Publicity tips/Meanest Mom on the Planet Jan 29, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #383 Jan. 29, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 39,991
(I'm almost at 40,000!)

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

"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.


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

Internet Marketing Blueprint-in-a-Box Update:

Ali Brown has only 70 copies remaining of the 2008 version of her "Online Success Blueprint-in-a-Box" and they'll go fast. She's the Internet marketer who will teach you how to sell your expertise online and quit your day job.

I know her well and she's the real deal. The product includes shipping but only until Feb. 2. If you're at work, turn down your speakers, listen to her greeting and hear more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ea6od

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

1. Meanest Mom on the Planet

2. Can People with Problems Find You?

3. What TV Talk Show Producers Want

4. Grab a Page in a Desk Calendar

5. Create Your Own TV Show

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. Meanest Mom on the Planet
======================================

Buying newspaper classified ads is an expensive way to spread the word about whatever you're promoting.

But guess who reads the classifieds?

Reporters--lots of them. That's where they find the low-hanging fruit in the form of clever, funny or unusual ads. With one or two phone calls, they can turn that ad into a free article.

That's what happened to Jane Hambleton, a disc jockey in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Last month, she found a booze bottle under the front seat of her 19-year-old son's OLDS 1999 Intrigue.

She and her husband set two rules when they bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep the car locked.

And what good are rules if you don't enforce them? She called The Des Moines Register's classified advertising department and bought this ad:

"Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for 3 weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

After the ad appeared, two things happened:

--More than 70 people called her, including emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and a Georgia man, who wanted to congratulate her.

--A reporter from the Des Moines Register saw the ad and called her for an interview. You can read the article at http://tinyurl.com/2d4opv

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what?" she told the newspaper. "I'm telling people what happened here. I'm not just going to put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision. It's overwhelming, the number of calls I've gotten from people saying, 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far, there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady.' "

The lesson for Publicity Hounds?

Don't rule out the classifieds as a place to spread the word about what you're promoting. But take the time to write the ad so it catches attention.

If you don't want to spend a fortune on an ad, hop on over to Craigslist at http://www.craigslist.org/ and find the list for the city closest to where you live. Post a free ad, and then see what happens. Reporters, by the way, LOVE to lurk at Craigslist where they find story ideas galore.

Craigslist expert Nancy Mills was my guest during a teleseminar called "How to use Craigslist as a Global Publicity Tool." 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/geog2

Thanks to Publicity Hound Bryan Todd of Lincoln, Nebraska for tipping me off to this fun story.


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2. Can People with Problems Find You?
========================================

Millions of times each month, people searching for solutions to their problems type phrases like these into the search engines:

--"Disgruntled employees"

--"Relationship commitment issues"

--"Non-engagement letter"

You can generate lots of attention, new business and even journalist interviews when you write press releases or articles that address your customers' problems, and then post them online.

For example, management consultant Alan Weiss wrote a press release with the phrase "creating loyal employees," and distributed it through Expertclick: The Online Yearbook of Experts. So far, more than 1,400 people have opened it.

When psychologist Debra Burrell wanted attention for her services, Expertclick devised the phrase "relationship commitment issues" for her, which showed up again and again in her online release. That phrase has a high Keyword Effectiveness Index, which means that there are many searches but few web pages using that exact phrase.

Expertclick found the phrase "non-engagement letter" for Ed Poll, who has a legal marketing firm. Law firms search on that phrase when they're firing clients who don't pay and they need Ed's help to get new business.

If you don't know the phrases that your ideal clients type into the search engines, let Expertclick help you with one of their fee-based services. Or write your own releases--up to 52 a year--and let Exertclick distribute them online. Dozens of Publicity Hounds have raved about this service.

When you register for an ExpertClick.com page, you get a search-engine optimized Press Room page, and you can add content instantly to the Web.

Lock in a $100 Publicity Hound discount on top of its double early-order discount to drop the cost from $895 to $695. Save $200 on all sizes when you order from the link below by Thursday, January 31. Prices go up $100 in February.

Call the office in Washington, D.C., at 202-333-5000, and ask for the "Publicity Hound Discount" or order online at http://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/The_Publicity_Hound

See all the benefits at http://www.ExpertClick.com/Brochure.

You can use the $200 savings on any level of membership in the Yearbook of Experts, too.


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3. What TV Talk Show Producers Want
=========================================

Every time I let Publicity Hounds know about Steve Harrison's teleseminars with Michelle Anton, a former guest booker for "Oprah," I get numerous emails thanking me for tipping off my Hounds.

That's because Michelle can tell you better than anybody the kinds of shows and compelling guests that "Oprah" producers are looking for.

Steve, publisher of Radio-TV Interview Report (RTIR), will introduce you to Michelle and a few other surprise guests during another free 90-minute call on Thursday, January 31, titled "The Three Big Secrets for Getting Booked as a Guest on Top National TV Shows."

Choose from two times:

--2 PM Eastern (11 Pacific)

or

--7 PM Eastern (4 Pacific)

They will teach you things unknown to 95 percent of all publicity-seekers.

To register for this call--which is free except for your normal long distance charges--go here now:

http://www.GetMajorPress.com/tvcall/?10011

On the call, you'll learn things like:

--How to increase your odds of getting onto "Oprah," "Fox News," CNN, the "Today" show, "Montel" and other top shows.

--Understanding the mindset of national TV producers and what gets them to book you as a guest.

--The strategy a husband-and-wife team used to land a 7-minute segment on the "Today" show.

--What you should send TV producers (and what you shouldn't).

--An important lesson from one author who got on "Oprah" and saw sales soar as a result.

--The most important question you must be able to answer to land a TV appearance.

--The biggest mistakes to avoid when pitching TV producers (including ones that could get you black-balled forever!).

--Case histories of four other authors and entrepreneurs and the strategies they used to get on top TV shows.

Again, to register go here now:

http://www.GetMajorPress.com/tvcall/?10011

Once registered, within five minutes, you'll receive all the details on how to participate on the call.

