The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #503 May 4, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
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“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
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In This Issue
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1. 5 Facebook Security Dangers
2. Press Release & Pitching Problems
3. State of the Plate Survey
4. Webinars & Teleseminars
5. Promoting Job Training
6. Help This Hound
7. Hound Quote of the Week
8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
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1. 5 Facebook Security Dangers
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If you’re on Facebook, LinkedIn or MySpace, Consumer Reports says
you’re putting your security in danger if you do these 5 things:
–List your correct birthday.
–Use a weak password.
–Overlook the control you have in your privacy settings.
–Post a child’s name in a caption.
–Mention being away from home. I’m astonished at how many people
do this, and about the popularity of FourSquare.com, the hot new
site where you can “check in” with your followers and advertise
where you are at any second of the day. Connect FourSquare with
your Twitter account, and you could end up on the site
PleaseRobMe.com.
Read about two other social media dangers at the L.A. Times blog
at http://ow.ly/1GSty
And then once you’re safety is assured, follow Christine
Buffaloe’s tips on 11 Ways to Avoid Missed Opportunities on
Facebook at http://budurl.com/facebookwithchris
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2. Press Release & Pitching Problems
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When other pubicity mutts are zigging, Publicity Hounds should be
zagging.
what’s zigging?
–Sending press releases and hoping they will result in major
stories. Too few mutts understand what press releaases can and
cannot do. They’re great if you want the search engines to find
you and reach consumers directly. But they seldom generate major
publicity.
–Pitching blindly, without taking the time to research
journalists and bloggers. Letting them know who you are BEFORE
you pitch says, “I care about the topics you cover, and I can
help you.” that’s o much better than delivering a pitch out of
left field that says, “I don’t know who you are or what you
cover, but I’m contacting you anyway.”
I’ll be hosting a webinar called “How to REALLY Use Publicity as
an Online Marketing Channel and ZIG When Everyone Else is
ZAGGING.” It will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Wednsday, May 19,
and you can start registering next week. You don’t need to be in
front of a computer to participate. The session will be recorded
so you can watch it later.
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3. State of the Plate Survey
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Here’s a rare exception of when a press release results in a huge
story.
The headline on the release reads, “Economy Hits Churches at
Unprecedented Rate.” The release goes on to say that almost 40
percent of churches across the United States saw a decline in
church giving and offerings last year, according to a survey.
It was taken by Brian Kluth and Christianity Today International.
Kluth is a former church pastor and best-selling author who now
works as “Generosity Minister at Large” at the First Evangelical
Free Church of Colorado Springs. Two large colorful graphs within
the press release show the survey results at a glance, and
include regional statistics that the media can devour.
More than 150 media outlets covered the story. You can see the
press release, the survey results and the array of dozens of
media logos on Brian’s website at
http://www.stateoftheplate.info/
All that, from just one survey.
My business partner, Jeanne Hurlbert, is presenting a free
webinar at 2 p.m. Eastern Time today on how surveys can uncover
information about your customers, your market and other aspects
of your business that you could never imagine. You’ll learn how
to use surveys to guide you in creating products and services,
and spot trends within your industry that can result in fabulous
publicity. Register for the webinar at
http://snipurl.com/surveycustomers
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4. Webinars & Teleseminars
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Tuesday, May 4:
–“Words That Work in the Press, Politics & Public Relations,”
featuring word wizard Frank Lutz, sponsored by Bulldog Reporter.
1 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at http://ow.ly/1DtxK
–“How To Get A Whole Lot More Media Publicity And Exposure And
Make A Name For Yourself As An Expert In Your Field,” sponsored
by Steve Harrison, at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern. Register at
http://www.YourQuantumLeap.com/PreviewCallFour/?11577
–“Your Cash-Generating Crystal Ball: How to Use Simple Surveys
to Read Your Prospects’ and Customers’ Minds, Build Lists, Create
Products and Make Money,” featuring Jeanne Hurlbert, PhD, 2 p.m.
Eastern. http://snipurl.com/surveycustomers
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5. Promoting Job Training
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This week, eight Publicity Hounds have tips for Deborah Avens of
Temple Hills, MD, on how to market job training programs for
disadvantaged girls and women.
From Doug Smith:
“Networking with some of the organizations serving the D.C. area
may be helpful. There is a group out of Oakton, VA, called Women
Entrepreneurs, Inc. Also, the National Association of Women
Business Owners is based there in DC. I am sure the DC and
Maryland Better Business Bureau and Chambers of Commerce would
assist in getting the word out.”
From Eric Barton:
“With no budget, social media would be great and free. Articles,
blogs, press releases and YouTube videos all generate leads and
customers/clients.”
From Margaret Vos:
“Contact the Junior League. I think they would LOVE to help.
Other non-profits can be just what you’re looking for!”
The Publicity Hound says:
Read all the responses to this week’s “Help This Hound” question
at http://ow.ly/1DHuq
Send your own question to:
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=HelpThisHound
and include your city and state.
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6. Help This Hound
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Katie Schwartz Chattanooga, TN, asks:
“What are some ways to reach education reporters, or parents of
students about to enter college?
“I have written an ebook called Portable Parent at
http://www.portableparent.com/contents.htm for parents and
college students, with advice the students need on life skills
such as time and money management, as well as much more. Parents
download it, add their input and upload it to the students’
computers so the advice is ready when they are. Instant info,
with a parent’s input, 24/7. How can I publicize this?”
The Publicity Hound says:
Back-to-school sections, which magazines and newspapers print in
late summer, are ideal places to publicize your book. Google
“back to school section” and see if you can find contact
information for editors. Start pitching magazines right now.
Pitch newspapers in mid-summer. Don’t forget bloggers who write
about parenting issues. See “How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and
Create a Publicity Explosion” at
http://snipurl.com/pitchbestbloggers
Hounds with other ideas can post them to my blog at
http://snipurl.com/collegestudentebook
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7. Hound Quote of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Michael Acklam for this one:
“We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we
can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best
deal man has ever made.”
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://publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
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8. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
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Consider retweeting by coping these headlines and links into
Twitter:
Do you say ‘I love you’ to your pet? Guess how many owners do?
http://snipurl.com/petownersurvey
Speakers: 7 ways to use text messages to wow audiences
http://ow.ly/1GPgg
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Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
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