?"


The Publicity Hound says: My mind is racing with ideas, but my Hounds will come up with far more suggestions than I ever could. Hounds with ideas for Brian can post them at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3884v8

In the meantime, you or your client should start writing direct-to-consumer press releases and posting them online, so you don't have to rely on the media to deliver your message. Sign up for my free email tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

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7. Hound Joke of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Christel Hall of Carson City, Nevada for this one, an oldie but goodie:

Three male dogs are walking down the street when they see a beautiful, enticing, female poodle.

They fall all over themselves in an effort to be the one to reach her first, but end up arriving in front of her at the same time.

Aware of her charms and her obvious effect on the three suitors, she tells them, "The first one who can use the words 'liver' and' cheese' together in an imaginative, intelligent sentence can go out with me."

The sturdy, muscular black lab speaks up quickly and says, "I love liver and cheese."

"Oh, how childish," said the poodle. "That shows no imagination or intelligence whatsoever."

She turns to the tall, shiny golden retriever and says "How well can you do?"

"Um. I HATE liver and cheese," blurts the golden retriever.

"My, my," said the poodle. "I guess it's hopeless. That's just as dumb as the lab's sentence."

She then turns to the last of the three dogs and says, "How about you, little guy?"

The last of the three, tiny in stature but big in fame and finesse, is the Taco Bell chihuahua.

He gives her a smile, a sly wink, turns to the golden retriever and the lab and says...

"Liver alone. Cheese mine."


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

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

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


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8. And at My Blog...
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BBB's 'accredited business' boosts your credibility
http://tinyurl.com/2la9xk

The Forward adds bureau to cover Jewish news in L.A.
http://tinyurl.com/3cs4zt

'Martha' to feature toilet paper wedding dress winner
http://tinyurl.com/2vuj75

What motivates journalists, bloggers? Most of these 40 things
http://tinyurl.com/35m25p

Freelance writers need more lead time
http://tinyurl.com/345rad

Special events publicity: 11 tips to draw a crowd
http://tinyurl.com/ytph7f

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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Sept. 26: Chicago, Illinois

I'll be attending the "Un-Conference" as a participant. It's the free daylong brainstorming session on how to use social media in your PR campaign. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millennium Knickerbocker, 163 E. Welton. It kicks off Ragan Communications' full-blown traditional conference, "Corporate Communications and the Social Media Revolution" Sept. 27-28. Learn more about the Un-Conference and the two-day session at
http://tinyurl.com/2bz79b


Sept. 27: Teleseminar on PR Writing

"PR Writing Boot Camp: Give Your PR Writing More Polish, Punch and Power," from 1 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time, sponsored by Bulldog Reporter. Includes a handout with tips, checklists and other goodies from me and the three other guest experts who will join me. Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/2dmtza

Oct. 2: Teleseminar on Promoting Your Expertise Online

Marilee Tolen will present "Intro to Internet Marketing," a series of telephone seminars for holistic health counselors, nurse, doctors, therapists, educators, healers, massage therapists, nutritionists, spa owners and health care business owners how to create a huge presence for themselves online. I'm her guest from 7 to 8:15 PM Eastern Time. And I'll teach you how to become an expert in your field, and then promote your expertise online to pull traffic, including journalists, to your website. Click to continue reading about what else you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/3xmbfb

Oct. 9: Teleseminar on "How to Get onto the College Speaking Circuit"

With James Malinchak, 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. This complimentary, high-content call will be chock full of lists of tips on how to make a bundle speaking at colleges. It will whet your appetite for his boot camp Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Los Angeles. Sign up for the teleseminar at http://tinyurl.com/fs56k


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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."

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