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

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

Circulation: 35,713

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity? See the resources list at http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm

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

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

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

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

Announcements:

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

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

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

1. Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous

2. Attention Article Writers

3. Do You Do What Experts Do?

4. 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day

5. 'Best of' Website Competitions

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous
======================================

Confession: I eat in my car.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2. Attention Article Writers
========================================

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

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

What to do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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3. Do You Do What Experts Do?
=========================================

Are you an expert in your topic?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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4. 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day
=========================================

It started as a joke several years ago.

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

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

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

Shiver me timbers. She's right.

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

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

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5. 'Best of' Website Competitions
==========================================

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


From Lois Carter Fay of MarketingIdeaShop.com:

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

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

From Christine Buffaloe of Mequon, Wisconsin:

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

The Publicity Hound says:

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

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

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

Brian James of Melbourne, Australia writes:

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Christel Hall of Carson City, Nevada for this one, an oldie but goodie:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Liver alone. Cheese mine."


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

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

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


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

BBB's 'accredited business' boosts your credibility
http://tinyurl.com/2la9xk

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

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

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

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

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

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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Sept. 26: Chicago, Illinois

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


Sept. 27: Teleseminar on PR Writing

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

Oct. 2: Teleseminar on Promoting Your Expertise Online

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® respects your privacy and has a strict anti-spam policy. Read my privacy policy at http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

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

Publicity tips/Join Your Local Press Club Sept 18, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #364 Sept. 18, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,437

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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

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

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

Announcements:

--Host the Publicity Hound in Wisconsin and Illinois. I'll be hitting the road this fall, presenting public seminars in Wisconsin and Illinois. I'm looking for a company or group to host me in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Janesville and LaCrosse, Wisconsin and in Chicago or northern Illinois. If you'll host me, I'll let you bring three members of your staff, or three clients, gratis. Please contact my assistant, Christine Buffaloe, at 262-238-0868 or email mailto:Chris@SerenityVA.com?subject=HostTheHound if you're interested, and she'll tell you if we're a good match.


--Your 2008 Media Plan. Many of you have emailed me and asked how to create a media plan for next year. I've decided to sponsor a series of telephone seminars in October on how to do just that. It will include not only traditional media, but the all-important social media such as bloggers and social networking sites. To help me design the course, I need to know specifically what you want to learn. Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=MediaPlan and tell me what you'd like me to include in this course.

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

1. Join Your Local Press Club

2. Sell 100,000 Books to One Buyer

3. Write Like a Journalist

4. GoodSearch Helps Charities, Schools

5. Promoting a Health Bar

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. Join Your Local Press Club
======================================

Here's an easy way to meet lots of journalists face-to-face in a relaxed social setting.

Join your local press club. Press clubs promote journalism excellence through a variety of programs, activities and monthly meetings. Most members are from the working press, but plenty of PR people also belong.

David Niles, former editor of the Small Business Times in Milwaukee and a former president of the Milwaukee Press Club, says press club membership is a no-brainer for Publicity Hounds. Here's why:

--Anybody can join. The only requirement is that you "have an interest in the media."

--Dues won't break the budget. In Milwaukee, non-journalists pay just $75 a year. Students pursuing a communications degree pay only $10.

--You can meet journalists in your community numerous times throughout the year at major events and monthly meetings.

--About one-fourth of the members are PR people, which means you won't feel out of place.

--You can pitch the journalists in a relaxed setting, often over lunch or dinner. But be diplomatic. David recommends you say,"I've got some great things going on. Is it OK if I talk to you now?"

--Press club membership in your local chapter means you can have access to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

David says press clubs in Atlanta, New Orleans, Cleveland and Denver are particularly strong. The Milwaukee Press Club has one of the most comprehensive lists of press clubs in the U.S. and Canada at its website at http://www.milwaukeepressclub.org/resources/links.php

Now that you're thinking of joining, know what you must do to build those valuable relationships that will pay huge dividends later. See "Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People."

Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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2. Sell 100,000 Books to One Buyer
========================================

Too many authors try to sell books the hard way. They look for 10,000 customers so they can sell 10,000 books.

It's sometimes a lot easier to sell all those books--or even 100,000 books--to only one customer.

How? By searching for companies that typically buy books in mass quantity and give them away as free "premium incentives" to encourage people to buy their products. Many of these same companies:

--Give away the books as thank-you gifts to people who buy other products and services.

