The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #591 Jan. 24, 2012
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. Let a Geek Help with PR
2. Membership Has Its Privileges
3. Make Your Book a Bestseller
4. Sponsoring a Contest on Flickr
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Video of the Week
7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site
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1. Let a Geek Help with PR
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Nothing stalls a publicity campaign quicker than a niggling
little technology problem that, within minutes, turns into a
major disaster.
If you’re like me, you waste days of time and work yourself into
a lather trying to figure out how to do things like:
–Retrieve the press release that disappeared from your screen
after you’ve been working on it for an hour without saving it.
–Fix a problem in your online pressroom.
–Install the latest widget on your WordPress blog.
–Touch up a publicity photo. (I still can’t figure out
“layering” in Adobe Photoshop, and I’ve given up trying to
learn.)
–Trying to format an article at my website that was created in
Word, which always throws in screwy coding and creates a royal
mess.
And that’s just the simple stuff. Don’t get me started on editing
and publishing videos.
One of my resolutions for 2012 is hiring a team of techies, all
independent contractors, to help make my life easier. But I’m
never sure where to start looking and if they’re going to rip me
off. I have one local techie so far, and he’s great. But he’s not
always available when I need him.
Last week, I discovered Zach Swinehart’s ebook called “The Geek
Guidebook: How to Find Local Geeks to Solve Your Tech Problems
for Pennies on the Dollar.” He explains the five different types
of geeks and how each one can benefit you. He gives step-by-step
directions on four ways to find geeks and questions to ask them
before you hire them so you don’t get stuck with a loser.
The book includes an outline of how long it takes professionals
to do things, so you’ll know if your geek is slacking off. And
Swinehart even explains how to keep your information secure, so
your geek doesn’t compromise your security.
At $27, this is a steal. Read more about how to stop wasting time
trying to figure out this stuff by yourself.
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=191035&AdID=
582342
Yes, I earn a commission for each book sold. But it’s pennies
compared to the amount you’ll save in lost time and aggravation
by getting these problems off your back and loading them onto the
shoulders of geeks who are a lot smarter than you and,
especially, me.
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2. Membership Has Its Privileges
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If you’ve written a compelling blog post that carries readers
straight through to the end, don’t let them click off of it
before letting them have more of you–for a price.
Consider moving them into a paid membership program where they
can read more about your topic, and discuss it with you and
others, in an exclusive “members only” forum.
How much to charge? That’s up to you.
But this is one way to turn your blog into a revenue-generator.
If you’re writing your fingers off each week and seeing little in
return, it’s time to stop treating your blog like a hobby and
start turning it into a business.
When I hosted the webinar “27 Ways to Monetize Your Blog” a few
weeks ago, I found four more ideas that I shared with the
Publicity Hounds who attended. The webinar resulted in more
questions than any other training program I’ve taught.
If you couldn’t attend, access the replay at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-tapes/howtomonetizeyourblog.htm
If you live near Milwaukee, WI, join me on Friday, Jan. 27, at
the Wisconsin Business Owners Lunch & Learn at 11:15 a.m. I’ll be
talking about the Top 10 ways to monetize your blog. I just
booked this yesterday and the details may not be posted yet. But
go ahead and register anyway at
http://www.meetup.com/wisconsin-business-owners/events/43777912/
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3. Make Your Book a Bestseller
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Blueprints. Formulas. Systems.
Find one that solves your problem, and the rest is easy.
Author Peggy McColl has created a system for getting her book to
the Amazon, Barnes & Noble and New York Times Bestseller lists.
It’s a five-step blueprint that any author can use to make a book
a bestseller at almost no cost. The method works for all types of
books, fiction or non-fiction, regardless of subject including
self-published, POD, ebooks, newly published or even those that
have been out for years.
She’ll explain it during a free webinar at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern
Time on Thursday, Jan. 26, with my friend, Steve Harrison.
Register here https://m164.infusionsoft.com/go/BSCJan2012/A10011/
I’m promoting this webinar as a compensated affiliate, because
I’m tired of hearing sob stories from authors who’ve invested
years, and their life’s savings, trying to promote books without
a system or formula to help them.
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4. Sponsoring a Contest on Flickr
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This week, three Publicity Hounds have tips for Chris Stephenson
of Madrid, Spain, who wants to know if it’s OK to use Flickr to
host a photo contest. He wants to ask people to submit photos of
a variety of airports, highways, bridges and all types of
buildings that his company is managing or building.
From Angela, who suggests he consider using a third-party
platform like Shortstack.com to promote the contest on Facebook:
“You have a beautiful advantage because you know the cities
you’ll be targeting. I’d suggest you connect with photography
clubs in those cities, universities that may have photography
programs, as well as the major businesses that lease space in
these buildings.”
From Christina Steder:
“You might want to look into holding the competition on
Pinterest. Although Pinterest is still invitation only, it’s easy
to get in and the people on the site are extremely active!”
From The Publicity Hound:
“Chris, I did a quick Google search and found this post, which
explains that Flickr makes photo contests easier. You can find it
at
http://rising.blackstar.com/flickr-makes-photo-contests-
easier.html
“I’m not sure when it was written or whether Flickr’s terms of
service have changed. Try contacting the PR department at HP and,
also, someone from the Angkor Photography Festival. Also, you can
post your question at Quora.com where experts on almost any topic
are standing by, ready to help.”
Read all the responses at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10230
Send your own question to mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com and
include your city and state.
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5. Help This Hound
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Gina Elise of Redlands, CA, writes:
“I am the founder of Pin-ups for Vets, a non-profit organization
that supports hospitalized veterans and deployed service members.
We’re using hundreds of volunteer hours to keep the organization
operating.
“Our biggest challenge has been to get the word out there to the
rest of the U.S. about our small organization with the big heart.
We produce World War II-style pin-up calendars that raise money
for hospitalized veterans. We use the money to buy rehabilitation
equipment to help our veterans in their physical, occupational
and cognitive therapy sessions.
“As the 1940’s-style calendar girl in the Pin-Ups for Vets
calendar, I have made thousands of personal bedside visits to ill
and injured vets in VA and military hospitals across the U.S. and
overseas to present the donated calendar gifts from my
supporters. You can visit our website at
http://www.PinUpsForVets.com.
“Can your Publicity Hounds give us some ideas on how to spread
the word about what we’re doing so we can sell more calendars and
help more injured vets?”
The Publicity Hound says:
Gina, what a great service you’re providing to our wounded
warriors! I know my Hounds will jump in and help with this.
Hounds, post your best ideas in the comments section at my blog
at http://publicityhound.net/?p=10243
Send your own question to mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com and
include your city and state.
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6. Hound Video of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Dan Janal of Shorewood, MN, for the GoD
and DoG video by Wendy J. Francisco, which has been viewed by
more than 3.1 million people at YouTube. I watched it three times
and can’t get the tune–or the message–out of my head. Dog
lovers, don’t miss this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY&feature=
player_embedded
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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7. And at My Blog & Mobile Site…
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Rethinking the press release:
A content marketing & SEO view of a proven tool
http://publicityhound.net/?p=10084
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