Publicity gift/My gift to you December 26, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #326 - Dec. 26, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 27,671

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

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

1. My Gift to You

2. Woo the New Congress

3. Odd-looking Products

4. Media Lead

5. Promoting a Boomer Blog

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

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

If you're determined to ratchet up your publicity campaign next year, here's something that can help you.

It's "The Best of The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week of 2006," an ebook that's my holiday gift to all of you. It includes the best 24 tips from this past year, the ones that generated the biggest response from readers.

And it will serve as a valuable reminder of some of the things you need to do to really create a buzz next year like:

--Create or update your online media room or press kit

--Compile a list of the most influential bloggers that blog on your topic, then pitch them

--Think beyond the "adult angle" when pitching. Can your pitch be tweaked and turned into a story that would appeal to parents, or can you turn the pitch into one with a kids' angle?

--An easy way to double your media placements

--Offer statistics to journalists so they can create things like maps, bar charts and pie charts to accompany their stories

--Tie your story to celebrities, an almost guaranteed way to generate instant publicity.

You can download the ebook at http://tinyurl.com/y4dnwr

Almost 4,000 people downloaded my "Best of" ebook from 2005. If, by chance, you've missed it, you can find it at http://tinyurl.com/y3w4za

If you blog or publish an ezine, by all means regift the ebook to your own fans. They'll love you for it. Just give them those two links. Or send them to my blog for a full explanation of the ebooks at http://tinyurl.com/yysrnk

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year. Make 2007 your best publicity year ever.


=================================
2. Woo the New Congress
==================================

When the 110th U.S. Congress convenes January 3, congressmen will pretty much do whatever they can to hold onto their seats. And that means letting the folks back home think they're actually doing something.

John Persinos, author of the new book "The Confessions of an Ink-stained Wretch--an Insider's Secrets to Getting Press," says this is a perfect time start courting your members of Congress.

If you want them to play ball with your marketing message and lend prestige to your press release or event, you should follow five basic rules when dealing with a Congressional press office.

"If you want the congressman to accept a quote for attribution, use strong adjectives that convey the impression that he or she is a great leader," John says. "Don't be stingy with words such as 'bold' and 'visionary.'"

That might seem like an underhanded way to get publicity--writing a quote that people think came directly from the Congressman--but that's how it works in the world of politics. Anything you can do to make the job easy for the politicians' Congressional press offices will enhance your chances that they'll play along with you.

In the article that John wrote for the January/February issue of The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter, he mentions four more ways to woo the new Congress. The newsletter also includes articles on how to piggyback off "Do Business in Your Bathrobe Day," how to get your brand in front of thousands of people every week, how to form alliances for publicity, a phrase you shouldn't use when pitching because it's "old news," where to get a free special report for authors on website content, a Dallas/Fort Worth PR group that's forming, a new spa magazine, why non-journalists snoop in your online newsroom, how to blog your way to the first draft of a book, where to find a free podcast directory, where to find a free special report listing the biggest press release errors, how to pitch the editors of Redbook magazine, and January/February story ideas. All for $10.

Order it athttp://tinyurl.com/yml5d6


=================================
3. Odd-looking Products
==================================

If you sell a product that looks so odd that somebody couldn't immediately guess what it is, here's a great opportunity that could result in some national TV publicity.

It's courtesy of Publicity Hound Julie Berry, a publicist from LaPorte, Indiana who saw the item here last week about how I want to come back in my second life as The Food Network's Rachael Ray.

Julie says "The Rachel Ray Show" on CBS has a segment called "Stump Rach." It features a celebrity who pairs up with Rachael and tries to guess what a strange-looking product actually is used for.

The LightKeeper Pro, a product made by one of Julie's clients, was featured on the Dec. 20 show. It's designed to solve the frequent problems associated with miniature light sets and bulbs. By simply plugging your light set into the LightKeeper Pro and pressing the trigger, most problems will be fixed automatically. You can see what it looks like at http://lightkeeperpro.com/ (I think it looks like a hand-held vacuum.)

"The celebrity was Kathy Lee Gifford who presented the gadgets to Rachael and asked her to guess," Julie said. "We were up last and Kathy Lee was going on and on about how she couldn't believe this product and she wanted to see for herself and what a miracle gadget it was."

Rachael was indeed stumped. But she liked the product so much she told the audience she wanted to keep it for herself and stuck it into her side pocket. The show was pre-empted in most of the U.S. because of President Bush's televised speech, but Julie says the entire show will be rebroadcast on Thursday, December 28.

"Now we'll just have to wait to see how this all translates into sales. But needless to say, my client is very happy," Julie said." This type of exposure is enormous and we didn't have to send a team to New York City to do the segment or spend anything beyond the cost of the product and, of course, shipping."

Check out the long list of stories that Rachael Ray's producers are working on at http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/?q=be-on-the-show

But don't forget about all the other big morning gab-fests like the "Today" show and "Good Morning America."

Publicist Lissa Warren explains how to get onto those big morning shows which are always looking for interesting, timely or controversial guests or products. Her tips are available on a CD or electronic transcript called "How to Get on the Morning TV Talk Shows." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ab86x


=================================
4. Media Leads
=================================

--Carolyn Chambers Clark, a nurse psychotherapist, is gathering information for a book on sexual problems people have encountered in life and what to do about them. "I'm looking for people willing to share their problems or someone else's they know about, anonymously of course, and I will provide the answers of what to do. Email her at mailto:cccwellness@earthlink.net


==================================
5. Promoting a Boomer Blog
==================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips for Lois Cater Fay, who wants ideas on how to promote a blog for Baby Boomer women.