P.S. If you end up on TV, be sure to let me know and I'll include your success story in my newsletter.


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4. Grab a Page in a Desk Calendar
=========================================

Thanks to Publicity Hound Roberta Beach Jacobson for this tip on how to grab a page of free publicity in the Bylines 2009 Writers' Desk Calendar.

The deadline to submit a short piece, maximum 300 words, to editor is Sylvia Forbes is Friday, Feb. 1.

See http://www.bylinescalendar.com/guidelines.php for full details.

"This marks my third year in a row appearing in this calendar," Roberta says.

A word of caution. I read the guidelines and here's what they say about your bio:

"You're not dry and boring, so your bio shouldn't be either. Give us your accomplishments but round out your profile so our readers feel like they'd like to meet you for coffee. Or a beer."

Most bios I read, especially author bios, are real yawners.
"Special Report #46: Tips for Rewriting Your Boring Bio" gives you ideas galore and lots of examples of how to rewrite your bio so it makes people smile. Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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5. Create Your Own TV Show
============================================

I wish I had a nickel for every Publicity Hound who asks me how they can get their own TV show.

Stop waiting around for a producer to call, I tell them. Instead, create your own show and buy time on the leased access channels throughout the U.S.

If you're trying to get in front of, say, 1 million people, you don't have to lease expensive time in a big market like New York City. Instead, you can lease less expensive time in many smaller markets and still get in front of 1 million people.

Once you're on TV, you stand a far better chance of being contacted by a producer than if you just waited for the phone to ring.

PR pro Robert Smith has been creating programs for himself and his own PR clients, and buying leased access time, with great results. I interviewed him, and he provided step-by-step instructions on the CD or electronic transcript "How to Get Your Own TV Show for Less Than $400 a Month."

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


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

Sara Holliday of Poway, California writes:

"I specialize in pre-and post-natal fitness and relationship issues.

"I've had a lot of press: Oprah & Friends Radio, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Playboy Radio, PBS Radio, KABC, KNBC and KTLA, and I'm a columnist for several women's health and fitness publications.

"But it hasn't led to an increase in sales on my website at http://www.fitbysara.com/ and I continue to write all my columns for free. Do your Hounds have any suggestions to help me use my media hits and PR to increase sales and get even more exposure?"


The Publicity Hound says:

They sure do. Hounds, post your best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2ogcrq

Sara, I see you're collecting email addresses of people who can subscribe to your newsletter. Good for you! You also have several info products, so I can't understand why you aren't making money from the newsletter.

Are you offering lots of free tips in the newsletter, then promoting a product you sell that ties into your tips? That's what I do.

Dan Janal interviewed me on "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine." I share all the tips on how I've turned this newsletter into my Number One revenue generator. It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can read as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/y6mp2c


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

Thanks to Mark Viergutz of Ventura, California for this one:

Wanda's dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman.Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check.

"Oh, by the way don't worry about my dog Spike. He won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot! I repeat: DO NOT talk to my parrot!"

When the repairman arrived at Wanda's apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking dog he had ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work.

The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with its incessant yelling, cursing and name calling. Finally, the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled,

"Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!"

To which the parrot replied, "Get him, Spike!"


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

Get mentioned in books: Subscribe to Dan Poynter's newsletter
http://tinyurl.com/2mul7y


Green marketing: 5 simple rules to follow
http://tinyurl.com/2l6l4l


Meet journalists at writers conference in April
http://tinyurl.com/24ynot


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Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


March 27: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

"Red Hot Tips to Set Your Publicity Campaign on Fire," Menomonee Falls, Sussex and Germantown Business to Business Networking Breakfast; networking and breakfast from 7:30 to 8, presentation from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $15. Guests welcome. For reservations, call Diane Henning at the Menomonee Falls Chamber at 262-251-2430.


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

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

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


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

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

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

Publicity tips/The Bucket List Jan 22, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #382 Jan. 22, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 39,927

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

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

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

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

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

1. The Bucket List

2. Don't Make Deals Like This One

3. If You Hate Your Job, Read This

4. Media Lead

5. How to Work with Impatient PR Clients

6. "Speakers Cruise Free" Replay

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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1. The Bucket List
======================================

The opening of the movie The Bucket List shows aging car mechanic Carter Chambers, played by Morgan Freeman, extinguishing his cigarette in an old Chock Full o' Nuts coffee can.

Later, Jack Nicholson as his dying geezer buddy Edward Cole, sings the familiar ditty we've all heard in those Chock Full o'Nuts commercials. It goes like this:

Chock Full o' Nuts is that heavenly coffee, Heavenly coffee, heavenly coffee, Chock Full o' Nuts is that heavenly coffee, Better coffee a millionaire's money can't buy.

That's called product placement. And when Jack sings about your product, well, it doesn't get much better than that.

Whether you're selling jewelry or purses, cars or coffee, product placement opportunities on the sets of TV shows and movies await Publicity Hounds who are smart enough to go after them.

While the Chock Full o' Nuts placement, no doubt, required deep pockets, many others don't.

If you supply cases of your company's bottled water for the stars to drink while they're shooting, a bottle just might show up in the final version of a movie or TV show.

After your product shows up on the screen, there are lots more opportunities. For example, InStyle magazine has a "Where Can I Find" column each month. It might feature a huge photo of an actress wearing a necklace on the set of a movie. It gives you the brand name and price, and the website where you can buy it.
That kind of publicity is free and powerful.

Product placement experts Amy Bates Stumpf and Rebecca Lightsey joined me in December for the teleseminar "How to Get Your Consumer Products onto the Sets of Movies & TV Shows." We recorded it, and it's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your order is approved. Only $39.95.

Order the CD at http://tinyurl.com/39bnqb

Order the electronic transcript at http://tinyurl.com/3y38hj

I loved The Bucket List, by the way, even though it got lousy reviews.


