Publicity tips/How Not to Pitch a Reporter Dec. 25, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #378 Dec. 25, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,327

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

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

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

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

My Gift to You: The Annual "Best of" Ebook

I've compiled the best 28 tips from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week" from this past year and created a handy ebook you can download at http://tinyurl.com/32avtz

Review the ebook when you need an idea to jump-start your publicity campaign.

Many thanks to all of you loyal Publicity Hounds who read this newsletter, contribute to it, and comment on it. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all my best for the coming year.

--Joan

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

1. How Not to Pitch a Reporter

2. Pay-per-placement Pros and Cons

3. More on Dirty Hotel Glasses

4. Media Leads

5. How to Become a Newspaper Columnist

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. How Not to Pitch a Reporter
======================================

The next time you send an email pitch to a reporter, take an extra minute or two to send the email to yourself first so you can see what it looks like on the screen.

Laura Lorber, the Wall Street Journal's assistant news editor for WSJ.com, blogged about an email she received from an unidentified PR person.

The email message, apparently the victim of Microsoft Word’s quirky email editing, shows that the pitch accidentally includes at least one paragraph of information on a separate topic that had been part of an earlier release. Rather than starting from scratch, the writer took the old release and edited it to conform to the new topic. Problem is, all the original copy that the writer edited out shows up on the screen.

Yikes.

The pitch is typical of many I see--and quickly delete. See if you don't agree. You can read the entire email at http://tinyurl.com/2kw72u

Laura, by the way, says she was inundated with pitches from Publicity Hounds who read here Dec. 5 that she was looking for story ideas on how small business use public relations. She's still sorting through all the emails.

Dan Janal of PRLeads.com asked me to share my best pitching tips during an interview we conducted call "Secrets of Perfect Pitching to Reporters." I discussed the one word you must never use in a pitch, things you can do to sweeten your pitch and encourage a reporter to write about you, and how to avoid major mistakes when pitching by phone.

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/s3tyx


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2. Pay-per-placement Pros and Cons
========================================

It's called pay-per-placement and it works like this.

Rather than paying a publicist or PR firm a retainer, regardless of whether they generate publicity for you, you pay for every placement they help you get.

No publicity equals no fee.

But if they pitch you to a national TV show like "Good Morning, America" and you end up on the show, the fee can be upwards of $10,000.

Let's say several newspaper and magazine journalists see the show and ask you for interviews. Depending on how the pay-per-placement contract is written, you'll have to pay the publicist an additional fee for each of those articles.

Pay-per-placement, one of the most controversial forms of PR services, isn't for everybody, particularly those on a shoestring budget. Critics say there's no justification for the outrageous fees. But advocates argue that it makes publicists work that much harder.

I've heard journalists complain that overly-aggressive pay-per-placement publicists can make pests out of themselves. I've also heard editors say they love PPP publicists who have pitching down to a science and will never waste the journalist's time pitching lousy story ideas.

The article at http://tinyurl.com/2f7v24 is a good example of how pay-per-placement is getting good results for the CEO of a Colorado gift basket company.

If you're hiring a publicist, don't interview any candidates until you know the right questions to ask, and you understand how they charge for their services.

My ebook "How to Hire the Perfect Publicist" walks you step-by-step through the entire process. It includes a list of questions to ask all potential candidates, shows you how to rank them, how to choose the best one, and how to work with your publicist. The ebook also explains the four ways publicists charge for their services, and the pros and cons of each one.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.publicityhound.com/hireapublicist.html


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3. More on Dirty Hotel Glasses
=========================================

More Publicity Hounds have responded to the items you've read here the last few weeks on the Atlanta TV station's I-team report about dirty hotel glasses than any other item in recently memory.

An observation:

I half-expected the PR departments at Embassy Suites, Sheraton Suites and the Holiday Inn in Atlanta to email me and explain improvements they've made to their housekeeping as a result of the I-team video. (If you missed it, you can see it at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a7f_1194813218)

After all, don't savvy Publicity Hounds create Google Alerts at http://www.Google.com/alerts so they know what people like me are saying about them online, and then follow up with journalists and bloggers to tell their side of the story? Don't they try to do damage control? So far, I haven't heard from anybody representing those hotels. Amazing.

A warning:

All you hotel PR people, don't be surprised if your hotel is the target of an I-team investigation like the one in Atlanta. When a story like that one uncovers wrongdoing, you can bet that one or more other stations will do an identical I-team story.

