Publicity tips/The Twitter Handbook Sept 16, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #416 Sept. 16, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 51,005


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

"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.

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

Don't Miss These 3 Events and Downloads:

- -Learn why the college speaking circuit is one of the most
lucrative places for speakers, particularly if you speak on one
of about a dozen topics that are in demand. I'm hosting a free
teleseminar with James Malinchak, king of the college speaking
circuit, from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Register at http://tinyurl.com/6dpaud

- -Tom Antion teaches you his (and my) three-part strategy--
public speaking, Internet marketing and success principles--to
position yourself as an expert and grow your business, including
the three biggest website mistakes. Download our interview at
http://tinyurl.com/4rpwer

- -Authors, learn how to create a membership site for your
readers. An author who makes $34,000 a month from his members
will show you how during a free teleseminar sponsored by Steve
Harrison on Thursday, Sept. 18. Register at
http://www.freepublicity.com/Mr_PI/?10011 and see item #4 below.

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

1. The Twitter Handbook

2. Lipstick & More Lipstick

3. Promote Your Social Networking Pages

4. Authors, Start a Membership Site

5. How to Promote a Puppy Journal

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Story of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=========================================
1. The Twitter Handbook
=========================================

Three bad reasons people refuse to Twitter:

- -"I don't have time."

- -"It's frivolous and silly. I don't see the point."

- -"Who cares what I ate for lunch?"

Truth is, most people probably DON'T care what you ate for lunch.
But your loyal followers do. They're also curious about whether
you cooked it yourself. And what magazine you were reading while
eating.

They want to know about your pets, your kids, what you do on the
weekends, what movies you rent from Blockbuster, your favorite TV
shows, and what keeps you up at 3 a.m.

They want to know when your printer breaks, what you're doing
during your work day, and what the weather is like in your corner
of the world. And, yes, they also want to know about new
products and services you're offering, or causes or issues you're
promoting.

With Twitter, you can tell them.

It's a free microblogging tool at http://www.Twitter.com that
lets you post as many messages, or tweets, as you want, per day.
Each must not exceed 140 characters. You can then "follow," or
read the tweets, of anyone you choose. And anyone can follow
you.

When I posted a tweet asking how to get ink stains out of a
carpet because our dog, Bogie, chewed a ball-point pen on the
living room floor, six people responded with tips. When I
offered my recipe for Tomato Pie last week, almost a dozen people
asked for it. You can get it, too, at http://tinyurl.com/5sr4vz

When I announced teleseminars I hosted earlier this summer on how
to use LinkedIn and Facebook as part of a publicity campaign,
many of my followers tweeted about it. Their followers in turn
tweeted, and both series sold out.

The one big problem with Twitter, however, is that the more you
become addicted to it, and the more you try to understand all the
ways you can use it, the more complicated it becomes. Twitter
has its own etiquette and vocabulary, in addition to hundreds of
websites, widgets and tools you can use to enhance the Twitter
experience.

That's why you'll love the Twitter Handbook, written by Deborah
Micek and Warren Whitlock. I reviewed the book at my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/6elfqv and explained how to claim your free
copy. Deb tells me that everyone who gives the authors a name
and email address will receive the handbook within a week.

This book is a must-read for every Publicity Hound and is as
helpful for veteran Tweeple (people who use Twitter) as it is for
newbies.

If you missed the Facebook and LinkedIn teleseminars, don't
despair. We recorded them and they're available as MP3s and
electronic transcripts. Both include timelines that explain
exactly what you should do, and when, during your publicity
campaign.

Get started using LinkedIn to promote yourself and your business:
http://tinyurl.com/5zvzyd

Then make Facebook a powerful publicity tool. Learn how:
http://tinyurl.com/5fyv5y


=========================================
2. Lipstick & More Lipstick
=========================================

The "lipstick on a pig" controversy is already old news, but I'm
betting that comments about lipstick stay front and center on the
campaign trail---right up to Election Day, and possibly beyond.

Even Newsweek is jumping on this one. Its Sept. 22 issue
features a tube of lipstick on the cover with the big headline
"What Women Want."

