Publicity tips/Those Annoying Follow-up Calls Nov. 27, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #374 Nov. 27, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 36,108

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

"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:

December 3:
Learn "How To Write and Publish a Book, Quicker and Easier Than You Ever Imagined" during a free 90-minute teleseminar at 9 PM Eastern Time on Monday, December 3. Authors, don't miss this one. Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/3ck3xv and see Item #2 below.


January 8:
Artists, learn how to sell more artwork without wasting tons of time on dry business stuff and the wrong marketing strategies. Join Ariane Goodwin for a one-hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. It's a preview to her 2008 smARTist telesummit on artist marketing. Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr and see Item #4 below.

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

1. Those Annoying Follow-up Calls

2. A Publishing Disaster? Hardly

3. How to Get Onto TV Talk Shows

4. How to be a Star in a YouTube World

5. Promoting a Charitable Giving Campaign

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Those Annoying Follow-up Calls
======================================

Before you make your next call to a journalist to follow up on something you sent, read the article at http://tinyurl.com/343etg

It was written by Washington Post humor columnist Gene Weingarten, and it's a perfect example of what it's like to be on the receiving end of those annoying follow-up calls from PR people.

I know. I took calls like that during my 22 years in the newspaper industry, and they drove me crazy.

Here are some quick tips for following up:

--Journalists say they hate follow-up calls. Truth is, they hate follow-up calls like the ones Gene Weingarten writes about. If you follow up to offer an additional piece of information only for that journalist, or to suggest an idea for a photo to accompany your earlier story pitch, the journalist might welcome your call.

--Never, ever follow up to ask journalists if they received your press release and if they know when it will be printed. They won't drop what they're doing to talk to you, and they'll quickly brand you as a pest. (Why do PR firms keep doing this?)

--You may have to follow up as many as seven times, using a combination of phone and email, before you hear back. If, after seven follow-ups, you hear nothing, stop calling and emailing.

--If you follow up and hear nothing, never assume the journalist isn't interested. Sometimes, a reporter will print your email message, toss it into an "ideas" folder, then return to it two years later on a slow news day.

Author Jill Lublin interviewed journalists for their best suggestions on following up, and she discussed them during a teleseminar I conducted with her called "Failproof Ways to Follow Up." 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/bmyn7

Thanks to Publicity Hound Meredith Hamilton of Expert Communications in Clearwater, Florida, for letting us know about the Washington Post article.


========================================
2. A Publishing Disaster? Hardly
========================================

C. Ben Bosah, the Ohio man whose publishing fiasco was described in the Wall Street Journal and in this newsletter last week, takes exception of my characterization of his publishing mis-steps as a "disaster."

Publishing his wife's book "Letters to My Sisters: Plain Truths and Straightforward Advice from a Gynecologist," he says, "has been one of my most rewarding ventures in my life and I enjoyed it so thoroughly I am going to do other books next year."

Behm says he has discovered new outlets not traditionally targeted by booksellers, either at the retail or the wholesale level.

"I have forged new relationships and built a network that will be invaluable for my future efforts in publishing," he said. "The book has changed many lives. If your view of success, or lack of, is based on monetary terms, I have completely recouped my initial investment and am presently enjoying 'the long tail, just as muchas I enjoy oxtail.'

"A more apt title for your story may have been A (bumbling) Publisher Finds Success with Debut Book."

The publicity he received in the Wall Street Journal for this book may have been even better than any book review. He got it because he was willing to do something many of us are afraid to do. That is, discuss our mistakes and what we've learned from them.

If you're thinking of writing a book, don't fall into the traps above. And don't do what most authors do: spend two or more years writing the book. Join me for a complimentary 90-minute teleseminar at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 3.

My special guest is Adam Witty, who will explain "How To Write and Publish a Book, Quicker and Easier Than You Ever Imagined." More than 500 Publicity Hounds listened in several weeks ago when Adam and Tom Antion delivered a content-rich teleseminar on how to sell books online. I was inundated with emails from happy Hounds who loved their tips. And this call will be equally valuable. Register for this complimentary teleseminar at http://tinyurl.com/3ck3xv


=========================================
3. How to Get onto TV Talk Shows
=========================================

Want to be on national TV?

Get yourself a copy of Steve Harrison's directory/database of top shows. His "Harrison's Guide to the Top National TV Talk & Interviews Shows" gives you key contacts and "how to get booked" info for 259 top shows including Oprah, Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Larry King Live, Bloomberg TV and many more.