Creating Google alerts, and responding to bad news stories, are integral to your 2008 media plan. I discussed both of those topics and hundreds of others during my teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan." It comes with detailed handouts, including a fill-in-the-blanks template for a 12-month plan. Start laying the groundwork right now for next year's publicity campaign.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


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

--Mildred Culp, who writes The WorkWise syndicated column, needs sources to comment about job hunting tactics. No newspaper columnists, please. mailto:workwise@comcast.net


--The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is looking for writers and photographers to participate as unpaid citizen journalists. It is looking especially for bloggers who can write about topics such as pets. "We want you to blog about anything you're passionate about: Hobbies, neighborhoods, sports, news, leisure activities...the list goes on. We can give your blog a home on one of the top-20 news sites in America and we'll give you the independence to say what you mean." Mailto:blog@seattlepi.com with your idea, your resume, a writing sample, and a link to your current blog (if you have one). We respond to every request, so contact us today." Thanks to book marketing guru John Kremer for this media lead.


============================================
5. How to Become a Newspaper Columnist
============================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips on how Kelly Moore of Des Moines, Iowa can turn her job as an unpaid blogger for a local magazine into a paying job as a newspaper columnist.


From Sarah Adams:

"I think you could use the upcoming primary to your advantage! If your numbers are as good as they seem, you could offer interviews to the many candidates on the topics of parenthood (and talk about guilt over the constant travel of a campaign). What about Chris Dodd who, I believe, moved his children to Iowa public schools? Great move, and I’m sure he would love to talk about that commitment to Iowa!


From Lois:

"The largest publisher of home, garden and niche magazines has its corporate headquarters in Des Moines. Meredith Corporation (Better Homes & Gardens) publishes Parents magazine. You might as well start at the top.

"Get the name of the editor from the masthead and pitch your idea to her. She is probably already aware of the local magazine, so be sure to mention your experience there."


From Brannan Vines:

"I just looked at your blog and I love it!

"Since your readers are your strongest ally, why not involve them? Post a short message explaining that you’re passionate about what you’re doing, list the reasons why, and then tell them you need their help to go global (regional, national, etc). You could either (1) ask them to post their reasons for supporting you, loving your blog, etc, (2) ask them to send you an email to the same effect and just include a few of the best in your blog or (3) set up a survey form asking them to rate, on a scale of 1to 10, how likely they would be to read a daily column that you wrote. Then you could take that feedback to the editors of the daily paper (or, like Lois suggested, to the editor of parents)...I’m the publisher of a South Carolina local newspaper and that approach would be most convincing to me. It would make the decision almost a no-brainer."


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


The Publicity Hound says:

Kelly, before you pitch the editor for your own column, boost traffic to your blog by posting comments at other popular blogs on parenting. I teamed up with Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff and explained "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion." You can read more about the strategy of posting comments before directly pitching at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


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

Nicka Stewart of Middletown, New Jersey writes:

"I started an organization with a partner last May. The Decorators' Alliance of North America offers professional affiliation, certification and continuing education for interior decorators. DANA is dedicated to the personal and professional growth of its members. We offer resources, educational opportunities, industry discounts, and networking programs. Our website is at http://www.DecoratorsAlliance.com

"We have several hundred members, but there are many thousands of decorators who are still unaware of us. This is the first group devoted specifically to professional decorators (not licensed designers), and is open to all fields of home fashion (window treatment designers, home stagers, interior re-designers, organizers, etc.). We know that many other decorators will profit from DANA, as well. We just need to get the word out!

"Can your Hounds help?"


The Publicity Hound says:

Your group has lots to offer, Nicka, and the secret of promoting it is to direct your message to your niche audience. Hounds with ideas on how Nicka can do that can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/38xorv


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

I pulled into a crowded parking lot and rolled down the car windows to make sure my Labrador Retriever had fresh air. She was stretched out on the back seat, and I wanted to impress upon her that she must remain there. I walked to the curb backward, pointing my finger at the car and saying emphatically, "Now you stay. Do you hear me? Stay!"

The driver of a nearby car gave me a startled look.

"I don't know about you, lady," he said incredulously. "But Iusually just put my car in park."


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

Chicago media expand opportunities for commentary
http://tinyurl.com/38fb9f


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Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register 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. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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/'Dirty Hotel Glasses' Contest Winner Dec.18, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #377 Dec. 18, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,659

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

"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.

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

Coming Christmas Morning:

It's my annual "Best of The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week"ebook, a special gift to all of you loyal Hounds who have been kind enouch to read and respond to this newsletter.

I've chosen more than two dozen tips from this past year that have generated the most response from readers, and I'll tell you how to download the ebook in next Tueday's issue of this newsletter.

Bloggers, ezine editors, coaches and consultants, you are welcome to regift the ebook to your own readers and clients.

Until then, have a safe and happy holiday.

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

1. 'Dirty Hotel Glasses' Contest Winner

2. Say Buh-Bye to Journalists

3. YouTube Video Reminder

4. Pitch This Week and Next

5. Promoting a Photography Studio

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. 'Dirty Hotel Glasses' Contest Winner
======================================

Next time the Sheraton Suites, Embassy Suites or Holiday Inn hotel chains are looking for a PR spokesperson, they should choose the winning candidate from among Publicity Hounds who read this newsletter.