--Use the book to thank members or subscribers who renew.

--Rely on the book to help train their employees.

Matthew Bennett has used this simple strategy as an unknown, self-published author to sell more than 5 million books.

He has written books on health, pets, fitness and inspiration and then sold them in quantity to companies like Disney, Reebok, NBC, Abbot Labs, Pfizer, US Healthplans, and Subway.

Steve Harrison is hosting a free one-hour teleseminar with Michael on Thursday, September 20, at 2 p.m. Eastern or 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Michael will share his tips on how he sold more than 80,000 copies of an inspirational book in just one phone conversation. He'll also explain how you can tie in with major charities like the March of Dimes and the American Heart Association to sell truckloads of books and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. You'll also learn the three things you absolutely must arm yourself with before ever pitching your book.

Like most free teleseminars, Steve is hoping that after you listen to the call, you'll buy their consulting services to learn how to do this in detail. So just sit back, relax and listen.

Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn and to sign up: http://www.freepublicity.com/mattbennett/?10011


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3. Write Like a Journalist
=========================================

One of the very best ways to attract journalists' attention for your story idea is to write the pitch the same way they would write a story.

But how do you write a pitch that takes less than 30 seconds to read? And how do you know how they'd write a story? One way is to search for what journalists refer to as the "nut graph" in almost every story. That's short for "nut paragraph."

It's the paragraph just after the lead in which the writer explains in a nutshell why the story is important. It frequently includes perspective and statistics. And it often makes comparisons between the way something used to be and the way it is now.

I wrote more about the nut graph and gave two examples in this item at my blog: http://tinyurl.com/ynohys

Finding the nut graph, studying it, then trying to write a pitch that sounds like a nut graph is one of the many tips I'll share when I join three other experts during a teleseminar next week on how to write. It's called "PR Writing Bootcamp: Give Your PR Writing More Polish, Punch and Power" and you'd be crazy to miss it.

Sponsored by Bulldog Reporter, the 90-minute teleseminar will be packed with news writing exercises designed to streamline the writing process and strengthen your press release or pitch. You'll learn how to craft the first 25 words of your pitch precisely the way a journalist would and why word choice matters.We'll share credibility-building language, as well as the fuzzy, jargon language traps that many PR people fall into.

The handout will include a press release checklist and lots of other resources that will strengthen your writing so that journalists sit up and take notice.

Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/2dmtza


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4. GoodSearch.com Helps Charities, Schools
=========================================

Thanks to author Viveca Stone-Berry of Fredericksburg, Virginia for tipping us off to a really easy way for charities or schools to add a revenue stream by doing almost no work--and generating some publicity at the same time.

Tell your employees, volunteers, donors and other followers to use the GoodSearch search engine whenever they're looking for information online. They can find it at http://www.GoodSearch.com

After your charity or school adds its name to the website, GoodSearch will pay your group one cent every time someone designates you as the recipient and conducts a search. What could be easier?

Viveca says that every time she searches, a penny goes to one of her favorite groups: Ring Dog Rescue in Richmond, Virginia. It rescues pitbulls, Rottweilers and other breeds victimized by the dog-fighting business.

"As a writer and webmaster, I spend a lot of time researching on the net," Viveca says. "Just from me, they must be earning about a buck a day."

The New York Times, USA Today, Fortune magazine, Oprah's magazine and other top-tier media outlets have given the search engine great publicity.

You can generate publicity of your own by using it. Every time a media outlet interviews you, and they ask about your budget or fund-raising efforts, tell them about GoodSearch. The search engine also has a quarterly ezine featuring organizations that are doing great work in their communities. And they give you a nifty GoodSearch icon to place at your website so your visitors know they can help your group.

"Failproof Publicity Tips for Your Nonprofit," a one-hour teleseminar I conducted with Paul Hartunian, gives even the poorest nonprofits lots more great ideas like this one on how to create publicity on almost no budget. It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your order has been approved. Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/29dba


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5. Promoting a Health Bar
==========================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have ideas on how Jim Labadie of North Palm Beach, Florida can market and publicize his new Prograde Cravers health bar. It's a healthy snack bar that's round and slightly bigger than an Oreo cookie and covered in dark chocolate. It's available only through fitness instructors.


From Duncan Brodie:

"In the UK, there are lots of food and weight shows on TV and I guess it will be similar in the U.S. and Canada. How about pitching to the producers of these shows to have your products featured? Another idea is to find a health writer who would do a feature on the product."


