Publicity tips/How to Bury Bad News May 7, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #398 May 7, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 47,121

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

"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.

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

An Alternative to Pitching:

If you're one of the millions of frustrated Publicity Hounds whose pitches to the media have gone absolutely nowhere, keep reading.

Publicity Hound John Easton, who you have read about many times in this newsletter, has an alternative to pitching that will turn you into a media darling in your own community and attract a worldwide audience. It's video. And it will help put you miles ahead of your competitors who are too lazy or reluctant to learn it.

If you don't want to be bothered with video, then go ahead and stand in line behind all the millions of other people who are pitching.

But don't say I didn't warn you. See Item #2 below.

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

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

1. How to Bury Bad News

2. How Alpha Dogs Use Video

3. Explain How to Pamper Mom

4. For Internet Marketers Only

5. How to Promote an Organizing Service

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. At My Blog...


===================================
1. How to Bury Bad News
===================================

It could be a lawsuit against your company.

Or a health department violation against your restaurant.

Or a post at somebody's blog, written by a rabble-rouser who wants to drag your name through the mud and destroy your business.

If it's bad news and it's online, it could live online forever. Anybody who uses the search engines to research companies can find it. That is, unless you know how to bury it.

Enter Glen Selig who writes and distributes press releases for his clients to bury or "push down" the bad news on the organic search list. That's the list that appears on the left side of the screen when you type a keyword or keyword phrase into a search engine like Google.

"You still need something newsworthy to disseminate, but then it's about strategy and technique," says Glen of http://www.pressreleasepros.com

I'd go one step further and say you don't even need something newsworthy to write about. Let's say you sell jewelry. Three years ago, a consumer group incorrectly accused you of selling fake gems. Their accusations appeared online and kept popping up in the search engines when people typed certain keyword phrases related to gems.

Here's how you could bury it:

- -Write and distribute a press release about your new money-back guarantee.

- -Then write and distribute another release about how to buy gems.

- -And then another on what to do if people love wearing jewelry, but are allergic to certain types of metal.

- -And then another on the most popular types of gems.

- -And then another on what to look for when buying gems.

Get the idea?

You aren't writing these releases for journalists. You're writing them for consumers. If journalists find them, that's great. But the whole point of the exercise is to bury the bad news. Google and the other search engines usually give higher ranking to fresher information. The more press releases you distribute over time, the lower the bad news drops on the list.

"I help large and small companies use this secret weapon all the time," says Selig. "And it works like a charm."

He distributes his press releases through PRNewsChannel at http://www.prnewschannel.com,which sends press releases to search engines like Google, Google News, Ask.com, Yahoo and MSN.

You can hire someone like Glen to write and distribute press releases for you. Or you can do it yourself with help from my free email tutorial called "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases." Sign up for the tutorial or buy the entire 12-week course in a handy ebook for only $27.

Learn more at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm


====================================
2. How Alpha Dogs Use Video
====================================

In the world of four-legged dogs, "alpha dog" is the title bestowed upon the most dominant dog in the pack.

Certain privileges accompany that title, such as having first pick of food, female and resting place.

In the world of two-legged Hounds, an Alpha Hound is someone who dominates the competition by using strategies and tactics so clever that once the competition gets wind of it, they don't know how to begin playing catch-up.

Videographer John Easton says video is one of the most powerful ways to become the Alpha Hound of your industry or community. Last week, my jaw dropped as he was explaining some of the many ways he's using video to become a media darling in Charlotte, North Carolina where his video company is located.

For example, without even being asked, John attends public events sponsored by local newspapers and shoots video there. Then he turns over the edited video to the media outlets for use at their websites.

Journalists are word people. Many of them find video production very difficult. So they love John who does it for them. They remember him. And reporters call on him for background, commentary and story ideas when writing stories.

John says you don't need to be a videographer to do what he does. "This can be a huge opportunity for anybody who can turn around this kind of content quickly," he says.

If you don't want to get your hands dirty, John knows where to find inexpensive people who can help you forge these valuable relationships.

He will be my guest during a teleseminar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 21, called "9 Clever Ways to Use Video to Become a Publicity Darling in Your Industry or Community." Everything he will share will be very different than the tips Mike Stewart passed along during the teleseminar he did with me several weeks ago. If you missed that one, you can listen to it at http://JoanandMikeStewart.com

Read more about the secrets John will discuss and how you can sign up. I'll be offering this as a CD, MP3 file or electronic transcript afterward. So if you can't make the live event, you can order the product later.

Register at http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm


=========================================
3. Explain How to Pamper Mom
=========================================

When I turned on the TV yesterday, I saw a Milwaukee chef demonstrating how kids can whip up a gourmet breakfast for mom on Mother's Day, without having to use a knife.

It was an omelet, and he showed how to cut the cooked bacon with a scissors. The feature was part of the morning news segment and a perfect story leading up to Sunday.