Last week, I told you about the video produced by an Atlanta TV station that took its hidden cameras into guest rooms at local hotel chains. At those three chains, the video showed, the housekeeping staff never used soap and water to clean dirty glasses and coffee cups in the guests' rooms.

I told you to watch the video at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a7f_1194813218 and then tell me how you would respond if you were the PR person at one of those chains.

You can read all 75 comments at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/28aqm9

Many of the responses are excellent and showed the appropriate level of contrition and embarrassment. But one response, in particular, stood out from the others.

Jennifer Moreau, a marketing specialist with ITU Inc., an industrial towel and uniform company in New Berlin, Wisconsin, suggested that the hotel apologize for the safety violation, then ask the TV station to become involved in reporting on the change in housekeeping procedures.

"For instance, invite them to the initial meeting with staff when this video is shown so they obtain footage of staff reaction to the hidden camera video and the discussion that takes place after," she wrote. "Then, have the media do a second hidden video test after a month or 2 months when the changes were implemented to ensure that they actually were.

"Working with the media as a partner instead of an enemy will actually help both parties. They get a better, more in-depth story, the hotel improves their process, and both receive PR coverage. Plus, the hotel's credibility is perceived much higher by admitting the problem right away and dealing with it to solve it. This, in turn would reduce potential negative sales effects and perhaps could actually have a positive effect on sales."

I ran her comment by Clarence and Ellen Jaffe Jones, the husband-and-wife crisis counselors. Both are former award-winning TV investigative reporters.

"Clarence and I like the idea," Ellen said. "Formally called the 'ride-along,' it invites the media inside. 'Walk a mile in my shoes' gives the reporters a unique view."

Tylenol execs used this invite-them-in technique effectively when cyanide was maliciously injected into the company's star drug.The company invited "60 Minutes" to watch company execs debate how to handle the drug tampering crisis.

"Lawyers cringe," Ellen said. "But in a crisis, it is a matter of saving your image and often the entire company. Tylenol didn't suffer any long-term market share loss, and is still very much in business."

Clarence and Ellen were doing a crisis counseling training for clients when I contacted them.

"We discussed the hotel glass story in our media training class today," Ellen said. "It was amazing how many people from all over the U.S. had seen or heard of this one story that was initially done by one local TV station. With YouTube and Internet connection to the TV's website, bad news like this is immediate worldwide...Many of our students today said they've been using bottled water in their hotel rooms since that story."

Jennifer's comment wins her $200 in Publicity Hound products.

All of you can win, too, by reading Clarence Jones' excellent book "Winning with the News Media: A Self-Defense Manual When You're the Story." It's the book I wish I had written. I referred to my copy so often that it eventually fell apart from overuse, and I had to order another one. Order yours at http://www.winning-newsmedia.com/bookordr.htm

In fact, order two. Give one to the Publicity Hound on your gift list.


========================================
2. Say 'Buh-bye' to Journalists
========================================

Right now, all over the U.S., there's an exodus of experienced, high-profile, high-priced journalists taking early retirement.

To boost profits, newspapers are offering buy-outs to some of their veteran staff members who will be replaced with cheaper, less experienced reporters and editors.

Here in Milwaukee, for example, the Journal Sentinel offered buyouts to about a dozen veteran writers and editors. The same thing is happening at radio stations.

During yesterday's private teleseminar with members of the Publicity Hound Mentor Program, I discussed a long list of ways Hounds can use this to their advantage.

If a beat reporter with whom you've established a great relationship leaves, make sure the reporter introduces you to the new person taking over the beat.

Then shift into the role of "educator" and help the new reporter understand your industry, its lingo, its idiosyncrasies and its trends.

--Invite the reporter to a "getting to know you" lunch.

--Ask "How can I help you?"

--Encourage the reporter to call on you for story ideas, background and commentary, day or night.

If you join my mentor program, you can listen to a replay of yesterday's teleseminar. And in our initial phone consultation, I'll help you create a plan designed to promote you and your business online and offline. Find out if you're a good candidate for the program at http://www.publicityhound.com/mentorprogram/intro.html


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3. YouTube Video Reminder
=========================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Meryl K. Evans for reminding us not to use YouTube or podcasting as a replacement for any written content we currently provide.

"If you do, you could neglect a small but important audience-- those with disabilities. The deaf, like me, can't follow the video unless it's obvious from visuals.

"The blind miss out on visual cues."

She said Jeff Crilley, the FOX News reporter in Dallas, includes a link to his video in every newsletter, "but thankfully he continues to provide content in the same newsletter." (You can sign up for the newsletter at http://www.jeffcrilley.com/)

The number of people with disabilities has grown, especially with Baby Boomers losing hearing and eye sight as a result of getting older.

Not using video yet in your PR campaign? You should be. Learn how with the 2-CD set "How to Make a Fortune with Video" at http://tinyurl.com/y3b6wj


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4. Pitch This Week and Next
=========================================

I hated working the weeks before and after Christmas when I was in the newspaper business.

