The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #683 Jan. 19, 2013
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. Shortkeys Saves Time Typing
2. Be a Media Darling
3. New Posts at My Blog
4. Hound Video of the Week
This Weekend in the Hound House:
Looking for a way to stop slipping and sliding on icy sidewalks? I
walk more than an hour a day, even during the winter here in
Wisconsin, and I’d be a pile of broken bones if it weren’t for my
Yaktrax, an ice traction device I slip over my boots. The coils
grip the ice and reduce the chances of falling. Buy a pair that
goes on easily, because the rubber breaks if stretched too
tightly. Find them at sporting goods stores, or on Amazon.
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1. Shortkeys Saves Time Typing
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What do you do when a reporter or blogger emails you and asks you
to send a short version of your bio?
Do you hit “reply,” go to a folder on you hard drive, and send it
as an attachment?
That’s what I used to do until I discovered Shortkeys, one of the
most valuable time-saving tools you’ll ever find, a steal at $24.95.
It’s a text replacement utility that lets you insert blocks of text
into other applications like your email program, or Microsoft Word,
by simply typing a few keystrokes. For example, when someone wants
my short bio, I place my cursor where I want the type to appear and
I type “##shortbio”.
Within a second or two, my bio appears on the screen.
Publicity Hounds can use Shortkeys so many other ways:
–Create answers to frequently asked questions.
–Authors, create a Shortkey that includes a short description for
each of your books, along with the link where people can buy it.
–I have a Shortkey for accepting invitations to connect on
LinkedIn. I thank the person for inviting me, and explain where to
connect with me on Twitter and on Facebook, and I include the
links. You’d be amazed at how many people actually thank me for
letting them know where to find me on those sites.
–I create Shortkeys for URLs at my website for products that will
help people solve specific publicity-related problems.
–The biggest time-saver of all is a shortkey for my email
address. Instead of typing “JStewart@PublicityHound.com”, I type
“##ema” which is short for “email” and my long email address
suddenly appears. I also have a shortkey for my website URL.
This dandy little tool was one of 60 free or practically free tips,
tricks, tools and tutorials for publicity and social media that I
shared during my webinar on “60 Ideas in 60 Minutes.” You can
purchase the video replay and grab the four bonuses.
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2. Be a Media Darling
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If you’re in a niche where you’re competing with dozens, or even
hundreds, of similar experts for national publicity, your biggest
challenge is branding yourself in a way that celebrates your
uniqueness.
When you talk to reporters or TV producers and tell them what you
do, you don’t want them to think, “Oh no. Not ANOTHER life coach.”
While you might be tempted to rattle off a list of your
accomplishments and credentials, they’re listening instead for the
one thing about you that’s so interesting it will discourage TV
viewers from flipping to another channel.
To know what that “one thing” might be, you must understand how
journalists and broadcasters think, what they need, and the
yardstick they use to size you up and determine, withing seconds,
if you’re right for them.
Celebrities like Donald Trump, Suze Orman, Robert Kiyosaki of “Rich
Dad Poor Fame” and Dr. Phil all started their careers as unknowns.
But they each found that “one thing” that turned them into
superstars.
Dozens of other best-selling authors who aren’t as well known have
found their own “one thing,” too, and are using it to do hundreds
of radio interviews and be sought-after guests on TV talks shows.
Learn how they did it, and how you can follow in their foosteps,
during a free call on Thursday, Jan. 24, with Steve Harrison, on
“How to Become a Regular Guest on National TV and Other Secrets of
the Publicity Superstars.” It’s at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Even though the call is free, I promote Steve’s programs as a
compensated affiliate. He’s well-connected to people who have
figured out exactly how to do it right.
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3. New Posts at My Blog
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Fun facts in a professional bio make people smile
Don’t send ecards via LinkedIn direct messages
Ask anyone you’re interviewing this killer question
Dog Tweets: 10 ways to build authority as an online writer
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4. Hound Video of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Dr. David Lee Scher of the Pennsylvania
State University College of Medicine in Harrisburg, Pa., for this
video of Tootsie Roll, the Yorkie that’s VERY particular about
where her treats come from.
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