Publicity tips/Attract Media with an Ezine Nov 25, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #426 Nov. 25, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 50,500


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

"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.

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

3 Tips for Corporate, Nonprofit Sponsorships

If you missed Steve Harrison's teleseminar last week on how to
convince a corporation or nonprofit to sponsor you, don't miss
his 14-minute bonus session in which Brendon Burchard gives three
valuable tips for finding sponsors for your book, product or
business. I especially like the tip on how to get the attention
of nonprofits. Unfortunately, Steve didn't record last week's
teleseminar so you can't listen to the entire call.
But you can find the 3 bonus tips here:
http://tinyurl.com/64nbql

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

1. Attract Media with an Ezine

2. "Someday I'll Start My Book"

3. The YouTube Boo-boo

4. The Dating Service of PR

5. How to Promote Italian Diorama Art

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


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

1. Attract Media with an Ezine

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

When the wildfires swept through California earlier this month,
firefighting consultant Mike Archer of Glendora, California was
one of the go-to experts for the media.

His weekly international wildfire "News of the Day" ezine,
published six days a week, kept subscribers abreast of what was
happening, why it was happening and what could be done to stop or
at least subside the fires.

"I use a piece of software called a Feedreader to collect news in
areas of interest, and link to the more interesting stories from
my newsletter," he says.

He also posts them to his blog at
http://firebomberpublications.blogspot.com/
Michael has a measly 49 subscribers. Yes, only 49.
But it's a line-up of fire experts, from the U.S. Forest Service
to local fire departments and even firefighting contractors.
Now comes the important part. Subscribers include editors and
reporters at major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times, San
Diego Union Tribune and others.

"I'm now on a first-name basis with a number of editors and
reporters who can be approached about doing stories on my for-
profit and nonprofit business activities," Mike says. "If any of
your Hounds are experts in their fields, or newbies trying to
make a splash, offering a free newsletter on breaking events can
be a great way to open the door with media outlets in their area,
or even farther afield. Mine is read by folks from a number of
states in the U.S., as well as by folks from Canada and
Australia."

A local cable TV show invited him to participate in an hour-long
show about the wild fires last week. And Los Angeles Weekly, the
largest weekly in the U.S., called him for an interview.
"The newsletter adds credibility to my wildfire consultant
status, which, in turn, opens up more opportunities for my
businesses," he adds.

Some of his earlier suggestions on how to fight fires, which have
been poo-pooed by some in the firefighting community, are now
used. For example, years before it became an accepted practice,
he proposed mixing water and firefighting gel when fighting a
fire from an airplane. Water alone evaporates too quickly. He
also advocated the use of fireproofed firefighting vehicles
to rescue people trapped by wildfires, something which is being
done by firefighters in Germany now.

Subscribers have sent emails remarking on how much they enjoy
"News Of The Day." One subscriber, Deputy Chief Brian Fennessy of
the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, called it "the best I had
seen in 32 years in the fire service," which boosts credibility
further when talking to firefighters, media folks, and the
general public.

And it's only a simple collection of items harvested from the
news, six days a week, along with a short half-sentence
commentary on each headline.

Michael has shattered two myths about ezines: That you need
thousands of subscribers, and that they'll be angry if you
contact them more than once a week.

I'll shatter a third myth: That you must write a long ezine like
this one. Sometimes a helpful tip of the week can be just as
effective--a huge time-saver, particularly for Hounds who can't
write or hate to write.

Dan Janal interviewed me for an hour on "How to Turn Your Ezine
into a Cash Machine," and I spilled the beans on how I make up to
$12,000 a month just from this newsletter. I shatter more
newsletter myths and offer lots of helpful tips on what kinds of
vendors to use, where to find content, and how to keep your
readers coming back for more.

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 how to get started as an ezine publisher at
http://tinyurl.com/y6mp2c


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

2. "Someday I'll Start My Book"

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

I can't begin to count the number of times an author contacts me,
frustrated that it takes two, three, four years or more to write
a book.

And another year rewriting it after an editor rips it apart.
And another six months finally getting Draft Number Two edited,
proofread and to press.

And another six months on a publicity campaign.

Tired and exhausted, the author often wants nothing to do with
the book when it doesn't hit the New York Times Best Seller List.
If you know there's a book inside you, but you just can't start
writing it because you've heard horror stories like this one,
you're a perfect fit for the Procrastinator's Guide to
Authorship, a seven-month training program taught by Publicity
Hound Rita Emmett.

At $37 a month per person, this seven-month program is a good
alternative for Publicity Hounds who can't afford the higher-
priced, more intensive book coaching programs.

Here's why you should claim a spot right now:

-Rita's system allows your book to practically write itself. The process takes very little of your own willpower to see results.

-You want a proven way to get a reputable agent and major publisher, so you get the prestige and cash of a big-time author.

-You want a program that works naturally with the procrastinating way you like to do things so you can end self-sabotage and inner conflict and actually get a winning book
published.

Stop being paralyzed by fear and let somebody help you turn that
book idea into a book that sells. Read more about how Rita can
help you get started at http://tinyurl.com/5rc6ub


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

3. The YouTube Boo-boo

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

It's one of the biggest mistake Publicity Hounds make when they
create videos, and it's costing them viewers, website traffic,
and sales.

They create a few good-quality videos, upload them to YouTube,
and then sit back and wait for the traffic to start flowing in.
Problem is, even though YouTube is the most popular video-sharing
site, many people who are hungry for the kind of information
shared in those videos will be missing them entirely.

