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
Publicity Blog
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
Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon needs larger email list
This week’s “Help This Hound” question is from Dr. Robert Kotler of Beverly Hills, Calif., author of Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon: “We are eager to increase the number of email addresses to which we send our ‘Tip of the Month’—short, snappy tidbits about looking good and younger. “It’s not a solicitation for patients,… Read More
7 things that can kill your event before it begins
Whether you’re sponsoring a live or virtual event, make sure you’ve covered the bases long before the big day arrives or you’ll be facing poor attendance, empty seats and a boss who’ll want a good explanation. Here are seven problems that can kill your event, despite a more-than-adequate budget and a group of enthusiastic volunteers.… Read More
Triple A’s magazine reviews travel, food books & more
While doing research for my webinar on Tuesday on “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live & Virtual Events to Reach Your Target Market & Pull Sell-out Crowds,” I discovered that Home & Away, the magazine published for members of the American Automobile Association, reviews a wide variety of books, including some that you wouldn’t immediately… Read More
9 ways to spy on your competitors online
Writer Ed Davis asked me to pass along tips on how coffee shops can do competitive intelligence online, for an article in Specialty Coffee Retailer Magazine. These tips work just as well for any retailer selling online or offline, or anyone who wants to spy on their competitors, or any Publicity Hound who wants more publicity than… Read More
5 ways to use social media sites to promote your events
By Joan Stewart The next time you sponsor a live or a virtual event, don’t forget all the ways you can use social media sites to promote them. Here are five, which I’ll discuss in more detail when I present the webinar “50+ Places Online to Promote Your Live & Virtual Events to Reach Your… Read More
How can an author reach therapists, pastoral counselors?
This week’s Help This Hound question is from Dr. Stephanie Buehler of Orange County, Calif.: “I am a psychologist and sex therapist who is publishing the book Sex, Love, & Mental Illness: A Couple’s Guide to Staying Connected. It’s geared toward couples in which one (or both) partners has a mental health problem, and toward… Read More
Make event promotion/PR easy: 27 questions spark ideas
When you’re brainstorming ideas to promote your next special event, use this shortcut: My list of 27 questions designed to get you thinking creatively about how to generate publicity. The answers will help you identify juicy angles, compelling pitches and other content the media and bloggers will want to know about. I’ll share several dozen more… Read More
Authors, 7 things will keep you out of the poorhouse
If you’re writing a book, or thinking of writing one, please don’t take the quickest path to the poorhouse. Don’t start writing your next book unless you can identify multiple ways you’re going to make money from it. The answer “I’m going to make money when people buy it at the book store”… Read More