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The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #365 Sept. 25, 2007
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®
Circulation: 35,713
=====================================
"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
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issue.
*******************************************************
Announcements:
--James Malinchak, an expert on how to get onto the college
speaking circuit and generate tons of publicity doing it, will be
my guest once again during a complimentary teleseminar at 4 PM
Eastern Time on Tuesday, Oct. 9. This is a high-content call
chock full of lists of tips that will whet your appetite for his
boot camp Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Los Angeles. Warning: I got several
complaints last year that the boot camp sold out early because
James lets past attendees return as many times as they wish. So
if you're thinking of going, don't wait until the last minute.
Sign up for the teleseminar at http://tinyurl.com/fs56k
--Join me from 1 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, Sept. 27,
for the teleseminar on "PR Writing Boot camp: Give Your PR
Writing More Polish, Punch and Power." Sponsored by Bulldog
Reporter, this session will be packed with tips and writing
exercises designed to streamline the writing process and
strengthen your press release or pitch. You'll learn how to craft
the first 25 words of your pitch precisely the way a journalist
would and why word choice matters. We'll share credibility-
building language, as well as the fuzzy, jargon language traps
that many PR people fall into. It includes a handout with tips,
checklists and other goodies from me and the three other guest
experts who will join me. Click here to continue reading about
what you'll learn: http://tinyurl.com/2dmtza
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================================
In This Issue
================================
1. Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous
2. Attention Article Writers
3. Do You Do What Experts Do?
4. 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day
5. 'Best of' Website Competitions
6. Help This Hound
7. Hound Joke of the Week
8. And at My Blog...
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1. Your Hand Sanitizer Can be Poisonous
======================================
Confession: I eat in my car.
That's why I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the glove
compartment. I thought that was fine until yesterday when I was
conducting a teleseminar for people in The Publicity Hound Mentor
Program.
Marilee Tolen, an expert in holistic health marketing, rattled
off a list of reasons why hand sanitizers--specifically, the
Purell brand--can be dangerous to your health:
--Purell contains isopropanol which is used to denature the
ethanol in Purell, and isopropanol is poisonous.
--On Feb. 1 this year, The New England Journal of Medicine
published information on the dangers of ingesting hand
sanitizers.
--Purell kills all of the bacteria on the skin, even the good
bacteria, which help fight the bad bacteria. Eliminating the bad
bacteria means skin is more "naked" than it already is--with
lowered protection and lowered immunity.
Air fresheners also can be hazardous to your health. Last week,
one day after a group of environmental organizations asked the
federal government to start assessing the risk of air fresheners,
Walgreens pulled three of its products off store shelves.
I asked Marilee how she's using both stories to her advantage.
--She's blogging about them at http://www.homespalady.com/blog/,
and mentioning that essential oils, which she sells, are good
alternatives to hand sanitizers and air fresheners.
--She's creating Google Alerts and posting comments at other
blogs that discuss this.
--She's writing articles for online article directories.
--Tomorrow's issue of her ezine includes a lead story on the
dangers of air fresheners.
When bad news breaks about a product or service that you compete
with, are you jumping on every opportunity to offer yourself as
the safe alternative?
Marilee is even hosting a series of teleseminars this week that
teach holistic health counselors, nurses, doctors, therapists,
educators, healers, massage therapists, nutritionists, spa owners
and health care business owners how to create a huge presence for
themselves online. Click to continue reading about what she's
teaching: http://tinyurl.com/3xmbfb
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2. Attention Article Writers
========================================
If you're posting articles to article directory sites, you may
have felt the bottom drop out of your stomach when you discovered
where some of these articles are showing up.
That's what's happened to me, and to other Publicity Hounds who
have emailed me, when we discovered that our articles are
appearing on some of the most sickening, disgusting websites out
there. And it's all legit, since anybody can use our articles as
long as the byline and author resource box remain intact. Even
worse, one of my articles that included tips for taking great
photos ended up on a website devoted exclusively to d*irty
photos.
What to do?
Ignore it. That's what all the article experts I've contacted are
doing.
Rebecca Morgan, editor of SpeakerNetNews, the excellent ezine for
speakers at http://www.SpeakerNetNews.com, gives the best
explanation I've seen:
"Stopping this would be a full-time job. There is no way to
contact the owner from the site, so you have to look them up in
Whois.com. They are often located in Eastern European countries
or Asia. Emailing them gets no response. Contacting their ISP to
take down the site will just mean they'll be live from another
site the next day."
Eric Gruber of http://www.ArticleMarketingExperts.com agrees.
"I've been getting a lot of questions like that lately. And I
tell them that if their articles are on About.com and
MarketingProfs.com, what are they worried about? These other
sites do not generate traffic from their prospects."
Good point. Besides, what are the chances a prospect would email
you and point out to you that your article appeared on a yucky
site where they were lurking? If they did read your article and
click through to your website and maybe even buy something, their
money is as good as anybody else's.
