Publicity tips/PR bosses from hell October 24, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #316 - Oct. 24, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/
(Blog) The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 22,695

=====================================
"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 ThePublicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me 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.

***********************************************
Pre-Publication Special: New Press Release Ebook

I've compiled all lessons from my tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" into a handy ebook. The PDF document includes live links to every website referenced in the course, as well as bookmarks that will help you find what you're looking for quickly.

If you've taken the course, or if you don't want to hang around for 89 days studying it, you can take advantage of this week's half-price special. That means you pay only $23.50. I don't even have the sales page written yet, but you can read about what the course includes at http://tinyurl.com/u7uys or order the ebook right now for $23.50 at http://tinyurl.com/y9jcym The price goesup next week to $47.
***********************************************

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

1. PR Bosses from Hell

2. More on Madonna's Adoption

3. Media Leads

4. Nonprofits & the Election

5. Promoting a Seminar on Teen Problems

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


==================================
1. PR Bosses from Hell
==================================

I hear these complaints all the time from people who work in PR:

--"My boss treats me like a second-class citizen and never involves me in important meetings about PR projects at the senior staff level. Then he dumps a project on me and expects me to be a magician."

--"How can I help my boss understand that her idea of a publicity campaign doesn't stand a chance of succeeding? How can I persuade her to include me in the planning of these kinds of campaigns?"

--"My boss put me in charge of PR, but every time I have a great idea for a PR project, she says we can't afford to spend the time or the money. Yet if our company doesn't get good PR, I don't get a raise. What can I do?"

If you feel like the Rodney Dangerfield in your company or nonprofit, you're not alone. These complaints are so common that I asked PR pros Dan Collins and Karen Morales for their best tips for the Rodneys of the world. They suggest:

--Do your research. Show how similar PR campaigns by other companies in the same industry have had quantifiable results.

--Know your CEO. Who does your boss admire? Who are the leaders in the industry, or people that he looks up to? Find quotes from those people about communication, the value of communication, and what communication has done for them. Find out how those people's companies have benefited from publicity.

--When you have a great idea for a PR campaign, concentrate on the benefits, not the features.

--Measure, measure, measure. That means you must know how to measure the success of a PR campaign in dollars and cents. How many sales will result from the campaign, for example?

When you have an idea, make sure you explain to the boss how the company should measure its success.

--Learn as much as you can about crisis communications even if that isn't part of your job. Knowing how the company should respond during a crisis like an industrial accident can win you greater respect as well as a seat in the executive suite.

--Make sure that any PR ideas you have tie directly to the company's goals.

Dan and Karen have lots more tips, and they explained them all during a one-hour teleseminar I conducted with them called "How to Teach Your Boss the Value of PR." It's available as a CD. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/yaaxwb


==================================
2. More on Madonna's Adoption
==================================

Publicity Hound John Easton saw the item in last week's newsletter about piggybacking your news stories off Madonna's controversial adoption of a year-old African boy.

John wrote:

"The Madonna story is interesting to me because I recently produced a DVD for a client that teaches Caucasian women and all men how to style Black girls' hair. I'm planning to use the Madonna story to pitch the DVD."

You can see a snippet of the video at http://tinyurl.com/yef8h9

By the way, Oprah thinks the Madonna controversy is so important that she taped a segment with Madonna yesterday, in which the Material Girl defended the adoption. Oprah's website says it will air tomorrow.

I'm betting Madonna had no trouble at all getting onto "Oprah." No such luck, however, for the rest of us.

If you're still pitching the show and tying your idea to the spirituality theme that was on Oprah's radar screen several years ago, but you aren't getting anywhere, no wonder.

That theme isn't as prominent as it once was. So says Susan Harrow, who knows all the ways the show has changed in the last several years--and how your strategy for pitching needs to change with it. The 2006 update of an interview I did with Susan called "How to Get Booked on Oprah," is available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/855eb


==================================
3. Media Leads
==================================

--Author Laurie Wing is looking for stories and advice for the new dad-to-be for her new book. "We want to hear your funny stories about pregnancy, childbirth and new fatherhood. Sappy stories are welcomed too! (i.e. what not to say to your wife during pregnancy, what happened during childbirth, when the baby came home, etc.). Email your stories/advice to mailto:lauriejwing@aol.com Laurie is the author of "Butterflies & Hiccups: A Guided Pregnancy Journal for the Mom-to-Be." Your quote will be included in the new book with your name, city and state, or you can remain anonymous--please specify.

--Chow, the online Epicurean magazine, is looking for items to feature in its holiday gift section. It wants tableware, appliances, edibles & potables... " or anything related to food and drink. Prefers to receive press releases by email but accepts hard copy press kits. Prefers digital photos by email at low-resolution in jpeg, and attachments are OK. Email to Michele Foley at mailto:michele.foley@cnet.com or snail-mail to Michele Foley, CHOW, 235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Deadline is November 15. You can find Chow online at http://www.chow.com/


The Publicity Hound says: The Chow media lead is courtesy of The Gift List, a subscription service that provides contact information for more than 250 top newspapers, magazines and other media that feature special gift sections. Publicity Hounds will receive a 10 percent discount through October 31 on the Moms, Dads & Grads 2007 list. Early deadlines for those sections start in November. The discount also applies to all products. Take a 24-hour test drive by clicking on the "Subscribe" button at http://tinyurl.com/9es8y


=================================
4. Nonprofits & the Election
=================================

Several Publicity Hounds sent me to the doghouse without my dinner (and no treats for a week) after reading the item in last week's newsletter about how to piggyback publicity off the election.

I advised Hounds, including nonprofits, to weigh in on issues and candidates through things such as letters to the editor.

