Publicity tips/Get Your Product into Target Oct 30, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #370 Oct. 30, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,734


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

"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.

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

2 Deadlines on Wednesday, October 31:

--Wednesday, Oct. 31, is the deadline for the double-dip discount offered by Expertclick, the Online Yearbook of Experts that not only gets you into their experts database, but lets you post up to 52 press releases a year with no per-release charges. You get both their $100 Early Discount and a $100 Publicity Hound Discount when you join at http://tinyurl.com/253za3. Unlike most of the freebie press release distribution services, they have a customer service support line at 202-333-5000. You can call that number from 9 to 5 Eastern if you have questions about what your membership includes. I've been a member for several years. You can see my pressroom page and news releases at http://www.expertclick.com/19-2429

--Steve Harrison is accepting applications until 6 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, Oct. 31, for his Quantum Leap Marketing Coaching Program for authors, speakers and experts. Apply at http://www.YourQuantumLeap.com/apply/?10011 See Item #4 below.

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

1. Get Your Product into Target

2. Tweak Your Pitch

3. Confusing Social Networking

4. When Writing a Book is a Bad Idea

5. Promoting a Dental Drill

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

======================================
1. Get Your Product into Target
======================================

If you sell a book or other product that's a good fit with customers who shop at Target, you have a lot of work to do.

For starters, you should be pitching a story to the Minneapolis Star Tribune that ties into what you're selling. That's because most buyers for Target live in Minneapolis, where the chain is headquartered, and most of them read the local daily newspaper.

Let's say the Star Tribune prints a story. The long, arduous job of winning coveted shelf space in Target is just beginning and could take a year or more.

It will require a formal presentation to a buyer. At that meeting, you must provide details for your advertising and publicity campaigns, as well as your plans for marketing, merchandising, in-store demos, point-of-sale displays, giveaways, promotion with credit cards, special events and more.

Unless you're a huge household name, Target is unlikely to include you in their circulars or advertising, so you will have to help sell your products at Target through your own efforts and use every trick up your Publicity Hound sleeve.

Margie Zable Fisher, president of Zable Fisher Public Relations in Boca Raton, Florida, may well be one of the foremost experts on getting your books and other products into Target stores.

When a potential client asked Margie for help getting her products into Target, Margie could barely find any information. She spent hours researching the topic and talked to current and former Target buyers, manufacturers and distributors, licensing companies, sales rep companies and more. Most of them asked her to use the information anonymously.

The result of her research is the special report "Skyrocket Your Sales by Getting Your Product in Target." It shows you, step-by-step, how to do it, even if you're a small business.

I love Target, and I found the report fascinating. The next time I shop there, I'll be looking at the merchandise a whole new way. She even teaches you how to search the shelves for valuable clues about the kinds of products Target loves.

Even Guy Kawasaki, Entrepreneur magazine's "Wise Guy" columnist, endorses the report.

It's only $49, a real deal considering that the initial order for Target stores is often 9,000 products or more. Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2137388

What? You say you'd rather sell to Wal-Mart? Click anyway and you'll get 7 tips on how to do just that.

By the way, if Target, Wal-Mart or any of the other big box stores accepts your product, that's a terrific story for your trade journals and business publications.

========================================
2. Tweak Your Pitch
========================================

When you pitch a story to a magazine editor and the editor declines, sometimes all it takes is a little tweaking to change the editor's mind.

That's what happened when Tina Lancy emailed the editor of Go, Airtran's inflight magazine, last November. She pitched a story about College Assistance Plus, the Rochester, New York-based consulting firm she works for that helps high school students find the right college at the right price.

He liked the story idea but said it wasn't a good fit with his audience because Rochester isn't on Airtran's route.

"I told him this isn't a Rochester story," she said. "This is a story that affects business travelers who have college-age kids and families everywhere because high school students everywhere are looking for colleges. I also told him we are selling franchises in many cities the airline serves."

The franchise angle caught his attention. In March this year, Go featured a story and photos about College Assistance Plus that took up three and a half pages. The feature generated a whopping 40 applications for franchises.

"Not everyone who applied bought," Tina said. "But our company is still working off those leads."

Tina didn't stop there. When she pitched the editor of Entrepreneur magazine, she included in her pitch information about the story in Go, a non-competing magazine. Mentioning other major hits in non-competing media often works in your favor and lets journalists know you're already media-savvy.

Entrepreneur wrote a short story about Tina's company in the November issue, which has been on newsstands for about a week. That story already has generated nine more applications for franchises.

Tina, by the way, considers herself a publicity puppy. She has no formal training in PR and is self-taught. If she can do it, so can you.

If you're targeting inflight magazines like she did, but you're working off an old media list, you might be pitching editors who are long gone. "Special Report #29: Fly High with Publicity in the Inflight Magazines" offers updated contact information and lots of pitching tips for 42 inflight magazines. Only $37. Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

=========================================
3. Confusing Social Networking
=========================================

I don't know about you. But when I read about all the opportunities to do social networking, I feel like a rat in a maze.

It's all I can do to keep up with the emails and invitations from my MySpace and LinkedIn friends.

Then there's Twitter. Gather. SmugMug. Wetpaint. StyleHive. ShoutWire. Furl. MeetUp. Frappr. Flickr. 43 Things. Ma.gnolia. WikiHow. Del.icio.us. Reddit. And Ning.

Some of them look like typos. Others I don't know how to pronounce. My eyes glaze over just reading the list.

Do yours?

If so, don't miss my teleseminar series on "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008" which starts today. It includes a presentation on Wednesday by Internet marketer Don Crowther, who will name the top 8 social networking sites or tools that we should work into next year's media plan.

Convinced social networking isn't for you? Don will change your mind by the end of the hour.

If you can't participate in all eight teleseminars, that's OK. I'm recording them all, and you'll get the audio downloads, including 30 days of free email support.

Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://www.PublicityHound.com/MediaPlan.htm

I'll be offering the entire series as a product afterward, and I'll let you know as soon as it's available.


=========================================
4. When Writing a Book is a Bad Idea
=========================================

Heather Gallegos says it's a shame that so many women won't visit day spas because they're intimidated by the way they look sans clothes.

So she decided to write a book to bust day spa myths and explain that nobody cares what you look like at a spa. Besides, lots of other women are relaxing with cucumber slices over their eyes and can't look anyway.

Heather, a marketing business consultant to the day spa and medical spa industry, attended Steve Harrison's Quantum Leap program last November for authors, speakers and experts because she wanted the book to be a success.

She learned rather quickly, however, that the book must upsell readers to other products and services that she didn't have. That convinced her to put the book on hold and start creating products.

