Issue #934 July 18, 2015
Publisher: Joan Stewart
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
In This Issue
- Your Own Star on Hollywood Blvd.
- Water & Food for the Media
- Your First Big Media Appearance
- Hound Video of the Week
This Weekend in the Hound House:
Today is Fish Day here in Port Washington, Wis., where tourists come from miles to enjoy the World’s Largest Outdoor Fish Fry (also the World’s Largest Outdoor Drunk). Bogie, like most dogs, hates hearing the fireworks from our house. Good thing I found this YouTube video that includes an hour of relaxing music, especially for dogs during fireworks displays.
1. Your Own Star on Hollywood Blvd.
If you like Canva, the popular image tool, I have two new free tools for you, including one that lets you make a photo of a star with your name it, just like the ones on Hollywood Boulevard.
First, check out FotoJet.
It lets you create collages, photo cards, social media images and more.
You’ll love the clever options for Facebook cover photos. I created the one you see here for my Facebook page using a photo of me from a recent photo shoot, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Generator.
I wouldn’t have known about the FotoJet app unless the company had emailed me, asking me to review it. You can read their pitch, and my two suggestion on how it could have been better, at my blog.
Do you like FotoJet? Will you use the Hollywood Star Generator? If so, how?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and see what you’ve created. And, hey, share this.
2. Better Instagram Photos
Instagram is turning into a handy tool for Publicity Hounds who want a quick way to take and share photos on social media, or to use in a publicity campaign.
Advanced editing tools and a wider range of filters can result in gorgeous pictures, but only if you’re starting with a great photo. Here are tips for Instagram photos, courtesy of Amanda Connolly, a reporter for The Next Web in Dublin:
- Use your phone’s native camera horizontally so you have more flexibility when cropping.
- Center your subject, which will work perfectly with Instagram’s square composition. This is a no-no with traditional photography.
- Underexpose photos taken in the summertime midday sun.
- Keep it simple. People will view many of your photos on small screens.
Read Amanda’s other tips on how to take better photos for Instagram.
3. How to Record Skype Interviews
If you need video of someone, but they think recording it themselves is too much trouble, help them by recording a Skype interview.
That’s what lots of journalists are doing.
I’m doing it, too, with authors who completed my Author Email Boot Camp yesterday. They loved the course, and I’ll be recording Skype testimonials with them.
I found The Ultimate Guide to a Skype Interview. It’s a helpful infographic with tips for the interviewer and interviewee.
Do you record video interviews on Skype? If so, I’d love to hear your tips, especially those dealing with aggravating techie issues. Email me at JStewart@PublicityHound.com.
4. Hound Video of the Week
Meatball, an adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgi, runs around and around on this carousel. But be careful. You might get dizzy by the time the video is done.
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