Publicity Hound Laurie Morrow of Montpelier, Vermont and several others reminded me that the IRS specifically prohibits nonprofits from doing things such as endorsing candidates. Laurie writes:

"Pity the Hound who publishes a letter like this: 'Dear Editor, I work for No Dog Left Outside Foundation and really care about dogs. All the scientific data supports the conclusion that dogs who have solar-heated dog houses are healthier and live longer than dogs with unheated dog houses.

"I want to urge every reader of the Barkenbite Times who cares about dogs to re-elect Senator Dogged, the sponsor of Senate Bill 624, which will provide subsidies to taxpayers who purchase a solar-heated doghouse in 2007."

The simplest explanation I found about what nonprofits can and can't do is at http://tinyurl.com/6ovyp

I'm off to the doghouse, with my tail between my legs...

For the rest of you who DO want to comment about the Nov. 7 election in the United States, this is the time. Most newspapers are printing their endorsements for races and issues that will be on the ballot, and they welcome letters that agree or disagree with their views. "How to Use Newspaper & Magazine Editorial Pages" gives you great advice you can use to submit letters to the editor in time for the election, as well as strategies you can use long afterward. Read more about what you'll learn from this CD or electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/5wh45


==================================
5. Promoting a Seminar on Teen Problems
==================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips for Susan Stein of Dallas, Texas. She works for an independent medical practice that's planning a daylong seminar in Dallas in April for parents of adolescents. It will discuss problems that teens face. Susan wanted suggestions on how to promote the seminar, which will donate all proceeds to a nonprofit girls program.


From Dr. Robert Kotler, M.D.:

"The (free) publicity, which should be the key element in your marketing campaign for this event, should be garnered by the charity which will be the perceived beneficiary. Your city is too big to spend money on mail lists, etc. Those are best for neighborhood events. The charity’s publicists and you should collaborate, but they should be the ones to carry the banner.

One reason is that TV stations are obliged by the FCC to give some exposure to non-profits."


From Teresa Kump:

"Why not partner with your local PTA Council to get the word out to parents? PTA has strict rules against promoting businesses, but might pass along information on an educational conference like this. You might also send letters about the event to the presidents of the individual PTAs in your area and ask them to let their members know about this educational opportunity."


From Lois Carter Fay of MarketingIdeaShop.com:

"I suggest you write several short articles in a tips format, such as '10 Ways to Communicate With Your Teen in a Crisis,' '5 Positive Ways to Deal with the Word Whatever!', '8 Ways to Keep Your Teen Off Drugs,' and other topics that are relevant to teens these days. In your 5-line bio, add a plug for your website (I assume you have one), where there is a big, bold link to the upcoming event(s). Send these articles to the local media as filler, post them online at your website, and distribute them through online sources like PRWeb.com. Joan has some great products for teaching you how to write your tips articles!

The Publicity Hound says: Indeed I do. One of them is "Special Report #16: How to Write Tip Sheets That Catch the Media's Attention." It shows you how to write and distribute these little one-page tips lists that the media love. Editors need these lists because they fill odd-size holes on a page. Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/y7ac4u


Read all the responses to this week's question at http://tinyurl.com/yfuntu

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

Joey Lo of Hong Kong, China writes:

"I’m starting my own financial services company which specializes in factoring to help small and micro-enterprises, that offer credit terms to customers, generate cash flow without a loan.

"Factoring is buying outstanding invoices at an amount less than face value so companies can receive cash today instead of having to wait for 30 to 90 days. My target clients are growth-oriented companies that are turned down by banks due to their small sizes and insufficient financial histories.

"With immediate cash on hand, companies can expand their business by taking advantage of large discounts offered by suppliers, fulfill large orders by hiring additional staff and buying new equipment, and improve the balance sheet (because it is not a loan, it’s turning paper asset into cash asset) to eventually qualify for banks or venture capital firms etc.

"I'll be using a serviced office so I can't host any events there. Besides, I can't think of any event that would attract media attention given the small size of the operation.

"Do your Hounds have any creative ideas for publicity campaigns?"

The Publicity Hound says: I know they do because many of them have told me about the clever events they've sponsored for their own businesses. Hounds with great ideas for Joey can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/yj5p95


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

"You may have a dog that won't sit up, roll over or even cook breakfast, not because she's too stupid to learn how but because she's too smart to bother."

--Rick Horowitz, Chicago Tribune


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

Scobleizer gives
blogging tips for PR pros
http://tinyurl.com/yhp3hy


Experts, flaunt your
expertise in articles
http://tinyurl.com/ydv937


Blogging easier
with these 11 tips
http://tinyurl.com/yaks9s

Media bias: The ugly truth
http://tinyurl.com/ybdcrx


On my blog at http://www.publicityhound.net/, I've made it easy for you to find what you're looking for by dividing my posts into more than 20 categories. Click on the "Topics" arrow on the right side of the blog to find the category you're looking for.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

October 31, 2006: West Bend, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Washington County, part of the "Adding to Your Organization's Toolbox--Media and Public Relations" series, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Washington County, UW-Extension, Volunteer Center of Washington County and The United Way of Washington County. I'll present "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast & Online Publicity" for nonprofits from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a media panel. Over lunch, from 11:30 until 1, I'll present "How to Write Powerful Press Releases." Registration is $35 for the first session and $8 for the luncheon session on press releases. To register, and to submit a press release that you'd like me to rewrite for the second class, contact Dan Anhalt at mailto:dan.anhalt@uwc.edu or (262) 335-5218. Or visit http://tinyurl.com/ybfj7b


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Details pending.


PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive free by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends, clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at ThePublicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me you want to subscribe.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® will never distribute your address to anyone. Period. Promise.