"The Quantum Leap coaching program was one of the best investments I ever made because it saved me a lot of time and alot of money publishing a book I wasn't ready to publish," she said.

Fast-forward to last week, when Heather approached me to help her create a training program that teaches day spa and medical spa owners about publicity. I said yes immediately because we're a perfect fit. We'll decide next week exactly what it will entail.

In the meantime, other authors, speakers and experts who don't want to make the mistake Heather almost made, or who want to take a quantum leap in their careers, have until 6 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, October 31, to apply for this year's program. Only 65 people will be accepted. Click here to read more about what the program can do for you: http://www.yourquantumleap.com/apply/?10011

If all you care about is selling books, consider attending Steve's "Sell Books by the Truckload" event in Philadelphia Nov 8-10. Southwest Airlines serves Philly, so you can save on travel. Click here to read more about what you'll learn: http://www.sellbooksbythetruckload.com/?10011

==========================================
5. Promoting a Dental Drill
==========================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips for Elbert Mackey of Austin, Texas. He wants ideas on how to promote a new FDA-approved disposable dental drill.


From Jessica Satterfield:

"Your customers probably don't know they need this product. So maybe your first step would be to pitch some trend stories to women's and men's health magazines (Self, Men's Health, Fitness, etc.) to shed some light on the issue. The story can be an exposé on the disturbing trend of disease being spread at the dentist’s office, and what readers can do to protect themselves. Then, your product can be part of the solution."


From Dory Willer:

"Affiliate with those that can endorse your product and sell it for you via an affiliation code, providing an incentive of passive income, such as 1-800-DENTIST at http://1800dentist.com/ Have their marketing team create the pitch to their customers. Or go the brokerage route where you add your product to a list of products that brokers present to dentists."


From Leo Willcocks:

"Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, in a radio interview, said his book was available at all bookstores. At the time, only one was stocking it! But it got people asking, and pretty soon all the bookstores were calling him to place orders. You could say that your product is available at all good dentists, and make sure you have the systems ready for when the orders pour in."


The Publicity Hound says:

Elbert, pitch this to the new product section of parents magazines. See "Secrets of Perfect Pitching to Reporters" at http://tinyurl.com/s3tyx and make sure you have a good-quality photo available.


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/223o3f


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

Tamra Engle of Oakland, California writes:

"I've worked for over 25 years as a musician. But the 'rock star' in the mirror is now in her late 40s, but still able to crank out tunes that TV, films and new media are willing to pay me for. I write songs to pitch to the few TV/film folks I am establishing relationships with.

"So my publicity focus is to that very small behind-the-scenes group of music supervisors and film producers who can give me the work, as well as any other company that needs music for their corporate presentation, video game, or whatever. What, pray tell, are the best publicity tactics I can use to convince those people I'm their gal? I have gotten on to blogs like The Muse's Muse and ProBlogger, I have a monthly newsletter that I send out to my fan base and have generated a few press releases to industry trades.

"Your Hounds can read about me and hear samples of some of my personal as well as TV music at http://www.tamraengle.com/ if that helps them formulate some suggestions."


The Publicity Hound says:

Lots of musicians and music publicists read this newsletter. They and other Hounds will hit the right notes when it comes to giving you lots of ideas. Hounds with suggestions for Tamra can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/36zm3l


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

I'm taking Bogie to her last dog-training class at the vet's office tomorrow night, where she will learn to "stay." So this one is appropriate:


Sign at a veterinarian's office:

"We will be back in five minutes. Sit! Stay!"


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

How to pitch bloggers: 21 tips
http://tinyurl.com/ytwkad


Entrepreneur's almanac features press release tips
http://tinyurl.com/yq7k2h


FEMA's phony press conference a PR disaster
http://tinyurl.com/youhan


CVBs, chambers: Bring 'Ellen' to your town
http://tinyurl.com/yqxwug


Learn 5 legal issues for online businesses
http://tinyurl.com/26rtub


Radio-TV Interview Report gets good reviews
http://tinyurl.com/2y386l


Holiday gift guide tips featured weekly in free ezine
http://tinyurl.com/yqhdhv


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Oct. 30-Nov. 2: "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008"

This teleseminar series features eight sessions that will show you how to create a media plan, research targeted traditional and social media and milk every opportunity to promote your product, service, cause or issue. Two one-hour teleseminars each day for four days. See the stellar line-up of guest experts at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


Nov. 8: Gurnee, Illinois

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," 9 a.m. to noon. "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time. At the Rink Side Sports & Family Entertainment Center meeting room in the Gurnee Mills Mall. Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.htm


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.


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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/Ellen, Moms and Mutts Oct 23, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #369 Oct. 23, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,734

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

"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.

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

Media Plan Teleseminar Series Starts Tuesday:

--Don't wait until January to start worrying about how you're
going to promote yourself or your PR client next year. Smart
Publicity Hounds will have done the bulk of their planning long
before that. And they'll be pitching in January, while the not-
so-savvy Media Mutts are bogged down with research and other
time-consuming chores they should have been doing right now. Get
a huge jump on your competitors, then leave 'em in the dust next
year, by creating a smart, efficient media plan that guides you
through the entire process of promoting a product, service, cause
or issue.

This series is filling up fast. Learn more at
http://publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm

See Item #3 below.

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

1. Ellen, Moms and Mutts

2. Replay of Last Night's Call

3. What the Best Media Plans Include

4. Halloween Ideas

5. Promoting a Small-Business Web Portal

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Ellen, Moms and Mutts
======================================

Too bad that TV talk show host Ellen Degeneres and the dog rescue
group Moms and Mutts didn't have Publicity Hound Joni Hubred-
Golden by their side last week to help avert a PR disaster.

Ellen, you may have heard, adopted a terrier mix dog named Iggy
from the nonprofit dog rescue group Moms and Mutts. When the dog
didn't get along with her cats, she gave it away to her
hairdresser--in direct violation of the organization's rules.

The dog rescue group ridiculed Ellen publicly. Ellen cried on her
show. The animal rights people went nuts. And the bloggers threw
gasoline on the fire. Even radio talk show hosts chastised Moms
and Mutts for yanking the dog out of the hands of the
hairdresser's two little girls who had bonded with it.

Joni, of Farmington, Michigan, reads this newsletter and offered
what would have been a terrific solution:

"Moms and Mutts really missed a GREAT opportunity to get some
national PR. They could have said, 'OK, you broke the contract,
but let's talk. We'll come on your show and discuss how important
it is to place dogs in the right homes, and why we have this
contract provision that you can't just give the dog away--and
we'll do our due diligence with your hairdresser to make sure
this is a good home for the dog, and everybody will be happy.'
Ellen gets great ratings, and this group wouldn't be seen
negatively by her loyal fans.