What a clever idea, I thought. Why can't you do something similar?

- -A day spa can demonstrate how to give mom a foot massage.

- -A florist can show kids how to make a pretty arrangement of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowers in a simple vase.

- -A house cleaning company can provide tips on how kids can give mom a very special Mother's Day gift: a clean house.

I know you can think of more ideas. Once you've come up with one, pitch it to the local TV stations. But know how to find the right person in the newsroom who has the power to assign the story and get it onto the news.

Shawne Duperon explains how on "How to Get onto the Local TV News Tomorrow," one of my most popular products. Shawne explains how TV newsrooms operate, how to track down the "Queen Bee" of the newsroom, and ways to make your pitch so enticing that the Queen immediately assigns your story to a reporter.

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://publicityhound.net/localtvnews


========================================
4. For Internet Marketers Only
========================================

If you do business of any type on the Internet, you'll want to see the new Going Natural 3.0 video released by Stompernet.

This video isn't for everybody--only for those who sell online, or want to. If you've bought pay-per-click advertising in the past and didn't do as well as you expected, or if your eyes popped out of your head like mine did the first time I launched a pay-per-click campaign, this video is must-viewing.

You'll learn how an Internet marketer's website got dumped by Google--that's half his traffic, half his sales and half his business. With help from a smart friend, he went on to have his best six months ever, without a homepage listing in Google.

Do yourself a favor and give them your name and email address so you can stay in touch with them and see more videos like this one and the cool video on social media marketing earlier this year.

I was so bowled over by the social media marketing course I just completed through Stompernet that I joined Stompernet's membership program. I'm devouring what they're teaching, and taking advantage of the one-hour telephone calls with a different faculty member Monday through Thursday, plus private coaching. They're reopening membership, but only for a few days. So act now.

Take a look at the video: http://www.stompernet.net/jvp/aw.aspx?B=44&A=332


============================================
5. How to Promote an Organizing Service
============================================

This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips on how professional organizer Debbie Jordan Kravitz of York, PA can market her virtual organizing and consultation programs.

From Bonnie Lowe:

"How about a series of funny YouTube videos?

"They don't have to be professional or expensive...You could show some funny consequences of being unorganized, and then end each video with a push to your website landing page that markets your service. Funny videos get lots of hits, and the good ones go viral. The potential return is huge."


From Biana Babinsky:

"Since you already identified your target market, how about going where they are? Chances are, they are hanging out at social networking sites!

"Join a few social networking sites, and start networking and participating in groups your target market participates in. This way, you'll meet more people in your target market AND your target market will get exposed to your knowledge and expertise.

"I also recommend a free gift that you can give away in exchange for a subscription for your newsletter."


From Leah Ingram:

"As a writer and blogger who focuses on green topics, I would write about your service if you could provide a green angle--assuming that getting organized offers environmental benefits. Not only could you pitch me but the other green blogs like Treehugger, or producers of the slew of green shows coming out on Planet Green, DIY Network and HGTV."


The Publicity Hound says:

Debbie, sponsor a contest and have people create videos showing them with their messy desks, offices, bedrooms, kitchens or cars. Then award a cool prize. I'll bet some of these videos would even go viral.


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://publicityhound.net/professionalorganizer


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


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

Milan Stevanovich of Detroit, Michigan writes:

"Michigan just passed a 40 percent rebate to companies filming movies and TV programs in the state. If you use Michigan companies and labor, you get a 40 percent instant rebate after production---big savings for number-crunching entertainment financiers.

"For the last three weeks, my associates and I have schmoozed a dozen Hollywood actors, producers, and those in charge of locating properties for shoots.

"My client owns 100 buildings in Detroit and eventually will have the lion's share of any studios built on his properties. Recently, production companies have been coming to us looking for investors for productions. The laws here make it incredibly competitive because of the rebates.

"How do we take advantage of this window of opportunity to be the epicenter of everything Hollywood in Michigan? How do we best get the word out that my associates are one degree of separation from the best locations, investors, suppliers and vendors at the epicenter of this new burgeoning industry in our great state?"

The Publicity Hound says:

OK, sharp Hounds. If you've been paying attention the last few weeks, you'll be able to come up with some powerful ways for Milan and his company to promote their state. I can think of three ways right now. Let's see how many you can think of. Post your best ideas to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/michigan


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

"I like driving around with my two dogs, especially on the freeways. I make them wear little hats so I can use the car-pool lanes."