In February, Steve will be releasing a brand-new, 100 percent updated edition of his directory/database. To celebrate, through Friday, November 30 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, he's offering the March 2007 directory to be shipped now, and then will ship you the newest edition as soon as it's published. Go here now to grab your copy:
http://tinyurl.com/kfrzv


=========================================
4. How to be a Star in a YouTube World
=========================================

Attention all you struggling artists, or anybody else looking for an inexpensive, easy way to expand your business.

Today's Wall Street Journal includes an article on creative ways businesses are using video to market their products and services.

Valentina Trevino, for example, a 29-year-old Chicago artist and film-maker, regularly posts videos on YouTube, showing how she created a painting. At the end of her clips, she includes a link to eBay where viewers can buy the featured piece.

So far, as a result of her YouTube videos, she has sold 49 paintings from $500 to $1,000 each.

Video has proven to be a successful marketing tool for two reasons. First, it costs nothing to post to a video-sharing site. Second, it's a creative, personal touch that seldom shows up in traditional ads.

If you want to start using video in your business and you're unsure of how to start, check out the two-CD set "How to Make a Fortune Using Video...Even if You Don't Have a Computer" at http://tinyurl.com/y3b6wj

If you're a starving artist who needs to sell more paintings or artwork, join me for Arianne Goodwin's smARTist telesummit, a series of teleseminars that will show you how become recognized, exhibited, and paid what you're worth. I'm one of the guest presenters. This year's January telesummit attracted artists from eight countries and was so successful that Ariane is presenting it again next year.

You can get a sneak peek during a free one-hour call at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give awaytheir best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff and the wrong marketing strategies.

Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr


============================================
5. Promoting a Charitable Giving Campaign
============================================

This week, five Publicity Hounds have ideas for Harry Hoover of Charlotte, North Carolina. He wants tips on how to promote his "Holiday for Charity" promotion that encourages people to ask for charitable donations in their name in lieu of gifts.


From Stephanie Chandler:

"I recently learned about http://goodsearch.com/, a search engine that donates 50 percent of its revenues to charities and schools. The engine is powered by Yahoo and revenues are derived from advertisers. Perhaps they would be interested in forming a strategic alliance with you?"


From Janet Huey:

"If you’ve been able to track some of the charities that have benefited from your efforts in the past, tie in with their publicity to expand even more."


From The Publicity Hound:

"I wonder what the etiquette consultants have to say about this. Why not Google them, and then email them, tell them what you’re doing, and suggest they use that as fodder for their blogs, newspaper columns, newsletters or whatever."


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


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

Walt Shiel of Lake Linden, Michigan writes:

"Our publishing company has just started working with a local nonprofit foundation that operates an outstanding nature park with miles of beautiful trails and three miles of waterfront land--all of which will soon be connected to the local university's cross-country ski trails. We are casting about for ideas to publicize and promote this free, local resource. Besides providing an excellent recreational outlet for local citizens, we want to come up with some ideas that would feed into the area's broader tourism goals.

"We are in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and tourism and outdoor recreation are our meat and potatoes. We are considering some events to spark media interest beyond just our local print and broadcast media. Also, a website with maps, information, nature guides, and maybe a web cam.

"We just began brainstorming this, and any and all suggestions will be appreciated."


The Publicity Hound says:

It sounds like a winter wonderland, Walt, and I'm betting my Hounds will have some creative ideas for promotion. OK, Hounds, let's help send lots of skiers and other nature lovers to the U.P. If you have an idea, post it at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2nqmxs


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Carol Johnson of Schaumburg, Illinois for this one:


A lawyer's dog, running unleashed, ran into the butcher shop and stole a roast. The butcher went to the lawyer's office and asked, "If a dog running unleashed steals a piece of meat from my store, do I have a right to demand payment for the meat from the dog's owner?"

"Absolutely," the lawyer says.

"Then you owe me $8.50. Your dog was loose and stole a roast from me today."

The lawyer, without a word, writes the butcher a check for $8.50.

The next day the butcher opens the mail and finds an envelope from the lawyer: $200 due for a consultations.


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

Fiskars word-of-mouth campaign a success
http://tinyurl.com/3xn9r7


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

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/Golden Black Friday Nov. 20, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #373 Nov. 20, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,972

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

"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 Date:

Learn "How To Write and Publish a Book, Quicker and Easier Than You Ever Imagined" during a free 90-minute teleseminar at 9 PM Eastern Time on Monday, December 3. Authors, don't miss this one. See Item #2 below.