"These women need a good publicist!"

Indeed, Joni.

TV talk shows love controversy. An on-air love-fest between Ellen
and the moms, complete with a few mutts on the set, would have
made for great TV and fabulous publicity.

If you aren't afraid of controversy (and no Publicity Hound
should be), the TV talk shows will want to hear your pitch. Book
publicist Lissa Warren has regularly placed dozens of her clients
on shows like "Good Morning America" and the "Today" show. She
explains how she does it, and how you can too, on "How to Get
Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows."

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.
Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/ab86x

========================================
2. Replay of Last Night's Call
========================================

More than 500 authors, wanna-be authors, writers, publicists,
speakers, coaches, experts and other Publicity Hounds were on
last night's call and heard me interview Tom Antion and Adam
Witty about how authors can sell lots of books and related
products online.

If you missed the call, you can listen to the replay at
http://www.GreatInternetMaarketing.com/joan.htm

It was 90 minutes of solid content, including these tips:

--Authors, or anyone else for that matter, don't have to spend
several thousand dollars on a website. Tom explained how you
can create a simple website for under $100. (This is not a
typo.)

--Even fiction authors can set up lucrative membership sites.
Adam said: "As a fiction author, people care about not just what
you write about, but what you think, breathe and eat. They care
about other books you're reading." Smart fiction authors are
creating fan clubs and charging from $19.95 to $29.95 a month to
join. In return, fans receive a monthly newsletter. They get
sneak previews of new books the author has written. The author
even asks the fans for feedback on things like the title or
subtitle of their new book, or plot development.

--Smart authors repackage the content of their books and create
spinoff products such as CDs, DVDs, ebooks, special reports, home
study programs, and teleclasses. They create a higher-priced
product and call it a "system," a "method" or a "kit." Then they
create an even higher-priced mentor program. They are always
upselling and never use their book as their primary revenue
generator.

Listen for hundreds of other tips that explain Tom's and Adam's
three-pronged approach to making books and other products fly out
the door:
http://www.GreatInternetMarketing.com/joan.htm

Their ideas work equally well for many other kinds of products,
not just books.


=========================================
3. What the Best Media Plans Include
=========================================

When I created media plans for my PR clients, I always built in
time for them to meet their local media contacts in person.

Sometimes it was over lunch. If a journalist couldn't break away
for lunch, the client would offer to visit the newspaper office
which saved time.

Often, that getting-to-know-you session paid huge dividends. It
gave the journalist time to match a name with a face. And it gave
my client the chance to ask the most important question you must
ask every journalist you meet: "How can I help you?"

These days, the job of meeting your key contacts is more
difficult. That's because bloggers are now among the people you
should be targeting with your message.

A good media plan works bloggers into the schedule, too. Not by
in-person contacts but by doing things such as taking the time to
comment at their blogs so they know who you are long before you
tell them about your product, service, cause or issue.

I pay close attention to everyone who comments at my blog, and
you can bet that if someone who posted a comment later emails me
and mentions that they read my blog regularly and have commented,
I sit up and pay attention.

My media plans for clients usually included an extra little
publicity hit every time a newspaper or magazine wrote a story
about them. I'd tell the client to write a letter to the editor
of the publication that just wrote about them, and comment on an
aspect of the story that the journalist didn't write about.

This little trick delivered a one-two punch. It gave readers who
saw the original article another chance to read about my
client. It also gave readers who missed the original story a
chance to see my client's name in print.

I have lots more tricks like that up my sleeve, and I'll be
sharing them during the teleseminar series "How to Create a Media
Plan for 2008," which starts on Tuesday, October 30.

Everyone who registers receives a handy template they can use
when creating their own plan. They also receive a copy of my
ebook "How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound," 30 days of email
support at a password-protected discussion board, two handy
notepads with "10 Magic Phrases the Media Love" and a list of 219
story ideas that are ideal for print and broadcast media.

Continue reading more about my stellar line-up of guest
presenters at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
4. Halloween Ideas
=========================================

Here are some ideas on how to promote a product, service, cause
or issue by tying it to Halloween, the second largest retail
holiday of the year. They're courtesy of TV producer Shawne
Duperon, one of my guests during next week's media plan
teleseminar series:

--Sponsor a pumpkin-carving contest at your company. Challenge
participants to carve the call letters of a certain local TV
station. Then contact the station, invite them to bring their
camera and film the carvers whittling, cutting and slicing.

--Pitch the fear angle. What's our cultural fascination with
being frightened, watching horror flicks or going to haunted
houses? Experts, pitch away!

--Do you own a specialty shop? Do you create customized cookies
or cakes? The pumpkin-carving idea can also apply here. Bakers,
create a spooky confection with the call letters of your local TV
station. Send it to the "Queen Bee" in the TV newsroom. Your
confections and store could catch their eye for a story.

--The media always want to know about healthy alternatives to
trick-or-treat or tips on how to inspect candy and make sure it's
safe.


Shawn explains how to identify the Queen Bee in every TV
newsroom, how to make the QB interested in your pitch, and the
little extras you can offer to get yourself on TV. Shawne's tips
are featuring in "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.

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


==========================================
5. Promoting a Small-Business Web Portal
==========================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have tips for John Easton of
Charlotte, North Carolina on how to promote his web video portal
called Broadcast Charlotte at http://www.broadcastcharlotte.com
It features local small business events such as on-demand video
coverage of grand openings and trade seminars.


From Renee Brown:

"Being from the Charlotte area, I know that there are a lot of
areas that can be marketed too. One of the main ones is all the
events that go on uptown...Attend the events, interview the main
person or someone who is directly involved with that certain
event, record some of the events if allowed and publish them.
Hand out your business card, fliers, and write articles on each
event and submit them to the Charlotte Observer."


From Jamie Foster:

"Have an event at a new restaurant and invite other businesses to
participate in the video coverage."


From Shonika Proctor:

"Have you considered speaking pro bono at a local Chamber or your
SBA’s Local Small Business Development Centers about a topic such
as '5 Ways For Time Strapped Small Businesses to Put More Time in
a Day?' and then you can introduce your video web portal as a
tie-in, or one of the five ways. You can play with the words in
the title and change 'small business' to: 'nonprofits,
solopreneurs/home based businesses or big businesses' to attract
your niche market and do other tie in products or services.