Smart Publicity Hounds, whether they love or hate Sarah Palin,
should use the lipstick controversy as a springboard for story
ideas and pitches. Here are six ideas:

- -Consumer groups worried about the chemical composition of
lipstick should restate their warnings. (Is it true that
lipstick includes fish scales???)

- -Cosmetic companies, which are the most popular lipstick colors
for fall? See how Revlon used the controversy as a springboard
last week at http://tinyurl.com/6d37pr

- --Image consultants, how about creating a video demonstrating
the proper way to apply lipstick? Or offering a list of tips on
the "5 ways women misuse lipstick."

- --If you're promoting a cause or issue, name the top 10
"lipstick on a pig" issues that tie into your topic. For
example, a taxpayers' rights group could list the top 10
"lipstick on a pig" projects that were the biggest waste of
money.

- -Social service agencies, ask women to buy lipstick, make-up
and toiletries and donate them to homeless shelters and women's
shelters.

- -Parenting experts, what's the correct age when girls can start
wearing lipstick?

Or how about creating a quiz related to lipstick? "Briefs,
Fillers & Quizzes" offers lots of ideas on how to create quizzes
and pitch them to the media. It's available as a CD or an
electronic transcript that you can be reading as soon as your
order is approved.

Get started creating quizzes on any topic at
http://tinyurl.com/d74h7


=========================================
3. Promote Your Social Networking Pages
=========================================

Publicity Hound Holly Miller of Chesapeake, Virginia emailed me
this morning and asked if it's proper to include a Twitter
address within a press release.

It's a great idea, and it got me thinking about other ways to let
people know where they can find you online.

- --If you're on MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, do you
include links to your profile pages in press releases? What
about other social networking sites your followers might want to
know about?

- --Do you cross-promote from every social networking site? For
example, can people find your Twitter address on your LinkedIn
profile?

- --Does the home page of your website include links to your
social networking profiles?

- --What about your email signature?

- --What special applications do you use at social networking
sites that let you cross-promote?

Let's see how many ideas Publicity Hounds can suggest. Post them
to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/6f59nn

Holly's question is a timely reminder that we aren't writing
press releases only for the media. "The New Rules of Press
Releases: How to Write Them for Buyers, Not Only for Journalists"
is a one-hour interview with David Meerman Scott, who explains
why the new rules present a powerful advantage to Publicity
Hounds.

It's available as a CD or electronic transcript that you can
download as soon as your order is approved. Read more about the
new rules and how you can benefit at http://tinyurl.com/ndwfo


=========================================
4. Authors, Start a Membership Site
=========================================

A first-time author has come up with a novel way of turning his
book into a membership site that brings in $34,000 a month.

In fact, last fall this former physical education teacher used
his unique model to launch a new book and promptly over sold more
than 5,000 copies, pretty impressive in itself.

Almost a year later, he's still got more than 1,700 of the buyers
paying him $19.95 each month for ongoing access to a membership
website that offers additional content based on his book.

That's more than $34,000 a month in passive recurring revenue
with practically no work.

He's come up with an ingenious yet simple model which many non-
fiction authors can use to make more from their books.

He has agreed to share his methods during a free telephone
seminar Steve Harrison is offering twice on Thursday, Sept. 18.
You can register at http://www.freepublicity.com/Mr_PI/?10011

Listen as the author describes the nitty-gritty secrets of how
you can use his strategies to create autopilot revenue from your
own book. You'll also learn:

- -Four easy-to-implement models for creating recurring income
from your own book, several of which you can implement in less
than a day.

- -Ingenious ways to re-purpose the information from your book
into other formats your readers want.

- -Key vendors and resources you need to know about. They'll
make your life a lot easier.

- -The email that took him less than 30 minutes to write but
which still makes him more than $1,000.00 a month.

If your topic is perfect for a membership site, don't miss this
call. Register at http://tinyurl.com/5kwkw4


==========================================
5. How to Promote a Puppy Journal
==========================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Rik Feeney of
Orlando, Florida, on how to best promote his new books, the Puppy
Lover's Journal and the Kitten Lover's Journal.


