Tips for Accurate Coverage

The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #707 April 16, 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. Tips for Accurate Coverage

2. YouTube Allows Live Links

3. BlogTalkRadio: Resource or Ripoff?

4. Hound Video of the Week

This Week in the Hound House:

Here’s a funny sign about spring, from one of my boards on
Pinterest

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1. Tips for Accurate Coverage
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What can you do to make sure that after interviewing with
journalists, the stories they report are accurate?

Yesterday, I did a full day of media training for members of the
National Association of Professional Organizers at their annual
convention. Here’s what I told them when someone asked the question
about accuracy:

–“Flag” the reporter during an interview. That means stressing
your key message two or three times, like this: “Bob, the most
important thing about this issue is…” and then conclude with
your main point.

–Ask the reporter to fact-check the article. Big magazines have
entire fact-check departments. A fact-checker calls you before the
story is printed and checks the facts. Journalists who work for
smaller publications won’t always agree to do this themselves, but
some might. It never hurts to ask.

–Ask the journalist to call and read back your direct quotes.
Understand, however, that you don’t have the right to change what
you said if you don’t like the way it sounds. You’re making this
request only to ensure accuracy.

–Give your office and mobile phone numbers to reporters and
encourage them to call you on deadline, even late at night, if
they have a question, or if they want to double-check a fact.

–If the story is sensitive, tell the journalist you want to
record the interview. That means the journalist can record it too.

If your management team, PR department or media spokespersons
need media training, let’s talk.

I worked in the newspaper business for 22 years and know all the
tricks reporters use to loosen your lips.

The time to schedule media training is not when you’re in the
middle of a crisis or a bad-news story and the TV crew is parked
outside.

Be prepared. Call me at 262-284-7451.

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2. YouTube Allows Live Links
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For years, online marketers have been hoping and praying that
YouTube would let users link directly from a video to a website.

YouTube has finally added that feature. With just one click, you
can now take viewers from your video directly to a page where you
can offer a helpful article, ask for an email address or let them
know more about how you can help them.

This is BIG news for people who use YouTube to promote their
expertise, products and services.

Jeff Johnson, one of the foremost experts on how to build your
business by tapping into the marketing power of YouTube, has created a series of free how-to videos that I’m sharing with you this week. Look for them under a separate mailing.

I’m beefing up my own YouTube channel with tips, cheat sheets and
checklists I’ve gotten from Jeff. I’m going back to YouTube to edit
all my old videos so I can lead viewers directly to specific pages
at my website.

Look for his free video series that will help you build your own
TV channel to attract loyal fans and lots of leads.

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3. BlogTalkRadio: Resource or Ripoff?
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Is BlogTalk Radio the best way to deliver your online radio show
to the world?

Publicity Hounds ask me that occasionally but I haven’t started
podcasting yet.

I have several friends who are hosted on BlogTalkRadio, the
world’s largest live online talk radio network, and they like
the arrangement. It takes a lot of the hassle out of recording
and promotion.

But last week, I read blogging coach Dave Jackson’s “11 Reasons
to NOT Use BlogTalkRadio (again)” and I’m curious about what other
podcasters’ experience has been.

If you use the network, share your comments at my blog.

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4. Hound Video of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Jacqueline Simonds of the University of
Maryland, for sharing this video of a bird feeding a cat and dog
as if they were her babies.