The Publicity Hound says:

John, offer your video to all local newspapers and TV stations.
Many of these media outlets, as you know, feature user-generated
video. You should also start collecting email addresses of local
business people who want to be notified each time you shoot a
video, or from people who want to learn how to shoot their own
videos. Collecting emails and publishing a "video tip of the
week" can pay off down the road.


Dan Janal interviewed me on "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash
Machine," and I explained all the ways I use this newsletter to
build a community of loyal Publicity Hounds and sell products and
services. Click here to continue reading more about how you can
do it, too: http://tinyurl.com/y6mp2c


Read all the responses to this Help this Hound question at
http://tinyurl.com/22eyn7


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

Elbert Mackey of Austin, Texas writes:

"I am interested in pitching a new FDA-approved disposable dental
drill that consumers buy from us for $49.95 and which we, in
turn, ship directly to their choice of dentists throughout the
United States. The FDA prohibits the sale of dental devices to
consumers.

"Our one-time-use dental drill eliminates patient concerns for
safety when visiting the dentist. In dentistry, secondary
diseases such as hepatitis and HIV viruses are transmitted
primarily to the patient or to the health care worker by the use
of contaminated dental instruments. The conventional reusable
dental drill’s sterility cannot always be assured by the patient.
Also, the drill has one of the highest risk factors for secondary
diseases.

"Our disposable one-time-use drill solves this problem and allows
consumers to take a more involved role in their own health care.
What tips do your Hounds have on how to publicize and market the
drill?"


The Publicity Hound says:

This is a tough one, Elbert, because I suspect that dentists
wouldn't endorse your product. That said, let's see what ideas we
can brainstorm. Hounds with marketing and publicity ideas for
Elbert can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/223o3f


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

Thanks to marketing guru Shel Horowitz of Northampton,
Massachusetts for this one:

A woman told a marriage counselor that her husband's complaint
that he leads a dog's life is probably well-founded.

"He comes in the house with muddy feet," she said, "tracks across
my clean floors, barks at nothing, growls at his food and makes
himself comfortable on my best furniture."


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

Free press release distribution for Calif. wildfire news
http://tinyurl.com/yv3d9o


Entrepreneur columnist focuses on do-gooders
http://tinyurl.com23v8ar


Treat your blog like a dog
http://tinyurl.com/2zhmrr


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Oct. 30-Nov. 2: "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008"

This teleseminar series features eight sessions that will show
you how to create a media plan, research targeted traditional and
social media and milk every opportunity to promote your product,
service, cause or issue. Two one-hour teleseminars each day for
four days. See the stellar line-up of guest experts at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


Nov. 8: Gurnee, Illinois

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in
Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," 9 a.m. to noon. "The
New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not
Only for Journalists" from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time. At the
Rink Side Sports & Family Entertainment Center meeting room in
the Gurnee Mills Mall. Register at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.htm


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/Create a 2008 Media Plan Oct. 16, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #368 Oct. 16, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 34,944

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

"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.

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

Attention Shoppers, Attention Shoppers:

--When my workshops are done for the day on November 8 at Gurnee Mills Mall in Gurnee, Illinois, Publicity Hounds can shop till they drop, if they have any energy left. Everyone who attends one or both sessions will receive a coupon book worth $500 at stores within the mall. Is that cool, or what?

My host, Jeanne Lundgren, a Publicity Hound extraordinaire from Rink Side Sports & Family Entertainment Center, made it all possible. Click here to continue reading about what other fun we'll be having that day:http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.htm

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

1. Create a 2008 Media Plan

2. Authors Worry About the Wrong Things

3. Your Favorite Online Calendar Sites

4. My Big, Dumb Speaking Mistake

5. Promoting a Festival of Owls

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week


======================================
1. Create a 2008 Media Plan
======================================

If you were leaving home on a 1,9000-mile car trip, and you knew where you wanted to end up, I'll bet you wouldn't leave your driveway without a road map or two.

Otherwise, you'd be making dozens of wrong turns, wasting time and gasoline. At long last, you'd arrive several days later than you had planned.

So why would you even attempt a publicity campaign without a handy road map also known as a publicity plan? Why risk dead ends, backtracking and wasted effort?

This time of year, professional publicists and do-it-yourself promoters start emailing me about how to create a media plan for next year. Many of them are new to PR, and they don't know what a media plan looks like.

If you've been around PR Land for awhile, you might be just as puzzled as the newbies.

But you can't just throw a few story ideas on paper, and then start pitching. If you do, good luck getting from here to there! You'll end up sidetracked when a breaking news story throws you off-course.

And follow up? It will be non-existent. That means starting from scratch all over again.

There's an easier, more efficient, more productive way.

If you start mapping out a strategy now on how to promote your product, service, cause or issue in the traditional media, and figure out how to join the many online conversations under way at the many social media websites, you have a good chance of crushing your competitors, most of whom won't be as smart as you.

A 12-month plan with realistic, achievable action steps will point you toward your goal. It will keep you focused, while still giving you room to react to unforeseen events.

For the first time ever, and due to your many requests, Publicity Hound University will offer a series of teleseminars on "How to Create a Media Plan for 2008."

It starts October 30 and it comes with 30 days of email support. No crowded airplanes, crummy hotels, unhealthy road food, or ice-cold meeting halls. Relax and enjoy each lesson from the comfort of your home or office. You don't even have to be present at each session because I'll send you the link where you can download the audio.

Click here to continue reading about how to join us: http://www.PublicityHound.com/MediaPlan.htm


========================================
2. Authors Worry About the Wrong Things
========================================

Authors, like many other Publicity Hounds, waste too much time worrying about the wrong things when it comes to selling books online.

They spend precious time, for example, fretting about the perfect shade of lavender, the primary color at the site, so it doesn't clash with the green cover of the book that's displayed prominently.

They dream up ways to add spark to the site with gaudy flash openings in which things bounce around the screen, blink on and off, and jump from side to side. Instead, the website looks like a gaudy carnival midway.

They rely on those outdated "guest books" to capture email addresses, and those silly "counters" that tally, embarrassingly, too few visitors at their site.

Missing are a gold mine of free articles, a link to a content-rich blog, pages optimized for the search engines, and one of those obtrusive boxes that bounces down from the top of the screen as soon as a visitor arrives.

Yes, those boxes are indeed annoying. But they capture email addresses quickly, and they bypass the pop-up box filters. Still, authors think the boxes are too "over the edge" for them. Then they wonder why they sell only an armful of books from their website within one long year.

Tom Antion and Adam Witty would rather see authors worrying about other things. Like which web pages pull in the most traffic. Or which pages lose the most visitors. Or how to blog about their topic. Or how to manage their own websites without having to rely on expensive techies who take two days to fix one lousy typo.

