Issue #804 March 29, 2014
Publisher: Joan Stewart
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
In This Issue
- Newsjacking: A TV Producer’s Dream
- Help Me Choose a Slogan
- Authors, See You in Denver
- Hound Video of the Week
This Week in the Hound House:
My health insurance company gives points for doing healthy things like getting a physical, being certified in First Aid, and wearing a pedometer while working out. I’ll rack up more points for giving blood today. What the health insurance company apparently doesn’t realize is that when you’re finished donating, you can pig out on junk food at the snack tables.
1. Newsjacking: A TV Producer’s Dream
One of the fastest and easiest ways to generate publicity is by piggybacking your story, or angle, onto another breaking news story.
It’s called newsjacking, a word coined by PR pro David Meerman Scott.
PR strategist Roshanda E. Pratt, a former TV news producer, says newsjacking, when done correctly, is a producer’s dream.
After she left the world of TV, she newsjacked by pitched a local radio show three things we can all learn from Beyonce Knowles’ album release via social media. The host loved the idea mainly because it was the “talker” story of the week, and she was booked instantly.
Roshanda’s guest post at my blog, Newsjacking: A tempting bone for the media, even when you have no news, explains the three key elements for newsjacking.
Once you know how to newsjack, you can start pitching.
My transcript interview “How to Get on the Local TV News Tomorrow” resulted in three media hits for my friend, Tom Graber, on Milwaukee TV and radio stations. He tied into the topic of Friday fish frys during Lent by pitching the trend toward gluten-free fish fries. You can order the transcript.
2. Help Me Choose a Slogan
I’m making some minor changes to my logo, and it’s a good time to consider a new slogan. I need your help.
A few months ago, I used Slogan Slingers, a service that lets freelancers compete to write the winning slogan. I received 169 entries, most of them way off the mark. Some of them are clever but maybe not appropriate.
I’ve chosen the best dozen slogans. Can you help me decide?
It will take less than two minutes, and I’ll thank you with a $10 coupon good toward any Publicity Hound product during the next two weeks.
Go to and choose only one slogan. Or tell me if I should keep the one I have now, “Tips, Tricks & Tools for Free Publicity.” Or come up with one you like better.
If your slogan knocks the socks off my paws, and I use it, you win $100 in addition to the $10 coupon.
Don’t forget to include your name and email address. When I see your survey results, I’ll email you the coupon code within 24 hours. Only one entry per person.
It’s that simple.
Remember that I don’t specialize in dog products. I sell publicity-related products and services, and The Publicity Hound is my brand name and my theme. Lots of freelancers seemed to ignore that, and many slogans seemed more appropriate for pet stores.
Good luck! Take the survey now and look for your coupon code in your email box.
3. Authors, See You in Denver
If you’re thinking of writing a book, or you have a long list of titles already on Amazon, you need to know about all the changes taking place in the world of book publishing.
Join me in Denver May 1-3 for the Author U Extravaganza, the annual seminar sponsored by Judith Briles.
I’m one of more than 20 speakers, and I created a fun little video that shows you what’s in store if you join us and what I’m bringing to Denver for the silent auction.
Watch the video, and learn about the three ways you can save money if you join us in Denver.
4. Hound Video of the Week
Thanks to Publicity Hound Bev Hanna from Midland, Ontario, Canada, for this video of dogs reacting to magic tricks. Watch as magician & mentalist Jose Ahonen makes dog treats disappear right under their noses. By the way, all the dogs got treats before and after the trick.
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