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

1. Golden Black Friday

2. Another Publishing Disaster

3. Create a Cyberbullying PSA

4. Media Lead

5. Promoting a WEbsite for Young Designers

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Golden Black Friday
======================================

They call it Black Friday, and for good reason.

It's the day after Thanksgiving, aptly named as the day when retailers shift into profitability or move "into the black."

For Publicity Hounds, Black Friday can be like gold. First, the media are often working with skeleton staffs. Second, PR peopleand even some publicists, believe it or not, take the day off.

That means less competition for your pitches.

Here are some story ideas to consider:

--With credit card debt at an all-time high, experts can share tips on how to be a smart shopper this holiday season and stay within our means.

--Thieves will be preying on consumers who do much of their Christmas shopping online. If you’re an expert in Internet marketing, offer tips on how people who buy and sell online can avoid becoming victims.

--It's bad enough shopping by yourself. But if you have to haul your kids, it's even worse. How do parents say "no" to children who want everything they see?

--Don't forget bloggers. Many of them don't take time off during the holidays, and they're hungry for content.

--It's worth a call to your local newspaper to see which holiday gift guides they're planning during the next four weeks. Ask for the name of the person who is editing each section, then let them know about your products and services that would make terrific gifts.

--If you've already pitched TV and radio shows where you want to appear as a guest, contact them again and offer to fill in if another guest cancels.

--If you sell anything for children and it's made in the U.S., tie your story to the many recalls of toys made in China.

This time of year, the media particularly love tips lists like "6 ways to stay safe in mall parking lots." You can submit these simultaneously to multiple media outlets. Increase your chances for publicity by writing and submitting them correctly. I explain how on "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to Submit Them & Why Editors LOVE Them."

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/d74h7


========================================
2. Another Publishing Disaster
========================================

I frequently discuss the many authors who can't park in their garages because of the towering boxes of books they can't unload.

Think I'm exaggerating?

Publicity Hound Paul Furiga tipped me off to a Wall Street Journal article about C. Ben Bosah, an environmental engineer from Ohio who was convinced that a non-fiction book about women's health, written by his wife, a gynecologist, would be a best-seller.

Unfamiliar with the publishing world, the couple self-published the book and did almost everything wrong:

--They failed to line up a distributor before publication.

--They chose a title for the book that limited potential readership. Many readers associated "Letters to My Sisters: Plain Truths and Straight forward Advice from a Gynecologist" solely with black women.

--They neglected to send galleys of the book several months before publication to the key magazines that do early reviews.

--The book was unavailable at local bookstores when the Columbus Dispatch reviewed it on Oct. 19 last year. People wanting to read the book had to borrow it from local libraries.

--The couple refused to go with a print-on-demand company and instead ordered 15,398 books. Today, 4½ pallets of books clutter the three-car garage at the Bosahs' home.

You can read the rest of the story at http://tinyurl.com/ynjgxa but do it today. The Wall Street Journal might remove the article from its website.

If you're thinking of writing a book, don't fall into the traps above. Join me for a complimentary 90-minute teleseminar at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 3.

My special guest is Adam Wittey, who will explain "How To Write and Publish a Book, Quicker and Easier Than You Ever Imagined." More than 500 Publicity Hounds listened in several weeks ago when Adam and Tom Antion delivered a content-rich teleseminar on how to sell books online. I was inundated with emails from happy Hounds who loved their tips. And this call will be equally valuable. Save the date. I'll give details on how to sign up in next week's newsletter.

In the meantime, authors who want to park in their garages can learn "How to Revive a Dying Book Marketing Campaign." Book publicist Lissa Warren has a bag of tricks designed to boost sales for even the most lethargic titles. They work for her and they can work for you too.

Continue reading more about what you'll learn from this CD or electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/67bhu


=========================================
3. Create a Cyberbullying PSA
=========================================

Here's a great project for videographers, schools, nonprofits or other groups.

Help end cyberbullying by creating a public service announcement on the issue. Sony Creative Software, the National Crime Prevention Council and the Ad Council want entries from independent producers and schools (K-12). The top submissions may be eligible for national broadcast, and their producer or sponsoring school will receive a complete multimedia editing suite valued at over $18,000.

All entries must be received by January 11, 2008 to be eligible.

Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/274lu5

Unsure of how to create video? This two-CD set on how to produce videos tells you everything you need to know and more. It includes hundreds of tips on how to get broadcast quality productions on the tightest budget possible, even if you don't have a computer.