From Annie Benefield-Lawrence:

"Are you sure you only want to carry them through the gym? How about the health food industry? We offer retreats and have people from around the country. Sometimes we offer healthy snacks. Also, resorts and health spas carry this type of snack for their guests. If you decide to carry them outside the gym, let me know."


From Gail Sideman:

"Another audience you may want to target is business travelers. When my favorite hometown airline ran out of its gourmet meals (for sale, of course) a few weeks ago, I went to my stash of protein bars for dinner! I always take nuts/almonds/fruit on the road to trade shows for when less-than-desirable alternatives are available." Click here to read about "Special Report #27: Fly High with Publicity in the In-flight Magazines" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


The Publicity Hound says:

Contact Parents magazine and other related magazines and suggest they do a blind taste test with a panel of kids, comparing various health bars. I'm betting yours will come out on top. Pitch the story to coincide with the health craze that starts just after the Christmas holidays.


Click here to continue reading all the responses to this Help This Hound question: http://tinyurl.com/37qrfg


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

Donald Hansen of Issaquah, Washington writes:
"Your readers responded well to an earlier question about needing help with our (then-Danish, now US/worldwide) website of Viking Age artifacts in replica at http://www.VikingTrader.net We used some of the suggestions to good effect. We also used your tips on how to get into the inflight magazines.

"Now we have another question that may apply to all of us with websites. How and where do we get into the competition for 'best websites' sponsored by various publications? I think U.S. News & World Report does this, but I'm sure that there are many more. Have you have any suggestions?"


The Publicity Hound says:

I love your question because publicity in top-tier media outlets and in the blogging community can bring a glut of traffic to your website. Before it all starts arriving, however, make sure you're capturing email addresses, like I do. Otherwise the traffic will come, and then leave, and you'll never know who was there and how to contact them. See "Special Report #51: 55 Free Things You Can Offer to Generate Publicity or Capture People's Email Addresses" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

If you're a Hound with a great idea for Donald, click here to post it at my blog: http://tinyurl.com/23wz34


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

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater...suggest that he wear a tail. --Fran Lebowitz


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

Halloween story ideas should be pitched now
http://tinyurl.com/3xmjlt


'World of wealth' is topic of new WSJ magazine
http://tinyurl.com/2lvwgo


Make a Difference Day, Oct. 27, a great publicity op
http://tinyurl.com/2jb4ec


'Lola' new lifestyle magazine for Boston women
http://tinyurl.com/2sdlwu


EzineArticles.com adds 27 niche categories
http://tinyurl.com/2vro55


Social media consumers must be fed--here's how
http://tinyurl.com/38vf32


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


September 18: Teleseminar

"How to Use FREE Publicity to Drive Tons of Traffic to Your Web Site," 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This is part of Michelle Nightengale's four-part teleseminar series for speakers, coaches, consultants, trainers, programmers, designers, and personal assistants on simple, effective marketing strategies to breathe life into your business and multiply your client base and profits in six months or less. Sign up at https://paydotcom.com/r/18572/JoanStewart/1612861/ where you can also listen to the unedited 65-minute roundtable call that previewed the entire series.


Sept. 24: Teleseminar

For members of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program. "How to Encourage Visitors to Comment at Your Blog & Where to Find Good Photos and Artwork to Accompany Your Blog Posts." 1 PM Eastern. Continue reading more about what you can learn in my program at http://www.publicityhound.com/mentorprogram/intro.html


Sept. 26: Chicago, Illinois

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


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

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

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


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

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® respects your privacy and has a strict anti-spam policy. Read my privacy policy at http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

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

Publicity tips/The College Exam Nightmare Sept 11, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #363 Sept. 11, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,411

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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

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

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

"How to Help Your Boss or Client with a Publicity Campaign"

Dozens of you have asked about how to buy the audio recordings or electronic transcripts of my weeklong training program for assistants, virtual assistants and interns. The audios are available as MP3 files and CDs.

Read more about what you and your assistant will learn at http://tinyurl.com/yvwdje This series is also perfect for small-business owners who want to manage their own publicity campaigns.
*******************************************************
================================
In This Issue
================================

1. The College Exam Nightmare

2. Article Rights

3. Eliminate Publicity Grunt Work

4. Donate a Prize for Publicity

5. Promoting a Fashion Design Competition

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. The College Exam Nightmare
======================================

Did you ever have the nightmare in which you're taking a final exam for a college course, and it suddenly dawns on you that you've never attended one class?

