Issue #775 Dec. 3, 2013
Publisher: Joan Stewart
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
In This Issue
- How to Pull More Leads on Twitter
- The Best Geek Stache
- Pitch HealthCare.gov Stories
- Hound Video of the Week
This Week in the Hound House:
Looking for a practical Christmas gift for the four-legged hound on your list? Consider a safety glow dog tag that clips onto the collar. It has two settings–constant or flashing. Bogie has one, and it helps me find her easily when we go to the fenced-in dog park at dusk. Buy it at a pet store near you or at lots of pet supply stores online.
1. How to Pull More Leads on Twitter
This little trick is so simple and so powerful that I’m surprised more people aren’t doing it.
Did you know you can have two links in your Twitter profile–one in the text you write, and another link at the end?
Social media strategist Amy Porterfield created a helpful video explaining “How to Get More Leads on Twitter.”
The first link drives traffic to an opt-in page where people have to provide their email address to see a webinar replay. The second link leads people to her website. (Note to self: Do this.)
What a great tip, and a timely reminder to revisit all your social media profiles. Don’t miss my blog post on how to create an impressive Google+ hovercard in 7 easy steps at
Milwaukee area Publicity Hounds: Join me on Friday, Dec. 13, at a MeetUp sponsored by the Women Business Owners Network (WBON). I’m speaking on how to create your own media outlet using the new rules of marketing and PR. Register here.
2. The Best Geek Stache
Here’s a fun contest you can plug into your publicity plan for next November.
Piggyback onto Movember, the annual worldwide charity event that challenges guys, referred to as “Mo Bros,” to grow the best mustache during the month of November.
It raises awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer and other male cancers, and it’s sponsored by Movember.com.
The guys over at Geekwire.com take it a step further and sponsor their own contest to find “the best geek stache in Seattle.” The winner gets free tickets to the website’s GeekWire Gala holiday party in December.
This kind of event has so many publicity opportunities:
–Challenge local bloggers to participate with you.
–Ask a local TV celebrity to judge your local contest. It increases your chances you’ll be on the TV news.
–Create a Pinterest board.
–Guys are spending more money than ever on grooming, so perhaps you can convince a local men’s hair stylist or spa to partner with you.
Don’t miss watching the free webinar replay of “7 Things Your 2014 Publicity Plan Must Include.”
3. Pitch HealthCare.gov Stories
How does the Affordable Care Act affect you, your family, your business or your hospital or clinic?
Media everywhere want to know about the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Washington Post put out the call today at its Wonkblog for people willing to talk about their experiences on the troubled HealthCare.gov site.
“The information you give us will not be published, but you might hear from a reporter so that we can learn more,” it says.
4. Hound Video of the Week
p>If you have a hunting dog that doesn’t know how to hunt, you’ll love this video of Elvis, the Basset Hound. He can’t hunt either, even after his first lesson.
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