Read more about what you'll learn about creating video at http://tinyurl.com/y3b6wj


=========================================
4. Media Lead
=========================================

Leah Ingram’s blog, The Lean Green Family (formerly Suddenly Frugal), will soon be syndicated nationally through a third-party syndicator whose clients include the Associated Press, The New York Times, CNN, LexisNexis and other major media outlets. She is looking to the PR community to keep a steady stream of "lean and green" story ideas coming her way for inclusion in future blog postings.

When syndicated, they will link to other relevant news on the topic including stock tickers of companies in related industries. The heart of her blog is about how going green can save you green, but she'll write about tangential topics as well, including reusable shopping bags and green limos that the stars hire to take them to Hollywood events. She’d also like to cover affordable, green products (beauty, household, cleaning, fashion, home furnishings, etc.).

Please add her to your media list. Snail-mail samples to 77 Old Mill Rd., New Hope, PA 18938. Read previous postings from her blog at http://suddenlyfrugal.blogspot.com Emailed information is fine to start with. Please use mailto:leah.ingram@comcast.net and put "Lean Green Family Blog" in the subject line.

The Publicity Hound says: If you're pitching Leah, please stick to the topic. If you don't know how to pitch succinctly, with a killer message, Raleigh Pinskey will show you "How to Create the Perfect 30-Second Pitch." You'll see lots of examples of how Raleigh turned long, rambling pitches into 5- or 10-second attention-getters.

Her tips apply mostly to phone pitching, but you can use the same techniques when pitching via email. 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/6xghx


==========================================
5. Promoting a Website for Young Designers
==========================================

This week, 12 Publicity Hounds have tips on how Rebecca Witek of Buffalo Grove, Illinois can promote her website for young designers at http://www.youngdesignersguide.com


From Shonika Proctor:

"Spend some time on student design related forums and social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook."


From Shel Horowitz:

"A great service would be a portfolio section where young designers could post their best pieces and contact information.You could either charge for this or make it free, sort by type of project, and eventually become the destination site for people looking to hire young graphic artists. This should be worthy of significant press, especially in trade journals and student/alumni magazines."


From Meryl K. Evans:

"Hold a graphics design contest or something creative and email or post the info on sites, communities, and blogs like Digital-web.com, Web-graphics.com, Smashingmagazine.com, LissaExplains.com (targets kids--but they may not be far from college) and SitePoint.com. Perhaps you can find a sponsor for a cool prize."


The Publicity Hound says:

Start posting your articles at article directory sites where the search engines can find them. Use my handy template on how to write a how-to article. It comes with the CD or electronic transcript "How to Write How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines & Trade Journals." You can learn more about what it includes at http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb

Read all the responses for this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/353xdy


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

Harry Hoover of Charlotte, North Carolina writes:

"Since 2002, I have promoted a project each holiday season called Holiday For Charity. It encourages people to ask for charitable donations in their name in lieu of gifts. I’ve gotten solid local coverage of this program, but I’d like to take it up a notch. I’m hoping your readers can provide ideas to augment my plan.

"Here are my ideas:

--Local media relations with key media like Charlotte Observer, Business Journal, etc.

--PRWeb news release at http://tinyurl.com/2dzaz8

--Story in my ezine

--Continuing coverage on my blog

--Post an article on social media sites

"Thanks in advance for any assistance."


The Publicity Hound says:

What a nice gesture, Harry. Hounds who want to help make this the best year yet for donations can post ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/ypmezl

Harry, how about contacting influential bloggers who write about the nonprofit sector? Or those who blog for specific charities? Let them know what you're doing and suggest they ask their readers to participate in your campaign and donate to that specific cause.

See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


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

Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.


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

Oprah crisis: Topic of my first blog for Huffington Post
http://tinyurl.com/27yrjd


How to publicize a solo law practice
http://tinyurl.com/yrpwks


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/


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

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/Google Alerts' Big Payoff Nov 13, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #372 Nov. 13, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,957

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

"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.

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

1. Google Alerts' Big Payoff

2. Pizza Hut's Job Offer

3. Ferret Poop to the Rescue

4. Promote Interesting Places

5. Ideas for a Dryer Vent Company

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Google Alerts' Big Payoff
======================================

Google Alerts might well be the most valuable online tool you can use in your publicity campaign.

Just ask publicist Renee Young, whose client, Dr. Amiya Prasad, a New York City plastic surgeon, appeared on a two-minute segment on this morning's "Good Morning America" as a result.

Google Alerts is a nifty service that notifies you as soon as something appears online about your area of expertise.