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2. Don't Make Deals Like This One
========================================

Twenty years ago, I would have been horrified to hear about a deal like this one between a hospital and a daily newspaper.

But today, the line between editorial and advertising is so blurred that it's of little surprise.

WEAU TV-13 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin tried to negotiate a deal with the local Sacred Heart Hospital in which the station would air medical stories featuring personnel only from that hospital and its affiliates, but not employees of other Chippewa Valley hospitals or clinics.

TV news director Glen Mabie was so outraged that he resigned. He said he was unsure whether the hospital would pay TV-13 as part of the agreement but that the exclusive deal posed an obvious conflict of interest.

The company decided not to proceed with the agreement, but the local newspaper got wind of it. You can read the entire story at http://tinyurl.com/322s88

I ran this by my friend, TV producer Shawne Duperon, for her comments:

"Yikes! Kudos to Glen Mabie for taking an ethical stand. Coming from a health reporter background, this would be a nightmare as a journalist! WEAU was completely crossing every ethical boundary that literally holds the newsroom together.

"In news, everything is about finding many sources (angles) to help you tell stories for the community. It would be like only talking to the NAACP for all civil rights issues.

"Creating a deal would also alienate all the other medical resources, organizations and clinics in the community. The deal could only fall flat on its face because it violates the very existence of journalistic news gathering processes."

My own take is that the stench from all that bad publicity is as harmful to the hospital as it is to the TV station. So if media outlets offer you a deal like this one, run the other way.

Besides, smart Publicity Hounds don't have to sleaze their way onto TV. Shawne says it's easy to get on the local news and that a well-delivered pitch to the newsroom in the morning can sometimes get you onto the news that night. She explains "How to Get onto the Local TV News Tomorrow," available as a CD or an electronic transcript you can read as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/4zpuz


=========================================
3. If You Hate Your Job, Read This
=========================================

When you hear the phrase Internet marketer, you probably think of a geeky guy with thick glasses, hunched over his laptop all day buying Google pay-per-click ads and watching the orders roll in.

That's one description.

I'm an Internet marketer, too. And I've worked hard to build my business to the point where I don't have to travel anymore. No more sleeping in airports, living in germ-laden hotel rooms or eating lousy food on the road.

I do most of my work in my pajamas or jeans and a T-shirt. About 98 percent of my revenue is generated in front of my computer, where I can also promote myself to the hilt.

I leave my home office so seldom these days that I don't even use a weekly planner. All my appointments are on a large wall calendar.

Most afternoons, I take a quick nap in my own bed, with Bogie asleep next to me in her kennel.

During the summer, I take frequent mid-morning breaks to weed the garden or pick a bouquet of flowers. Then I make my own healthy lunch.

With the help of Christine Buffaloe, my part-time virtual assistant, I've cut back my work week drastically and created several new revenue streams that have boosted my income. I can take vacations and long weekends when I want, without reporting to anybody.

Oh, did I mention that I've got the best boss in the world? Me.

Much of what I've done to morph from consulting/speaking into almost all Internet marketing is the same as what Alexandria Brown, "The Ezine Queen," teaches in her workshops. We've presented at the same events, and she's the real deal.

After hours of editing, polishing, and coddling, the brand new 2008 version of her "Online Success Blueprint-in-a-Box" is finally ready. It's perfect for anybody who hates their job, is already an expert in a certain topic, and wants to work on their own, at home, in front of their computer.

It's the home version of the exact same program she taught live a few months ago. You can see everything you get right now at http://tinyurl.com/ea6od (but turn down your speakers if you're at work).

She's selling only 147 copies of this version, so act now before you miss it. Read the success stories of her clients who have followed in her footsteps at http://tinyurl.com/ea6od


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

Mildred Culp, who writes the syndicated Workwise column, is looking for people who retired but have gone back to work for the same company or a different company. She has research indicating that this group needs to be managed by employers rather than left on their own. She wants to interview those who agree or disagree. Don't be shy if you have a relative to suggest. Source must be post-retirement, 65 or older. Send leads to mailto:workwise@comcast.net


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5. How to Work with Impatient PR Clients
============================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have advice for Gail Sideman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She wants tips on how to work with impatient PR clients who expect immediate results.


From Lanada Chanel:

"I have begun keeping track of published articles, editorials, press announcements, TV appearances, etc. we have gotten (however big or small they are). I list them, attached to monthly invoices, along with the time spent making calls to try to get her speaking engagements and the community relations work we're doing for her just so the client can see how much time and relationship building goes into this whole process.

"I figure that when the clients see how that all adds up, they can choose to either handle it all themselves and run their business, which already keeps them overwhelmed, or let me do what I feel I do best."


Barbara Rozgony:

"Since we transitioned away from counting clips to more of an SEO/virtual PR visibility approach, we find that our clients appreciate their different, but more measurable and immediate results. Within 24-48 hours, many of our clients land on page one of Google news for the desired search terms.

"After a few web releases, many of them vault way ahead of their competition, both in terms of number of Google results and page rank. One client showed up at 4, 5 and 6 on page one for their keyword term for the first month or so after their release. Three months later, their news release shows up at 35/232,000 results-- while their own site is buried many, many pages back."


From The Publicity Hound:

"If clients are obsessed with immediate results, then give them immediate results. Not in the traditional media, but in the hundreds of social media sites like MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Squidoo. Choose just a few, create their profiles, and then teach them how to use the sites. If you do it right, they could see a boost in traffic---and possibly sales---in just 24 to 48 hours.

Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/23kk33


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6. Speakers Cruise Free Replay
================================

"Speakers Cruise Free: Trade Your Talents for Free Luxury Cruises," a one-hour interview with Daniel Hall, shows you how to turn your hobby or expertise into a cool presentation you can offer to cruise ship lines that are looking for experts to entertain and educate their passengers. Listen for free at http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/houndcall

Help this Hound will return next week.