- -Monica Piper, author


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

Video tour of your website will impress journalists, others
http://publicityhound.net/videotour


Artists, photographers: Comment on Miley Cyrus photo
http://publicityhound.net/mileycyrus


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


May 21: Teleseminar on Video

Learn "9 Clever Ways to use Video to Become a Publicity Darling in Your Industry or Community" with guest expert John Easton, a videographer and media darling in Charlotte, NC. Register at http://www.Publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm


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

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

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

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

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

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

Publicity tips/What? No Media Plan? Dec 5, 2007

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

Circulation: 36,778

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"

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

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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

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

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

Save the Dates:


December 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

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


January 8: Artists, Don't Miss This One

Learn how to sell more artwork without wasting tons of time on dry business stuff and the wrong marketing strategies. Join Ariane Goodwin for a one-hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. It's a preview to her 2008 smARTist telesummit on artist marketing, and I'm a guest presenter who will talk about press releases. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr. Or, to sign up for the Jan. 8 preview call, click on that link, then click on "Register" at the top of the page.

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

1. What? No Media Plan?

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

3. Dust Off Your Crystal Ball

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Michigan Nature Park

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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

Let's see a quick show of hands.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

No more excuses for not writing a book.

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

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

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

The big advantage?

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Marcia writes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

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

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


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


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

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


From Lisa Braithwaite:

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


From Marcia Yudkin:

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

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

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


From Edward Vielmetti:

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

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

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


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

Wayne Loder of Milford, Michigan writes:

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

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

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

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


The Publicity Hound says:

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


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

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


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

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

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


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

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


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


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


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


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



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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound:

Dec. 13: Write Like a Journalist Teleseminar:

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


December 13: Product Placement Teleseminar

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


January 21: 2008 smARTist Telesummit

I will teach artists "The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors, Not Only for Journalists from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the entire telesummit at http://tinyurl.com/3x35vr If you want a taste of what you'll be learning, you can register for a one-hour teleseminar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Three experts will give away their best marketing advice on how to succeed without sacrificing your artistic voice or wasting tons of time on dry business stuff. To register for that call, click on the link above, then "Register" at the top of the page.


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

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

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


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

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

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

Publicity tips/Target Travelers Oct 9, 2007

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

Circulation: 34,944

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

"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
Receive this ezine direct to your desktop
http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/

Need help with publicity?
See the resources list at
http://www.publicityhound.com/resources.htm


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

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

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

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

Save the Dates:

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

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

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

1. Target Travelers

2. Speak at Colleges

3. Your Own National TV Show

4. Enticing Food Bloggers

5. Promoting a Sonoma County Website

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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

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

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

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

That's a lot of eyeballs reading about you.

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

--In college newspapers.

--On college radio and TV stations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Wishing and hoping for your own show on national TV?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Bribery? Maybe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reach out to bloggers, but don't miss all the other "Publicity Tips for Restaurants, Chefs & Foodies" which I created with Jaime Oikle of the Restaurant Report. It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/clr26


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

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


From Garth Gibson:

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


From Howard:

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


A web design student says:

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


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

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


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

Karla Kinstler of Houston, Minnesota writes:

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

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

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

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


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


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

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


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


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

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

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


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

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


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


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

Publicity tips/Michael Moore Health Challenge September 4, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #362 Sept. 4, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,057

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

"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.

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

"How to Help Your Boss or Client with a Publicity Campaign"

Dozens of you have asked about how to buy the audio recordings or electronic transcripts of my weeklong training program for assistants, virtual assistants and interns. The sales page isn't even completed yet, but I'm selling the product this week only to readers of this newsletter and with a special offer that expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 7.

Here's the offer. Order the CDs, electronic transcripts, or the MP3 files by Friday night, and you can choose any three electronic transcripts priced at $39.95 from my inventory at http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/tapes.html -- for free. That's a $119.85 value. I'm making this offer because I couldn’t include every topic in this course, and your assistant might need more help in a particular area. In the comments section of the order form, tell me which 3 titles you want.

Read more about what you and your assistant will learn at http://tinyurl.com/yvwdje


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

1. Michael Moore Health Challenge

2. Don't Announce an Announcement

3. Pre-event Publicity on Weekend TV

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Retreat to Tuscany

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. Michael Moore Health Challenge
======================================

When Michael Moore released his movie "Sicko," which helps promote free universal health care for everyone in the United States, fitness trainers Jim Labadie and Ryan Lee of North Palm Beach, Florida knew it was the perfect opportunity for Publicity Hounds like them to use two strategies I advocate.

First, piggyback off celebrities and current movies. Second, don't be afraid to become embroiled in a controversy.

With help from Tampa PR pro Lizz Harmon, that's exactly what they did.

"Mr. Moore is a walking advertisement for heart disease and diabetes," Jim says in an open letter to all fitness instructors."This is not to bash him. This is not to be viewed as an attack on him. This is not about aesthetics. This is not about looking good in a bathing suit. This is about Michael Moore exercising regularly and improving his diet so he can become a better role model for preventative care."

The letter at http://tinyurl.com/3ylxto urges fitness instructors to also write a letter that calls on the filmmaker to become a healthy role model.

"I haven't done too much with the letter other than promote it to people who have given us permission to email them," Jim says. He and Ryan emailed about 130,000 people in the fitness industry, and others who they thought would be interested.