Renee went to http://www.google.com/alerts and created a Google Alert for "plastic surgery" so she could pitch her client and piggyback off related breaking news events. Google scans news stories, blogs, websites, videos and even user groups to find information related to "plastic surgery" and emails her whenever it finds something.

Yesterday, Google alerted her that Donda West, mother and manager of hip-hop star Kanye West, had died, possibly of complications from cosmetic surgery.

"I dropped what I was doing and got on the phone to pitch my doctor as an expert to the national morning shows and local television news," said Renee, of Renee Young & Associates in Scarsdale, New York. "Three hours later, I was in my client's office with a crew from Good Morning America."

Here are other ways to use Google Alerts:

--To find bloggers who are writing about your topic, so you can post comments at their blogs, or pitch them.

--To find journalists who cover your area of expertise. Once you know the name of the journalist who wrote a particular story, you can do even more research on them before pitching. How? By creating a Google Alert for their name.

--To get up to speed quickly on hot topics.

If you haven't created Google Alerts yet, get going. Then, while you're waiting for your information, learn more about how to get yourself or your PR client onto shows like "Good Morning, America," the "Today" show and "Fox & Friends." My CD and electronic transcript on "How to Get Booked on the Morning TV Talk Shows" explains how to pitch each show, what they're looking for, and how to make your pitch stand out from the thousands of other people who are pitching.

Click here to continue reading more about how to score a publicity coup on these shows: http://tinyurl.com/ab86x


========================================
2. Pizza Hut's Job Offer
========================================

Kudos to Pizza Hut for jumping on celebrity Reece Witherspoon's innocent, but not-so-nice, comment about pizza delivery drivers and turning it into some fun publicity.

The actress told a journalist that her 4-year-old son, Deacon Phillippe, wants to be a pizza delivery driver when he grows up.

"Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's hard to see how it could be a career as such," she said.

Pizza Hut responded immediately. Sandi Karrmann, identified as the "Chief People Officer" for the pizza chain, wrote a letter to the boy, offered him a job when he's older, and even sent him a package of gifts. It included a Pizza Hut uniform "that's just your size," writes Karrmann, and a mini-delivery car "for you to polish your driving skills." She also sent gift cards for Pizza Hut pizzas.

"We have delivery drivers who have worked for us for 10, 15, even 20 years!" says the letter. "And the same Pizza Hut drivers who deliver hot, fresh pizzas right to your door have gone on to become successful business people, doctors, lawyers and, yes, actors."

That, my fellow Hounds, is brilliant. And thanks to Publicity Hound Andrea Swinton of Toronto for pointing it out and sending the link to the article at http://tinyurl.com/2ejzoc

Want more ideas on how to do what Pizza Hut did? "Special Report#50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue," gives you lots of ideas. Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


=========================================
3. Ferret Poop to the Rescue
=========================================

Here's another example of how a trade association jumped on a news story for publicity.

Last week, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced an experiment in which people can dispose of harmful prescription drugs safely without flushing them down the toilet, which can harm the environment.

More than 6,300 pharmacies throughout the U.S. have signed up for the pilot project. When patients fill prescriptions for a list of abuse-prone medicines, the pharmacist also will hand over a flyer urging them to hide whatever pills are left over in cat litter, then wrap it up and throw it in the garbage.

Another way to disguise leftover pills is to mix them with used coffee grounds.

What if you don't drink coffee or own a cat, but you have a ferret?

"Ferret waste, like nearly any other form of pet waste, can be effectively used to help prevent the abuse of unused prescription drugs," said a spokesman for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Enter the American Ferret Association, which responded by saying, "The U.S. government declares ferret poop to be an effective weapon against drug abuse."

Hmmm. Do you think the association learned about this through a Google Alert? Thanks to Publicity Hound Traci Browne of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania for tipping us off to this one.

Opportunities like this are perfect for writing press releases and posting them online. If you struggle with releases, I have good news. Gone are the days when we had to write them only when we had "legitimate" news. Today's smart Publicity Hounds are writing press releases and posting them online not only for journalists, but for consumers.

My free tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" is a graduate-level course on how to write and distribute them. Sign up at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/list.htm


=========================================
4. Promote Interesting Places
=========================================

If you're promoting a tourist attraction, an event, a neighborhood, or even something as mundane as your local firehouse, here's a cool social media tool to use in your publicity campaign.

It's called waymarking, and you can do it at http://www.waymarking.com/. Publicity Hound Rebecca Davey of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio emailed me last week to tell me about it.

"The website is dedicated to marking interesting places from abstract public sculptures to firehouses to Minor League baseball stadiums to even Starbucks stores plus many, many more," Rebecca says.