Tom, an internationally acclaimed expert at Internet marketing, and Adam, founder and CEO of Advantage Media Group, a leading author-centric publisher, want authors everywhere to stop relying only on bookstores to sell the bulk of their books. They want you to know about their "three-pronged attack" for making books flyout the door, thanks to a website that goes ka-ching, ka-ching.

I've bribed them to be my guests during a f*ree teleseminar for authors or wanna-bes. It will be from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, October 22. It's called "How Authors Make Money on the Internet...FOR REAL."

Curious? Sign up at http://publicityhound.net/authors


=========================================
3. Your Favorite Online Calendar Sites
=========================================

When you have a special event to promote, are you doing more than just pushing out your message to traditional media?

Are you pulling in traffic by posting your event to online calendar directories?

Learn about the six we're using, and then join the conversation at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2xeogp

Let's see how many we can share with each other.

I've got more than 847 other ideas on how to plan and promote special events. You can hear them on the 6-CD package called "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events." Or read about them on the electronic transcripts. I created the package with Debra J. Schmidt, a former event planner who was never at a loss for ways to pull in the media and the crowds.

My favorite special event success story is the one about the women's golf tournament organizers who decorated all the Port-a-potties with delicate finger towels, scented candles, and pretty toilet paper. Guess what the golfers were buzzing about at the banquet that night and even the following year?

Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn, and download five of our handy checklists: http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


=========================================
4. My Big, Dumb Speaking Mistake
=========================================

During last week's teleseminar with James Malinchak, who explained how to get onto the college speaking circuit, I was kicking myself for being naive when I started my business more than 10 years ago.

When I hit the speaking circuit, I never even considered speaking at colleges because, well, they're not my market.

Then last Tuesday, I heard James rattle off a list of 20 categories of topics that are ideal for people who want to speak at colleges and universities.

Three of them fit in beautifully with my publicity expertise:

--Marketing and management. I could have done a marketing segment on the importance of publicity and public relations.

--Staff development training. I could have worked with the PR staff and even the professors and shown them how to generate publicity for a particular class, a special event, or the entire college or university.

--Entrepreneur-related. What's it like to climb to the top of the corporate ladder, and then suddenly realize it's time to jump off the ladder and have no idea what awaits below? I could have explained how I took the plunge without knowing where I was headed. And I landed with my feet on the ground and started my own business.

If you're a speaker, and you're making the same big, dumb mistake I did--writing off colleges and universities as too unworthy or too poor or too "lowly" for your important topic, please reconsider.

If you're a wanna-be speaker who isn't considering colleges either, take 60 minutes to listen to the replay of last week's teleseminar with James. He thinks every speaker has a presentation that fits neatly into one of the 20 categories. He also explains where the big pots of money (paid to speakers) are located on campus. Once you know where they are, you can target the correct administrators and staff.

It could be the most valuable 60 minutes you spend on your career this year. Click here to see if your topic is a great fit: http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/stewart


==========================================
5. Promoting a Festival of Owls
==========================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips on how Karla Kinstler of Houston, Minnesota can promote the International Festival of Owls at http://www.festivalofowls.com It's held annually the first weekend in March in the tiny little town of Houston.


From Janet Huey:

"There are many organizations dealing with wildlife. A Google search will get you a bunch of places to send your info. Many rehabbers, as they are called, specialize in specific animals, so your info will be forwarded to generalists as well as owl-specific people."


From Doris Appelbaum:

"The owl is the mascot for Mensa members (Wisconsin for sure -but I think internationally). I would suggest a tie-in with Mensa International. I know they would love to place an article about your event in their monthly publication. These folks are also a great source of puns, if you want some humor."


From Donna Cook:

"We went to the Hummingbird Festival in Mississippi, and found out about it on a flyer at the Visitors Information Center rest area. They have over 800 people over their weekend. We just happen to be driving through the neighborhood.


The Publicity Hound says:

Have you created a Google Alert for "owls"? If so, Google will deliver a list of websites, online articles and news stories dealing with owls. Then you can really target like a laser!


Farm out this task to your assistant or VA. But give them far more than just that. Check out my CDs, MP3 files or electronic transcripts called "How to Help Your Boss or Client with a Publicity Campaign." By the time assistants are done reviewing these materials, they'll know more about how to do PR than many PR people. Click here to continue reading about everything they'll learn: http://www.publicityhound.com/PHU_AssistantsCourse.htm

Read the rest of the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/26rs9p


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

John Easton of Charlotte, North Carolina asks:

"My new web video portal, Broadcast Charlotte, features local small business events, and I would like some help from your Hounds who can suggest ways to generate publicity for this portal.

"Broadcast Charlotte provides on-demand video coverage of grand openings trade seminars. We want to attract not only small business owners, but anyone whose busy schedule keeps them from missing important local business news."

The Publicity Hound says: I love your site, John, and small business Hounds in Charlotte should be beating down your door! Video is hot right now, and my Hounds' tips will be even hotter.

If you have a terrific tip on how John can publicize this website, post it to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/22eyn7


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

To err is human; to forgive, canine.

--Unknown


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/


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


Nov. 8: Gurnee, Illinois

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," 9 a.m. to noon. "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time. At the Rink Side Sports & Family Entertainment Center meeting room in the Gurnee Mills Mall. Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.htm


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/Target Travelers Oct 9, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #367 Oct. 9, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 34,944

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

"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.

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

Save the Dates:

--If you're an author who's relying on bookstores to sell most of your books, you're doing it the hard way! That's because thousands of other books are vying for the buyers' attention. Market the smart way by positioning yourself as an expert online. Adam Witty and Tom Antion will show you how during a free teleseminar at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, October 22. Check next week's newsletter for details.

--Gurnee, Illinois, here I come. Don't miss my two workshops on Thursday, November 8, at the Gurnee Mall in Gurnee, Illinois. The morning session from 9 to noon will be on "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." The afternoon session from 1 to 3:30 p.m. will explain "The New Rules of Press Releases." Come for one or both. Registration information in next week's newsletter.

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

1. Target Travelers

2. Speak at Colleges

3. Your Own National TV Show

4. Enticing Food Bloggers

5. Promoting a Sonoma County Website

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Target Travelers
======================================

Three out of four people on an airplane read the in-flight magazine that's tucked into the seat pocket in front of them.

Statistics show that most of those readers pass along the magazine to a friend, co-worker or relative. And those people pass it along yet again. On average, at least four other people read an inflight magazine after the traveler carries it off the airplane.

That's why targeting leisure and business travelers with a message about your product, service, cause or issue can be so valuable to your publicity campaign. Many inflight magazines have high circulations of more than a million.