That's because they're searching at one of the other three dozen
video-sharing sites like LiveVideo.com, AOLVideo,com or
GoogleVideo.com. This is what I call the big YouTube Boo-boo. You
can't rely on that website alone.

Mike Koenigs, the video marketing guy who owns Traffic Geyser,
the subscription site that uploads one video to several dozen
video sharing sites with just one click of the mouse, has created
a series of four videos that, collectively, amount to a killer
Internet video marketing course. I've shared some of them with
you the last few weeks in this newsletter and at my blog, but you
may have missed one or two.

If you give Mike your email and let him show you how Traffic
Geyser works, here's give you the video course. Here are all the
titles:

-The Video Camera Buyer's Guide: What to Buy and Where to Get It

-Mac or PC? Desktop or Laptop? Web Video Producers Want to Know

-How to Get Your Point Across to Any Personality Type by Answering 4 Simple Questions

-The 10×10×4 Market Domination Formula

Even if you're already using another program like TubeMogul to
upload your videos, watch these videos anyway for some valuable
tips you can start using today: http://tinyurl.com/5b3aak


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

4. The Dating Service of PR

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

PR Week calls it the "dating service of PR."

The New York Times refers to it as "dial-an-expert."

CNN says it's an "invaluable tool" when journalists are
researching experts.

The Chicago Tribune describes it as the "type of tool great
stories are made of."

And the Associated Press calls it the "encyclopedia of sources."
They're all referring to Expertclick: The Online Yearbook of
Experts which doubles as a press release distribution service
that can push out your message to hundreds of journalists and
millions of consumers who search online.

My Expertclick profile appears on Page 1 of Google when people
search for "publicity expert." My press releases pull in traffic
to my website and blog. And my listing in its experts database
results in calls and emails from journalists asking for my expert
commentary for stories they're writing.

The deadline for your text and topics for the 2009 printed
yearbook is Friday, December 12. Tell them I sent you and they'll
knock $100 off your subscription price. For your listing, call
Mitch Davis and his staff at 202-333-5000. (They even answer
their own phone.)

Read more about it at http://tinyurl.com/588gqs


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

5. How to Promote Italian Diorama Art

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

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips for Susan Sogaro of
Tomball, Texas, an Italian Diorama artist who needs help
promoting her online store at http://www.shsartandgift.com


From Janine Libbey:

"Have you considered donating a piece to a nonprofit for a
fundraiser? It could be a door prize or an item for a silent
auction. Donors are listed in the program and are often
mentioned in press write-ups of the fundraiser. You could get
some free publicity from your support of a worthy cause."


From Christine Buffaloe:

"Have you thought of contacting any travel agencies that
specialize in Italian travel? They may have clients who are
particularly interested in this form of art. You could also set
up a Facebook page, with an added product page that would then
create a fan-base for your work."


From Flo Selfman:

"Susan, your work is beautiful and unusual. Please, immediately,
get visuals on the home page...Look at other artists' websites
and see how they display their art on their home pages."


The Publicity Hound says:

Artists who are struggling with ways to market their art and turn
a hobby into a career won't want to miss the Virtual Opening Day
Reception from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Dec. 4, the
free kick-off teleseminar leading up to the 2009 smARTist
Telesummit, hosted by Ariane Goodwin.

I'll be on next week's call along with the other art career
experts, and we'll be passing along los of great tips to make
your mouth water for the entire telesummit. Join us by signing up
for next week's call at http://tinyurl.com/5haqs5

During the telesummit, I'm presenting a 45-minute session on
social networking on Jan. 21. Take a look at all the great topics
we'll be covering at http://tinyurl.com/5axy3x

Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/6hycv8

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


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

6. Help This Hound

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

Rachel Mielke of New York, New York writes:

"I have a high-end designer jewelry company, Hillberg & Berk,
at http://www.hillbergandberk.com/ and we wholesale across
Canada. We have just broken into the U.S. market by being invited
to do a trunk show with Bloomingdale's in New York City the
second week in December.

"This is an unheard of opportunity for our company and could
really change our business forever if the show goes well. Only
problem is that no one in NYC has ever heard of my company. I
want to do something to generate publicity and get some radio or
news press the day of my trunk show but I have no idea what to
do.

"I know it needs to be something huge and crazy to get the
attention of the New York media. Can your Hounds help?"


The Publicity Hound says: Talk about cutting it close! You have
little time to build the buzz for this show, so I'm asking my
Hounds to kick into "emergency mode" when answering this
question. Hounds with quick, effective ideas for Rachel can post
them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/6b5b5l


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

7. Hound Joke of the Week

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

Here's a cute, short video that explains real reason your dog
goes outside. Watch it to the very end:

http://tinyurl.com/6hdv4k


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...

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

How to track Twitter quitters who don't follow you anymore
http://tinyurl.com/6njlmx


Offering testimonials can pay publicity dividends for years
http://tinyurl.com/6s46ey


Attleboro, MA threatens granny for past-due bill of 1 cent
http://tinyurl.com/6po6dy


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

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:

Wednesday, Jan. 21--Teleseminar

Join me for the third annual smARTist telesummit where
photographers, jewelers, potters, painters, metalworkers,
woodworkers and other artists will learn all the secrets for
growing their art business. I'm presenting a session on how to
use social networking, from 2 to 2:45 Eastern Time on Wednesday,
Jan. 21. Register for the Virtual Opening Day Reception from 7 to
8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Dec. 4. It's a free teleseminar
leading up to the telesummit, in which all the speakers offer a
few of their best tips. Register for next week's call at
http://tinyurl.com/5haqs5 or for the telesummit at
http://tinyurl.com/5axy3x


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 cheat sheet "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
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Avoid Spray-and-Pray Publicity Nov 18, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #425 Nov. 18, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

Circulation: 50,749

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

"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.

