Joan Stewart

6 ways to avoid errors in press releases, blog posts

The next time you’re ready to send a press release, post an article to an online directory or publish a blog post, make sure it’s error-free. Mistakes are a bigger problem than you might think. The Sheboygan Press in Wisconsin, where I worked as the editor, says at its website that one-third of the corrections… Read More

Help a blind person sidestep the captcha on Facebook

Judith Bron of Spring Valley, NY, writes: “I’m not the only blind person in the world, nor am I the only one who doesn’t have a Facebook account. “However, I wouldn’t mind having Facebook and Twitter accounts or an active LinkedIn account. The problem is that whenever I go to these sites, I’m asked to identify something… Read More

Hear my business blogging tips Feb. 16 in Milwaukee

If you live in southeastern Wisconsin and you still aren’t blogging, or you need some ideas to kick-start your blog that isn’t attracting much attention, don’t miss this one. Join me at the Feb. 16 luncheon meeting of FOCUS, a networking organization for women business owners, management executives and professionals in Ozaukee County. I’m… Read More

How to be a Valuable News Source the Media Love

If you want to be a Publicity Hound, you need to know how to work with the media. Specifically, how to be a valuable source. Here are 10 ways to get in the media’s good graces. Understand that the media owe you nothing. It is not their job to sell your book, draw a large… Read More

Help me with a creative wager for the Super Bowl

Pittsburgh PR guy Chris Martin, who follows me on Twitter, says he wants to do some friendly wagering before Sunday’s Super Bowl. He’s from Pittsburgh, and a Steelers fan and manages Martin Public Relations. I’m a Proud Cheesehead, as my Twitter profile states. We’re both in the PR industry. We tossed around a few ideas,… Read More

5 things to do if your Facebook Fan Page disappears

Google “my Facebook Fan Page disappeared,” and you’ll see a long list of frustrated, aggravated, infuriated people—some of whom have accumulated thousands of fans—perplexed as to why their Fan Pages, and months of valuable content, are long gone. It happened to me, as I explained here. And it can happen to you. You may not… Read More

5 ways to spark more comments at your blog

This month’s guest post is by Ryan Schmitz, a freelance blogger from Milwaukee, Wis., who manages a portfolio of websites ranging from Milwaukee Condos to Waikiki Beach Travel. He also loves blog comments! If you have an idea for a guest post about how to promote using traditional or social media, email me with details. * * … Read More

Whom to Pitch: Blogs or Press?

The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week Issue #540 Jan. 25, 2011 Publisher: Joan Stewart ========================================== “Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity” =================================== In This Issue =================================== 1. Whom to Pitch: Blogs or Press? 2. The Feature Facebook Forgot 3. Your LinkedIn Headline 4. Why Your Book Isn’t Done Yet 5. Explain Your Awards… Read More

Your LinkedIn headline should say ‘Call me.’ Does yours?

Does your LinkedIn headine set you apart from everyone else in your field? It should say to journalists and others who find you: “You need to contact his person, pronto!“ Until recently, my headline was so lame that I’m not even going to bore you with it here. It made me sound like every other publicity… Read More