Tie a Pitch to “Duck Dynasty”

Issue #782 Jan. 4, 2014
Publisher: Joan Stewart

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

In This Issue

1. Tie a Pitch to “Duck Dynasty”
2. Convert a Hangout to a Podcast
3. Use Pinterest in Your Media Kit
4. Hound Video of the Week

This Weekend in the Hound House:

This is the only time I can remember being glad I won’t be at a Packers playoff game. The forecast for tomorrow’s kick-off is for 8 below zero, 3 degrees colder than the Ice Bowl on Dec. 31, 1967. According to Wikipedia, a referee at that game blew his metal whistle to signal the start of play. But it froze to his lips. As he tried to free the whistle, the skin ripped off, and his lips began to bleed. The conditions were so hostile that instead of forming a scab, the blood simply froze to his lip.

1. Tie a Pitch to “Duck Dynasty”

Copywriter Jay White frequently uses what he calls “celebrity sizzle” when writing a client’s email copy that begs to be opened.

When I read his blog post suggesting that the perfect tie-in right now is “Duck Dynasty,” I thought it was brilliant.

If it can work for email copy, why can’t it work for your PR, publicity or promotions campaign?

Let’s say you own a men’s styling studio and want to pitch a story on trends you’re seeing in men’s beards. Tying the pitch to the controversial show can get you the publicity you’re after.

Can you figure out a way to use “Duck Dynasty” in a blog post headline? I’ll be you could if you could tie your topic into some aspect of the show.

Read Jay’s blog post on how to use celebrities to promote.

The new season of “Duck Dynasty” premieres on A&E on Jan. 15. And with all the hoopla surrounding this show, you can bet that people like me who have never watched it might be tuning in. So your timing will be perfect!

I found out about Jay’s blog post, and I’m giving it publicity here, thanks to Social Buzz Club, the fabulous site where bloggers, including me, share each other’s content. My tip about Social Buzz Club is one of 32 of my best tips from this ezine last year.

Access the ebook at “The Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week of 2013.” If you’d like to read the book on a tablet or smart phone, we even have an app for that.

The half-off coupons throughout the book are good for any products at my website, but only until midnight the night of Monday, Jan. 6.

2. Convert a Hangout to a Podcast

This is my year for finding more ways to repurpose content, so I’m not always starting from scratch. And this advanced tip is a winner!

Did you know it’s possible to turn a Hangouts on Air via Google+ into a podcast?

One of the great things about Hangouts is that they are automatically saved to your YouTube channel. But not everybody likes YouTube. Lots of people prefer audio only so they can listen while they’re at the gym or headed for work on the train.

Jimmie Lanley gives step-by-step directions on how to convert a Hangout on Air to a Podcast. I’m going to be doing this. What a time-saver.

3. Use Pinterest in Your Media Kit

Give your Media Kit some pizzazz.

Include links to your Pinterest boards where you can tell a visual story about your products, services or expertise.

Make a visual collage of your awards and milestones. Or showcase your most viral pins on a single board. Or pin all of your guest posts to demonstrate the scope of your influence across the Internet.

This tip is also from Jimmie Lanley. Read about her other details on how to use Pinterest in your media kit.

4. Hound Video of the Week

Here’s a cute little French bulldog that can’t roll over. All he does is roll back and forth. Will he be able to do it?