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

Publicity tips/Mid-term elections & you October 17, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #315 - Oct. 17, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 22,338

=====================================
"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 ThePublicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me 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.

***********************************************
89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases:

If you've been reluctant to sign up for this course because you don't have time to hang around for 89 days, you're in luck. I'm compiling all the lessons and I'll be offering them in an ebook that you can buy and be reading as soon as your order has been approved. Stay tuned for details on my pre-publication special next week.

If you want to start the course right now, and receive the first lesson within 10 minutes, sign up at http://tinyurl.com/jfr7j
***********************************************

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

1. Mid-term Elections & You

2. Madonna's Adoption

3. Journalists Want to Blog

4. A Magazine Editor's Lament

5. Promoting a Health Rehab Facility

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


==================================
1. Mid-term Elections & You
==================================

From now until November 7 in the U.S., it will be all political news, all the time--complete with the mud-slinging TV commercials.

At least 11 hotly-contested Senate races--in Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Connecticut--and the "Big Five" House races in Illinois, Washington, Florida, Minnesota and New York are keep the political prognosticators on the edge of their seats.

The mid-term elections are also a fabulous opportunity to generate publicity in the next few weeks. Here's how:

--The media love stories about two members of the same family, particularly a husband and wife, who are supporting opposing candidates.

--If you're an independent, contact reporters who are covering hot races in your state and offer your services. Newspapers and TV stations frequently round up groups of independent voters and ask them to watch candidates' TV commercials, or attend candidate debates, and give their reactions. Or journalists might want to shadow you right until Election Day when you've decided how to vote.

--What do you or your company or nonprofit see as the top issues? The war in Iraq? The economy? Immigration? Stem cell research? Abortion? Tax increases? Write a very strong letter to the editor of local newspapers and magazines commenting on how any of those issues affect you, and how you'll be voting.

--Has your organization endorsed a favorite candidate? If so, write a press release.

--Blog about your favorite candidate, or the one you hope loses.

--If you're working for a favorite candidate and you're using unconventional methods to campaign, pitch that as a story. Read the item at my blog that discusses the free roadmap for anyone who wants to campaign online: http://tinyurl.com/yaooqb

--Call talk radio shows and weigh in.

--Has your group taken a position on controversial issues such as gay marriage on your statewide ballot?

--Small businesses fuel the economy. Even if you're a sole proprietor, weigh in with your thoughts about how the election will affect your business.

--What are kids learning inside the classroom about the mid-term elections, and are any of them participating?

Or bypass the media altogether and write direct-to-consumer press releases about your favorite candidates and issues. David Meerman Scott explains why the old rules of writing press releases are ineffective. The new rules, he says, allow Publicity Hounds to reach out directly to consumers online with great success--even if journalists decide to never cover our news.

The 70-minute interview on "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Buyers, Not Only Journalists" is available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ndwfo


==================================
2. Madonna's Adoption
==================================

Madonna's adoption of a 1-year-old boy from Malawi in Africa screams out for comment.

Child advocacy experts already are criticizing the Material Girl, and comments on talk radio across the region have accused her of going on a "shopping expedition" because she reportedly paid for the child. Others say children from poor countries shouldn't be adopted and brought to the Wealthy West. Read more about the story here: http://tinyurl.com/yl7o29

Are the comments fair or unfair? Here's how you can weigh in:

--Adoption agencies anywhere can offer their expert commentary.

--Parents who have adopted foreign children can call their local newspapers and TV stations for "the local angle" to this story and share their experiences.

--What are the advantages and disadvantages to international adoptions?

--If you were adopted as a child from a poor country and raised in a richer country, talk about it, and chances are good you'll be a part of this story.

TV stations, in particular, loves stories like this because video clips of parents and children doing things like playing catch in the backyard, or cooking dinner together in the kitchen, have the three critical elements for TV: people, color and motion.

TV reporter Shawne Duperon says it's imperative that you identify the "Queen Bee" in your local TV stations' newsrooms--then pitch that person--if you want coverage. She explains how to do it during the interview I conducted with her called "How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow," available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn athttp://tinyurl.com/yzkb95


================================
3. Journalists Want to Blog
==================================

Here's one more reason you should be blogging: journalists think blogging is cool.

"Everyone in our newsroom wants to be a blogger," Washington Post editor Len Downie said recently during a speech at the Online News Association's annual convention in D.C. You can read the entire article about his speech at http://tinyurl.com/wqk99

He says:

--Reporters always tune in to what's happening and are constantly trying to find stories to report for the newspaper's website. As a result, reporters can add more detail to their online stories because the web has "unlimited news hole."

--Reporters love newsroom blogs because they put writers in better touch with their readers. That means Publicity Hounds everywhere need to see if reporters, editors or anyone who works at the media outlets they want to get into blog. If so, posting comments to their blog is a great way to get in front of them.

--The blogs that pick apart every article that the Post produces are a good thing, Downie says, because they "keep the paper honest."

Media people, particularly executives, are slow to blog. One of the best examples I've seen, however, is blogger John Robinson, editor of The News & Record in Greensboro, North Carolina. His blog at http://tinyurl.com/y9te47 gives an inside peek at the way reporters and editors think--even their critical views about their own industry.

Do a quick Google search to find out if journalists who work at media outlets you want to get into are blogging. If you wanted to get into Woman's Day, for example, you'd go to http://www.Google.com and type:

[Woman's Day] + blog

If you want to research a particular journalist, type their name within the brackets. Start commenting at their blog to get their attention. Then deliver a pitch. But don't pitch within your comment. Send a separate email. "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" shows you exactly how to research bloggers, comment at their blogs, then pitch them. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr

Unlike journalists, bloggers love to link to each other, and they can help you create a publicity explosion online, practically overnight.