Their campaign is starting to gain traction on the Internet because the topic is perfect fodder for special interest websites and bloggers, whether they write about fitness, health insurance or politics.

It's also edgy enough for drive-time radio interviews and local TV shows. If you're a fitness trainer, how about joining this campaign, then pitching your local TV stations?

Think the campaign is downright nasty and are you refusing to participate? Sounds like a story to me.

Shawne Duperon will explain exactly who to call in the TV newsroom, how to get through to the person who decides which stories get on the air, and how to deliver an enticing pitch that makes them say "yes." She was my guest during a teleseminar called "How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow."
It's available as a CD or an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order has been approved.

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


========================================
2. Don't Announce an Announcement
========================================

My skin crawls every time I see somebody "announcing" something in a press release or a news story.

They act as though the announcement is the news when, in fact, it isn't. The content of the announcement is all anybody cares about. That's why I'd love to ban the words "announce, announced, announcing" and "announcement" from publicity campaigns and news stories.

Then along comes former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a Republican who has been acting for months like he's running for president. Late last week, his office "announced" that on Thursday of this week, he'll make his official "announcement" that he's running.

Thompson and other big-name politicians might be able to get away with this kind of silly PR, but don't you ever try it.

How many times do you use the A-words when you write press releases?

Guilty? That's what I thought.

It's time to learn how to write releases that people will not only read, but find interesting and respond to. Sign up for my free email tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases."It explains how to write press releases not only for journalists, but for the search engines, which can deliver your press release directly to consumers who are searching for the kinds of information you're writing about.

Warning: This is an intensive 12-week course, but please stick with it. By the time you're done, you'll know more about how to write and distribute press releases than most professional PR people. As of today, 6,665 people have signed up for the course.

Don't have 89 days to spare? You can scroll to the bottom of the page and buy the entire course in a handy ebook for only $27.

Sign up now at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/list.htm and I'll email you your first lesson within 15 minutes.

Bloggers and ezine editors, do your readers a favor and tell them about this. If you really want to get their attention, challenge them to take this press release quiz at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/pwnu7


=========================================
3. Pre-event Publicity on Weekend TV
=========================================

If you're planning a special event, are you paying attention to the TV news shows in your community that are sometimes desperate for guests?

You should be. It can mean the difference between no pre-event coverage and tons of it. One of the best places to look is the weekend news shows at your local TV stations.

On Sunday morning, I caught the tail-end of an interview on a Milwaukee TV news show with somebody who was promoting the Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival in West Bend, Wisconsin, about a half hour from where I live.

The in-studio guest was talking up the event, and I immediately paid attention because the jazz festival is the highlight of our summer. We've attended the last several years and we'll be there again this weekend.

Last week, I noticed several email messages from the festival organizers which gave me the impression they were still trying to get rid of tickets for what's usually a sold-out event. I wouldn't be surprised if the PR people called the TV station and asked for an interview. Smart.

Saturday and Sunday mornings are perfect times for this kind of publicity. People like me, who seldom have time to catch the 10 o'clock TV news during the week, often tune in on the weekends, when life is just a little bit slower. If you have video from last year's event, offer it. That makes the story more enticing.

I know 846 other ways to generate publicity before, during and after your special event. Debra J. Schmidt and I explain them on "How to Plan & Promote Sizzling Special Events," a set of 6 audio CDs and a seventh CD that includes 15 can't-do-without checklists for event planners and publicists. The package is also available as an electronic transcript.

If you're planning or promoting a special event this year or next, your reputation, not to mention your job, could be at stake. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/46jzg


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

If you're an expert who lives in New York City, or you're planning to visit there, apply to be on "Better TV," a daytime nationally syndicated lifestyle show debuting this month. They're looking for experts, guests, celebrities, chefs, entertainers and more.

The show is produced in New York by the Meredith Corporation for women ages 25-54 who want to make their lives better with programming focused on family, home and life. The show launches in 14 markets, reaching 10 percent of all American households.

To pitch "Better TV," email Marianne Mancusi at mailto:booking@better.tv

Thanks to Shawne Duperon's publicity newsletter for this lead. Subscribe at http://www.shawnetv.com/


==========================================
5. Promoting a Retreat to Tuscany
==========================================

This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Kathy McCabe of Washington, D.C. She needs ideas on how to promote a weeklong goal-setting retreat in Tuscany, Italy for men and women in their 30s to 50s. You can read about it at http://www.dreamofitaly.com/public/365.cfm


John Easton says:

"Consider having those who have already signed up for your retreat post videos commenting on why they are attending. You can even run a contest for the best story. Brightcove.com has a free service level that will allow you to embed a video player within a page on your website and allow users to upload their videos to your player. There is a very robust content management back end where you can view/approve submissions and control the sequence of videos. You can even include advertising within videos or between videos."