Schools are on Christmas break. Politicians recess until after the holidays. Entire companies shut down for a week. And sources are nowhere to be found.

That's why you should be pitching this week and next, particularly to media like newspapers and TV stations which have short lead times. Call a TV station tomorrow morning with a great story idea and you could be on the news tomorrow night.

Offer "the local angle" to a newspaper reporter writing about a national problem like home mortgage foreclosures and you could be in tomorrow's paper.

Or tie your story to Christmas or New Year's.

TV producer Shawne Duperon explains the insider secrets of "How to Get onto the TV News Tomorrow" during the one-hour teleseminar I conducted with her.

It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

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


============================================
5. Promoting a Photo Studio
============================================

This week, 15 Publicity Hounds have ideas on how Kammy Thurman of Laurel, Montana can promote her photography studio.


From Kathleen Lisson:

"Start or participate in a photography group on Meetup.com."


From Jennifer Cook:

"Growing up, we loved wandering our local mall during the school year because the local photography studios would post 8×10s and even 5×7s of the local senior pictures. We enjoyed looking for our friends and other people we knew. For many years the pictures were simply mounted or framed and hung on foldable partitions in the middle of the walkway. This is how a new photography studio launched themselves up against the 'go to' studio for all formal events. The new studio now has the greater share of the market."


From Linda Barrett:

"I suggest creating a niche like black-and-white pet photographs, children in dress-up clothing, or movie star shots using a professional makeup artist...You will still offer full photography services of course, but you will become known because of your special talent. For example, a local framing shop uses recycled or found items of architectural interest to create one- of-a-kind frames. This generated two feature articles in the first month of her store opening."


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/yptul3


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

Kelly Moore of Des Moines, Iowa writes:

"I have been the number-one ‘community’ (just a fancy way of saying ‘unpaid’) blogger for a local magazine in our city for more than a year. The magazine is owned by our city’s daily newspaper. Consequently, I was able to find out that my page- views not only outshine the other magazine bloggers’ (staff included), they also stack up extremely well as compared to the daily newspaper’s own bloggers, including their print columnists.

"I’d like to parlay my readership success from this unpaid blog into a more high-profile (and hopefully profit-generating) pursuit. In particular, I’d like to pitch myself as a regular columnist for the daily newspaper, but I’m unsure how to go about it.

"You can see my blog at http://blogs.dmjuice.com/?cat=42. I write about parenthood (note I did not say ‘parenting,’ as that implies I dole out advice). My goal is to entertain by showing other moms and dads the humor in the every day of parenthood and to ease the guilt that seems almost epidemic these days.

"Hope you and your readers have some good suggestions for me..."


The Publicity Hound says:

Kelly, my Hounds will not only give you ideas on how to get the paid writing gig. I'll bet at least one will offer a suggestion about how you can go far beyond the boundaries of Des Moines and turn that blog into a profitable venture. Hounds with ideas for Kelly can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2vkjod


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

"Every time I go near the stove, the dog howls." -- Phyllis Diller


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

'Best of ProfNet' list promotes PR agency
http://tinyurl.com/38v69k


Book tours being replaced by virtual tours
http://tinyurl.com/352hms


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


Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register 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. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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/Don't Drink from Hotel Glasses Dec 11, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #376 Dec. 11, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,023

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

"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 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

If you sell a consumer product, from something as simple as bottled water to something as lavish as diamond-studded jewelry--don't miss the telephone seminar I'm hosting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 13, with product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey. They'll share all the secrets of how to get your consumer product onto the sets of TV shows and movies. Register for the teleseminar at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm See Item #3 below.


January 8: Artists, Don't Miss This One

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, and I'm a guest presenter who will talk about press releases. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr. Or, to sign up for the Jan. 8 preview call, click on that link, then click on "Register" at the top of the page. See Item #2 below.

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

1. Don't Drink from Hotel Glasses

2. Recycle Your National Media Hit

3. Send Your Product to Hollywood

4. Attract More PR Clients

5. Promoting Compassionate Friends

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week


======================================
1. Don't Drink from Hotel Glasses
======================================

The next time you stay in a hotel, you'll think twice about drinking out of the glasses and coffee cups if you watch the four-and-a-half-minute video at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a7f_1194813218

It's an I-team investigation from a TV station, presumably in Atlanta, Georgia. The team took hidden cameras into guest rooms at three major hotels--Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn and Sheraton Suites. In all three instances, housekeepers never used soap and water to clean dirty drinking glasses and coffee cups.

The Holiday Inn simply rinsed the glasses under running water in a dirty sink and left them to dry.

At the Embassy Suites, a housekeeper put a used glass inside the dirty sink, sprayed a blue liquid on it, and then dried it with a cloth. She held it up to the light to make sure it looked squeaky clean.