That's a lot of eyeballs reading about you.

Last year, when I updated the special report I wrote on how to pitch your story to inflight magazines, my researchers found that contact information at several magazines had changed. When we updated the report this month, however, we found major changes at 25 of the 43 magazines in our report. Many publishing companies, addresses, key editorial contacts, pitching tips and website URLs have changed in just 12 months.

That's partly because the magazine and airline industries are in a huge state of flux.

Once you know the names of your key contacts, and exactly what they're looking for, you can start pitching. Most magazines prefer stories that tie into specific cities the airlines serve. They love knowing about things like special events and other tourist attractions.

Many magazines publish profile stories of successful local business people. They want calendar listings and even product samples for their "new products" sections. Many of them concentrate on a wide variety of general-interest topics such as technology, business, entertainment, beauty and fashion.

If you can't get your story into one of these magazines, you might be able to place a good-quality photo. The 2007 issue of "Special Report #29: Fly High with Publicity in the In-flight Magazines" includes live links for most of the magazines. Some of those links lead directly to their online media kits and editorial calendars. The report is only $37. You can order it at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g and download it as soon as your order has been approved.


========================================
2. Speak at Colleges
========================================

If you're a professional speaker, author, trainer, coach or consultant--or an expert with a topic that college students, faculty or staff would find appealing--market yourself as a speaker to colleges and universities.

The best topics include anything dealing with leadership, being successful in and out of school, relationships and dating, overcoming challenges, alcohol awareness and drug prevention, and gearing up for the job market.

If you book a gig at a college, you can generate publicity:

--In college newspapers.

--On college radio and TV stations.

--In newspapers and on radio and TV stations in communities where the college is located.

--In blogs and ezines read by students, faculty and staff.

--In alumni magazines for your college or the colleges where you speak.

Not only that, but college administrators and staff who are responsible for bringing in speakers will probably refer you to people at other colleges and universities who hire speakers, assuming they love your presentation.

James Malinchak, "The King of the College Speaking Market," says many colleges have up to 17 types of key people who book speakers for events. Those events include student leadership gatherings, student government events, lectures sponsored by fraternities and sororities, career and job fairs, commencements and graduations, student conferences and summer programs. Add to the list academic, athletic and club events, and other meetings where an"outside" expert is needed.

James also says there are enough colleges and universities to keep a speaker busy for the remainder of their speaking career. But you have to know how to get in front of the decision-makers who do the hiring.

Join me this afternoon for a f*ree one-hour telephone seminar, and listen to James spill the beans on how to break into the college speaking circuit. It will be at 4 PM Eastern Time, and he'll be providing several lists of tips, so be ready to take lots of notes. Register at http://www.collegespeakingsuccess.com/stewart and he'll send you the call-in number and access code. If you can't join us this afternoon, sign up anyway and he'll send you a recording of the call.


=========================================
3. Your Own National TV Show
=========================================

Wishing and hoping for your own show on national TV?

Stop waiting for an invitation to audition. Instead, create your own show on your cable TV company's public access channel.

That's what foodie Dave Lieberman did when he was a student at Yale University. On his show "Campus Cuisine," he demonstrated how fellow students could cook like a gourmet on a shoestring budget. One segment, for example, showed how to whip up a smoothie using dining-hall fruit.

The show gained a cult following, with many students clamoring for recipes they could cook to impress a date. Students passed around tapes of his show, and his fame spread from the campus in New Haven, Connecticut to the studios of the Food Network, where 27-year-old Lieberman now stars in his own popular cooking show "Good Deal with Dave Lieberman."

Taking advantage of the public access channel, where you don't pay for air time, gives you invaluable experience in front of a camera. You can make your mistakes before a relatively small audience, and learn as you go. When you're ready for the next step, you can take your show nationwide by buying leased access time in TV markets large or small.

Using leased access lets you target specific cities during specific times of the day or night. Buying air time in 20 small, inexpensive markets throughout the U.S. can generate as many viewers as buying air time in one large expensive market like New York City.

Robert Smith has been using this strategy for himself and his PR clients. During a teleseminar I conducted with him, he explained how he did it. "How to Create Your Own National TV Show for Less Than $400 a Month" walks you step-by-step through the entire process.

It's available as a CD, and as soon as your order has been approved, you can download the handout that lists more than 50 story ideas. Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/y4by43


=========================================
4. Enticing Food Bloggers
=========================================

An article in Saturday's Wall Street Journal at http://tinyurl.com/3alxfg explains that as online food sites become increasingly influential in the restaurant business, chefs and owners are offering bloggers complimentary meals to get good write-ups.

In fact, publicists across the restaurant industry are now including bloggers and food website forum hosts on their medialists, and regularly inviting them to opening parties, f*ree meals and other events.

Bribery? Maybe.

But companies have been sending f*ree samples of their products to the traditional media for years, hoping for good reviews. And reaching out to influential bloggers is now a key component to almost any publicity campaign. With restaurants, however, the difference is that when you're dealing with bloggers, you might have to suffer in silence if they write a bad review.

That's because some bloggers don't allow comments at their blogs. A bad review can live online forever, with no opportunity for the restaurant to write a rebuttal.

If you want to invite bloggers to your food-related event, by all means do. But understand that:

--Most writers don't have to abide by ethics policies like the
ones that are in place at many newspapers and magazines. Traditional food reviewers usually try to dine anonymously and pay their own way to ensure that the review reflects the way average customers can expect to be treated. If a restaurant invites a blogger to dine, chances are good that the steak might be a little bigger than the steaks served to regular patrons.

--Unlike traditional food reviewers, bloggers don't have to fact-check their reviews.

--Bloggers love to link to each other. That means one lousy review can find its way onto other blogs and into discussion forums.

The advantage, of course, is that consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet to research products and services before they buy. One glowing review can bring droves of diners to your restaurant.

The Wall Street Journal article also mentioned that some food blogs and discussion forums are policing each other. Eater.com, for example--which discusses gossip on the New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco restaurant scenes--tips off readers if it suspects that restaurant owners or employees wrote postings about their own restaurants at other blogs or food sites. Eater highlights those postings in a section called "Adventures in Shilling."

Reach out to bloggers, but don't miss all the other "Publicity Tips for Restaurants, Chefs & Foodies" which I created with Jaime Oikle of the Restaurant Report. 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/clr26


==========================================
5. Promoting a Sonoma County Website
==========================================

This week, Publicity Hounds offer several great ideas for Nancy Hayssen of Sonoma County, California. She wants to know how to promote her website at http://www.sonomacountyairport.com/ It targets Sonoma County residents and visitors who are traveling to the wine country from Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland.


