Publicity tips/Library Uses Human U-Hauls March 27, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #339 - March 27, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com

http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 29,640

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

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

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


*******************************************************
Teleseminar Monday: How to Speak at Colleges & Universities

James Malinchak says many consultants, authors and other experts are too quick to dismiss speaking engagements at college campuses as low-paying, small-potato gigs.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Colleges are hungry for interesting speakers who can share advice with students, faculty and staff. In fact, most campuses include several people who are in a position to hire to you, and they have guaranteed budgets from sources such as student activity fees. But you must know how to locate them.

Find out how during a teleseminar at 8 PM Eastern Time on Monday, April 2. Learn more at http://snipurl.com/CollegeSpeakers

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

1. Library Uses Human U-Hauls

2. What Top TV Shows Want

3. Google Alerts

4. High Power, High Heels

5. How to Promote a New Age Book

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

=====================================
1. Library Uses Human U-Hauls
=====================================

When the Mount Kisco Public Library in Mount Kisco, New York needed to move its entire collection of books to a temporary location, it didn't call in a professional moving company.

What fun is that?

Instead, it created "The Great Mount Kisco Book Race," in which 17 teams of volunteers competed against each other on Saturday. Each team moved a 150-pound pile of books from the main library on Main Street, up a hill, to the temporary library at the Maple Avenue Community Center. The village will tear down the library and build an $8 million library twice as big on the same site.

The teams, from the Boy Scouts and Rotary to local church groups, paid a $250 entry fee. They met on Saturday morning in a balloon-filled room at the public library. Moments later, the 17 teams--100 volunteers in all--were throwing piles of books into cardboard boxes, loading them onto rolling carts and heading out the door.

The library made the race even more challenging by forcing each team to stop at certain points along the route and answer literary questions such as "What is the problem in 'Romeo and Juliet?'" before being allowed to continue. And to make the race even more difficult, contestants had to struggle with a challenging word game.

The Mount Kisco Lions Club won the trophy. The event raised $20,000 for the library foundation. The Mount Kisco News covered it, and you can read their story at http://tinyurl.com/28vym4

Isn't that clever? The contest had all the elements of a successful special event:

--It involved many groups from throughout the community.

--It had people, color and motion--the three things that virtually ensure media coverage.

--It included two fun contests that tied into books.

--Because the event was so much fun, people will be talking about it for months.

That's what I call "building the buzz." And it's a critical element of special events. Thanks to Publicity Hound Jeanette Benway of Mount Kisco for tipping me off to this one.

If you're planning a special event for later this year, learn clever, creative ideas that other companies and nonprofits have used to stage smashing events. Debra J. Schmidt, a former event planner for a TV station in Milwaukee, teamed up with me to brainstorm 847 ideas on "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events." It's available as a set of 7 CDs or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.

The package comes with 15 can't-do-without checklists for event planners. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


====================================
2. What Top TV Shows Want
====================================

If you're an expert, do you stand a chance of getting onto "The 700 Club," one of the longest-running TV programs in broadcast history, if you can't tie your topic into Christianity?

If you're an author, are the producers interested in your book?

Which two producers don't want unsolicited mail? Which ones invite phone calls?

What about the "CBS Evening News Weekend Edition" which has an audience of 10 million viewers?

What's the one tie-in that your pitch should have if you want to drastically increase your chances of being on that news show? Should you send a book? If so, to whom?

You must know the answer to those questions before you pitch. That's because the competition to get onto those big shows is fierce. Publicity Hounds who have the inside track on who to call, when to call, what to send, when to sent it, how to pitch, and mistakes to never make have a huge advantage over the amateurs who are just guessing.

In fact, TV producers have told me that people who waste their time with useless pitches, or an annoying string of follow-up calls, will be banned from their programs forever.

Steve Harrison's directory/database of top shows gives you key contacts and "how to get booked" information for 259 top shows including Oprah, Good Morning America, Today, CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, Larry King Live, Bloomberg TV and many more.

Steve and his army of researchers have just released a brand-new, 100 percent updated edition of his directory/database. To celebrate, he's offering it to Publicity Hounds at a special rate, but only if you order by 5 p.m. Friday, March 30. So grab your copy now at http://snipurl.com/HarrisonsGuide

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

Also at that web page, you can get four free sample listings from Steve's directory including those for ABC's "20/20," CBS' "60Minutes," the "CBS Evening News Weekend Edition" and "The 700 Club."

Check it out at http://snipurl.com/HarrisonsGuide


==================================
3. Google Alerts
==================================

This morning, I discovered that blogger Lorraine Cohen, a business coach, included an item about me in a post she wrote yesterday, with a link back to my website.

So I wrote a comment at her blog and thanked her for mentioning me.

When she saw my comment, she emailed me and asked, "How did you know I added you on my new blog?"

Easy, Lorraine. I created a Google Alert for the phrase "writing press releases" and "write press releases." Daily, Google sends me a list of articles and blog items that include those keyword phrases.

Every morning, my first task is to visit each of those blogs or articles. If the blogger accepts comments, I leave one and frequently mention my f~ree email tutorial called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

My comments let the blogger know about me. They also pull traffic over to my website where people can sign up for my tutorial. And the more inbound links to my website, the more favorably Google and the other search engines view my website.

You can also use Google Alerts to tip you off to journalists who are writing about your topic or area of expertise. Once you know who the journalists are, you can add them to your media list. Powerful stuff.