She does publicity for the Irish community in the Akron area and waymarked the newest Irish-American Historical marker in Ohio.You can see her entry at http://tinyurl.com/yt84fx

Post photos, link back to your website, search for locations similar to yours, and have fun with this site. You don't need a GPS unit but you must know the longitude and latitude of what you're promoting.

You can post for free, but a premium membership for $3 a month or $30 a year gives you full use of the site.

This is a great way to promote special events. Debra J. Schmidt and I came up with 847 more ways when we created "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events." It's available as a package of 6 audio CDs or electronic transcripts that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Both formats come with 15 "can't do without" checklists for event planners and publicists.

Click here to continue reading more about what you'll learn:http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


==========================================
5. Ideas for a Dryer Vent Company
==========================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips on how Janice Bittner of northern Virginia can promote her company, Dryer Vent Wizard, which cleans, fixes and installs dryer vents in an effort to help prevent dryer fires.


From Tom Reitz:

"Most fire departments have public education officers who do lots of fire prevention education in schools, shopping malls, etc. In our region, the fire departments hold a Fire Prevention Day where people can learn about fire safety, get free batteries for smoke detectors, sit in a fire truck, etc., and often the fire department will distribute loot bags of information and products to local citizens. If they say 'no' because you’re a commercial company, offer a coupon for your services to be used as a give- away at their next public event."


From Cheryl Pickett:

"There are a ton of Mom/Family-type websites and magazines that I’m sure would welcome a tips list, article or even review the product for their readers."


From Linda Swisher:

"Janice should visit Chase's Calendar of Events at http://www.chases.com/ to create her own commemorative holiday like "Dryer Vent Safety Day. Once her holiday is created, write White Papers, fact sheets and create publicity around the event she created."


The Publicity Hound says:

Janice, start pitching the bloggers and offer lists of tips on how to prevent vent fires. Use the Technorati search engine at http://www.technorati.com/ to search for bloggers by topic.


"How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion"shows you how to find influential bloggers, start building a relationship, then pitch them with information that will help their readers. Patsi Krafoff, Denise Wakeman and I shared our best tips on this audio or electronic transcript that you can read as soon as your order has been approved. We even tell you which major mistakes to avoid when pitching bloggers.

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

Read all the responses to this Help This Hound comment at http://tinyurl.com/37t4jb


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

Rebecca Witek of Buffalo Grove, Illinois writes:

"I started a website for young designers at http://www.youngdesignersguide.com/ that focuses on the soon-to-be or newly graduated. I was in their shoes not too long ago, and I've realized as a graphic designer that it's important to understand and learn skills that compliment their creative talents such as marketing, networking, public relations and business.

"I post articles monthly, but I need to build up awareness and hopefully get input from other experts. I would really like to see it grow. Any ideas?"


The Publicity Hound says:

I'll bet many experts who read this newsletter would love to get in front of your audience with their articles and other information. OK, Hounds. What does Rebecca need to do to find more content for her website and attract more young designers? I see one thing on the homepage that might be discouraging visitors, and at least one thing that might be creating problems for the search engines. Let's see if other Hounds can find them. Post your best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/353xdy


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

I went to a movie theater the other day and saw an old man and his dog in the front row.

It was a sad/funny kind of film. During the sad parts, the dog cried his eyes out, and during the funny parts, the dog laughed his head off. This happened all the way through the movie.

When it ended, I walked up to the man and said, "That's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Your dog really seemed to enjoy the film."

The man turned to me and said, "Yeah, it is. He hated the book."


P.S. Bogie received her diploma last week at our final puppy training class. We both got straight As when asked to demonstrate "sit," "stay," "come" and "down." She "stayed" longer than Emma, Kokomo and Rebel, the other hounds, even when I turned and walked away from her. And we got bonus points when I issued the command "Shake!" and she lifted her paw to shake, something they didn't teach in class. Now it's onto Big Dog School.


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

Authors lose during writers strike
http://tinyurl.com/3dgqxv


Nonprofit bios: Keep 'em short and credible
http://tinyurl.com/2q2cno


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/


----------------------------------------------------------
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/Oprah's Scandal Nov 6, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #371 Nov. 6, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,452

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

"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.

*******************************************************
Spiders, Cheeseheads & Those Funny Plastic Thingamajigs:
Everybody receives a plastic spider ring. And a chance to win a big Wisconsin Cheesehead hat. And an odd-looking plastic thingamajig that got worldwide publicity on CNN. That's just the fun part.