From Garth Gibson:

"Think about adding more wine education resources in the form of reports with titles like: How To Boost Your Wine IQ, 10 Hottest Wineries in the Sonoma Valley, 25 Great Wine Sonoma Valley Getaway Ideas, and Must-See Sonoma Valley Wine Places To Visit Before You Die."


From Howard:

"Obtain coupon offers for tours, gifts, wine tasting, B&Bs, balloon rides, etc. Don't be afraid to charge those merchants some money for the benefit. Make sure to meta-tag those offers which may help you with the search engines."


A web design student says:

"Put together a memento book for each traveler. Have your logo on the front, your contact information on the back. Put in some interesting facts about the Wine Country. Leave a page for them to enter: flight date, captain, passengers in group, etc. Then leave some pages for photos. This all can be done on your computer for less than a good bottle of wine! It's a great memento, and it keeps your contact information with them and anyone they show the photos to!"


The Publicity Hound encourages you to ask for the visitor's name and email address in a box that bounces down from the top of your screen like I do at http://www.publicityhound.com/ because this box bypasses the pop-up box filters and is right in the visitors' faces. You can buy the coding for the Hover Ad Generator at http://tinyurl.com/2pebvb

Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/2jqwf3


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

Karla Kinstler of Houston, Minnesota writes:

"I coordinate the International Festival of Owls at http://www.festivalofowls.com/ It's held annually the first weekend in March in the tiny little town of Houston, MN (population 1,020). It began simply as a hatch-day party for Alice the Great Horned Owl, the Houston Nature Center's only live animal, and grew into an event that last year brought in people from England, Jamaica, and Alaska. It is the only full-weekend, all-owl event in North America.

"The event is entirely focused on owls, including live owls, owl prowls to call in wild owls at night, top-name 'owlologists' as speakers, owl-themed food, owl photography sessions, owl crafts, the presentation of the World Owl Hall of Fame Awards (derived from a Publicity Hound suggestion!) And more owl things than you can shake a stick at.

"While we're developing an international following, our attendance has yet to climb over the 500 mark. With great events for families, biologists, and photographers, I truly believe our attendance should be at least 1,000, given our very rural location.

"Owls are such a fun subject to work with, I'm betting there are some Hounds out there with excellent publicity ideas.


The Publicity Hound says:
What a way to hoot it up! I know my Hounds will think of lots of fun ideas for this one, including some audio and video that will really help bring in the crowds. If you have a great idea for Karla, post it to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/26rs9p


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Dennis Tooley, publisher of the FunnyBone newsletter at http://www.bigfatbellylaugh.com/ for this one:


Behind every cat that crosses the street, there is a dog saying, "Go ahead, you can make it."


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

Targeting Teens? Use Facebook and MySpace equally
http://tinyurl.com/2sd2vl


Organic industry should be pitching right now
http://tinyurl.com/38z3q7


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


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/When Newspapers Ignore You Oct 2, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #366 Oct. 2, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

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"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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Announcements:

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

--Don't let the November 15 deadline for "Experclick: The Online Yearbook of Experts," slip by you. If you want to be in the 2008 yearbook, that's the last day to reserve your space and take advantage of $100 off only for Publicity Hounds. 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 Click here to continue reading about all the benefits of a membership: http://www.ExpertClick.com/Brochure

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In This Issue
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1. When Newspapers Ignore You

2. Article Writers Don't Like My Advice

3. Tie into the New Fall TV Shows

4. A Big Mistake Non-fiction Authors Make

5. Promoting a Portable Water Collector

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. When Newspapers Ignore You
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Have you ever picked up the local newspaper and read a glowing story about one of your competitors? And told yourself that the reporter could just as well have written the story about you?

Lots of Publicity Hounds have. They throw away their newspapers, and then stomp off grumbling and groaning that their day has been ruined.

Not so fast.

Do what the folks at The Edge Salon in Fish Creek, Wisconsin did recently. When they read a story in the local Peninsula Pulse newspaper about how Willard Zak was one of the last of the old-time barbers in northern Door County, they wrote a letter to the editor that, I swear, was far better exposure than any article a staff reporter could have written.

The letter introduced Dawn Berna, a third-generation barber "who learned her trade in one of the few men-only barbershops 20 some years ago and can knock out an incredible haircut in 13 minutes or less."

It also mentioned that Dawn's chair "is one of the large, comfortable barber chairs, not the 'flimsy little chairs' that Mr. Gallagher believes is standard in salons."

It even quoted a local restaurant owner who said his weekly straight-edge shaves "are the highlight of my week."

And it issued a personal challenge to Willard Zak, who might be retiring soon:

"The Staff at The Edge challenges you to have us cut your hair....we will avoid the debate of who is the better barber."

The newspaper even included a photo of a customer having his hair trimmed at The Edge Salon.

Would you have been this gutsy if the same thing had happened to you?

If not, learn about all the ways to make the editorial pages of newspapers and magazines, which Publicity Hounds frequently ignore, really work for you. "How to Use Newspaper & Magazine Editorial Pages" shows you all the ways to use letters to the editor and opinion columns to promote a product, service, cause or issue. It even explains how to meet with the influential editorial board in hopes of swaying them over to your side.

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/5wh45


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2. Article Writers Don't Like My Advice
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Several Publicity Hounds who post their articles to online article directory sites wrote last week to chastise me for telling you to ignore website owners who take your articles and post them at their own por*n sites.

"There is indeed something you can do about it! And it is not a full-time job," wrote Leslie McKerns of Royal Palm Beach, Florida. "After a few sickening sleepless nights, I found out EXACTLY what to do about it and have shut down each and every link to inappropriate content."

She doesn't want her step-by-step directions posted here and risk tipping off the spammers, but she's willing to explain them to you if you email her. Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=LesliesEmail and I'll send her email address.

Bette Dowdell of Glendale, Arizona has the same problem and explained what she does:

"All the disgusting websites that misused my articles are on BlogSpot, which is owned by Google. BlogSpot's terms of service say no por*n is allowed, but they don't seem to do anything to enforce their terms.

"I wrote a letter to Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, expressing, in legalese-lite, the Google liability in allowing others to steal my intellectual property.

"I also started sending emails (support@blogger.com). Each day, I add the day's offending hits (garnered from the Google Alert), add a brief note about how they are aiding and abetting the destruction of my reputation and my business. Notice I said 'add.' I always resend the same email, but with the current day's offenses at the top. That way, they always have a complete record of the fact that I intend to be a pest until they do the right thing.

