The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #542 Feb. 22, 2011
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. Steal This Headline
2. Startling LinkedIn Statistic
3. No More Boring Tweets
4. Twitter One-liners
5. Help This Hound
6. Hound Joke of the Week
7. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
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1. Steal This Headline
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Don’t worry. I won’t sick the police dogs on you for stealing
headlines, tweaking them and using them on your own blog posts,
articles and content for the social media sites.
I steal them all the time. So do other journalists.
They’re called formula headlines and they’re all over the covers
of consumer magazines and on blogs. They often beg to be stolen,
like this one:
Authors, Publishers: 50 things under $50 to promote your book
I saw that headline on a blog published by author Lisa Peitsch.
Think of the ways you can tweak it to suit your needs. Some
examples:
–Eat at your desk? 5 things under $5 to keep your keyboard clean
–Moms: 10 things under $10 to occupy a cranky toddler
–Drivers: 20 things under $20 to store in your trunk for
emergencies
You get the idea. Make a list of formula headlines you like and
then tweak them when needed.
You’ll find formula headlines galore at Copyblogger, one of the
top blogs in the world for writing sterling copy. Scroll down and
see many of the formula headlines under the title “Popular
Articles” in the right margin: http://www.CopyBlogger.com
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2. Startling LinkedIn Statistic
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BNET Blogger Jim Edwards wrote about a surprising nugget of
information tucked inside the document that LinkedIn wrote for
its initial public offering recently:
Most of its 90 million registered users don’t visit the site on a
monthly basis, or hardly ever use it. In fact, Jim says, the
company can’t tell the difference between an inactive or deceased
member and an active user.
I blinked when I saw that. I read it again. Then I ventured an
easy guess as to why.
Most LinkedIn users simply don’t understand the power of making
connections, joining groups, answering questions, making and
receiving recommendations, promoting events, starting
discussions, and providing daily status updates. They aren’t
aware that they can ask their connections to introduce them to
powerful movers, shakers and other influential users who might
never take their phone calls or answer their emails.
Learning all that is time-consuming. And applying it can eat up
precious weeks and months.
Even if less than half of those who have accounts on LinkedIn use
the site monthly, that’s still more than 44 million people who
do. LinkedIn has turned into the go-to destination for companies
and nonprofits that are checking out job applicants, looking for
recommendations for vendors, and searching for experts who can
solve their problems.
I’ve heard one success story after another of LinkedIn users who
have used the site to sign book contracts with publishers, find
paid speaking engagements, and attract consulting clients.
Tom Beug, one of my fellow management consultants in The Summit
Group in Milwaukee, used LinkedIn to contact a former client and
say hi. Turns out the company needed an executive, and signed a
contract with Tom to conduct the search.
If you’re on LinkedIn but you’re confused about how to use the
site, don’t spent weeks or months learning.
Join LinkedIn expert Wayne Breitbarth and me for a webinar on
March 3 on “Your LinkedIn Power Formula: How to Make Killer
Contacts, Pull Crowds to Events, be a Star in Your Industry &
Track Down Leads Like a Bloodhound.”
Inc. Magazine is so impressed with Wayne that the magazine has
invited him to speak at its Growco conference April 6-8 in Las
Vegas.
Learn more about the webinar, how to register, and what you’ll
find on the killer handouts, at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-tapes/linkedinpowerformula.htm
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3. No More Boring Tweets
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OK, so you’ve stopped tweeting about boring topics like when
you’ve logged onto your computer, what you ate for lunch, and
which coffee shop you’re tweeting from.
That’s a start. But how do you find compelling, interesting
content that fills the void and forces your followers to retweet
what you’ve written?
MediaBistro.com suggests these five tips for spicing up your
Twitter feed:
–Say something controversial.
–Sprinkle in some quotes.
–Add humor.
–Tweet breaking news.
–Join a hashtag conversation.
You can read the entire log post here:
http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/5-types-of-tweets-that-
will-get-you-retweeted_b3431
I’ve also started following more influential people who
generously share information like the type listed above. One very
easy way to find them is to visit the profiles of Twitterers I
admire, check out their lists, and then subscribe to the ones I
like.
If you’re not using Twitter lists, you’re missing out on a
powerful, timesaving tool that can also help you promote your
expertise.
I hosted a webinar recently on “How to Use Twitter Lists &
Directories to Generate Business & Build Your Brand.” The replay
is available at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/twitterlists.htm
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4. Twitter One-Liners
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If you like the tips you read here, but you aren’t following me
on Twitter, go to the dog house without your dinner because
you’re missing hundreds of helpful tips.
This morning, for example, I shared this link where you can find
41 terrific one-liners, perfect for Twitter. Many of my followers
are already retweeting it:
http://hubpages.com/hub/funny-one-liners-for-twitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/PublicityHound
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5. Help This Hound
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Michael Smith of Philadelphia writes:
“My brother is the chef/owner of Fletcher’s BBQ, a restaurant
that opened in September in a working middle-class neighborhood
in the Philadelphia suburbs.
“It offers take-out and delivery only. The motto, emblazoned on
T-shirts and the menus, is ‘Dig the Pig!’
“My brother already has landed a great story in the local paper,
and that drove some customers to the venue. Now we’re looking to
keep the momentum going. By the way, he provides 10 percent
discounts to the local VFW, policemen, firefighters and active
military, and also donates to local churches.
“In addition to ads and publicity in local papers, what are other
effective ways to spread the word? There are a lot of other
eateries in the neighborhood but not authentic BBQ food, so it’s
filling a niche.
“Any advice you and your Publicity Hounds can offer to promote a
new take-out only BBQ food venue? I’m sure there are some great
ideas out there among your readers.”
The Publicity Hound says:
There sure are, Michael. Help This Hound questions from
restaurant owners always seem to generate a lot of ideas. I love
the logo of the pig on the motorcycle and the “Dig the Pig”
motto. Hounds with ideas for Michael’s brother can post them to
my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=7866
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6. Hound Joke of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Sophie Wajsman of Melbourne, Australia
for this one:
If a fire hydrant has H2O inside, what does it have outside?
Answer…K9P
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 Blogs & Mobile Site…
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Need story ideas? Here are 6 to pitch in March
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7854
Why half of LinkedIn users aren’t active on the site
http://publicityhound.net/?p=7848
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Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound
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