Spend the day with me on Thursday in Gurnee, Illinois and you'll know how to create a blog in 10 minutes or less. My daylong workshops on publicity will also teach nonprofits how to use free publicity to pull in volunteers and donors. Businesses will learn how to use publicity to boost holiday sales this year. Everyone will learn how to build strong relationships with journalists and use social networking sites to call attention online to your product, service, cause or issue. Read more about what I'll be teaching and how you can join the fun at http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.htm

See Item #3 below.

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

1. Oprah's Scandal

2. Rosie's Book Signing Hot Seat

3. Spider Rings & Press Releases

4. How Are You Using YouTube?

5. Promoting a Guitarist & Songwriter

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week


======================================
1. Oprah's Scandal
======================================

Maybe Oprah had the best crisis counselors money can buy.

Or maybe she has already dealt with so many crises that she knew exactly how to handle the latest one: charges of s~exual allegations at the Oprah Winfrey Academy in South Africa.

CEOs and Publicity Hounds everywhere can learn several lessons from the way she responded when she learned of reports that girls had been abused at her school, which has been open less than a year.

--In October, when she first heard the news, she immediately hired her own independent investigative team, headed by a former detective and commander of the Child Exploitation Unit of the Cook County Sheriff's Office in Chicago, to investigate.

--Tempted to talk to the press, she kept quiet, on the advice of investigators who told her not to say anything until they made an arrest. You can read the transcript of yesterday's entire press conference and watch the video at http://tinyurl.com/ywyrue

--She traveled to the school to personally talk with students and their parents and to encourage the girls to come forward with whatever other details they could provide. Several did.

--Oprah "cleaned house from top to bottom." She fired the head mistress who was later charged, and she removed all the remaining dorm matrons and replaced them with faculty members. She also admitted that the process of background checks was inadequate.

--She accepted full responsibility, stressing "the buck stops with me."

--She spoke with heartfelt honesty about what happened, calling it "one of the most, if not THE most devastating experience of my life." She talked about how, when she first heard the news, she cried for a half hour while walking from room to room in her house, in shock.

--Oprah is in the process of buying cell phones for all the girls so they can contact her personally if other problems arise.

Many of the steps she took are those recommended by crisis counselor Jonathan Bernstein, who was my guest during a teleseminar on "How to Keep the Media Wolves at Bay." Jonathan discusses the most important things anyone can do when faced with bad news of any kind. He explained the top 5 mistakes people make when they find themselves knee-deep in a crisis.

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 how to deal with the media wolves: http://tinyurl.com/b8wcy


========================================
2. Rosie's Book Signing Hot Seat
========================================

Attention, authors.

I doubt you'll be ambushed by a TV reporter at your next book signing, but it happened to Rosie O'Donnell over the weekend. If you or your topic are controversial--the stuff that radio and TV talk show hosts love--it can also happen to you.

A staff member from Bill O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone" on FOX approached Rosie with a camera crew on Saturday afternoon as she was signing copies of her book "Celebrity Detox" at a Long Island bookstore.

He invited her to appear on O'Reilly's show to discuss comments she has made about how 9-11 was an "inside job."

Rosie, who is bitter enemies with O'Reilly, kept calm and used one of the strategies that crisis counselor Jonathan Bernstein recommends (see Item #1 above). She asked the crew to turn off the camera.

They refused and were eventually escorted out of the bookstore. You can watch the video at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21535945/

Knowing the little tricks TV reporters use to encourage you to talk are very different than the tricks used by print reporters. Radio reporters have their own quirks, too. So do reporters for the wire services.

Former reporter Al Guyant explains them all on "The Dangerous Hidden Secrets of Print & Broadcast Reporters," a CD that comes with a chapter from his book in which he outlines the advantages and disadvantages of working with each type of reporter. You can download it as soon as your order has been approved.

Click here to read more about what you must know when dealing with each type of reporter: http://tinyurl.com/g54jk


=========================================
3. Spider Rings & Press Releases
=========================================

Everyone who attends one of my workshops on how to write press releases gets a black plastic spider ring to take home with them.

Wear it on your finger. Or hang it on a string so it dangles in front of you while you're at your computer writing press releases.

It's my way of reminding Publicity Hounds to write press releases for the spiders--the search engine spiders, that is.

After all, the key reason you write press releases isn't to get the great big stories we all love. (You get those by delivering a customized pitch.) Instead, we write them primarily to pull traffic to our websites.

Before you write, you must know the keywords or keyword phrases that people type into the search engines to find the kind of information that's in your release. Using those keywords in your release, over and over again, will flag the spiders and pull traffic to your site.