From Abigail Beal:

"Create an award that you can give out to blogs you like that are for fellow Boomer women. This award will make readers curious about your website. Of course you could include links or a blogroll to their blogs at your blog, and they would link to you as well."

From Amber Miner:

"Submit your blog to numerous blog-specific directories which will drive traffic your way. This is an advantage over traditional websites.

"Consider creating a Squidoo lens, linking back to your blog and yet another way to present yourself as an expert in your field. Go to http://www.squidoo.com/"


From Thom Reece:

"Get in touch with George and Marilyn Wallace. They have two article directories that seem nicely matched to your needs--http://www.retirementlivingarticledirectory.com/ and http://www.writerspenarticledirectory.com/. George and Marilyn are two retired educators who are teaching others how to enjoy an active and profitable retirement by using their article writing skills to promote whatever business or cause they are involved with. Great content is the fuel that drives all online businesses and the marriage of your blog and their article directories seems like a natural for both of you."

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/y3qzd7


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

Publicity Hound Kare Anderson writes:

"I am co-founder of a new business that's going public in January, called SavvyHer at http://www.savvyher.com/. It's the only online community for women age 45 and older to contribute tips for making their lives easier and more joyful. They can even be recognized and rewarded with gifts from sponsors each month, when the community votes their tips Most Popular.

"Members' tips may include photos or video. All contributions are moderated to keep the network free from porn, spam or other content not in keeping with the spirit of SavvyHer.

"Membership and eNewsletter subscription is free for this sponsor-supported network where there is a firewall between our content and our sponsors. It includes a tagged Directory of Tips and Members, weekly e-newsletter, monthly poll, and annual Best of SavvyHer book.

"This is a great showplace for people to demonstrate their expertise or highlight their book, cause or other interest. We need ideas on how to promote this website."

The Publicity Hound says: Kare, be sure to read all the answers to Lois Carter Fay's question from last week at http://tinyurl.com/y3qzd7. Hounds with great ideas for Kare can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/yj9d5l

Also, Kare, start blogging on your topic. Then link from the blog to the subscription website. You should pitch influential women bloggers whose audiences are also in the 45+ age range. See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


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

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions Made by Dogs:

10. Have a torrid one-night stand with a street mutt.

9. Try to understand that the cat is Venus and I am from Mars.

8. I will no longer be beholden to the sound of the can opener.

7. Circulate petition that leg humping be a juried competition in major dog shows.

6. Call PETA and tell them what that surgical-mask-wearing freak does to us when no one is

around.

5. Take time from busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds.

4. Grow a thumb, break into pantry, and decide for MYSELF how much food is "too" much.

3. Kill the sock! Must kill the sock!

2. Jan. 2 - Dec. 31: Re-live victory over the sock.

1. I will not chase the darned stick unless I see it leave his hand.

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

Tag, I'm it; 5 things you didn't know about me
http://tinyurl.com/wlpyl

Write press releases for readers, not clients
http://tinyurl.com/yxndfg

Prepare for TV/radio interviews via Toastmasters
http://tinyurl.com/vgf8u

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. Look under the "Topics" arrow on the right side of the blog to find the category you need.

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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

January 22, 2007:

Attention Artists--Frustrated that your art "business" is nothing more than an expensive hobby? Worried about how to become recognized, exhibited, and paid for your art? Feel like there's too much competition, too few buyers and not enough energy left at the end of the day to market like you need to?

You're not alone. That's why Ariane Goodwin will be hosting the global smARTist TeleSummit 2007, a week-long teleconference in January with a dozen art-career experts telling artists everything they need to know about marketing, from exactly when and how to sneak up on a museum for an exhibition, to which presentation materials mark you as a creative professional and which ones scream "amateur." I'm presenting from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 22. For complete information on how you can participate, go to http://tinyurl.com/ymcvu8 Spaces are already filling up fast.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get 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 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® 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/Be the next Rachael Ray December 19, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #324 - Dec. 19, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 27,207

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

********************************************
A Gift for Your Artist:

Everybody, it seems, knows somebody who's an artist. That somebody, unfortunately, is probably struggling to sell paintings, artistic clothing, photos, lawn sculptures, etchings, garden art, jewelry, furniture, folk art, prints or carvings.

Give the artist in your life a special gift this year--admission to the smARTist Tele-summit 2007, a series of telephone conferences with a dozen art experts who will explain how to turn a struggling art business into a thriving revenue stream.

It's hosted by art marketing expert Ariane Goodwin, and I'm one of the 12 experts who will be sharing our best tips. If you don't know your artist well enough to buy admission to the conference, at least tell them about tonight's complimentary telephone call with Ariane and her guest, Michael Woodward, the mover and shaker who created and sold the concept of art licensing to corporations in the 1970s. Without him, Hallmark would still be sitting on millions of dollars of original art.

Another complimentary call, this time with The Publicity Hound, will be on Thursday, Jan. 11. Your artist can sign up for either call and download a list of 61 art marketing tips at http://tinyurl.com/yxopuo
*********************************************
================================
In This Issue
================================

1. Be the Next Rachael Ray

2. Travel Publicity

3. Your 2007 Media Plan

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Horticulture Degree

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. Be the Next Rachael Ray
==================================

If I could die and come back as somebody else, I'd come back as Rachael Ray.

I'm not much of a TV watcher, but I'm a diehard foodie. And I'm in love with The Food Network and its cute, perky and most popular personality. At a wedding shower I attended Sunday, everybody was yacking about her. It was Rachael this and Rachael that, much of the afternoon.