From Dena Harris:

"Look at joining the Cat Writers Association and Dog Writers of
America which will lend credibility to your work. Look at
marketing your books to pet sitters. The journals would make a
great gift for them to give to clients for the holidays. There
are national dog/cat/love your pet days. Shoot out press
releases near those events. Market to breeders who might give
the book as a gift to people who adopt their dogs."


From Gail Sideman:

"Seek out blogs and columnists that target their messages for
single people, childless or empty-nest married couples. These
demographics treat their pets like their children and would be
likely to journal about them. Now they can keep a puppy book
much like they kept, or their friends keep, baby journals."


From Joy:

"I just Googled Puppy Lovers Journal, and I see that it's been
donated as a prize to rescue organizations, which is a great
idea. What about donating it as a door prize at dog-related
events?"


The Publicity Hound says:

Don't forget about all those dog- and cat-related groups that are
worth joining at social networking sites like Facebook and
MySpace.

Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at
http://tinyurl.com/6g6wx5


Send your own Help this Hound question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com and put Help This Hound in the
subject line. Include your city and state.


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

Mike Michaud of Fannin County, Texas writes:

"I would like to get some ideas on how to promote a site that is
all about pooling our financial contributions to fund alternative
energy research, development and production. There are many
promising technologies that are languishing due to government
ineptness, red tape, corporate greed, banking failure and
investor panic.

"We as a nation of individuals need to go around this roadblock
and fund our own future energy development.

"I'm setting up a website to provide more information and accept
donations. I'm just looking for ideas on how to promote this in
a non-partisan way. This cuts across all lines."


The Publicity Hound says:

The heated presidential election seems like the perfect tie-in,
and I think you can use that hook and still remain non-partisan.
Hounds, what ideas do you have for Mike? Post them to my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/622sud


"Special Report #17: Powerful Ways to Promote Your Website to
Draw Traffic and Boost Sales" will give you dozens of ideas of
how to pull traffic online and offline. Only $10. Order at
http://tinyurl.com/3sa3j


==================================
7. Hound Story of the Week
==================================

No joke this week.

Instead, let's hear it for Buddy, the trained German Shepherd in
Scottsdale, Arizona that dialed 911 when his owner began having
seizures, and saved his life:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,422341,00.html


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

Twitter handbook: The bible for newbie, veteran Tweeple
http://tinyurl.com/6elfqv


Think far beyond traditional media and target niches
http://tinyurl.com/6ygm7d


3 website mistakes that derail your publicity efforts
http://tinyurl.com/4rpwer


Twitter and text-speak are poisoning the English language
http://tinyurl.com/4aubuc

Revlon ties contest to 'Lipstick on a pig' controversy
http://tinyurl.com/6d37pr


How do you promote your social networking profiles?
Http://tinyurl.com/6f59nn


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,
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PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Publicity Hound® respects your privacy and
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http://www.publicityhound.com/privacypolicy.htm

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

Publicity tips/Pan for Gold Using Web Video April 8, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #393 April 8, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/(Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 44,189

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

"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.

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

USA Today Says Web Video is Marketing Gold

The story on the front page of the Business section in Friday's USA Today says it better than I ever could.

"You don't need a pan and a stream in California to join the next video gold rush. A video camera, computer and high-speed Internet connection will do."

If you're a Publicity Hound who's willing to spend a little time learning how to use video to promote your product, service, cause or issue, you'll pull traffic to your web site, gain attention from traditional media, and make your phone ring by attracting dozens and maybe even hundreds of new customers.

Read the USA Today story here: http://publicityhound.net/usatodaywebvideo

Or skip to item #1 below.

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

1. Pan for Gold Using Web Video

2. Will Journalists Find You on LinkedIn?

3. How to Hire a Virtual Assistant

4. Going Ape over Bananas

5. Promoting a Credit Union

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. At My Blog...


===================================
1. Pan for Gold Using Web Video
===================================

Tired of relying on newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations to decide whether your story is worth telling?

Tell it yourself by creating a two-minute video and posting it at your website. Watch the traffic flow to your site, listen for the ringing telephone, and figure out a way to handle all those additional sales.