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

Let Corporate Sponsors Promote You on Their Dime

Of all the questions I receive each year from Publicity Hounds
who have a product or service to promote, one of the most
frequent is "How do I land a corporate sponsorship?"

I don't have a step-by-step guide on how to do that, but author
and speaker Brendon Buchard does, and he'll tell you about it
during a free teleseminar tomorrow.

See Item #2 below.

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

1. Avoid Spray-and-Pray Publicity

2. Let Corporate Sponsors Promote You

3. 'Buy My Stuff' Videos

4. LinkedIn Events

5. Promoting a Web Design Business

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


========================================
1. Avoid Spray-and-Pray Publicity
========================================

If you're guilty of any of the following, you could end up with a
publicity campaign that falls on its face:

--To reach journalists that write about your area of expertise,
you rely primarily on a list of media contacts you've bought from
a company, without knowing whether the contact information is a
month old, or a year old, or whether the journalist receiving
your pitch is dead or alive.

--You use the "spray and pray" method of distributing press
releases. You spray the same one-size-fits all release to a
variety of journalists and bloggers, and then pray that one of
them bites.

--You use the same "spray and pray" approach with pitches,
spraying the same pitch to everybody without bothering to
customize it for different audiences.

--You know you're supposed to post comments at other people's
blogs. But you don't know how to make them sound like anything
other than "Visit my website. I have something to sell to you."

--You don't know about the secret weapon that can penetrate TV
and radio newsrooms and get you on the air. Instead, you keep
spraying and praying.

--You "spray" your press releases and pitches to everyone at the
same time. You're unaware that you can sometimes get onto TV the
same day you pitch but that if you want that same story in a
national magazine, you must sometimes pitch six months before the
magazine hits the newsstands.

--You rely primarily on press releases to get big publicity hits.

--You think the word "media" refers only to newspapers,
magazines, TV and radio stations.

--If you're an author, you foolishly pitch your book.

Do any of these sound familiar? If so, I'm betting you don't know
how to create a media plan, also known as a publicity plan.

A well-thought-out plan tips you off to journalists and bloggers
who are hungry for the kind of content you provide. It will help
you know, instantly, which TV stations you should be pitching
TODAY so you can get onto tomorrow's shows and which magazine you
should be pitching TODAY so you can get into the May issue.

A good plan also includes lots of ideas you can pitch during the
months when there's absolutely nothing happening at your business
or nonprofit and the idea well is dry. It includes evergreen
story ideas that will work just as well next year as they did
five years ago.

I conducted a series of eight teleseminars that explain how NOT
to make the types of mistakes I've described above and how to
create a 12-month media plan that targets your message like a
laser to the audiences that want and need to hear your message.

It's called "How to Create a Media Plan," available as CDs or
electronic transcripts, and it comes with a half-hour of
consulting which you can use now or later. Let me help you devise
a strategy that will get you maximum exposure. We can even
brainstorm story ideas that are irresistible.

Read more about how to create a 12-month media plan at
http://www.publicityhound.com/mediaplan.htm


=========================================
2. Let Corporate Sponsors Promote You
=========================================

Let's say you don't have the time or the inclination to create
the kind of media plan I've mentioned above. You'd rather have
somebody else do most of the work, but you can't afford a PR
firm.

In that case, go after a corporate sponsorship.

Brendon Buchard, an author and speaker, has figured out some
really ingenious ways to land corporate and nonprofit
promotional sponsorships and use them to fund his marketing
efforts.

--Sony, for example, featured his company on a website with more
than 5 million visitors for free. That allowed him to quickly
build a mailing list of more than 30,000 people.

--Brendon knows the magic phrase you must use to quickly convince
nonprofits to publicize your book or product to their thousands
or millions of members.

--His corporate sponsorships have been responsible for the
publicity he has gotten on ABC World News, Oprah & Friends,
National Public Radio and 63 major radio stations. (The company
pays its PR firm or uses internal PR staff to get him media
exposure.)

--Corporate sponsors have made it possible for him to receive
$500,000 in advances for his second book.

--He has figured out how to get major companies like Wachovia,
Coke and Toyota to promote and sponsor his books, publicity, and
speaking tours.

Are you listening, speakers and authors?

If you can convince a company to pay you to travel around the
country speaking about your topic, you don't have to join the
chorus of thousands of other speakers who are all pitching
meeting planners. All you have to do is mention the company's
product or service during your presentation and let your
audiences know about the corporate sponsor arrangement.

In other words, you're using somebody else's influence, somebody
else's contacts and somebody else's money.

But Brendon says the process most people use to do what he does
is hit and miss, at best. They don't know the right people to
approach within a company or nonprofit. They don't know the five
elements they must include in their written proposal. And they
don't know about the website they can use to find potential
sponsors and promotional partners.

Curious about how he does it?

Listen to him explain during a free teleseminar tomorrow with my
friend, Steve Harrison. You can choose from two times: 2 p.m.
Eastern or 7 p.m. Eastern.

Sign up here and Steve will send you the handout and details for
tomorrow's call: http://tinyurl.com/5eosqa


========================================
3. 'Buy My Stuff' Videos
========================================

We've all seen them, and we hate them.

Mike Koenigs calls them "Buy My Stuff" videos, and they're all
over the Internet.

You click on a video thinking you'll see something funny, or
inspiring, or helpful. It turns out to be an author or a business
owner hawking a book or a widget and leading you to a sales page
where you can place the order.