Writing and posting press releases online also means that even if the traditional media ignore our releases and our stories, we can still pull people into our sales funnel.

At Thursday afternoon's workshop in Gurnee, Illinois, I'll explain how to write press releases for the search engines. I'll also discuss the 6 key elements in every press release and emphasize the one element that most people overlook. Without it, it's impossible to measure the success of your press release or pull anyone to your website.

Everybody also gets a fun little tchotchke to take home with them. It's long, it's plastic, and it was the subject of a worldwide feature story on CNN. You'll also get $500 in coupons to be used at stores at Gurnee Mills Mall, where I'm speaking.

Read more about what you'll learn at Thursday's two workshops in Gurnee, Illinois at http://www.PublicityHound.com/gurnee.htm


=========================================
4. How are You Using YouTube?
=========================================

Smart Publicity Hounds are using YouTube in creative ways to self-promote, and I want to start featuring some of the more clever videos and strategies.

If yours is one of them, drop me a line at mailto:jstewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=YouTubeVideo and explain how you use it and, more importantly, what kind of feedback you've gotten. And please provide a link to the video.

If you feel like you're living in the Dark Ages because you aren't using video yet in your publicity campaign, don't despair. Tom Antion has been raking in the bucks using video for several years, and he shows you how to get very smart about video very quickly.

His two-CD set explains how to:

--Shoot simple video clips and get them up on your website all by yourself. This costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars to hire out.

--How to get broadcast quality productions on the tightest budget possible.

--How you can get someone to provide financing for the production.

--How you can get paid to air your promotional production on TV. You'll learn exactly how to do this to make yourself a celebrity.

Continue reading more about all the cool stuff you'll learn about video at http://tinyurl.com/y3b6wj


==========================================
5. Promoting a Guitarist & Songwriter
==========================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Tamra Engle of Oakland, California. She's a guitarist and songwriter who needs ideas on how to market herself to music supervisors and film producers who can give her projects.


From Jennifer:

"Don’t forget to network through 'official' organizations like ASCAP, BMI and NARAS--they can all put you in touch with other people who can help."


From Jason Feinberg:

"I run a music industry online marketing company at http://www.otmg.net and the key is niches. Find the hundreds (or more) of websites that cater to niches you fit into. This includes music, lifestyle, social networks, and more. It isn’t always easy to make an enormous instant splash, but a lot of coverage across many niche sites can add up to something big."


From Bill Georgi:

"Work with a political campaign that will be producing its own TV commercials."


The Publicity Hound says:

Music publicity expert Bob Baker knows every trick in the book for promoting, whether you're a big band or a musician on your own. He explained them all, including some of the best websites for music publicity, on the CD or electronic transcript "Do-it-Yourself PR Tips for Songwriters, Musicians and Bands on a Budget."

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/mqsug


Read all the responses to last week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/36zm3l


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

Publicity Hound Janice Bittner of northern Virginia writes:

"Our company, Dryer Vent Wizard, cleans, fixes and installs dryer vents in an effort to help prevent dryer fires. I've sent at least three media kits to 10+ newspapers in our area over the last year that covered fire safety. I even gave out free dryer vent check kits to provide helpful tips and warning signs to readers.

"We live in a highly populated area with several weekly newspapers, all of which have extremely expensive advertising rates and not much editorial and news space. I haven't been able to get a story printed in any of them, even after speaking to a reporter whose paper covers the area where a family recently experienced a dryer fire due to a clogged dryer vent (I even secured permission from the family to be interviewed).

"Any help from your Hounds on how to get publicity in a news environment that doesn't have room for filler-type articles would be greatly appreciated!"


The Publicity Hound says:

That's an admirable goal, Janice. But why target only traditional media? I'll bet my Hounds will suggest lots of tips on how to break through that brick wall at your local newspapers AND use social networking sites and other online tools to generate publicity. Hounds, let's hear your best ideas. You can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/37t4jb


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

"Do you know the present value of your husband's policy?" the life insurance salesman asked his client.

"What do you mean?" countered the woman.

"If you should lose your husband, what would you get?" asked the salesman.

The woman thought a minute, then brightened up and said, "Probably a poodle."


P.S. Tomorrow night, Bogie and I stand before the entire class at puppy training school and the instructors will grade me (not Bogie) on how well I can get her to "sit," "stay," "come" and "down." Here's hoping for straight As. But don't count on 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/


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

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 KKPort Washington, WI 53074
U.S.A.
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737