Or how about the bad dream in which all your teeth fall out?

Or the one in which you're going about your business, usually at work or in a public place, and realized you aren't wearing any clothes?

Dream expert Lauri Lowenberg of http://www.thedreamzone.com/ says those nightmares and others are good for us because they teach us a lesson about something that deserves our attention.

Lauri used her "nightmares are good for you" pitch at the National Publicity Summit in New York City three years ago, and immediately caught the attention of a booker for "The View."

On October 29, 2004, she was a guest on the Halloween episode in which Meredith Vieira and Company wore costumes and talked about spooky stuff like bad dreams.

At the publicity summit, Lauri also successfully pitched a story to the Hackensack Journal in New Jersey. A producer at ABC's "Good Morning America" read it and booked her for that show on November 29, 2004.

Her publicity campaign suddenly grew on its own, like a giant snowball rolling downhill. CNN's Anderson Cooper interviewed her twice, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, interviewed her once.

What can national publicity like that do for you?

"Right now I'm in Toronto, filming a pilot for The Discovery Health Channel, which will air in November," Lauri said last night from her hotel room. "It's my own show called 'The Dream Zone' and it will go to series in January. The National Publicity Summit was the launching pad that got me to this point. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself."

As of last night, the summit only had 14 seats left for its October 24-27 event. That's when you'll get to personally meet more than 100 producers and journalists who do stories and shows for many of America's biggest media outlets like the "Today" show, CNN, "Montel," Fox News, "O" the Oprah Magazine, Time magazine, "Fox & Friends," "48 Hours," ABC's "20/20," Alternative Medicine, USA Weekend, "Dateline NBC," Inc., Health magazine, Entrepreneur, MSNBC, Family Circle and many more top outlets.

All those media were represented at the last summit and most of them are expected back. Steve Harrison, who is hosting the summit, is also adding new producers and journalists.

Registration closes Sept. 18, a week from today. Don't miss out and then kick yourself later when you read other success stories like Lauri's in this space. Learn more about the summit at http://www.NationalPublicitySummit.com/?10011


========================================
2. Article Rights
========================================

You know you're a Publicity Hound when a newspaper, magazine or an influential website asks you to write an article on a particular topic.

Smart Hounds usually say yes. But what happens when, several months later, an even more influential publication wants to print the same article?

Some Hounds are stumped and don't know what to say. So they email me and ask, "Is that OK? Can somebody else reprint it?"

It all depends on what kind of an agreement you made the first time. Smart Hounds always maintain the copyright, unless they're receiving a freelance fee, in which case the publication usually buys first rights, some rights, or all rights.

If they buy all rights, you cannot give someone else permission to reprint the identical article because it isn't yours anymore. You can, however, rewrite it so that it's different enough from the first one, and then offer it to someone else.

I receive so many questions on the topic of articles and reprint rights that I asked intellectual property attorney Patricia Eyres to be my guest during a teleseminar called "Legal Issues You Must Know When Writing Articles for Fee or for Free."

Patricia mentioned, for example, that Publicity Hounds who automatically reprint an article written about them at their websites are violating copyright. You shouldn't reprint it without first getting permission. And if the article appeared in a major publication like the New York Times, you might be surprised that the newspaper wants several thousand dollars for reprint rights.

Avoid sticky situations like these, and others, by knowing your rights before you start writing and negotiating. The teleseminar is 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/dbc3p


=========================================
3. Eliminate Publicity Grunt Work
=========================================

If you're frustrated that you don't have time to implement all the great ideas you see here, consider hiring a virtual assistant to eliminate most of your grunt work by helping with chores like:

--Creating Google Alerts for specific keywords and keyword phrases, and then flagging you to the high-page-rank blogs that are writing about your topic, so you can post comments.

--Posting articles to article directory sites

--Proofreading your articles, press releases and website copy

--Researching media outlets that want your story ideas

--Regularly reading the blogs of journalists who you want to get in front of

--Submitting your press releases to press release distribution services

--Updating copy at your website, particularly in your online press room

--Updating your media contact lists

--Uploading videos to sites like YouTube.