Check out this blog item I wrote several months ago on Google Alerts. It includes a link where you can see a dandy little video that my friend Terry Brock created for me on how to set up a Google Alert: http://tinyurl.com/c82rm (Turn down your speakers if you're at work.)

Now start setting up Google Alerts. Dozens, maybe even hundreds of journalists who don't know you, might want to connect with you. Bloggers, too.

"How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" explains the etiquette you must follow and the land mines to avoid when pitching influential bloggers. I created it with Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff, aka The Blog Squad, and it's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


=================================
4. High Power, High Heels
=================================

A column on page B1 of Monday's Wall Street Journal says women-only networking events like shoe shopping, spa retreats, evenings at art galleries, and cooking demonstrations are proliferating at law firms and other big companies.

Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch and General Electric are among companies organizing events in which women can bond with their co-workers and clients.

But are those events, like men's steak-and-cigar dinners, exclusionary? Sounds like a great topic worth pitching to your local newspapers, business journals and business magazines. Or weigh in with a letter to the editor.

On a side note, the Journal is publishing a new special section called "Business Solutions," a take-off on the paper's popular column by the same name. It discusses technology solutions to business problems.

The first installment appeared yesterday and focuses on the problem of email: how to make it more useful, more secure and more easily archived.

If your business has a technology solution to a sticky problem, pitch it to Michael Totty at mailto:michael.totty@wsj.com

Just because your pitch deals with technology, that's no excuse to be long-winded or boring. Raleigh Pinskey, an absolute master at pitching, explains how to refine your pitch (even if it's about a complicated topic) to just a few sentences. "How to Create the Perfect 30-Second Pitch" includes Raleigh's best tips for getting through to busy journalists by using captivating sound bites. It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can be reading in just a few minutes. And each comes with a handout of Raleigh's "26 Ways to Reel in Journalists with Hooks."

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


====================================
5. How to Promote a New Age Book
====================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Robert Schwartz of Ashland, Oregon. He needs help promoting his New Age book called "Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?" It includes 10 stories of people who planned great challenges such as getting AIDS or cancer, for the purpose of spiritual growth.


From Anil Punjabi:

"The concept of 'planned life' would be popular among...adults trying to understand the purpose of life. So look for people that bought the book 'The Purpose Driven Life,' and study how this author promoted her book.


From Karen Bonsignori:

"Mold the theme of your book into off-beat holiday press releases and media queries such as Valentine’s Day ("If you’re alone this Valentine’s Day, it’s because you’ve planned it that way"), Mother’s Day ("You planned to be raised by Mommy Dearest") or even New Year’s ("You planned your New Year’s resolutions before you were born").


From Mary Kraemer:

The following may be open to your book:

--Utilize the momentum of "The Secret," and use a tie-in

--Write articles and Google "article submission" and choose wisely

--Utilize the resources on Joan’s website

--Contact churches that may be open to your topic: Unity and Science of Mind, for example, and see if they are looking for speakers


The Publicity Hound says: I was on the fence about using this question. But the seven well-thought-out responses to this difficult challenge on how to promote a "woo-woo" book delighted me. Read them all at http://tinyurl.com/2znfoz


Here's my own contribution:

Robert, hop on over to Amazon.com and start reviewing New Age books, products and services that your target audience would be likely to buy. Also, Amazon lets you create "So You'd Like to..."guides. These are places where you can post your how-to articles.

Randy Gilbert and Don Mitchell taught me these two tricks and 15 other ways to use Amazon to promote anything. You can learn them all on the CD or electronic transcript titled "How to Make Amazon a River of Gold (for Authors, Speakers & Experts)." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/7u76e


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

Felicia Coley of Rochester, New York writes:

"Over the holidays, I launched The Well-Heeled Society. It's the first online gift registry at http://www.wellheeledsociety.com/ that's exclusively for single women.

"I have received local news coverage, one radio spot in California and some blog references. However, I have not been able to break into national media. Any advice from the Hounds would be appreciated."

Her blog is at http://www.wellheeledsociety.blogspot.com/


The Publicity Hound says:

"I see one problem with the website that's probably making it difficult for you to attract the attention of journalists. Let's see if the rest of the Hounds see it, too.

Hounds with tips for Felicia can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2zoo4s


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

Q. What kinds of dogs have their eyes closest together?

A. The smallest ones.


(Stop groaning and send me dog jokes!)

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

Pros-and-cons article template
http://tinyurl.com/29hl4f

Bad restaurant review? Fight back with a blog
http://tinyurl.com/yup6qc

Writers guidelines for publications that will pay you
http://tinyurl.com/ypme7v


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Monday, April 2: Teleseminar

Join me as I quiz James Malinchak on how authors, speakers, consultants and other experts can tap into the lucrative college speaking market. 8 PM Eastern Time. Register at http://snipurl.com/CollegeSpeakers


April 27, 2007: Webinar

Women Business Owners Virtual Growth Summit Webinar. I'm presenting a session at 1 PM Eastern Time on how to become an expert in your topic, then generate online and offline publicity. Register at http://www.businesswomensgrowthsummit.com/


May 12, 2007: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida Speakers Association: "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists." 9a.m. to noon. "Sleeping with the Competition: How to Collaborate with Other Speakers to Create Profitable Products." 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 561-630-7766 or visit http://www.florida-speakers.org


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/Public Access Channels Need You March 20, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week Issue
#338 - March 20, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/

http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 29,475

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The Publicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me that you want to subscribe. If you didn't subscribe, you can unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Please forward this ezine to anyone you know who needs free publicity to establish their credibility, enhance their reputation, position themselves as employers of choice, sell more products and services, or promote a favorite cause or issue.