Entomologist Hal Coleman in Alpharetta, Georgia, for instance, has been using video for a little more than a year to sell his exterminating services. Watch the 90-second video at http://www.northfultonexterminating.com

And then, head over to his video blog at http://www.YuckyNastyBugFacts.com and give him your name and email address.

You'll be treated to a series of informative and sometimes hysterical videos about yucky, nasty little critters that are having fun right now, as you're reading this, in the bottom of your toaster, inside your gas grill and maybe even on your toothbrush. (Warning: Don't watch this video immediately before or after a meal.)

I saw Hal's videos over the weekend at the Stompernet conference in Atlanta, where more than 400 Internet marketers learned how to promote anything using video and lots of other cutting-edge strategies.

Hal owes his video expertise to my good friend Mike Stewart (no relation), who teaches business owners, experts and Publicity Hounds everywhere how to promote a product, service, cause or issue using short online videos.

During Mike's presentation on Saturday, he demonstrated how you can create video quickly and easily with a $150 camera, a $12 miniature tripod, a piece of paper with notes scribbled in felt-tip pen (it doubles as a dirt-cheap teleprompter), video editing software, and a laptop computer.

It took him less than 30 minutes to create a short video of himself, edit it, post it to his Wordpress blog and play the video live on the Internet.

I got so excited about the possibilities for Publicity Hounds that I invited Mike to do a free teleseminar with me on how to create video clips that you can use at your website, in your publicity campaign, at a video blog, or anyplace else.

It will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 17. The call is limited to the first 300 people, and I'm expecting registration to be closed within a week. So sign up here right now: http://www.PublicityHound.com/mikestewartvideo.htm


=========================================
2. Will Journalists Find You on LinkedIn?
=========================================

Journalists are turning to social networking sites such as LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook to supplement their news coverage or find sources to interview.

That was one of the findings of the 2008 PRWeek/PRNewswire Media Survey.

Of 1,231 media members surveyed, one out of four say they have a profile on MySpace. About one-third have a profile on Facebook, and one-third are on LinkedIn.

More than 57 percent of those surveyed report using blogs to measure sentiment. About half of the respondents use blogs to find what other mainstream publications are writing about. Almost one-third use blogs to find industry experts.

Here's what the survey results mean for Publicity Hounds:

- -If you aren't blogging, start today. You can have a blog up and running in less than 10 minutes at Blogger.com. Or use a more stable, flexible platform like WordPress, Typepad or MovableType.

- -Post comments at blogs that your target audience reads. Comments give you a backlink to your own blog or website and positions you as an expert.

- -Pitch bloggers, but don't just send press releases. Most bloggers want a customized pitch, and they want to know you read their blogs. See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://www.PublicityHound.net/cdpitchbestbloggers

- -Create a profile on MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn and use relevant tags, or keywords, so journalists can find you easily when searching these social networking sites.

If you're intimidated by social networking sites, don't be. Don Crowther peels away the mystery and gives you lots of solid tips you can start using today to build a huge presence online and reach many people who have abandoned traditional media. He was one of my guest experts when I presented the teleseminar series "How to Create a Media Plan" last year. The entire course, including a template for a 12-month plan, is available in audio format, or as electronic transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been approved.

Find out how you can start creating your publicity plan today, and learn about the social media sites where you must have a presence. Go to http://www.PublicityHound.com/mediaplan.htm


======================================
3. How to Hire a Virtual Assistant
======================================

I'm in love with Jennie-O fresh turkey sausage links and eat them most mornings for breakfast.

When my local supermarket stopped carrying them, I had to start calling the meat department every few months and order them by the case. But making calls like that chips away at time I should be spending teaching Publicity Hounds how to promote.

So I started assigning calls like this one to Christine Buffaloe, my virtual assistant. Yesterday, she hunted for the cheapest 16- foot USB cord she could find online and ordered it. She orders my books from Amazon.com. She even researched where I can get reasonably-priced printer cartridges for my ink jet printer (there is no such thing as reasonably priced cartridges for an ink jet printer).

This afternoon, she's calling the sewing machine repair shop to see if my sewing machine is ready to be picked up. When that's done, she'll make a doctor's appointment for me.

I can't tell you the number of hours she's saved me, not only doing business tasks, but making personal phone calls that eat up my precious time.