=================================
4. A Magazine Editor's Lament
=================================

Judith S. Lederman, editor-in-chief of WestChesterWag.com,writes:

"Why is it that some PR folks forget that publishing is a for-profit, extremely competitive business. We are vying for the same pool of readers and advertisers. While, of course, we arep eddling news, why would we give away valuable editorial space and recognition to an entity that is going after our readers and advertisers?

"Think, people, THINK!"

What set her off?

A PR agency executive called her and asked her to cover an event that's being sponsored by her magazine's Number One competitor.

"I told her it was silly to invite us--there's no way I'd give it coverage. But if she would like my publication to sponsor a separate event for the hospital, THAT could be arranged," Judith writes.

She makes a good point. That's probably the biggest disadvantage to getting a media sponsor for an event--the competing media outlet won't cover the event. But if you do it right, you can convince several media outlets--a newspaper, TV station, radio station and magazine--all within the same market, to sponsor your event and give you thousands of dollars in free publicity. I attend a local jazz festival each year here in Wisconsin, and the Rotary Club that hosts the festival has rounded up numerous non-competing media outlets as sponsors. Smart.

If you're hosting an event and you can't afford expensive media ads, consider media sponsors. But you must know what you're doing when you approach them. "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events" walks you through the entire process of pinning down one or more media sponsors, and planning and promoting an event that will draw the media and attendees in droves.

Debra J. Schmidt, who was in charge of event planning for a Milwaukee TV station, teamed up with me to record 6 CDs on every aspect of event planning and promotion. It comes with 15 can't-do-without checklists for event planners, and the entire package is also available as a transcript that you can download and be reading in a few minutes. Read more about "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events," and download three samplecheck lists, at http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


==================================
5. Promoting a Health Rehab Facility
==================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have ideas for Lisa Cupolo, marketing facilitator for Northwoods Health System in upstate New York. She asked for creative suggestions on how to pitch the media with ideas about her facility.


From Lorie Parker Matejowsky:

"Rather than focusing on the whole organization, focus on one or two specific patients. What’s their story? How were they injured and how is your organization helping them get ready for returning to school? Offer to let a local journalist 'shadow' your physical and occupational therapists as they work with the patient on school-specific tasks, either at your facility or onsite at an area school.


From Kathi Petersen:

"Watch for the high-profile patients. For example: We had a patient who was involved in a serious auto accident that was all over the news. Thus, we classified her as a ‘high profile patient.’ The media love follow-up stories, so it was easy for me to get a story on her when she began to make progress through her rehab."


From Garth Gibson:

"Why do the (New York) Jets have the worse success at getting their players back on the field than any other team in the league? Can you comment on this?

"Headline idea: What Jets' Coaches Do Wrong On The Field That Makes The Team Lose"


Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/qlpz5

"How to Make Hospital News an Easy Pill to Swallow" includes dozens of publicity tips that work just as well for nursing homes and health care facilities like Lisa's. If you know how to be proactive and tie your news into current events by promoting your experts, you're halfway to getting publicity. Read more about what you'll learn on this CD at http://tinyurl.com/lr6qf


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

Publicity Hound Susan Stein of Dallas, Texas writes:

"I work in an independent medical practice in a major city. We are planning a one-day seminar in Dallas in April for parents of adolescents, with a major speaker, lunch and break-out sessions. The goal is to make parents aware of the myriad of issues facing today's teens and what we can do to help them through it. The profits will go to a nonprofit girls program. Our goal is 400 attendees.

"We're thinking of purchasing a mailing list and mailing out flyers, but that's really stretching our budget. We're buying a small ad in the free local family publication. I'd like to get some newspaper articles and TV coverage but can't count on that happening.

"We'd also like to find more ways to publicize our monthly classes and programs without spending a bundle. Can your Hounds help?"

The Publicity Hound says: You bet they can. Many of my Hounds have bought mailing lists, and they'll be glad to share with you the pros and cons. Most of my Hounds are also so savvy they can generate free publicity without spending a nickel. Hounds with great ideas for Susan can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/yfuntu


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

A little girl goes into the garage and asks her father, "Dad, can I take the dog for a walk around the block? I asked Mom but she said Susie was in heat and I should ask you."

"Bring Susie over here," her Dad says.

He took a rag, soaked it with gasoline and scrubbed the dog's rear end with it and said, "OK, you can go now. But keep Susie on the leash and only go one time around the block."

The little girl left, then returned a few minutes later without the dog.

Her dad asked, "Where's Susie?"

"Susie ran out of gas about halfway down the block and there's another dog pushing her home!"


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

Ban these phrases from press releases
http://tinyurl.com/ybxdlz

Think you're an expert?
You'd better be blogging
http://tinyurl.com/ymd2o2

Online politics 101:How to win elections
http://tinyurl.com/yaooqb

Crisis management:Learn from the best
http://tinyurl.com/ya2sl2


On my blog at http://www.publicityhound.net/, I've made it easy for you to find what you're looking for by dividing my posts into more than 20 categories. Click on the "Topics" arrow on the right side of the blog to find the category you're looking for.

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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


October 31, 2006: West Bend, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin, part of the "Adding to Your Organization's Toolbox--Media and Public Relations" series, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Washington County, UW-Extension, Volunteer Center of Washington County and The United Way of Washington County. I'll present "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast & Online Publicity" for nonprofits from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a media panel. Over lunch, from 11:30 until 1, I'll present "How to Write Powerful Press Releases." Registration is $35 for the first session and $8 for the luncheon session on press releases. To register, and to submit a press release that you'd like me to rewrite for the second class, contact Dan Anhalt at mailto:dan.anhalt@uwc.edu or (262) 335-5218.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Details pending.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "ThePublicity Hound's Tips of the Week" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive free by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a NewsRelease."