At the Sheraton Suites, a housekeeper also used spray from a bottle to clean a glass, then picked up the guest's used washcloth from the sink, smelled it, and wiped the glass with the washcloth. As for the rubber gloves on her hands, well, you'll have to watch the video to learn where those gloves had been just before they touched the drinking glasses.

I don't know when this report was first aired. But what's so remarkable about it is that in all three cases, when asked to comment, the hotel management never fessed up to any wrongdoing, even though they were caught on camera and admonished by the local health officials. A spokesperson from the Sheraton refused to comment, saying "It's too controversial an issue."

Let's see how media-savvy my Publicity Hounds would be in a situation like that one. Put yourself in the place of any one of those three hotels. Pretend you're the spokesperson. Then go over to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/28aqm9 and post a comment, telling me what you'd say--or whether you'd say anything at all--in response.

Your comment won't appear until next week, when I compare your answers with advice from crisis counselors. And I'll award a very cool prize to the Hound whose response comes closest to the response from the crisis experts.

Clarence Jones, a former TV and newspaper investigative reporter, says that in cases like the one above, attorneys will almost always advise clients not to comment. He was my guest during a teleseminar called "In a Media Crisis, Your Lawyer Will be Wrong," available as a CD. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/zu7td


========================================
2. Recycle Your National Media Hit
========================================

When a major newspaper, magazine or niche publication prints a story about you, or when you're featured on a national network newscast, recycle that publicity by letting your local media know about it.

Mystic Pop magazine, which features articles about holistic living and spirituality topics, wrote about surrealistic artist Mickie Bellah of Austin, Texas, and included photos of her oil paintings, in its November/December issue.

Mickie wrote a press release about the media hit and distributed it through PRWeb. More than 500 people have viewed the release online at http://tinyurl.com/34rd8m. She also sent it to media in Austin.

Directions, a magazine about the Texas "hill country," saw the release, called her, and then featured a photo of one of her oil paintings on the masthead page of the magazine along with a short blurb.

"I took advantage of your free tutorial '89 Ways To Write Powerful Press Releases' and picked up a lot of excellent tips, including the one about publicizing national media hits," Mickie said.

Sign up for the tutorial at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/list.htm

Then check out PR Web's services at http://snipurl.com/PRWebDistribution

Artists like Mickie who want to keep the publicity machine cranking on all gears should sign up for Ariane Goodwin's smARTist Telesummit, an outstanding training program that will teach them how to build an entire business around their artwork. I'm one of the guest experts, and I'll be teaching artists how to write and distribute press releases just like Mickie did. In fact, I'm going to use the example above in the course. Learn more about the telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr


=========================================
3. Send Your Product to Hollywood
=========================================

If you're willing to pay big bucks, your product can be the star of an entire episode of a popular TV program.

For example, writers for the NBC hit comedy "The Office" wrote a script in which the folks at Dunder Mifflin paper company exchanged "Secret Santa" gifts that were supposed to be worth no more than $20. Controversy erupted when the boss contributed a video iPod worth about $400 for the gift exchange.

"It may be the most creative half-hour commercial for Apple ever, but the viewers are not put off because it's pure entertainment, "says Amy Bates Stumpf, an expert on product placement.

It's also an extreme example of the expense that some companies will go to just to get their products in front of consumers.

On the other end of the spectrum, even if you have a tiny budget for product placement, or no budget at all, your product could end up on the set of a TV show or movie.

Decorating a set takes thousands of objects, from bath products to kitchen appliances, from lamps to artwork. Everything from fashion accessories to food are necessary parts of a set, and product placement coordinators are responsible for locating thousands of items over the course of production.

Take bottled water, for instance. Movie sets need bottled water--lots of it--for the actors and actresses and the many staff members who work months at a time on the production. If you're willing to donate your brand of water during the entire production schedule, the producers might agree to film an actor or actress drinking your water, and include the clip in the final version of the movie.

But how do you get through to the right people to even pitch your product? And who's in a better position to do the pitching--the person who created the product, or their PR person?
Learn how Publicity Hounds can get product placements large and small, and take even small placements and publicize them after-the-fact for more exposure.

Amy will team up with Rebecca Lightsey, publicity director for a product placement company, during a 70-minute teleseminar at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 13, called "How to Get Your Consumer Product onto the Sets of Movies and TV Shows." Sign up at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm You can order the CD, MP3 file or electronic transcript next week.


=========================================
4. Attract More PR Clients
=========================================

If you work at a PR agency, or you're a sole proprietor PR pro, one of the very best ways to attract clients is to teach PR in your own community or online.

--Teach adult education classes through your local school district.

--Offer to teach public relations for a niche audience, like small businesses, through your local college or university.

--Call your chamber of commerce, offer a half-day workshop for members, charge the chamber a flat fee and let them keep any revenue over and above that.

--Teach a free course on how to write press releases or how to do media interviews. Sell your products from the back of the room.