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

1. Public Access Channels Need You

2. Print a Reporter's Face on Candy

3. KFC/Taco Bell and Rats

4. Speak at Colleges

5. How to Promote a Music Ministry

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=====================================
1. Public Access Channels Need You
=====================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Jim Hunt, immediate past president of the National League of Cities, for passing along this great tip on Saturday, when I spoke to the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Speakers Association.

Jim, who speaks and consults for cities all across the U.S., says many local public access channels are begging people in their communities to submit decent-quality videos that can be broadcast for free.

"Most local officials will tell you they’re astounded at how many people watch these channels," Jim says. "If they don't have a lot of content, they'll replay your program sometimes 20 times. So people who might be surfing through the channels late at night might stop and see your program for maybe 5 seconds, get a good taste for what it's about, then keep watching."

In the old days, Publicity Hounds who wanted to be on the public access channel would have to go to the studio at their local cable TV company, pay a small fee to rent camera equipment, bring their own camera person with them, and record the show.

Today, however, most cable companies will accept videos that you can create in your own basement, living room or office. And you don't even need fancy equipment. Some digital cameras, for instance, can produce decent-quality video that you can edit on your computer. It's that easy.

Jim says an auditor he knows created a video on identity theft, and the local cable company featured it several times. A local high school created programs on drug prevention.

I know many of you Hounds can come up with ideas on how to use the public access channel, also known as the PEG channel (public education and government) in lots of ways.

A dog trainer could demonstrate how to train a dog. A law firm could feature a panel of attorneys talking about a controversial legal issue in the news. A hair stylist can demonstrate how to cut hair. Professional speakers can promote their expertise by speaking on their particular topic. An author can create a fun program that ties into a recent book. And on and on.

Visit your local cable company's website, or call them for more information.


If you want more than just local exposure, you can buy inexpensive air time in the city of your choice and have your programs broadcast on the leased access channels. If you're dying to have your own national TV, you don't have to wait to be discovered. PR guy Robert Smith explains how to "Get Your Own National TV Show for Less Than $400 a Month." It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download and be reading a few minutes after your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/y4by43


====================================
2. Print a Reporter's Face on Candy
====================================

Here's another idea I suggested when I spoke on Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Linda Roundtree, owner of Custom Chocolate Creations in suburban Pittsburgh, was in the audience. She can imprint someones photo or logo on a piece of chocolate, like the one you see at her website at http://tinyurl.com/2u8m7v

On Saturday, she brought one piece of chocolate imprinted with the National Speakers Association logo for every person in the audience.

That got me thinking. What if Linda is trying to attract the attention of a local reporter? What if she were to find a photo of that reporter, imprint it on a piece of chocolate and send it to the reporter along with a pitch?

How many of you Hounds think the reporter would call her back and ask for an interview?

I told the several professional organizers in the audience that they should call reporters with whom they want to establish a relationships (most reporters have messy desks) and offer to organize their desks.

Any time you can get a reporter directly involved in your story, you'll usually end up with a better story. "Special Report #42: Tips for Letting Reporters Experience Your Story, Not Just Write About It" gives you lots of great suggestions on how to create a memorable experience for the media so they experience your story, not just cover it. It includes tips on how to involve reporters who you want to write about a new product or service, or a special event.

It's $10, and you can order it at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


==================================
3. Speaking at Colleges
==================================

Public speaking, one of the best ways to flaunt your expertise, is also one of the most frustrating ways to earn a living.

Many speakers chase after trade association meeting planners, some of whom might receive inquiries from several dozen speakers within one week.

James Malinchak, a 34-year-old stock broker who now earns a living as a professional speaker, says that if you can spin your topic for a college audience, you can command attractive fees and keep busy speaking to college students year-round, or whenever it's most convenient for you.

That's because colleges need speakers and trainers to train their own administrators. They need authors and experts to speak to students during orientation, welcome week and back-to-school programs. They need speakers for student leadership gatherings, events sponsored by student government events, and lectures sponsored by fraternities and sororities.

But that's not all.

Colleges are always looking for speakers who can share valuable tips at career and job fairs. They need motivational speakers for college commencements and graduations. Speakers are in demand at student conferences and summer programs.

Add to the list academic, athletic and club events, and other meetings where an "outside" expert is needed.

Here's the best part. James says colleges and universities have guaranteed budgets from sources like student activity fees.

If you speak at colleges, publicity is virtually guaranteed because it will precede and follow your speech. Your article and photo can show up not only in the college newspaper, but in the local and weekly newspapers in that town. You might even end up on local radio and TV stations and be seen by students and others who never even heard you speak at the event on campus.

But learning how to navigate the college speaking circuit, and learning where all the people who are in a position to hire you are located, can be tricky. You also must know how to identify topics that are most in demand, and how to follow up.

Join James Malinchak and me for a complimentary telephone seminar at 8 PM Eastern Time on Monday, April 2. James will spill the beans on how to find your way to the meeting and event planners who hire speakers at colleges and universities. Register for the call at http://snipurl.com/CollegeSpeakers

If you can't make it, sign up anyway and you can listen to the recording afterward.


=================================
4. KFC/Taco Bell and Rats
=================================

If your product, service, cause or issue ties into a hot news story, get to work writing a press release about it, then submit it to the press release distribution services.

Millions of people who are Googling for information about the story will find your press release online.

That's what Debra Holtzman does. She's a child-safety expert who continues to amaze me with all the timely angles she finds for her online press releases.