"Buy My Stuff" videos have their place. But the correct place to
use them is never in front of the prospect when you're connecting
with them for the first time.

Videos can be so incredibly powerful to your publicity campaign
because Google sometimes indexes them within minutes after they
appear at a video-sharing site. So why waste your time on "buy my
stuff" videos that send prospects running from you?

Mike has a strategy he calls the 10 x 10 x 4 formula that shows
you exactly when you can use your "buy my stuff" video and what
you must do first. He explains it in a 20-minute video, and once
you see it, you'll understand why his method is so much better.
It establishes you as a credible expert and authority who
educates, informs, entertains and builds rapport with your
prospective audience so they feel a sense of connection with you
and, eventually, buy your stuff.

He'll send you the link to the video in exchange for your name
and email address. The video explains, by the way, that asking
for the prospect's name and email address is part of his
strategy.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/6ay5ab and learn how, and when, to use
"buy my stuff" videos.


=========================================
4. LinkedIn Events
=========================================

LinkedIn has a new application that's perfect for Publicity
Hounds who are speaking, attending or exhibiting at a live event.

It's called LinkedIn Events and it appears on the right side of
every LinkedIn user's homepage (log into your LinkedIn account
and scroll down on your homepage).

It lets you know about live events you might be interested in
attending. LinkedIn chooses which ones to display, based on the
information you've included in your profile. Unfortunately, it
doesn't let you submit information about your own events, and it
doesn't include events like teleseminars and webinars.

You can watch a short video that demonstrates how it works at
http://tinyurl.com/642j7t

This information is valuable in several ways:

--The application shows which other LinkedIn users within your
network are attending the event, a great heads-up if you want to
make plans beforehand to connect with any of them at the event.

--You can search for events by industry, date and location.
Speakers can use this functions to search for events that would
fit perfectly with their topic and area of expertise.

--It lets you announce to your contacts whether you are speaking,
exhibiting or attending the event.

The application is in beta, and judging from comments to the blog
post at the link above, it has several bugs. But it's one more
way to spread the word about your expertise.

Don't just create a LinkedIn profile and let it sit there
gathering dust. Make sure you know all the ways to connect with
your contacts.

Social media expert Scott Allen was my guest during two
teleseminars earlier this summer in which he created for us an
entire timeline of everything you should be doing on LinkedIn
several months before you're launching a product or sponsoring an
event. Scott says the secret is not to promote directly to your
contacts but, instead, to encourage them to let their contacts
know what you're doing. In other words, ask for their help and
they'll oblige.

He walks you step by step through the entire process of "How to
Use LinkedIn to Promote Anything--Ethically & Powerfully." 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 how to start using LinkedIn the right way at
http://tinyurl.com/5zvzyd


==========================================
5. Promoting a Web Design Business
==========================================

This week, 10 Publicity Hounds have tips for Nancy Cavanaugh
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a web designer who needs quick ideas to
boost sales at her website, Cavanaugh Interactive, at
http://www.cavanaughinteractive.biz/


From Meryl K. Evans:

"Contact business and nonprofit organizations to offer to speak
to their members at no charge. Be sure the presentation adds
value. 'How to turn visitors into customers' sounds like a good
one for you." Do a good job presenting it and the members might
prefer to have you do the work for them."


From Efia Moore:

"It seems like your website is lacking a theme. Sure, everything
is neat and easy to navigate, but what is it that makes your site
stand out above the rest?

"Also, if you're an interactive design company, where is all the
Web 2.0 stuff? If I can't Digg you, add you to my RSS feeds, or
get your Twitter updates, what's the point of calling yourself
interactive?"


From Judy Vorfeld:

"The purpose of the first page above the fold is to connect with
the visitor. Instead of the two graphics in the middle column
(which are totally impersonal and not valuable enough to be near
the top of the home page), consider some text that addresses the
issues potential website owns have and show how you can make
their life a lot better."


The Publicity Hound says:

Even though you offer tips in the margins, your website cries out
for free articles. This is one of the first things visitors look
for, and it's a great way to build your expertise. If you have
difficulty writing, use the template I've provided that comes
with the CD or the electronic transcript on "How to Write How-to
Articles." You can use the same template over and over again.
Read more about what I taught during this teleseminar:
http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb


Read all the responses to this week's Help This Hound question
http://tinyurl.com/6lzg8e


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


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

Publicity Hound Susan Sogaro of Trumbull, Texas writes:

I am an Italian Diorama artist, and my handmade, three-
dimensional Nativities include town scenes which have homesteads,
vendors, shops and market scenes. Our art and gift shop caters to
Italian art lovers in the U.S. and crafts range from the Dioramas
to small travertine coasters and ceramic boxes and tiles.

I can't find anyone in the Houston area doing the same work and
would really like to get the word out there about my artwork,
with very limited resources. We invested all our savings in
setting up the company. Do your Hounds have any suggestions on
how to promote the artwork and our online store? You can find us
at http://www.shsartandgift.com,
http://www.youtube.com/susansogaro and
http://www.susansogaro.blogspot.com/


The Publicity Hound says:

With the Internet, you should be thinking far beyond attracting
potential buyers only in the Houston area. Many of my Hounds do
just that, and some of them are artists. Hounds with great ideas
for Susan can post them to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/6hycv8


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

Thanks to Publicity Hound Elaine Grassbaugh of Columbus, Ohio for
this one:


Who is your REAL friend, your spouse or your dog?

If you're not sure, just try this experiment. Put your dog and
your spouse in the trunk of the car for an hour. When you
open the trunk, who is really happy to see you?