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

Thanks to self-publishing guru Dan Poynter of Santa Barbara, California for pointing out this:

The California town of Carmel-By-The-Sea has created the nation's first official doggie drinking fountain. It's called the "Fountain of Woof" and features a life-size dog's head spurting water from its mouth onto a step arrangement of rocky pools from which pooches can drink. Mayor Sue McCloud said the fountain was created "by pupular demand."


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

Book promotion tip: 'Cool Book of the Day'
http://tinyurl.com/3b6gfw


Video pitching will become overused
http://tinyurl.com/3yk38g


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

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

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


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

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

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

Publicity tips/The Social Media Myth Jan 15, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #381 Jan. 15, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 39,213

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

"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.

********************************************
Save the Dates:

Jan. 15 -- Publicity Hounds, this is your chance to learn about social media marketing and submit questions to one of the foremost experts. Join Don Crowther and me for a free one-hour telephone seminar on "Social Media Marketing: PR on Steroids" at4 p.m. Eastern Time today. See Item #1 below.

Jan. 16 -- Join Daniel Hall and me for a free one-hour telephone seminar from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. "Speakers Cruise Free:Trade Your Talents for Free Luxury Cruises" will explain how to turn your hobby or expertise into a cool presentation you can offer to cruise ship lines that are looking for experts to entertain and educate their passengers. Register at http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/hound See Item #3 below.

Jan. 17 -- Last day to register for the second annual smARTist Telesummit 2008, an art career conference that will teach artists how to turn their art passion into a successful business. I'm one of the presenters. Details and registration at http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=642363

Jan. 17 -- Authors, listen to a free one-hour teleseminar as Steve Harrison interviews Matthew Bennett on how the self- published author sold 5 million books to one company--and how you can too. Stop selling them piecemeal and start selling them by the truckload. Register at http://www.freepublicity.com/mattbennett/?10011

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

1. The Social Media Myth

2. A 4-Word Mention in Family Circle

3. Speak on Cruise Ships

4. Wanted: Videos of Women Authors

5. Promoting Fitness for Boomers

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

======================================
1. The Social Media Myth
======================================

I signed up for the social media coaching being offer by the guys at StomperNet, and I can hardly wait for the first teleseminar on Monday.

Many of you have emailed me to rave about the 50-minute video and the special report they're offering to whet your appetite and give you a taste of what we'll be learning. If you missed it, you can catch it here: http://www.stompernet.net/jvp/aw.aspx?B=25&A=332

Several of you, however, are still buying into the social media myth that sites like MySpace, Facebook and YouTube are only for kids with tattoos and tongue rings.

Wrong.

A Sept. 12 article in the New York Times explains that a new wave of capital is pouring into social media sites that target Boomers and offer news, commentary, photo-sharing and discussion forums on subjects like dating, fitness and health care. Most of the 78 million Baby Boomers (roughly three times the number of teen- agers), are Internet users with computer skills.

Sites like Eons, Rezoom, Multiply, Maya's Mom, Boomj and Boomertown are attracting a graying audience that has lots of disposable income. I'll bet many of these people have stopped subscribing to newspapers and even some magazines--the same publications you're targeting in your publicity campaign.

Unlike younger people who jump from one trendy site to the next, graying Internet users might be more likely to linger in one spot online--a potentially profitable characteristic that's catching the attention of investors.

Don Crowther of StomperNet, who created the video I'm recommending, knows more about social media marketing than anybody I know. I twisted his arm late yesterday and he agreed to do a free teleseminar with me from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time today.

I know it's short notice, but if you can possibly join us, we'd love to have you. He'll talk about how to use social media sites to earn top great search engine rankings and pull tons of traffic to your website.

You can even post your question on the sign-up form here: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=1628391 .

========================================
2. A 4-Word Mention in Family Circle
========================================

This is for all you Hounds who are determined to get a cover story or another big feature in a national magazine.

Sometimes all it takes is just a four-word mention about your business to generate a rush of traffic to your website.

That's what I got--just four little words--in the January issue of Family Circle magazine. I wrote about it at my blog and suggested five more ways I can piggyback off this minuscule mention. You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/23pdae

Many of the tips I suggested there are among the hundreds I shared when I hosted the teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan" back in October. We recorded it and it's available as CDs, MP3s or electronic transcripts. Read more about the stellar line-up of experts and what they shared at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
3. Speak on Cruise Ships
=========================================

It was Fourth of July week and stage hypnotist Victor Maranto would leave in just four days on a nine-day vacation cruise.

Armed with a step-by-step list of instructions on how to get booked as a speaker on the cruise, he called the woman who works with speakers and ended up in her voicemail.

"I started singing to her on her voicemail," he said. "I kept chanting her name. Then I laughed and hung up. Fifteen minutes later, she calls back and says, 'What can I do for you?"'

He had no presentation planned but pitched seven ideas for programs. She told him he wouldn't be able to hypnotize any of the passengers but that she wanted to hire him to present on the last day. They settled on a program called "Take Action Now: How to Unlock Your Mind's Hidden Power."

It all happened so quickly that Victor actually had to create the presentation on-board. He used a friend's Power Point slides and substituted his own bullet points.

He had postcards about the presentation printed and took them with him. But he wouldn't know until he boarded the ship exactly when he would speak, so he left the time and date blank. Once he knew that information, he filled it in, then recruited his kids to distribute the postcards to passengers.

The day of the presentation, Victor taught one woman how to overcome her fear of crossing bridges. He instructed other passengers on how to muster enough confidence to perform Karaoke.He even videotaped the presentation and now has a video that he can show other cruise ships that need speakers.

Victor followed Daniel Hall's instructions to the letter because Daniel is the expert on how to cruise for free in exchange for presenting a program. You can too. Join us for a one-hour teleseminar from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, January 16, called "Speakers Cruise Free: Trade Your Talents for Free Luxury Cruises." You don't even have to be a professional speaker.