Andrea Kinney Says:

"If you are amenable to paying travel agent commissions, partner with agents by marketing to them through the travel trade magazines such as Travel Trade or Travel Weekly. Every agent has their own lists of hundreds or thousands of clients that you maybe able to reach out to through these specialists."


Paula Baldoni Says:

"Overall...I can’t get a sense of who the hosts would like to have on their retreat (looking through the site and the links). Who is the ideal customer? (In something like this, I would imagine you want participants that really get you juiced!) So, what does that client look like? Where is she in her life? What does she do for a living, what is her financial situation, where does she shop, what does she eat? Is she a stay-at-home mom? A corporate woman? A small business owner? Does she prefer noodle casserole over Pasta Carbonara? Both are great customers, but who do you want?"


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/2ghdn7

Then consider reaching out to the travel media with your travel-related story. Holly Johnson has generated fabulous publicity for her travel clients, and she shares all her secrets on the CD "How to Work with the Travel Media." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/38825k


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

Brenda Rogerson of Highland, Michigan writes:

"The American Sewing Expo is the largest independently owned sewing expo in the country with over 15,000 people attending our three-day show from all over the U.S. In addition to classes, vendors, a sewing cafe and special exhibits, we have several challenges for sewers of all abilities and interests.

"We are having a hard time getting contestants for our Baby Lock Passion for Fashion design contest inspired by Project Runway. This a live challenge that will let avid sewers showcase their sewing and design talents, complete with professional models and a fashion show. The participant will be given a design challenge scenario and have all day Friday, September 28, to create their' secret project.' Expo attendees will have the opportunity to follow the progress of the designers as they work on their creations. Contestants return on Saturday, September 29, for a last-minute fitting on their professional model before the fashion show in the afternoon.

"We have contacted the local colleges, run ads in several sewing publications, posted several places on the web, and have information and rules on our website at http://www.americansewingexpo.com/ but have not had much response. Any ideas?"


The Publicity Hound says:

I'm not sure where on the web you're promoting this contest, but there are a zillion websites for women, including those devoted to art, fashion, design, sewing, crafts, modeling, etc. Because you're working on a short deadline, I'd pitch bloggers who write about those issues. Play up the grand prize: the trip to New York City.

OK, Hounds. I know many of you have ideas better than mine. Post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2w95vv


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Karen Russell of West Hills, California for this one:

At one home on my husband's letter-carrying route, the dog on the other side of the mail slot always barked excitedly, and eagerly grabbed the mail. One day the dog's owner explained that the Labrador had started bringing the mail upstairs to him soon after he got him, so he promptly rewarded the dog with a treat.

After several months, there was a slight change in procedure: The dog still delivered the mail upstairs--but only one piece at a time.


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

Papa Jack Weil, oldest CEO, great Labor Day story
http://tinyurl.com/2oyejz

Charlotte Observer business sections pitching tips
http://tinyurl.com/25nkdf

Free meeting rooms: A great PR tactic
http://tinyurl.com/2sbmgv


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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


September 4: Teleseminar

I'll be among the four guests joining Michelle Nightengale for a free one-hour roundtable teleseminar. It's a sneak preview of her teleseminar series Sept. 11 to Oct. 2 for speakers, coaches, consultants, trainers, programmers, designers, and personal assistants on simple, effective marketing strategies to breathe life into your business and multiply your client base and profits in six months or less. I'll present my one-hour segment on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Sign up for the Sept. 4 call at https://paydotcom.com/r/18572/JoanStewart/1612861/


September 11: Brookfield, Wisconsin

Association for Volunteer Administration of Southeastern Wisconsin, keynote presentation on "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get Thousands of Dollars in FREE Online and Offline Publicity," 9:45 a.m., University of Phoenix Metro-Milwaukee Campus, 20075 Watertower Blvd. $30 for AVA/SEW and IAVC members, $40 for non-members. Deadline August 31. Learn more at http://www.ava-sew.org/content/blogcategory/5/4/or call Kay Bloesl at 414-571-1327 to register.


September 12: Germantown, Wisconsin

Menomonee Falls Rotary Club, noon, "How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," Lohmann's Steak House, W183 N9609 Appleton Ave. To attend, you must come as a guest of a current Rotary member.


September 18: Teleseminar

"How to Use FREE Publicity to Drive Tons of Traffic to Your Web Site," 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This is part of Michelle Nightengale's four-part teleseminar series for speakers, coaches, consultants, trainers, programmers, designers, and personal assistants on simple, effective marketing strategies to breathe life into your business and multiply your client base and profits in six months or less. Sign up at https://paydotcom.com/r/18572/JoanStewart/1612861/


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 You Can Learn from a Puppy August 28, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #361 Aug. 28, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 35,280

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

"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.