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

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

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


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

WHERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE PUBLICITY HOUND:


Wednesday, Nov. 19--Teleseminar

"Write Like a Journalist: Media Wordsmiths Share Proven
Copywriting Secrets for Earning More Ink," 1 to 2:30 p.m.,
sponsored by Bulldog Reporter. Join me and three other panelists
for our best writing tips. Register at http://tinyurl.com/5cs6p7


Thursday, Nov. 20--Teleseminar

"How to Use Publicity To Become an Expert and Grow Your
Business," part of the Business Owner Super Conference. It's
already started, but you can still get in on the action at
http://tinyurl.com/633m83 A terrific training session for
business owners everywhere, with a line-up of top speakers.


Wednesday, Jan. 21--Teleseminar

Join me for the third annual smARTist telesummit where
photographers, jewelers. potters, painters, metalworkers,
woodworkers and other artists will learn all the secrets for
growing their art business. I'm presenting a session on how to
use social networking, from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. You can start
registering next week.


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
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/How LinkedIn Connections Can Hurt You Aug 26, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #413 Aug. 25, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 50,460

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

"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 Deadlines & Events:

- -Labor Day is the unofficial deadline for submitting press
releases and photos of your consumer products for holiday gift
guides. Find out which media provide opportunities for publicity
with help from The Gift List at http://tinyurl.com/9es8y

- -Publicity Hounds can still get $200 off the $1,195
registration fee for Ragan Communications' Social Media Summit
Sept. 10-12 in Chicago. I'll be there, and I'd love to buy you a
cup of coffee if you're attending. Register at
http://www.ragan.com/publicityhound

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

1. How LinkedIn Connections Can Hurt You

2. Grade the Convention Speakers

3. Roach Race a Clever Publicity Stunt

4. Think Beyond Your Book

5. Where to Find Book Clubs

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. And at My Blog...


=======================================
1. How LinkedIn Connections Can Hurt You
=======================================

When somebody invites you to connect with them on LinkedIn, and
their name isn't familiar to you, what do you do?

As of a few months ago, I'd just accept the connection without a
second thought. These days, however, I'll hit "reply" and ask,
"How do we know each other?"

If they don't know me, I usually won't hear from them again.
Most times, however, it's somebody who reads this newsletter, was
in the audience during one of my presentations or heard me on
somebody else's teleseminar. In that case, I'll approve the
connection.

LinkedIn expert Scott Allen says a mile-long list of connections
can actually hurt you. Here's why.

Let's say Connection A asks you to introduce him to Connection B,
who you know, like and respect. Connection B asks "How do you
know Connection A?" If you admit you don't know Connection A,
you'll look like you really don't care about wasting Connection
B's time and that could damage the relationship.

But there are far greater dangers.

In order to be connected to someone on LinkedIn, you have to
invite them. Let's say I invite 50 people--names I've culled
from my email address book. Five of those people click on the
button that says "I don't know Joan." That's all it takes--five
people who say they don't know me--to suspend my account. All
that work down the drain!

You also run the risk of one of your connections reporting you as
a spammer to LinkedIn at any time. So the longer your list of
connections, the greater the chance that somebody on your list
won't like what you're doing.

Why risk it? Only accept connections from people who you know or
are connected with in some way.

If we haven't connected on LinkedIn, you can find me at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound but when you ask to
connect, be sure to tell me you're a Publicity Hound.

Then learn the ins and outs of how to use this valuable service
to promote your expertise, as well as a product, service, cause
or issue. Almost everything about promoting on LinkedIn is very
different than the way we promote anything else. And knowing the
rules is imperative.

Scott Allen explained them all last month, and his super-smart
strategies for launching any type of promotional campaign on
LinkedIn, complete with a timeline. The two teleseminars he
recorded with me on "How to use LinkedIn to Promote Anything--
Ethically and Powerfully" are available as electronic transcripts
along with your choice of MP3s or Cd's.

Read more about the power of LinkedIn at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar/linkedin.htm


=========================================
2. Grade the Convention Speakers
=========================================

During the next two weeks, Publicity Hounds have opportunities
galore to piggyback onto the Democratic and Republican national
conventions:

- -Speech coaches, critique the speakers. Even though almost
everything is scripted, there's still lots of room for comment.
Witness last night's speeches by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who
much of the crowd ignored, vs. Michelle Obama, who they adored.
Which candidates best use the art of storytelling? How about
actually counting the cliches in somebody's speech?

- -Fashion and image experts, there's lots here to work with,
including Cindy McCain's ubiquitous cleavage and Sen. Joe
Biden's almost-too-white teeth.

- -Advertising executives, how effective are the instantaneous
attack ads coming from both sides, like the one that shows
Hillary Clinton praising and then dissing Barack Obama?

- -Anyone who can interpret body language can have a great time
during the next two weeks.

- -Critique the media. Who are the best interviewers? What
kinds of interviews and reporting have you seen that do or don't
support charges of liberal media bias?

TV and newspapers will be looking for the local angle to this
national story. The media will be groveling for almost anything
they can find during the long Labor Day weekend in the U.S. So
start pitching!

Raleigh Pinskey is one of the world's ultimate masters at
pitching. When she was my guest during a teleseminar on "How to
Create the Perfect 30-second Pitch," I was in awe. One by one,
she coached people who participated in the call and turned their
rambling, boring pitches into killer sound bites.

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 how to craft great pitches at
http://tinyurl.com/6xghx


=========================================
3. Roach Race a Clever Publicity Stunt
=========================================

Here's an idea you can steal. This isn't the first time it's
been done, but the presidential election makes the timing
perfect.