--Researching podcasts that might welcome you as a guest

--Finding ways to recycle publicity

--Looking for book reviewers

--Finding content for your ezine and blog

--Ordering reprints of articles

--Doing keyword research

That just might free you up to write articles, start a blog, get onto the speaking circuit, or take a long weekend or even an extra vacation.

Sound intriguing? "How to Find a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Publicity Campaign" explains where to look for a VA, how to hire one, and tips for smooth sailing all the way. It's a recording of a teleseminar I conducted with VAs Cindy Greenway and Diana Ennen, and it's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/23lgpf


======================================
4. Donate a Prize for Publicity
======================================

There's a clever promotion under way at ProBlogger, one of the top blogging sites that's dedicated to showing bloggers how to add income streams to their blog.

The blog is celebrating its third anniversary, and Darren Rowse is asking readers to donate significant prizes--everything from cash to iPods--and generate some great publicity.

Call me nuts, but I'm donating $300 and participating for one selfish reason. His blog has a Google page rank of 6, which is very good. It was ranked the Number One blog for bloggers at http://tinyurl.com/yr7clu according to four factors, so he has a huge following.

That means that if Darren chooses my prize, then links to my blog, that one link will go a long way toward helping boost the page rank at my blog from 5 to 6. One of the things Google and the other search engines also consider in ranking websites and blogs is the number of bloggers who link to sites that link to me. The more links to ProBlogger, the better it is for me and others to whom Darren links. His contest is already generating alot of buzz online, and I want to get in on the action and in front of all those other bloggers.

If you do, too, learn more about the prizes he's looking for at http://tinyurl.com/yvzpkv Deadline is this Friday.

If you don't feel like donating, you can still get in front of influential bloggers and generate links from them, but only if you know how to play the game. That means you can't pitch bloggers the same old way you pitch traditional media. Learn the tricks of how to catch a blogger's attention and win a valuable link back to your own blog or website. "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and Create a Publicity Explosion" is available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

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


==========================================
5. Promoting a Fashion Design Competition
==========================================

This week, Brenda Rogerson of Highland, Michigan received seven responses to her question about how to generate more contestants for the American Sewing Expos' Baby Lock Passion for Fashion design contest inspired by Project Runway. The event is Sept. 28 in New York.


From Shonika Proctor:

I just searched 'Baby Lock' and I didn’t see your event listed on the highly ranked pages found under that term. The three sites listed below all have a dedicated event, blog or announcement link which appears to be to be used as a resource or feature an event such as yours. Contact these websites with the details about your contest. Offer to share photos of some of the contest entries that can then be posted on their websites and ultimately help to sell more Baby Lock machines (be sure to get permission from the contestants first). Here are the three sites:
http://www.babylock.com/
http://www.jennys-sewing-studio.com/Babylock.asp
http://www.quiltingbee.com/products/machines/BabyLock.html


From Alice Hohl:

"See if you can find a Facebook or MySpace page for the fashion majors at your local college, and post the information there."


From Linda Merrill:

"The blogosphere is the way to go. There are hugely popular fan websites dedicated to Project Runway. Specifically http://www.bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/ and http://www.bravissimoblog.blogspot.com/ They attract a wide readership of Project Runway devotees, including designers, stitchers, etc. Plus, just Google "Project Runway" blogs. There many people whose blogs include Project Runway with other shows or fashion-related items."

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/2w95vv


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

Jim Labadie of North Palm Beach, Florida writes:

"Our company has launched what we feel is the best tasting snack bar on the planet. It's called Prograde Cravers, and we literally sold out of our first shipment in just nine hours after we put them up for sale!

"You can see all the video testimonials we have from our recent debut at a fitness industry seminar at our website at http://tinyurl.com/3xfojy. Our Prograde Nutrition products are only available via fitness professionals, so it only made sense to let them try them first."

"I've got numerous ideas on how to promote the bars:

--Put the video testimonials on YouTube
--Perfect Halloween candy because they are 100 percent organic and less than 200 calories
--Holiday gift guides

"I'd really love some extraordinary ideas. The bars are so nutritious and taste so amazing we want to be sure they keep selling out. We want to be sure the entire U.S. and Canada knows about them and tries one. What ideas can your Hounds offer that will help us reach that goal?


The Publicity Hound says:

Send a sample snack bar to bloggers who write about anything related to food, fitness or nutrition. But first, make sure your website has a photo of the health bar so if they write about it, they can show their readers what it looks like. I wanted to use a photo at my blog and searched and searched at your site, but came up empty. See "How to Use Photos & Graphics in Your Publicity Campaign" at http://www.publicityhound.com/publicityphotos.htm

Hounds with ideas for Jim can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/37qrfg


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Jeff Haebig of Rochester, Minnesota for this one:

A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past.