--A few weeks ago, Debra wrote a press release headlined "Is Your Favorite Restaurant Hiding A Dirty Little Secret?" It ties into the news story about the giant rats discovered at a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in New York City's Greenwich Village, and the ensuing media frenzy. The press release included Debra's top 10 tips for keeping you and your children safe when dining out.

--Yesterday, she updated a press release she had written earlier headlined "Ten Common Household Products that Can Hurt or Kill a Child or Pet." She wove into the release information about the recent pet food recall.

--After a string of news reports about child abductions, Debra wrote a press release with 18 tips on how parents can keep their children safe.

Debra says that since she's been posting the press releases through Expertclick, the Online Yearbook of Experts, top-tier media outlets that use the database have been contacting her regularly for her expert commentary on breaking news. She has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC and the Discovery Health Channel, among others.

If you're not in the database, you need to be. A subscription will also let you post 52 press releases a year, just like Debra Holtzman does.

Deadline for the 2007 Yearbook of Experts is March 30. You can also post future events at http://www.daybook.com/. You'll also receive the 2007 Power Media BlueBook of top journalists.

If you use this link, you'll save $100 on your subscription:
http://tinyurl.com/f5evn

Or print their complete brochure at
http://www.expertbrochure.com/. Call them at 202-333-5000 in
Washington, D.C. and they can set up everything for you. Be sure
to tell them The Publicity Hound sent you.


====================================
5. How to Promote a Music Ministry
====================================

This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Dave Butcher of Vincent, Ohio. He and his wife have a music ministry, and they want ideas on how to get through to churches, fairs and other
special events. They are at http://spiritualroad.com/


From Barbara Bietz:

"You might want to look into home schooling networks. It’s worth doing an Internet search. They are often religious-based, very organized, and often looking for entertainment for their
families. Another option might be parochial schools - you could do shows and perhaps offer you products for sale with a percentage going to the school. Schools love fundraising opportunities."


From Jay Scott:

"Two words: Sample Cd's. Send samples of your music and programs to churches. You could also have a page on your website to which a browser could go to hear your music."


The Publicity Hound says:

Create a video and post it to YouTube. I see from the schedule at your website that you travel throughout the U.S. Be sure to post notices to the Craigslist in the nearest city you’re visiting. Are you pitching bloggers? See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr

Read all the responses, or post your own, at http://tinyurl.com/286zxm


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

Robert Schwartz of Ashland, Oregon writes:

"I wrote and self-published a New Age book called Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth? You can read more about it at http://www.courageoussouls.com/

"It includes 10 stories of people who planned great challenges for the purpose of spiritual growth. The information about their pre-birth plans was obtained by four of the most gifted mediums in the country, including one who has the ability both to see and to hear the conversations we have with one another before we're born.

"For example, there's a story of a man who planned to have AIDS in order to teach the world lessons in tolerance. Another interviewee planned decades of alcoholism in order to reclaim his spirituality. There are other stories of people who planned breast cancer, having handicapped children (autism), deafness, blindness, drug addiction, losing a loved one, and severe accidents.

"One would think that such a provocative premise would lead to lots of PR. Yet I haven't been able to generate much. What would the Hounds suggest?"


The Publicity Hound says: Your book, and the 10 stories within it, fall into the category of "woo-woo," as in creepy and difficult to believe. You're facing an uphill battle, Robert, but my Hounds can help. What tips do my Hounds have on how Robert can start pitching TV shows and other media outlets? All you authors who have faced similar challenges: Post your best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2znfoz


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

Buy a dog a toy and it will play with it forever. Buy a cat a toy and it will play with the wrapper for 10 minutes.


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

Video-sharing websites go beyond YouTube
http://tinyurl.com/ywjrot

Write press releases for spiders, not just for humans
http://tinyurl.com/yp2r94

Photo tips to make your product look its best
http://tinyurl.com/2o5sk9

Harvard Business Review pitching tips
http://tinyurl.com/2qkq3b

Red Eye, free Chicago tabloid, to publish Saturday
http://tinyurl.com/2vxwup

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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


April 27, 2007: Webinar

Women Business Owners Virtual Growth Summit Webinar. I'm presenting a session at 1 PM Eastern Time on how to become an expert in your topic, then generate online and offline publicity. Register at http://www.businesswomensgrowthsummit.com/


May 12, 2007: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida Speakers Association: "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists." 9 a.m. to noon. "Sleeping with the Competition: How to Collaborate with Other Speakers to Create Profitable Products." 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 561-630-7766 or visit http://www.florida-speakers.org/


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/Promote in a Sluggish Industry March 13, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week Issue
#337 - March 13, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/

http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 29,536

=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

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

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

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

1. Promote in a Sluggish Industry

2. Tampons for Homeless Shelters

3. Capture Email Addresses

4. Media Leads

5. How to Promote a Great Dane Rescue

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


====================================
1. Promote in a Sluggish Industry
====================================

What do you do if you're in charge of PR for a company in a sluggish industry?

That's the dilemma Kleber & Associates faced recently when the marketing and communications company promoted its client, KOMA Trim Products, a leading manufacturer of wood alternative trim.

The trim, made of PVC, is typically used around windows and corners of buildings. It's superior to wood and more expensive because it resists moisture and insect damage, making it ideal for the home construction industry.

But that industry is limping along. So Kleber suggested looking instead at an industry that's red hot. In this case, home remodeling.

KOMA targeted high-end home remodelers and issued a challenge: How can you take a flat piece of PVC trim and reinvent it?