"This sounds onerous, but I get one Google Alert a day and send one email a day to report the infractions. This is not overwhelming. Results to date? Google TOOK DOWN the sites that I complained about."

Thanks, Leslie and Betty.

Other Publicity Hounds who want to take the time to go after these website owners can do so. But I'm sticking to my original advice. Complaining eats up precious time. And once a site is closed down, the perpetrators can have a new one up and running the same day.

The source of this problem, by the way, is not online article directory sites. My web developer told me yesterday that he doesn't post to these directories, yet the p*orn industry has stolen many of his articles posted at his own site and reprinted them on their sites.

If you, too, are experiencing this problem and have found another solution, let me know. And if you refuse to be deterred by these scoundrels, and want to post your content to article directory sites, learn how. Small business expert Sharron Senter explains how posting articles generates from 30 to 100 sales leads a month and how she follows up. She was my guest during a teleseminar called "How to Post Online Articles That Pull Traffic to Your Website."

We recorded it 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. Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/5zvga


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3. Tie into the New Fall TV Shows
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Thanks to Michael Smart, president of Michael Smart PR and national news director for Brigham Young University for this tip on how to tie your story ideas to the new fall line-up of TV shows.

Michael generated fabulous publicity for the university several years ago just as the show "Survivor" was debuting on CBS.

"We had an honors class at BYU on team-building that had been taught for 13 years, and it wasn't new," he said. "The students were told they were stranded on a desert island and had to figure out ways to get off."

He pitched the story to local media, tied it to the "Survivor"debut, and ended up with publicity in the local newspaper and on the CBS affiliate station.

Then, two years ago, he did the same thing again when "Lost"debuted on ABC.

"The same media outlets did the same story on the same class simply because the pitch was tied to pop culture," he said.

He suggests businesses tie their pitches to "The Office," the mega-hit that's in its fourth season on NBC.

TV producer and reporter Shawne Duperon says TV newsrooms love stories like the ones Michael is suggesting. Shawne teamed up with me to present a teleseminar called "103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July through December." She pointed out the best ideas for TV, and I flagged listeners to the best ideas for print.

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, and each includes the handout listing all 103 ideas so you can steal them and start pitching today.

Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/54y6f


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4. A Big Mistake Non-fiction Authors Make
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It's one of the biggest boo-boos you can make if you're writing a non-fiction book. Hundreds of authors make it daily, and then suffer the consequences.

They write books without first creating spin-off products and services to sell to people who buy the book and love it.

That might not sound like a big deal. But after working with more than 9,300 authors over the last 19 years, Steve Harrison has learned rich authors simply do seven key things differently than poor authors.

One of them is that successful authors in the top echelon make most of their money from things like board games, calendars, bootcamps, consulting, membership websites, mentor programs, coaching clients, and anything else that can be tied into the topic of their books.

He'll discuss that mistake and six others during a free 75-minute teleseminar called "How to Achieve A Lot More Success As An Author By Discovering The Seven Things Rich Authors Know That Poor Authors Don't" on Thursday, Oct. 4. Choose from two times: 2p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Pacific) or 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m.Pacific).

Like many free teleseminars, this call will whet your appetite for a seminar he is hosting that walks authors step-by-step through the entire process of spin-off products and services, and other success strategies.

Sign up for the teleseminar at http://tinyurl.com/2onv6b


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5. Promoting a Portable Water Collector
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This week, six Publicity Hounds have advice for Brian James of Melbourne, Australia on how to promote The Water-Leech, a portable water collector that sucks up water from showers, baths and washing machines. The water can then be recycled to water gardens and wash cars.


From Robert Schmidt:

"Piggyback onto bad-news stories about drought and watering restrictions that are geographically based. Be ready to provide a unit and a press release to any city that enforces a watering ban. Look for endorsements from a 'green' celebrity like Governor Schwarzenegger. Start by finding a few outspoken promoters and get some units into their hands so they can become Water-Leech evangelists."


From Marcia Clark:

"Contact the Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org/. The organization is getting a tremendous amount of publicity as are companies, builders and vendors who attain their special LEED designation. This is a perfect time for him to promote his device. If you create a Google Alert for 'Green Building,' your email box will be full all day every day. (I have had great success finding opportunities for several clients who are in someway involved in green building.)"


From Jessica Satterfield:

"Check out the site http://www.livingwithed.net/. This is the official website for a popular reality TV show on the Home and Garden network (HGTV). The show chronicles the life of Ed Begley, Jr., who lives 'green,' but his wife says he goes overboard. You can contact him via the site (the email address is mailto:livingwithed@sbcglobal.net), and offer to send Ed one of your products for free. With any luck, it will be included in one of the shows or reviewed on his site."


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at
http://tinyurl.com/3884v8


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6. Help This Hound
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Nancy Hayssen of Sonoma County, California writes:

"I am a local private pilot and web entrepreneur who has launched a website at http://www.sonomacountyairport.com/. It targets Sonoma County residents and visitors who are traveling to the area from L.A., Seattle and Portland to visit the Wine Country. The site features things to see and do while here.

"The site recently has been taking off, and I’d love your Hounds' help. I’m looking for ways to improve my site, increase traffic as much as possible, unusual PR ideas, ways to build my email subscriber list even more."


The Publicity Hound says:

One of the biggest problems I see will be differentiating your website from the Sonoma County Airport's official website. Let's see what my Hounds can offer. If you have a helpful idea for Nancy, post it to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2jqwf3

In the meantime, Nancy, you might want to know about a helpful teleseminar that Bulldog Reporter is sponsoring called "Pitching Travel & Tourism: How to Ride New Trends and Topics to Widespread Coverage in Top Travel Media." It will be held at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 4. You'll hear from journalists representing the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, AAA Going Places Magazine and Travel News Network. Continue reading more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/3xmnkt


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7. Hound Joke of the Week
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A woman brought a litter of golden retriever puppies to the local veterinary clinic for inoculations and worming.

As the look-alike pups squirmed over and under one another in their box, the vet realized it would be difficult to tell the treated ones from the rest. So he turned on the water faucet, wet his fingers, and moistened each dog's head when he had finished treating them.

After the fourth puppy, the vet noticed the hitherto talkative client had grown silent. As he sprinkled the last pup's head, the woman leaned forward and whispered, "I didn't know they had to be baptized."


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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How to market a YouTube campaign
http://tinyurl.com/35etdy


Social media: How to measure your marketing efforts
http://tinyurl.com/2s2yze


Social media 'Unconference' off to a fast start
http://tinyurl.com/3ahlvf


Meet reporters at 'New York’s Funniest Reporter' contest
http://tinyurl.com/2vssw8


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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

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


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

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


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

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