Stop Twitter from Tracking You

Issue #732 July 9, 2013
Publisher: Joan Stewart

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

In This Issue

1. Stop Twitter from Tracking You
2. Two Important Training Sessions
3. Free Listing for Publicists
4. The Publicity Hound Interviews
5. Hound Joke of the Week

This Week in the Hound House:

This time of year, I stock my larder with fruits and vegetables I can myself, to give as Christmas gifts or hostess gifts. My friend, Vicky, and I picked two giant boxes of strawberries and canned 34 half-pints of jam on Sunday. I’m searching Pinterest for fun little decorative tags and swatches of calico–the finishing touch! Next up: Pickled beets.

1. Stop Twitter from Tracking You

Maybe you’re use to it by now.

But I still think it’s creepy when ads custom-made for me keep popping up on Facebook and many other places I visit on the Web.

Now, Twitter wants to track my every online move, even when I’m not tweeting. Yours too.

Stop Twitter from following your trail of digital breadcrumbs.

Alan Henry explains how to opt out of Twitter tracking in his article.

Do it now before you forget.

2. Two Important Training Sessions

Get Booked on Big TV Shows:

If you’re pitching big TV shows, you’re competing with hundreds of professional publicists who are pitching their clients and know all the tricks on how to catch the attention of guest bookers. If you want the inside secrets on exactly what producers for big networks are looking for, don’t miss the free 90-minute webinar that Steve Harrison is hosting at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 11. You’ll hear tips from Mariann Sabol who books guests for “Live with Kelly,” Tommy Crudup from “Rachael Ray,” Dan Fitzpatrick from “The Wendy Williams Show,” Stacy Rollins from Telepictures Productions, and others.

Register for “How to Get Booked on Top National TV Programs,” which is free except for your normal long distance charges. Even though this is a free call, I’m a compensated affiliate for Steve’s programs.

Make Killer Videos with Only an iPad:

Those pocket-size video cameras were all the rage up until recently. But it’s a hassle transferring the video to my hard drive, then using an editing program to edit, then fiddling around and trying to make it look and sound good. My friend Mike Stewart shoots his own video, edits it, adds 3D effects and music if he chooses, and uploads it to YouTube and his other social media sites, all with just an iPad and a $5 app.

I was in one of his free training sessions recently and was blown away by what I saw. I immediately ordered a refurbished iPad from the Apple store, and invited Mike to present the same webinar to you. Join us from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 11, as Mike explains how the iPad helped get him out of the “I hate video” rut and start cranking out video that’s brought lots of traffic to his website via the search engines and social media.

Register for the “Tablet (iPad) Video and the Social Media Quadfecta” training session.

Thanks for your comments on my video:

Thank you for the many comments and suggestions on my “Website Welcome” video. I’m having it shot and edited professionally, and I’ll share it with you as soon as it’s done. By the way, I shot it with one of those pain-in-the-neck pocket-size cameras mentioned above.

3. Free Listing for Publicists

Writers Market, which publishes the giant annual directory, is compiling its 2014 Guide to Self-Publishing, and needs more independent publicists to submit information for a free listing.

Readers include self-publishing companies, freelance editors, and others who provide services for self-publishers.

If you’re an independent publicist, email Robert Brewer at with the subject line “Independent Publicist” and request a one-page questionnaire.

If you’re not an independent publicist but you know publicists, pass this along to them and share on the social media sites. Here’s a tweet you can cut and paste (use a URL shortener):

Publicists: Grab a free listing in the Writer’s Market 2014 Guide to Self-Publishing.

4. The Publicity Hound Interviews

Learn more tips from me in two recent interviews:

—Greg Spalenka from the ArtistasBrand blog interviews me about social media and publicity tips for artists. I love the crown he put on my head!

–Music publicity guy Bob Baker did a really fun Skype interview with me as part of his “Creative Entrepreneur” series. No crown on my head, but I do have on The Publicity Hound T-shirt. Listen as Bob asks me what the one thing is that I still want to accomplish.

4. Hound Joke of the Week

If you’re traveling with your dog this summer, this one is for you:

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel he planned to visit on his vacation: “I’d like to bring my dog with me. He’s well-groomed and very well-behaved. Would you be willing to let me keep him in my room with me at night?”

The hotel owner replied:

“I’ve been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I’ve never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I’ve never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I’ve never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you’re welcome to stay here, too.”