Enter Peter Luciani who took the challenge far beyond what KOMA could have ever dreamed possible.

"He glued boards and started turning them into ballisters,"president Steve Kleber said. "He carved them into corbels, an architectural bracket used to support a cornice, arch or hold up a shelf. He used them to create cupolas and outdoor furniture."

For his efforts, KOMA anointed Peter "Building Professional of the Year" and brought him to their booth at the International Builders Show in Orlando in February. There, he gave media interviews, answered questions from those who visited the booth and discussed new interior uses for KOMA products.

"He taught the manufacturer applications that the manufacturer didn't understand were important in the marketplace," Steve said."Now, they're generating new ideas."

The trade publications loved the story. Peter was suddenly a star. KOMA's booth created a buzz at the show. And Kleber & Associates found a clever way to promote a high-end product in a sluggish industry by issuing a challenge to a new target audience.

Can those of you in sluggish industries take this same idea--targeting a new audience and sponsoring a contest--and make it work?

If so, it can generate great publicity for you, and really draw a crowd to your booth at the next trade show.


"Trade Show PR: How to Rise Above the Noise Level" gives you dozens of tips for really making the most of trade shows. Dan Janal shows you how to form relationships with media people who will cover the show, then stay in touch with them long after the show is over. The interview I conducted with him is available as a CD. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/5gr5q


====================================
2. Tampons for Homeless Shelters
====================================

Guys, you can proceed to Item #3. This one is for women only.

Thanks to Publicity Hound Ina Steiner, editor of AuctionBytes.com, for pointing out a clever promotion sponsoredby Seventh Generation, a leading brand of non-toxic household products.

It recently sponsored a campaign to supply women's homeless shelters with environmentally friendly tampons.

The company sent a package of organic cotton tampons or chlorine-free pads to a women's homeless shelter if someone made a virtualal donation at its website at http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php

To donate, all you had to do was use a drop-down box to designate where you live. Then click on a golden heart and drag it into the shelter. No money changed hands. It was that easy.

The campaign was so successful that Seventh Generation put it on hold as of yesterday.

Ina says:

"Someone told me about this. It's a great marketing strategy. Now I know about a product and company I had never heard of before, and it was something I never would have clicked on without the charity aspect. I thought you would find it interesting."

The Publicity Hound is equally fascinated with the company's request at http://www.tampontification.com/index.php for women to submit their favorite euphemisms for menstruation, and the dozens of responses. (If you're easily offended, don't read the list.)

I don't know how much publicity the euphemisms have gotten in women's magazines. But if I were an editor. I'd do something with this. A Top 10 list, maybe?


Those Top 10 lists are called briefs. If you aren't sending briefs to your targeted media contacts, you're missing a valuable publicity tool. "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to Write Them and Why Editors Love Them" explains the nine types of briefs and gives you great suggestions on how to use them to get into big national magazines and other media. It's available as a CD or 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/d74h7


==================================
3. Capture Email Addresses
==================================

If you're letting visitors come to your website, look around, then leave without asking them for their email addresses, shame on you.

That's like a bricks-and-mortar storekeeper letting customers walk into the store without asking, "May I help you?"

Besides, some of those visitors might be journalists doing research for an article. So you could be missing the chance to bring them into your circle, then communicate with them regularly.

At my website, I ask visitors for their email address as soon as they arrive. A box that bounces down from the top of the screen tells them they can sign up for this newsletter. So far, almost 30,000 people subscribe.

I also have an email tutorial called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases." Anyone can opt into the course at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm So far, more than 5,400 Publicity Hounds have signed up, and they get one lesson each day for 89 days in a row. Many of them have bought products I promote within the course.

Last year, Perry Marshall, one of my coaches, opened my eyes to the dozens of other ways you can capture email addresses. He gave me permission to include them in "Special Report #51: 55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or Capture Email Addresses."

They include things like a free return-on-investment calculator, case study, checklist, industry survey, pocket guide, webinar and White Paper. You can even let people test drive a service you're offering so they can decide if they want to buy it.

There's something for everybody in the report, which also includes examples of how other Publicity Hounds use many of the freebies. Only $10. It's the last special report listed at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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

--YachtBuddy.com, based in Antigua, is looking for news about sailing events, boat shows, yacht launches and speedboat trials.Yacht brokerage news is welcome. "We would like yacht and marine product reviews and articles too. If it would fit in a yacht magazine it would be suitable. Photos are encouraged." Go to http://www.yachtbuddy.com/WordPress/ and on the left side click "Register." Register with your email address and receive a confirmation link. Once you have registered, go back to the same website and log in. You will reach a page with a dark blue header. On the left side you will see "Write Post." Type your information into the box. Or email your news to mailto:ant@yachtbuddy.com

--Brianna Grant is self-publishing an inspirational picture book for young girls called "We Are Girls Who Love to Run." It encourages healthy habits and promotes running. She is writing the foreword to the book and wants to contact a well-known woman runner who is willing to write a positive, encouraging message for readers. She needs to contact them by the end of next month.The bilingual book will be available in English and Spanish. Email ideas to her at mailto:briannakerri@hotmail.com

--Marie Y. Lemelle, a columnist for Save the Date magazine in southern California, is seeking interesting products to feature for its "Lifestyle Section." The April issue will focus on men, women and graduates. The products can include fashion, health, beauty, hi-tech gadgets, jewelry, books, etc. The quarterly publication includes a master calendar, editorials, information on conferences, special events, festivals, political functions, business affairs, entertainment, city projects, social gatherings, non-profit endeavors and lifestyle management. It is distributed in Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, and Orange Co. Email your pitch to mailto:platinumstarpr@aol.com and include a high-resolution photo. If she’s interested, she’ll request samples and full product description.