If you want to learn more about how to set up Google Alerts so
you can stay on top of what people, including bloggers, are
saying about you, and where your articles are showing up, click
here to continue reading, and watch the cool video on how to
create a Google Alert: http://tinyurl.com/2d9wkz
Not worried about where your articles are showing up because you
aren't writing them? Shame on you. It's time to start. If you
can't write, download the incredibly easy template I've provided.
It comes with the CD or electronic transcript titled "How to
Write How-to Articles for Newspapers, Magazines and Trade
Journals."
Click to continue reading more about what you'll learn at
http://tinyurl.com/dnxhb
=========================================
3. Do You Do What Experts Do?
=========================================
Are you an expert in your topic?
Based on the reaction I receive when I ask this question during
my workshops, three out of four people in the audience are
reluctant or afraid to call themselves experts.
"I'm not one of the top people in the world who knows the most
about my topic," one audience member said.
Another lamented: "I'd be mortified if a journalist interviewed
me, discovered I wasn't an expert, ans then uncovered me as a
phony."
Typical responses, I believe, because most people don't know the
definition of an expert. My own professional association, the
National Speakers Association, has struggled with that same
issue. Several years ago, five top speakers wrote an excellent
12-page White Paper on what constitutes expertise. You can
download it at http://nsaspeaker.org/pdfs/Expertise_Wht_paper.pdf
They concluded that there are numerous levels of expertise, and
that expertise shouldn't be measured only by what you know, but
by what you do.
For example, experts at various levels write books, articles,
newsletters and White Papers. Some of them hold copyrights,
trademarks and patents. They receive awards, accolades and
honors. They serve as trainers, expert witnesses, coaches,
mentors, trusted advisors, arbiters and even sources quoted in
the media.
Because the several thousand NSA speakers come from a variety of
backgrounds, I recommend that Publicity Hounds, even those who
are not professional speakers, use the White Paper as a starting
point to identify their own level of expertise. Once you know
whether you're an expert, the White Paper can explain what you
need to do to become one, and then deepen your expertise.
Smart experts who want reporters, journalists and bloggers to
find them make sure they're listed in Expertclick: The Online
Yearbook of Experts, like I am.
A subscription helps you drive visitors to your website by
writing and distributing press releases at
http://www.NewsReleaseWire.com You can send releases without
per-release charges when you register for an ExpertClick.com
page. You get a search-engine optimized Press Room page, and you
can add content instantly to the Web.
Only my Publicity Hounds get to lock in a $100 Publicity Hound
discount on top of the double early-order discount, and drop the
cost from $895 to $595. Save $300 when you order from the link
below by Sunday, Sept. 30. Prices go up $100 in October.
Call the office in Washington, D.C., at 202-333-5000, and ask for
the "Publicity Hound Discount" or order on-line at
http://www.ExpertClick.com/Discount/The_Publicity_Hound
You can use the $300 savings on any level of membership in the
Yearbook of Experts, too. Click here to continue reading about
all the benefits of a membership:
http://www.ExpertClick.com/Brochure
=========================================
4. 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day
=========================================
It started as a joke several years ago.
But international "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on Sept. 19 turned out
to be enticing enough that even Pulitzer prize-winning humor
columnist Dave Barry, National Public Radio and other media
wanted in on the fun.
John Baur and Mark Summers explain how they encouraged the
columnist to write about their special day, and how the giant
publicity snowball is still rolling downhill, growing bigger and
bigger. Click here to continue reading:
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/about.html
"I think you will agree that these guys should win an award for
being honorary Publicity Hounds," writes Julie Lichtman of
Frederick, Maryland.
Shiver me timbers. She's right.
Does your company, nonprofit or government agency have its own
special day, week or month of the year? If not, learn how to
create it, what to do with it, and how to recycle all the great
publicity that will result. I explain how in "How to be a Kick-
butt Publicity Hound," my most popular ebook. Download a sample
chapter designed to helped you identify story ideas the media
will love.
Click to continue reading how to download the chapter:
http://tinyurl.com/2a3dp9
==========================================
5. 'Best of' Website Competitions
==========================================
This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips and alternatives for
Donald Hansen of Issaquah, Washington who wants to know how to
find "Best of" website competitions he can enter. He wants to
promote his Viking Trader website at http://www.VikingTrader.net
where he sells Viking Age artifacts.
From Lois Carter Fay of MarketingIdeaShop.com:
"I know that the Web Marketing Association holds a competition
for best sites. You can read about it here:
http://www.webaward.org/
"But even better, here's a link to a worksheet that lists lots of
award competitions: http://www.website-awards.net/worksheet.htm"
From Christine Buffaloe of Mequon, Wisconsin:
"Joan often mentions capturing visitors' email addresses with the
Hover Ad Creator. I think this would be ideal. Not only would it
track the visitors, but it would also capture them as well."