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 ThePublicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me you want to subscribe.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® will never distribute your address to anyone.

Period.

Promise.
=======================================================

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.A.

Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/School shootings October 10, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #314 - Oct. 10, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 21,835

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

***********************************************
89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases

I'm almost done creating my free email course on how to write press releases. While researching this topic, I've learned right along with you.

Thanks to the many Publicity Hounds who have passed along kind words about the course as well as ideas on how to make it even better. I've already followed many of your suggestions.

If you haven't signed up yet, you can join the more than 3,200 people who already have at http://tinyurl.com/jfr7j

The course is as helpful for press release veterans as it is for beginning Hounds. It includes lots of examples of so-so press releases that were rewritten to become great releases, plus dozens of tips on how to write your press releases for consumers and give the releases maximum visibility online so you can pull people into your sales funnel.

Sign up now: http://tinyurl.com/jfr7j

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

1. School Shootings

2. Making the Most of Money Magazine

3. Make a Difference Day

4. WSJ Spotlight on Baby Boomers

5. How to Teach People About the Oceans

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Video of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. School Shootings
==================================

An astounding 27 school shootings in the United States during the last 12 months have pushed the issue of school safety front and center.

Reporters are looking for sources to lend background, commentary and perspective to this tragedy. Here are story ideas you can pitch, or opportunities to state your opinions:

--What's the bigger threat, armed intruders who walk into schools and kill, or students who come to school with guns?

--Bullying appears to be a major problem that prompts students to kill. So what are schools doing to deal with bullies?

--Some schools have armed police officers. Have they been effective?

--Should teachers and staff have guns in the classroom?

--In Green Bay, Wisconsin, three teen-age boys were arrested after a fellow student told his mother that his classmates were planning a Columbine-like mass murder at the school. Police raided the boys' homes and found sawed-off shotguns, pistols, ammunition, several bombs, bomb-making material, camouflage clothing, helmets and gas masks. Do you know what's in your child's bedroom? Or in the basement or garage? Should parents snoop in their kids' bedrooms?

--Is your child the next mass murderer? What are the warning signs?

--Does media coverage of these shootings make the problem worse?

When pitching, it's helpful to suggest other sources who reporters can interview, along with contact information. This makes the media's job easier, and it just might tip the scales in your favor.

You also need to pitch quickly, in fewer than 30 seconds if you're pitching by phone and in no more than one screen of type if you're sending an email. Learn more pitching tips from Raleigh Pinskey, who's an absolute master at turning long, boring pitches into 5- and 10-second sound bites. She explains how she does it during the teleseminar "How to Create the Perfect 30-second Pitch," available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/6xghx


==================================
2. Making the Most of Money Magazine
==================================

Publicity Hound Carol White, author of the book "Live Your Road- Trip Dream," shares this great success story about how she sold more books after being featured in this month's issue of Money magazine, even though they never mentioned the title of her book.

She writes:

"The query was alluring: 'Money Magazine is looking for families to interview for an article on parents' retirement planning vs. how their children are planning for retirement. Specifically want families where at least one parent has a defined-benefit pension, with children who don't have access to that planning vehicle.
Email...'

"Wow! That's us! And an opportunity to share how our good fortune (and planning) allowed us to leave the work force early, take a great year-long trip around the U.S., and now help others to live their retirement travel dreams. But would they think the story was interesting? Were we what they were looking for? Were we willing to divulge what they wanted to know? Could we get them to mention our book? Why not give it a try?

"Two months and several interviews later, my daughter's family and Phil and I are featured in the October issue of Money, telling our story in a feature entitled 'Can You Live Long and Prosper?' You can read it at http://tinyurl.com/q2zpo

"Although we didn't get to share much about our travel adventure or our road to getting published--the book title wasn't even mentioned--the article has still generated lots of sales. We put a picture of the cover on our website (so if they Googled our names) and a link to the story and a 'buy' button, right at the top of the page. I also blogged about it on Amazon (again, so people would know it was the right book)--and my ranking jumped from its usual 30K-40K placement to 10K or below!

"The most fun part of the whole experience was having the photo shoot. We all felt like celebrities. They actually sent a photo crew from Seattle that spent an hour just choosing the site within our community to do the photos. We were there all afternoon. The photos were taken behind one of the greens on the golf course where we live, with a big light set-up at the site and people fussing with our clothes.

"The moral of the story? If something sounds like it fits your desires and might help you reach your goals, at least give it your best shot. It might not work, or it might not turn out exactly as you envisioned, but you will gain some knowledge and have a new experience--and just maybe some sales too."


The Publicity Hound says:

Authors are always petrified that the media won't mention their book in an article. But Carol's quick thinking led to more sales.

If you're marketing a book, or you're about to, check out "Special Report #40: 42 Publicity Tips for Authors and Small Publishers" at http://tinyurl.com/h87zd

If you want to receive media queries like the one Carol did from the Money magazine writer, check out PR Leads, a subscription service that forwards leads from working journalists to expert sources like you. Learn more about Dan Janal's service at http://tinyurl.com/qc8gy


==================================
3. Make a Difference Day
==================================

It isn't too late to participate in Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 28, the national day of good deeds in the United States, sponsored by USA Weekend magazine.

That's when individuals and groups work on a variety of community projects, from rehabbing old houses to picking up trash and sprucing up parks in their neighborhoods.