Last week, the New Jersey Pest Management Association kicked off
its annual clinic and trade show which would have been a real
snoozer in the media's eyes.

But they made it fun by staging a "roach race." They rigged up
paper silhouettes of John McCain and Barack Obama to two roaches
and had them race each other to the finish line, as a way of
predicting who will win in November.

McCain won. You can read about it at http://tinyurl.com/6o95p9

I Googled this story and found it all over the Internet and in
newspapers large and small.

Publicity stunts, done well, are fabulous publicity magnets. I
mention several in "How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound," my
most popular ebook. I'm updating the current version now and
anyone who buys it this week will receive the update free.

Read more about how to kick publicity butt at
http://tinyurl.com/2a3dp9


=========================================
4. Think Beyond Your Book
=========================================

Thinking of writing a book? Or already working on your next one?

Don't write another word until you do this assignment.

Sit down with a pen and paper and start making a list of all the
ways you can monetize the book, other than the cover price of the
book.

Think board game, calendar, workbook, subscription newsletter,
audio book, being a media spokesperson, boot camp, CD or DVD,
keynote presentations, consulting, mentor program, corporate
training, teleseminars, special reports and White Papers,
reference guide and home study course.

And those are just for starters. I hear from too many authors
who write a book, fail to follow up with some of the ideas above,
and then gripe that the book isn't making money. Unless you
don't care about multiple streams of revenue, the book should be
a springboard for spin-off products and services.

Many of the ideas I mentioned work equally well for fiction
authors. You sometimes have to think a little more creatively.

My good friend Adam Witty is hosting a marketing conference for
authors Oct. 3-4 in Charleston, South Carolina. As Adam says,
the whole point of the conference is to teach authors how to
"unlock the invisible income streams surrounding their book."

Full disclosure: Adam invited me to speak at the conference.
Adhering to the promise I made to myself to stop traveling to
speak, I kindly passed. But if the lineup of speakers is any
indication, this one isn't to be missed. My mentor, Tom Antion,
will be a keynote speaker, presenting "How Authors Make Money on
the Internet....for REAL." Also, Publicity Hound Wayne Kelly, a
Canadian talk show host, will be speaking on "Media Training 101"
for authors.

Eight marketing experts for two full days. Authors, don't miss
this one: http://tinyurl.com/5leayr


==========================================
5. Promoting Humorous Quadriplegic Stories
==========================================

This week, six Publicity Hounds have tips for Susan Carter of
Bloomington, Minnesota, on how to promote the book "Another Fine
Mess You’ve Gotten Us Into: The Life and Adventures of a Quad"
about a quadriplegic, and its humorous stories.


From Shelley Peterman Schwarz:

"As the host of the Making Life Easier, an Internet radio
program, I would be very interested in receiving a review copy of
the book. The author may have important information to share
with our more than 20,000 listeners per week. During the free,
one- hour program, guests/authors share the lessons they've
learned and the wisdom they've gained living in the world of
chronic illness and/or disability in hopes that their words will
help others. Authors may discuss and refer to their book with
the understanding that the focus is on what the author has
learned about surviving and thriving lifelong limitations."

Contact Shelley using the form at http://tinyurl.com/6o6ao8


From Stacey Kannenberg:

"I Googled humor blogs and found a site called My Senior Citizen
Humor Blog and another site that lists the top 100 humor blogs at
this link: http://humor-blogs.com/Members.aspx?MaxSites=100 Get
the bloggers involved in creating some buzz for what sounds like
a great book."


From Carolyn Howard-Johnson:

"This is a little off-subject but Authors' Coalition sponsors a
slide show that they show on big movie screens at Veterans' Week
in Branson, Missouri in November. It's huge and that would
definitely be your audience. Find more about Authors' Coalition
at http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com or email
Joyce Faulkner (she produces the video) at
mailto:katieseyes@aol.com


The Publicity Hound says:

I think National Public Radio is a perfect outlet for this story!
Start by using the search box at the NPR website at
http://www.npr.org to see which programs have featured similar
guests. Then start pitching.

Learn all the inside secrets on how to pitch NPR producers. Book
publicist Lissa Warren, who has booked dozens of clients on NPR
shows, explains "How to Get Booked on National Public Radio."
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/ayms6


Read all the comments to this Help This Hound question at my blog
at http://tinyurl.com/5nqu3v


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

Roz Wolf of Los Angeles, California writes:

"I have a fun but strange book title to promote.

"How To Woo A Bi’aaatch: The Key To Attracting Females by Brian
Zoozoo is a guide that speaks to a generation of single men and
curious women ages 18-35. The word Bi’aaatch is slang for 'a
woman who is so beautiful she gives you goose-bumps' according to
Brian.

"We are targeting college audiences and general audiences with a
book signing at a Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles Sept. 17.
However, I find that some journalists totally get it when I pitch
the title and some are turned off.

"Can I ask your Hounds if they think the term "Bi’aaatch" is the
problem? Or is the generation gap the problem? What other ways
can I get publicity for the book-signing without relying solely
on mainstream media?


The Publicity Hound says:

The problem is the age gap, but not because older people like me
think the book title is offensive. The problem is that most
people 18-35 years old don't read newspapers. They're online at
sites like MySpace and Facebook.

Time is running out, so here's my idea. I'll bet the author has
profiles on those two sites. Tell him to contact his friends on
those sites and let them know about the book and the book
signing. At Facebook, create an "event" for the book signing.
You can also buy an ad for the book signing on Facebook, and
target people 18 to 35 in the Los Angeles area.