====================================
5. How to Promote a Great Dane Rescue
====================================

This week, 13 Publicity Hounds have ideas for Joan Schramm of Annapolis, Maryland. She volunteers for the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League and wants tips for publicizing the group's events, including its annual Parade of Paws and a Bull Roast.


From Rhiannon Hendrickson:

"Each Christmas, a local radio station works with the area animal rescue to do '12 Strays of Christmas.' Each day, for 12 days, a rep from the organization brings a different dog that is in need of the home into the studio. The DJs spend several segments talking about how cute the dog is and asking the rep questions about the organization. Photos of each stray are posted on the radio’s website as well as updates (whether the dogs have been adopted or if they still need a home). This gives the organization lots of exposure. Perhaps this is something you could do around the holidays, or tailor it to do anytime of the year."


From Margaret Vos:

"Since you are so close to D.C., why not get the Embassy of Denmark involved? Contact their public affairs director with your ideas and get the support of another type of great Dane."


From Danielle Hamilton:

"For your upcoming Bull Roast and Silent Auction, invite your media members and local celebrities personally. Or better yet, invite THEIR pets to attend. Address an invitation to Scruffy c/o Mayor Jones and ask Scruffy to bring their family members. Rarely do pets get mail of their own, so your invitation will stand out.Your board members and other local society members will know these details about people’s pets."


The Publicity Hound says: Don't forget to post news items to the Baltimore Craigslist. The community category includes a sub-category for pets. See "How to Use Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool" at http://tinyurl.com/geog2


Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/2sr9wm


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

Dave Butcher of Vincent, Ohio writes:

"My wife and I have a music ministry. Our program includes my testimonies and recitations interspersed with Carolyn's songs using soundtracks. Our Spiritual Road website is at http://spiritualroad.com/

"Carolyn has had several songs on radio Top 50 charts, and has appeared on several local and national TV programs. We have both won awards, and nearly every place we've appeared has asked us back. Despite all this, we could use some help promoting our music ministry to churches, fairs, and faith events both regionally and nationally. We need low-or no-cost ideas.

"Trade shows for fairs and festivals in our region, near Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH, have been a waste of time and money, and cold-calling churches hasn't worked.

"Can your Hounds come through with ideas to help us?"


The Publicity Hound says: You bet they can. Hounds, let's give Dave lots of great ideas for promoting their programs. You can comment at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/286zxm

Last year, I interviewed Bob Baker, an expert on how musicians can generate free publicity. I was amazed at all the ways musicians are using social networking sites and other websites to spread the word. Our interview is called "Do-it-yourself PR Tips for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget." It's availableas a CD or an electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your order is approved.

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


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Jeff Haebig for this one:

Phil goes to Europe and leaves his favorite dog with his brother James.

While in Europe, Phil calls James to check on his dog and asks:"So, James, how's my favorite dog doing??" And James very tersely says, "Your dog is dead."

"What?" says Phil, "You can't just tell someone his favorite dog is dead without a warning. You have to ease him into it."

"How?" asks James.

"Well, the first day I call, tell me my dog is on the roof," Phil said. "Tell me the dog is going to be fine and not to worry. The next day, when I call to ask about my dog, tell me that you were about to get her down, when she jumped off of the roof and broke her leg. Tell me the doctors say the dog will be OK, but it will have to stay at the vet's for a while. Are you getting all of this?"

"Yes," says James.

"Good," Phil says. "Then the next day, when I call back, tell me that there was severe internal bleeding that the vet didn't pick up, and that my favorite dog died at 2 this morning. That way it won't be such a shock to me. Got it?"

"Yes."

"Good. So how's Grandma doing?" asks Phil.

"Well," James replies, "She's on the roof...."


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

Green dogs on St. Patrick's Day
http://tinyurl.com/2s4wou


Social networking sites: The 30 most useful
http://tinyurl.com/2bqtyj


Online publicity tip: How to become a guest blogger
http://tinyurl.com/2emnde


Unusual product package is worth publicizing
http://tinyurl.com/226zo4


Small newspapers prospering, so contact them now
http://tinyurl.com/yvxwea


Book marketing: Pitch high-traffic niched websites
http://tinyurl.com/27m3z4

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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Register at http://www.nsapittsburgh.com/


April 27, 2007: Webinar

Women Business Owners Virtual Growth Summit Webinar. I'm presenting a session at 1 PM Eastern Time on how to become an expert in your topic, then generate online and offline publicity. Register at http://www.businesswomensgrowthsummit.com/


May 12, 2007: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida Speakers Association: "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists." 9a.m. to noon. "Sleeping with the Competition: How to Collaborate with Other Speakers to Create Profitable Products." 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 561-630-7766 or visit http://www.florida-speakers.org/


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 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 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/Oprah Magazine Ranked #1 March 6, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #336 - March 6, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/

http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 29,530

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

You are receiving this because you signed up for it at The Publicity Hound® website at http://www.publicityhound.com/ or you told me that you want to subscribe. If you didn't subscribe, you can unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Please forward this ezine to anyone you know who needs free publicity to establish their credibility, enhance their reputation, position themselves as employers of choice, sell more products and services, or promote a favorite cause or issue.