Like most TV celebs, she worked her way up, first as a clerk at the candy counter at Macy's to a variety of food-related jobs. In Schenectady, New York, she started teaching classes on the concept of getting dinner on the table in half an hour. It caught on, and the classes moved to a chain of local grocery stores, then onto the set of a Schenectady television station.

In 2001, a Food Network executive heard Rachael on an upstate public radio show, then saw her that same week on the "Today" show when she launched her first book. After the "Today" appearance, the Food Network signed her to a $360,000 contract to teach America what she had been teaching the folks upstate.

Today, at age 38, Rachael Ray has four TV shows on the Food Network, a daytime talk show, her own magazine, 11 books with more than 4.5 million in print, and her own line of olive oil and kitchen gear. In May, Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People.

Oh, I forgot to mention her mentor--Oprah Winfrey. Oprah seldom appears on other people's shows but paid a surprise visit on the set when Rachael's talk show debuted in September.

It proves what I've been hearing for years--that the networks go trolling for new personalities by checking out local TV shows even in small markets. And that public radio can serve as a great launching pad for someone who dreams of having a show in one of the Top 20 markets.

If TV and radio execs go looking for the next Rachael Ray in your community, will you be among the contestants? If not, create your own TV show. Then, if your topic is a good fit, try to get booked as a guest on National Public Radio.

I interviewed two experts who know how to do just that.

Publicist Robert Smith of Rockford, Illinois explained how hec reated his own national TV show on a tight budget, chose which markets he wanted it aired in, and used the show to lure PR clients. You can learn all his tricks on the CD or electronic transcript called "How to Get Your Own National TV Show for Less Than $400 a Month" at http://tinyurl.com/y4by43

If you want to get onto NPR, check out the helpful tips from book publicist Lissa Warren, who explains how to navigate the public radio labyrinth and pinpoint exactly which shows feature guests with your expertise. It's called "How to Get Booked on National Public Radio" and you can read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/ayms6

Both interviews are available as CDs or electronic transcripts that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

=================================
2. Travel Publicity
==================================

Here's a valuable tip for anyone who has a product, service, cause, issue or destination that would be of interest to tourists, or people who travel. Pitch journalists, websites and publishing companies that serve this audience.

For example, when the Nebraska Division of Tourism learned that author Janet Friedman was looking for information about quirky, offbeat attractions for her guidebook called "Eccentric America--Weird, Wacky, and Outrageously Fun Things to See and Do in theUSA," they contacted her immediately. As a result, the book features 13 Nebraska sites and garnered fabulous publicity for a destination many people consider nothing more than a fly-over state.

The department learned about her guidebook through Travel Publicity Leads, a subscription service that passes along weekly leads from a wide variety of journalists, freelancers, authors and others looking for travel-related sources and photos.

Subscribers also have access to the 2007 editorial calendars for 125 consumer and trade travel publications around the world, including detailed contact information and deadlines.

A subscription includes the "Top 100 Travel Media Directory" on CD. Not sure if you want to subscribe? Take a test drive by signing up for 10 free issues, then decide if you like it.

Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/qdsgs


=================================
3. Your 2007 Media Plan
==================================

Many of you have emailed me the last few weeks asking for guidance on how to create a 2007 media plan.

Here's the 60-second answer:

--Create what I call your "Top 25 Media Hit List." These are online and offline media that reach your target audience and are a perfect fit with your topic. You might have fewer or more than 25. The number isn't important. But it's better to target fewer media outlets instead of more, so you can spend time forming strong relationships with media people.

--Identify one person at each outlet as your main contact.

--Research each media outlet by visiting their websites, watching the programs or reading the publications. For newspapers and magazines, refer to their 2007 editorial calendars.

--Create a list of story ideas that each media outlet would be interested in and customize each idea as much as possible.

--Then start pitching.

For most Publicity Hounds, the hardest part is creating the list of story ideas. Help is on the way.

My friend, TV reporter Shawne Duperon, joined me during two teleseminars in which we brainstormed a total of 219 story ideas from January through December. Some of them work better for TV, and some work better for print. Many of the ideas apply across all industries. Some are industry-specific.

We encourage you to steal as many ideas as you need so you can create a 2007 media plan fairly quickly and get a jump on your competitors. Each recording is available as a CD and comes with a downloadable list of all the ideas for those six months, for easy reference.

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

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


=================================
4. Media Leads
=================================

--The Wisconsin Alumni Association is looking for people with degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison who have jobs or do work that benefit the state's economy. The stories will appear either in On Wisconsin, the alumni magazine, or at the Alumni for Wisconsin website. Contact Candice Gaukel-Andrews at mailto:CandyAndrews@uwalumni.com


--Candice Gaukel-Andrews is also an author and freelance nature/travel writer who needs sources for her second book called "Exploring Wisconsin's Forests." She wants to hear from people who work in the forests, or from anyone who has had a great forest experience while hiking, skiing or hunting. Mailto:CandyAndrews@uwalumni.com

--Donna Maria Coles Johnson is looking for guests for her weekly radio show, the "Lifestyle CEO Show," which airs each Monday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on GlobalTalkRadio.com. She wants to hear from guests who can share practical advice for women entrepreneurs who are also mothers. Mailto:donnamaria@windstream.net You can see a sample of past shows at http://www.lifestyleceo.com/radiotv/radio.asp


--Marie Y. Lemelle, a columnist for Save the Date magazine in southern California, says she got great response from Hounds when I posted her query for interesting products to review for its "Lifestyle Section" several weeks ago. But now she needs more products for Valentine's Day such as unusual shoes, watches, cute tech gadgets, and practical tech gadgets (compact) like cameras, videocameras, clock radios, Ipods, MP3s, car radios, DVD players, laptops for travel, etc. She's also seeking fashion, jewelry and gadgets for men. Read more about the magazine at http://tinyurl.com/yfx7l4 and contact her at mailto:platinumstarpr@aol.com


--Paul Thornton is writing a book on "Dealing with Difficult People." He's focusing on six types of people including the aggressive, perfectionist, rescuer, pessimist, victim and procrastinator, and including comments from people who have used an effective approach or technique when dealing with each type. Send your comments to Mailto:PThornton@stcc.edu


==================================
5. Promoting a Horticulture Program
==================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio. Elaine asked for advice on how to market the 4-year bachelor's degree in horticulture at Ohio State University. It's competing with two-year colleges that also offer horticulture degrees.