The children saw the Dalmatian sitting in the front seat of the fire truck and started to discuss the dog's duties.

"They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster.

"No," said another, "he's just for good luck."

"I know!" said a third... "They use him to find the fire hydrant!"


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

Canadian magazines have their own blog
http://tinyurl.com/yrcop5


Company anniversary? Get onto the speaking circuit
http://tinyurl.com/yvcynq


Cockroach Hall of Fame museum still generating publicity
http://tinyurl.com/2z92tz


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


September 12: Germantown, Wisconsin

Menomonee Falls Rotary Club, noon, "How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," Lohmann's Steak House, W183 N9609 Appleton Ave. To attend, you must come as a guest of a current Rotary member.


September 18: Teleseminar

"How to Use FREE Publicity to Drive Tons of Traffic to Your Web Site," 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This is part of Michelle Nightengale's four-part teleseminar series for speakers, coaches, consultants, trainers, programmers, designers, and personal assistants on simple, effective marketing strategies to breathe life into your business and multiply your client base and profits in six months or less. Sign up at https://paydotcom.com/r/18572/JoanStewart/1612861/ where you can also listen to the unedited 65-minute round table call that previewed the entire series.

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

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

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


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

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® respects your privacy and has a strict anti-spam policy. Read my privacy policy at http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

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

Publicity tips/Michael Moore Health Challenge September 4, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #362 Sept. 4, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,057

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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

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

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

"How to Help Your Boss or Client with a Publicity Campaign"

Dozens of you have asked about how to buy the audio recordings or electronic transcripts of my weeklong training program for assistants, virtual assistants and interns. The sales page isn't even completed yet, but I'm selling the product this week only to readers of this newsletter and with a special offer that expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 7.

Here's the offer. Order the CDs, electronic transcripts, or the MP3 files by Friday night, and you can choose any three electronic transcripts priced at $39.95 from my inventory at http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/tapes.html -- for free. That's a $119.85 value. I'm making this offer because I couldn’t include every topic in this course, and your assistant might need more help in a particular area. In the comments section of the order form, tell me which 3 titles you want.

Read more about what you and your assistant will learn at http://tinyurl.com/yvwdje


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

1. Michael Moore Health Challenge

2. Don't Announce an Announcement

3. Pre-event Publicity on Weekend TV

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Retreat to Tuscany

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Michael Moore Health Challenge
======================================

When Michael Moore released his movie "Sicko," which helps promote free universal health care for everyone in the United States, fitness trainers Jim Labadie and Ryan Lee of North Palm Beach, Florida knew it was the perfect opportunity for Publicity Hounds like them to use two strategies I advocate.

First, piggyback off celebrities and current movies. Second, don't be afraid to become embroiled in a controversy.

With help from Tampa PR pro Lizz Harmon, that's exactly what they did.

"Mr. Moore is a walking advertisement for heart disease and diabetes," Jim says in an open letter to all fitness instructors."This is not to bash him. This is not to be viewed as an attack on him. This is not about aesthetics. This is not about looking good in a bathing suit. This is about Michael Moore exercising regularly and improving his diet so he can become a better role model for preventative care."

The letter at http://tinyurl.com/3ylxto urges fitness instructors to also write a letter that calls on the filmmaker to become a healthy role model.

"I haven't done too much with the letter other than promote it to people who have given us permission to email them," Jim says. He and Ryan emailed about 130,000 people in the fitness industry, and others who they thought would be interested.

Their campaign is starting to gain traction on the Internet because the topic is perfect fodder for special interest websites and bloggers, whether they write about fitness, health insurance or politics.

It's also edgy enough for drive-time radio interviews and local TV shows. If you're a fitness trainer, how about joining this campaign, then pitching your local TV stations?

Think the campaign is downright nasty and are you refusing to participate? Sounds like a story to me.

Shawne Duperon will explain exactly who to call in the TV newsroom, how to get through to the person who decides which stories get on the air, and how to deliver an enticing pitch that makes them say "yes." She was my guest during a teleseminar called "How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow."
It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

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


========================================
2. Don't Announce an Announcement
========================================

My skin crawls every time I see somebody "announcing" something in a press release or a news story.