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

1. Oprah Magazine Ranked #1

2. 32,000 Readers and a 2-Book Deal

3. Sponsor a Contest at YouTube

4. Piggyback onto 'The Secret'

5. How to Distribute PSAs

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

==================================
1. Oprah Magazine Ranked #1
==================================

Good news for the gazillion Publicity Hounds who want to get into O, The Oprah Magazine.

It clinched the top spot on Adweek's Hot List of magazines, published yesterday. The list honors magazines with a track record of advertising and circulation growth.

Overall, O's circulation was flat, but the fact that it's as big as it is and still managed to grow nearly 10 percent in ad pages in a very competitive category was the reason for the honor.

Oprah's magazine dethroned "People" magazine, last year's Hot List champ, which this year didn't even make it into the top 10. This year, "Real Simple" was ranked Number 2. "Us Weekly" held steady in the Number 3 spot.

More, the magazine for middle-aged women, ranked fourth.

Condé Nast dominated the middle of the order, placing Teen Vogue, Glamour, Allure and Wired in Numbers 5 through 8.

So what does all of this mean to Publicity Hounds?

Lots of ads usually translate into a bigger magazine with more room for editorial copy. And bigger magazines mean more opportunities for pitching.

Successful pitching, on the other hand, requires an intimate knowledge of the kind of editorial content the magazine wants.You also must be patient, persistent and have story ideas that are customized for a particular magazine.

Susan Harrow's ebook "Get into O, the Oprah Magazine" offers in-depth case studies of publicists who have gotten their clients into the popular publication.

One of the secrets, Susan says, is that you must be willing to wait up to two years before the editors review your pitch and say yes. If you're willing to stay the course and keep in touch with the magazine, you'll have a big advantage over most other people who give up after two or three months.

The payoff can be huge.

Denise Loren, whose company makes DVDs for dogs and was featured in O Magazine, got her products into more than 100 retail outlets after the article appeared.

Even nonprofits can reap the benefits. Genevieve Piturro, who founded the pajama project, a charity to give new PJs to poor kids, went from five chapters to 30 and growing. She got 9,000 new PJs donated and a donation of $5,000 after appearing in O.

Read more about what you'll learn in Susan's ebook at
http://snipurl.com/OprahMagazine


====================================
2. 32,000 Readers and a 2-Book Deal
====================================

How did a new blogger go from a pathetic 10 readers a day to being featured in the New York Times and clinching a two-book deal with a major publisher in just two months?

As anyone who has started blogging knows, it's not easy to attract a lot of traffic. But Greg Pincus used a system of viral marketing to create buzz for his blog, which he launched on Feb.21 last year at http://gottabook.blogspot.com/

Greg--a screenwriter, children's book author, volunteer librarian and a dad--writes poems as a hobby. His blog encouraged readers to submit poems using a series of numbers known as the Fibonacci sequence.

Readers were intrigued. They passed the idea on to their friends, who wrote and submitted their poems. Greg's blog attracted the attention of Slashdot, a heavily trafficked blog that featured him on April 7 and brought more than 32,000 people to his blog.

Shortly afterward, the New York Times published an article about Greg. That resulted in calls from publishers, including Arthur A. Levine Books at Scholastic.

"Little did I know that a two-book deal would result after only two months," Greg said.

Blogging expert Denise Wakeman says Greg started blogging the smart way: "He knew he needed traffic to his blog to really leverage the power of online marketing, and he set out to recruit readers through use of a viral gimmick."

He'll explain how he did it, and how other bloggers can replicate a viral campaign for their own businesses and blogs, during a telephone seminar tonight called "32,000 Readers and a 2-Book Deal: How to Launch and Profit from a Viral Blogging Campaign."

Denise and her partner, Patsi Krakoff, who are also known as The Blog Squad, will host the telephone call at 8 PM Eastern Time. If you can't make it, that's OK. They'll send you the CD to listen to later.

Read more about what you'll learn and register at http://snipurl.com/ViralBlogging


==================================
3. Sponsor a Contest at YouTube
==================================

If you don't like the job your ad agency is doing, turn to the folks over at YouTube to help. And turn it into a contest.

That's what the nonprofit SmartPower has done. Its national non-profit marketing campaign which promotes the use of clean renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and water, is sponsoring a contest at YouTube.com for the most creative 30-second public service announcement.

It has contacted film students, environmentalists and others committed to a cleaner future. So far, it has collected 11 videos on its YouTube page at http://tinyurl.com/3ysymy

A panel of judges will review the ads, and the winning entry will receive $10,000 and be included in SmartPower's national TVcampaign.

Deadline is April 22, Earth Day. Learn more about the contest at http://smartpower.org/contest/

If you've found a way to get YouTubers involved in your publicity, advertising or marketing campaign, let the media know. Stories like this are perfect for top-tier media outlets as well as for smaller papers like business journals and daily newspapers and even TV stations, simply because YouTube is so hot.

But that doesn't mean the media will jump on just anything related to YouTube. You must pitch quickly and convincingly. "How to Create the Perfect 30-Second Pitch" shows you how to attract the attention of busy media people, sometimes in as few as 5 or 10 seconds. Raleigh Pinskey, a master at enticing pitches, was my guest during a teleseminar, and we recorded it. It's 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/6xghx


=================================
4. Piggyback onto 'The Secret'
=================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Jim Labadie, who coaches personal trainers, for passing along this idea on how anybody can piggyback onto all the hype surrounding "The Secret."

The best-selling hardcover book and DVD tells people how to achieve what they want from their relationships, jobs, finances and future through positive thinking, gratitude for what they have, and envisioning what they want.