From Natalie Nathan:

"As a movie buff, I was fascinated to learn in the movie 'Sideways' that wine making was a study in the field of horticulture. There are many wine makers in New England, with more establishing themselves as winemakers every year. This field must be booming in other parts of the U.S. Perhaps if you provided more information as to the possibilities in the field of horticulture, people would pursue degrees in this area."


From Gary Knowles:

"Given the enormous success of your football team and the millions of dollars in TV exposure it brings your school, I'd suggest you mount a popular petition campaign to rename your mascot after some good-for-you vegetable--like carrots, brussels sprouts or kidney beans. There's no color commentator alive who could resist an extended discussion of why OSU changed its mascot...Of course, they'd have lots of fun with it. You'd have to learn to believe that playing the Ohio State Sprouts, or Beaners, or Niblets would put fear in your opponents' hearts."


From Mark Forstneger:

"Perhaps there is a 'green' environmental tie-in? I have a good friend who is a landscape architect and has a degree in horticulture. He says most landscape architects and/or the landscape companies people hire to landscape their yards, don't have this degree and don't understand the science behind plants. Here in Chicago, 'the city in a garden,' there is a big push for environmental landscaping such as 'green roofs' and efforts to transform former industrial sites into green areas. This might bean emerging occupation in the future and something you can tie into? Just a thought."


The Publicity Hound says: Set up one or more Google Alerts for keyword phrases that tie into your horticulture program. If you don't know how to do this, Terry Brock provides instructions in this short video at http://tinyurl.com/c82rm Once you know which bloggers are writing about these topics, you can post comments to their blogs, or pitch information that ties into your horticulture program. See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/w7yb5


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

Lois Carter Fay of Massanutten, Virginia writes:

"I just started a new blog, BoomerWomenBlog.com, that combines marketing ideas with Boomer Women. It's also set up to maintain contact with a women's group, Women's Forum, that I run in my local community. What's the best way to publicize my new blog and to generate heaps of traffic?"


The Publicity Hound says: If you recognize Lois' name, it's probably because she's one of the most frequent contributors to this section of the newsletter. She has helped dozens and maybe even hundreds of Hounds. So it would be nice to repay her with some of your great ideas. You can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/y3qzd7

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

Thanks to John Ross of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin for this one:

"I don't eat anything that a dog won't eat. Like sushi. Ever see a dog eat sushi? He just sniffs it and says, 'I don't think so.' And this is an animal that licks between its legs and sniffs fire hydrants."

-- Billiam Coronel


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

John Kremer offers media contacts
http://tinyurl.com/ygxft7

Publicity for dancers:
Online and offline tips
http://tinyurl.com/ylye8n


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. Look under the "Topics" arrow on the right side of the blog to find the category you need.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

January 22, 2007:

Attention Artists--Frustrated that your art "business" is nothing more than an expensive hobby? Worried about how to become recognized, exhibited, and paid for your art? Feel like there's too much competition, too few buyers and not enough energy left at the end of the day to market like you need to?

You're not alone. That's why Ariane Goodwin will be hosting the global smARTist TeleSummit 2007, a week-long teleconference in January with a dozen art-career experts telling artists everything they need to know about marketing, from exactly when and how to sneak up on a museum for an exhibition, to which presentation materials mark you as a creative professional and which ones scream "amateur." I'm presenting from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 22. For complete information on how you can participate, go to http://tinyurl.com/ymcvu8 Spaces arealready filling up fast.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get 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 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 handylist "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/Pan for gold at Amazon December 12, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #323 - Dec. 12, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
>http://www.PublicityHound.com
>http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 26,775

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

*************************************************
Let Journalists Critique Your Pitches:

Fern Reiss of Expertizing.com, one of the smartest Publicity Hounds I know, has a Rolodex of hundreds of journalists that would make anybody envious. She's willing to introduce you to them and is launching a program so they can review your pitches, critique them and consider covering you.

"They're ready to hear your news--and have agreed to consider you for their pieces, or to tell you why your pitch was inappropriate for their publication. At worst, you'll learn why your pitches aren't succeeding--valuable information in formulating new publicity strategies--and make contact with hundreds of new journalists that you can approach again. At best, you'll get coverage in dozens of top publications."

The journalists cover a variety of beats and areas, ranging from high-tech to health, but the primary focus will be on journalists covering business such as those from Inc. magazine, Fortune, BusinessWeek and Harvard Business Review, plus lifestyle journalists at magazines like Glamour, Redbook and Reader's Digest. Every four to six weeks, she'll introduce you to a literary agent. This fee-based service includes pitching tips, interviews with the journalists before you pitch, and complete contact info so you can be in touch with them even after the program ends.

Learn more at >http://www.expertizing.com/forum.htm And please tell Fern I sent you. She'll take good care of you. Promise.

