Online Marketing

Hyper-local Patch.com covers 600+ communities

Here’s another website to add to your media list consider if you want publicity for local news. It’s Patch.com and it already covers more than 600 communities and neighborhoods in California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.… Read More

Manage your online reputation BEFORE bad news hits

A reader asked me to recommend a company that will help her manage her online reputation. Here’s my advice, which every Publicity Hound should pay attention to, before the you-know-what hits the fan: “I don’t remember recommending a specific company. Many companies do this. “Of far greater importance, I believe, is being proactive long before… Read More

Does your “Contact Me” page say “Go Away”?

‘The problem with most “Contact Me” pages is that they’re hard to find and uninspiring. Ideally, your contact information should be in an easy-to-find location on your homepage. Many people bury it a layer or two into the website. My heart sinks when I want to contact someone, go onto their “Contact Me” page and can’t… Read More

Tips needed for pulling traffic to heart health website

This week’s “Help This Hound” question comes from Teri Arnold of Norfolk, Wa.: “I work for the American Heart Association in the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate and we are rolling out a new interactive website at MyLifeCheck.org that provides a free health score and personal action plan for ideal health. “You simply plug in your numbers (blood pressure, BMI, height,… Read More

11 ways for small business to use Yelp, respond to bad reviews

If you do business in your own community, start participating on Yelp, the popular social media site that helps people share the best (and worst) of businesses like dentists, hair stylists and car mechanics. If you’re a PR person whose clients are small business owners, incorporate this site into a publicity or marketing campaign. But… Read More

Writing expert needs ideas for marketing online classes

This week’s “Help This Hound” question is from McKenna Donovan of Asheville, N.C.: “I’m the founder and executive director of To Write Well, which offers a wide variety of writing courses online. “Typically, the market includes professionals (journalists, lawyers, corporate communications officers), who need to improve their voice and style; and hobbyists, who are seeking higher… Read More

9 ways to use QR codes for PR, publicity & marketing

At first glance, it looks like a crossword puzzle that can appear almost as small as a postage stamp. It’s a QR code, short for quick response. And it can be one of the most valuable tools in your PR arsenal. QR codes, similar to bar codes that appear on packaged products, are used widely… Read More

Use hyperlinks in press releases: Here are 19 ideas

The next time you write a press release, don’t forget hyperlinks. Too many writers do. Or they’re simply unaware of the three most important reasons to include them: they improve your search engine optimization, drive traffic to your website, and amplify your message. Used correctly, links can also push consumers to take the action you want them to take,… Read More

Wine bar/bistro can’t get a restaurant review—ideas?

This week’s Help this Hound question is from Timothy Nishimoto, owner of Vino Paradiso Wine Bar & Bistro in Portland, Oregon: “My business is known as a wine bar, but we are trying to transition into more of a restaurant, meaning we have a full dinner menu, bigger than ever. “But, many people in town still don’t… Read More