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

Miscellaneous Items:

--I am looking for guest presenters to join me during a weeklong series of teleseminars on how nonprofits can generate publicity. If this is your area of expertise, and you'd like to partner with me to create a product we can both sell, email me at Mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=NonprofitPublicity and tell me why you're an expert, and suggest a specific sub-topic you would like to address.

--"How to Help Your Boss or Client with a Publicity Campaign," a series of Publicity Hound University teleseminars I conducted in June for assistants, virtual assistants and interns, will be ready for sale next week as electronic transcripts, CDs or MP3 files. I'll be offering a special deal to subscribers of this newsletter before I roll out this product to the public. Don't miss next week's issue.

--Thanks to the many Hounds who responded to last week's request for tips on how you're getting through to the media during these days of shrinking newsrooms. Your comments were wonderful, and I'll be posting all of them over at my blog in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

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

1. What You Can Learn from a Puppy

2. A Ribbon-cutting Worth Publicizing

3. Jump on this Art Controversy

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a Canadian Boarding School

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. What You Can Learn from a Puppy
======================================

Meet Bogie, our new puppy, at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2ufguh

She's an 11-week-old purebred German Shorthaired Pointer, the love of our lives.

Bill is in charge of training her because she'll be his hunting companion. I'm devouring the book "Training in No Time," written by dog training expert Amy Ammen, who was in my mentor program, so I can keep up with what he's doing.

After only six days with Bogie, my first experience living with a puppy, I'm learning about things like:

--Persistence. She was out of sight for just a few minutes yesterday and chewed on the "Warning" tag that was sewn into the seam of her doggie bed. She didn't stop gnawing until the entire label was in her mouth. Thankfully, I retrieved it before she could swallow it.

--Risk-taking. We took her on her first walk at the beach yesterday afternoon. She was fascinated by the sights and sounds of the waves lapping at the Lake Michigan shoreline, but decided it was too early to venture into the water. I'm betting she at least sticks a paw into it the next time out.

--Responsibility. After she pooped on our living room carpet this morning, I realized it was my own fault because I became too engrossed in writing the newsletter to give her frequent potty breaks. I'm now relying on a timer to alert me every 30 minutes so we can visit the backyard.

--The importance of grieving after the loss of a pet. Cody, our beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, died on Jan. 13 this year. We needed several months to cry, work through the grief, and heal our hearts so we could welcome a new puppy into our lives and give her our full attention. Bill took Bogie to visit Cody's grave in the backyard, and he told her she has big shoes to fill.

--Opportunity. She's napping in her kennel right now, next to my desk, and I'm racing to complete this newsletter before she awakens for another who-knows-how-many-hours of bedlam.

--Rudimentary engineering skills. Her metal kennel, a big shipping box and a large plastic wastebasket, placed side by side, prevent her from crawling under my desk, where she can chew, then pulverize, a tangled mess of computer wires.

Did the headline on this item catch your attention?

If so, consider creating a list of tips called "What You Can Learn from a Puppy" or "What You Can Learn from a Kitten" or "What You Can Learn from a Porpoise"--or any critter of your choice--and slant it to people with a particular problem or concern.

Then provide a list just like I did. You don't even need to be a pet owner to pull this off.

Submit the list or article to online article directories and your list of media contacts. Heck, the editor of a trade magazine might even welcome an article like this one if the tips dovetail perfectly with what readers need. If you don't want to use this format, consider the same title in a Q&A format, or even a quiz.


Tips lists, Q&As and quizzes are only three of several kinds of briefs I teach you to write 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


========================================
2. A Ribbon-cutting Worth Publicizing
========================================

I hate ribbon-cuttings of any kind, and most of you have heard me preach that journalists hate them too and usually refuse to cover these cheesy, staged media events. That's because most people are tired of seeing them.

Even attempts at clever or cutesy ribbon-cuttings usually fall flat. But this one is so unusual that it's worth mentioning. I found it over at Alan Sharpe's Direct Mail Fundraising Blog at http://tinyurl.com/2mu4aa

Here's Alan's hypothetical example of a compelling ribbon-cutting:

"Instead of a ribbon-cutting photo featuring your leaders, why not take a photo that features your donors? Let’s say you mailed a special appeal letter six months ago, asking for funds to build a wheelchair-accessible ramp at your summer camp for kids. The money came in, the ramp is complete, and the project was a success.

"You could run a story in your newsletter with the headline, 'New Wheelchair Access Ramp Completed,' accompanied by a photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony with this caption: "Our executive director cuts the ribbon during the opening ceremony for our new wheelchair access ramp." Boring. The focus of the story is the ribbon and the ramp, not the benefits of the ramp (who it helps) or the cause of the ramp (the donors).

"Instead, you could take a photo of a camper descending the ramp all by herself in her motorized wheelchair. Surrounding the ramp are the volunteers who donated their time, and a representative sampling of donors who gave their gifts. They are all waving and applauding as the girl makes her way to the bottom of the ramp, ready to break through the inaugural ribbon at the bottom with her legs (much the same way Olympic runners do with their chests).