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

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

1. Pan for Gold at Amazon

2. A Press Release Journalists Love

3. Go in Style

4. Media Lead

5. Promoting a Job Service

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. Pan for Gold at Amazon
==================================

If you're trying to position yourself as an expert, hop on over to Amazon.com and start panning for gold.

The popular website where you can buy everything from books to wireless telephone service is one of the best places on the Internet to promote your expertise, get in front of a targeted audience of buyers, and really flaunt your stuff--even if you aren't selling anything. That's because Amazon gives you 17 ways to show what you know.

Just ask Don Mitchell. The management consultant ranks as theNumber One non-fiction book reviewer on Amazon. He's so well-known by business authors that he's flooded with galleys and new books from eager publishers who literally beg him to offer his comments.

"I feel a little bit like the fellow at Sutter's Fort in California in the 1840s when he happened to bend down and spot this big gold nugget," Don said.

He started writing short book reviews on Amazon about 10 years ago, when his first book was published, and he was having such great response from Amazon customers that he kept writing reviews.

"Gradually, funny things started to happen. I started getting contacts from people who would ask me serious business questions. After a few emails back and forth, I would start to get clients this way. Who would have thought that a management consulting firm would attract CEOs of large companies through writing book reviews on Amazon? It was the first tip-off to me that there was something really going on there."

Indeed.

He even reviewed his competitors' books. And not all the reviews were positive. But that's what helps build the buzz online, and draw traffic to the review.

Because Amazon lets you create a profile for yourself and link back to your website, that translates into controversy and buzz that draws more traffic. And more big-contract consulting assignments for people like Don.

Amazon also lets you post articles. So you can recycle all those how-to articles that you've been writing for online article directories and your own website, and post them on relevant book pages on Amazon that tie into the same topic.

Is that cool or what?

Don met Randy Gilbert years ago on the Amazon website and the two have become experts at how to use Amazon to promote yourself and your business. They let me grill them about their Amazon strategy and how they use it to create sales leads. I recorded the interview and it's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

This is an update of an earlier interview we did four years ago, because so much has changed at Amazon since then. Read more about what you'll learn at >http://tinyurl.com/ycl38b


=================================
2. A Press Release Journalists Love
==================================

Whenever I hear a journalist talking about a particular press release, she's usually making fun of it because the writing is so lame.

But when a magazine editor emails me and begs me to read a press release that's so incredibly clever, I just have to share it with you.

Thanks to Publicity Hound Leigh Ann Hubbard of Colorado Springs, Colorado, managing editor of "My Family Doctor: The Magazine That Makes Housecalls" for pointing out the fun press release at >http://tinyurl.com/ygfoxx It promotes an online gourmet food store.

"I thought it was brilliant," she said. "The quote from the'cart-weary customer' is awesome, too. As a journalist who wades through dozens of press releases a day, I appreciate the occasional humorous one. It catches my eye."

I'm not suggesting that if you have an online store that you can parrot the opening of this press release. Rather, I offer it only as an example of how to use humor in a release and really catch the reader's attention.

Here's betting that 9 out of 10 other writers would have written something like this:
"Net-gourmet.com, a cutting-edge, multi-platform solution provider for blah-blah-blah...today announced blan-blah-blah...."

The writer would have followed with a B.S. quote from the CEO about how "delighted" and "pleased" they are to blah-blah-blah...

Yuck.

If you need more ideas on how to inject humor into press releases, write them for consumers as well as journalists, and turn crummy releases into fabulous ones, sign up for my f*ree press release writing course called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" at >http://tinyurl.com/ydwtdw It's an intensive 89-day course that's the equivalent of getting a master's degree in press release writing and distribution.

If you don't have 89 days to spend learning, find out what David Meerman Scott has to say about "The New Rules of Press Releases" at http://tinyurl.com/ndwfo


=================================
3. Go in Style
==================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Kathi Petersen for calling this one to my attention.

If you're visiting New York City for the holidays and you've just gotta go, stop in at the Charmin Restrooms at Broadway & 46th Street on Times Square.

It's a swanky storefront that offers the ultimate bathroom experience with 20 clean and comfortable deluxe restrooms--complete with fully-staffed attendants who clean the stalls after every use. Other amenities include two baby-changing stations, stroller parking, seating areas, tourist information, and even aroma therapy.

An estimated 15.3 million people will visit the Big Apple this holiday season--a city that's notorious for its lack of public restrooms. The Charmin potties are open until December 31, giving thousands of people the chance to try Charmin Ultra bathroom tissue.

Gigunda Group, Inc. created the branding campaign, with PR assistance from MS&L, a public relations firm. Gigunda's Tim Collins, senior account executive, says the New York Times has written five stories on the campaign, USA Today has written three, and the restrooms were featured on "Good Morning, America" and the "Today" show, as well as many other top-tier media outlets.

But here's what really makes The Publicity Hound smile.

Employees at the restrooms track every visitor and make note of where they live. Then the PR folks contact the media outlets in some of those towns and pitch "the local angle" to the Times Square story. That means even more publicity in hundreds of small newspapers and on TV stations all across America. You can check the Flush-o-Meter at >http://tinyurl.com/yb6d5k to see how many people have visited from your state or country. (If you're at work, turn down your speakers.)

If you can't afford a high-budget campaign like this one, you can at least learn some valuable lessons about how to stage special events. I love the use of humor, the Flush-o-Meter, and the interactive "Roll Toss Game" for people who can't make it to New York.