--If you have email addresses of people who will let you market to them, offer a free telephone seminar on how to do one aspect of a publicity campaign.

Once you use these venues to position yourself as an expert, you'll have more business than you can handle. Truth is, many people just don't have the time or inclination to manage their own publicity campaigns. And they're willing to hire somebody like you to do it.

Publicity expert Marcia Yudkin teamed up with me to present "24 Ways to Attract Clients to Your P.R. Practice," a teleseminar that we recorded and are making available as a CD or electronic transcript. Each comes with a list of 24 ideas that we've used to successfully pull clients into our own practices.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/8txj8


============================================
5. Promoting Compassionate Friends
============================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have ideas on how Wayne Loder of Milford, Michigan can promote The Compassionate Friends/USA. It's a national self-help bereavement organization with a mission to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. The second week in September of 2008 has been designated as the first "Compassionate Friends Week" and he'll be helping local chapters promote it in their own communities.


From Linda Swisher:

"National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and its member hospitals, would be a natural place to contact. NACHRI apparently publishes 'Children’s Hospitals Today,' in which you might advertise. It's at http://www.childrenshospitals.net/"


From Leyla Farah:

"Because your organization focuses on the loss of children, something that you might consider is asking people to submit digital photographs of their loved ones that can be assembled into a dynamic online image grid or 'quilt.' The idea of a quilt evokes childhood and memory in very positive ways, and allows for individual expression within a cohesive whole.

"It would make a great story for both national and local press because it’s so visual, and local chapters could generate large-scale graphics that would each be slightly different, but within the same theme."


From Michelle Meacham:

"I bet there’s even a celebrity out there who would be willing to align himself/herself with Compassionate Friends. Eric Clapton quickly comes to mind, since the loss of his young son is quite well known."


The Publicity Hound says: I was going to suggest the celebrity angle, too. Contact Any Celebrity, a subscription service, provides contact information for more than 54,000 celebrities, agents, managers and publicists. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/lorvx


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/3adgay


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

Kammy Thurman of Laurel, Montana writes:

"I hope your Hounds can help our photography studio, Anchor Photography, at http://www.anchorphotography.net/. We’ve been in business several months and we want to become the most recognizedstudio in our area.

"That will be tough because we’re up against studios that have been in business for 30 to 50 years, and more. I am trying to think of ways to use publicity because the other studios don’t do this, and I know it would build visibility fast. I’m just trying to think of ways to that aren’t blatant advertising."


The Publicity Hound says:

Most of the ideas that my Hounds will suggest, Kammy, won't have even a tiny whiff of advertising. They'll be publicity tactics and strategies so solid, that your competitors won't know what hit 'em. Hounds with ideas for Kammy can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/yptul3


Jeff Zbar, the 2001 U.S. Small Business Administration's Journalist of the Year, knows all the ways to catch the media's attention. He explained them when he was my guest during a teleseminar called "The Fastest, Cheapest, Easiest Ways to Publicize Your Small Business" at http://tinyurl.com/3tbbp


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

Top 10 things heard at Fido's office Christmas party:

10. "Wow! Check out the hot poodle with Rover."

9. "So I says to him, throw in toilet bowl privileges, and you
got yourself a deal."

8. "Look, I gotta go chase a cab..."

7. "Hey you--cat! You work here?"

6. "Not the Macarena again! Somebody cut off the boss' bar
tab..."

5. "Did you see the neat photocopies of Bowser's rear end?"

4. "Hey, good lookin'. Wanna swing by the ol' doghouse later?"

3. "Who ordered the hot dog pizza with everything?"

2. "Dead Cats--We're Still for 'Em!"

1. "Gainesburgers? Who catered this disaster?"


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

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

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


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


Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:


Dec. 13: Write Like a Journalist Teleseminar:

I'll be one of four guest experts on Bulldog Reporter's 90-minute teleconference "Write Like a Journalist: Newsroom Vets and PR Wordsmiths Reveal How to Write Compelling, Credible Copy That Sells" at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Come with your questions. Register at http://tinyurl.com/2vuku4


December 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

"How to Get Your Product onto the Sets of Movies & TV Shows," 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey will share the secrets of product placement. Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists" from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register 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. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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/What? No Media Plan? Dec 5, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #375 Dec. 5, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 36,778

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

"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 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

If you sell a consumer product, from something as simple as bottled water to something as lavish as diamond-studded jewelry--don't miss the one-hour telephone seminar I'm conducting at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 13, with product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey.They'll share all the secrets of how to get your consumer product onto the sets of TV shows and movies. Register for the teleseminar at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


January 8: Artists, Don't Miss This One

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, and I'm a guest presenter who will talk about press releases. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr. Or, to sign up for the Jan. 8 preview call, click on that link, then click on "Register" at the top of the page.