"The headline reads: 'New Wheelchair Ramp Gives One Camper--and Many Donors--a Big Lift.'

"The photo caption reads: 'INCLINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Dozens of Camp Wikiming volunteers and donors celebrate as 13-year-old Kirsten Jacobs enjoys the fruit of their love, labour and generosity--the new wheelchair access ramp to Lansing Hall."

Thanks, Alan. Newspapers and TV stations might even be willing to cover this one.

The next time you're tempted to break ground, cut a ribbon or pass a check, slap yourself. Then consider all the creative alternatives mentioned on "Fun Alternatives to Boring Ground-breakings, Ribbon-cuttings and Check-passings." 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/7cl6z


=======================================
3. Jump on This Art Controversy
=======================================

If you're stumped about how to generate publicity, one of the best ways is to piggyback onto a controversy with strong opinions.

It isn't too late for artists, African-Americans and others to jump into the fray that's erupted over the Beijing "sculpture of record" for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial set for the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Critics are complaining that the choice of Lei Yixin of China over a black American amounts to"outsourcing."

National Public Radio has already devoted at least three stories to this topic at http://tinyurl.com/2ed7nj

If you know how to write an opinionated, succinct letter to the editor, you're much farther ahead than most Publicity Hounds, and you can use newspaper and magazine editorial pages over and over again to promote your product, service, cause or issue.

"How to Use Newspaper and Magazine Editorial Pages" shows you how. You'll even learn how to approach the all-important (and sometimes pompous) newspaper and magazine editorial boards and ask them to support your cause or pet project.

Read more about you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/5wh45


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

--Do you know someone who recently obtained a good job outside of public relations? What was the winning tactic? WorkWise columnist Mildred Culp is looking for multiple sources to discuss what they did to get a full- or part-time job. WorkWise is syndicated inprint and online in such papers as The Hartford Courant, the nation's longest-continuously published newspaper, and The DallasMorning News. Mailto:Workwise@Comcast.net?subject=JobHuntingTactic


--Eastonsweb Multimedia recently launched Broadcast Charlotte, an online video channel delivering educational content and event coverage that most small businesses in Charlotte, North Carolina do not receive. Event coverage includes local grand openings, seminars, new product announcements and related content. "Educational content will help small businesses get better PR, improve networking skills, learn from top entrepreneurs and more," says videographer John Easton. Learn more at http://www.broadcastcharlotte.com/


--Baby Boomer couples are invited to apply for the pilot of a new television show "Life Begins at 40." This is how they describe the show: "For many people in their 40s and 50s, the time has come to restructure their life and do something they’ve always dreamed of. It could be anything from owning a Bed & Breakfast to running a Scuba Diving School in the Caribbean. Our television show, 'Life Begins at 40' will give a husband and wife team an opportunity to Road Test their Dreams. Contact Amber Mike, associate producer, at mailto:amber.mike@rdfnewyork.com or 646-747-7940


Thanks to Publicity Hound Dana Hall for tipping us off to this one.


==========================================
5. Promoting a Canadian Boarding School
==========================================

This week, four Publicity Hounds have tips Julie Ann Kodmur from St. Helena, California. Julie needs ideas on how to generate publicity for Shawnigan Lake School, a Canadian boarding school at http://www.sls.bc.ca/?

"The school is frankly a cousin of Hogwarts---uniform Tudor architecture in all the buildings on campus which slope down to a lake, then bordered by a forest and a huge 'great hall' diningroom with fireplaces...We’ve thought of having J.K. Rowling come to do a reading or present an award."


From Garth Gibson:

"You might want to keep alive your Harry Potter links and ride its coattails as long as you can.

"Another might be to link to the attention boarding schools are getting in other parts of the world like the Middle East. These are two major themes of interest about boarding schools that are in the news these days.

"How has your school changed or stayed the same during and after the Harry Potter craze?"


From Michael Draper:

"Think about creating controversy or a challenge. Maybe try doing some type of challenge between some American schools and Canadian schools every year. Setup something similar to the Calgary Stampede format. Every year a team from the schools would compete for a prize or trophy. Pick something that you are good at...The competition can get sponsors and TV coverage."


From Terri Benincasa:

"Lo and behold, you said it yourself!

"With all the Harry Potter-ness right now, 'having your very own Hogwarts for a truly magical experience (wand not included--but also not necessary)' is about the best PR you could get. Withthat description, I’m considering boarding school for myself!


Read all the responses to this Help this Hound question at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2hu4o9 Then learn more great ideas in"Special Report #15: Publicity Tips for Schools, Colleges and Universities" at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g


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

Kathy McCabe of Washington, D.C. writes:

"My business partner, success coach Margarita Rozenfeld, are co-sponsoring The Tuscany Visioning Retreat at http://www.dreamofitaly.com/public/365.cfm

"It's a week of personal reflection, goal-setting sessions and cultural encounters at a private villa. It's for men and women. We envision the target audience as 30s to 50s--people ready to refocus their lives, maybe change jobs, start a new business, set personal goals. Margarita and I both have email lists in the thousands, and while we've used them to generate some interest, it hasn't been enough.