If you have a hobby you're passionate about, you can turn it into a free vacation. Register for the teleseminar at http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/hound


=========================================
4. Wanted: Videos of Women Authors
=========================================

Starting Jan. 28, the Women for Hire website at http://www.womenforhire.com/ will feature a video interview with a nonfiction woman author on a topic of interest to women.

Topics can include workplace, lifestyle, health, etc. The video will appear on the homepage. They will feature an excerpt from the book as well as a link to Amazon.

They will shoot the video for authors in New York City, and the shoot will take no more than a half-hour. For authors outside Manhattan, they'll provide straightforward instructions on how to shoot your own video and submit it.

Send the title, a short synopsis, brief author bio, why women would buy your book, the target audience, publication date, and confirmation that the author is willing to do a video to Rachel Chase, Women for Hire. Mailto:Rachel@WomenforHire.com.

The WomenForHire.com website has 250,000 unique visitors each month as well as 300,000 professional women who subscribe to their newsletters. They are looking for authors who will provide valuable inspiration, information or advice.

If you want to shoot your own video, learn about the best equipment to buy, and video tips and tricks. See http://tinyurl.com/y3b6wj


============================================
5. Promoting Fitness for Boomers
============================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips for Darcy Silvers of Bristol, Pennsylvania on how a friend near Philadelphia can promote a fitness business for Boomers. It focuses on aerobics and weight training.


From Gail Sideman:

"IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), Club Fitness Industry and dozens of other organizations release statistics and case studies about fitness training for Boomers, which make up the industry’s fastest growing demographic. Use those stats and facts, along with clients’ success stories, to help pitch angles whether they’re for traditional or social media outlets."


From Garth Gibson:
"Develop an exercise program for the presidential candidates that helps them keep fit during their campaign. Then let the press know about it."


From Becky Williamson:

"Darcy's friend should offer to give talks in his areas of expertise to local Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs.Folks in his target market will be in these groups. These groups normally don't pay for speakers, but by giving public talks he'll begin carving his niche as a local expert. In addition, he may be able to collect email addresses."


The Publicity Hound says:

Post fitness tips to the Philadelphia Craigslist. I'll bet more people read Craigslist than the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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


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

Gail Sideman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin writes:

"I'm what the business calls a veteran publicist and media relations professional who has landed quality hits, and believes she does a good job in explaining how a PR or publicity campaign works to those who have never been involved in one.

"I outline the fact that an online newsroom is necessary and why, and that a foundation and reputation must be built before reporters have enough trust to include or feature the client in a big story. I also explain the differences between public relations and advertising.

"Despite all of this and making sure potential clients know what they’re getting into before they sign on the dotted line, I have found that some people, two or three months into the effort, maybe while we're still trying to build a quality online press room, question why I have not been able to score that 'big story' for them.

"How do other media relations professionals deal with complaining clients after they’ve already explained the industry to them and they’re working diligently to do things in step?"


The Publicity Hound says:

I've experienced this same problem, and it will be interesting to hear how other publicists deal with it. Hounds with helpful tips for Gail can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3yprya
If you know how to handle impatient clients, but you have too few clients, I know of two dozen ways to bring more business through the door. Marcia Yudkin brainstormed the ideas with me, and we presented them during a teleseminar called "24 Ways to Attract Clients to Your PR Practice." It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can download a few minutes after your order has been approved.

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


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

Thanks to the dozens of Publicity Hounds who have sent me this one.

If we were only taught by dogs, we would learn stuff like:

--When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

--Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

--Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

--When it's in your best interest -- practice obedience.

--Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

--Take naps and stretch before rising.

--Run, romp and play daily.

--Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

--Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

--On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

--On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

--When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

--No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back
and make friends.

--Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

--Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.

--Be loyal.

--Never pretend to be something you're not.

--If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

--When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.


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

Whole Foods magazine will feature only its own products
http://tinyurl.com/37k4mb


Family Circle blurb leads to huge traffic spike
http://tinyurl.com/23pdae

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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:


January 15: "Social Media: PR on Steroids"

Join Don Crowther and me for a free one-hour telephone seminar from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time on how to use social media sites like MySpace, Facebook and YouTube in your publicity campaign.Don't miss this one. Sign up at http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=1628391


January 16: "Speakers Cruise Free"

Join Daniel Hall and me for a free one-hour telephone seminar from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time called "Speakers Cruise Free: Trade Your Talents for Free Luxury Cruises." He will explain how to turn your hobby or expertise into a cool presentation you can offer to cruise ship lines that are looking for experts to entertain and educate their passengers. You don't even have to be a professional speaker. If you teach arts and crafts, play bridge, or offer classes on how to use a computer, for example, you could be just the person they're looking for. Sign up for the teleseminar only if you want to participate live and be able to ask questions. If you can't make the call, I'll include the link in this newsletter so you can listen to it later. Sign up for the live call here: http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/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


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/You Snooze, You Lose Jan 8, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #380 Jan. 8, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 38,480

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

"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.

********************************************
Save the Date: Jan. 16

The "Speakers Cruise Free: Trade Your Talents for Free Luxury Cruises" teleseminar is from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Daniel Hall will explain how to turn your hobby or expertise into a cool presentation you can offer to cruise ship lines that are looking for experts to entertain and educate their passengers. You don't even have to be a professional speaker. If you teach arts and crafts, play bridge, or offer classes on how to use a computer, for example, you could be just the person they're looking for.

He'll explain how to turn your presentation into a series of products you can sell long after the cruise is over. And, of course, he'll also explain how a gig on a cruise ship can generate lots of free publicity for you and your business.

Sign up for the teleseminar here only if you want to participate live and be able to ask questions. If you can't make the call, I'll include the link in this newsletter so you can listen to it later. Sign up for the live call here: http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/hound

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

1. You Snooze, You Lose

2. 2008 List of Banished Words

3. Another Way to Embarrass a Reporter

4. Piggybacking onto the Election

5. Promoting Pet Food for the Homeless

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. You Snooze, You Lose
======================================

Publicity Hounds fall into two camps.