Christine is referring to special HTML coding that you can buy at
http://tinyurl.com/2zhj33
The Publicity Hound says:
Your time might be better spent on things like blogging, search
engine optimization, posting articles to article directory sites,
commenting at other blogs and doing joint ventures with merchants
who target the same audience you do.
My mentor, Tom Antion, just updated 'Click,' his excellent ebook
that explains how to do all of the above, and more. This ebook,
now at a whopping 817 pages and with 150 new links you must know
about, is my bible for Internet marketing. I refer to it at least
a half dozen times a week. I'm buying the new version today at
http://tinyurl.com/s57vc
================================
6. Help This Hound
================================
Brian James of Melbourne, Australia writes:
"My client wants his innovative portable water recycling device
http://www.waterleech.com.au to break into the U.S. market.
"It's a small company with a limited budget. The Water-Leech is a
portable water collector that sucks up water from showers, baths
and washing machines. It is then wheeled outside to water gardens
and wash cars.
"The company is looking to raise funds to grow large enough for
Home Depot and other big stores to stock the product. So the
devices may be test-marketed in California and include a
certificate which gives the first 10,000 people 100 units in the
company as well.
"What would it take to get the word out and what is the most
effective means of getting into the U.S./California media?"
The Publicity Hound says: My mind is racing with ideas, but my
Hounds will come up with far more suggestions than I ever could.
Hounds with ideas for Brian can post them at my blog at
http://tinyurl.com/3884v8
In the meantime, you or your client should start writing direct-
to-consumer press releases and posting them online, so you don't
have to rely on the media to deliver your message. Sign up for my
free email tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases" at
http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/art.htm
=================================
7. Hound Joke of the Week
=================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Christel Hall of Carson City, Nevada
for this one, an oldie but goodie:
Three male dogs are walking down the street when they see a
beautiful, enticing, female poodle.
They fall all over themselves in an effort to be the one to reach
her first, but end up arriving in front of her at the same time.
Aware of her charms and her obvious effect on the three suitors,
she tells them, "The first one who can use the words 'liver' and
'cheese' together in an imaginative, intelligent sentence can go
out with me."
The sturdy, muscular black lab speaks up quickly and says, "I
love liver and cheese."
"Oh, how childish," said the poodle. "That shows no imagination
or intelligence whatsoever."
She turns to the tall, shiny golden retriever and says "How well
can you do?"
"Um. I HATE liver and cheese," blurts the golden retriever.
"My, my," said the poodle. "I guess it's hopeless. That's just as
dumb as the lab's sentence."
She then turns to the last of the three dogs and says, "How about
you, little guy?"
The last of the three, tiny in stature but big in fame and
finesse, is the Taco Bell chihuahua.
He gives her a smile, a sly wink, turns to the golden retriever
and the lab and says...
"Liver alone. Cheese mine."
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...
=================================
BBB's 'accredited business' boosts your credibility
http://tinyurl.com/2la9xk
The Forward adds bureau to cover Jewish news in L.A.
http://tinyurl.com/3cs4zt
'Martha' to feature toilet paper wedding dress winner
http://tinyurl.com/2vuj75
What motivates journalists, bloggers? Most of these 40 things
http://tinyurl.com/35m25p
Freelance writers need more lead time
http://tinyurl.com/345rad
Special events publicity: 11 tips to draw a crowd
http://tinyurl.com/ytph7f
---------------------------------------------------------------
Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®
Sept. 26: Chicago, Illinois
I'll be attending the "Un-Conference" as a participant. It's the
free daylong brainstorming session on how to use social media in
your PR campaign. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millennium
Knickerbocker, 163 E. Welton. It kicks off Ragan Communications'
full-blown traditional conference, "Corporate Communications and
the Social Media Revolution" Sept. 27-28. Learn more about the
Un-Conference and the two-day session at
http://tinyurl.com/2bz79b
Sept. 27: Teleseminar on PR Writing
"PR Writing Boot Camp: Give Your PR Writing More Polish, Punch
and Power," from 1 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time, sponsored by Bulldog
Reporter. Includes a handout with tips, checklists and other
goodies from me and the three other guest experts who will join
me. Click here to continue reading about what you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/2dmtza
Oct. 2: Teleseminar on Promoting Your Expertise Online
Marilee Tolen will present "Intro to Internet Marketing," a
series of telephone seminars for holistic health counselors,
nurse, doctors, therapists, educators, healers, massage
therapists, nutritionists, spa owners and health care business
owners how to create a huge presence for themselves online. I'm
her guest from 7 to 8:15 PM Eastern Time. And I'll teach you how
to become an expert in your field, and then promote your
expertise online to pull traffic, including journalists, to your
website. Click to continue reading about what else you'll learn:
http://tinyurl.com/3xmbfb
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.
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
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