Two weeks ago, Jason Alba explained more tips during the
teleseminar series "How to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business
or Nonprofit." The MP3s are available, and the edited electronic
transcripts should be ready within a week. You can get them both
for only $77. They're not even in the shopping cart yet, but you
can order at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar/facebook.htm


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

This isn't a joke, it's a puzzle, courtesy of Lois Carter Fay of
Harrisonburg, Virginia and MarketingIdeaShop.com.

Put the pieces together (it takes about a minute) and then watch
for the dog coming out of the dog house.

Http://www.riversongs.com/Flas/today.swf


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

Every day is a bad day for press conferences
http://tinyurl.com/6rbhuj


Your social networking profiles shouldn't include passwords
http://tinyurl.com/6835cc


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
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

Publicity tips/Grade Your Press Release June 3, 2008

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #401 June 3, 2008
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)

The Publicity Hound®

Circulation: 46,792

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

"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:

June 11: Teleseminar

PR whiz Robert Smith explains "How to Earn An Extra $100,000 This Year as a Publicist, Even in a Bad Economy." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm See Item #3 below.

June 18: Teleseminar

Business coach Leili McKinley shows you "How to Outsource Almost Any Part of Your PR Campaign or Your Business." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm

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

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

1. Grade Your Press Release

2. How to Mimic a Star Reporter

3. For Energetic Publicists Only

4. Do Criminals Use Twitter?

5. Promoting a Dawg Art Exhibit in Michigan

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Joke of the Week

8. At My Blog...


=========================================
1. Grade Your Press Release
=========================================

Wouldn't it be great if you could write a press release, run it past a press release expert and then, within a few seconds, know whether the release passes or fails?

Here's the next best thing. It's called the Press Release Grader, a nifty piece of software that not only assigns your press release a grade of 1 to 100, but tells you exactly what you must do to improve it.

It was created by Hubspot, a Cambridge, Massachusetts company that helps small businesses have a huge presence online so that people in their target market can find them, and convert a higher percentage of prospects into customers.

Simply cut and paste your press release into the window at http://www.pressreleasegrader.com/, complete the form and click on "Grade Press Release." Within seconds, you'll see your score and a list of suggested improvements.

The grader deducts points for:

- -Not having an "About Us" section on your press release. I could quibble with this, but it's a minor point in an otherwise cool tool.

- -No links high in the release.

- -Not using "###" at the end of the release, the universal code for "the end."

- -Incorrect use of anchor text. That is, the words on the page that link to a website.

- -Gobbledygook words like "flexible," "scalable" and "robust."

It even tells you whether the readability level of your press release is "graduate school" or one of several lower levels.

Before you start, watch the video on that page for a better understanding of how it works. When Hubspot grades your release, it gives you a full report that you can email to other members of your team.

I'll be incorporating this tool into my free email tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm

Thanks to Publicity Hound Debra Helwig of Athens, Georgia for alerting me to this one.


========================================
2. How to Mimic a Star Reporter
========================================

If you're a member of your local Chamber of Commerce and the only thing you have to show for it is the receipt for your annual dues, don't even think about dropping out.

Because you're a smart Publicity Hound, you have an opportunity right at your fingertips to be a star in the organization and generate so much publicity for yourself that all the other members will be green with envy. Nonprofits, this applies to you, too.

Here's what you do.

The next time the chamber has an event that the local media won't cover, act like a reporter and cover it yourself. Buy an inexpensive Flip video camera and interview people at the event.

If it's a routine chamber breakfast meeting with a speaker, interview the speaker after the presentation for a segment of two to three minutes. At the same breakfast, create another short video. Ask the chamber president to provide a brief infomercial of upcoming chamber events like the annual golf outing or street festival.

At bigger events, like the annual awards banquet, interview the Business Person of the Year. If you really want to create a stir, choose a controversial topic that chamber members are buzzing about. Interview one person on each side of the issue. You've just created two more videos.

Import the videos into your computer, which takes a minute or two, edit them, upload them to your website, give the chamber the link to the videos, and then watch what happens.

The chamber will probably email all its members and tell them to go to your website. Many of those members will share the link with their friends. The link will end up in the next chamber newsletter. And who knows where else.

And here's the best part. You can offer that same video to the local newspapers, magazines and TV and radio stations for use at their websites. Print media, in particular, are hungry for user- generated video, even if it's of events that they decided not to cover.

That's what videographer John Easton does in Charlotte, North Carolina. He covers local business events and uploads them to his blog at http://www.eastonsweb.wordpress.com/ or to his own streaming video channel, sort of like his own TV station, at http://www.broadcastcharlotte.com/ and then he offers the video to local media.

Too busy to fuss with all these details? John says every community is teaming with people who you can hire for next to nothing to shoot and edit the video for you. He explained how to find them when he was a guest on a teleseminar I conducted recently on "9 Clever Ways to Use Video to Become a Publicity Darling in Your Industry or Community." We recorded it, and the interview is available as a CD, electronic transcript or MP3 audio.

Learn how to start covering your own community's news right now, or find somebody to do it cheaply, by going to http://tinyurl.com/66xshb


==============================================
3. For Energetic Publicists Only
==============================================

I can hear some of you publicists groaning already.

During next week's teleseminar, when Robert Smith describes the wild strategies he uses to pull in so many potential clients that he has to refer some of them to other publicists, one of you will complain, "You expect me to do WHAT?"

Consider this fair warning.

Robert doesn't like doing what all the other publicists are doing. So he dreams up unconventional ideas on his own, like recruiting drivers for an overnight delivery service to hand- deliver his brochures when they drop off packages at businesses.