Debra J. Schmidt, who planned and hosted dozens of creative special events when she worked at a Milwaukee TV station, teamed up with me to record 6 CDs on "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events." It's also available as an electronic transcript, and each package includes 15 can't-do-without checklists for event planners, from things you must know if you're serving alcohol to an event budget work sheet so you don't spend more than you have. Read more about what you'll learn and download three sample checklists at >http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


=================================
4. Media Leads
=================================

--Terri Benincasa is writing a book called "Is That My Light at the End of the Tunnel?" She says "it's for and about Baby Boomers and details the way we’ve taken our great ideas of the 60s and 70s to dysfunctional extremes, resulting in many of the societal problems we all experience today--and how to fix them." She's looking for Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, or the child, parent or friend of a Boomer, who is aware of how the Boomer's ideas and values of the Boomer years have affected who they are today, and how and why they've lost those ideals. Mailto:terri@baccinc.com

If you're a journalist looking for sources, an author gathering information for your next book, or a broadcaster who needs certain kinds of guests, send your media lead to mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=MediaLead If you're a broadcaster who charges guests for sponsorships, or guests have to pay to be on your show, that doesn't qualify as the kind of media lead I'd include here.


==================================
5. Promoting a Job Service
==================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have ideas for Teri Arnold of Chesapeake, Virginia. She needs help promoting a small local non-profit that helps people with severe developmental disabilities find employment.


From Carolyn Chambers Clark:

"Consider writing a weekly developmental disabilities article on one of the major educational web sites: Bellaonline.com, Suite101.com, etc. It’s easy to build up your circulation to 100,000 viewers in a year and millions if you keep at it. The more articles you write, the more traffic you pull in. Each of these web sites has 'Contact us' or 'Looking for writers' at the top of their home page."

(The Publicity Hound says: "How to Write How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines & Trade Journals" at >http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb includes a handy template on how to write these articles.)

From Nancy Froio:

"What if your organization initiates an annual award, national and/or local, for the companies that are being blessed with your services. Like a good neighbor award, or along those lines. You could hold a fundraiser luncheon, presentation, and invite the media."

From John Easton:

"I would canvass some of the firms that currently support you. Some of the larger firms may have internal or outsourced PR resources that, if politely prompted, may initiate a campaign to promote the work their organization is doing with you. I have done this with great success with our local chamber of commerce. My time courting the press is limited, so my relationships are not as deep as those who do this for a living."

Read all the responses at >http://tinyurl.com/yf72wv

Paul Hartunian offers dozens more ideas on "Failproof Publicity Tips for Your Nonprofit" at >http://tinyurl.com/29dba


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

Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio writes:

"Agriculture colleges across the U.S. are experiencing low enrollment rates, especially in the area of horticulture. This is mainly due to the cost of a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree. Also, many two-year community colleges now offer this major. How can a department in a major land grant university, Ohio State, attract these students back to their four-year programs by increasing enrollment in these horticulture departments? Do your Hounds have any specific ideas for ways to publicize what we offer?


The Publicity Hound says: I know there are lots of PR people from college and universities among the ranks of my Hounds. So lets hear those great ideas. You can post them to my blog at >http://tinyurl.com/w7yb5 Also see "Special Report #15: Publicity Tips for Schools, Colleges & Universities" at >http://tinyurl.com/olqx4

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

Top 10 Things Overheard 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 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 again? 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...
================================

Publicity tips for construction trade mags
>http://tinyurl.com/ym9xae

Stuart Elliot, NYT ad columnist, offers tips
>http://tinyurl.com/ydwfah

Writing tip: Make statistics come alive
>http://tinyurl.com/ybwqrn


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. Look under 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®

January 22, 2007:

Attention Artists--Frustrated that your art "business" is nothingmore than an expensive hobby? Worried about how to becomerecognized, exhibited, and paid for your art? Feel like there'stoo much competition, too few buyers and not enough energy leftat the end of the day to market like you need to?

You're not alone. That's why Ariane Goodwin will be hosting the global smARTist TeleSummit 2007, a week-long teleconference in January with a dozen art-career experts telling artists everything they need to know about marketing, from exactly when and how to sneak up on a museum for an exhibition, to which presentation materials mark you as a creative professional and which ones scream "amateur." I'm presenting from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 22. For complete information on how you can participate, go to >http://tinyurl.com/ymcvu8 Spaces are already filling up fast.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get 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 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® 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/Pitch holiday controversy December 5, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #322 - Dec. 5, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 25,584

=====================================
"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.
*************************************************

Attention Experts:

If you're trying to position yourself as an expert in your field, you should be cranking out press releases that offer helpful advice and comment on controversial topics. This is one of my NewYear's resolutions for my own business. But press release distribution can get expensive. That's why I recommend a subscription-based service that lets you write and distribute 52 press releases a year and be included in an experts database that's searched by journalists.

The end-of-the-year deadline is nearing for the 2007 Yearbook of Experts, with free use of News Release Wire. Double the regular Publicity Hound discount of $100, and lock in 20 percent off their full price of $995 when you enter: "20 percent off by Publicity Hound" in the special offer box at http://www.Experclick.com/create Or call their office at 202-333-5000 and ask for the 20 percent off Publicity Hound special. You can save on large size listings, too.
*************************************************

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

1. Pitch Holiday Controversy

2. The Beauty of Snow Storms

3. Selling Art on eBay

4. Media Lead

5. Promoting an Ebook on Fit Families

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. Pitch Holiday Controversy
==================================

The traditional media, as well as new media like bloggers, are looking for controversial holiday stories.