The first camp is comprised of those who snooze and lose. I know who they are because they email me questions like these:

--"I want more traffic at my website, so what's the best way to get a big article about my business in The New York Times or USA Today?"

--"I've identified 12 journalists who cover my area of expertise and I've been pitching them for the last six months, but not one has returned my call. What do I have to do to get their attention?"

--"My dream is to make it onto 'Oprah' and have her plug my new book. How can I convince her producers that I should be on her show?"

Why are they snoozing and losing?

Because they're relying solely, or mostly, on traditional media.They're spending the majority of their time and effort trying to gather a pile of newspaper and magazine clippings or make it onto the greatest number of TV and radio shows possible.

The second camp is much smaller--but so much smarter.

It's comprised of Publicity Hounds who understand that relying only on traditional media to deliver their message is like paddling a rowboat with only one oar. They know that a far more powerful strategy is to join the conversation at social media sites like MySpace, Facebook and YouTube and, eventually, pull many of the people at those sites back to their own websites.

The smart Hounds in the second camp understand that those sites attract not only kids with tattoos and tongue rings but millions of older, well-educated consumers with money to spend. Many of those consumers hang out at social media sites looking for other people who share their interests and concerns.

A few months ago, I admitted that the confusing maze of social media sites left me frustrated. My friend, Don Crowther, told me about a 50-minute video he was creating for StomperNet.com that explains how smart Publicity Hounds are using social media marketing to promote their product, service, cause or issue. I just finished watching the video and highly recommend it for everybody in the first camp. I guarantee you'll have an "Aha, now I get it" moment.

If you're already in the second camp, the video is for you, too, because it will give you lots of ideas you might not have thought about. Before you watch the video, sign up for StomperNet's special report on how to social market to the world on an enterprise level and steer around the land mines that can blow up in your face if you make the smallest mistake.

Not interested in social media? Go back to your nap. But don't say I didn't warn you.

Watch the video and sign up for the free report at http://www.stompernet.net/jvp/aw.aspx?B=25&A=332

========================================
2. 2008 List of Banished Words
========================================

It started as a publicity ploy back in 1975 for the little-known Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

PR director Bill Rabe and his colleagues cooked up an idea to banish overused words and phrases. Much to the delight of language enthusiasts everywhere, the list has stayed the course into a fourth decade.

This year's list comes from more than 2,000 nominations received through the university's website. It's at http://tinyurl.com/2qvpey and includes several of my own petpeeves:

--"Under the bus"

--"Authored," as in "I authored the book." (Former TV commentator Edwin Newman once asked if it would be correct to say that someone "paintered" a picture. Authors, stop using this annoying verb in your press materials and website copy.)

--"Sweet" as in "awesome."

After Rabe retired in 1987, the university copyrighted the concept and continued offering the annual list on New Year's Day, traditionally a slow news day (now that's smart).

The popularity of the effort shows no signs of dwindling. Word- watchers nominate hundreds of words and phrases each year. The LSSU Public Relations Office staff does dozens of media interviews, largely with radio stations throughout North America and sometimes overseas on all major networks, including Cable News Network, Associated Press, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and more.

An annual list like this one, released on a slow news day, is a super way for schools, nonprofits and just about anybody to generate publicity. What list can you create?

"Special Report #15: Publicity Tips for Schools, Colleges and Universities" is a must-read for any school PR department. It helps you generate news when the idea well is dry. Only $10.Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

=========================================
3. Another Way to Embarrass a Reporter
=========================================

Publicity Hound Karen Pierce Gonzalez responded to last week's item about the St. Louis politician who tried to embarrass a TV investigative reporter by answering the reporter's question with comments about the reporter's relationship with Jesus. He ended up embarrassing only himself.

If you missed it, it's the first item here: http://tinyurl.com/2uaubg

Karen, who worked as a journalist for many years, writes:

"I remember one person in particular pitching me a story idea about how, as a church minister, he picked up trash on his morning walks. The idea was catchy (God’s Garbageman) and I thought that would make for a really fun human interest story.

"However, when I actually sat down to interview the man, he grilled me about what my angle would be, what tone would I use, and how I would present him to the public.

"I reminded him that he came to me with a story. Then I calmly asked him what he thought I should do. After some silence, we were able to resume the interview. The story came out (making the front page because it was so unusual) and he returned to the newsroom with a very large bouquet of flowers for me.

"Thanks for reminding readers that journalists are people, too, and that most of us really want to do a good job and write a great story. Trying to outwit or control the process is not only insulting to the reporter who gets the message that he or she is somehow incompetent, it also ruins future possibilities with that particular media outlet."

She's right. There's nothing wrong with asking reporters what angle they're going to take. But don't grill them.

Publicity Hounds can do several other things to ensure a fair and accurate story. I explain them all in "Special Report #1--DamageControl: How to Keep the Media from Making a Mess of Your Story."Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g

=========================================
4. Piggybacking onto the Election
=========================================

I can't remember a more interesting presidential election in my lifetime, and I'm devouring everything I can read and watch about the primaries.

I've been wondering: How are Publicity Hounds generating publicity by piggybacking onto the race?

Bloggers, how are you tying into the campaign to pull traffic to your blog?

Speech coaches, are you critiquing the candidate debates?

Image consultants, are you offering tips on how to alleviate baggy eyes and that look of utter exhaustion that we're seeing on the faces of many of the candidates?

Leadership experts, are you commenting on Barack Obama's appeal?Did Hillary Clinton lose points when she almost cried this week?

Authors, are you tying the election to a topic in your book?

Social media junkies, are you participating in sites like the MoveOn.org/League of Young Voters Primary or Facebook's youth primary?

Publicists, how are you advising your clients to piggyback off the election?

Post your comments to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3c8soo and I'll share the best responses next week.