"The Secret" has been featured on "Oprah," "Larry King Live," "Ellen," the "Today" show, and in top-tier newspapers and magazines like Newsweek.

Jim suggests contacting the media and letting them know how you use "The Secret," or the law of attraction, in your business.

Just yesterday, I saw a story in my local newspaper featuring several business people and educators who commented on whether they're believers (most are) or non-believers. And some of them provided concrete examples of their success.

Things to consider:

--Round up several business people in your industry or town and offer yourselves as sources for your local newspapers. Pitch the story to the news departments at local TV stations on the days when national shows like "Oprah" or "Ellen" are featuring the topic. TV news crews love to offer "the local angle" on hot topics like this one.

--Survey your members, students, parishioners, or group on whether they believe, and let the media know.

--Pitch bloggers, and offer concrete examples of how "The Secret" has helped you in your personal or business life.

The possibilities for publicity are almost endless, including the big morning TV talk shows which love topics like this. "How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows" walks you step-by-step through the entire process of how to get in front of--and convince--the powerful people who decide what they will feature on their programs each day. Publicist Lissa Warren has gotten more than 100 of her clients onto these shows, and she says you can get on, too.

Read more about what you'll learn from the CD or electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/ab86x


====================================
5. How to Distribute PSAs
====================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for Carrollyn Cox of Optimist International in Virginia Beach. She wants to know about inexpensive ways to distribute public service announcements througout North America.


From Paul Furiga of WordWrite Communications:

"Carrollyn, the key word here is 'leverage.' You need to find a large, companion nonprofit that might share your mission and which is willing to partner with you in distribution. For example, AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit membership organization, has perhaps the best nonprofit broadcast center in the world with full studio and satellite capability inWashington, D.C.

"If your PSAs have a 'hook' that ties them with the mission of another nonprofit, whether it would be AARP or a medical mission or whatever, two nonprofits would be better than one."


From Robert Smith, The PR Doctor:

"One of my clients, Drive & Grow Rich, wanted to use PSAs so we thought about driving hazards, i.e., drunk driving, kids and car seats, etc. Well, MADD uses drunk driving PSAs.

"Also, none of these angles helped promote us to business people. So we created a PSA about using your cellphone while driving and we found statistics on the number of accidents.

"And at the end we say this PSA was brought to you by Drive & Grow Rich. Now imagine hearing that 400 times a day across the country. We also targeted the cities with the worst traffic.

"All you need to make this happen is a good PSA and email addresses or fax numbers of program directors. You can go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/ and send emails to the media at no cost."


From Lennie Rose of Rise Public Relations LLC:

"At Rise, we don’t use a buck-shot approach. We get the names of Community Affairs directors. You can also research who to submit to by going online to TV & radio stations. Your hope is that your cause will be 'adopted' by the media who care about what you care about.

"If this is a nationwide event, I’d stick to the key cities where it can be seen and heard by the most people. Another thing to keep in mind is matching the demographic of the media audience with the cause. If the radio plays rock, it’s more apt to endorse a younger hip cause."


The really smart Publicity Hounds know of the more than two dozen other ways you can get your story onto radio or TV without paying for ads. I share them all in my most popular ebook, "How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound." Read more about what it includes at http://tinyurl.com/6uw4n

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/3b744b


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

Joan Schramm of Annapolis, Maryland writes:

"I volunteer with the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League and recently took over as the publicity coordinator for Maryland/D.C.

"I'd like some new ideas for getting the word out about our monthly Meet and Greet events where we set up at local pet stores and bring some of our dogs for people to meet and learn about Great Danes, and for our larger events, such as our annual Parade of Paws, Bull Roast, etc.

"I thought about trying to get some local news celebrity to kick it off, or do a live broadcast, or something, and I also thought about trying to get some local corporate sponsors."

"We have about 80 Danes looking for homes, and we're in desperate need of more people to foster Danes while they're looking for their forever home."


The Publicity Hound says: I just love questions about four-legged Hounds. And I know my two-legged Hounds will help. If you have a great idea for Joan, post it to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2sr9wm


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

Thanks to Burgundy Olivier, The Spinach Lady, of Rayne, Louisiana for this one:

It's one of "Rules for Dogs and Cats" to be posted on your refrigerator door--at nose height:


Dear Dogs and Cats,

I cannot buy anything bigger than king-size bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out, having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

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

L.A. Times to discontinue book review section
http://tinyurl.com/2khghg


Doing TV interviews? Don't overuse the reporter's name
http://tinyurl.com/248z8x


Flower magazine to debut March 15
http://tinyurl.com/2e2868


Wall Street Journal editor explains
how to get into the paper
http://tinyurl.com/yqgs7q


Writer of ghoulish Anna Nicole press release
responds to criticism
http://tinyurl.com/ytjwad

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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

March 8, 2007: PR University's Bulldog Reporter Teleconference

"PR Writing--Top PR Wordsmiths Analyze Proven Press Releases to Reveal Best Practices for Writing Compelling Copy That Reaches Millions," 1 p.m. Eastern. Want to improve your press releases and boost media pick-up fast? I'm part of a panel of wordsmiths that will deconstruct some of the year’s best releases and personally hand you the keys to duplicating their successes. Register at http://tinyurl.com/2cf7aq


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Register at http://www.nsapittsburgh.com/


May 12, 2007: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida Speakers Association: "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists." 9 a.m. to noon. "Sleeping with the Competition: How to Collaborate with Other Speakers to Create Profitable Products and Programs." 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 561-630-7766 or visit http://www.florida-speakers.org/


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