Their website at http://tinyurl.com/mcaro has an idea generator, planning guides, a long list of publicity tips, suggestions for recruiting volunteers, and a list of past projects.

If you're participating, this is a fabulous chance to pitch newspapers and TV and radio stations in your own community. This story has everything the media, particularly TV, want: people, color and motion.

"Good Morning, America" is the exclusive broadcast partner for Make a Difference Day and will be featuring stories about projects throughout the U.S.

If you can't get on "Good Morning, America" for Make a Difference Day, you have numerous other chances to appear. I interviewed Lissa Warren, a publicist who has booked many of her clients on the show. She explains how to get onto not only this ABC hit show, but on the other big morning shows like "Fox & Friends" and the "Today" show, plus the weekend shows. "How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talks Shows" is available as a CD or a transcript you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ab86x

=================================
4. WSJ Spotlight on Baby Boomers
=================================

The first Baby Boomers turn 60 this year, and interest in this subject has exploded.

That's why the Wall Street Journal is publishing an entire section every other month called "Encore," filled with retirement-related news you can use on the topics of money and estate planning, travel, health and lifestyles.

If you have a retirement-related story or tips to share, here are some ideas on how to get into the section:

--Before you do anything, read the section so you have a good idea about the kind of content it includes.

--When you see a story that would be a good fit with your topic, email the reporter and pitch your idea. Many articles include the writer's email address at the end. Suggest additional sources who would agree to be interviewed.

--Check the inside front page, where the editor, Glenn Rufenach, writes an editor's note. Then pitch your idea to him.

--Pay attention to the bylines in this section. Then go to http://www.google.com/alerts and set up a Google Alert with that writer's name. Google will email you other online articles written by that reporter or freelancer. You can then refer to one of these stories right at the beginning of your pitch.

It's all about building relationships, not sending mass mailings of the same press release to a zillion other journalists.

"Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People" explains how to research a journalist so thoroughly that you almost shock them with how much you know about them. It also reveals the Number One topic you can mention in your pitch that happens to be the favorite thing they love to talk about.

All for $10. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/j7dz2


==================================
5. How to Teach People About the Oceans
==================================

This week, 12 Publicity Hounds have excellent suggestions for Jean Logan of Alexandria, Virginia. Jean needs ideas on how to promote a new book called "50 Ways to Save the Ocean."


From Donna Strout:

"As a homeschooler myself, the best way to get educators to become interested would be to create a curriculum for them to use. Unit Studies are very easy to develop and typically are 10 weeks long.

"Not able to write it? Consider creating a contest giving a willing school/group the opportunity. The prize could be public credit as curriculum developer and an award from your organization. Then, take your curriculum and organization info, along with your 50 ways book, to state homeschool shows. See state groups listed on http://tinyurl.com/2n4n3


From Leah Ingram:

"Recently, a humpback whale washed up on the Jersey Shore. This is not the first time that large marine life has done this on the East Coast, and it has had experts scratching their heads about why this whale died...I would recommend setting up a Google Alert at http://www.google.com/alerts for anything having to do with whales, dolphins or the like beaching themselves. When you find out that this has happened or been in the news, get word about your organization to the local media that will be covering the story. Or use that local angle to try to hook (sorry, couldn’t resist) a national story."


From Thom Reece of ArticleMarketingNetwork.com:

"Extract five of the strongest tips included in your book. Summarize them into a 500-word article. Submit the article to every online article directory on the Internet. Make sure you put a compelling mention for the full version of your book in your bio/resource box.

"You’ll not only get orders for your book--you will probably have your article picked up for reproduction by relevant print and online publications. They will spread the word for you in a totally free viral marketing system."


The Publicity Hound says: I love Thom's idea, but what if you don't know how to write, or you don't have time? Use the handy template I've created for you. It comes with the CD or electronic transcript "How to Write How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines & Trade Journals." Read more about what it includes at http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/qrwus


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

Publicity Hound Lisa Cupolo writes:

"I am the marketing facilitator for Northwoods Health System. We have six different health care facilities in upstate New York providing rehabilitation and long-term care services. This is a setting that bridges the gap between hospital and home (patients are discharged from the hospital but are unable to return home until they are fully healed so they come to our facilities).

"We provide 24-hour care for patients with serious medical needs.
I'd like to generate broadcast and print media attention for our pediatric unit. I recently sent a press releases to all local media regarding the pediatric unit and incorporating the physical rehabilitation needs of patients with the educational needs of them as well. I thought this topic would tie in well to the start of school a couple of weeks ago. However, I only received the interest from one local media outlet.

"Do your readers have any advice as far as how to gain more media attention? What's a good way to pitch this idea over the phone? This would be a great topic for educators, parents with children who have special needs and the public in general."


The Publicity Hound says: Lots of health care publicists read this newsletter, so have at it, Hounds! Post your best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/qlpz5

In the meantime, Lisa and anyone else who does PR for health-related organizations will find valuable tips on health-related pitches from the interview I conducted with Dan Collins, a master at hospital PR. It's called "How to Make Hospital PR an Easy Pill to Swallow." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/lr6qf


================================
7. Hound Video of the Week
================================

Thanks to Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio for this great video of David Hartwig and his dog, Skidboot, of Quinlan, Texas, complete with their appearance on "Oprah." If you're at work, grab a box of Kleenex, then turn down your speakers. (This video works best for Hounds with high-speed connections.)
http://tinyurl.com/oja73


If you can't access it, here's a quote of the week to make you smile:

Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window!