"It costs $3,199 for the week, including luxurious accommodations at a private villa, coaching sessions throughout the week, pre-and post-retreat phone sessions, nearly all meals, a day trip to hill towns and vineyards, and a cooking lesson.

"How do we publicize this 'new kind of travel experience' to an audience that is used to traditional tours? We're having trouble hitting the right angle. Many thanks to your Hounds for any ideas they can provide."


The Publicity Hound says:

Your landing page has far too many distractions. It should be devoted to one topic only: the retreat. I suggest you read Mark Widawer's excellent ebook "Landing Page Cash Machine" at http://tinyurl.com/y6wws5

Once you've improved the landing page, you'll need many other promotion ideas. And my Hounds are up to the task. Hounds, what would you want to know about this retreat to Tuscany before you commit to spending $3,200? If you have suggestions for Kathy and Margarita, post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/2ghdn7


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

Poem for New Puppy Owners:


Don't chew my books, don't eat my plants,
Don't steal food or underpants.

Don't eat my socks, don't grab my hair,
Don't rip the stuffing from that chair!

Don't eat those peas, don't touch that bush,
Don't chew my shoes, what IS that mush!?!

Eat your treats and drink your drink
Outta the toilet! Outta the sink!

Away from the litter box. It's for the cat!
(And must you kiss me after that?)

Raising a puppy is not for the lazy,
Those rug rats are funny, but also quite crazy.

Don't despair through the toil and the strife.
'Cause after three years you'll get back your life.

So let's go for a walk, and you do your "thing"
And maybe I'll get back my diamond ring.

--Author unknown


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

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

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


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

BusinessWeek Chicago to launch in November
http://tinyurl.com/ytywhu

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

Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®


September 11: Brookfield, Wisconsin

Association for Volunteer Administration of Southeastern Wisconsin, keynote presentation on "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get Thousands of Dollars in FREE Online and Offline Publicity," 9:45 a.m., University of Phoenix Metro-Milwaukee Campus, 20075 Watertower Blvd. $30 for AVA/SEW and IAVC members, $40 for non-members. Deadline August 31. Learn more at http://www.ava-sew.org/content/blogcategory/5/4/or call Kay Bloesl at 414-571-1327 to register.


September 12: Germantown, Wisconsin

Menomonee Falls Rotary Club, noon, "How to Generate Thousands of Dollars in Free Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity," Lohmann's Steak House, W183 N9609 Appleton Ave. Details pending.


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/This Retirement Party Rocks Aug.14, 2007

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #359 Aug. 14, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 34,416

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

"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. This Retirement Party Rocks

2. Freelancers: Your Secret Weapon

3. Sell What You Know

4. What Media Bias Means to You

5. Promoting 'God is a Salesman' Book

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


======================================
1. This Retirement Party Rocks
======================================

What? Call a newspaper and ask an editor a cover a retirement party?

You've got to be kidding. Unless, of course, the party has a fun little twist that compels not only print reporters, but the TV news crews to show up.

On Monday next week, friends and associates will gather in North Texas to honor legendary TV weatherman Troy Dungan, who is retiring after 31 years as a forecaster for WFAA-TV.

My friend Jeff Crilley, a reporter for FOX News in Dallas, discussed the party in his latest newsletter, and said the theme is Troy's signature bowtie.

"We'll have a giant bowtie cake, and everyone who attends will be asked to wear a bowtie to share a little sunshine with someone who's been sharing it with us for the last three decades," Jeff wrote. "If you have a bowtie, wear it. If not, don't worry. We'll be handing out paper bowties at the door. My forecast for the luncheon is a full house."

Of course the TV cameras will be there because Troy is one of their own. But the paper bowtie idea is one you can tweak or steal the next time you have a major retirement at your company or organization and you want the media to cover it.

How about asking well-wishers to come with their homemade paper airplanes to celebrate the retirement of an executive who's an amateur pilot? Or paper flowers for someone whose hobby is gardening?

Not elaborate enough for your VIP?

Then how about hosting a progressive dinner? Include the retiree's favorite dishes at different homes, or choose multiple restaurants. You can even transport the guests from place to place on a trolley or bus, or in limos.

The point is, if you want media coverage, make the party fun and visual. Shawne Duperon, a TV producer and reporter in Michigan, says it's important to paint a visual picture of the event when you pitch.

Her advice on how to track down the Queen Bee in every TV newsroom--the person who decides which stories will be covered-- and other tips on how to make your story irresistible for the cameras, are on the CD or electronic transcript "How to Get on the TV News Tomorrow." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/4zpuz