If you're willing to jump into the fray, consider pitching these:

--Children 10 and younger are pestering their parents to buy them cell phones for Christmas. But does a 10-year-old need one? Retailers, parenting experts, telecommunications companies, safety experts and others can weigh in. PC World published anarticle on this topic at http://tinyurl.com/tjvpx

--Regifting. Lots of people are doing it without apology or embarrassment. Etiquette experts and others can comment on whether regifting is tacky or practical, and tips to follow if you're regifting. For example, a friend regifted a book to me a few years ago. Not a problem. But she was apparently unaware that her mother, who gave her the book as a gift several years earlier, wrote a personal message to my friend on a blank page in the front of the book. (See the cover story on regifting in the Nov. 24-26 issue of USA Weekend magazine)

--Gift cards. Some people are insulted when they receive them. But I love getting them. Any practical tips to pass along about the types of gift cards that are OK and those that are tacky? Or is the whole idea repulsive? By the way, the Better Business Bureau warns gift-givers about the scam in which thieves "steal" balances from gift cards--thus making the gift-cards you give to others worthless. You can read about it at http://tinyurl.com/y7yhl9

--The "keep the Christ in Christmas" squabble is raging once again. Radio talk shows, especially, love this topic because it generates heat and makes blood boil on both sides of the debate.

--The office party. Should women wear clothing to the office party that they wouldn't wear to work? How much booze is too much booze? Career experts and others can share horror stories about how people have put their jobs in jeopardy because of the way they've acted at this annual event. Is there any way to recover if you've made a pass at your boss while drunk?

--Annual brag letters. Do you cringe when you receive a "year in review" letter from someone? Or do you appreciate the update? Are these letters inconsiderate, or a practical way of staying in touch? Etiquette experts can offer guidelines for writing them. Anyone who has received them can weigh in.

If you're pitching a story to the media, or serving as an expertsource on these topics or others, don't just have a transaction with the media. Turn it into a relationship. In the interview I did with George McKenzie, I looked back on my 22 years working in four newsrooms and shared the most helpful things that my sources did to build relationships with me and other journalists on my staffs.

You'll learn how to get a journalist's attention, offer your expertise, and stay on their radar screens again and again without looking like a pest. This is my very favorite interview. It's called "Get Free Publicity in Print" and it's also available as an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/4kpmx


=================================
2. The Beauty of Snow Storms
==================================

The first snow storm in the Midwest on Friday closed schools, snarled traffic, caused numerous power outages and canceled flights for people like Publicity Hound Robert Smith, a PR guy in Rockford, Illinois.

But Robert couldn't have been happier. The Chicago Bureau of Forbes magazine had called him only 20 minutes after he emailed this note to about 300 reporters in Chicago, where snow canceled several hundred flights at O'Hare.

Subject: Re: Weather-related business stories

Dear Journalist,

If you need weather-related stories with a business angle, please email us today.
Do you need anything in particular?

Story ideas:

--How to avoid having bad weather hurt your sales and your business. Interview leading experts and business owners who do better when the weather is bad. (They don't own weather-related companies.)

--Strategies companies use to keep their employees who fight through horrible weather in a good mood.

Warm Regards,

Robert Smith
815-633-3375

"Of course, I have clients who tie in to those story ideas," Robert told me. "I use your strategy of asking the media 'How canI help you?' However, I tied it into the weather since airports are shut down."

I've been preaching for years that most Publicity Hounds miss the chance to do what Robert did: piggyback stories off the weather. It's a topic the media cover 365 days a year. Yet most Hounds don't think about weather tie-ins. So people like Robert get al lthe publicity.

That's why I wrote "Special Report #37: How to Tie Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue to the Weather" and included tips on who to call, how to pitch, enticing little extras to offer with your story, and sneaky ways to promote your product or service during floods, snowstorms and heat waves without making your pitch sound like a free commercial. Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/yna28c

By the way, if Robert's name sounds familiar, it's because he's the expert I interviwed recently on "How to Get Your Own National TV Show for Less Than $400 a Month." Stop waiting to be"discovered" by the networks. Instead, start creating your own national TV show with very little effort or budget. Read more about what you'll learn on this CD or electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/y4by43


==================================
3. Selling Art on eBay
==================================

When artist Susan Greaves of Redding, California saw that someone bought a Persian rug on eBay about about seven years ago, she told herself she'd never buy something that expensive without seeing it up close.

But that gave her an idea. If somebody would buy a Persian rug without actually being able to see it in person, they'd buy her oil paintings.

So she started offering them for sale on eBay, both as "Buy Now" items, and at auctions.

Her hunch was right. People started bidding and buying. In fact, a floral painting brought in a high bid of $800. The winning bidders? Senator and Mrs. John Edwards.

"With eBay, an artist can rope in all kinds of shoppers," she told me.

Today, eBay serves as a valuable strategy in Susan's marketing toolbox, and other artists selling everything from photos to jewelry can have the same good fortune.

Susan will be sharing more eBay strategies tonight during the free pre-conference call leading up to the weeklong smARTist Tele-summit 2007 in January. Join us tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time to hear her talk more about how she sells art on eBay.

Susan is joining me and 10 other art and marketing experts during the January tele-summit, which will be conducted entirely by telephone and hosted by art marketing expert Ariane Goodwin.

Frustrated that your art "business" is nothing more than an expensive hobby? Worried about how to become recognized, exhibited, and paid for your art? Feel like there's too much competition, too few buyers and not enough energy left at the end of the day to market like you need to?

If you can't make it on tonight's free call, you can still have access to the post-event recording online and get 61 smart marketing tips for artists. But only if you sign up at http://snipurl.com/SusanGreavesEbay

Want to learn more about the January event? Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/ymcvu8


=================================
4. Media Leads
=================================

--Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. are writing a book about Boomer women's relationships with their children. "We have a lot of material about college-age 'kidults' and beyond, but need more data about issues with teenagers. Canyour readers help by sharing some of their challenges? Your readers could go to http://hermentorcenter.com/ and click on Newsletter Library to see the length and flavor of the stories." Or email your thoughts about life with teenagers or boomerangs in about 300 words, to mailto:Mentors@HerMentorCenter.com byDecember 15.