In the meantime, start writing press releases about the campaign regularly and posting them online. You can comment on several topics I've listed here, or come up with your own. "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists," featuring David Mearman Scott, explains how to use press releases to pull traffic to your website. It's available as a CD or electronic transcript you can be reading in minutes. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ndwfo

============================================
5. Promoting Pet Food for the Homeless
============================================

This week, 16 Publicity Hounds have tips for Genevieve Frederick of Carson City, Nevada. She wants ideas on how to promote Feeding Pets of the Homeless, an organization that helps to feed pets of the homeless and disadvantaged in cities across the country.


From Jena Zakany:

"Why not create an Internet-based marketing campaign? Create either one or a series of videos about your program for YouTube (perhaps you could even highlight some of the pets in particular and what you’ve done for them) that showcase what it is your organization is doing. Next, create a blog featuring someone who is out there in the trenches day after day. I’m sure the emotional involvement in this program is great for those in the organization."


From Candy Tutt:

"Being in Carson City, you are not that far from the University of California at Davis. Students from all over the U.S. and foreign countries attend the UCD veterinary college which is still, I believe, the largest on the West Coast. Put together a nice tight presentation and contact the college."


From Donna Cook:

"Contact area schools and churches. Many, if not all, would love to have service groups or youth groups help out with this. Even contact area preschools. My niece had a birthday party for her daughter, and instead of birthday gifts, the children brought food, leashes and dog toys to donate to Stray Rescue of St.Louis."


The Publicity Hound says:

Since this is a national effort, not just regional, reach out to the blogging community. Pitch bloggers who write about pets, homelessness, community activism and any topic that ties in with what you're doing. See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr

Read all the responses to last week's Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/34smzz


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

Darcy Silvers of Bristol, Pennsylvania writes:

"A friend of mine in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, near Philadelphia, is making a midlife career change from the corporate world to starting his own personal training business.

"He has traveled the world in his previous jobs, including numerous Third World countries, and is using his insight into the human condition as a hook for his business. His target audience is Boomers/seniors, and he provides a holistic approach, including nutrition counseling and cognitive stimulation.

"His focus is on weight training, combined with aerobics. He'll train clients either at a gym, business, or in their homes. He is working on a website and eventually may sell related products.

"Any ideas on how to get the word out about his new venture and attract clients?"


The Publicity Hound says: Darcy, I'll bet you didn't know that more than half of MySpace visitors are older than 35 and more than 100,000 Facebook users are 64 and older. I didn't know either until I watched the 50-minute video that I referred to in Item #1 above. You and your friend should watch it at http://www.stompernet.net/jvp/aw.aspx?B=25&A=332 and sign up for the free special report that shows you how to use social marketing tools to drive tons of traffic to your website. Hounds with other ideas for Darcy and her friend can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2c6xd2


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Jeff Haebig for this one:

An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.

He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to hiscollar:

"He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"

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

Google reporters, bloggers before pitching
http://tinyurl.com/39ekba


'Dirty hotel glasses' story on D.C. radio show today
http://tinyurl.com/2vk626


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

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/Embarrassing a Reporter Can Backfire Jan 1, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #379 Jan. 1, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 37,811

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

"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

If you're back from vacation, or you missed my free gift to you last week, there's still time to claim it. It's "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week of 2007," the best 28 tips from last year's newsletter. Put your 2008 publicity campaign into high gear by downloading the ebook now at http://tinyurl.com/32avtz

Once again, many thanks to all of you loyal Publicity Hounds who read this newsletter, contribute to it, and comment on it.
I wish you the best success this year.

--Joan

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

1. Embarrassing a Reporter Can Backfire

2. 11 Challenges for Digital Literacy

3. Ditch the Shovels, Scissors & Checks

4. Speak on Cruise Ships for Free

5. How to Promote a Decorators' Association

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Embarrassing a Reporter Can Backfire
======================================

Experienced Publicity Hounds know that when a reporter asks you a question you'd rather not answer, one of the worst things you can do is to say "no comment."

It labels you as:

--Guilty, even when you're not

--Wimpy and cowardly

--Unable and unwilling to defend yourself

So what's worse than "no comment"? Trying to embarrass the reporter by asking an unrelated question so preposterous that it's designed to throw him off guard. People who do that usually end up embarrassing themselves.

Sharon Dotson of Bayou City Public Relations in Dallas, Texas sent a link to a video interview conducted by investigative reporter Elliott Davis of WTVI Channel 2 in St. Louis, Missouri back in 2002. Elliott hosts a segment called "You Paid for It"
in which he uncovers government waste and corruption.

In this particular interview, he was asking St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth about the battle between Ortwerth and county judges over the new $5.3 million county justice center that had been standing vacant for several months. The judges wanted metal detectors and a full security detail in the building. Ortwerth refused. Taxpayers were left paying for utilities and other expenses while the disagreement wound its way through the courts.

When the reporter asked Ortwerth about the squabble, Ortwerth first said he would answer questions but only if the reporter submitted them in writing.

When Elliott Davis persisted with his questions, Ortwerth
asked: "Do you know that Jesus loves you, Elliott?"

"Yes, and I love Jesus," Davis replied. Then he kept questioning Ortwerth. The county executive continued digging a deeper hole for himself with responses and questions related to Jesus.

Instead of trying to embarrass the reporter, the politician ended up embarrassing himself. Not only did his responses make him look guilty, wimpy, cowardly and unable and unwilling to come to his own defense, they made him look clueless. The reporter, on the other hand, appeared cool, calm, collected-- and completely in charge of the interview. That, in turn, gave the investigation more credence.

Judge for yourself by seeing the entire interview at http://tinyurl.com/2pwkqk


If you know which questions to expect during an interview, you'll be better prepared to answer them. "Special Report #2:
Questions You Can Expect Reporters to Ask During an Interview"
lists the questions reporters ask frequently and explains which ones are trick questions designed to loosen your lips--and how you should respond. Only $10. Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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2. 11 Challenges for Digital Literacy
========================================

Online journalist Howard Owens has issued an interesting list of challenges to journalists everywhere to help them better use the Internet to report the news.