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

Info products out of date?
Give 'em a new twist
http://tinyurl.com/jumyn


Use an incomplete tips list
to lure traffic to your website
http://tinyurl.com/fm86c


Celebrity addresses are easier
to get with this service
http://tinyurl.com/pcor7
--------------------------------------------------------------

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


October 31, 2006: West Bend, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin, part of the "Adding to Your Organization's Toolbox--Media and Public Relations" series, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Washington County, UW- Extension, Volunteer Center of Washington County and The United Way of Washington County. I'll present "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast & Online Publicity" for nonprofits from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a media panel. Over lunch, from 11:30 until 1, I'll present "How to Write Powerful Press Releases." Registration is $35 for the first session and $8 for the luncheon session on press releases. To register, and to submit a press release that you'd like me to rewrite for the second class, contact Dan Anhalt at mailto:dan.anhalt@uwc.edu or
(262) 335-5218.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Details pending.


PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive free by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends, clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The Publicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me you want to subscribe.


PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® will never distribute your address to anyone.
Period. Promise.
=======================================================

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

Publicity tips/Wal-Mart, Starbucks & Other Goliaths October 3, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #313 - Oct. 3, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 21,535

=====================================
"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 ThePublicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me 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. Wal-Mart, Starbucks & Other Goliaths

2. Halloween Stories

3. Promote Your PR Practice

4. Catch Bloggers' Attention

5. Promoting Music for Babies

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week


==================================
1. Wal-Mart, Starbucks & Other Goliaths
==================================

You can hardly open a newspaper or turn on the TV these days without noticing somebody crabbing about Wal-Mart.

Now they're going after Starbucks.

Penny Stafford, owner of the Seattle-based Belvi Coffee and Tea Exchange Inc., charges in a federal lawsuit that the coffee giant uses anti-competitive tactics to rid itself of competition. The suit, which seeks class-action status, says Starbucks used methods such as having employees offer free drink samples in front of her store to lure away customers, which she says ultimately forced her to close her store.

Starbucks, the suit said, also offered to pay leases that exceeded market value if a building owner would refuse to allow competitors from occupying their buildings.

That got me thinking.

If I were a David who competed against the Goliaths like Wal-Mart, Target, Starbucks, Lowe's or Home Depot, I'd pitch business reporters with a story on what I offer that the giants can't.

--A mom and pop hardware store in Wisconsin sends hand-written "Congratulations" notes to people in their town who are promoted, receive awards or get straight As, along with a special discount coupon that must be redeemed by a certain date. The owners read the local newspaper each week to find out who's doing what.

--Is your corner coffee shop the place where everybody knows your name? And you know theirs? Do you have a playroom in the corner for kids whose parents just want to relax over a cuppa joe?

--Do you offer "personal shoppers?" Some food stores invite customers who are shopping for a party or hard-to-find items to call ahead, then have an employee waiting for them when the customer arrives at the store.

--Do you send holiday greeting cards to your most loyal customers?

--A small hardware store sends "Happy Birthday" cards--not to its customers, but to its customers' lawn mowers and other equipment. The cards include a reminder that it might be time to have the equipment cleaned or brought in for regular maintenance. The store has the warranty cards on file and knows exactly when the customers bought the merchandise.

I'll bet many of you who compete against the Goliaths do other cool things that business reporters would love to know about. Why not round up several other Davids in your town and jointly approach the small-business reporter at your local newspaper, business journal or TV station? In your pitch, mention the David & Goliath angle.

Business journals would love this story, and they're some of the easiest newspapers to get into, but only if you know the inside tricks like how to get you or your boss in front of the top business journal staff members, or the most popular special sections that are waiting for your ideas.

I interviewed Paul Furiga, a former business journal editor, who spilled the beans on exactly how to get the attention of busy editors and reporters. We recorded it, and it's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download as soon as you rorder has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/q4rf7


==================================
2. Halloween Stories
==================================

October is bursting with ideas about the second largest retail holiday of the year that you can pitch to newspapers, magazines and TV stations. Here are some that TV reporter Shawne Duperon and I came up with:

--That pretty pumpkin looks great now, but how can you extend its porch life so that it isn't shriveled by Halloween? Garden centers and horticulture experts can offer tips.

--What are the best second-hand stores in your town where people can shop for clothing and other items to make Halloween costumes?

--Dental offices should create a list of the worst trick-or-treat candy and other Halloween snacks, like caramel apples, for people who wear braces.

--Will trick-or-treaters be dressing up like certain celebrities this year? See "Special Report #50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue" at http://tinyurl.com/l9bw6

--Sponsor a pumpkin-carving contest and invite the local TVstation to bring their cameras. Contestants, of course, carve the station's call letters in the pumpkin.

--What safety tips can pumpkin carvers follow to keep fingers and other body parts out of harm's way?

Shawne and I came up with 103 story ideas for the second half of the year that will make reporters love you. They're all on a CD that comes with a 7-page handout listing all 103 ideas. You can download it and be reading it while you're waiting for your CD to arrive. And we even tell you which ideas are best for print and which are best for TV coverage. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/54y6f

If you're pitching national magazines, remember that many editors are working on issues that will be published after the first of the year. Add the CD "116 WOW! Story Ideas from January through June" to your publicity toolbox. It comes with an 8-page handout listing all 116 ideas that we encourage you to steal. You can download it as soon as your order as been approved. Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/6k7zk


==================================
3. Promote Your PR Practice
==================================

Get an article in your local newspaper instead of buying an ad, and it's almost as though the paper is giving you its stamp ofapproval.

Land a gig as a regular columnist and it's akin to being anointed by the publishing company.

That's what happened to PR practitioner Nancy Juetten who's writing a new monthly column called "Media-Savvy-to-Go" for the Snohomish County Business Journal in Everett, Washington.

She'll be writing about my favorite topic: how small businesses can get free publicity.