They act as though the announcement is the news when, in fact, it isn't. The content of the announcement is all anybody cares about. That's why I'd love to ban the words "announce, announced, announcing" and "announcement" from publicity campaigns and news stories.

Then along comes former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a Republican who has been acting for months like he's running for president. Late last week, his office "announced" that on Thursday of this week, he'll make his official "announcement" that he's running.

Thompson and other big-name politicians might be able to get away with this kind of silly PR, but don't you ever try it.

How many times do you use the A-words when you write press releases?

Guilty? That's what I thought.

It's time to learn how to write releases that people will not only read, but find interesting and respond to. Sign up for my free email tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases."It explains how to write press releases not only for journalists, but for the search engines, which can deliver your press release directly to consumers who are searching for the kinds of information you're writing about.

Warning: This is an intensive 12-week course, but please stick with it. By the time you're done, you'll know more about how to write and distribute press releases than most professional PR people. As of today, 6,665 people have signed up for the course.

Don't have 89 days to spare? You can scroll to the bottom of the page and buy the entire course in a handy ebook for only $27.

Sign up now at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/list.htm and I'll email you your first lesson within 15 minutes.

Bloggers and ezine editors, do your readers a favor and tell them about this. If you really want to get their attention, challenge them to take this press release quiz at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/pwnu7


=========================================
3. Pre-event Publicity on Weekend TV
=========================================

If you're planning a special event, are you paying attention to the TV news shows in your community that are sometimes desperate for guests?

You should be. It can mean the difference between no pre-event coverage and tons of it. One of the best places to look is the weekend news shows at your local TV stations.

On Sunday morning, I caught the tail-end of an interview on a Milwaukee TV news show with somebody who was promoting the Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival in West Bend, Wisconsin, about a half hour from where I live.

The in-studio guest was talking up the event, and I immediately paid attention because the jazz festival is the highlight of our summer. We've attended the last several years and we'll be there again this weekend.

Last week, I noticed several email messages from the festival organizers which gave me the impression they were still trying to get rid of tickets for what's usually a sold-out event. I wouldn't be surprised if the PR people called the TV station and asked for an interview. Smart.

Saturday and Sunday mornings are perfect times for this kind of publicity. People like me, who seldom have time to catch the 10 o'clock TV news during the week, often tune in on the weekends, when life is just a little bit slower. If you have video from last year's event, offer it. That makes the story more enticing.

I know 846 other ways to generate publicity before, during and after your special event. Debra J. Schmidt and I explain them on "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events," a set of 6 audio CDs and a seventh CD that includes 15 can't-do-without checklists for event planners and publicists. The package is also available as an electronic transcript.

If you're planning or promoting a special event this year or next, your reputation, not to mention your job, could be at stake. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


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

If you're an expert who lives in New York City, or you're planning to visit there, apply to be on "Better TV," a daytime nationally syndicated lifestyle show debuting this month. They're looking for experts, guests, celebrities, chefs, entertainers and more.

The show is produced in New York by the Meredith Corporation for women ages 25-54 who want to make their lives better with programming focused on family, home and life. The show launches in 14 markets, reaching 10 percent of all American households.

To pitch "Better TV," email Marianne Mancusi at mailto:booking@better.tv

Thanks to Shawne Duperon's publicity newsletter for this lead. Subscribe at http://www.shawnetv.com/


==========================================
5. Promoting a Retreat to Tuscany
==========================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Kathy McCabe of Washington, D.C. She needs ideas on how to promote a weeklong goal-setting retreat in Tuscany, Italy for men and women in their 30s to 50s. You can read about it at http://www.dreamofitaly.com/public/365.cfm


John Easton says:

"Consider having those who have already signed up for your retreat post videos commenting on why they are attending. You can even run a contest for the best story. Brightcove.com has a free service level that will allow you to embed a video player within a page on your website and allow users to upload their videos to your player. There is a very robust content management back end where you can view/approve submissions and control the sequence of videos. You can even include advertising within videos or between videos."


Andrea Kinney Says:

"If you are amenable to paying travel agent commissions, partner with agents by marketing to them through the travel trade magazines such as Travel Trade or Travel Weekly. Every agent has their own lists of hundreds or thousands of clients that you maybe able to reach out to through these specialists."