Isn't it time you found a virtual assistant to free you from annoying chores so you can concentrate on the important stuff that brings in the bucks?

"How to Find a Virtual Assistant to Help with Your Publicity Campaign," a 70-minute interview I conducted with two top-notch VAs, explains everything you need to know about virtual assistants. You'll learn where to find them, how to interview them, tasks you can give them, how to work within your budget, and how to make the relationship smooth sailing all the way.

It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript you can be reading as soon as your order is approved. Start down the road to outsourcing and find out more at http://publicityhound.net/virtualassistant


=================================
4. Going Ape Over Bananas
====================================

When Tom Holubowicz wanted publicity for his custard stand in Grafton, Wisconsin, he donned an ape costume and visited the local Pick 'n Save supermarket to buy bananas for Monkey Pox, his "flavor of the day."

The recipe calls for bananas, custard and chocolate-covered peanuts.

Before he left, he called The News Graphic, his local weekly newspaper and told them it would make a great photo op.

The result? Two black and white photos on page 3 of last week's issue, one showing a big hairy ape reaching for a bunch of bananas and another showing the ape at the check-out counter.

The 6-by-9 inch package of photos cost him nothing. Even better, he sold out of Monkey Pox a few days later, as a result of the publicity. If he had bought an ad the same size, he would have paid $627.48 for it.

Which of the two do you think readers would remember--the photos or a paid ad?

Are you pitching photo ideas to your local newspapers and magazines? If not, you're letting lots of publicity opportunities slip through your fingers. The next time a creative idea strikes, call the photo department of your local newspaper and pitch it.

This also works particularly well if you call an editor or reporter and pitch an idea for a story, and they say no. Photo desks love it when readers call with ideas for photos because photographers are under immense pressure to produce great stand- alone photos.

You'll find hundreds more ideas in my ebook "How to Use Photos & Graphics in Your Publicity Campaign." It's chock full of tips on what kinds of photo equipment to buy on a budget, how to take your own great photos and submit them to the media, and how to sweeten your story pitch with your own graphics, or ideas for graphics that the publication can produce on their own.

Learn how to start using powerful photos and graphics today at http://www.publicityhound.com/publicityphotos.htm

If you live in the Milwaukee area, join me April 22 for a daylong workshop where I'll share hundreds of tips like this one, and teach you how to write and distribute press releases online. I'm speaking to the Shorewood Business Improvement District. For details, see "Where to See and Hear The Publicity Hound" below.


========================================
5. Promoting a Credit Union Contest
========================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips on how Natasha Henry of Laurel, Maryland can promote a savings contest for a credit union.


From Carol Rademan:

"How fitting that Joan mentioned a possible angle of tying into teaching money habits to children, especially since National Credit Union Youth Week is celebrated April 20-26 by credit unions around the country. I think that’s a great angle!"


From Kathleen Lisson:

"Since you are so close to Washington D.C., crafting a partisan pitch might be effective. Local media might enjoy reporting on a story where members of Congress and their staffs actually tried to SAVE money instead of spend it!

"Which party will be better at saving, Democrats or Republicans? See if you can round up a credit union member from both parties and have them available for interviews, promoting their party as the party of saving money."


From Paulette Ensign:

"Natasha, how about sending a tip of the month? You also have a salable product there by putting those tips into autoresponders and licensing that series to a credit union. Joan created her 89- autoresponder series about press releases. You can do a tip of the month (or week) autoresponder series to license out rather than give it out."


The Publicity Hound says:

How about sponsoring a local contest in which kids in your community submit short videos of how to save money? Lots of kids know how to quickly shoot video on their cell phones and upload it to YouTube. The producer of the best video wins a cool prize. The videos will live online forever. Don't forget to notify your local TV stations and make the video available. Tell your members to sign up for the Mike Stewart teleseminar on how to create videos at http://www.PublicityHound.com/mikestewartvideo.htm


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question at http://publicityhound.net/blogcreditunion

Send your own Help this Hound question to: mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound and include your city and state.


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

Steve Mock of Henderson, Nevada writes:

"I am an uncle who was trying to impress my nieces with making my gift-giving to them an adventure.