His list is so intriguing that I've turned it into my own to- do list. Publicity Hounds should, too, because the more you understand how journalists can excel at their craft online, the better you will understand the many online tools you can use to get through to them and to anyone who communicates online.

Owens is challenging journalists to do 11 things, from creating a blog to spending at least two hours a week for six weeks studying YouTube videos about any topic they wish.

You can read his entire list of challenges at http://tinyurl.com/22uasl

How can studying YouTube videos for 12 hours help you?

Seeing what other people have done online to promote their product, service, cause or issue will give you ideas galore on how to use videos to promote whatever you're selling.

For example, during my live presentations, I show my audiences a variety of videos I've created that demonstrate how to do things like capture email addresses at a website, or create a Google Alert, or write a press release that's optimized for the search engines.

I used a software program called Camtasia Studio which captures what it sees on my computer screen, then turns it into a video.
There's no reason I can't post snippets of some of those videos to YouTube to pull in traffic to my website and generate interest from people who don't already know about me.

Are you up to Howard's challenge? How many of his 11 tasks will you try to accomplish this year?

Some of the social media sites he suggests are among the seven that Internet marketing expert Don Crowther says you should be adding to your publicity toolbox. Don breaks through the confusing clutter of social media and recommends the top seven sites to concentrate on during 2008. The one-hour interview I conducted with him is part of the teleseminar series called "How to Create a Media Plan." Read more about what you'll learn at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


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3. Ditch the Shovels, Scissors & Checks
=========================================

This week's edition of my local weekly newspaper had another one of those ghastly ground-breaking photos.

You know what it looks like because you've seen hundreds of them. Four guys wearing business suits and hard hats are posing, each with their foot on a shovel, looking very uncomfortable and out of place.

These photos belong in the same category with the photos of oversized cardboard checks being passed from one person to another, or the ribbon-cutting photos that feature a 3-foot pair of cardboard scissors.

C'mon, Hounds. You can do better than that.

How about promising yourself that from now on, you will never assign, allow, take or request one of those horrible ground- breaking, ribbon-cutting or check-passing photos?

Instead, think creatively about how to promote a donation, the opening of a new business, or a new construction project.

If you're coming up dry, Dan Collins can help. He's the creative media relations director at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. When I interviewed him during a teleseminar a few years ago on "Fun Alternatives to Boring Ground-breakings, Ribbon-cuttings & Check-passings," I knew there was no excuse to resort to those cliche photos or staged media events. The teleseminar is available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can be reading in minutes, as soon as your order is approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/7cl6z

Dan offers dozens more creative ideas on how to promote a hos- pital or medical center. "How to Make Hospital PR an Easy Pill to Swallow" is also available as a CD or an electronic transcript. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/lr6qf


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4. Speak on Cruise Ships for Free
=========================================

If those enticing travel ads to warm-weather places leave you frustrated because you can't afford a winter vacation, this item is for you.

Daniel Hall says cruise ships everywhere need speakers year- round to teach and entertain their guests.

Here's the best part. You don't even have to be a professional speaker. If you teach arts and crafts, play bridge, or offer classes on how to use a computer, for example, you could be just the person they're looking for.

Daniel will present a free teleseminar for Publicity Hounds at
3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 16. He'll explain not only how to get booked on a cruise ship and travel free, but how to turn your presentation into a series of products you can sell long after the cruise is over. And, of course, he'll also explain how a gig on a cruise ship can generate lots of free publicity for you and your business.

Save the date: 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Sign- up details will be in next week's newsletter.


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5. How to Promote a Decorators' Association ============================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips on how Nicka Stewart of Middletown, New Jersey can promote her organization, The Decorators' Alliance of North America.


From Wendy Terrado:

"Teaming up with Realtors, mortgage brokers, escrow offices and investors would serve DANA in two ways: 1) providing business to current members and 2) getting the word out about the organization. As a Professional Organizer, I'd recommend a DANA table at upcoming National Association of Realtors'
Conferences, which feature both local and national events. Do consult with your target regions' top Realtors to determine what venues they recommend for your target market.


From Ginny Wiedower:

"It might be wise to promote your organization through the Interior Design programs at colleges nationwide. This could help you recruit a young demographic that can remain involved in your organization for years to come. Another way to reach that demographic would be through social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. Look for groups focused on interior design and home decorating."


From Leyla Farah:

"You could partner with a local women's shelter or other type of home for those in need and donate decorating services to brighten their living space. You could get great media coverage for your organization, involve your members in a fun activity, and give back to the community at the same time."


The Publicity Hound says: Nicka, are you submitting press releases about your association to online press release distribution sites? If not, you should. Those releases live online forever, to be found by journalists and potential members. They will also pull traffic back to your website. Read my article "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write a Press Release for Buyers, Not Just for Journalists" at http://tinyurl.com/y8wgat

Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/38xorv


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

Genevieve Frederick of Carson City, Nevada writes:

"I am the executive director of Feeding Pets of the Homeless, an organization that helps to feed pets of the homeless and disadvantaged in cities across the country. Our website is at http://www.petsofhomeless.com/

"We enroll members who collect pet food and partner with a food bank that distributes the pet food to those in need. When pet- related businesses and veterinarian clinics and hospitals join, they received step-by-step instructions on how the program works and how they can receive publicity while helping pets in their community.

"We are going from for-profit to non-profit which will allow us to offer grants to vets so they can provide medical care for the pets of the homeless. What are some additional steps we can do to make our organization more visible?"


The Publicity Hound says: My two-legged Hounds love questions about four-legged hounds and other critters. And I know they'll have great ideas on how to promote your group. Hounds who want to help Genevieve can post ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/34smzz


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

You never realize a dog is a man's best friend until you start betting on horses.


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

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

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


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

Product launch publicity:
7 steps if you're on a small budget
http://tinyurl.com/345agn


Hollywood bad girls provide pitching opps galore
http://tinyurl.com/398324


New Year's resolutions: Don't make them on Jan. 1
http://tinyurl.com/3c3434


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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