"Her practical insights into how to publicize a company’s products, services and achievements in the news media convinced us that she had valuable views that could benefit the readers, "says John Wolcotte, her editor.

If Nancy's experience is similar to that of other freelance newspaper columnists, I'm guessing that she'll have more business for her PR practice than she can handle. What a great way to attract clients.

Nancy, by the way, did something else to bring in more business. She published two tips booklets called "97 Powerful Ways to Profit from Free Publicity" and "50 Powerful Publicity Resources to Build Your Business." Her ideas are fabulous, and I wish I had written these. They're $5 each for the electronic download or $6 each for the printed booklets. You can learn more about them at http://tinyurl.com/o3n2r

If you're a PR practitioner who needs more clients, publicity expert Marcia Yudkin and I can help. We recorded a one-hour teleseminar called "24 Ways to Attract Clients to Your PR Practice," and it includes something for everybody, whether you're a sole proprietor or a big PR agency. It's available as aCD or electronic transcript, and both include a complete list of all 24 ideas you can start using today. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/8txj8


=================================
4. Catch Bloggers' Attention
=================================

If you're trying to get your product, service, cause or issue in front of influential bloggers, or even those who don't have a big following, there's one excellent way to get their attention.

Blog.

That's the very best way to tell them: "I get it. I understand what you do. I'm passionate about a topic, just like you are. And I invest the time, just like you do, to tell the world about it."

That's the advice from Patsi Krakoff, who with Denise Wakeman comprises The Blog Squad. Patsi and Denise joined me two weeks ago for a teleseminar called "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and Create a Publicity Explosion."

What if you don't blog?

That's OK. There are still lots of ways you can convince bloggers to spread the word about you. And a critical step before you even approach a blogger is to do your research and hang out at their blog for at least a week or two reading their posts, and also reading the comments so you have a feel for what the blogger likes and dislikes and whether the blogger likes pitches. Post your own comments--several times, preferably.

Then when you've gotten their attention, you can deliver your pitch. But don't make your pitch part of your comments, or you're toast. We explained exactly how to do it on the CD or electronic transcript called "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and Create a PublicityExplosion." Order at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


==================================
5. Promoting Music for Babies
==================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have ideas for Adam Adelman of Fairfax, California who wants to know how to promote classical music on CDs for babies. He and his wife sell the CDs at http://www.JunoBaby.com


From Paul Holley:

"One word: Radio!

"Get in front of promotional directors and radio hosts (from highbrow on down). Offer music samples to be played on air; offer yourselves as interview topics. Public radio will love this, but so will other formats." (See "How to Get Booked on NationalPublic Radio" at http://tinyurl.com/ayms6 and learn which shows are best for your topic.)


From John Easton:

"Send copies of your products to reporters, editors, show hosts, etc. who have children. The quality of your work is outstanding and, I'm sure that as parents, these media personalities will see your offering in a much different light than the standard media pitch."


From Renee Wikstrom:

"Contact your local symphony. Many have educational programs for young people. Help them find a sponsor to perform your music in a concert filled with young kids and their parents. I'm the Development/Marketing Director of The Long Bay Symphony in MyrtleBeach and I find that companies are easier to sell if kids are involved. Our symphony plays a concert each year for the county’s 5th graders, the year before kids begin in Band. And we have sponsors for it. Your local symphony might be able to reach many people for you."

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/qlj94


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

Publicity Hound Jean Logan of Alexandria, Virginia writes:

"I work for a very small nonprofit called the Blue Frontier Campaign. We are building a grassroots movement for ocean and coastal health (we call it the Seaweed Rebellion). We try to teach people that the actions they take in their everyday lives affect ocean health, from the food you eat to the fertilizer you use.

"We have a new book called 50 Ways to Save the Ocean. It's written by journalist David Helvarg, has a foreword by Philippe Cousteau, and is illustrated by Jim Toomey, creator of the Sherman’s Lagoon cartoon strip. It has a great cover and is a very easy read, crammed with lots of specific tips that people can use.

"We have been working very hard to get national media, but have found that the current interest in global warming is freezing us out since the media seems to have a problem addressing more than one issue at a time. We are also trying to figure out a way to make educators aware of the book--it would fit very well into an ocean science curriculum for kids.

"Obviously we’d like to sell books because the profits come back to Blue Frontier so that we can continue our grassroots work. More importantly, we think this book can really make a difference for our oceans, if we can get enough people to read it and think about the choices they make.

"Can your Hounds help us figure out 50 ways to get more publicity for 50 Ways to Save the Ocean?"


The Publicity Hound says: I can't promise 50 ideas, but I'm sure that after my Hounds weigh in, you'll be busy for months adopting the ones they do suggest. Hounds can post ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/qrwus


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

"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull asled 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 fewgood laughs.

BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50 best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
---------------------------------------------------------------

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

October 31, 2006: West Bend, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin, part of the "Adding to Your Organization's Toolbox--Media and Public Relations" series, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Washington County, UW-Extension, Volunteer Center of Washington County and The United Way of Washington County. I'll present "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast & Online Publicity" for nonprofits from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a media panel. Over lunch, from 11:30 until 1, I'll present "How to Write Powerful Press Releases." Registration is $35 for the first session and $8 for the luncheon session on press releases. To register, and to submit a press release that you'd like me to rewrite for the second class, contact Dan Anhalt at mailto:dan.anhalt@uwc.edu or(262) 335-5218.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Details pending.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive free by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."

If you like these tips, please pass them on to your friends, clients and colleagues.

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The Publicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me you want to subscribe.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® will never distribute your address to anyone.

Period.

Promise.

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

Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
Port Washington, WI 53074
U.S.A.

Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central)
Fax: 262-284-1737