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

1. What? No Media Plan?

2. Can't Write? "Talk" Your Book

3. Dust Off Your Crystal Ball

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Michigan Nature Park

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. What? No Media Plan?
======================================

Let's see a quick show of hands.

How many of you have high hopes for publicity for next year, whether it's finally landing a story about your PR client in USA Today, or--at long last--lolling around the set at Harpo Productions, chatting and laughing with Oprah?

That's what I thought. OK, put down your hands.

Now, how many of you have a media plan in place for next year that will make it happen?

That's what I thought. Don't worry. I'm not sending you to the dog house without your dinner.

Instead, I want to share with you some of the best nuggets from my recent teleseminar series on "How to Create a Media Plan."

--Don Crowther, who presented a full hour on how to use social media, says that during August this year, one out of every three people in the world who went online visited MySpace.

--MySpace is one of seven social networking sites, Don says, where where everyone--regardless of age or occupation--should have a presence.

--Don also says that if you're incorporating social media into your plan, you must take the opposite approach when pitching the media. With social media, it isn't about crafting a message. It's about joining the conversation. People who like what you have to say will want to find out what else you know that might help them. Then, and only then, you can promote.

--TV producer Shawne Duperon told us that at many local TVstations, as many as 8 out of 10 stories on the evening news get there because somebody called to pitch an idea. (Amazing.)

--Wayne Kelly, co-host of the radio talk show "The Wayne and Jayne Show" on KBS Radio in British Columbia, Canada, marvels at a publicity tactic used by a new restaurant owner whose business was flat. The restaurant delivered breakfasts to Wayne and Jayne and the staff with a greeting that read: "Hey, love the show. We just wanted to send you guys breakfast." The bribe worked. "We talked about it on the air because they were nice to us," Wayne said. "They got a ton of promotion which resulted in people coming through their doors."

Those are only five of the hundreds of tips, tactics and strategies that I and my team of guest experts presented during the eight-teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan." After Publicity Hound Cynthia D'Amour of Ann Arbor, Michigan took the course, she applied several strategies she learned and got two big media hits in just one day.

You can read testimonials from other happy students and learn about how you can get the course either as electronic transcripts, CDs, or MP3s on a CD. Each includes thorough handouts and a template for a 12-month plan, sort of a "fill in the blanks" checklist that will keep you focused and on track.

Read more about the fabulous bonuses that come with the package at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


========================================
2. Can't Write? "Talk" Your Book
========================================

No more excuses for not writing a book.

Adam Witty says that if you can't string a noun and a verb together on paper, but you can talk up a storm, and you're an expert on a particular topic, there's no reason you can't "talk" your book.

His company, Advantage Media, works with authors who love to write as well as those who either don't write, or simply cannot but want their own fiction or non-fiction book.

How does he prod authors to get what's in their brains onto the pages of a book? An interviewer sits with the author, sometimes for several hours, and conducts an interview. From there, ghostwriters and editors handle the project, and the author emerges with a book--and quite possibly a best-seller.

The big advantage?

An author who struggles with writing no longer has to tie up from three to five years learning how to write, then write the book and rewrite it.

On Monday night, during our 90-minute teleseminar, Adam explained how to "talk" the basics of your book in less than a week. He stayed on the line for 20 minutes longer than he promised and answered many questions from listeners.

That's one of the reasons Karen Hannon of SpotlightRichmond.com emailed us afterward to say: "I've have been on several calls lately and most have been an hour-long sales pitch. I thought your call was different--so much better. Adam, you sold yourself by being yourself and giving a lot of good information."

If you missed it, that's OK. We recorded it for you. Listen to Adam teach you "How to Write and Publish a Book Quicker and Easier Than You Ever Imagined" at http://www.advantageteleclasses.com/joan

Bloggers and newsletter editors, do your readers a favor and share this link with them.


=========================================
3. Dust Off Your Crystal Ball
=========================================

Thanks to Marcia Yudkin, one of the savviest Publicity Hounds I know, for reminding us in her excellent ezine that it's time for Hounds everywhere to drag out the crystal ball, make predictions for 2008, and then pitch them to the media.

Marcia writes:

"From mid-December through mid-January, the media like to do stories about predictions. This publicity window is all the more promising because traditional news usually becomes sparse this time of year.

"Issue a press release about just one provocative prediction for your industry--or a round number of them, like 10.

"Can't think up serious predictions? Then create some tongue-in-cheek ones.

"Can't see the future clearly? Then dig up predictions from 5, 10 or 50 years ago and discuss why they got it wrong or right."

Read about another terrific idea she suggests here: http://www.yudkin.com/marksynd.htm

Then follow her advice and start writing your press release or briefs.

What's a brief? It's a short nugget of information that fits nicely into a small hole on a newspaper or magazine page. Or share it with a blogger. I explain the nine types of briefs in"Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to Write Them and 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


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Nancy Juetten of MainStreetMediaSavvy at http://www.mainstreetmediasavvy.com/ for calling my attention to the first one.