Paula Baldoni Says:

"Overall...I can’t get a sense of who the hosts would like to have on their retreat (looking through the site and the links). Who is the ideal customer? (In something like this, I would imagine you want participants that really get you juiced!) So, what does that client look like? Where is she in her life? What does she do for a living, what is her financial situation, where does she shop, what does she eat? Is she a stay-at-home mom? A corporate woman? A small business owner? Does she prefer noodle casserole over Pasta Carbonara? Both are great customers, but who do you want?"


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/2ghdn7

Then consider reaching out to the travel media with your travel-related story. Holly Johnson has generated fabulous publicity for her travel clients, and she shares all her secrets on the CD "How to Work with the Travel Media." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/38825k


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

Brenda Rogerson of Highland, Michigan writes:

"The American Sewing Expo is the largest independently owned sewing expo in the country with over 15,000 people attending our three-day show from all over the U.S. In addition to classes, vendors, a sewing cafe and special exhibits, we have several challenges for sewers of all abilities and interests.

"We are having a hard time getting contestants for our Baby Lock Passion for Fashion design contest inspired by Project Runway. This a live challenge that will let avid sewers showcase their sewing and design talents, complete with professional models and a fashion show. The participant will be given a design challenge scenario and have all day Friday, September 28, to create their' secret project.' Expo attendees will have the opportunity to follow the progress of the designers as they work on their creations. Contestants return on Saturday, September 29, for a last-minute fitting on their professional model before the fashion show in the afternoon.

"We have contacted the local colleges, run ads in several sewing publications, posted several places on the web, and have information and rules on our website at http://www.americansewingexpo.com/ but have not had much response. Any ideas?"


The Publicity Hound says:

I'm not sure where on the web you're promoting this contest, but there are a zillion websites for women, including those devoted to art, fashion, design, sewing, crafts, modeling, etc. Because you're working on a short deadline, I'd pitch bloggers who write about those issues. Play up the grand prize: the trip to New York City.

OK, Hounds. I know many of you have ideas better than mine. Post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2w95vv


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7. Hound Joke of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Karen Russell of West Hills, California for this one:

At one home on my husband's letter-carrying route, the dog on the other side of the mail slot always barked excitedly, and eagerly grabbed the mail. One day the dog's owner explained that the Labrador had started bringing the mail upstairs to him soon after he got him, so he promptly rewarded the dog with a treat.

After several months, there was a slight change in procedure: The dog still delivered the mail upstairs--but only one piece at a time.


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

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

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


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8. And at My Blog...
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Papa Jack Weil, oldest CEO, great Labor Day story
http://tinyurl.com/2oyejz

Charlotte Observer business sections pitching tips
http://tinyurl.com/25nkdf

Free meeting rooms: A great PR tactic
http://tinyurl.com/2sbmgv


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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


September 4: Teleseminar

I'll be among the four guests joining Michelle Nightengale for a free one-hour roundtable teleseminar. It's a sneak preview of her teleseminar series Sept. 11 to Oct. 2 for speakers, coaches, consultants, trainers, programmers, designers, and personal assistants on simple, effective marketing strategies to breathe life into your business and multiply your client base and profits in six months or less. I'll present my one-hour segment on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Sign up for the Sept. 4 call at https://paydotcom.com/r/18572/JoanStewart/1612861/


September 11: Brookfield, Wisconsin

Association for Volunteer Administration of Southeastern Wisconsin, keynote presentation on "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get Thousands of Dollars in FREE Online and Offline Publicity," 9:45 a.m., University of Phoenix Metro-Milwaukee Campus, 20075 Watertower Blvd. $30 for AVA/SEW and IAVC members, $40 for non-members. Deadline August 31. Learn more at http://www.ava-sew.org/content/blogcategory/5/4/or call Kay Bloesl at 414-571-1327 to register.


September 12: Germantown, Wisconsin

Menomonee Falls Rotary Club, noon, "How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," Lohmann's Steak House, W183 N9609 Appleton Ave. To attend, you must come as a guest of a current Rotary member.


September 18: Teleseminar

"How to Use FREE Publicity to Drive Tons of Traffic to Your Web Site," 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This is part of Michelle Nightengale's four-part teleseminar series for speakers, coaches, consultants, trainers, programmers, designers, and personal assistants on simple, effective marketing strategies to breathe life into your business and multiply your client base and profits in six months or less. Sign up at https://paydotcom.com/r/18572/JoanStewart/1612861/


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

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


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