"As a result, I've created my own company, Giftventure, at http://www.GiftVenture.com It gives children a personalized week-long treasure hunt that comes in the mail.

"At our website, the parents enter a location in their house where they will hide a gift, such as in the closet. We take that information and print out and mail a series of personalized letters from a mythical character such as a dragon, pirate, fairy, Santa Claus, etc.

"The child reads the letters and solves the puzzle which leads him or her to the hidden location and the gift.

"It takes five minutes for the parents to order, the adventure lasts a week, and the experience for the child lasts a lifetime. They are excited to get mail, amazed it's from a mythical character, and even more amazed to have everything come true when they find the actual gift.

"How can we spread the word about our service and get some media attention?"

The Publicity Hound says: Your question makes me wish I were a kid again, Steve. And I know my Hounds are going to have a blast answering this one. Hounds with ideas for Steve can post them to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/giftventure


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

This isn't a joke, but it'll make you smile. It's from the April issue of My Midwest, the inflight magazine of Midwest Airlines.

To make it easy for people to travel with their dogs, Loews Hotels has introduced "learning vacations" for your favorite pooch at three of its hotels.

At "The Hound of Music" at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, your dog can head into the recording studio with a voice coach for a professional recording session where it will howl along with a musician or bark to its favorite karaoke beat.

If you're targeting your publicity at an upscale, well-educated audience, in-flight magazines might be the perfect vehicle for your story. "Special Report #27: Fly High with Publicity in the Inflight Magazines" saves you hours of research with pitching tips galore and contact information for 43 inflight magazines. Read more about the report at http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/reports.html

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. At My Blog...
=================================

Spanish-language newspapers buck industry's dismal trend http://publicityhound.net/spanish-languagenewspapers


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


April 17: Teleseminar

Mike Stewart demystifies the process of creating video for your website; 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration is free. Http://www.PublicityHound.com/mikestewartvideo.htm


April 22: Shorewood, Wisconsin

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Online & Offline Publicity," 8:30 to noon, and "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Consumers, Not Only for Journalists," 1 to 3:30 p.m.; North Star, 4515 W. Oakland Ave., sponsored by the Shorewood Business Improvement District. Tickets are $75 each or $65 for two or more persons. To register, contact Barb Caprile at barb@shorewood.com or 414-962-7002.


April 30: Teleseminar

"How to Create a Media Plan," part of the teleseminar series "Intro to Internet Marketing" for health professionals. Perfect for doctors, nurses, spa owners, holistic health counselors, massage therapists, etc. Register at http://publicityhound.net/introinternetmarketing


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/Dark Days at Newspapers Feb 12, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #385 Feb. 12, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 40,808

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

"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:

3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 5; free teleseminar with Cathy Stucker on "How to Turn Your Content into Cash Whle Promoting Your Expertise."

This teleseminar is perfect for authors, speakers and experts who have content and handouts in their file cabinets, on their bookshelvs and hard drives. Cathy will show you how to take your content and spin, retool or tweak it to create information products and lots more.

She promises a teleseminar packed with content, and she'll take your questions, too. This call is limited to the first 250 people. You don't have to sign up. Simply call 1-218-486-1300. The access code is 1-8-2-2-2-2.

See you there!

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

1. Dark Days at Newspapers

2. Do You Squidoo? I Do

3. Pitch the Wire Services

4. Media Leads

5. How to Promote The Crapper Digest

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. At My Blog...


======================================
1. Dark Days at Newspapers
======================================

"An Industry Imperiled by Falling Profits and Shrinking Ads, a story in last week's New York Times, is a must-read for Publicity Hounds everywhere.

It paints a grim picture of a once-vibrant industry that's now seeing stumbling stock prices, declining ad revenues, layoffs and numerous properties for sale.

"The talk of newspapers' demise is older than some of the reporters who write about it, but what is happening now is something new, something more serious than anyone has experienced in generations," the Times article stated.

You can read the entire article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/business/media/07paper.html
The once-mighty Sun-Times Media Group, suffering deep losses, announced recently that it's closing several weekly papers and will try to sell any assets it could, including its flagship paper, The Chicago Sun-Times.