He's the PR equivalent of Willie Sutton, but in a good way. Sutton said he robbed banks because that's where the money is. Robert knows where the clients are, and he'll do just about anything to find them. If they're a good fit, he'll close the deal.

I knew him back when he was a frustrated bill collector who wanted to learn how to write press releases just for grins.

When he told me that, I thought he was crazy. But here he sits today with a full-time staff of eight and four sub-contractors. In 10 years, he's gone from a net worth of zero to more than $1 million.

If you're not prepared to entertain off-the-wall ideas about how to grow your business or work incredibly hard to find new clients, you'd be wise not to sign up for the call.

As for the rest of you, join us from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 11, for "How to Earn An Extra $100,000 This Year as a Publicist, Even in a Bad Economy."

This teleseminar is perfect for publicists, PR practitioners, wanna-be PR people, and even virtual assistants whose clients are in PR.

Everyone who attends gets a copy of the MP3 recording to listen to afterward. I expect this session to be packed, and seating is limited, so sign up today: http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm

And please make sure your seat belts are securely fastened.


========================================
4. Do Criminals Use Twitter?
========================================

Maybe it's just me.

But I fear that one day soon, criminals will discover that Twitter is one of the best places to find empty houses vulnerable to a break-in, or tweets that make it easy for them to commit far more serious crimes.

At Twitter.com, I expect to see lots of details about what people are doing in their jobs because using Twitter for business and publicity is just plain smart. (See "Special Report #52: How to Use Twitter for Business to Network, Promote, Sell, Recruit & Profit" at http://tinyurl.com/4tyl76 for ideas.)

But I'm amazed at some of the personal details people include. Like announcing they're closing up the house and leaving for two weeks in the Florida Keys. Or visiting San Francisco for a three- day conference. Or saying good-bye to their cabin on the southeast corner of such-and-such a lake and heading back home.

Last week, I was guilty of tweeting that I'd be in Las Vegas for two days, but our house wasn't vacant at the time. Had it been empty, I wouldn't have let the world know that.

With the number of social networking sites multiplying daily, it wouldn't take a savvy criminal long to put two and two together and go hunting for our profiles and...well...you know the rest. Just look what the slime balls have been able to accomplish with phishing and identity theft.

What about you? Do you police yourself so you don't share too much information? Do you know of guidelines anywhere that discuss the kinds of details we should or shouldn't include in our tweets?

Or am I just being paranoid?

Join in the conversation at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/5sge6v


=============================================
5. Promoting a Dawg Art Exhibit in Michigan =============================================

This week, seven Publicity Hounds have tips on how Lynne Scheible of Big Rapids, Michigan can promote the Year of the Dawg so that people will come to Big Rapids and the surrounding area to see bulldogs that are artistically designed by local artists.


From Nancy Stephen:

"Make sure you're talking to the local, regional and state tourism offices. Make sure you've got pictures that they, too, can post and use on their website."


From Kim Stezala:

"Have Ferris State tie in with the event and promote it with alumni. Perhaps alumni could vote for their favorite dawg."


From Cheryl Pickett:

"Once you get the sponsors together, how about putting together a joint flyer including special events or offers beyond those that your group is planning? The goal would be to increase the likelihood of visitors going into the stores instead of just walking by to view the dawgs. You could also post a downloadable version on everyone's websites or include it with maps."

"Example: A salon could offer a coupon for a massage/pedi for dawg tired feet after all the walking around town. A restaurant couuld offer a special on their hot dawgs."


The Publicity Hound says:

Start pitching this story to the gazillion pet bloggers. Why not ask them to ask their readers to vote, based on photos of the dawgs? See "How to Pitch the Best Bloggers & Create a Publicity Explosion" at http://tinyurl.com/m7ymr


Read all the responses to this Help This Hound question at http://tinyurl.com/6m9hmc

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


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

Merri Cvetan of Big Bend, Wisconsin writes:

"As an interior designer, I'm always looking for ways to drive people to my website at http://www.mecdesignstudio.com and business.

"I am creating a fun survey to find out the relationship between a woman's wardrobe and the colors she decorates her home with. I will offer a designer notebook to one or two entries.

"It won't be scientific, but I think the results should be interesting and garner some publicity. I can post the questionnaire on my site and at a few blog sites as well as Craigslist. Any other suggestions on how to get it to women across the country?"


The Publicity Hound says:

Have you seen the new movie "(Fill in the blank) and the City?" I haven't seen it, but can you tie into the characters' wardrobes and how they decorate? That movie could be one of the summer's biggest hits, and your online press releases, articles, blog posts and other content that refers to the survey could pull in a lot of traffic from SATC fans who are googling.

Hounds, let's hear your ideas. Post your best comments to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/6bq6ns


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

Thanks to Dan Poynter of Santa Barbara, California for sharing these Canine Letters to God.


Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?


Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?


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

How long before criminals start monitoring Twitter?
Http://tinyurl.com/5sge6v


The Musician's Guide to Brides includes press release tips
http://tinyurl.com/5lw7w3


Promote artwork with video using these 11 tips
http://tinyurl.com/5rjb7v


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

Where to See or Hear The Publicity Hound


June 11: Teleseminar for Publicists

PR whiz Robert Smith explains "How to Earn An Extra $100,000 This Year as a Publicist, Even in a Bad Economy." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm


June 18: Teleseminar on Outsourcing

Business coach Leili McKinley shows you "Outsourcing Secrets: Your Guide to Getting the Best Quality, Price and Teamwork from Freelancers." 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time. 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
USA
Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central) Fax: 262-284-1737

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/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.

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

================================
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 V