--Author Yvonne Perry is writing a book about stem cell research. "I've received no response from letters, phone calls and emails I've sent trying to gather information from key people and organizations about this topic. I'm looking for direct contacts for an interview with the Christopher Reeve Foundation; Michael J. Fox Foundation; Senator Bill Frist; Former First Lady Nancy Reagan or sons Ron and Mike Reagan; Gov. Howard Dean, M.D., Chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Ken Mehlman, Chairman of the Republican National Committee; Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chairman, Republican National Committee; and incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Email contacts to mailto:write_on_yvonne@comcast.net

The Publicity Hound says: Contact Any Celebrity at http://tinyurl.com/lorvx lets you take a 7-day test drive for only $1. They provide contact information for celebrities, politicians and sports figures, as well as for their "inner circle" such as publicists and agents.

--Mary Castillo is writing an article about friends who may not think their newly pregnant buddy is mom material. "It's a controversial subject that everyone whispers about. I want to assure readers that sometimes we have good reason to wonder what our friends were thinking, and other times when people can surprise us. I'd like to talk to experts as well as people with good common sense and a wealth of experience. This is for her blog called "How to Survive Your Best Friend's Baby" http://bestfriendsbaby.blogspot.com/ The blog is the basis for a non-fiction book proposal. Mailto:MaryCast@yahoo.com


If you're a journalist looking for sources, an author gathering information for your next book, or a broadcaster who needs certain kinds of guests, send your media lead to mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=MediaLead If you're a broadcaster who charges guests for sponsorships, or guests have to pay to be on your show, that doesn't qualify as the kind of media lead I'd include here.


==================================
5. Promoting an Ebook on Fit Families
==================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have advice for Howie Jacobson of Durham, North Carolina on how he can promote and distribute a free ebook he wrote called "Uncle Howie's Fit Family Gift Guide 2007."


From Lois Carter Fay from www.MarketingIdeaShop.com:

"You can try working with the home-school associations. People who home-school their children seem to be more likely to look at alternative materials to educate their children. Perhaps you could co-brand the ebook with the home school association and get them to distribute it for you."


From Camie:

"Approach some of the kid-friendly gyms (ie. Little Gym, My Gym) and ask if they can include information about the ebook in their next eNewsletter. Even though December's may have gone out already, January is a perfect time for resolutions. These gyms are everywhere, and I'm sure the gyms are always looking for healthy information to juice up their eNewsletters."


From Garth Gibson:

"Find an enemy against family that's in the public view. Two old favorites come to mind. Madonna and Britney Spears. You could target a family newsletter focused on how to manage being famous and become a good parent all at the same time. I don't think there's a single newsletters like that.

"Madonna report/release:
8 Foods From Malawi Madonna Should Be Feeding Her Adopted Child

"Britney report/release:
Oops! 2 Parenting Techniques Britney Should Never Forget To Use On Her Naked Ambition Tour


The Publicity Hound says: See "Special Report #50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue" at http://tinyurl.com/3sa3j


Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/y6xl39


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

Teri Arnold of Chesapeake, Virginia writes:

"I work for a small local non-profit organization that helps people with severe developmental disabilities find employment. Our clients are people who most other people think either belong in institutions or in day programs where they literally do nothing all day long.

"With us, they earn a wage, gain independence, self-esteem and have a purpose in life. On top of that, it's good for the companies who employ the people we serve. People with severe disabilities desperately want to work, have a great work ethic and happily perform assembly-line type jobs most people do not want.

"I have had good success with local print media and some local TV and radio. I would love to get some national exposure for our life-changing, positive programs. Nothing we do is controversial or typically in the news. Any ideas on how to come up with a good hook?"

The Publicity Hound says: If you primarily serve the localc ommunity, national publicity isn't all that necessary. On the other hand, being able to show potential donors and others that USA Today wrote about you gives you enormous credibility. Hounds with great ideas on how Teri can get national publicity for her agency can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/yf72wv


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

This is from one of the older "Hollywood Squares" TV shows:

Peter Marshall: "When you pat a dog on the head, he usually wags his tail. What will a goose do?"

Paul Lynde: "Make him bark."


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

Media bias: God isn't welcome in the newsroom
http://tinyurl.com/yhglna


Publicists' tips booklet deadline Dec. 31
http://tinyurl.com/y6skyw


Media relations checklist for 2007
http://tinyurl.com/y33jr3


Press releases: Put 'em on steroids
http://tinyurl.com/yf2dpw


Forbes.com wants reader-generated content
http://tinyurl.com/yk8rn9


Tech trends podcast: What's hot in 2007
http://tinyurl.com/yhrjpv


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. Look under 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®

January 22, 2007:

Attention Artists--Frustrated that your art "business" is nothing more than an expensive hobby? Worried about how to become recognized, exhibited, and paid for your art? Feel like there's too much competition, too few buyers and not enough energy left at the end of the day to market like you need to?

You're not alone. That's why Ariane Goodwin will be hosting the global smARTist TeleSummit 2007, a week-long teleconference in January with a dozen art-career experts telling artists everything they need to know about marketing, from exactly when and how to sneak up on a museum for an exhibition, to which presentation materials mark you as a creative professional and which ones scream "amateur." I'm presenting from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 22. For complete information on how you can participate, go to http://tinyurl.com/ymcvu8 Spaces are already filling up fast.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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

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