Here in Wisconsin, The Capital-Times newspaper in Madison told readers last week that it's making a "major shift" to the Internet, ceasing six-day publication and shifting to publishing a tabloid-sized edition only twice per week.

If these changes don't affect you, wait. You'll hear similar announcements soon from a newspaper near you.

Last month, I made several suggestions about how newspaper layoffs and closings affect Publicity Hounds. You can read them at http://tinyurl.com/ys737d

Here's another tip, inspired by a quote from bank robber Willie Horton. When asked, "Why do you rob banks?," he replied, "Because that's where the money is!"

Using that logic, Publicity Hounds should spend less time pitching traditional media and more time promoting your expertise online where the real traffic is. Read the next item to learn about one website where most of you should have a presence.


=====================================
2. Do You Squidoo? I Do
=====================================

Squidoo, a content-sharing site, lets you flaunt your expertise by setting up a single page, known as a lens, on a topic you know a lot about.

It's f~ree, but that's not the biggest advantage:

--The search engines love this site, and Google gives it a page rank of 7/10. So you can get more Google juice to your site and drive lots of traffic by including links within your Squidoo content.

--You can make money from your content through Google AdSense.Keep it, or donate it to your favorite charity.

--This site helps promote you as an expert.

As the lensmaster, you can share your point of view and recommendations. Lenses can be about anything, such as ideas, people or places, hobbies and sports, pets or products, philosophy and politics. Lenses aren't primarily intended to hold content. Rather, the emphasis is placed on recommending and then pointing to content on the web.

For example, a single lens could point to Flickr photos, Google maps, blogs, eBay auctions, YouTube videos, and other links.You're encouraged to promote personal agendas, causes, products and opinions.

Squidoo says building a lens "is fast, f*ree and super-easy."I'm a member of the SMARTS social media coaching program, which gave me in-depth step-by-step videos on how to build a lens and really make this site work for me. Still, it took me four and a half hours to build my lens two weeks ago. Now, I spend about a half hour several days a week updating it.

You can see my lens at http://www.squidoo.com/howtogetfree_publicity

Check out the fun items I posted on how a PR guy got an interesting product onto "The Rachael Ray Show" with just a few minutes of effort. I also wrote about how you can score some last-minute publicity that ties into Valentine's Day, even if your product or service has nothing to do with love.

Build a Squidoo lens and update it frequently. But please don't email me questions about Squidoo. I don't have time to answer them. Instead, spend some time at the learning center known as SquidU at http://www.squidu.com/

Items that work well at Squidoo are short lists, questions and answers, or round-ups of other websites you're recommending.These are called "briefs." A teleseminar I conducted several years ago called "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes" explains the nine types of briefs, how to write them and how to use them online and offline to promote what you're selling.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d74h7


=========================================
3. Pitch the Wire Services
=========================================

One of the best ways to get your story into dozens, perhaps even hundreds of newspapers across the U.S.--all at the same time--is to pitch one of the wire services.

The Associated Press, the world's largest news agency, is a great place to start. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations. The media outlets contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staffers.

I'm betting that AP reporters are among the most overlooked journalists.

They love getting scoops, too. And because AP has its own state bureaus as well as a national bureau, offering a scoop could mean that the AP covers your story and sends it to all media in your state, or throughout the U.S.

Authors, if you want to learn an incredibly simple strategy for scoring an Associated Press story about you, don't miss Steve Harrison's teleseminar, "Seven Things You Absolutely Must Know to Get Publicity in Major Magazines and Newspapers," tomorrow, February 13.

On this 90-minute call, you'll hear from writers and editors who do stories for top magazines, including Woman's Day, Woman's World and Inc. Magazine, as well as authors who will share how they got coverage in major publications.

Register for the free call at http://www.getmajorpress.com/call10011


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

--If you have an incredible mom in your family, or as a client, enter her in the search for "America's Favorite Mom." The top 25 moms will be featured on NBC's "Today" show the week leading up to Mother's Day. The audiences will vote, and the top five winners will be the focus of a prime time special airing the evening of Mother's Day, May 11. To enter, turn down your speakers if you're at work and go to http://americasfavoritemom.com/ Thanks to Publicity Hound Erin Portman for this one.