--The Wall Street Journal's "Small Business Link" section is doing a story on how small businesses can get the best--and most--PR exposure for the least money and effort. It will be printed Dec. 17, so email your idea immediately to mailto:sblink@wsj.com

--Rachel Bondi is writing an article for Aware Magazine at http://www.awaremagazine.net/ about philanthropy and nonprofits, and she wants to hear from nonprofits large and small about ideas that tie into that topic. The audience is primarily Baby Boomers who are retiring and increasingly interested in giving back. mailto:kizlerim@yahoo.com

--Kimberly Elliott, an author and certified rape/aggression/defense counselor, is writing a book and wants to hear from women who have been molested when they were children or teens. "We are looking for stories we can print (first name and last initial only unless you state otherwise). We'd like to know just a small portion of what happened, age, your feelings at the time, how it affected you, who you told at the time or years later, if you had to go to court and face your perpetrator, and did others believe you when you told your story. Then we want to know the good stuff...how you are thriving today." mailto:kelliott@execdeftech.com


Tip: When you contact any journalists or authors whose leads you see here, ask this question: "In what other ways can I help you?" It's all part of building the relationship. That one little question can lead to even more publicity hits. For other tips, see my "Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


============================================
5. Promoting a Michigan Nature Park
============================================

This week, 12 Publicity Hounds have dozens of tips for Walt Shiel of Lake Linden, Michigan. He wants to know how his publishing company and other volunteers can help promote a nature park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.


From Lisa Braithwaite:

"We have several areas like this in Santa Barbara, and they’re very popular for outdoor weddings. Perhaps you can promote the natural beauty of the park as a perfect place for weddings or other celebrations."


From Marcia Yudkin:

"Go to http://www.geocaching.com/, plug in your zip code and see what’s already hidden in your area and who the most active local geocachers seem to be. Then ask them for help. Don’t try to hide the caches yourself if you haven’t already tried to find some.

"For those who haven’t heard of this fast-growing hobby, geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt using a GPS (global positioning system).

"It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, find neat places in the woods that only other locals generally know about and experience a three-dimensional challenge, since some of the caches are rather hard to find even when you get to the GPS coordinates."


From Edward Vielmetti:

"There are a bunch of Michigan blogs that get good traffic. Absolute Michigan at http://www.absolutemichigan.com/ has regular reviews, and I know that they drive serious traffic to sites (one mention I had when the Sleeper Lake fire was going in Newberry generated hits week after week).

"Right in your back yard, Pasty Central at http://pasty.com/ has a daily photo and lots and lots of people who used to live in the area regularly commenting and linking and telling stories.

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


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

Wayne Loder of Milford, Michigan writes:

"I'm the Public Awareness Coordinator for The Compassionate Friends/USA. a national self-help bereavement organization with a mission to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.

"The second week in September of 2008 has been designated as the first "Compassionate Friends Month." I want to give each of our 600 chapters in the United States, a CD or packet of materials they can use for PR. I have promised that I would also arrange national publicity. I want to give them a press release template to send to their local newspapers; a template poster to place at libraries, churches, grocery stores, etc.; Public Service Announcements for local radio and newspapers; and a template proclamation for local governmental bodies.

"On the national level, I plan to distribute a press release, and will also provide information to the major nursing magazines and funeral director publications, the two major bereavement magazines, and will contact state funeral director associations in all 50 states. I haven't, as yet, checked out what national magazines might have some type of calendar or announcement area where a notice could be placed.

Would you or your Publicity Hounds out there have additional suggestions on what other backup materials I could provide chapters, and where I could try for additional national coverage?


The Publicity Hound says:

Wayne, you've got so many bases covered already. But let's see what my Hounds can add to your already long list. I have a great idea I'll share next week. In the meantime, Hounds with tips for Wayne can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3adgay


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

Dogs come when they're called. Cats take a message and get back to you later.


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

Left-leaning PR flacks, spin doctors host media training
http://tinyurl.com/2sfogx


Press release faux pas of the day, and my blogging boo-boo
http://tinyurl.com/2rqsao


Celebrity sports gala wants items for gift bags, auction
http://tinyurl.com/397r9u


Why magazines are losing readers: No page numbers
http://tinyurl.com/3d8veg


How to sell 15,000 CDs in 18 months
http://tinyurl.com/2nhwdu



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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:

Dec. 13: Write Like a Journalist Teleseminar:

I'll be one of four guest experts on Bulldog Reporter's 90-minute teleconference "Write Like a Journalist: Newsroom Vets and PR Wordsmiths Reveal How to Write Compelling, Credible Copy That Sells." Come with your questions. Register at http://tinyurl.com/2vuku4


December 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

"How to Get Your Product onto the Sets of Movies & TV Shows," 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey will share the secrets of product placement. Register, or order the transcripts or recordings at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register 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. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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