--Mildred Culp, who writes the WorkWise syndicated column, needs sources to discuss whether good music in the workplace actually improves morale and productivity. Email her at mailto:Workwise@Comcast.net


--Publicity Hound Jeanette Simpson is looking for sources for an ebook she's writing on how to go from being an intern to an employee. She needs tips from those who hire. "Tell me what you look for, as well as what you don't want in an intern or entry-level employee. Send me tips, problems, and do's and don'ts. Explain what keeps interns from being hired." If you're willing to complete her 10-question survey, email her at mailto:jsimpson@kidspaceinteriors.com


When you respond to media leads like these, start building relationships with these journalists, broadcasters and authors so the next time they need sources, you're one of the first ones they call. "Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People" explains how. Only $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


==================================================
5. How to Promote The Crapper Digest
==================================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips on how author Dave Kessler of Richmond, Indiana can promote his ebook, "The Crapper Digest." It's a collection of the humor, doggerel and vulgar verse that he's collected from restroom walls all over America for the last six decades.


From Shonika Proctor:

"Sign up for a Google alert at http://www.google.com/alerts to get notified of topics/keywords that are related to potty, toilet, poo poo or whatever. Whenever a website post, blog entry or article goes up with that related term, you will be notified in your email and can see where it posted. Then you can go to that site and either make a post/comment yourself that is related to that post and include a link to your book in your signature line, or you can contact the journalist and try to get featured in their publication."


From Kathy Lisson:
"This ebook seems like an excellent candidate for a Digg campaign. Share 'The 10 Funniest Notes Found on Bathroom Stalls,' and include information on how to buy the book on Amazon. Link to the post on Digg and related sites."


From Dan Janal:

"Send a copy to the writers at Leno and Letterman. They could eat this up, and then you'd have broad word of mouth publicity."


The Publicity Hound says:

This will take a lot of effort, but the payback could be huge. Find a way to shoot video of some of the best stalls. Incorporate the clips into one short video and post it to YouTube to pull tons of traffic to your website.

Learn more about how to make a fortune using videos even if you don't have a computer at http://tinyurl.com/y3b6wj

Read all the responses to this Help this Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/2jn6g9


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

Catherine Painter of Raleigh, North Carolina writes:

"My Bible study book, 'So, You're a Christian! Now What?' is a 12-week study for small groups in churches, or for individuals who will work through it alone.

"The book is in bookstores now and the publisher, Hensley Publishing, also sells them at their website.

"I sell books as well, dozens at the time, at book signings, especially when I'm invited to speak to religious groups.

"The book is targeted to new Christians who profess Christ as adults. However, many adults more mature in their faith, buy the book and actually recognize the quality and substance in the book more than the baby Christians do.

"Can your readers share ideas on what else I can do to promote the book? My website is at http://www.catherinepainterministries.com"


The Publicity Hound says:

Catherine, learn all you can about social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Millions of Christians, young and old, hang out on those two sites and are just waiting for somebody like you to ask, "Will you be my friend?"

Search online for articles on how to use those two sites. Or just about any kid can explain it to you. You can reach out to a very targeted niche audience fairly quickly. My friend, Don Crowther, created a wonderful 50-minute video and a special report that explains the power of doing what I've just explained, including how to use Squidoo. Turn down your speakers if you're at work, and watch it, then download the free report at http://www.stompernet.net/jvp/aw.aspx?B=25&A=332

Hounds with other ideas for Catherine can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/35dmgw.


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Don Miller of Mansfield, Ohio for these fun crossbreeds:

Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport

Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot

Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer = Spaniel Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists

(More next week)


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. At My Blog...
=================================

PR types don't understand how consumers use media
http://tinyurl.com/35rrsy


Newseum, the news industry museum, to open April 11
http://tinyurl.com/2p87zv


Top 10 ways authors can make radio interviews pay
http://tinyurl.com/2uwt9l


Freelancers, journalists can connect on Reporterist.com
http://tinyurl.com/2r7typ


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

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...


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


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


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


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


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

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================================
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/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 Bo